This years Great Event was another great success. Things got started on Thursday night with the annual meeting of the ADCA. You can access the minutes of the meeting to the left under “Downloads”. Two new board members were elected to replace Mr. Jeremy Engh and Mr. Charles Trantham; David Sherman and Guille Yearwood. Mr. Sherman hails from Hopewell, NJ where he manages Double Brook Farm. Double Brook farm currently boasts a large herd of Devons geared to produce beef for a local restaurant and meat market. Mr. Yearwood hails from Southwest Virginia near Blacksburg. He is the owner of a small family operated farm that produces grass fed beef and Devon seed stock. Both of our two new board members bring a wealth of knowledge gained from years in the cattle industry and are both a great benefit to the ADCA. Dr. William Walker was also reelected to the seat he held last year. Dr. Walker and his wife Nancy produce grass fed beef and Devon Seed stock on their family farm in Anderson, SC. Dr. Walker has been a tremendous asset to the association and we’re all glad we were able to retain his valued presence on the board. The ADCA board of directors now consists of: Mr. Frank Heeren-President, Mr. Jacob Owens-Vice President, Mr. Paul Colucci-Treasurer, Dr. David Roffey, Dr. William Walker, Mr. Guille Yearwood and Mr. David Sherman.
A brief overview of discussion:
- To start you will soon have your new ADCA guide book containing the newly adopted ADCA rules. These rules will also be available for downloading on the website.
- We will begin addressing the DNA testing issues we have had with VGL labs.
- A committee was formed to address the relationship between the ADCA and the North American Devon association. This committee is made up of three members: Dr. William Walker-Chair, Mr. Richard Maurer and Mr. Scott Paquin.
- We received a treasure’s report from Mr. Paul Colucci.
- An exploration committee was formed to address insurance for the Association, Chair-Paul Colucci.
- The bi-annual ADCA board meeting will be held some time from December to February; this date has yet to be set.
- Mrs. Nina Heeren will head up the calendar committee, twelve volunteers were obtained.
On Friday we heard from several different speakers on numerous topics. To kick it off,
Andy Meadows conducted an informative ultra sound demonstration. He was followed by Ridge Shinn who explained in detail the procedure of and benefits to, linear measurements. Later in the day Ridge also helped all see the added benefits of linear measurements as
they relate to meat yield.
Jeremy Engh helped us all understand our breed standards, EPD’s (or EBV’s depending on were your standing) and “Breed Plan” and the use of these as valuable tools in improving your Devon herd. Jeremy was also part of a panel discussion made up of some the U.S.’s
top Devon breeders regarding breed standards. Much was learned and I’m sure we all
have new questions after mulling over the discussion.
David Fiske of Virginia Tech presented an engaging talk letting us in on VT’s evaluation practices and selection procedures. We wish they were running more Devons in their trials but the work they are doing on grass fed production systems will definitely help us all. Mr. Fiske also conducted a judging contest with participants from the crowd and the local 4h chapter. The students won the contest; younger minds always have an advantage I suppose. But kudos to them and the contest was a great success.
To wrap Friday up we enjoyed a nice beef diner and then all learned a lot about Devon history in the states from an excellent slide show presented by David Roffey and Jeremy Engh.
Saturday started with the Devon show. Jeff Kauffman was the judge and did an excellent job of placing animals suited for grass fed beef production. Jeremy Engh took home the prize for Grand Champion Bull with his offering of the bull “Crooked Tree”. Crooked Tree also stole the show with his temperament as Nina Heeren road him for a full eight minutes. Martha Trantham took home the Grand Champion Female with her offering of the two year old Lenoir’s Creek T256. For the rest of the show placing please look to the right under “Downloads”.
To wrap the event up the sale started at 1:00 pm Saturday afternoon. Don Brahm did another excellent job as auctioneer and our new staff from Associated Registries did a phenomenal job clerking the sale. Yearling heifers averaged $2800, , two year old heifers average $3105, three year olds averaged $3750 and proven cows averaged $3800. Light weight steers averaging 487 pounds sold for an average of $1.01 per pound, medium weight steers averaging 640 pounds sold for an average of $1.16 per pound and heavy weight steers averaging 860 pounds sold for an average of $1.05 per pound.
In closing, I know we would all like to thank Dr. David Roffey, Mr. Guille Yearwood and Mr. Bob Grant for all their hard work in producing another successful Great Event. We hope to see you all next year, look for information on the 2011 Great Event to be coming soon.
1. There will be two additional classes in the show:
a. Dry aged cow any age, must have calved in the past 18 months.
b. Produce of Dam: Two animals from the same Dam with one owner.
2. Rooms may fill up fast in Harrisonburg; we have a group rate at the Hampton Inn.
You can call them at 540-437-0090.
That’s about it, hope to see you all there!
September 23rd, 24thand 25th promise to be exciting times for this year’s American Devon Cattle Association annual meeting. The location for the gathering is the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, VA. Facilities are located just off I 81 between exits 240 and 243.
The theme for 2010 is “Developing Devons – Applying Available Tools.” Topics include Devon Breed Standards, Visual type appraisal, Ultrasound Data and measurements, Breeder Discussions, and developing Genomic considerations into practical take-home information.
The details and schedule of the Annual meeting agenda, daily program events and discussion groups will be posted soon. Anyone breeding Devons won’t want to miss the segment featuring a panel of successful Devon breeders.
The Devon Show will take place 9:00 am Saturday September 25th followed by the Great Event Sale 2010 at 1:00 pm. Several new additions to make the show more spectator-friendly and easier to follow include a couple of lead-in classes for the younger cattle. Jeremy Engh has been seen breaking animals to the halter several months ago in preparation for the Show. Great attitude about the lead-in as Jeremy was not a big supporter of leading but has graciously accepted the change.
Several more cow/calf classes of different ages are added this year so animals are compared to others in the same stage of life. Entry fee per animal is $25. The Get-of-sire class should be of interest to those buying semen from different bulls. One may look at group of the sire’s sons and daughters side by side for comparison.
The Devon Great Event Sale will offer some exciting lots. A couple top early entries are coming from Jacob Owens Brookview Farm. Roffey Cattle Company is offering the choice of full sisters to the renowned Great Event Grand Champion for the past three years shown by Paul and Laura Colucci of Full Moon Farm. The Sale will be offering a group of Devon steers at auction this year by weight. The steers must be at least ½ blood Devon. Any of our members who have cattle to sell, please contact Bob Grant or any other committee member.
Another feature will offer the opportunity for much more widespread participation in the cattle auction. Live Internet bidding in real time from nearly anyplace in the country will be available for those unable to attend in person. CowBuyer.com will stream the sale live over the Internet. Pre-registration sign-up will begin 2 weeks prior to September 25th for those wishing to bid on line. Details will be made available in the upcoming weeks.
The Great Event 2010 committee’s goal is to offer a quality event full of diverse opportunities – conference, annual meeting, show and sale - worthy of the effort required on your part to travel to Harrisonburg, Va.
Wednesday, September 22nd
• Early Arrivals
Thursday, September 23rd
• Cattle In Place by 12:00 Noon
• Annual Meeting - 6:00 PM
Friday, September 24th
• Panel Discussion - Historical Breeders & Prefixes: Jerry Engh, Robert Henderson, Bob Grant
• Panel Discussion - Breeding Cattle To Meet Breed Standards: Jeremy Engh, Dave Roffey
• Goals Of And The Why Of Breed Standards
• Measurements As Relates to Breed Standards
Linear Measurements, Ultrasound Theory, EPDs, Genomics Online Conference with Dr. Gibb
• Ultradsound Demonstration
• Judging Contest & Discussion as relates to Breed Standards, Ultrasound & Lineal Measurements: Guille Yearwood
• Fitting Demonstration
• Evening Buffet & Awards
Saturday, September 25th
• Cattle Judging - 9:00 AM -
All cattle will be in ring together for comparison
• Sale - 1:00 PM
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