Montana Represented in 2016 Beef Leaders Institute

July 1, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

JD Rosman, communications intern, at 816-383-5104 or jdrosman.intern@angus.media; or

Chelsey Smith, assistant director of events and education, at 816-383-5100 or csmith@angus.org.

PHOTOS: Available via prphotos@angus.org or 816-383-5100.

Montana Represented in 2016 Beef Leaders Institute

Derik Arntzen, Hilger, Mont., attended the five-day educational event.

Derik Arntzen joined an elite group of American Angus Association members by attending the ninth-annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) June 20-24. BLI is a complete pasture-to-plate experience for young leaders in the Angus industry that explores quality genetics, performance programs, genomic technology, herd health and much more. This year’s class consisted of 20 individuals from all areas of the country.

Arntzen joined BLI in hopes of learning more about the entire beef industry, particularly beyond the cow-calf segment. As a board member of the Central Montana Angus Association and an active member of Montana Farm Bureau, Arntzen hopes to bring knowledge to his operation, Arntzen Angus Ranch, and share his experience with others in his state.

“BLI gives you a much more in-depth look into the Association and the industry, and provides opportunities to see all aspects of the industry in such a short period of time,” Arntzen said.

The five-day event, funded by the Angus Foundation, began in Saint Joseph, Mo., at the Association headquarters. Participants interacted with staff and learned how each department works to serve its more than 25,000 members.

BLI toured throughout the Midwest and ended in Wooster, Ohio, at Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) headquarters. Along the way, participants were able to visit GeneSeek Neogen Operations in Lincoln, Neb.; J’s Steakhouse in Fremont, Neb.; Weborg Feeders Co. in Pender, Neb.; Trans Ova in Sioux City, Iowa; a Tyson beef processing facility in Dakota City, Neb.; Sysco Cleveland, Ohio; and a retail tour at Buehler’s Milltown in Wooster, Ohio.

Chelsey Smith, Association assistant director of events and education, explains that BLI targets young leaders in the Angus industry, aged 25-45, and gives them opportunities to see all sectors of the industry and how Angus plays a role in each of them.

“BLI gives Angus producers an inside look at all aspects of the beef industry,” Smith says. “We connect producers with feeders, packers, processors, retailers and experts in the fields of genetics, reproduction, and industry, so they leave the program with knowledge and information to better their operation.”

Arntzen says BLI opened his eyes to parts of the industry many can only read about.

“Being able to see the Tyson packing plant was very unique,” he said. “It gave me a look at part of the industry I have never seen before, and it is something I don’t think a lot of people get to experience. It is beyond anything I could’ve imagined.”

A complete list of 2016 BLI participants follows. For more information on how to participate in the leadership event, visit www.angus.org. Applications for the 2017 class will be available online starting next winter.

–– Written by JD Rosman, Angus Media

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association^® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.

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Beef Leaders Institute – Class of 2016

Derik Arntzen, Hilger, Mont.

Bryce Borror, Gerber, Calif.

Susanne Bush, Gatesville, Texas

Kyle Grim, Thomasville, Pa.

Lindsey Grimes, Saint Joseph, Mo.

Jeff Herian, Alliance, Neb.

Joe Lowe II, Smiths Grove, Ky.

Ryan McConnell, Dix, Neb.

Kevin Murnin, Burlington, Colo.

Hannah Connealy-Raudsepp, Boston, Mass.

George Richburg Jr., Auburn, Ala.

Reid Roberts, Sparta, Mo.

Eric Still, Lead Hill, Ark.

Benjamin Tokach, Saint Anthony, N.D.

Nicole Tommell, Fonda, N.Y.

Justin Uhrig, Hermosa, S.D.

Brent Versemann, Perryville, Mo.

Benito Vigil, Espanola, N.M.

Tyler Walter, Hudson, Colo.

Sally Yon, Ridge Spring, S.C.