With each passing year, each passing month and each passing day, the American Maine-Anjou Association (AMAA) continues to grow and thrive with its main emphasis on bettering the association itself, its membership and of course the cattle. The association has stepped up in this last year to meet the challenges the breed, along with growing a bigger and stronger association and membership. Thanks to all who have contributed to its growth. It’s you, the breeders, members, sellers and enthusiasts who make for a growing and flourishing breed of cattle, which in turn, makes us a growing association.

It’s hard to believe the end of the year is drawing near. With the fall show season, fall calving, fall sales and football in full force, we sometimes forget to take in and enjoy the rest of the year. If we don’t, we find ourselves mid-January asking where it all went.

A lot can happen in a year, but yet, I still ponder on how it can go by so fast. In this last year, I can’t even begin to think about, let alone count, all the shows, events, deadlines and travels I have been on. Each event and deadline I’ve been faced with has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet an array of “cattle folk” and junior exhibitors who make my time at these shows and at the office worthwhile.

Getting the opportunity to travel across the country to shows has given me the chance to meet many truly great and wonderful people who strive to better the breed and association as a whole. During my tenure at the AMAA, I have come to respect and cherish the times I get to spend with all the Maine-Anjou enthusiasts. The beginning of 2006 brings me on my third year at the association and I’m looking forward to what’s in store for the breed.

The junior members I know and have met in the last year bring a smile to my face. The determination and overall quality in these kids is remarkable. The kids are second to none. I have come to know a great number of the junior board and the junior members and can I say the breed is fortunate to have you.

As we wrap up the end of another year, we always continue to look ahead. Setting new goals and identifying what we can do to better the association and its members - both adult and junior - are key to our successful futre. Ideas come and go, but we are always striving to improve.

Over this past year, we have witnessed a lot of change, some for better and some for worse, and we as an association and membership need to face the future head-on with an open mind. Be open to new ideas and goals. With your support, we can continue to set new, challenging goals and progress our breed and association.

Denver will kick it off the new year, and might I add, what a great way to start. Maine-Anjou activities in Denver are at the top of everyone's list. I encourage everyone to come to Denver and enjoy the pen-of-three bull and heifer shows, the popular bull and heifer sales and the open and junior shows. The breed is a force to be reckoned with in Denver. Come see for yourselves what the cattle have to offer. The best of the breed will be represented. Enthusiasm and energy shine through in Denver with the Maine-Anjou breed.

Next we will travel to our National Maine-Anjou Show held in conjunction with the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Ft. Worth, Texas. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to see the next National Champion bull and female crowned or your chance to see where the breed started. Ft. Worth is known for its Fullblood Maine-Anjou show. The best of the best in Fullbloods will be represented – a great opportunity to trace the breed back to the very beginning.

Thanks for a great year and best of luck in 2006!