Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President dies suddenly

Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Adam McClung died this weekend after a brief battle with a bacterial infection, according to AgWired.

ACA Membership Director Kirk Ross told Talk Business & Politics the death was sudden and unexpected.

McClung was recognized in 2014 by the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture as a “Champion of Change.” He was one of 15 agriculturists from around the country identified as a leader in his or her agriculture-related industry that year, according to USDA. He and his wife Chantel own and operate 7 Diamond 3 McClung Cattle Company near El Paso, Ark., and he is listed as a co-owner of CM Foods Inc. and Range Boss All Beef Brats Sausage.

A Greenbrier High School graduate, McClung attended Oklahoma State University where he studied agriculture business and economics and animal science. He received a livestock judging scholarship. Before he was appointed as ACA vice-president, he served as the organization’s membership director. McClung was raised on a cow-calf farm in central Arkansas.

In recent months, McClung had been a strong advocate to stop buzzards or vultures from harassing cattle across the state. The birds, protected by federal government regulations, can hurt or kill calves. The ACA Convention and Trade Show is slated to begin in Fort Smith on Aug. 11.

McClung is survived by his wife, and a daughter, Maggie. Funeral arrangements were not made immediately available.