RRAA Newsletter
May 2011
General Meeting
Board Minutes
September 13, 2011
May 16, 2011
Business Items
Minutes of the Red River Angus Association Board Meeting
October 3, 2011
One of our own members and current BOD for the
RRAA gave a presentation on “The Use of Expected
Progeny Differences in Breeding Programs” at our
September meeting. Dr. Lee Bulla is a Professor of
Molecular Biology at the University of Texas at Dallas
where he teaches human genetics, genomics and
proteomics courses. His current research is focused on
gene and protein characterization with application to
molecular diagnostics for diseases of horses and cattle.
He received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in
microbiology and biochemistry.
Dr. Bulla’s presentation first presented a cursory
overview of physiology of DNA and then definitions of
predictable differences. In his presentation he
explained how the environment affects performance of
animals in combination with the genetic potential of an
animal. Measurable performance traits of animals’ are
important in determining the predictable difference of
an animal. What he feels is often misconstrued by
many in the beef industry is that there is no way to
guarantee genetic performance. Expected progeny
continued on page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
General Meeting Business
1
Board Minutes
2
Speakers
3
Calendar of Events
Board members present: Earl Bengston, Thomas Kemp,
Mike McGowan, Gary Stewart, Lee Bulla, Butch Brundage,
Neal Hunt, Roger Boyer and Lynn Williams. Board
members not present: Rayford Pullen, and Gary Miller.
President Mike McGowan called the meeting to order at 6:30
p.m. The minutes of the last board meeting were reviewed
and approved.
First item of Business was discussion over upcoming
programs for the fall and spring membership meetings. The
October 8th RRAA field day at Pullen Angus was canceled
due to difficulties from drought and fires at Rayford’s ranch.
The next item of business was discussion of November
general membership meeting with guest speaker Sally
Northcutt from the AAA. It was agreed to move the meeting
to Gainesville Civic Center to accommodate a larger crowd
and nicer facilities. Lynn Williams has made arrangements
with the Civic Center and to have a catered meal.
Newsletters would be sent to the Oklahoma and Texas
Angus Associations in hopes they would send them to their
members. Also Extension Agents would be contacted in
adjoining counties and other institutions that would be
interested in the presentation.
On the topic of the bull feed test and sale a survey has been
completed and sent to members electronically but we need
more members to reply reported Thomas Kemp. There
would not be enough time for a sale this fall and the
likelihood of having one in the spring is questionable given
the weather conditions and markets.
The issue of sharing the travel cost for ultra sound days was
discussed next. Board members are in general agreement of
the following discussion that followed:
 Jack and Anita Thayer have since the
beginning of the RRAA held ultra sound days
at their farm. They graciously host those who
continued on page 3
Newsletter 1
continued from page 1
differences are based on measureable performance
traits of animals. That performance measures fit a
normal distribution like the bell curve. Given a normal
distribution the performance trait being measured should
fall on either side of the mean and it could be positive or
negative. An EPD does not tell us about the genomic
makeup of an animal because that is almost impossible
to predict. Dr. Bulla seemed to express that the value of
EPD’s is enhanced when an animal’s own performance data
is known. Dr. Bulla’s information was very informative and
helped shed light on why it is important to know something
about the animal’s performance not selecting solely by EPD
alone.
In other business dates were announced for the Ultra
Sound work days at Jack and Anita Thayers Angus
farm for the year. Those dates will be: October 15,
2011; December 10, 2011; February 18, 2012 and
April 14, 2012. Please contact Jack or Anita if you
plan to come for the work day ahead of time.
Meeting adjourned 8:19 p.m.
Newsletter 2
Speakers
Sally Northcutt the Director of Genetic Research
for the American Angus Association will be our
special guest and speaker for the November
meeting. The meeting has been moved to the
Gainesville Civic Center to accommodate larger
crowd. A meal has been provided for a small
fee. We hope all members will come out and
bring a friend or two to the meeting. We want to
have a really good turn out.
continued from page 1
CALENDAR
OF
come and bring their cattle.
 The technician, Michelle who comes from
Paul’s Valley does an excellent job of getting
our cattle scanned and data sent in
promptly.
 This service is a great benefit to our members
and those who have had a technician come
to your farm know this is also a great deal.
 The opportunity to get your cattle scanned,
socialize with members and view their cattle
is a reward in itself. But if you have had any
cattle scanned on your own premises and
unless you are talking about a significant
number you cannot get it done any cheaper
per head then at this event.
EVENTS
LAST ULTRA SOUND DAY
PLACE: JACK & ANITA THAYER ANGUS
OCTOBER 15, 2011
If you plan to go call Jack ASAP 940-668-6045/940-9020470
NOVEMBER 8 GENERAL MEETING
PLACE: GAINESVILLE CIVIC CENTER, GAINESVILLE, TX
TIME: 6:00 PM
Dr. Sally Northcutt, Director of Genetic Research, American
Angus Association.
RRAA FIELD DAY
Canceled due to weather.
JANUARY GENERAL MEETING
PLACE: SMOKEHOUSE, LINDSAY, TX
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
ELECTION OF BOD
The problem of charging each member who uses the
services the day of the scan is that even though members are
asked ahead of time to let Jack know how many will be
coming there are always circumstances that change the
number. Therefore it is hard to compute what each member
should pay until all cattle are scanned. Discussion then
pursued on how to cover any travel cost that is not covered
by the fee paid for at the time of scanning. That said the
board has decided that the benefits to the membership and as
a recruiting tool alone are justification to cover travel cost
for the technician. Therefore the board has decided to
cover any travel cost of the technician that has not been
covered by the fees charged to each member at time of scan.
Last item brought up for discussion was the scholarship the
RRAA offers. At issue are revenue for the fund and lack of
interest. Butch Brundage stated that for the last several
years the revenue from selling tickets to the raffle of semen
has not generated enough revenue to pay for any
scholarship. This last spring we did not even award a
scholarship due to lack of interest. The following discussion
then pursued: did we even need then to continue the
scholarship, what was the purpose of the scholarship, if we
are having difficult times raising revenue for the scholarship
should we discontinue it? Thomas Kemp who was on the
original committee that created the scholarship stated it was
created to benefit the youth in the industry in hopes that
some would pursue a career in the industry and that it could
also be a recruitment tool. There was discussion that if there
was no interest and could not raise revenue to cover cost it
should be discontinued. There was discussion that the lack
of interest could be advertising or making the scholarship
known to the right audience. Before we decide to drop the
scholarship Thomas Kemp moved that we create a
committee to review the purpose and focus of the
scholarship. The motion was seconded by Butch Brundage
and passed.
Newsletter 3
Meeting adjourned 8:00 p.m.
Minutes submitted Thomas Kemp, Secretary of Association