Mission Statement

The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage by public or private contribution, and support of worthwhile educational and charitable projects that are of interest and benefit to devotees of the American Simmental Association. Further to receive, maintain, use, and apply donated funds for such purposes; and to implement such educational and charitable projects, including, but not limited to:

• Support of ASA's youth program through scholarships or program sponsorship.
•  Continuing education programs for beef enthusiasts and members of the youth program. 
• Expanded educational programs for ASA and members of the beef industry in the areas of performance testing, leadership, and bovine management.
• Research grants to qualified colleges and universities for documentation of bovine performance and research into the prevention of, or cure for, cattle diseases.
• Other projects or activities as may be determined by the parent association.
  
  

Foundation Endowment

Previous donations to the Foundation were invested by the current and past Foundation board members to create this endowment.  The endowment is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding that allows stability for the future and will provide a steady source of income over time. The Foundation may commit a percentage of the invested capital each year toward an educational, research, or youth program.

Contributions designated for this endowment will be invested as part of good financial planning to ensure the Foundation will stay strongly committed to its mission and to ensure ASA continues to advance and maintain its leadership in the industry.

Please direct donation inquiries to Linda Kesler at 406-587-4531    Printable Donation Form       Donate Online

Sponsorship Opportunity

“Brand Yourself in Simmental History”; be included in the ASA newly built office building, through a personalized branded wall plaque, or landscape by dedicating a tree outside the building. Several levels of sponsorship exist, with all proceeds going to the Foundation.  You may designate which of the three pillars you wish to support by tagging your donation to a specific project.

Specific Objectives

 Policy:

Education

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 followed 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 with 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. 

Research

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.

Youth

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.