Welcome
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2014
For more information contact:
Joe Cassady, executive director, Beef Improvement Federation, South Dakota State University; 605-688-5165; www.BIFconference.com; www.beefimprovement.org
For a high-resolution photo of the winner, click here.
Wade Shafer Recognized with
BIF Continuing Service Award
LINCOLN, Neb. (June 19, 2014) — The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) honored Dr. Wade Shafer with the Continuing Service Award during the organization’s 46th Annual Meeting & Research Symposium in Lincoln, Neb., June 18-21.
Wade Shafer (left) of the American Simmental Association, Bozeman, Mont., receives a Beef Improvement Federation Continuing Service Award from Steve Whitmire, 2013-2014 BIF president. Shafer received the honor during an awards luncheon at the organization’s 46th research symposium and annual meeting hosted June 18-21 in Lincoln, Neb.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to BIF efforts. This includes serving on the board of directors, speaking at BIF conventions, working on BIF guidelines and other behind-the-scenes activities. As BIF is a volunteer organization, it is the contribution of time and passion for the beef cattle industry that keeps BIF moving forward.
Shafer graduated from North Dakota State University in 1984, and completed a master’s degree and doctorate at Colorado State University. While there, he assisted in teaching principles of animal breeding, population genetics, selection index theory/best linear unbiased prediction, advanced cattle breeding, reproductive physiology.
He joined the American Simmental Association (ASA) in 2004 as the director of performance programs, working closely with Dr. Jerry Lipsey. Together, they led Simmental breeders forward in the areas of carcass testing and total cow-herd indexing. In 2011, upon Dr. Lipsey’s departure from the leadership of the ASA, Shafer was selected to assume the reins as executive vice president.
Shafer is an avid proponent of BIF, what it stands for, the use of performance tools and the use of total trait indexing. He is a strong advocate, mentor and teacher.
He and his wife, Kathy, live in Bozeman, Mont.
Shafer was presented the BIF Continuing Service Award at a luncheon Thursday, June 19. Also receiving Continuing Service Awards were Larry Kuehn and Warren Snelling, both of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Neb.; and Susan Willmon of the American Gelbvieh Association, Westminster, Colo.; and Wade Shafer of the American Simmental Association, Bozeman, Mont.
For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of the meeting and tours, visit www.BIFconference.com. For more information about the BIF organization, visit www.beefimprovement.org.
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About BIF:
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated almost 70 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. Continuing the tradition, BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits, from birth weights to carcass traits. Its three-leaf-clover logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.
About www.BIFconference.com:
The www.BIFconference.com website is an event coverage site compiled by the Angus Journal staff as a service to its subscribers and the beef industry at large. The Angus Journal’s coverage of this event is made possible through the collaboration of BIF; host organizations including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, and the Nebraska Cattlemen; and LiveAuctions.tv, which provided live-streaming video during the event and video for archival purposes. The Angus Journal encourages reprinting of the articles by those who adhere to the reprint guidelines available on the site.
About Angus Journal:
The Angus Journal is the flagship publication of the American Angus Association and a primary means of communication with its membership. Published 12 times each year, the magazine communicates important information about Association programs and services; reports news from shows, events and sales; and provides production, marketing and management information that seedstock breeders need to be successful. The publication also serves an effective vehicle for producers to use in marketing their herds to other members around the country. Advertisements are offered in a variety of sizes at rates to match most budgets, and a creative staff is available to help design an eye-catching layout.
