By Blake Jackson
The sizzling hamburgers on this year's 4th of July grills represent the culmination of a complex journey, the "beef value chain." To gain a deeper understanding of this process, 25 young Angus cattle producers were recently selected to attend the 2024 Beef Leaders Institute.
This annual program, hosted by the American Angus Association in partnership with Certified Angus Beef brand and the Angus Foundation, equips young cattlemen and women with leadership skills for the future of the beef industry.
"One of the biggest takeaways for me," shared Rob Phillips of RL Valley Ranch in Athens, Ohio, "was touring a large packing plant and learning about their challenges. It's valuable to see how we, as producers, can contribute to a smoother operation for everyone involved."
The week-long Beef Leaders Institute provided an immersive experience, taking attendees from pasture to plate.
The itinerary began at the American Angus Association headquarters in Missouri and continued across six states, concluding at Certified Angus Beef headquarters in Ohio.
Along the way, participants toured key locations within the beef value chain, including Tyson-Dakota City, a feedyard, a cattle breeding facility, a grocery store, and more.
While the schedule was packed, there was ample time for relationship building. This year's diverse group hailed from 16 states and two Canadian provinces, representing a variety of cattle operations in terms of size and focus. Among them were Annie Benzine, Jed Hallstrand, and Courtney Stelzer, all from Wisconsin.
The knowledge gained from this experience will empower these young leaders to optimize their own cattle production practices while fostering collaboration across the entire beef industry.
Applications for the 2025 Beef Leaders Institute will open later this fall, offering another group of Angus Association members (ages 25-45) the chance to participate in this valuable program.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sstajic
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Beef Cattle