by Lilly Platts
The American Simmental Association was well represented at the 2026 Beef Improvement Federation Symposium (BIF) held in Boise, Idaho. More than 400 beef producers, academics, and industry representatives attended the event. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.
Dr. Ken Odde began his term as president of the BIF Board of Directors. Odde works closely with ASA as a SimSpecialist, and currently leads the Feeder Profit Calculator program. Odde and his wife, Arlene, run a commercial SimAngus cow herd near Pollock, South Dakota. Odde has been involved with the Simmental breed for many years, participating in research, interviews, and industry events.
Gordon Hodges, a past member of the ASA Board of Trustees, served as president of the BIF Board of Directors last year, and will continue serving the organization. Dr. Ryan Boldt, International Genetic Solutions Lead Geneticist, will continue serving as a breed association representative.
Dr. Jackie Atkins and Steve McGuire received awards from BIF. Atkins, ASA Director of Science, received the Continuing Service Award. She has been deeply engaged with BIF, serving two terms on the Board of Directors as a breed representative. She has consistently championed research and innovation, advancing the industry’s understanding of economically relevant traits and strengthening the tools available to producers. Just as importantly, she is committed to developing people, investing her time in mentoring others and fostering both personal and professional growth across the industry.
Through her leadership within International Genetic Solutions (IGS), Dr. Atkins has been a steady advocate for collaboration across breed lines, helping align diverse organizations around a shared mission of improving the accuracy and relevance of genetic predictions. In an industry where independent interests can often compete, she has worked to foster cooperation, recognizing that collective data and shared science create stronger outcomes for all.
Dr. Atkins has played an important role in facilitating communication among IGS partners, helping maintain alignment across a broad network of associations spanning multiple breeds and countries. Her ability to connect people, navigate differing perspectives, and reinforce the broader purpose of the work has been central to the continued growth of the IGS platform.
As Director of Science for the American Simmental Association, Dr. Atkins has also provided leadership across genetic evaluation, DNA programs, and research initiatives. During her tenure, ASA has continued to advance its genetic tools and strengthen its position as a leader in multi-breed evaluation.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to the BIF organization. This includes serving on the board of directors, speaking at BIF conventions, working on BIF guidelines and participating in other behind-the-scenes activities. As BIF is a volunteer organization, it is this contribution of time and passion for the beef cattle industry that moves BIF forward.
Steve McGuire received the Pioneer Award. In 1973, McGuire was hired by Don Vaniman to computerize ASA’s growing data system. Still in school at Montana State University, McGuire worked part-time for two years until he graduated with a degree in engineering, and then became a full-time employee. In 1975, McGuire was placed in charge of databasing, registrations, and computer systems. McGuire went on to have a 46-year career at ASA, where he was involved in every major technical advancement in the Association's genetic evaluation program, from its inception through the evolution of International Genetic Solutions.
Early in McGuire’s career, ASA was one of the first to begin using computers. Punch cards were flown to Boeing Aircraft weekly to process, which was a major undertaking for McGuire and the ASA staff. Under Earl Peterson’s leadership, the computer system was moved in-house. McGuire led these efforts, which positioned ASA as a leader in data management.
McGuire continued keeping ASA’s data management and genetic evaluation efforts at the forefront of the industry, leading a team and guiding critical decisions for decades. Before retiring, McGuire was at the helm of moving the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) evaluation to a pooled weekly analysis. With IGS partner breeds in the evaluation, this process involved developing a universal numbering system, and a portal to automatically upload data from each association every week.
The Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle and honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.
