South Carolina Angus News
By Windy Bartee, secretary

“Oh, Happy Days” was the theme of Tom Burke’s keynote address to the members of the SC Angus Association at their Annual Banquet and Meeting at the Clemson Madren Conference Center held on March 19th, the night before the Carolina Angus Futurity. Happy days and night set the tone for the weekend for the Angus members.

All the folks were happy to have Mike and Jean Johnson there. Mike and Jean were honored by the members for their contributions to the SC Angus Association and the Juniors. Both have served in capacities of many offices and duties. Jean has been the treasurer for 13 years. Mike has served as a director for several terms. The members of the SC Angus Association. presented them a bull statue as a symbol of their appreciation for the Johnson’s service and work in SC with Angus.

New members of the SC Angus Association were welcomed and introduced by President Gene Pruitt. Our SC American Angus representative, David Gazda, supported the event with his presence and photography. We were delighted that Tom Burke, as the sales manager, was back in South Carolina for the Futurity. He reminded all present how lucky they are to be Angus breeders. Part of his happy news was that, “Beef consumption is up 16% in the United States. The best is yet to come.”

Walter Shealy, SCAA vice-president, reported on the new web site for the SC Angus Association. It is available for Internet clients and members to obtain our state's news and to purchase ads.

After the adult meeting the juniors met to plan their show and summer events. The sponsors that volunteered to help them with the SC Junior Angus Show and the Beef Round-Up are: ABS, Bar W Ranch, Beechwood Angus, Black Crest Angus, Black Grove, Bush n’ Vine, Cedar Creek, Circle E, Double D Angus, Feed in a Drum, Glendale Angus, Hurricane Creek, Hawkins Angus Farm, Mi-Li Angus, Mull Meadows, Paul Boyd Angus Farm, Sac Alexander, and Yon Family Farms. The Eastern Regional will be in Raleigh, NC, on June 18-20.

“Angus and All That Jazz” is the theme for the National Junior Angus Show that is set for July 12-17 at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, MO. This six-day event will feature the largest single-breed beef cattle show in the world. Contact one of the SC Junior Advisors if you are interested in going to either. Ted Bourne, Lydia Yon, and Jesse Adkins are in the process of arranging the details for the SC folks going.

We should have “happy days” for being in the Angus business not just for the quality of life but because our prices are up. At the March 20th Saturday sale excellent Angus females were bought at good prices. Thirty-seven Angus female lots brought a total of $74,800 which produced an average of $2,022 per lot.

“Save the Date” for our next ” happy day” event. The SC Junior Angus Show and SCAA Field Day show will be combined on Saturday, June 5 at the T. Ed Garrison Arena at Clemson, SC. Mike Johnson is working on some great informative speakers. Ted Bartee is planning the junior show. Of course delicious food will be an essential part of the happy day.

Angus breeders who struggle with the paper work of registering and keeping all the registration certificates will have a happy day soon. From June 1 to September 30, 2004, members can choose the electronic storage feature free of charge to store the paper registration certificates of existing registered Angus cattle. After September 30, printed registration papers that are electronically stored will be assessed a $2 correction fee.
Electronic storage will speed transfer papers with no mail time or postage. However, members participating in Angus shows must provide original registration papers at check-in. Find out more at the Web site www.angus.org.

Oh, happy day for the Pruitt Family. Gene and Glenda Pruitt became grandparents again on March 16, 2004. James and Leigh Pruitt had easy calving with Rhett Pruitt Wilson at 7 lbs. and 13 oz. Brother Cal Pruitt is delighted to have a brother to help with the chores on granddaddy Gene’s Glendale Angus Farm. Get the show sticks and halters out.

Sally and Drake Yon, who went with Daddy Kevin to the January Denver Livestock Show had a happy day in Colorado. They got first hand experience of on-the-job training while skiing on the Colorado slopes. All we can say is “Look out! Here they come.” Oh, Happy Days!

Call or send information that you would like included in our SC news to Windy Bartee, 803-222-7533 or tumblet@earthlink.net.