Joe Fischer, from Auburn, Calif., joined an elite group of American Angus Association members by attending the eighth-annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) June 22-26.
BLI is a complete pasture-to-plate experience for young leaders in the Angus industry, encompassing genetic selection tools, herd health, feedlot, packing and retail product distribution. This year’s class consisted of 16 Angus enthusiasts.
“I loved the opportunity to network with fellow breeders and to learn about segments of the industry that I normally wouldn’t be exposed to,” Fischer says.
Fischer of Bruin Ranch has had many experiences in the livestock and beef industry. Through his involvement with his collegiate livestock judging team, he is educated in the process of selecting the superior cattle. Beyond college, Fischer has served as a county representative for the California Farm Bureau commodity advisory committee, focusing on beef cattle, as well as serving as a Farm Bureau state convention delegate.
Ashley Mitchell, Association assistant director of events and education, explains that BLI targets young leaders in the Angus industry, aged 25-45, and gives them opportunities to see all sectors of the industry and how Angus plays a role in each of them.
The five-day event, funded by the Angus Foundation, began in St. Joseph, Mo., at the Association headquarters. Participants interacted with staff and learned how each department works to serve more than 25,000 Angus members.
New this year was the addition of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) to the tour. Mitchell says this lets producers see how CAB has impacted the marketing opportunities for Angus breeders and how cattlemen can reach the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand target.
Visiting four states while on the BLI tour, participants were able to experience Boehringer Ingleheim, St. Joseph, Mo.; Tyson processing plant, Dakota City, Neb.; TransOva, Sioux Center, Iowa; Gregory Feedlot, Tabor, Iowa; GeneSeek, Lincoln, Neb.; Sysco Cleveland, Ohio; CAB headquarters, Wooster, Ohio; and Buehler’s Milltown, Wooster, Ohio.
A complete list of 2015 BLI participants follows. For more information on how to participate in the leadership event, visit ANGUS.org. Applications for the 2016 class will be available online starting next winter.