2025 FALL FOCUS
Focus On You. Focus On Success.
Focus On Profit.
August 22-26, 2025, Columbia, Missouri
Registration Now Open
August 22
August 23
August 24-26
ASA board meeting
Accomodations
3300 Vandiver Drive
Columbia, Missouri 65202
Conference Headquarters
The conference headquarters are located at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3300 Vandiver Drive, with a block of rooms available August 20–26. The special room rate will be available until July 29, or until the block is sold out, whichever comes first. A link to book your hotel room will be emailed upon completion of your registration.
The Hilton Garden Inn does not offer shuttle service to and from the airport; however, several rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft, are available in Columbia.
Local Attractions
- Boone County History & Culture Center
- “The Big Tree” – a 90-foot-tall Bur Oak, over 350 years old
- MKT Nature and Fitness Trail
- Historic home of John William “Blind Boone”
- Local Farmers Markets
- The Stockyards & Arcade District
- Rock Bridge Memorial and Finger Lakes State Park
Check out www.visitcolumbiamo.com for more ideas and information.
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Fall Focus 2024 - Amarillo, TX
Over one-third of US beef is finished in the Texas Panhandle, making it a fitting destination for ASA's 2024 Fall Focus event. SimGenetics breeders, the ASA Board of Trustees, staff, and beef industry professionals gathered in Amarillo to learn about feeding, processing, and evaluating beef, as well as larger industry issues. Visit simmental.org for more information.
Meet Your Symposium Speakers
Jackie Atkins, PhD
Jackie Atkins grew up in Mandan, North Dakota, and became involved with cattle breeding at an early age. Her parents owned a veterinary clinic with a heavy emphasis on beef cattle, and also had their own commercial cow-calf operation. Her father was an early adopter of AI and estrus synchronization, and Atkins spent much of her youth heat detecting, breeding, riding, and fencing, which sparked her interest in cattle and reproduction. She completed her BS in Veterinary Biotechnology at Montana State University, and PhD and Masters in reproductive physiology at the University of Missouri. After graduation, she worked for Dr. Chuck Gue, Belgrade, Montana, as an embryologist for two years. This work involved significant travel, and upon having her first child, Atkins decided to transition. A call from Dr. Jerry Lipsey led her to begin working on science projects for ASA in 2013. She now serves as ASA’s Director of Science and Education. Atkins has been involved in many programs and events, including the Carcass Merit Program, Cow Herd DNA Roundup, and Fall Focus. Atkins is the mother of three girls, Hazel, Ada, and Greta. She spends much of her free time helping with homework, at her girls’ events, gardening, and running.
Ryan Boldt, PhD
Ryan Boldt is a native of northern Colorado, where he grew up on a small family farm. Boldt attended Texas Tech University, earning a BS in animal science. After graduation Boldt attended Colorado State University (CSU), where he earned a MS and PhD. While he was attending CSU his research focused on genetic relationships between fertility and other commonly recorded phenotypes, as well as Bovine Respiratory Disease. Currently, Boldt is the Lead Geneticist for International Genetic Solutions.
Jamie Courter, PhD
Originally from Henderson, North Carolina, Dr. Jamie Courter received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. It was here that her passion for the beef industry began. Following graduation, she went on to obtain a master’s degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics from South Dakota State University. During her tenure there, she interacted with and learned from producers of all ages and backgrounds. Her thesis research was conducted at the US Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, working with leading geneticists to advance calculations of genomically enhanced EPD. This knowledge and experience led to her decision to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for a doctoral degree, where she worked to better quantify docility for genetic evaluations.
Following graduation, Courter spent the first five years of her career as a Product Manager and Technical Services Manager at Neogen Genomics. While different titles, both positions had the same goal: to help beef producers better understand the use case and benefits of genomic technology. In the fall of 2023, Courter became the Beef Genetics Extension Specialist for the University of Missouri.
Randie Culbertson, PhD
Dr. Randie Culbertson spent her childhood on her family’s cattle ranch in New Mexico. She received her BS in Animal Science at New Mexico State University and pursued her graduate degrees at Colorado State University, earning her MS and PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics. Upon completing her PhD in 2019, she accepted a position as the lead geneticist with the American Simmental Association and International Genetic Solutions (IGS). In November 2022, Culbertson joined the faculty at Iowa State University as the Cow-Calf Extension Specialist and Beef Geneticist. In her role at Iowa State, she works with the Iowa Beef Center to execute Extension programming for cattle producers in addition to conducting applied research for beef cattle production.
Jon DeClerck, PhD
Dr. Jon DeClerck is a forward-thinking leader with extensive experience in the cattle industry and a lifelong passion for advancing animal science. Holding a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from Texas Tech University, he has excelled in technical consulting, education, and research. As a Technical Consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition, Dr. DeClerck has advised stakeholders across the beef production cycle in New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, combining innovative research with practical solutions to help producers maximize profitability. Previously, he served as a lecturer and livestock judging coach at Texas Tech and Iowa State University, mentoring students and leading multiple national champion livestock and meat evaluation teams.
DeClerck has been recognized as a national champion team coach, and is the recipient of numerous industry awards.
Raised on a diversified farm near Aledo, Illinois, featuring a Simmental and commercial cow herd, Dr. DeClerck has a deep connection to the breed. A lifelong advocate for Simmental cattle, he is committed to serving the membership and advancing the scientific innovation and growth that have long defined ASA.
Victor Guerra
Victor Guerra, Linn, Texas, owns and operates La Muñeca Cattle Company (LMC) alongside his parents and siblings. LMC runs 100 Simmental and Simbrah cows, and markets genetics private treaty throughout the year, in addition to select consignment sales. Supporting youth is important to the Guerra family, and each year, they sponsor the Simmental-Simbrah Super Bowl held in conjunction with the San Antonio Livestock Show, and hold their own LMC Field Day and Futurity. They also hold an annual LMC and Friends Giving THANKS online sale around Thanksgiving where all the proceeds go to various worthy causes, including youth events. Guerra is an active advocate of Simmental and Simbrah genetics, and participates in a number of promotional activities. He currently serves on the Hidalgo County Farm Bureau Board. Guerra also serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors, in addition to a number of other agricultural organizations. Guerra holds a BS in Agricultural Development with an emphasis in Beef Cattle Production from Texas A&M University. Guerra also holds a JD from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio and owns Victor G. Guerra, PC.
Charley Martinez, PhD
Dr. Charley C. Martinez is an assistant professor and Extension economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee (UT). He also serves as the Director of the UT Center of Farm Management. His research and Extension programming involves the fields of farm and financial management, experimental economics, livestock and meat market economics, and policy. Martinez received his BS in Agricultural Business and Ranch Management from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, and his PhD in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.
Allison Meyer, PhD
Dr. Allison Meyer grew up on a purebred Shorthorn operation in central Indiana, where her passion for both science and the beef industry was ignited. Meyer earned degrees at Michigan State University, the University of Missouri, and North Dakota State University, and was on faculty at the University of Wyoming before returning to the University of Missouri in 2013. The Meyer Lab works to improve nutritional management of beef cows and heifers based on scientific understanding of their nutrient partitioning to calves during pregnancy and lactation. This often focuses on
the area of “developmental programming,” or how environmental influences (such as nutrient intake or balance, health, heat/cold stress) during crucial windows of fetal and early life development affect cattle long-term. One of Meyer’s favorite aspects of her career is helping students to realize their interest in research and/or animal nutrition, and she has inspired many students to pursue graduate degrees or careers in this area. Meyer co-teaches undergraduate and graduate nutrition and beef cattle production courses, co-developed a new study abroad program to Ireland, and
advises undergraduate students. Additionally, she has worked to increase livestock nutrition education for veterinary students by providing guest lectures and other input.
Jordan Thomas, PhD
Dr. Jordan Thomas is a professor in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. Thomas is a Missouri native and University of Missouri alumnus, having earned his PhD in Animal Science in 2017. He maintains an active applied research and teaching appointment focused on the management of forage-based livestock systems. He coordinates the breeding program for research herds across the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, and he served as the state cow-calf Extension specialist and program advisor to the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program until 2023.
The primary research focus of the Thomas Lab is reproductive management, with expertise in areas such as heifer selection and development, synchronization of the estrous cycle, timed artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and sex-selection technologies. Additionally, Thomas is a collaborating faculty member at the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genetics, contributing to interdisciplinary research and outreach efforts in the sustainable management of beef cattle production systems.
Bryon Wiegand, PhD
Dr. Bryon Wiegand is a native of Cairo, Missouri, and is currently Professor of Animal Science at the University of Missouri (MU). He has taught animal products, beef production, and physiology and biochemistry of muscle classes. Wiegand’s research focuses on fat quality of food animals as well as pre- and post-natal influencers of growth and body composition. He has served as a technical advisor to the Missouri Association of Meat Processors, supervises the MU Collegiate Meats Judging Team, and oversees operation of the Mizzou Meat Market (a full-line meat processing plant under USDA inspection). In 2015, he assumed the role of State Meats Extension Specialist. Wiegand has been recognized by his peers with multiple national teaching awards, most notably two career teaching honors: the American Society of Animal Science Distinguished Teacher Award, and the American Meat Science Association Distinguished Teacher Award. He was named a Kemper Teaching Fellow at the MU in 2014. Wiegand was appointed as Associate Division Director in Animal Science in 2019 where he was responsible for coordinating research farms and auxiliary units as well as animal science outreach to stakeholders in Missouri and beyond. In 2021, he was appointed Director of the Division of Animal Science.