Hello everyone, and welcome to the July edition of American Cattlemen. It is a pleasure to share our recent experiences with you. My wife, Audra, and I had the distinct opportunity to attend the American Akaushi Convention in Kansas City last month. We conducted interviews with several leading producers, which will feature prominently in upcoming episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast.

Akaushi cattle, frequently heralded as the “Emperor’s Breed,” deserve special recognition. While all Akaushi cattle are classified as Wagyu, it is essential to understand that not all Wagyu cattle are Akaushi. The breed was introduced outside of Japan in the 1990s and has since gained global acclaim for its extraordinary marbling. This marbling is what gives Akaushi beef its melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, buttery flavor. For those interested in learning more, I strongly encourage you to visit americancattlemen.com to access these insightful interviews.

During our journey to Kansas City, we also had the privilege of visiting five outstanding seedstock producers: Long Simmental (Rob Long), Eblen Simmentals (Scott Eblen), Nichols Farms (Ross Havens), Oswald Family Angus (Jamie Oswald), and High Point Genetics (Brian Oswald). We are incredibly grateful to these producers for their hospitality and valuable insights. Be sure to check out our social media pages for photos from these visits, which showcase some of the top producers of our industry.

The producers we met with shared an unwavering enthusiasm and a clear focus on improvement. They continuously asked, “How can we elevate our operations?” This forward-thinking perspective is particularly striking in the current landscape of record-high fat cattle prices and robust industry growth. It is promising to see such a commitment to advancement.

July also signifies the beginning of county fair season across the country, and I urge you to attend your local and state fairs. These events provide exceptional opportunities for producers and consumers to connect and build relationships.

Finally, as we observe Independence Day on July 4th, take a moment to reflect on the significance of our freedoms. We should never take our independence for granted, as many individuals around the world are not afforded the same rights. I wish you and your families a safe and joyful 4th of July celebration. God bless the United States of America! Best Regards, Gale