Association Outlook
Montie D. asa executive Soules secretary/CEO
Exciting Times for our Breed!
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ou can find a full report of the 2022 Super National Shorthorn Show at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Okla., in this issue of Shorthorn Country. In only the second year of this spectacular event, over 9,000 head were entered across all breeds as new breed shows have been added. The acceptance from breeds participating last year grew even more and Shorthorn was right there making our own statement. We had 89 head in the pen show scanned at check in; the ultrasound tech mentioned he thought we had one or two more head go through the chute than Angus! This was the largest Shorthorn pen show we have had in several years and the excitement around the pen show was fantastic. The competition was fierce and super competitive. Those watching had plenty of quality bulls and females to study and compare. Excitement was in the air from start to finish. Congratulations to the exhibitors in the pen show for bringing an outstanding group of Shorthorn cattle to represent our great breed. The enthusiasm grew throughout the event. “The Summit” National Shorthorn Sale was a huge success in many ways. The ASA Commissioned painting by CJ Brown, entitled “America’s First” Shorthorns Across America was unveiled and admired by all. Prints were sold by private treaty and we sold out of the copies we had at the show. At the beginning of the Summit Sale six “Artist Proofs” where auctioned off. The American Shorthorn Association’s birth date is 1872 and that number was auctioned off as a registration number to be used by
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the breeder for a special animal of their choice. Celebrating 150 years of the ASA was in full swing with all the proceeds from the paintings and registration number going to the Shorthorn Youth Development Fund Foundation to help sponsor the Shorthorn Junior National and Youth Conference - over $25,000 was raised for the youth of our breed. The Lot 1 Bull that entered the sale ring, set a Shorthorn record, selling for $123,000; the sale was one of the best if not the best National sale ever. What a way to celebrate the 150 years of the ASA. The sale grossed over $400,000 as animals and genetic lots continued to be in high demand. Thank you to Aegerter Marketing Services for all your efforts in making this sale a great event and thank you to the most important folks, the consignors and the buyers who made this sale a success. Consignors who brought quality, in-demand animals, helped make this one of the extra special events of the year. The morning after the sale we hosted the Shorthorn Junior Show; an awesome display of youth and high-quality animals on parade throughout the day. Following the two Junior Shows was the Open Super National ShorthornPlus Female and Bull Show making it a full day of showing great Shorthorn cattle. Bright and early on the last day of Shorthorn events was the Purebred Super National Shorthorn Show, starting with an excellent set of bulls. This was one of the best sets of bulls from end to end we have had at a national type of show, followed by a really deep and awesome set of females put on display
for the judge and breeders to admire and compare. This year we checked in 476 animals to be exhibited, 5 more head in the halter classes than we did in 2021. This is a real statement for the breed. Showing up in force to display Shorthorns to America. In total, we checked in 565 head to be exhibited at the Cattleman’s Congress 2022 Super National Shorthorn Show making ours one of the premier shows at this year’s event. Our breed’s positive feelings were contagious, shown not only by the number of exhibitors and cattle exhibited, but by the value placed on the cattle and genetics in the sale, let alone private treaty activity. I was impressed walking through the barn and seeing the large number of herd sires being displayed by proud owners. Breeders, exhibitors and spectators all conveyed the pride of the Shorthorn Breed throughout the event in OKC. Attendees developed a great feeling for the breed and the future of the breed. I know I was proud to be a small part of this enormous activity that brought Shorthorn people and breeders together to promote their herds and the breed. I’m proud to be part of the Shorthorn Family!!! = How about a big shout out to everyone voting the Shorthorn Junior National the most enjoyable for the second consecutive year, and to our own Shelby Diehm who was voted best Junior Director, by the Best of the Barns awards for 2021.
