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2007 Virginia BCIA Superior Service Awards Presented to Phil Blevins and Walter Robinson
Livestock Update, April 2007
Scott Greiner, Ph.D., Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech
Virginia BCIA is pleased to present the 2007 Superior Service Awards to Phil Blevins and Walter Robinson. BCIA recognizes Blevins and Robinson for their leadership in educational programs related to beef cattle genetic improvement.
Phil Blevins is a native of Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee. In 1989 he joined Virginia Cooperative Extension, and has been in Washington County since 1991 as an Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources. Walter Robinson started with Virginia Cooperative Extension in 1977 and has been located in Smyth County since 1980 where he currently serves as an Extension Animal Science Agent. Walter received B. S. degrees in Animal Science and Agriculture Education from Virginia Tech.
Blevins and Robinson have conducted numerous educational programs in Southwest Virginia to facilitate the adoption of genetic improvement principles as an important component related to profitability and sustainability. In recent years, their leadership on the Southwest Value Added Beef Initiative has resulted in a pronounced impact on improved genetics, facilities, and marketing strategies for area producers. Their programs have concentrated on the importance of bull selection in an integrated management and marketing system.
For their time, dedication, and leadership, Virginia BCIA is glad to present Phil Blevins and Walter Robinson with the Superior Service Award.
The Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association presented its Premier Breeder Awards at their Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the Virginia Beef Industry Convention on February 16, 2007. Breeders received the awards based on outstanding performance of their entire consignment at Virginia BCIA Central Bull Test Stations in the test year 2005-06. The Premier Angus Breeder Award was presented to Edgewood Farm, Pete and Connie Henderson, of Williamsburg, Virginia. Edgewood consigned a total of ten bulls to the Virginia Central Bull Test program at Culpeper. Their ten Senior bulls posted an average test gain ratio of 109 and yearling weight ratio of 108 and sold for an average premium of $734 relative to their contemporaries. The Premier Simmental Breeder Award was presented to J & M Windy Acres, Mike Connatser from Maryville, TN for the performance of his seven bulls at the 2006 Southwest Bull Test. The bulls posted an average gain ratio of 114 and yearling weight ratio of 106. The consignment group included the top indexing Senior and Junior Simmental for the Southwest Test.
Pete Henderson was recently elected president of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association for 2007. Henderson is an Angus breeder from Williamsburg. Other officers elected at the BCIA Annual Meeting held in February include Vice President Jason Pratt of Atkins, and Secretary/Treasurer Alan Graybeal of Blacksburg.
During the annual meeting of Virginia BCIA, directors elected to serve a three year term included Jim Sponaugle, a cow-calf producer from Doe Hill, Jim Tate, an Angus breeder from Beaverdam, and Matt Carty a Charolais breeder from Bastian. Other members of the BCIA board of directors include Buster Hounshell from Wytheville, Nathan Haver of Goshen, Kevin Powell from Madison, and past president Terry Slusher from Floyd.
The technical directors of the association are Norm Vincel, Select Sires, Rocky Mount, Virginia and Bill Beal, Virginia Tech Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences. The educational advisor is Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist at Virginia Tech.