Many young farm kids dream of having a toy John Deere tractor or imagine working cows and plowing fields on the carpet of their living room. For Mike McGuire his dream as a young 4-Her was to have an Angus heifer.   

“I had some influential people around me at that time that had an Angus herd,” McGuire said. “And boy, it was not long until I wanted an Angus heifer so bad.” 

From his early years shadowing his father at the University of Georgia, to becoming a founding member of the National Junior Angus Association, to working summer jobs working on ranches from South Dakota to Georgia, McGuire’s journey has been shaped by his passion for the Angus breed. His passion has remained steadfast, especially when he returned to Alabama to raise a family and build his own herd. More importantly, his commitment has always been to Angus breeders. 

McGuire’s dedication to Angus and Alabama for nearly five decades culminated in being recognized as the Angus Ambassador of the Year at the 2024 American Angus Association^® Awards Reception and Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas on November 3. The Ambassador of the Year Award honors someone who goes above and beyond to promote or aid Angus efforts and broaden the breed’s influence in the beef industry.  

In 1980, the Alabama breeder was part of the group of juniors who established the National Junior Angus Association and Junior Board. After working on a few different ranches and operations in the southeast, McGuire settled in Waverly, Alabama, alongside wife Angelika and sons, Reid and Clay. 

In 1997 McGuire became the Executive Secretary of the Alabama Angus Association.

"The Alabama Angus Association had a strong Foundation that preceded me. A lot of the things that we do now, were all in the place before I started, I have just tried to carry those on,” McGuire said. “You blink your eyes, and 27 years have gone by now.” 

Decades later, McGuire continues to be a leader in the breed and has been pivotal in growing one of the most robust state associations in the country. In his role, McGuire has helped to serve an active membership by organizing over 50 state sales, planning annual field days and helping to establish the Alabama Angus Family of the Year and Alabama Progressive Breeder of the Year awards. 

“A couple of important activities we have been able to maintain is hosting two sales a year, one each April and November,” McGuire said. “It’s given people an avenue to sell and build a reputation. It is a great gathering place for us and a way to bring everybody together.”  

In March, McGuire will have been raising Angus cattle for 50 years. Part of that achievement he attributes to his hard-headedness and part simply out of an enjoyment for the cattle.  

“I think it is simply out of love for the business to stay in it that long. It has been a really great experience and there was just nothing I wanted to do more than show an Angus heifer or steer back in those days,” McGuire said. “Still even to this day, I just want to get out there and touch them and work on them. And that’s just what really gets me excited.” 

McGuire becomes the second to be named Ambassador of the Year as the award was founded in 2023, a recognition he calls a tremendous honor. 

“Anytime you get recognized by the American Angus Association it just means a lot,” McGuire said. “Working in the position for the Alabama Association was never something I had envisioned myself in, but I am thankful to have been able to do it. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish here, and it is just a huge honor.”