Media Releases
Retallick Accepts Director of Member Programs Position at American Gelbvieh Association
Westminster, Colo. – Kelli Retallick has served as the data services coordinator for the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) for more than a year and has recently accepted the position of director of member programs. In her time at the AGA, Retallick has proved to be capable of outstanding leadership among staff, dedication to the AGA and skill in developing association programs.
Recently the AGA has changed the structure of the staff to better accommodate member programs for both the AGA and the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA). Retallick’s role as director of member programs will encompass beneficial programs for the AGA as well as the AGJA. Her responsibilities include accuracy of the online registry, administering the Smart Select Service, development of new programs and coordinating junior activities to name only a few.
Retallick earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She then went on to Kansas State University to complete her master’s degree in animal breeding and genetics. This background makes her a perfect fit to continue to develop programs for AGA members and customers as it pertains to database service and breed improvement as well as the AGA’s new Smart Select Service.
Growing up, Retallick was involved in her family’s registered cattle operation and when time allows she continues to be involved as much as possible. Retallick also served on the National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors and brings a unique perspective to the AGJA through that experience of serving on a junior board.
“I am really excited about taking on this new adventure,” says Retallick. “I strongly believe that junior livestock associations can foster some of the best leaders in the industry. I hope I am able to foster that type of environment to build the next generation of leaders in the business.”
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized the skill set Retallick possesses. During the 2015 BIF Research Symposium and Convention in Biloxi, Mississippi, Retallick was asked to lend her expertise as a speaker on the topic of measuring feed efficiency. BIF also recognized the new Smart Select Service that the AGA now offers commercial cattlemen and women; Retallick was instrumental in the development of that program.
“The AGA sources the most skilled talent in the industry to serve on the staff. Kelli is an example of those talented individuals the AGA seeks out and finds to work as a team for the improvement of the AGA,” says Myron G. Edelman, executive director of the AGA. “Kelli will be an excellent resource for both our adult as well as the junior members.”
Retallick assumed her new role on January12, 2016. She can be reached at the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or via email at kellir@gelbvieh.org.
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American Gelbvieh Association Inducts Charles Clark to Hall of Fame
Charles Clark, Keldron, South Dakota, was inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame posthumously for 2016. The induction took place on Friday, December 11 during the awards luncheon at the 45th Annual AGA National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles’ family, including wife Peggy and children Amy, Clint, and Scot, were present at convention to accept the award.
Jim Beastrom, Pierre, South Dakota presented the Clark family with this award.
The AGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. That contribution is through the influence of cattle they have bred, their breed promotion efforts, and leadership provided to the association.
Charles and Peggy Clark and their family owned Grand River Gelbvieh, where they started raising Gelbvieh cattle in 1973. Grand River Gelbvieh became an AGA member in 1975. The operation hosted their first production sale in 1979 and offered 24 registered bulls and 25 commercial females. At the time, no other operation had a production sale. The operation hosted an annual production sale until the complete dispersal of the 350-head ranch in 1990.
Clark was very progressive and used artificial insemination extensively in his operation, seeing the benefit of being able to make faster genetic progress. Once the ranch was established, Clark collected and marketed semen from his own bulls.
Clark was a community leader and served on the AGA Board of Directors and was president of the Association in 1983. In addition, he also served his community on the local school board, 4-H Leader’s Association, Farm Service Agency and rural electric boards.
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Photo Caption: Jim Beastrom, Pierre, S.D., presented the Charles Clark family with the 2016 American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame award on behalf of Charles Clark. Left to right: Kathleen Clark, Scot Clark, Narcel Clark, Clint Clark, Jim Beastrom, Peggy Clark, Amy Clark Hauck
American Gelbvieh Association Elects Board of Directors
Members of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) elected five candidates to serve three-year terms on the AGA Board of Directors. The election took place during the annual membership meeting at the 45th Annual AGA National Convention “Moving at the Speed of Change” in Kansas City, Missouri, December 11, 2015.
Newly elected board members are Dennis Gustin, Mandan, North Dakota; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa and Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Nebraska. Re-elected to serve a second term was Scott Starr, Stapleton, Nebraska.
The Board of Directors also elected induvial to serve in leadership positions on the 2016 AGA Executive Committee. Neal Pearson was re-elected for a second term as American Gelbvieh Association President.
Elected as vice president was Scott Starr. Duane Strider, Asheboro, North Carolina was elected as secretary and Grant Thayer, Ramah, Colorado was elected as treasurer.
Other members of the AGA Board of Directors are: Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Indiana; Bob Hart, Kansas City, Kansas; David Martin, Judsonia, Arkansas; Dustin Rippe, Hubbell, Nebraska; Lowell Rogers, Seminary, Mississippi and Walter Teeter, Mt. Ulla, North Carolina.
Retiring members of the 2015 AGA Board of Directors were Brian Dunn, St. John, Kansas; Ronnie Rogers, Mendon, Missouri; Gary Tilghman, Glasgow, Kentucky, and Dan Warner, Beaver City, Nebraska. The service of these four gentlemen to the association is greatly appreciated.
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Photo caption: The American Gelbvieh Association elected directors and officer for 2016 during its national convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Front row (left to right): David Martin, Judsonia, Ark.; Secretary Duane Strider, Asheboro, N.C.; Vice President Scott Starr, Stapleton, Neb.; President Neal Pearson, Lake City, S.D.; Executive Director Myron Edelman, Westminster, Colo.; Treasurer Grant Thayer, Ramah, Colo.; Bob Hart, Kansas City, Kan.; Jeff Swason, Oxford, Neb.; Dennis Gustin, Mandan, N.D. Back row (left to right): Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Okla.; Dustin Rippe, Hubbell, Neb.; Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind.; Andy LeDoux, Angenda, Kan.; Lowell Rogers, Seminary, Miss.; Walter Teeter, Mount Ulla, N.C.
American Gelbvieh Association to Host Educational Symposium
The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is hosting a commercially focused educational symposium, titled “Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup” on Saturday, December 12, 2015 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Kansas City-International Airport in Kansas City, Missouri. Cattle producers from all segments of the industry are invited to attend this free event that will feature industry-leading speakers. A free beef lunch will also be served during the event.
The “Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup” speaker lineup starts off with keynote speaker Ronnie Green, Ph.D., vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and interim senior vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Green’s opening address will be followed by the first educational panel titled “My Cows Last a Lifetime: Giving Your Cows the Maternal Edge”. This panel includes Bill Tucker from Tucker Family Farm, a commercial cattle operation in Amherst, Virginia; Larry Kuehn, Ph.D., research geneticist at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center; and Kelli Retallick, data services coordinator at the American Gelbvieh Association. This panel will be moderated by AGA Commercial Marketing Coordinator William McIntosh.
The second panel of the day is entitled “Worth My Weight in Gold: Multiplying Dollars Available for Cattle at Each Stage of the Supply Chain”. Speakers included on the panel are Scott Hamilton, Hamilton Farms in Hitchcock, South Dakota; Brian Bertelsen, vice president of field operations at U.S. Premium Beef; and John Butler, CEO of Beef Marketing Group. Angela Vesco, commercial marketing specialist with the AGA will moderate the panel.
“The AGA staff is pleased to assemble an expert speaker and panelist group to engage in topics from increasing cowherd efficiency to maximizing cow output and ultimately increase likelihood of profit. Anyone interested in the beef business is welcome to attend and engage in a conversation aimed at maximizing potential of their respective cowherds,” says Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director.
The “Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup” is being held during the 45th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention. For more information about the “Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup” please visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.
The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,000 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.
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American Gelbvieh Association Welcomes Abrahams to Staff
The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce Terisa Abrahams as the new office operations coordinator.
A Colorado native, Abrahams was born and raised in Arvada, Colorado. Prior to joining the AGA staff, she was a senior recruiter for Weatherford Oil & Gas. Abrahams has over twenty years of experience in client relation services, human resources, business development, office management, project management, and business administration.
Abrahams holds a masters of business administration in international business and a masters of arts in counseling psychology, both from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Abrahams will be working with the dynamic team at the AGA to coordinate general office operations, assist members with accounts and coordinate AGA functions.
Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director, said, “The AGA recruits the most talented staff in marketing, breed improvement and member service. Terisa is a complementary fit to the skilled staff already in place at the AGA. Members, customers and industry partners are the benefactors of the expertise the AGA has been able to identify in our staff and Terisa is an outstanding addition to the team.”
Terisa Abrahams may be reached at the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or by email at terisa@gelbvieh.org.
Note to Editors: A high-resolution photo is available by contacting Megan Slater, AGA public relations coordinator at megans@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.
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American Gelbvieh Association Provides Genetic Tools for Ranchers
The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is excited to announce the launch of the Smart Select Service data management system that provides genetic tools to aid commercial cattlemen in the selection process. Smart Select Service is non-breed specific and is available for all commercial producers who want to increase the genetic value of their herds for the potential to increase profitability
Smart Select Service has the goal of being the best value in genetic management; commercial producers can enroll females for $1 per head. This small enrollment fee equips Smart Select Service members, also known as performance members, with a herd management database to manage all cowherd data from individual performance information to exposure and vaccination information. Herd management reports will be made available to performance members including herd summary reports, dam and progeny reports, and herdsire reports.
In addition, the AGA will be offering performance members access to the feeder profit index (FPI) and Stayability score on both males and females with appropriate data reported. FPI is an economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and on the rail. Stayability scores are used to gauge reproductive longevity of the herd. These scores predict the probability a sire’s daughters will stay productive within a herd past six years of age. These tools will be predicted through the multi-breed cattle evaluation run bi-annually and by doing so, increase the accuracy of prediction of these two parameters to accelerate genetic improvement.
Performance members will be able to take advantage of consultation offered by trained AGA staff. Producers can also take advantage of DNA testing such as parent verification on all animals or the Maternal Edge Female Profile on Gelbvieh influenced animals at the respective test’s additional cost.
“It’s an exciting time in the beef industry. AGA is proud to offer the Smart Select Service to the commercial cow-calf sector, and provide commercial producers with the tools necessary to select for increased genetic change to enhance their bottom line,” says Kelli Retallick, American Gelbvieh Association Data Services Coordinator.
Starting Monday August 17th, producers will be able to enroll females into the Smart Select Service online database. To learn more about the specifics of enrollment go to www.www.gelbvieh.org/smartselect.html or contact Kelli Retallick at 303-465-2333 or kellir@gelbvieh.org.
The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,500 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.