Current American Junior Simmental Association president, Walker Housley, shares about his experience on the AJSA Board, and what he hopes to accomplish in the future. by Lilly Platts
Walker Housley was raised in the small mountain town of Dayton, Tennessee. Housley’s family operates a fourth-generation farm, focusing on commercial beef cattle and forage production. After trying out several breeds over the years, the family settled on Simmental genetics, with the goal of capitalizing on the breed’s maternal and carcass strengths. In 2014, Housley purchased his first registered show heifer from Hudson Pines Farms. Since then, he has successfully raised and exhibited quality, competitive SimGenetics cattle.
Housley is currently a sophomore at Lake Land College, where he competes on the livestock judging team. Following graduation in May, he plans to continue his education and judging career at a four-year university, and pursue a degree in agricultural business. Following college, Housley hopes to return to the family operation and continue building the Sunset Oaks program. Cattle and education currently take up most of his time, but Housley also enjoys playing the guitar, and spending time with friends and family.
Platts: What were your thoughts as you became an AJSA member, trustee, and AJSA president?
Housley: I can still distinctly remember my first ever AJSA event. In 2016 I attended the Eastern Regional Classic in Cookeville, Tennessee. My parents saw the benefits and value in the AJSA and educational contests, and since it was close to home, we made the trip. Being a participant opened my eyes to the opportunities within the AJSA and show cattle community in general. Four years later I ran for the AJSA Board to take a leadership position in the Association that had contributed so much to my development. For the first three years I served as the vice president of Leadership, and vice president of Membership and Communications. When the opportunity arose to run for president, I was excited to step up to the plate. Being a part of all levels of the AJSA allowed me to see the perspective of general contestants and leaders alike. It has proved to be some of the most impactful experiences of my life.
What would you like to see accomplished during your term as president?
Obviously, there is always a lot that needs to be accomplished year after year. From small rule details to large tasks, as a board we are constantly trying to improve our Association for the betterment of our members. A large part of our role revolves around the National Classic every summer. A big goal of mine is to continue improving the exhibitor experience through contest modifications, enjoyable networking, and cattle show specifications. Luckily, in that regard, the staff at ASA, the ASA Board, and the junior board leaders in the past have helped make my job easy. They have laid a solid foundation for the success of our national classic. Possibly one of my biggest goals, however, is to continue to strengthen the relationship between the AJSA Board and ASA Board and staff.
Communication and networking with one another will continue to fuel larger strides as an Association as a whole, so that we can better serve the general membership and continue to allow the Simmental breed to grow.
What is the impact of the IGS Youth Leadership Summit? How has it been received among your peers?
The IGS Youth Leadership Summit, which takes place every two years, is an incredible event that promotes team building, networking with other junior leaders in the beef industry, and critical thinking to better our associations. We spend several days in a designated location in the US where we learn professional development skills and agriculture knowledge within the area. The collaboration of juniors representing IGS breed participants has allowed the Summit to flourish and become a must-attend event.
Any particular AJSA events or experiences that are especially memorable to you?
The AJSA has provided me with a multitude of memorable experiences, so highlighting just one is rather difficult. However, the moment that comes to the forefront of my mind was winning my first Swiss cow bell in 2018 at the National Classic in Saint Paul, Minnesota. That spring and summer, I studied religiously and practiced public speaking and sales talk skills until I had it mastered. Watching my hard work pay off at the highest level was very rewarding.
What are the strengths of the AJSA program?
I could write about the strengths of the AJSA for days. I’m not even sure if I can cover it all. The AJSA is unique because unlike any other breed organization, we provide opportunities for our youth that are truly one of a kind. Because we mandate contest participation in order to participate in the cattle show, we put juniors in positions to better their skills from general cattle knowledge and understanding EPD to cattle evaluation and speaking skills. Our contests cover the basics of the skills that progressive agriculturists must attain in order to be the next generation of successful and profitable beef producers. Furthermore, many events and associations only glorify the champions that are slapped on the shavings of the show ring. In the AJSA, we put emphasis on our members’ success in the contests and other facets of the Association, because the reality of it is that not every family can exhibit a heifer that will win the show, but the contests create an avenue for juniors to promote themselves and engage in competition on a level playing field. Other strengths of the AJSA are networking opportunities, fellowshipping with friends, and making connections with industry professionals that otherwise might not be possible.
Why is it important for our organization to encourage youth in the breed, and larger industry?
The cattle industry always revolves around the future. We breed now, so we can calve in nine months, wean in seven more months, and harvest 12 months after that. The decisions that we make today affect what we reap in years to come. The future is where it matters. That statement holds true when we discuss youth development. The juniors are the future of the AJSA, Simmental breed, and beef industry as a whole. If we do not promote our juniors, our future is dead. That is why the leaders of the ASA and the junior board put so much emphasis on junior development. We need leaders to follow in our shoes, so it’s imperative that we present our juniors with development opportunities so that they are equipped to be the next generation of Simmental and beef industry professionals.
What advice would you offer to juniors who are reluctant, for whatever reason, to become involved in AJSA programs?
I completely understand why juniors may be reluctant to get involved in the AJSA. I was in that same position when I participated in my first AJSA event. It is overwhelming to say the least. My advice for those juniors is to bite the bullet and get involved. I’ve always heard that stepping out of your comfort zone allows you to grow and expand your horizons. Think, if I would have never attended my first event, I would have not met some of my best friends and mentors, developed valuable skills, or opened doors
that I have today. The AJSA is the reason I am judging in college, the reason I am passionate about raising Simmental cattle, and the reason I have a network of livestock family that I get to call dear friends. Just like learning to swim, although it may be overwhelming, you just have to dive in and begin paddling.
What helped you decide to step up as a leader in the AJSA? Any mentors or advice that comes to mind?
Becoming an AJSA Trustee was a goal of mine for several years. As I became more familiar with the scenes of the AJSA, I began to meet more and more of the current trustees at the time, many of whom I get to call close friends to this day. Having those people as mentors in my life lit a passion to be an AJSA leader and give back to the Association that made me who I am today.
What is the value of the Steer Profitability Competition (SPC)?
Another unique thing about the ASA and AJSA is their programs outside of the show ring setting. The SPC is an opportunity for juniors to send SimGenetics feeder cattle to a feedlot testing facility that gathers data on growth, feed efficiency, and carcass quality. Throughout the program, juniors must submit reports and participate in interviews. Not only does this show the value of Simmental cattle in the food chain, but helps develop youth with its data analysis, writing, and speaking skills.
How do the Register and SimTalk magazines benefit the AJSA and larger Association?
The media outlets that the ASA uses are also very beneficial for our Association. If you are reading this article now, it is likely because you have opened the pages to the Register magazine. Another ASA publication is the SimTalk magazine. With these publications, the ASA can reach a broad array of its membership, informing them of show
results, DNA technologies, Association updates, trending genetics, and much more. I know, at least for me, I look forward to the first part of the month when those magazines hit my mailbox.
How significant is it for ASA to be recognized for leadership in the science of animal breeding?
Many members, from the outside looking in, do not realize the extensiveness of the ASA. Sure, while it’s a registry and helps put on cattle shows, that is only a small sector of the Association. After taking a tour of headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, I was amazed to learn just how much the folks at ASA emphasize other aspects of the business outside of the show ring. As big contributors to International Genetic Solutions, and industry-leading genetic evaluations, the ASA is largely involved in the science of animal breeding. Much of the research, information, and DNA testing that is necessary for the efficiency of the beef industry surfaces through ASA efforts. So, while we focus on youth development in the show ring, another large facet of the Association is to emphasize the utilization of SimGenetics in animal breeding technologies.
What should be the role of SimGenetics within the beef industry?
Again, SimGenetics are not only cut out to be successful in the show ring. In fact, that is the beauty of Simmental cattle. Very few breeds can capitalize on the terminal, maternal, and seedstock strengths of the Simmental cow. Big picture, the world demands beef, and in order to efficiently produce and provide red meat to plates across the globe, we can’t facilitate all emphasis on making sleeknecked, big-haired show cattle. SimGenetics play a very influential role in the beef industry itself. Not only do our genetic evaluations and DNA technologies help fuel feedlot efficiency, but our cattle have proven to perform at the highest levels. Because of our crossbreeding versatility, many times SimGenetics are mated with British-based cows to perfect the blend of yield and quality grade strengths on the grid. This versatility and performance have made SimGenetics a staple in the beef industry and food chain alike.
What are you most looking forward to as president of the AJSA?
There’s a lot to look forward to! My teammates on the junior board are phenomenal, and we have big things planned for the next 12 months. Working alongside the ASA Board and Youth Coordinator Mia Bayer will be incredible, and I hope to continue building on the momentum of the Simmental breed. In the coming year, I look forward to meeting new members, interacting with other breed leaders, and capitalizing on opportunities to make the Simmental breed stronger. .
