Strong demand for quality and a diverse membership leads Jim Brinkley, newly elected president of the American Angus Association Board of Directors, to be optimistic about what's ahead.

Brinkley says the Angus breed is well positioned to continue its market share in quality-driven markets.

“As we all know, breeders have done a tremendous job of using the tools that the American Angus Association has provided them, and they've done a great job in increasing carcass quality,” he says.

Looking to 2026, Brinkley says member feedback is helping guide the Association based on their needs shared in a recent membership survey.

“If you don't know where you're going, you don't know when you've got there or where you're at, even,” he says. “Membership has requests, and we want to make sure we're aligned with what they need, the tools they need and their commercial people — customers — need.”

Hear more from Brinkley on what he’s hearing in the industry and his thoughts on the upcoming year in the full interview.