January 2025, Denver, Colorado
The American Simmental Association held its Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, during the National Western Stock Show. The following committee reports were presented, detailing the Association’s efforts in 2024.
Chairman’s Report
by Chris Ivie, ASA Board chairman
As I begin to reflect on all that has transpired in the past year I served as chairman, it has been at times challenging with the agenda this group of Trustees was tasked with. On the other hand, it has been gratifying to see the progress we have made as an Association, which makes all the hours and nights away from our families and operations worth it.
In January 2024, Dr. Wade Shafer notified the Executive Committee of his plans to retire in June of 2025. This set into motion a charge to the Executive Committee to develop a plan to find his successor while continuing to do our duties as Trustees. Dr. Shafer made his official announcement to the full Board of Trustees, as well as staff, at our April board meeting in Bozeman. I will not be able to do justice to honor what Dr. Shafer has meant to this organization over his many years of dedication to the membership. What I can say is that Dr. Shafer had a longterm vision that not only maintained the mission statement that our founders put into place, but enhanced this vision that has propelled the American Simmental Association to our position as a leader in the cattle industry today. Thank you, Dr. Shafer, for your commitment to this industry, our organization, and our membership. Thank you for setting up the American Simmental Association for success for many generations to come.
In mid-December, the Board of Trustees selected Dr. Jonathan DeClerck to assume the position of Executive Vice President of the American Simmental Association on July 1, 2025. I would like to welcome Dr. DeClerck on board. We look forward to working with him as he continues to grow the legacy that Dr. Shafer and his staff have built.
International Genetic Solutions (IGS) has positioned the ASA and its membership well in recent years, and the potential growth is simply limitless. The IGS tools allow breeders to take data and utilize it within their operations, catered to their customer base. One would be foolish to think IGS is only for a certain sector of this industry; IGS has an impact on every animal evaluated. These IGS tools offered by the ASA are very logical and profitable wrenches in our toolbox, which we should all use daily in this cattle industry.
With IGS being the backbone of our Association and always thinking of ways to increase awareness and its effectiveness within the industry, this board decided in August 2024 that it was time to take a step forward and passed a resolution that was later passed by ASA’s membership requiring all natural service sires born on or after January 1, 2025, meet the same DNA requirements as AI sires and donor dams. This is something that has been discussed many times before, and this board felt like this was the right time to implement this change.
Our AJSA Classics continue to be must-attend events that are growing, for good reason. Last year’s National Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was nothing short of spectacular. My hat goes off to everyone who attended, volunteered, and participated — thank you! A successful addition to the Classic was the DNA Clinic and DNA collection opportunity for junior members. The acceptance and actual demand for testing at this event exceeded our expectations. It is my hope that this Board of Trustees will continue to look at ways to encourage our adult and junior members to have their animals DNA tested prior to entry of the Classic and other Major PTP events.
The 2025 National Classic will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, so please make plans to attend. Everyone always says, “Let me know how I can help.” If you are one of the folks who says that, please reach out to Mia Bayer to volunteer. I challenge each of you to be a judge in one of the contests at the Classics. Our AJSA members are great role models and represent the ASA well. They are the future of this organization and are doing an exceptional job keeping this AJSA freight train rolling. The Board is 100% committed to supporting our youth with every means available to us because we truly believe we are only getting started and the best is yet to come!
At the April Board meeting in Bozeman, as chairman, I challenged the Trustees and staff to sponsor a resolution or a directive, suggest a change to a current program, the creation of a new program, or something that will improve or enhance our customer service. Since then, this board passed 26 resolutions and 10 directives to continue to move the Association forward in a positive trajectory. The Executive Committee met in excess of 50 times since April and spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours meeting to discuss things like waiver requests, membership name changes, DNA fee increases, third-party vendor requests, and the search for our next Executive Vice President.
My statement at the beginning of this report was that the agenda we were tasked with was challenging at times. I have only scratched the surface of the activity that has taken place in this last year within this Association. As I look back, I truly feel this current group of Trustees has met challenges head-on and has diligently worked together to complete each task. We have done this with one constant common goal and that is to always do what is best for the entire membership. We have stayed focused on our mission statement and the core policies of this Association throughout this year, and I’m extremely proud of this group of 17 Trustees and the staff’s body of work.
My motto coming into my chairmanship that I conveyed to this board and staff was, “You will never steal second base if you keep your foot on first base!” It’s pretty easy to assess that this group of Trustees and staff did not stand still, nor did we just go through the motions in 2024. I want to extend a personal “Thank You” to each of you for your efforts this past year!
My outgoing challenge, to not only the Trustees and staff but for all membership, for 2025 is “Let’s Keep Building our Boat.” Meaning, let’s be like Noah and keep building on our mission statement and our core policies and telling our story about SimGenetics. We cannot let things distract us from our Mission! Many scholars believe it took Noah 120 years to build the Ark because God had instructed him to do so. Noah never wavered and was faithful, and we too should be Faithful to God, our families, and good stewards of what God has given us. Let’s continue to be leaders in this industry and Keep Building our Boat!
Activities & Events
Greg Burden, chairman
Committee members: Matt Aggen, Greg Burden, Victor Guerra, Chris Ivie, Brandi Karisch, Quin LaFollette, Doug Parke, Scott Trennepohl, and Greg Walthall
Staff lead: Luke Bowman
It’s always an eventful year in the A&E committee. A big thank you to my committee members and the staff for what is always a long, extended meeting. We have a broad spectrum of events that we oversee, from Fall Focus to the AJSA Classics and all of the Major PTP events.
We started off the year by funding the Meet and Greet for the new Major PTP show at the Dixie National. We also added “Show Animal of the Year” awards for the Simbrah, Percentage Simbrah, and Fullbloods at the Major PTP shows. We then spent a lot of time on new rules for the National Classic that we decided to implement at a later date with lots of input from the Junior Board.
One of the major things we did at the 2024 AJSA National Classic was offer DNA services for all cattle entered and exhibited, which turned out to be a huge success. Wade, Chairman Ivie, and several other board members worked very hard to keep everything straight, taking samples on over 350 animals.
We had to make a late switch on the location and date of the 2025 National Classic. Originally, when it was approved, there were no conflicts. However, Angus later had a date and location change, which then caused some overlap between the two breeds. We felt that as a committee, it was in the best interest that we take the high road and make a change to our dates since so many members compete in both breed’s activities. With that said, we made the change for the 2025 AJSA National Classic to be held in Madison, Wisconsin, July 6–12.
In wrapping things up, it was a very busy year with several things tweaked just a little for the betterment of the activities. A couple of big changes and a lot of healthy and fruitful discussions that led to perfecting some programs and implementing others. Once again, I would like to thank my fellow board members and staff for their dedication to the Activities & Events Committee and its business.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the Activities & Events Committee, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
Breed Improvement
by Ryan Thorson, chairman
Committee members: Tim Clark, Chad Cook, Joseph Hensgens, Chris Ivie, Maureen Mai, Troy Marple, Mark Smith, Ryan Thorson, and Loren Trauernicht
Staff lead: Jackie Atkins
The Breed Improvement Committee (BIC) and the ASA Staff had another busy year focusing on different research opportunities and also working to enhance our current genetic evaluations for improved programs and tools to aid not only in our members’ success, but also their customers’ success. I would like to thank Ryan Boldt with IGS for his contributions throughout the past year, Lane Giess, ASA Geneticist, and most importantly our members who stay involved in the Association and provide ideas and feedback for the breed improvement committee. Hydrops:
In the spring of 2023, a novel genetic condition in the Simmental population called Hydrops came to light. The Hydrops pregnancies result in extreme fluid accumulation in the uterus, often the fetus or calf does not survive, and sometimes the dam dies during delivery as well. The BIC and board approved to fund the sequence of initial cattle involved in the Hydrops research and analysis to attempt to find a causative mutation and DNA test for the Hydrops condition, followed by an embryo transfer project in the fall of 2023. In February of 2024, the board agreed to add Hydrops to Trait Trac, listing WS All Aboard as a documented carrier with no genetic holds placed on his descendants until there is a DNA test. At the same time a statement was issued to be used in marketing All Aboard genetics. This year the ASA board agreed to fund at $20,000 additional long-read sequencing of the animals in the ET project that would allow analysis of epigenetic control including methylation. The UNL research team is actively analyzing the results with the hopes of developing a DNA test for carriers.
DNA services:
Cow Herd DNA Roundup (CHR): To date, over 61,000 mature cows were genotyped through the CHR (and over 3,100 in 2024). ASA has paid out just under 20,000 rebates for mature size records through the CHR, totaling $98,655 paid back to the membership.
Calf Crop Genomics (CCG): 2024 was the fifth year for CCG, bringing in over 27,000 genotypes this year and 103,027 genotypes total on whole birth groups of calves during that time. Members participating in CCG earned just over 27,000 rebates for complete weight trait records submission on 90% of the birth group (birth, weaning, and yearling weights). Additionally, just over 2,300 rebates were paid for harvest records from CCG calves. Between the weight traits and carcass records, the CCG has given back just over $161,000 to ASA members. In 2024, this board moved to allocate an additional $250,000 to the rebates for the CHR and the CCG to ensure that these vital programs for a robust genetic evaluation continue to be funded into the future.
The Board passed a resolution to change the ASA rules for natural service sires born on or after January 1, 2025, to match the same DNA requirements as AI sires and donor dams. As this is a rule change, the membership will vote on this change in the January 2025 Annual Meeting. Carcass programs:
The American Simmental Association (ASA) offers a robust set of programs for carcass data collection. The carcass programs range from young-sire progeny testing, regional feedouts, and incentivized DNA programs such as Calf Crop Genomics (CCG) and Carcass Expansion Project (CXP). In the past couple of years, ASA has seen a notable increase in the percentage of animals registered with actual carcass phenotypes. The ASA has increased the emphasis to capture carcass data on genotyped calves through these programs and can report that over 18,000 animals with carcass data have been genotyped.
In 2023, the BIC and the board of trustees passed increased allocation for the CXP and increased the payment for carcasses for CMP herds. This has been successful in helping the 2024 CMP year be productive and recruit new herds. In 2024, the ASA added a large beef-on-dairy herd with an opportunity to collect more carcass traits as well as novel traits like heart, lung, and liver scores, and feedlot health phenotypes.
International Genetic Solutions (IGS):
IGS remains healthy and strong with additional cattle, testing new partners, launching model and software updates to the growth and carcass evaluations, and moving new trait development close to the finish line. In 2024, IGS added Performance Beef Breeders (PBB), Simmental New Zealand, and the Australian Gelbvieh Association to the production run and began testing five additional new partners. The total number of animals in the genetic evaluation grew to over 23 million head and 600,000 genotypes in 2024. The IGS collaboration met several times throughout the year — at the IGS pavilion at NCBA, BIF social, an in person meeting at the ASA headquarters in Bozeman, as well as monthly meetings with the collaborators.
Genetic evaluation updates:
A prototype of a DMI prediction was completed in 2023 and entered a research launch phase in 2024. Along with DMI EPD, $Gain was developed to predict progeny that are more profitable in the feedlot by converting feed into weight. $Gain is a combination of Dry Matter Intake EPD (DMI) and Average Daily Gain EPD (ADG), where ADG is weighted by the value of a pound of gain, and DMI is negatively weighted by the cost of a pound of dry matter. $Gain is expressed as the dollar difference per head per day during the post-weaning period, and a higher value is more desirable. IGS has been publishing updated DMI EPD and $Gain evaluations since the spring of 2024.
IGS has a working model for Mature Weight EPD and is generating a multi-trait indicator of cow nutritional needs based on size and milk. This will be initially released as a research launch similar to the approach for DMI. IGS is testing multiple models for a multi-breed heifer pregnancy prediction. A PAP genetic prediction has also received much discussion during our breed improvement committee meetings throughout the past year. IGS continues to work to find the best approach to deliver the most accurate predictions while leveraging the most data. Although at times it seems that the needle is moving slow, rest assured that an accurate multi-breed genetic evaluation is the #1 goal.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the Breed Improvement Committee members and the ASA staff for their help with a productive year and I move that the report be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
Finance Committee
by Scott Trennepohl, treasurer
Committee members: Greg Burden, Chad Cook, Chris Ivie, Troy Marple, and Scott Trennepohl
Staff lead: Linda Kesler
First, I would like to thank the Finance Committee members for their work this year: Chris Ivie, Troy Marple, Greg Burden, and Chad Cook.
The American Simmental Association (ASA) continues to stay in strong financial shape. ASA’s Fiscal year 2024 ended June 30, 2024, and the consolidated report will be posted on ASA’s website, and an overview is included in the 2024 Annual Report.
Total income was $7,027,445 and expenses $5,257,253 for a net operating income of $1,770,192. The net operating income is an increase of $596,162. Total Revenue has significantly increased over the past ten years, from $4,004,062 in fiscal year 2015 to last fiscal year’s total of $7,027,445.
The largest growth of revenue, DNA services, has gone from $512,697 in fiscal year 2015 to last fiscal year’s total of $1,874,913. Of course, the DNA expenses offset some of the revenue. ASA has provided programs for members to take advantage of DNA services at a very reasonable price through Cow Herd Roundup (CHR) and Calf Crop Genomics (CCG). If you aren’t taking advantage of these programs, you still receive very reasonable rates independent of the programs.
Another program we encourage you to consider is Total Herd Enrollment (THE). The revenue from this program remains steady with an increase for fiscal year 2015 at $1,112,057 compared to last fiscal year’s total of $1,528,136. Something to note, ASA has not increased most of its fees in 20+ years and in fact, during fiscal year 2019, it provided discounts to members.
New memberships remain steady over the last five years, as well as members who remain active. Members are staying active with the Association, comparing the annual service fees paid in fiscal year 2015 ($541,495) to last fiscal year ($702,274).
Expenses increase as we grow as an Association. Advertising and promotion have significantly grown over the past ten years as well as research and development to continue to provide the best genetic tools available. Last fiscal year, we recognized an additional PTP Show to ASA’s rotation. We now have five Major PTP Shows that we invite you to attend: American Royal, North American International Livestock Show, National Western Stock Show, Cattlemen’s Congress, Fort Worth Stock Show, and Dixie National. Don’t forget to stop by the Meet and Greet at each event!
ASA remains conservative in its investments with Vanguard, but continues to receive a good return. ASA’s commitment to reserve two year’s revenue and the rest may be considered to support or invest in ASA’s future. Should ASA experience a period of financial hardship, ASA’s reserve will allow business to remain steady for the members while working through any challenges.
The ASA Board of Trustees and staff look forward to the future and feel confident that funds are available to provide services to the membership.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report, and I move that this be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
Growth & Development
by Chad Cook, chairman
Committee members: Matt Aggen, Chad Cook, Tim Clark, Joseph Hensgens, Chris Ivie, Brandi Karisch, Maureen Mai, Ryan Thorson, and Loren Trauernicht
Staff lead: Chip Kemp
The ASA trustees had much on their plate in 2024. As a result, the well-established and time-tested promotional and marketing plan laid out by staff was more appreciated than ever. The topics that require oversight by the Growth and Development committee went forward to grow the influence of SimGenetics, even while trustees were largely focused elsewhere.
I would like to acknowledge each committee member: Matt Aggen, Tim Clark, Joe Hensgens, Brandi Karisch, Maureen Mai, Ryan Thorson, Loren Trauernicht, and Chris Ivie.
This ASA staff is the best in the business. They are forward thinkers who use both traditional and novel tools to tell the story of Simmental and the breed’s impact across the beef landscape. Simultaneously, this team has built and highlighted IGS and its undebatable value to serious seedstock breeders and the commercial beef business at all levels. I applaud them and especially thank those staff members who have aided G&D efforts in 2024.
Here is a short list of 2024 Growth and Development highlights.
1) Internal marketing and promotion decisions
Marketing and promotion efforts are the heartbeat of the G&D committee. Sometimes they are less exciting than other topics. But to be frank, they are the most crucial. It has been said before, but just as true today, ASA has a system and culture in place that responsibly leverages the dollars of ASA members to make the industry at large aware of the successes and advances within the Simmental business. The proof is in the pudding: high registration numbers, a vast volume of total animal records, unprecedented acceptance and value of Simmental influenced genetics, and growth of the partner institutions within the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) platform.
This takes all forms of communication. Print media has been under tremendous pressure. However, ASA is still committed to print publications. This happens primarily through our own publications, but also through a limited number of very eager and willing media partners who share our ideas, philosophy, and content along with our ads. If a print magazine doesn’t have an appetite to share regular information from and about Simmental and our breeders, then they don’t warrant your ad dollars. Period. We align with like-minded media partners. Obviously, technology is a driving force in communication. One can evaluate these in a whole myriad of ways. To get a sense of effectiveness: there were over 72,000 unique visitors to the website in 2024, 1.4 million Facebook impressions this year, IGS videos have generated well north of 40,000 minutes’ worth of viewership, and we have amassed over 160,000 total YouTube views over time.
A huge thank you to our friends at the Grant Company. They are a vital partner in our promotional efforts. They bring skills, insights, and efficiencies that we simply don’t have on our own. They work as an extension of our ASA team and the relationship has proven valuable and should continue for years into the future. The humble, novel, and targeted promotion path charted by this ASA staff has proven quite impactful, while being intentional and responsible with member dollars. You expect a ROI on your dollars. It is clear the ASA method is providing a serious return for you and your family.
2) DNA efforts at National Classic Meaningful education and promotion most often take place when we humbly approach folks with facts and information that directly benefit them. It doesn’t require empty hype or chest pounding. Rather, it simply requires folks of goodwill, tools of measurable value, and a chance to interact in a low-key and low-stress environment. The 2024 National Classic saw just such a happening. The ASA trustees and staff, assisted by IGS partner, Neogen, held an educational experience meant to remove the confusion and noise associated with DNA usage in beef cattle. The session highlighted the use of parentage and genotyping and the subsequent value of both. It was a tremendous success. 3) State Association programs for marketing and promotion Callie Cooley continues to excel in her role as State Association Liaison. She has strengthened communication with state officers while enhancing both the unity and consistency of messaging across the country and a state association’s ability to be creative at the same time. That is not easy.
A few statistics regarding the Check-Off and Check-Off Bonus programs: 1. $17,695.25 in Check-Off dollars were claimed by 29 associations in Fiscal 2024 2. 23 states participated in the Check-Off Bonus program in Fiscal 2024 3. $26,571.50 was paid to state associations for CheckOff Bonus in Fiscal 2024 A few statistics regarding the Cost Share program: 1. $48,394.36 in Cost Share dollars were claimed in Fiscal 2024 2. 20 states participated in the Cost Share program in Fiscal 2024 3. Four states (AL, CO, MT, ND) qualified for $4,000 or more in Cost Share dollars in Fiscal 2024 making them eligible for an additional $1,000 in Fiscal 2025 4) ASA and the Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force (GMP) In 2022, ASA Trustees chose to become one of the founding organizations behind the Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force (GMP). This support came with much discussion and well-defined parameters to ensure that ASA resources were used wisely and that the GMP was aligned with the core tenets and philosophy of ASA and its membership. As a reminder, in brief, those parameters are: • Focus on multi-breed objective measures of terminal merit. • Commit to scientifically sound assessments. • Respect currently existing programs and allow free market to determine best use of objective terminal measures. • Commit to respecting and avoiding any disruption to currently approved USDA beef programs. • Ensure a viable, industry-led GMP structure. • Commit to transparency of process and expenditures. The GMP continues to meet in hopes of coalescing around a tool(s) that can aid in objective measures of terminal traits. ASA staff has been instrumental in keeping the GMP focused on its mission. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the Growth & Development Committee, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
Policy & Procedures
by Scott Trennepohl, chairman Committee members: Greg Burden, Victor Guerra, Chris Ivie, Quin LaFollette, Troy Marple, Doug Parke, Mark Smith, and Greg Walthall Staff lead: Sheldon Ross
As the Policy and Procedures chairman for the American Simmental Association, I am pleased to report on the progress we’ve made in 2024. We spent considerable effort and deliberation to ensure our policies were appropriate for ASA members and their continued success in the cattle industry.
I’d first like to thank the committee members for their efforts and contributions: Mark Smith, Troy Marple, Greg Burden, Greg Walthall, Quin LaFollette, Doug Parke, Chris Ivie, and Victor Guerra. We are also grateful for the work staff contributed including Wade Shafer, Linda Kesler, Sheldon Ross, and many others.
Starting with the January board meeting our work touched many issues of concern to our members. We clarified our process for accepting breeding records on transfers in order to assist in accurate record-keeping. After much deliberation, we were able to reach what we believe to be an amicable compromise to a long-standing point of contention: the fee for changing the name of an older registered animal. While remaining sensitive to the concerns about changing the pedigree of existing animals, we implemented a less onerous fee for older animals who have not yet recorded progeny with the Association.
In addition to these policy changes, the committee spent time reviewing our Rules and Bylaws to ensure they continued to reflect the needs of our membership and the cattle industry. We also introduced a number of amendments for the membership to consider:
1. Clarifying our status as not-for-profit membership organization
2. Clarifying our Rules and Bylaws to be gender neutral.
3. An addition allowing for third parties to assist members in data reporting.
4. Allowing flexibility in the number of board nominees for vacancies
5. The adoption of DNA rules for natural sires in concordance with existing rules for AI sires and Donor Dams
6. New guidelines for sales manager qualifications. Work in the committee was of course not limited to the changes implemented and proposed, but also the time and effort discussing existing policies that were ultimately deemed suitable. Furthermore, groundwork was laid for continuing discussion in committee meetings to come. In conclusion, 2024 was a year of significant progress for the American Simmental Association, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished. We are well positioned to continue supporting our members in maintaining high standards of excellence in cattle breeding, and I look forward to what the future holds as we continue to evolve and grow together. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the ASA Publications, Inc. Board, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
Simbrah Committee
by Victor Guerra, chairman
Committee members: Greg Burden, Joseph Hensgens, Chris Ivie, Brandi Karisch, Doug Parke, Mark Smith, and Greg Walthall
Staff lead: Luke Bowman
The Simbrah Committee had another productive year; here are a few of the highlights. Among the several topics that were considered and discussed was promotion. The committee took action and worked with Callie Cooley and ASA’s design team to create a new Simbrah logo that could be utilized in our promotional efforts. With the 2024 AJSA National Summer Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the committee anticipated more participation from Simbrah exhibitors given its proximity to many Simbrah exhibitors and wanted to capitalize on their presence. Thus, the committee gathered some Simbrah breeders who donated funds to provide each Simbrah exhibitor at the 2024 AJSA National Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Simbrah promotional items, including caps with the newly created logo that were well received by the juniors and their families. Special thanks to committee member Brandi Karisch and Callie, as well as the ASA staff members who assisted us with this project.
Sticking with promotion, we had a positive discussion during our Fall Focus committee meeting in Amarillo, Texas, and we appreciate the non-committee-member Simbrah breeders who participated in the meeting. We received excellent feedback from them, including becoming more aggressive and having even more of a Simbrah presence in both the SimTalk and the Register magazines to build off the Simbrah-related content that is already being promoted. We are currently considering avenues on how we can most efficiently accomplish this in 2025 and hope to see more Simbrah-related advertising, as well as content being consistently featured soon. We encourage all Simbrah breeders to consider advertising, as well as forwarding your Simbrah-related news and events to ASA Publication, Inc. We are especially looking for testimonials from commercial producers utilizing SimGenetics with Brahman influence in their operations, thus we encourage you to connect them with the publication team.
Another key point of discussion this year within the committee has been the various performance gain tests across the country that are available to Simbrah breeders. These tests include the Rio Grande Valley Beef Improvement Association test in Texas, Connors State College Bull Test in Oklahoma, and numerous others including tests in Mississippi and Missouri that provide valuable data at often affordable rates. The committee continues to encourage Simbrah breeders to consider and participate in these tests if they are not doing so already to raise more awareness of the benefits of utilizing Simbrah cattle.
The ASA’s Progress Through Performance Ring of Champions program continues to grow with the recent addition of the Dixie National as a point show. The annual show held in Jackson, Mississippi, features both a Purebred and Percentage Simbrah Show, which gives Simbrah breeders an additional opportunity to earn points toward the Ring of Champions. Simbrah exhibitors also earn points at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as at the Fort Worth Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The inaugural Simbrah PTP Ring of Champions winners were crowned in 2024, and we congratulate the individuals involved in these Simbrah cattle on their accomplishments. These are just a few of the highlights and topics of discussion that came before this committee this past year and we welcome your input as we progress in 2025.
In closing, we appreciate our staff liaison Luke Bowman and all staff members who assisted the committee this year as we oversaw the Simbrah business of the ASA. I would also like to thank my fellow committee members for their efforts and input throughout the year. We are looking forward to continuing to build off the momentum of past Simbrah committee’s work to expand Simbrah’s thumbprint in the industry in 2025.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the Simbrah Committee, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
ASA Publications, Inc. Board
by Victor Guerra, chairman
Board members: Chad Cook (vice chairman), Chris Ivie, Ryan Thorson, Scott Trennepohl, and Wade Shafer
It is appropriate to begin the ASA Publication, Inc. (“Publication”) report by acknowledging the efforts of the entire staff at the Publication for their efforts this year. As you will see, it has been a busy and successful year, and we appreciate all their efforts in promoting SimGenetics through our various streams of communication.
Second, I would like to acknowledge each member of the ASA Pub Board: Chad Cook, Chris Ivie, Scott Trennepohl, Ryan Thorson, and EVP Wade Shafer.
By early 2025 we will have reached the one-year mark of the switch to Royle Printing as our printing service for magazines. The quality of the printing and overall impression of the magazines has not only greatly improved, but it has also been much more consistent with essentially no quality control issues throughout the year. Hats off to the team at Royle for this feat.
Printing costs with Royle have been in line with the estimates from the quotes prior to the switch. This allowed the Publication to enhance various areas including and most notably perhaps the information we included from Fall Focus in the magazines from years past. Publication has also experienced a clearer and expedited line of communication with Royle, which has made them more efficient and effective.
You may have noticed a change in your advertisement deadlines. While they are slightly earlier than with the previous printer, it has allowed the Publication to address a clear reality relative to mailing, which are the challenges associated with the United States Postal Service delivery times as many of you may have experienced in your own businesses.
As a result, the Publication either risked the end recipient (and ultimately the person we need to take an action step through purchasing) not receiving a magazine in time to make a buying decision or we go to the other end of the process and require that the Publication receive that content sooner to increase the likelihood of timely delivery. Keeping the end user in mind, the Publication chose the latter option and has requested that content be submitted earlier by advertisers. While the Publication has experienced some growing pains with this decision, this course should maximize the member’s advertising dollar and prove to be the right action with time.
Switching gears, the current Publication team has also streamlined many internal processes that allow them to be nimbler than in previous years. This has been vital to navigating the cost pressures on print, some of these internal processes include:
• Photo storage and cataloging.
• Membership Directory processes (which has been a significant effort by the team).
• Sire Source processes – after receiving feedback that the size and orientation of Sire Source should switch to “magazine” size, the Publication has decided to make this change. The Sire Source will be welcomed by many in this new format with little to no fiscal impact whatsoever.
Much in part to the efforts of Lilly and her team, editorial content has been extraordinarily effective in addressing key points in the industry. Special thanks to Lilly and the team in this area who have done tremendous work by informing and exposing our readers to content and discussions that are not generally seen elsewhere.
Much work has been put in this year to monitor the dollars (revenue and expenses) and that will likely result in novel sales packages being rolled out for the next fiscal year, which will offer flexible use of print, social media, and other digital resources for our members. In closing, we would like to thank the membership for your support of the Publication this year and we look forward to continuing our progress in 2025.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the ASA Publications, Inc. Board, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting.
American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation Board
by Randy Moody, chairman
Board members: Scott Cowger, Cathy Eichacker, Lori Eberspacher, Carrie Horman, Aaron Owen, Kelly Schmidt, Jennifer Tarr, and Adrianne Trennepohl
The American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation (ASF) board continues to be dedicated to raising funds to support the American Simmental Association in the areas of education, youth, and research. Several fundraising activities are held throughout the year. Foundation members are tasked with reaching out to public and private donors as well as making funding recommendations on research projects and other endeavors to the executive committee. Retiring board members who were recognized in August at the Fall Focus meeting are Mark Smith and Tonya Phillips. Highlights of the year include:
1) Foundation Female
The year kicked off with the sale of the Foundation Female during the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Thank you to Hart Simmentals of South Dakota for their donation of the 2024 female. $38,000 was raised from the sale of the female to support the Merit Scholarship program. Five Gold Merit Awards at $5,000 and twelve Silver Merit Awards at $2,500 are awarded yearly to outstanding Simmental youth during the National Classic.
2) PTP Show Fundraising
The PTP show season provides many opportunities for fundraising. A variety of items were auctioned off with funds going towards the Merit and youth programs. Sale items included a fishing trip, toy pedal tractor, and the ever-popular liquor and gun raffle held during the National Western at The One and Only Sale. Overall, over $31,000 was raised during these fundraising efforts.
3) National Classic
ASF continues to have a strong presence at the National Classic. Besides awarding Merit Scholarships, the board also sponsors and organizes daily giveaway prizes for exhibitors. For the second year in a row the foundation board sponsored a lunch for the novice participants as well. It is our hope to increase the awareness of the foundation by being visible to the junior exhibitors and their families. The National Classic also hosts the popular Golf Outing, Silent Auction, and BBQ cookoff. These great events helped to add almost $17,000 to our yearly fundraising efforts.
Supporter of the Year
The board voted to continue the supporter of the year award. In 2024 our supporter of the year award went to Craig McCallum of Circle M Farms. Craig is a major supporter of many junior and foundation events throughout the year. Craig’s desire to support the youth of the Simmental breed made him the perfect choice for this recognition. Craig was recognized at the 2024 National Classic.
Fall Focus
Funds for the general pillar of the foundation are raised through the Cash Cow fundraiser during the Fall Focus. 95 cow tags are sold throughout the conference with the final 5 tags being auctioned off during the annual recognition dinner. The lucky winner receives $2,000 and the remaining funds go to the general fund. $13,600 was raised during this fun event at Fall Focus.
Research Funding
The board is committed to funding research projects and will be looking to build up the research fund, as much has been depleted through the commitment to several recent projects, including the DNA Pooling and the Hydrops research.
The success of the Foundation is not possible without the hard work of its board as well as the generous donations of many supporters.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my report for the American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation Board, and I move that it be accepted into the minutes of the 57th Annual Meeting. . See page 48 for important rule changes and updates from the 57th Annual Meeting.
