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Local farm hosts American Angus Association Convention
The Willer Timber Ridge Farm was host to the Angus Association National Convention as it made the first stop of its annual tour Friday morning.
“This is pretty special,” Ted Willer, owner and operator, said. “It’s just outstanding to have this chance to have over 200 people, and there’s some people here from Scotland and New Zealand. Scotland is where the aberdeen angus came from back in the 1800s to Kansas. It’s really a big day for us to have this many people come to see our program.”
Also there were members of the South Putnam FFA chapter to help open gates and serve refreshments.
“The kids get a new opportunity to meet people and talk to people and develop those communication skills we work very, very hard on,” Adviser Amanda King said.
The Willer Family -- Ted, Kathy and Josh -- have been in the business of raising angus cattle since Kathy inspired the idea 20 years ago. Since then their work has grown to include prize-winning specimens.
“We’ve had the number one bull for average daily gain in Midland for the last few years,” Willer said. “This year we’ve just had the number one bull in Indiana for average daily gain and for weight per day of age. We’ve had top feed efficiency bulls in Midland.”
Willer estimated that 3,000 people attend the conference to learn more about raising angus cattle.
“We learn a lot from other ranches,” Willer said. “We actually spend a lot of our time actually going around and seeing other cattle programs.”
When asked what they thought about the Willer Farm, Jim Bob and Patty Brown, of Texas, answered, “It’s ideal. It’s what everyone wants to have.”
In his opening remarks to the crowd gathered in front of his barn, Willer said, “Indiana may be better known for basketball than cattle, but I think you’ll find we’ve got both show cattle and performance cattle.”