| Campus Chatter - April 20, 2011 |
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MSU animal science alumni host Angus sale
EAST LANSING, Mich. — It’s not unusual for Michigan State University (MSU) animal science alumni to stay involved with their alma mater once they’ve removed their cap and gown and framed their diplomas. Scott Foster and his elder brother Bruce of Seldom Rest Farms, Niles, are no exception. The Foster brothers hosted the annual Angus Connection Sale Oct. 9 at their family farm.
Scott Foster was active as an undergraduate student and ranked high individual in the contest that helped MSU capture the National Champion Livestock Judging Team honors for the university in 1980. He is now active at the national level, serving on the board of directors of the American Angus Association, and at the state level, mentoring and working with junior Angus association members.
Bruce Foster also was active at MSU, serving as president of the Block and Bridle Club and participating on livestock judging teams.
The Angus Connection Sale is the principal Angus consignment sale that the MSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center participates in each fall. Last fall’s sale was limited to consignments from the host farm and MSU.
The 2010 sale grossed $221,500 for a $6,712 average on 33 head. Seldom Rest Farm consigned the top-selling animal, which sold for $25,500 to the Schnoor family of Chowcilla, Calif.
MSU Forever Lady 028 was the high-selling MSU-bred consignment. She sold to Will Harsh, Mayberry, Ohio, for $16,500. The MSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center consigned 10 animals to the sale, and these sold for an average price of $3,305 per lot.
Representing MSU at the 2010 Angus Connection Sale were Cody Sankey, manager of the MSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center; Ken Geuns, MSU Extension livestock specialist and Purebred Beef Cattle Center faculty coordinator; and several undergraduate students: Jeff Bluemer, animal science junior from Blanchard; Charlie Cramer, crop and soil science junior from Stanwood; Lindley Harrington, animal science senior from Paris; Scott Hartsell, agribusiness management senior from Cassopolis; Jed Kruger, animal science junior from Ionia; Justin Mezo, animal science senior from Galesburg.
Also, T.J. Murphy, agriculture technology sophomore from Marne; Michelle Roth, animal science senior from Charlotte; Lance Schoenbine, animal science senior from Auburn; Lynnae Slavik, animal science senior from Ashley; and Tom Wilding-Davies, an exchange student from Australia being sponsored by The Angus Society of Australia.
The MSU Cow-Calf Teaching and Research Center, of which the MSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center is part, breeds and raises purebred Angus and Hereford cattle in addition to a group of commercial cows. More than 700 MSU students are enrolled in classes utilizing cattle from this unit each year, affording students educational and hands-on work experience in breeding, feeding, management and merchandising practices. Cattle are also used for selection and evaluation courses and in applied research projects, and serve as a prototype for improving seedstock genetics. Cattle not used in classroom instruction, outreach and research are merchandized by private treaty and in consignment sales.
For more information, visit www.msupurebred.com/ or visit www.ans.msu.edu/community/facilities/beef_bcrtc.html |
| 4/22/2011 |
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