Name: Robbie Myers
FFA Chapter: Siloam Springs, Ark.
4-H Group: Logan 4-H Club
Parents: Kenneth and Charla Myers, and Rodney and Carla Penner
How are you involved in agriculture?
"My sister started showing Maine cross cows, then I followed. They were getting hard to feed, so we went to Angus. I found some good Herefords at the Forth Worth Stock Show three years ago, and I bought a heifer. That’s what I’ve been working with ever since, and I have about 10 head of Herefords that I’m showing. My family runs commercial crossbreeds, so it’s in the blood."
What are your goals and plans for the future?
"I really want to start off at a junior college, then go on to a larger university, where I plan to study reproductive physiology or embryology in beef cattle. I’m really fascinated by the genetic traits, and the maternal effects and sire choices that are important in beef cattle. I just want to learn more about the methods of embryo transfer and artificial insemination used in order to produce better registered cattle. The role (of embryo transfer and artificial insemination) in beef cattle improvement is critically tied to disease control, breeding problems, feed efficiency and other issues."
What are the biggest challenges facing the agriculture industry?
"Feed costs are a really big deal, so gaining feed efficiency for improved carcass quality is one of the most important things for any beef rancher or dairy farmer."
Tell us about your involvement.
"I’ve been in FFA for three years and in 4-H for eight years. Other than showing Hereford cattle, I’m president of the Arkansas Junior Hereford Association and the Logan 4-H Club in the Logan community of Benton County (Ark.), and I’m treasurer of the Siloam Springs FFA. The organizations are all about helping young producers achieve their goals and learn about the beef cattle industry"
