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Names in the News - May 27, 2009

Hoosier leading AFIA in 2009
ARLINGTON, Va. — Two Hoosiers from a pair of strong central Indiana companies are actively promoting the interests of American agriculture and agriculture-related commerce at the national level through their volunteer efforts leading the American Feed Industry Assoc. (AFIA).

Brian Rittgers, national sales manager of Elanco Animal Health’s Dairy Business Unit, assumed chairmanship of AFIA on May 13. He succeeds Dr. Don Orr, the president of JBS United, who has served as AFIA’s chairman since last May. Orr is expected to continue his active participation in AFIA, as past chairman, after his term expires.

The term of the chairman is one year. In related business, the board of directors voted to accept the nomination of Steven J. Van Roekel to become chairman-elect of the organization. Van Roekel, president and CEO of Ridley, Inc. of Mankato, Minn., will succeed Rittgers in May 2010.

The following local individuals were elected to three-year terms on the board and began their service with the May Board meeting: Daniel Bercovici, Ajinomoto Heartland LLC, Chicago, Ill.; Jeff Cannon, Diamond V Mills, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mark Etienne, PCS Sales Feed Products, Northbrook, Ill.; Louis Russell, APC, Inc., Ankeny, Iowa; Ted Waitman, CPM, Waterloo, Iowa; and Patrick Whidden, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, Lavergne, Tenn.
The following individuals joined AFIA’s Executive Committee: Gerald May, P&G Pet Care, and Mark Poeschl, North American Nutrition Companies, Inc., both of Lewisburg, Ohio.

Angus VP Shirley retiring

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Angus veteran Jim Shirley announced his retirement from the American Angus Assoc., effective July 31.
Shirley serves as vice president of industry relations and director of activities. In that position he has overseen administration of activities, junior activities, industry and member communications and the regional manager field team.

The southern Iowa native was promoted to this position in May 2004 after serving 19 years as a regional manager for Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. He was honored with the Top Livestock Marketer Award by his peers at the 2001 National Western Stock Show.

Shirley says he’ll miss that interaction the most as he leaves to explore other opportunities that will afford him time to become more involved with family and in managing his home farm near Hamburg, Iowa.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and attended graduate school at New Mexico State University.

Nominate for Beef Quality award
DENVER, Colo. — Applications for the second annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award are now being accepted. The award will recognize one outstanding beef and dairy producer that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.

A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program.
The National BQA Award is funded by Safeway’s Rancher’s Reserve beef brand and Cargill, and supported by the beef checkoff. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations.

Two national winners will be selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and affiliated groups. Nominations may be submitted by any organization, group or individual on behalf of a U.S. beef producer. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves; however, the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.
For further information on the award or to download the application, visit www.bqa.org

Meats judging team posts win
URBANA, Ill. — A first was recorded by the University of Illinois Meats Judging Team April 24-25 as it took top honors in the Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest held in Ohio and Kentucky.

Longtime Coach Tom Carr, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, noted it was the first time the UoI has won the contest, which this year drew 51 students in 12 teams from eight universities. Two UoI teams competed – the Orange and the Blue. The Orange team placed first overall with 3,888 points while the Blue team came in fourth with 3,849 points.

Three students placed in the top 10: Adam Schroeder of Watseka, Ill., first; Diana Pezza of Elmhurst, fourth; and Katelyn Jones of Saybrook, 10th. Beef grading, lamb judging and pork judging were won by the UoI teams.

Members of the Orange team were Arica Baer of Princeville, Stacey Dehlinger of Olney, Katelyn Jones of Saybrook and Diana Pezza of Elmhurst. Blue team members were Zach Beever of Mansfield, Ben Hugenberg of Liberty, Taryn Pfeiffer of Ashton and Adam Schroeder of Watseka. Alternates were Sarah Hager of Galesburg and Melissa Wineinger of Paris.

Carr and Daniel Clark, also of the Department of Animal Sciences, coached the teams.

5/27/2009