2024 Angus Convention: Mastering Innovation
Angus enthusiasts gather in Fort Worth to honor past innovation, conduct business and envision what’s to come.
January 3, 2025
Nearly 1,500 Angus enthusiasts gathered in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 1-4 to celebrate wins, conduct business and look to the future of the breed at the American Angus Association’s 2024 annual convention. The event showcased innovation in production practices, technology and Association programs, while celebrating tradition and the people who have helped make the Angus breed what it is today.
“It encourages me to see people investing time to be at Angus Convention and stay connected,” said American Angus Association CEO Mark McCully. “With everything we have going in this business, I’m still most optimistic about what is yet to come.”
Learning together
Educational tours and presentations were a highlight. The 2024 National Angus Tour and Beef Blitz tour included stops at the Cox Ranch in Peaster, Texas; Vytelle’s corporate laboratory in Fort Worth; and Buc-ee’s, a Certified Angus Beef (CAB) licensed partner.
“Farmers and ranchers take care of the cattle and land; that’s their world,” said Mike McReynolds, CAB’s executive account manager for the south-central region. “From gate to plate, there are several segments in the supply chain. We host the Beef Blitz to help connect the dots, sharing more about how it all works after cattle leave the ranch.”
Randy Pauly of Buc-ee’s speaks to Angus breeders during the Beef Blitz tour, hosted in conjunction with Angus Convention by Certified Angus Beef.
On the convention’s main stage, Scott Stratten of UnMarketing Inc. spoke about the value of storytelling and the value of making things right when they go wrong, relating to seedstock providers’ customer experience. His keynote was sponsored by IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From Inc.
The Neogen-sponsored genetics symposium featured discussion on genetics and cattle health. Speakers discussed the use of new technologies, like gene editing in the pork industry and data collection methods for cattle, to improve animal health and productivity.
Angus University sessions offered attendees even more education. One learning track featured succession planning expert and Oklahoma State University professor Shannon Ferrell, who brought energy and humor to a challenging subject for many ranching families. Producers were introduced to the basics: ways to start a conversation with their family and a variety of tools that can help structure the transition.
In another track speakers shared about the economics of herd rebuilding and selection. Panelists shared tips for how commercial cattlemen can use marketing tools like GeneMax® Advantage™ and AngusLinkSM.
“Begin with the end in mind,” said Nevil Speer, an industry consultant. “Ultimately consumers are our business.”
Producers considering new ways to drive revenue for their operation sat in on sessions exploring direct-to-consumer sales through the Certified Angus Beef ® Ranch to Table™ program, as well as opportunities to leverage carbon credits and cost-sharing sustainability programs.
Taking care of business
During the 141st Annual Convention of Delegates Nov. 4, the Association looked back on accomplishments through the past year and took stock of the Association’s financial standing (see 2024 Annual Report online. The Association recognized Barry Pollard of Pollard Farms, Waukomis, Okla., for his service as the outgoing president.
The 263 delegates in attendance reelected Paul Bennett of Red House, Va., and John Dickinson of Auburn, Calif., to the Board for a second term. Elected for a first term were Ron Hinrichsen of Westmoreland, Kan.; Mark Johnson of Orlando, Okla.; and Danny Poss of Scotia, Neb. (See “Meet the new leadership,” below.)
Jonathan Perry of Deer Valley Farms, Fayetteville, Tenn., was elected president for the coming year, and Jim Brinkley of Brinkley Angus, Milan, Mo., was elected vice president. Darrell Stevenson, Stevenson Angus Ranch, White Sulphur Springs, Mont., will serve as treasurer. To access audio interviews sharing their respective outlooks for the coming year, click on the officer’s name:
Elected to lead the American Angus Association for the coming year are (from left) Jim Brinkley, vice president and vice chairman; Jonathan Perry, president and chairman; and Darrell Stevenson, treasurer.
Directors elected to three-year terms on the Board of the American Angus Association include (from left) Mark Johnson, Paul Bennett, John Dickinson, Danny Poss and Ron Hinrichsen.
“We have got to continue to make the American Angus Association relevant to its breeders and its members,” said Perry. “We have got to embrace diversity. We have got to continue to create tools that touch every member. The diversity of our breeders and our breed is our greatest strength.”
The Association also took time during the convention to collectively reflect on the progress the breed has made.
“We talk a lot about quality, but something lately that I’ve been thinking more about is the impact of the Angus breed on consistency,” said McCully during the opening general session. “We’ve improved the consistency of the product, and that has a tremendous amount of value. It brings value to how we market the cattle, how we manage the cattle, and sure has a lot of value to the folks that are selling our product and the consumers at the end of that supply chain.”
Celebrating in style
Members were recognized for some outstanding accomplishments during an awards dinner and reception on Nov. 3.
The Angus Heritage Foundation inducted:
- Bill and Sally Bowman of Saint Joseph, Mo.;
- Dave and Yvonne Hinman of Malta, Mont.;
- Harlan Ritchie (posthumously) of East Lansing, Mich.; and
- Bob and Jim Sitz of Harrison and Dillon, Mont.
- Sitz Angus was recognized for passing the 100-year mark for continuously raising Angus cattle.
Other winners recognized during the awards dinner and reception are as follows:
- Roll of Victory (ROV) Breeder of the Year — Express Ranches, Yukon, Okla.
- ROV Bull of the Year — BNWZ Executive Decision 2219, owned by Hunter Angus, Fair Grove, Mo., and Kayden Nowatzke, Michigan City, Ind.
- ROV Show Heifer of the Year — EXAR Princess 2717, owned by Jake Allison, Yukon, Okla.
- 2024 Sire of the Year — Connealy Craftsman, bred by Connealy Angus, Whitman, Neb., and owned by Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio, and STgenetics, Navasota, Texas
- Angus Ambassador of the Year — Mike McGuire, Waverly, Ala.
- Young Breeder of the Year — Cody Quam, Lodi, Wis.
- Miss American Angus — Rosalind Kidwell, Gentryville, Ind.
Giveaways
Drawings for the grand-prize giveaways provided another source of excitement at the convention.
- Steve Knoll, Hereford, Texas, won a complete cattle-handling system from Priefert and Datamars.
- Debbie Denowh of Sidney, Mont., won a John Deere XUV835M Gator.
- Lori Thomas of Baker City, Ore., took home a Trans Ova genetics service voucher covering one genetic preservation, an IVF cycle, and up to five fresh implants.
Throughout the weekend, the director of culinary arts for the Certified Angus Beef brand, chef Tony Biggs, along with convention staff, kept attendees satisfied with beef dishes and hors d’oevres. The brand hosted a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Bash Nov. 2 as part of its Raised with Respect™ campaign. It was preceded earlier in the day by a BQA training, which was attended by 115 ranchers.
“It was great,” said Radale Tiner, regional manager for Texas and New Mexico, reflecting on Angus Convention as a whole. “I thought everyone had fun, starting with the National Angus Tour — people talking about how good the stops were — all the way through to the awards dinner. I’m glad we could host the Angus family back in Texas this year.”
Editor’s note: Sarah Kocher is senior communications specialist for the American Angus Association.
Meet the new leadership
The American Angus Association’s 141st Annual Convention of Delegates elected five directors Nov. 4: Paul Bennett, John Dickinson, Ron Hinrichsen, Mark Johnson and Danny Poss.
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, Virginia, will serve a second term. In his first term, he served on the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Board, as chairman of the Breed Improvement Committee, and on the Member Services Committee. Bennett and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Scott and Sarah. In 2024, they were blessed with three grandchildren born in a span of three days.
The family operation, Knoll Crest Farm Inc., is a fourth-generation seedstock operation. Bennett’s grandfather, Paul D. Bennett, established a registered cow herd in 1944. The family transitioned the farm from a tobacco, livestock and crop farm to a beef seedstock operation in the 1980s. Today, Knoll Crest is operated by brothers Jim, Brian and Paul, along with Paul’s nephew, Dalton.
Bennett is honored to continue sharing his enthusiasm, experience and understanding of the Angus breed and its industry and pledges to remain accessible and highly engaged.
John Dickinson
John Dickinson, California, finished his first term as a member of the Member Services, Events & Activities, Breed Improvement, and Commercial Programs committees. He also served on the boards of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Angus Productions Inc. (API).
Dickinson and his brother are fifth-generation Angus breeders. His great-great-grandfather, Senator Simon Lantz, a former Association president, first brought registered Angus cattle to their farm in 1896.
Upon graduation from the University of Illinois, Dickinson served as a regional manager for the Association for 10 years. In the spring of 2007, he left the Association and formed Parnell Dickinson Inc. (PDI) with his two partners. He works 85 auctions annually. Dickinson serves as the bull development manager and head of sire procurement for Grimmius Cattle Co.
He is a life member of the Association and has served two terms as president of the California Angus Association.
John and his girlfriend, Katie Bishop, reside in Caldwell, Idaho, and have two children, Blakely (12) and Silas (3).
Ron Hinrichsen
Ron Hinrichsen, Kansas, has been involved in multiple sectors of the beef cattle industry throughout his professional career and is a third-generation Angus breeder. Ron and his wife, Lynne, established R&L Angus/Hinrichsen Ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas upon graduating from Kansas State University.
While raising high-quality cattle, Ron and Lynne have focused on bringing in the fourth generation — their children Cale and Eva — to continue the legacy. They raise cattle to fit the environment and sell bulls to commercial cattlemen based on their needs. With another family, they host an annual bull sale in the spring. Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®), ultrasound data and genomic testing are used to continually improve the predictability of their cattle.
Ron’s professional career started in semen sales and later moved into animal health sales. Today he works for Boehringer Ingelheim as a senior territory manager.
Ron has played an active role in the Kansas Angus Association, serving on the board and as president and junior advisor. Other leadership roles have included serving as the American Royal beef superintendent for 20 years, as the Kansas State Fair board president, and on the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association animal health committees.
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson, Oklahoma, is a lifelong cattleman with more than 50 years of experience in beef production. With his wife, Brenda, and two daughters, Sydney and Charley, he operates J&J Beef Genetics LLC.
Johnson grew up on a centennial family farm in Deerfield, Mo. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college and later Oklahoma State University (OSU). He then completed his doctorate at Kansas State University in 1992. Since then, Johnson has been a professor of animal and food sciences at OSU and has served as supervisor of the OSU Purebred Beef operation for 32 years.
At OSU, Johnson has held the Totusek Endowed Chair, has been recognized with awards for teaching and advising, conducted youth and beef cattle extension programming and coached the livestock judging team.
He is the lead author of four chapters in the OSU Beef Cattle Manual.
Johnson has served as president and vice president of the Oklahoma Angus Association (OAA). He has been honored with the Mr. Angus Award. He and his wife have served as Oklahoma Junior Angus Association advisors and were inducted into the OAA Hall of Fame.
Featured in the 2025 Angus Beef Bulletin
Danny Poss
Danny Poss, Nebraska, grew up on a diversified, family farming operation. The early foundation of the family’s commercial cattle operation was established by his parents, Melvin and Elizabeth. In 1985, as a sophomore in high school, Poss purchased his first registered Angus heifer.
Poss attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) where he majored in animal science. After graduating, he returned home and began growing his Angus herd while working with his parents on their farming operation. That same year, 1993, he sold his first three bulls privately.
In 2005, Poss purchased his own ground and continued to help his dad farm. In 2012, he lost his dad to brain cancer. In 2017, he and wife Kristi moved the bull sale to their ranch in Scotia, Neb. Today, with the help of their boys, they market more than 300 bulls a year. To Danny and Kristi’s 30 years of marriage, they have four children: Nolan, Nathan, Neleigh and Natalie.
To learn more about the American Angus Association Board of Directors, visit www.angus.org/about/board-of-directors.
Topics: Association News , Events , Management , News
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
Issue: January 2025
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