I (Cheryl Hazenberg, CAA Director of Technical Services) have just arrived home in Calgary after a tour which
included visits with three American breed Associations, the largest branded
beef program in the world and a few days at the Beef Profit Alliance, and I can
honestly say I haven't gotten much sleep over the past week. But, I've seen a
lot of things and met some wonderful people who work for and with our
counterparts to the south.
The Red Angus Association of America and the American
Simmental Association hosted the Beef Profit Alliance in Manhattan, Kansas,
this past week. "The little
apple" as Manhattan is known as is also the home to Kansas State
University who were the hosts for the conference and put on a fantastic,
thought provoking couple of days. Not
only did we get to visit with RAAA and ASA staff but we also participated in seminars,
farm tours and discussions with purebred and commercial producers representing
both Associations.
Rob, Brian and I headed from there to the American Angus
Association's head office in St Joseph, Missouri. A place that is steeped in history and pride
for the Angus breed, the opportunity to meet some of the staff there and visit
with them was inspiring and the collection of Angus art on display in their
office alone is worth the trip to the beautiful city of St Jo. If you can make it, there is no reason not to
head about 35 minutes south to visit the American Angus Hall of Fame which is
exactly what we did. What a collection of Angus history under one roof!
Our trip wasn't over yet, and after a short flight from
Kansas City to Cleveland, the next stop was Wooster, Ohio, home of the
Executive Office of Certified Angus Beef.
We had the opportunity to meet with the staff of both CAB offices (their
other office is in Manhattan, Kansas) and tour their facility.
The photo below
is of us and Emily Agle, Executive Account Manager for Eastern Canada outside
CAB's new Education and Culinary Centre.
From Cleveland we came back to Calgary with new insight, ideas and a
great appreciation for the moisture we have had at home this year.
Posted by Cheryl Hazenberg
Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca