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MSU alum becomes new cattle association executive
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Andy Berry of Magee has been selected to lead the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association as the organization’s new executive vice president.
A 1998 graduate of Mississippi State University, Berry has been active in cattle programs since he began showing polled Herefords in the Lawrence County 4-H program. He was a charter member of the Mississippi Junior Cattlemen’s Association.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to support the industry I love,” Berry said. “I have appreciated and benefitted from my predecessors -- Jim Newsome and Sammy Blossom -- and I would like to make a similar impact on the association and the industry in the coming years.”
Berry said one of his goals is to grow the association’s membership.
“Mississippi has more than 15,000 cattle farms but only 3,300 members in the association,” he said. “We also need to reach out to nonproducers who support the industry and the issues we support, such as property rights and animal welfare issues. We need to be supportive of all animal agriculture and the way of life that it entails. We need to be sure consumers know in addition to its great taste, beef is a healthy and good source of protein.”
Dr. Harold Newcomb, a veterinarian in the Batesville area, is president of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association. He said Berry embodies the total package for the organization.
“Andy has the background with the industry and with the organization,” Newcomb said. “He has a great personality and is an excellent communicator. He has a firm understanding of the cattle business on the state and national levels.”
Newcomb said all of the candidates were exceptional, but Berry stood out.
“Our organization is made up of families, and Andy is very family oriented,” he said. “His two young sons are following in his footsteps with interests in cattle shows. Andy and his wife stay very busy with their sons’ activities.”
Newcomb said Berry will be a strong leader for the organization.
“We see Andy as someone who can guide our membership through the issues impacting the industry,” he said. “He also will work well with the Mississippi Beef Council as its executive vice president.”
For more information on the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association or to join online, go to http://www.mscattlemen.org.
Contact: Andy Berry, 601-354-8951
