The first Reciprocal Meat Conference was held in 1948. For 17 years, the RMC was held in Chicago and then moved to various university campuses with the dream of establishing a formal, professional society. Championed by Ernest Briskey from the University of Wisconsin, the American Meat Science Association was voted into existence in 1964 during the 17th RMC at the University of Wisconsin. During that meeting, Dr. Robert Bray of the University of Wisconsin was elected the first president of AMSA and charter members included those in attendance at the 1964 RMC. This new association gave AMSA members the ability to speak with one voice while providing scientific-based information to members, consumers and others seeking further education on meat science.
The University of Wisconsin is intertwined in the history of meat science and AMSA, which makes it only fitting that AMSA honors its Golden Anniversary in the location where it all began. On June 15, meat scientists from across the country will take over America’s Dairyland in Madison, Wis., for the premier meat science meeting of the summer and to celebrate AMSA’s 50 years of success. From the first 46 attendees in 1948 to the more than 700 expected attendees for the 67th RMC, these individuals represent all facets of the meat industry, from academia, government and industry, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.