Prime Time Summer 2018

AKAUSHI Field Day BAR 73 RANCH HOSTS Nearly 60 people traveled to Bar 73 Ranch in Canyon, Texas, for the recent Akaushi Field Day, including American Akaushi Association (AAA) members and Akaushi breeders, as well as people who were interested in learning more about the breed. The field day drew attendees from Texas and California, and international guests from Denmark.

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THE JUNE 16 EVENT, hosted by Joe and Christina Beltz, Broken Winds Cattle Company, included several presenta- tions by a dynamic group of speak- ers, as well as lunch provided by HeartBrand ® Beef. Ron Gill, Ph.D., Texas A&M Agri- Life Extension Service, gave a live demonstration on low-stress cattle handling techniques and discussed working facility design. Cee Arnett, Bovina Feeders, spoke about feed- ing and marketing Akaushi cattle. Ron Kershen, Broken Winds Cattle Co., gave a history of their operation,

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while Joe and Christina Beltz shared about their record-keeping practices. To conclude the event, Bubba and Janie Bain, AAA, gave a breed update and discussed various AAA programs. The presentations included valuable informa- tion for both AAA members and non-members. “For non-members, the event gave them more knowledge about something they might be inter- ested in getting involved with,” says Bubba Bain, AAA executive director. “For members, or the people already involved with AAA, the field day was an opportunity for them to catch up on some new programs and ask questions on how those programs could affect their operation. All the information was good for both parties.” Field days are a great opportunity to increase interest in the breed and promote AAA programs, and Bain would like to see more breeders host similar events in the future. PT 1. This GridMax bull (7/8 Akaushi), owned by Broken Winds Cattle Company, created a lot of conversation at the Akaushi Field Day near Canyon, Texas. 2. Field day attendees watch as Ron Gill, Ph.D., demonstrates low-stress cattle handling and discusses working- facility design. 3. Joe and Christina Beltz discuss the record-keeping practices they use at Broken Winds Cattle Company. 4. Jim Stewart, KRFE AM 580 ag director, Lubbock, Texas, interviews Joe and Christina Beltz ahead of their Akaushi Field Day at Bar 73 Ranch.

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Akaushi Prime Time • Summer 2018

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