The Meier Family’s Success with Three Aces Cattle | Trans Ova

By Delaney Hemann, Summer Marketing Intern

Hard work, dedication, and perseverance can do a lot for an individual. This was certainly the case for Andrew Meier and his sisters, Annie and Alyssa, of Clinton, TN. They were fortunate to bring home a handful of national titles this summer, proving they are some of the best showmen in the country. Trans Ova Genetics chatted with Andrew to receive some insight on what made him and his family successful.   

Who made the biggest impact on your show career?   

“In all honesty, my whole family has had the largest impact on my success when it comes to showing, my mom and dad are always there to support me, along with my sisters. At the end of the day, family is everything and they are always there to be my biggest cheerleaders. It has always been a team effort for our family. Of course, it is exciting to achieve goals and accomplishments myself, but I am just as excited, if not more, watching my little sisters succeed.”   

What are your future plans as you end your junior show career?   

“I’m at Redlands Community College currently, and plan to continue my education at Oklahoma State where I would like to obtain a degree in animal science. After I graduate, I would like to move back home to help with my family’s show cattle operation where we run about 200 head.  

I could also see myself ending up in South Texas where my dad grew up and starting my own operation down there. At the end of the day, I think it would be hard to get away from home, plus I could see myself being more successful trading cattle in the Midwest rather than the southern region of the U.S.”   

How long has your family utilized Trans Ova Genetics, and what keeps you coming back?   

“We have utilized Trans Ova probably ever since they have run Angus cattle, which was before I was born. There is a site in Stanford, KY that is about an hour and a half from our house. We utilize that location quite often to flush our cattle and collect semen on our bull.   

The consistency and quality of the work being done is what keeps us coming back to Trans Ova. We always walk out with results, and that is important. It is also really cool that we have sold quite a few ET heifer and bull calves out of Trans Ova recipients we have ran in the past.”  

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to make a competitive presence within the cattle industry?    

“I know that what we do every day can be very exhausting and difficult to stay motivated, but if you wake up with mindset every morning that there a lot of people who do not have the same privileges and opportunities that we do, it will make you have a different perspective. Being able to show and raise cattle for a living is not a right, it is a privilege.   

Make sure to always thank those that are in your corner and helped you get to where you are. Always take every opportunity thrown at you, because it will not always be there. Most importantly, make sure you are always doing the little things at home. No one likes to do the tedious little things, but sometimes they are what matter most. The smallest details make the biggest difference”   

Accomplishments from this summer   

Red Angus Jr. Nationals   

• Champion Bred and Owned Bull – Annie Meier   

• Champion Bred and Owned Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• 4^th Overall Owned Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• Champion Overall Senior Showman – Andrew Meier   

Maine/Chi Jr. Nationals   

• 5^th Overall Owned Maine-Angus Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• Reserve Overall Bred and Owned Maintainer Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• Champion Overall Senior Showman (Maine-Anjou) – Andrew Meier   

• 8^th Overall Senior Showman (Main-Anjou) – Annie Meier   

• 9^th Overall Senior Showman (Chi) – Annie Meier   

Charolais Jr. Nationals   

• Champion Bred and Owned Bull – Alyssa Meier   

• 4^th Overall Owned Heifer – Alyssa Meier   

Simmental Jr. Nationals   

• Champion Bred and Owned Bull – Andrew Meier   

• 3^rd Overall Percentage Owned Heifer – Annie Meier   

• 3^rd Overall Percentage Bred and Owned Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• 8^th Overall Bred and Owned Purebred Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• 10^th Overall Owned Purebred Heifer – Andrew Meier   

• Reserve Overall Senior Showman – Andrew Meier