American Simmental~Simbrah Foundation

Fall Educational Symposium
Each fall the ASA will host an educational session in conjunction with the fall board meeting.  The 2014 session was very successful with nearly 150 attendees.  The day-long event featured genetically oriented talks from nationally recognized experts in livestock genetics and animal breeding.  Seedstock producers, commercial cattlemen, industry personnel, other breed associations, and academics participated in the session and following social.  Join us in hosting the 2015 Educational Session by donating funds for this event. Goal $10,000/year.

Steer Profitability Contest
The AJSA Steer Profitability Competition (SPC) is designed to provide members of the AJSA meaningful exposure to the opportunities and challenges associated with cattle feeding. The SPC will not only allow participants to measure and compare the profitability of their own animal(s), but of greater importance, will introduce young beef enthusiasts to peers, mentors, industry advocates, and experiences that are exceedingly difficult to acquire for any beef producer. 

Feed Intake Project

The cost of feed is the number one cost to the beef industry annually (65% of the production cost of beef). The ability to predict differences in feedlot intake of sires’ offspring is an important component in the assessment of differences in profitability between sires. The Feed Intake Project collects individual feed intake data on calves of known sire groups to improve our ability to predict feed intake and thus improve our ability to predict differences in profit. 

Goal: $30,000/year

Walton-Berry Graduate Student Support Grant 

Walton-Berry Graduate Student Support Grant supports graduate education with an emphasis on genetic improvement of livestock. The fund originally started by Jim Berry of Wildberry Farms honors Dr. Bob Walton’s lifelong efforts in animal breeding and raising Simmental cattle. The Walton-Berry Graduate Student Support Grant funds graduate education in research programs to directly improve applied livestock genetics and help build future experts in animal breeding. Each recipient contributes to ASA Publication regarding their research both SimTalk and the Register.

 Click here for detailed information.

AJSA Canadian Exchange Project 

Each summer, two AJSA Board of Trustee members will be randomly selected to attend the Young Canadian Simmental Association National Classic. This is more than just an opportunity to travel, but rather an opportunity for AJSA members to learn about international agriculture, new ideas to progress the association, and gain new friends in an attempt to build their resume and personal experience.

Regional Classics

Together as one team, our junior programs will flourish! Each of the AJSA Regions have formed state groups to fundraise for their yearly Regional Classics. Each region fundraises for their own regional alongside financial support from the ASF and ASA.The key is to see states within a specific region as one unit, rather than individuals. The establishment of these regional groups is to raise funds for the regionals despite which state hosts the classic.

National Classics

Any state may apply to host the National Classic. States fundraise to help fund the show alongside the ASF and ASA. The National Classic provides an opportunity for Junior members to participate in educational contests alongside the show, helping to build the future leaders of the Simmental breed. For more information, visit the AJSA website.

Merit Award Scholarships

Established in 1981, the Merit Award is designed to provide recognition to junior members who have made “significant contributions to their community, home, family, school, and the Simmental or Simbrah breeds of cattle.” As college tuition continues to increase, the Foundation continues to support 17 AJSA members each year by awarding $55,000 in scholarships, 12 Silver Merit Awards, and 5 Gold Merit Awards, to help them continue their post-secondary education. 

American Simmental~Simbrah Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.