South Carolina Angus Association
News
April 7, 2006
Windy Bartee, secretary SCAA
March Madness always ends up with awards and trophies going to the winners. In South Carolina (SC) it wasn’t madness but the logic and planning of the livestock breeding that brought excellent prices to the award-winning Angus. Trophies went to the outstanding people at the 35th Carolina Futurity.
Friday night’s banquet and annual meeting opened up the festivities on March 17. The South Carolina Angus Association (SCAA) honored Paul and Linda Wilkie for their service to the juniors, and the Angus breeders of SC. The Wilkie Family attended in full force: Paul Junior with his wife Bethany; Elizabeth and Tom Robertson with their son, Cal were beaming with pride at the accolades that Bill Bartee poured on the Wilkies while remembering his days as a junior traveling with them as advisors. Laughs followed quickly at Bill’s funny stories of the “Travels with the Wilkies.” They were awarded a Jim Reno trophy Angus bull in recognition of their longtime service to the Angus breed.
President Walter Shealy presented Jean Johnson with a plaque for her years as the treasurer of the SCAA. Jean took office in 1989. Mike Johnson, her husband, was elected to fill her spot. Wonder if Jean will really get out of the work?
The newly elected directors, Kevin Yon, Stephanie Clark and Charles Cox, were introduced. Ted Bourne, the vice president and chairman of the Futurity, complimented the quality of the cattle and thanked everyone for having them ready for the tour. One of the SCAA directors, Danny Winchester, planned the semen auction that followed the meeting. The proceeds benefited the South Carolina Junior Angus Association (SCJAA).
On Saturday the silent auction organized by Stephanie Clark made the juniors’ treasury fuller. The Angus cattle brought good prices too. Sixty-one lots brought $132,150. The average was $2166. The top bred heifer was lot 25, Black Grove Polly 704, 10-9-04 female by Bon View New Design 208. She was bred to O C C Emblazon 854E. She was sold from Black Grove Farm, Newberry, SC, to Mike Gillispie, Dobson, NC, for $4,750.
David Gazda, the American Angus Association regional manager for SC awarded SCJAA president Ann Blumer with the silver and bronze awards from the American Angus Association for her achievements in the SCJAA and the show ring. The next rung up the ladder for Ann will be a gold award. She is a freshman at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.
Sometimes awards are given as well as received by our juniors. Samuel Hall, who is also an FFA member, made a trip to Columbia to present Governor Mark Sanford a box of his hydroponically raised tomatoes. The Hall family raises and sells fruits and vegetables at the Bush and Vine on Highway 321, north of York, SC.
March Madness is followed by April showers and then May flowers. We are invited to visit the farm of Stephanie and Dr. Rodger Clark to see their flowering Angus on Saturday, May 13 at 11 AM. Several speakers are planned as well as some good barbecue. Dr. John Andre´, who is a forage specialist from Clemson will give free advice on forage. Another Clemson professor, Dr. John Gibbons, an expert on embryo transfer and cloning, will inform the group about advances in those technologies. Our American Angus field representative, David Gazda, will update us on the news from St. Joseph, MO. Godfrey Feed plans to have a representative attending. Other presenters are in the works. If you want to go to the Angus Field Day, travel to Riverhill Farm at 1543 McKelvey Road in Fountain Inn, SC 29644. If you get lost or need directions, Stephanie’s phone numbers are: 864-243-2214 or (cell) 864-430-7734. The activities will be from 11 to 3. A tour of the farm and cattle is planned.
In June our South Carolina Juniors have planned their SC State Preview Show for the first weekend in June. Attend the show to support them at the Clemson cattle barn next to the T. Ed Garrison Arena on Saturday, June 3.
As March Madness fades into memory and the following months go by, the important thing is that the madness over the popularity of our Angus cattle does not fade. Our breed has the most registrations of any breed in the world. That popularity will help the Angus price continue to flower.
If you have information that should be in our SC Angus news, please contact Windy Bartee at 803-222-7533 or tumblet8@bellsouth.net. If you want to buy a banner ad, the cost is $50 per month plus set up fees. If you would like to become a member our dues are $20. Please send a check for $20 to SCAA, 1717 St. Paul Church Rd.,Clover, SC 29710. Click here for an application.
