The Angus Foundation congratulates students who expanded their horizons this summer as interns on the Angus/Talon Youth Education and Learning Programme. Interns attended his five Angus host ranches across the United States and had an immersive learning experience about animal husbandry. The Talon Youth Education and Learning Program Internship is the legacy of the late Kamron āCamā Cooper of Talon Ranch in Twin Bridges, Montana. Mr. Cooper established the Angus/Talon Youth Education and Learning Program Endowment Fund in 2009 to provide comprehensive educational opportunities for students.
āOver the summer, we were blessed with a talented group of interns,ā said Jaclyn Booster, executive director of the Angus Foundation. āWe enjoyed watching the interns grow as they worked and learned with the hosts.ā
The five come from different regions and backgrounds. Talon interns ālearn by doingā through hands-on experiences provided by their host ranch.
āParticipating in the Talon internship improved my networking skills as well as technical skills that I could not have learned in the classroom,ā said Garrett Ulmer, 2023 Talon intern.
Interns at Cadence Bass in Nampa, ID and Bear Mountain Angus in Palisade, Nebraska. Bass is currently studying animal science at the University of Southern Idaho. She grew up in Bell Key Angus, her family’s registered Angus surgery, and she remains an active member of the Idaho Junior Angus Association. Ms Bass plans to continue her family’s Angus business, offering high quality bulls and heifers.
Bear Mountain Angus is run by Brian and Tiffany Stoller. The ranch holds an annual bull sale in January and heifer sale in November. Bass assisted operations with a variety of tasks, from daily animal care to fever detection. In addition to caring for livestock, she also worked in irrigation and fencing.
Casey Deslefs of Ravenna, Nebraska, interned at Blueprint Genetics/Hennig Farms in Janesville, Wisconsin. Deslefs studies animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She grew up as a 4th generation Angus breeder at her family’s Deslefs Angus Ranch and has been involved in the Nebraska Junior Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association. Ms. Deslefs plans to pursue a career in beef breeding while remaining involved with her family’s ranch.
Blueprint Genetics/Henning Farms provided Dethlefs with a unique combination of experiences. Henning Farms is a family-run program focused on providing quality Angus beef. In addition to the annual heifer sale, the farm has an embryo intensive program in collaboration with Blueprint Genetics. As an intern, Deslefs spent time assisting with operational duties for both the Henning Farm and Blueprint His Genetics’ IVF collection facility.
Jessica Keilhoz, Chamois, Missouri, interns at Audrey Farm in Berryville, Virginia; Keirhoz is studying business administration at William Woods University. She grew up in her family’s cattle operation and she participated in 4-H and her FFA in building her own registered herd of cattle. She hopes to continue expanding her herd, deepening her knowledge of animal husbandry, and eventually helping her mother run her own veterinary hospital.
Audley Farm has been in the Angus business for over 10 years and holds a produce sale every May. The farm also sells Angus beef to local restaurants and families. Mr. Keilhoz assisted in all aspects of the farm, including overseeing daily animal care and health, making hay, harvesting silage, and assisting with reproductive operations.
Emily Ratajczak of Standish, Michigan, intern at Bar 69 Angus Ranch in Belle Fourche, SD Ms. Ratajczak is studying agribusiness management at Southwest Minnesota State University. She grew up on her family’s cattle farm and her involvement in 4-H and her FFA ignited her passion for livestock farming. Ratajczak plans to continue working with her cattle business, and she hopes to one day raise show cattle on her own.
Bar 69 Angus Ranch is operated by Craig and Debbie Kukuchka and their children Chase and Carrie. The farm holds a produce sale every April and operates a herd of approximately 1,000 ewes in addition to a herd of Angus cattle. Through her internship, Ratajczak gained experience in a variety of tasks, from estrus detection and breeding to setting up fences and making hay.
Garrett Ulmer, South Carolina Lodge, intern at Eleven Milliron Ranch in Sumner, Nebraska; Ulmer is studying animal science and veterinary medicine at Clemson University. He developed a passion for the beef industry growing up through commercial beef operations and showing heifers in his 4-H and is also a member of the South Carolina Junior Angus Association. Ulmer plans to earn a master’s degree in animal reproduction and heifer development, and he hopes to someday have his own herd of Angus cattle.
Eleven Milliron Ranch is operated by Greg and Teresa Ibach and their son Alec. Commercial operations are focused on developing feeder cattle with both carcass merit and growth performance while maintaining females with desirable maternal traits. Ulmer participated in cattle synchronization and breeding, grazing management, and crop and feed production on the ranch.
“It’s definitely scary to take the big step of moving 22 hours away from home,” Ulmer says. “But as long as you work hard and have fun, you won’t regret it. Taking this step has given me a lot of experience, not to mention memories that will last a lifetime.”
The internship program pairs motivated young people with registered Angus breeders/ranches and provides valuable education and work experience. This program is open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, and college graduates under the age of 25 majoring in agricultural research fields.
āTalon internships are immersive learning experiences that improve students’ skills in a variety of fields,ā Booster said. āThe Foundation is proud to support such a unique opportunity to shape the future leaders of the Angus breed and beef industry.ā
Application deadline for Talon host ranch is October 31st. Students interested in serving as a Talon intern should apply by December 1st. To apply or learn more about the Angus/Talon Youth Education Learning Program, please visit http://www.angus. org/Foundation/WhatWeDo/Youth/TalonYouth.