by Lilly Platts
Hallie Hackett’s journey in the American Junior Simmental Association started with an interest in showing and her first heifer.
She has since become an effective leader, and was elected to serve as president of the AJSA Board of Trustees.
Hallie Hackett grew up in Texarkana, Texas. She first became involved with cattle in 2015, after convincing her father, Aaron, to let her start showing. She started with two Simbrah heifers, and later added purebred Simmental to the herd. She has had many successes during her time in the American Junior Simmental Association. Hallie is currently a junior at Texas A&M (TAMU). She plans to apply for veterinary school in the next year, while continuing her involvement in the AJSA. She is currently the secretary of TAMU PAWS, a women’s volunteer organization focused on rescue animals.
Hallie Hackett, AJSA Board of Trustees president.
Platts: What were your thoughts as you became an AJSA member, trustee, and AJSA president?
Hackett: My first memories as an AJSA member are of excitement. I was completely unfamiliar with the cattle industry and ready to take on as much as I could. Jumping into the contests and opportunities offered by the AJSA allowed me to learn and grow as a showman, cattlewoman, and leader at a fast pace. When I first ran for the AJSA Board four years ago, I was honored to have been elected. Becoming a trustee was not always in my plans, but I am extremely glad that I have done it. After spending several years as a trustee, I had no doubt that this was what I was meant to do. I love getting to interact with our juniors and represent our breed more than anything else. Being AJSA President gave me the chance to give back to an Association that has provided so much for me. I am immensely grateful for the support I have been given in this position and am so honored to have this opportunity.
What would you like to see accomplished during your term as president? What have you accomplished that you are proud of?
One of my main goals for my term as president was to create deeper relationships within our junior board, and foster connection with the American Simmental Association Board of Trustees. Over the past year, we have been able to come closer together as a junior board and as friends. We have also been working closely with the ASA Board to provide the best possible opportunities for our juniors. We have also made changes to the National Classic, specifically within our contest rules, that I believe will make for a more enjoyable week. I believe that the educational contests are of great value to the AJSA, and are so beneficial for our members. With the changes we have made, our contests should run as smoothly as ever, and juniors will be able to get the most out of their week at the National Classic.
How does the IGS Summit support the larger mission of the AJSA?
The IGS Summit has been a wonderful experience many times over for me! I first attended the Summit before I was on the AJSA Board, and have been three times total now. The experience of traveling and immersing yourself in agriculture outside of what you are familiar with is second to none. The sights I have seen and facilities that I have toured have been eye-opening and incredibly educational. The Summit also provides the perfect opportunity to create lasting connections with other juniors, both in and outside of the Simmental breed. Team-building exercises, fun activities, and quality time have created some of my best friendships that have lasted long past the end of Summit.
Above: Hackett participating in an IGS Summit. Below: Hackett started showing in 2015, and has since participated in many AJSA Regional and National Classic shows.
Any particular AJSA events or experiences that are especially memorable to you?
My very first National Classic happened to be in my home state of Texas. I was brand new to raising and exhibiting cattle and, quite frankly, I had no idea what I was getting into. Fortunately for me, I was able to be a part of the mentor and mentee program. My mentor at the time was the current president of our state Simmental/Simbrah board. With his encouragement, I was able to step out of my shell at my first AJSA event and meet
many people that would serve as role models for me. Since that first National Classic, I have been able to attend many more, and every experience that I have had, especially with the mentor and mentee program, has strengthened my love for the juniors within the AJSA. I strongly encourage any and all AJSA members to attend Regional and National Classics, and become involved in the mentor and mentee program to create lifelong memories such as I have.
What are the strengths of the AJSA program?
The AJSA has limitless opportunities to turn junior cattle exhibitors into the future leaders of the beef industry. One of my favorite parts of the AJSA has and always will be the educational contests. Where I might not have always had the opportunity to compete in the cattle show, I could always be a strong competitor outside of the show ring. The contests are a great way for our Association to recognize exhibitors that put effort into leadership development and instill those leadership skills in all juniors.
Why is it important for ASA to encourage youth in the breed, and larger industry?
The youth in our breed today will be those leading the industry tomorrow. I believe that it is never too early to prepare young people for their future careers and passions. The AJSA has a special ability to set our youth up for success, as evidenced by the numerous successes that past AJSA members have achieved. In an industry that changes as rapidly as the beef industry, it is important to encourage our juniors to be a positive part of that change, and to eventually become a leader and mentor to youth themselves.
Hackett enjoys interacting with younger AJSA members.
How significant is it for ASA to be recognized for leadership in the science of animal breeding?
The ASA has spearheaded numerous developments in the world of animal breeding. To say that I am proud to be a part of a breed that takes evolution and improvement so seriously would not be enough. To be successful in the cattle industry requires constant improvement; Simmental does just that. With the hard work of all of the staff at ASA, our breed is able to not only compete with others, but excel far above in terms of science.
What should be the role of SimGenetics within the beef industry?
I believe it is well known that SimGenetics is absolutely the way to go in terms of high-quality cattle, but what there is to offer in terms of science, leadership, and performance is simply a step above the rest. The ASA has built a strong foundation of scientific development for our breed that allows us to catalyze the improvement of all of our cattle and the efficiency at which we can raise them. Being so heavily involved with the AJSA, I strongly believe that one of the best things that our breed has to offer to
the beef industry is our own juniors. The opportunities that we have to compete in educational contests and serve in leadership positions readies the SimGenetics juniors to become industry leaders and pave the way for future generations. Finally, I think it is simple enough to say that SimGenetics is all about performance. I use this term overarchingly, because I believe there is no other way to explain it. SimGenetics as a whole proves my points by excelling in all areas of raising cattle, from terminal to maternal to seedstock. In all parts of the nation and in all parts of the beef industry, SimGenetics are performing. The same can be said for the people behind the animals, constantly performing in development and leadership. In every way that SimGenetics touches the beef industry, it is improving it. .
