Values that unite

It was evident during the week that participants appreciated the opportunity to foster a sense of connection and camaraderie. Despite differences in geography and language, participants shared a common goal: ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the Angus breed. Attendees Darrell and Sara Stevenson, White Sulphur Springs, Mont., have been fortunate to attend several World Angus Conferences. 

“Attending the WATM isn’t just about learning and improving,” Darrell says, “it’s about connecting with people who live and work like us [Angus breeders], even if they’re on the other side of the world.” 

Sara echoes that sentiment. 

“We may not speak the same language or use the same methods, but we’re more alike than the media suggests. Meeting new people experiencing different cultures and traditions makes the world feel smaller, which is refreshing.” 

Harry Fisher, Eureka, Ill., attending his sixth World Angus event, visited with producers from 25 countries throughout the week. 

“The World Angus Secretariat gathering is unique in offering a chance to share ideas and discuss our common and unique challenges in producing quality Angus beef in our diverse environments,” Fisher said. 

The U.S. delegation was impressed to see the diversity and strength of Angus genetics as they adapt to varying environments and political systems. 

Grove explained, “The beef industry in the EU (European Union) is focused on red meat yield, due to the historical dominance of Continental breeds in the region. Focus on pounds over quality has been the norm, further accentuated by the lack of a federal quality grading system.” 

However, as evident by the host Czech Angus breeders and the many conversations the U.S. delegates had with EU and non-EU country representatives, there is a strong eagerness to learn and adopt technologies like genomics and enhance marbling characteristics. 

“The value of this event is the free-flowing conversations we can have with representatives from so many countries,” says Darrell Stevenson. 

Czech character 

For meeting participants, a bonus is the opportunity to be immersed in the culture and cattle business of the host country. 

The Czech Republic offered a captivating backdrop and enjoyable experience much appreciated by the attendees. Attendees traveled the countryside through the meticulous villages featuring historic churches and medieval castles, viewing black and Red Angus cattle grazing the rolling hills and mountainsides, and seeing more expansive farming enterprises than expected. The Czech Republic equal to the size of South Carolina, featured agricultural scenery, much like home.

Harry Fisher said, “I viewed Angus cattle in locations that would have seemed like home to breeders from Missouri or Montana.” 

The countryside amazed all the attendees, but learning about the political history cemented the thoughts of resilience and character of the hosts. 

The Czech Republic’s rich history, dating back to the 13th century, experienced a significant period under communist rule from 1948-1989. During this time, many farm families, were forced to give up their land to state-controlled farms, and agricultural productivity and lifestyle suffered. With the fall of communism, private land ownership was restored and farm families began to regain their homesteads, but were left with years of restoration and rebuilding. 

Angus genetics made their way to the Czech Republic shortly after democracy was restored. The first Angus heifers were imported in 1991 by Milos Menhart, a cattle genetics entrepreneur who spent time in Canada. He later coordinated the importation of an additional 1800 head, half of them black Angus from Canada. The first Red Angus arrived in 1996. 

With the popularity of the Angus breed on the increase in Czechia, numbers have risen to 5,000 Angus cattle registered by 150 members in 2022, making Angus the second-largest beef breed in the country, rivaling Charolais. 

Today, European Angus genetics’ influence is most apparent due to access and live cattle trade. Importation of Canada and U.S. genetics (semen or embryos) continues, but presents challenges due to EU importation restrictions. 

During the primary and extended tour, 17 farm families and businesses opened their doors in prime style with unending hospitality often serving their home-raised beef or cultural cuisine. The tour stops displayed herds ranging in size from 35 to 250 cows; a bull-test center; technology to measure feed efficiency; robotic feeding systems; outlets for their on-farm beef, including restaurants and bistros; and a community festival hosted by an Angus farm to celebrate agricultural production. 

The 2023 WATM was an unforgettable event. The global Angus family came together to celebrate its unified purpose and experience the exemplary character and hospitality of the Czech Aberdeen Angus Association. 

“The passion for the breed transcended through the entire attendance,” the Stevensons say. “We highly encourage any and all membership or commercial breeders and youth to take advantage of these opportunities — they have been invaluable to us.”  


Editor's note: B. Lynn Gordon, freelance writer from Grand Island, Neb.