FROM THE HEADQUARTERS

by Luke Bowman, director of SimGenetic Development

ASA is fortunate to have a team of beef industry professionals, with a wide variety of experience, available to represent the Simmental breed. The ASA Educational Specialists or “SimSpecialists” team covers the US attending sales, presenting at educational events, and serving as a resource for seedstock and commercial breeders alike.

Members of the ASA can qualify to have a SimSpecialist at their sale or event based on meeting one of five minimum criteria:

1. $2,500 spent with ASA Publication

2. $3,500 spent on ASA business (registrations, transfers, etc.)

3. Crowd of 30 or more and allow ASA to speak for 30 minutes of the program

4. $500 “buy a day”

5. State Association Day – field day

Many of the SimSpecialists have storied histories working around the country in all aspects of the beef industry — we have nutritionists and reproductive physiologists, all the way to meat scientists on the team. Many are professional educators, and all are well-known throughout their state and region for being experts in beef cattle production; however, the team’s expertise doesn’t come only with retired university faculty. We have folks who ranch full-time and can understand the day-in and day-outs of our membership and the challenges they face.

The model works because these are experienced professionals with a drive to improve the genetic business for our membership and their customers, and the program ties in closely with the Mission Statement of the ASA. They are not wet-behind-the-ears-kids who learn while on the go; they have a grip on the seedstock and commercial industries in their given territory and are extremely objective in their counsel and communication.

I challenge ASA members and SimGenetics customers alike to get to know the SimSpecialist who covers their territory. These men and women continue to get to know the populous in their region with each event and see cattle and genetic evaluation very well. They are a great option to learn from when discussing ASA programs and the latest science and technology programs coming out of the Bozeman office. n

Raising Simmental since 1968, Charolais since 1958. We would like to thank our new and returning customers.