ACA Board of Directors Update

Northwest Region • Nebraska • Term expires 2023 402.369.2025 • dunkcattleco@gmail.com

At Large Director • Nebraska • Term expires 2023 308.962.4255 • justin@tracycattle.com

Southwest Region • Texas • Term expires 2022 806.445.2496 • segaylef@yahoo.com

At Large • Iowa • Term expires 2021 319.461.6337 • lsgwp6337@gmail.com

At Large Director • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 859.227.7506 • ken.culp@uky.edu

At Large • Kentucky • Term expires 2022 217.218.0242 • derek@summitflooring.us

Northeast Region • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.969.0154 • larrygarrett058@gmail.com

Southeast Region • Tennessee • Term expires 2023 615.330.6446 • higg1andy@aol.com

At Large • Texas • Term expires 2023 817.366.64359 • wine@schricksliquors.com

At Large • Indiana • Term expires 2021 765.583.4565 • rsheets462@aol.com

At Large • Kansas • Term expires 2021 785.445.2671 • mikestoppel@yahoo.com

At Large • Ohio • Term expires 2022 419.236.4375 • tylerwinegardner@icloud.com

by Lyle Sexton, At Large Director

Hello everyone, this is going to be the last one that you will have to endure from me, as I am getting down to the short rows of my second term. Being on the board is a lot like raising kids, six years from now (2 terms) is a long ways out; 6 years later it seems like we just started this morning. Raising kids, starting to attend Junior Nationals etc., it doesn’t take long to collect some great memories, friends and cattle. Such as this year in Chickasha, OK. It was well attended, well supported and another well ran event by all involved – something about the saying it takes a village!! Thanks to Heather and Dustin for putting in the time and effort to get the rest of us ducks in line.

One of the many things the board has worked on is the ACA Sire Test. By the time you read this, the open house at the University of Illinois will be over. Several people who have traveled through have all said the group of calves is phenomenal for uniformity, gain and disposition and are looking forward to the end results which will help align the breed into the future and keep pushing the very positive vibe and momentum that has been building.

The group that represents you (aka the board of directors) has been actively working to keep the breed in the front of mind and into the main stream of the industry. Swimming with the sharks has proven difficult a few times and the constant discussion of whether or not to go from percentages to fractions has accumulated a lot of discussion, and consumption of aspirin. BUT, Rob has gotten better at selling the idea and the membership should take more than a hard, big picture look at it and join into the discussion.

When I started my first term, we had a CEO., Then events and times changed and the board looked at, and adopted the field-man idea, to spread the image in a broader pattern. This was made possible, in part, by the stepping up of the Board President to fill some of the angles and services that would have been tasked to a CEO. I would like to say a big “Thanks” to Ken, and now Ryan, for taking on the extra time and commitment that this has required. Now that the miserable year of the 2020 national health pandemic is behind us, and the membership has bounced back into the registration and transferring of this great breed of cattle, that too will be looked at hard by the board to explore filling that position.

For those who read the title to this long-winded ramble and wonder what the connection is, being on the board has been very interesting, challenging and sometimes time consuming. It has also been rewarding, positive and highly educational. So hopefully those fuzzy bean field pictures floating around aren’t Ryan’s. Thanks for stepping up and giving the ACA family your time, and I look forward to the next several rounds of board members stepping up to serve for the good of the cause, the American Chianina Association.

by Segayle Foster, Secretary & Southwest Region Director

The 2021 Chianina Junior Nationals was a recordbreaking event! We had more entries, exhibitors, competitive competition (especially on the kickball field) and fun in Oklahoma than any other one so far. This breed sets the standard for family atmosphere that is enjoyed by all generations and our crew got to experience that for the first time as well.

Since 1999, Foster Brothers Farms has only missed a couple of Junior Nationals, and this year was the very first time we have ever traveled less than 5 hours! When you live in Texas, not many shows are close by! The closest one to our homestead was in 2006 West Monroe, La., but it was still a 10-hour drive. Not only was the 2021 Junior National the closest mileage wise, it was also the first time we personally had our next generation in the show ring. It was so neat for us to get to introduce our littles to our friends we have known in this industry for over 20 years. That is what this industry is all about. Building relationships with people from all across the country and passing down our passion for the cattle business to the next generation.

It brings a whole new level of excitement to witness the Junior Nationals through the direct eyes of children and that’s what makes the hard times of this business worth it. For our family, this summer not only saved us in mileage, but it lit the fire for our next generation to experience it for themselves as well.

The ACA has a fall and winter show season that is packed to the brim with opportunities to exhibit Chianina cattle. I hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to showcase our breed and I look forward to seeing you at the shows.