by ASA Staff
The American Simmental Association Board of Trustees has completed its search for the next Executive Vice President (EVP).
Dr. Jon DeClerck has been chosen by the ASA Board of Trustees to serve as the next EVP, following Dr. Wade Shafer’s official retirement on June 30, 2025; DeClerck will begin his official duties on July 1, 2025.
by Lilly Platts
Producing food, from beef to vegetables, requires a significant amount of labor. Statistics show a concerning shortage of labor, which poses a serious threat to the future of agriculture. New Acres has set out to help close gaps and solve this issue.
Thanks to technology, many farm and ranch skills can be learned more quickly.
Top photo by the Grant Company.
by Lilly Platts
The beef industry relies on many technologies, from simple to complex. New innovations are always entering the market, and producers are tasked with balancing the cost and benefit of a new product. Canadian rancher, entrepreneur, and forward-thinker Sean McGrath finds value in many technologies, new and old, and shares how he balances these decisions by focusing on overarching goals.
Heifers play a role in cow herd inventory and the feedlot. Heifer placement in the feedlot is an early indicator of cow herd expansion trends. Two pieces from Oklahoma State University and Nebraska Extension explore these dynamics.
by Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
by Joseph Hensgens, South Central Region
I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year as we get straight to a busy start for many of our respective operations. As always, we can’t control Mother Nature so all we can do is pray for guidance and be thankful for all we have been blessed with.
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.
by Carter Hall
When applying to become an AJSA trustee, I stated that I am from a rural town in a small state.
Our Pioneers — Old Cattlemen of the Southern California Deserts, Part II
by Larry H. Maxey, founder and superintendent, NAILE Fullblood Simmental Shows
New Zealand Reports First Case of HPAI
by Jennifer Shike, Bovine Veterinarian
Biosecurity New Zealand has placed strict movement controls on a commercial rural Otago egg farm, the Ministry for Primary Industries reports, after testing confirmed a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (HPAI) in chickens that has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.
Johne’s Disease: No Longer Just a Dairy Disease!
by Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek, Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Associate Director
In a 2017 USDA NAHMS survey, cow-calf producers were asked about their knowledge of Johne’s disease. Over 70% reported “never hearing of it” or “recognized the name, but not much else.” Veterinarians have been discussing Johne’s disease with dairy producers for many years. This is not true concerning cow-calf producers.
Events and Sales
Results of the 2025 American Royal
Tyson Foods to Close Kansas and Pennsylvania Plants
Tyson Foods plans to permanently close a beef and pork plant in Emporia, Kansas, that employs more than 800 people, the company said on Monday. Tyson has also closed six US chicken plants and an Iowa pork plant in the past two years, laying off thousands of workers.
NAILE Show Results
Sale Catalog Resources Added to ASA Website
Looking to add some information about EPD and indexes, genomics, the IGS multi-breed genetic evaluation, or the benefits of participating in ASA’s programs to your sale catalog? Look no further!