Prime_Time_spring_2019

Soefje Joins American Akaushi Association greater impact on the beef industry.”

T he American Akaushi Association recently announced Loni Soefje as the association’s assistant to the direc- tor. Originally from Gonzales, Texas, Soefje grew up on a large cow-calf operation com- prised primarily of Santa Gertrudis-cross cattle. Her involvement with her family’s cattle herd is what rooted her love for the beef cattle industry from a young age. After high school, Soefje pursued a de- gree in animal science at Texas A&M Uni- versity (TAMU). “What I knew was that I had a passion for the beef cattle industry and a goal to make it better in some way, shape or form,” Soefje says. During her time at TAMU, she considered careers in embryology; nutrition and feed sales; animal pharmaceutical sales; and ani- mal chiropractic. “Needless to say, I am well versed on these topics due to class time and shadowing many professionals,” she says. “But I wanted to be a part of something that would have a much

She first heard about Akaushi while re- searching the breed as part of a class as- signment. She was immediately impressed with the impact the breed has had on the beef industry. “Sustai ability is a major topic floating around the classrooms and lecture halls at exas A&M, and there I was learning of a cattle breed and breed association that is determined to increase the bottom line for producers and improve the beef industry as a whole in the most sustainable way pos- sible,” she says. “I enjoy talking to and learning about our breeders,” she says. “I enjoy talking to the other team members about the history of the association and breed, obstacles that have been overcome and future plans for both the association and the breed. “I look forward to meeting many of our members at the 2019 annual convention and am thankful to the team for giving me such a warm welcome.” PT

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Akaushi Prime Time • Spring 2019

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