2023-2024 Graduating Class
Dustin Holton
Sherman, IL
Jackson Matthews Urbana, IL
Josiah Klokkenga Lincoln, IL
Katie Spivey New Windsor, IL
Leslie Walker
Danvers, IL
Logan Sarginson
Taylorville, IL
Dan & Betty Haynes Petersburg, IL
The Illinois Beef Foundation recognized the scholarship recipients for the 2024 year. The Foundation awarded scholarships to the following individuals:
Aubrey Wagner Onarga, IL
Audrey Curtin
Blue Mound, IL
Drew Mickey Taylorville, IL
Ella Thacker Walnut, IL
Katelyn ENgel
Galesburg, IL
Lilie Perry Marshall, IL
Natalie Evans
Jacksonville, IL
Reese Anderson Chrisman, IL
IBA “Valued Indsutry Partner” Barney Gehl, Zoetis
Seven educational session, nearly two hundred cattlemen and women, and one fantastic day, IBA hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in Springfield, Illinois.
very year the Association gears up for it’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony, aiming to bring the best opportunities forward for our members when it comes to educational sessions, panelists, and speakers. The 2024 Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony did just that, along with recognition for those producer members who dedicate themselves to our industry and association.
Bright and early Tuesday morning, we kicked off the AM&A with a new series of 30-minute breakout sessions with various panels and topics for attendees to select from. Dr. James Mitchell from the University of Arkansas joined us for several sessions throughout the day, the first being a breakout session called “Building the Cow Herd,” where he went into depth on cattle numbers and a conversation type presentation about Illinois producer’s unique position in growing cow numbers. On the flip side of the building, other attendees sat down with Mike Martz and Chris Flikkema to discuss the continuing challenges cattle feeders face in Illinois and feeding cattle in a finishing stage.
Panelists Dianne Handsaker of Illinois Association of Meat Processors, Dale Pfundstein of Pfundstein Farms, and John O’Keefe with the IDOA covered Niche Beef Marketing, covering value-added beef production and marketing tactics. The final breakout session covered something most producers have, or at least should have, on the forefront of their mind - Estate Transfer. Malcolm and Susan Head, Trevor Toland, and University of Illinois’ Kevin Books gave unique insights on their own processes of succession planning, as well as the logistical do’s and don’ts.
IBA President, Dave Duzan led the 2024 Illinois Beef Association Annual Meeting, where he and Vice President,
Shannon Welsh, were both re-elected for another term in their executive board positions. Duzan reflected on the year past, sharing pride in the Association’s accomplishments and dedication to providing for the beef industry and its members. The reins were turned over to IBA’s Executive Vice President, Josh St. Peters, who gave a more in depth look at how Illinois is building better beef and shared the Building Better Beef - FY24 Pocket Book.
The first Cattlemen’s Education Series Session of the day brought Regional USDA APHIS Veterinarian, Dr. Susie Hexum, and Dr. Staci Slager, Bureau Chief at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, together to discuss all things cattle traceability. Hexum and Slager covered new regulations regarding the 840 EID tags, as well as the Avian Influenza and the Asian Longhorned tick. This session turned to an engaging conversation between the two speakers and session attendees, divinginto all the details and questions producers have regarding cattle traceability. The USDA’s final Animal Disease Traceability ruling led an extensive conversation on producer compliance and resource availability from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Dr. James Mitchell rejoined the floor as the speaker for the second Cattlemen’s Education Series session, presenting NCBA and CattleFax’s newly released “Right Way. Right Time. - A Guide to Cull Cattle Management.” Dr. Mitchell not only shared the publication, but discussed capturing the full financial potential from cull cattle within your herd.
Rounding out the day’s educational sessions, was Jon Strohl from Farm Credit Illinois, who lead the third Cattlemen’s Education Series session on Livestock Risk Protection. Most producers can utilize LRP within
Merck Animla Health - Cartridges for Cash
Sara Benson of Merck Animal Health presented the Illinois Beef Foundation with a check for $9,293 as part of the Cartridges for Cash program. For every empty Ralgro or Revelavor cartridge turned in to Merck, they donated $0.25 back to the Illinois Beef Foundation.
Illinois Beef Foundation Silent Auction
The 2024 Illinois Beef Foundation Silent Auction and raffle raised nearly $6,000 for their scholarship fund. The Illinois Beef Foundation is a non-profit corporation and operates exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, most notably annual youth scholarships that help passionate juniors continue their education. This years Foundation Board included Dave Duzan, Joan Harrison, Scott Wetzell, Rick Dean, Jamie Martz, Paul Walker, and Sheryl Hopkins.
by Devin Bollman
their own operations, and Jon shared how it works, why it works, and what it does for producers. He also offered insights on how to get started with LRP.
A brief intermission between events, the “back again” trade show hosted a tradeshow reception, allowing attendees to visit with sponsors and vendors, and of course each other.
The day concluded with the 2024 IBA Awards Ceremony, where the Association recognized dozens of valued members and their achievements. The second class of Beef Leadership Academy participants graduated from the program (see above for class participants). Illinois Beef Foundation named the 2024 Foundation scholarship recipients, and hosted a silent auction and raffle to raise funds for the scholarship program. IBA recognized a “Valued Industry Partner” or “VIP,” awarded to recognize industry professionals and business partners who go above and beyond, putting their time and talents to work in support of the Association and its missions. This year the VIP Recognition award was presented to Barney Gehl of Zoetis. IBA presented the 2024 Membership Awards to the following individuals and families: Outstanding Junior Member of the Year went to Kade & Kendall Boatman of Rockford. IBA Member of the Year went to Justin Rahn of Mt. Carroll. Environmental Steward of the Year went to Green’s Diamond G Farm of Atlanta.
Commercial Producer of the Year went to MAC Cattle Co. of Payson. Seedstock Producer of the Year went to Moore Land & Cattle of Jerseyville. Farm Family of the Year went to Keith & Brady Kramer of Kramer Farms in Farina.
Outstanding Junior of the Year
To recognize a member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association who exemplifies integrity, leadership and commitment to being active in Illinois’ beef cattle industry.
Kade & Kendall Boatman - Rockford
IBA Member of the Year
To recognize a member of the Illinois Beef Association that continually goes above and beyond to support the efforts of the Association, and demonstrates a commitment to the Illinois cattle industry, and its people.
Justin Rahn - Mount Carroll
Environmental Steward of the Year
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois whose natural resource stewardship practices protect the environment and contribute to productivity and profitability.
Green’s Diamond G Farm, Wesley & Martha Green - Atlanta
Commercial Producer of the Year
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the commercial cattle industry.
MAC Cattle Company - Payson
Seedstock Producer of the Year
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the purebred cattle industry.
Moore Land & Cattle - Jerseyville
Farm Family of the Year
To recognize a beef producer family in Illinois who has done an outstanding job in the production and promotion of beef and exemplified leadership skills on the county and state level.
The Keith & Brady Kramer Family of Kramer Farms - Farina
View Award Winner Videos on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@ILBeefAssociation/ videos
Special Thanks to: Master of Ceremonies
Steve Bridge, Agri-Business Director with WFMB
Host of the 2024 Illinois Beef Foundation Silent Auction SC Online Sales
Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony Sponsors - Gold Year-Long SponsorsProHarvest Seeds, Pike Feeds, Farm Credit Illinois, Axiota Animal Health, Kent Nutrition Group, Land O’Lakes Finance Group, and Zoetis
- Gold Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony SponsorNemo Feeds
- Silver Year-Long SponsorsMaurer-Stutz, Inc., Hopedale Agri-Center, Inc., Illinois Farm Bureau, Fairview Sale Barn, Merck Animal Health, and Elanco
- Bronze Year-Long SponsorsPurina, Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinements, and Earlybird Food Vendor & IBA Partner Raber Packing Co.and Zoetis