Charolais Journal: American-International Charolais Association History, Content and Staff
Profile updated November 2026
Charolais Journal is the official publication of the American-International Charolais Association (AICA), the Kansas City-based registry for the white French breed that first entered the United States from Mexico in 1934. Active AICA members receive it monthly, and it carries sale advertising, breeder news and coverage of the association's genetic and marketing programs.
| Publisher | American-International Charolais Association (AICA) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly to active members |
| Association base | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Association tax-exempt since | December 1957 |
| Executive Vice President | Brett Spader, since May 2024 |
| 2024 revenue | About $2.29 million |
| Official website | Charolais Journal on Issuu |
History of Charolais Journal
The first Charolais cattle entered the United States from Mexico in 1934, the start of the white French breed's American history. Breed associations multiplied in the early years: the Pan-American Charolais Association merged into AICA in 1964, and the American Charbray Breeders Association followed in 1967, uniting purebred Charolais and Charolais-Brahman breeders in one registry. The association's federal tax exemption dates from December 1957.
AICA grew into one of the largest beef breed associations in America. J. Neil Orth served as executive vice president for more than two decades, after 30 years as director of field services for the Drovers Journal and a term leading the International Brangus Breeders Association. Under him AICA invested in technology upgrades and programs, and he announced his retirement in April 2021. Clint Rusk followed him as executive vice president.
In May 2024 the board named Brett Spader executive vice president. A former president of Angus Media, director of operations at DVAuction and executive director of the National Center for Beef Excellence, he came from Livestock Launch, a digital and data agency he co-founded.
Charolais Journal Today
Charolais Journal goes monthly to active AICA members and posts issues online, with recent editions running through 2024 and 2025. It is the main print marketplace for Charolais bulls and females, with sale catalogs, consignment ads and herd features filling much of its pages.
AICA offers members CharAdvantage, an age, source and genetic certification program for Charolais-influenced feeder cattle using electronic identification tags, along with Non-Hormone Treated Cattle, Verified Natural Beef and GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare enrollment. Its junior association, the AIJCA, holds an annual Junior National Show and Leadership Conference, and the journal covers all of these programs.
What Charolais Journal Is Publishing Now
Sales and seedstock
Bull and female sale advertising, sale reports and herd profiles from Charolais breeders nationwide.
Genetics and programs
EPD updates, pedigree services, CharAdvantage feeder cattle certification and value-added marketing.
Youth and shows
AIJCA Junior National Show and Leadership Conference coverage, national show results and award winners.
Charolais Journal Editors and Staff
AICA announcements and filings name the association's leaders:
- Brett Spader - Executive Vice President, AICA
- Michael Sturgess - President and Board Chairman, AICA
- Clint Rusk - Former Executive Vice President
- J. Neil Orth - Former Executive Vice President, retired 2021
The journal is produced for AICA in Kansas City; membership is $100 a year after a $125 initial fee, and juniors pay $24 a year.
Who Reads Charolais Journal
Readers are AICA members, registered Charolais breeders, junior exhibitors and commercial cattlemen who use Charolais bulls as terminal sires for growth in crossbreeding. Cattle and calves are the largest share of U.S. animal receipts, about 37 percent in 2021 according to USDA's Economic Research Service.
Charolais breeders are used to washing white cattle before a show and finding them muddy again by lunchtime. For a laugh between bull sales, farm.FM offers farm satire and farm humor with a straight face, and ranch humor familiar to anyone who has explained crossbred calves at the coffee shop. Its farm jokes come out clean, which is more than can be said for a white heifer.
Part newsroom, part radio dial, farm.FM bills itself as America's first satirical farm site and plays Tractor Tunes, its country music for farmers. Browse a farm.FM writer's back catalog to see the style.
Charolais Journal Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Charolais Journal, March 2025 - a recent issue.
- Wyoming Livestock Roundup: AICA marketing opportunities - membership, programs and history.
- Drovers: AICA names Brett Spader - the 2024 appointment.
- USDA ERS: Animal product receipts - the economic weight of cattle.
- USDA NASS Quick Stats - federal cattle inventory statistics.
Charolais Journal FAQ
Who publishes the Charolais Journal?
It is the official publication of the American-International Charolais Association in Kansas City, Missouri.
How often does the Charolais Journal come out?
Monthly, to active AICA members.
When did Charolais come to the United States?
The first Charolais entered from Mexico in 1934.
Who leads the AICA?
Brett Spader has been executive vice president since May 2024.
Ninety years after the first white cattle crossed from Mexico, the Charolais Journal still connects the breed's sellers and buyers every month.