Synovex® implants offer a variety of formulations to help your operation be profitable, sustainable and efficient. Zoetis has an implant to match your cattle weight gain goals in every production phase from suckling calves to confined feeding and every phase in between. Synovex has an implant for that. Find the right implant for your operation at Synovex.com.
Refer to individual labels for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. Reimplant only if and as directed in labeling.
INJECTION ENSURES WHAT INGESTION ALONE CAN’T.
EVERY ANIMAL. EVERY TIME.
(zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection)
Multimin® 90 (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection) delivers essential trace minerals to cattle. Adding it to your oral nutrition program helps prepare your herd when it matters most.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR MULTIMIN® 90: Not for use in humans, keep out of reach of children. Multimin 90 has a preslaughter withdrawal time of 14 days after injection. Do not use during the first trimester of pregnancy or in pre-ruminant calves as safety has not been established. Selenium and copper are toxic if administered in excess and may lead to sudden death, depression, weakness, ataxia, salivation, and drooling. Do not use concurrently with other selenium or copper injections or boluses. Maximum volume per injection site is 7 mL. Allow a minimum of 30 days before considering repeat dosing. See prescribing information.
CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
INDICATIONS FOR USE
To provide a supplemental source of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium in cattle. Not for use in pregnant cows and heifers during their first trimester because reproductive safety testing has not been done in these animals. Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves because safety has not been established.
Before using this drug, read package insert for full prescribing information.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Determine accurate body weights prior to treatment. Administer subcutaneously under the loose skin of the middle of the side of the neck per the following dosages depending on age and bodyweight of the cattle:
Cattle up to 1 year, 1 mL/100
To be administered as a single dose.
The maximum volume per injection site is 7 mL. Use standard aseptic procedures during administration to reduce the risk of injection site abscesses or lesions. Ensure there are at least 4 inches between injection sites for MULTIMIN® 90 (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection) and other injection sites.
MULTIMIN® 90 is intended as a single dose product. Allow a minimum of 30 days before considering repeat dosing. Additional zinc, copper, manganese, or selenium products should not be administered at the same time.
Use within 28 days of first puncture of the vial and puncture a maximum of 15 times. If more than 15 punctures are anticipated, the use of multi-dosing equipment is recommended. When using a draw-off spike or needle with bore diameter larger than 16 gauge, discard any product remaining in the vial immediately after use.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do not use MULTIMIN® 90 concurrently with other injectable selenium and copper products.
Do not use MULTIMIN® 90 concurrently with selenium or copper boluses.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Withdrawal Periods
Cattle must not be slaughtered for human food consumption within 14 days of the last treatment. No milk discard time is required when used according to labeling.
User Safety Warnings
Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. Do not allow children access to used or empty syringes. Wash hands after use.
This product is highly concentrated in zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. Due to a potential risk of zinc,
copper, manganese, and selenium toxicity, care should be taken when handling the product to avoid accidental self-injection. Symptoms of exposure to zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium include aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, epigastric pain, tremors, and irritability.
In case of accidental self-injection or ingestion, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION and take the vial with you.
To report a suspected adverse drug experience or to obtain a safety data sheet, contact Multimin North America, Inc. at 970-372-2302.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Accidental overdose of copper or selenium through misdosing or the use of multiple sources, including the use of injectable products in addition to high dietary levels, can result in adverse events, including death, depression, weakness, ataxia, salivation, and drooling.
Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions
Selenium and copper are toxic if administered in excess.
MULTIMIN® 90 may cause clinical signs associated with copper toxicity or selenium toxicity, including death, if overdosed or used in conjunction with excessive dietary levels of copper and selenium or other selenium or copper products. Additional zinc, copper, manganese, or selenium products should not be administered at the same time. Do not use concurrently with other injectable selenium and copper products. Do not use concurrently with selenium or copper boluses.
MULTIMIN® 90 may cause injection site swelling that appears on the day of injection and resolves by 2 days later. MULTIMIN® 90 may cause induration at the injection site that appears the day of injection and may persist for at least 14 days post-injection. These reactions may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter.
Do not use in cases of known hypersensitivity to the
active ingredients or to any of the excipients. Do not use in emaciated cattle with a body condition score of 1 on a 5-point scale in dairy or 1-3 on a 9-point scale in beef.
Do not use during the first trimester of pregnancy because safety has not been evaluated. Do not use in pre-ruminant calves because safety has not been evaluated.
TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY
Target animal safety was evaluated in cattle less than 10 months of age. 16 non-pregnant females and 16 intact males (4 animals per sex per treatment group) received MULTIMIN® 90 (1x, 3x, or 5x the labeled dose) or saline for 3 consecutive days. The only treatment-associated findings from the 1x dose group included injection site swelling and a minor, clinically insignificant, dose and time dependent decrease in cholesterol. The treatment-associated findings from the 3x dose group were injection site swelling, a decrease in feed consumption, and a decrease in cholesterol. In the 5x dose group, treatment-associated findings included injection site swelling, a decrease in feed consumption, a decrease in cholesterol, an increase in creatinine kinase, a decrease in calcium, and signs of acute copper toxicity (2 out of 8 animals), including sudden death, depression, weakness, ataxia, salivation, and drooling. Animals in the 5x dose group also had hepatic centrilobular necrosis on necropsy and an increase in serum chemistries associated with liver damage.
STORAGE, HANDLING, AND DISPOSAL
Store between 15ºC and 30ºC (59ºF and 86ºF)
Manufactured for: Multimin North America, Inc., Fort Collins, CO 80528
Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-582 FOI: https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/ public/document/downloadFoi/15347
MULTIMIN® 90 is available in 100 mL and 500 mL vials.
Revision date: July 2025
34 Breeding Cattle and Building a Legacy
Learn how Seedstock Breeder of the Year, Horsley Brothers, have been top breeders since the beginning and continue their legacy today.
39 Illinois State Fair Beef Highlights
Beef Checkoff promotions, media and policy events, and the ever-popular Ribeye Corral made for another successful Illinois State Fair.
Shannon Welsh, Blandinsville President
IBA Board of Governors
Email: cowdynasty@yahoo.com
Larisa Willrett, Malta
Vice President
IBA Board of Governors
Email: lwillrett1313@gmail.com
Policy Division Checkoff Division
Directors
Chair: Joan Harrison
Vice Chair: Ted Prehn
Secretary/Treasurer: Justin Rahn
District 1
Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, justinrahn@hotmail.com
1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028
District 2
Vacant
District 3
Doug Hanson, Danforth, dough@proharvestseeds.com
1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029
District 4
Cody Lowderman, Macomb, codylowderman@yahoo.com
1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027
District 5
Joan Harrison, Minier, joan.harrison16@yahoo.com
1st term expires: 2027 | 2nd term expires: 2030
District 6
Lisa Nafziger, Stanford, craig.lisa.nafziger@gmail.com
1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031
District 7
Kevin Rose, Salem, krr1998@hotmail.com
1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027
At Large Directors
Scott Wetzell, Tampico, sdwetz@gmail.com
1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029
Trevor Maiers, Payson, tmaiers98@gmail.com
1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031
Ben Lehman, Hanover, lehmancattle@gmail.com
1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031
Dr. Cal Schafer, Galena, cal.schafer1952@gmail.com
The Illinois Beef Foundation invites you to join our night of featured entertainment, a beef dinner, fundraising, and more!
Gala Event Schedule Information
5:00 PM
Doors Open
6:00 PM
Welcome + Dinner + Program
7:00 PM
Live Auction + Raffle
8:00 PM
Live music from the band Brushville
Ticket Purchase
Table ($300)
Includes 8 Tickets
Individual Tickets ($50 each)
Each ticket includes entry to the event, a Prime Rib Dinner, and access to the live music performance from Brushville.
Hotel Recommendations
Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center (217) 523-7900
Candlewood Suites Springfield by IHG (217) 522-5100
Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, IL (217) 529-7771
Attire Recommendations
Cowboy Casual to Cocktail
Questions
Reach out to Devin at the Association (217) 787-4280 devin@illinoisbeef.com
To Purchase tickets, please scan the QR Code to complete an online purchase, or contact the IBA Office at (217) 787-4280. Tickets should be purchased in advance. Limited quantities will be available at the door.
Association Focus
Shannon Welsh, Illinois Beef Association President
This issue of Illinois Beef magazine highlights a lot of great things in our industry, but much of the feature content surrounds our junior beef members and their successes at shows across the country and at our two state fairs. I always enjoy the chance to look back at these articles and photos; to see the faces and names of many families I have known in the Illinois cattle business, but also to see new juniors who are building their success in raising and showing quality cattle.
Renee and I raised our three children, Carson, Brooklyn and Gracyn, showing cattle throughout the state. For us, it was a great way to keep the kids involved on the farm and it kept them out of trouble. Most importantly, it gave us an opportunity to teach life lessons and spend time together as a family at fairs, breed shows, and at home in the barn. We have reached the tail end of our years having junior members in our household. Carson is married now and farming fulltime, with a young family of his own. Brooklyn and Gracyn are both at school full-time, although all three kids stay active with cattle whenever they have free time to be back in the barn. We’re looking forward to the possibility that the next generation of Welsh kids, in our grandchildren, might just keep us ringside at junior beef shows in the years ahead.
Our industry is unique, if you think about it, because we put so much effort into creating opportunities for young people to get involved and learn from a very young age. Agriculture in general is noted for making programs available to kids, but beef especially invests in our juniors. Outside of farming, not many U.S. industries do much to offer the kind of experience and hands-on learning that we make possible for kids interested in cattle. It’s important, because it teaches those lessons, shapes a work ethic, and shows young people how to work hard for what they want in their future.
Our Association spends a lot of time and money working to support, strengthen and expand programs for junior beef members in Illinois. It is a priority for our Board of Governors, and a focus area for all our staff and volunteers, too. We have hundreds of households across the state where we are proud to claim junior members, and we offer activities and resources yearround, not just at the summer fairs. We are always evaluating and trying to come up with more ways to support continuous involvement of kids in beef production.
From supporting Illinois 4-H and Illinois FFA, to sharing grant funding for youth programs with our county cattlemen’s groups, to sponsoring Illinois Beef Expo, the work at county fairs, our EDGE Conference, the Junior Beef tour, our college scholarship programs, and so much more, we are invested in tomorrow’s beef industry through today’s youth programs. Thank you to all of you as members, parents, grandparents, teachers and supporters for making this all possible for the kids who want to be part of IBA. Not all our junior members make their mark or take an interest in showing cattle, but every junior member has opportunities to learn about beef production, cattle management and the importance of our industry to agriculture and the world. We need these bright young kids to be excited about raising and feeding cattle, because some day we will all need a next generation to take on the work, carry the mission forward and keep up the efforts of promoting and advocating for our family farms here in Illinois and across the country.
Executive Edge
Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President
Agriculture is a business of tough people. It’s a lot of manual labor, especially in beef production. As much as we’ve automated and “technologically advanced” in 2025, this is still an industry where grit and hustle matter a lot. Loading cattle in the early morning hours, sweating through your second shirt of the day before lunch, and watching a late summer sunset transition into a dark nightfall while you’re still moving bales off a hay field are all images that come to mind when I reflect on the kind of incredible work ethic our members and their families pour into producing beef.
It takes dedication. It takes teamwork. And it takes commitment to do this every day of the year. I often remind non-farm audiences when I’m telling the beef industry’s story that we work 24/7, 365. I explain that the job is year-round, because cattle don’t take Saturdays off and they never miss a meal on holidays or snowy days. But the truth is, we all love this endeavor that is farming. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t still be here. Agriculture is a business of tough people, because it is often a tough pursuit.
Currently, the economic conditions of farming in our part of the country are difficult. Certainly, beef markets are strong and in some ways that has buoyed the profit opportunity for our cattle-feeding households. But the flip side of these record-setting economics is the risk, and I have heard from many of you in recent months about the natural anxiety
that comes with pulling the trigger on another load of feeder cattle, or the decision of which cows to cull and how many to keep back, or the cost to restock those bred heifers for the fall. Bull prices, equipment costs, and the rising expense of the various services and inputs it takes to manage a modern cattle operation in Illinois are all adding to the complex management of a beef operation’s balance sheet these days.
Our vice president, Larisa Willrett, has a column in this issue that captures the real-time snapshot of beef economics. It’s a reflection that our leadership, across the entire Board of Governors, is focused on profitability for our members and we are always working to understand what is next on the horizon for Illinois beef production.
I recently had the chance to represent our association at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur. We were on-site with several other Illinois commodity organizations to promote how checkoff dollars are utilized to develop demand and increase market share for Illinois farm products. Alongside Illinois Corn and Illinois Soybean, we promoted how cattle are marketed beyond beef, looking at several secondary
products that are produced from carcasses. Our display featured things like leather goods, cosmetics, and a host of other household goods that are produced as by-products. It’s an important part of our public outreach, to engage consumers with beef consumption messages, as well as promoting demand for the other components of a harvested animal. Remember, about 60 percent of the animal is broken down into consumable cuts, but the other 40 percent of the hanging weight still has value in the marketplace.
At the farm show I heard from several members who
stopped by to say hello while they were taking in the exhibits. Conversations focused around the price of cattle in the marketplace, and curiosity of what my crystal ball was predicting for markets in the months ahead. I joked with our members there that my crystal ball might be more like one of those magic eight ball devices. The reality is that we are continuing to watch market dynamics very closely, though.
Beef demand by consumers remains strong this quarter. The market research shows that we had a strong performance in the marketplace again this summer, and grilling season saw consumers continuing to pick up fresh beef at the retail counter. Over the last year, 55 percent of fresh meat sales were beef. With the record prices we have seen, those beef sales have now topped $40 billion and indicate that consumers are staying loyal to our red meat products in their grocery carts.
From a pound-for-pound perspective, consumers are keeping their beef vs. chicken consumption neck and neck; pork and turkey slide back to a combined position of a distant third place. And in the meats, ground beef is still our top driver for the U.S. marketplace, in pounds and in dollar value. Steaks are very close, though, followed by the more distant demand data for roasts. We also see consumers seeking deals in the meat case, and inflation across the economy has driven a trend back to utilizing coupons in the grocery store wherever possible.
We will keep tabs on these beef demand trends throughout the fall and into the traditionally strong holiday buying season. As the weather cools off, we see midwestern consumption of roast pick up and out-of-home (restaurant) consumption traditionally picks up, too. Both data points will be trends we will watch to make sure we are keeping beef demand on par late in 2025.
Remember that you can dive deeper into this kind of market data, also, at any time you would like to. As an investor in the beef checkoff, you can access our market research data online at www.beefresearch.org, and you will specifically want to check out the market research tab of the website. This hub is where you can find the reports, metrics and trends we are watching.
Meanwhile, please keep safe in your fall field work and through the fall calving season. That hard work is not new to you, but that doesn’t make it any less tiring on you and your crew. I recommend you plan some dinner breaks to recharge with a cold beverage and a warm steak!
IL Corn partnered with IBA to promote beef at this year’s Farm Progress Show. Executive Director Rodney Weinzierl is pictured here with Louisiana shrimp farmer Lance Nancio during a discussion about agriculture. IBA and Nancio served surf-and-turf kabobs featuring his shrimp and Illinois strip steak.
IBA was on hand for Farm Progress Show in Decatur where producers promoted beef to attendees. IBA leaders also hosted state officials for a visit in the Commodity Tent, including this visit by Governor JB Pritzker and Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II.
Extension Update
Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist
Is it time to bale graze?
Adding nutrients, organic matter, and ground cover to poorly productive lands have some raving about bale grazing. Added fertility and better water holding capacity of soils after bale grazing is often mentioned by early adopters.
For skeptics, improved hay inventories and lower hay prices coupled with fertilizer, fuel, and equipment prices that remain elevated may be the sign they needed to give it a try.
Bale grazing can look differently from farm to farm but, in essence, it is strip grazing with bales of hay set out for cattle to eat. Many times, it looks like bales set out in a grid pattern and temporary electric fence to control the allocation of hay.
Bale grazing requires planning. It is important to pick a location with good water resources, good electric fence power, windbreak or area for cattle to shelter, and land that needs additional fertility. Cows need to be well-broke to an electric fence.
Target feeding on thin, low nutrient soils. Areas where there is broomsedge. Nutrients need to stay put. So, pick areas less prone to run off or soil erosion. Rolling out hay may be better for sloping areas. Bale grazing on thin hill sides may lead to nutrient runoff and more disturbance that could lead to soil erosion. It is best to have stockpiled grass in the area where bale grazing will occur. This can allow for some grazing, keep the behavioral hierarchy from causing a lot of fighting for hay. It also can supplement the hay nutritionally. Residual forage on the ground can also help keep sod and slightly reduce the pugging of the soil. Cows grazing stockpiled forage alongside of the bales can also spread nutrients in a wider swath than just immediately around the bale.
To determine how many bales to set out, predict cow intake, hay waste, and feeding period. A 1300 lb. beef cow will eat approximately 32 lbs. of hay and waste around 8 lbs. per day. So, 40 lbs. of hay per head per day. A herd of 25 cows will go through 1,000 lbs. of hay per day. While bales of hay vary greatly in size and weight, for this example I will assume that a
round bale weighs 1,000 lbs. Thus, we need to set out 30 bales for the 25-cow herd for one month of bale grazing.
Most recommendations say to set out no more than 2 tons of hay to the acre, roughly 4 bales per acre. This helps spread nutrients and reduce the amount of impact in one area. Putting bales too close together will result in much more disturbance to the sod.
Feeding good quality hay will likely yield the best results. First, it will provide better nutrition to the cows. It will also be more palatable and likely result in less feed refusal and waste. Feeding very poor-quality hay can result in more fence pressure, and reduced cow performance.
I prefer using a ring feeder around the bale/bales. It does help reduce the amount of waste. If you plan to only feed the amount of feed needed for one or two days, then ring feeders may not be needed. If hay is fed without a ring feeder there will be more waste. If you are using a ring feeder, remember that too little feeder space for the number of cows can cause cows fighting for hay, dominance hierarchy and more uneven cow performance with young, small cows getting less feed.
From an economic perspective, savings of fuel, fertilizer, and labor are an important piece of making bale grazing pay. If a round bale of hay is $50/bale, then feed cost for the hay is $2/per cow/day. Using Illinois fertilizer prices from August 2025 and assuming a 75% capture of the nutrients in a grasslegume mix hay bale, there’s approximately $18 of fertilizer value per bale. If these nutrients are fully captured and the fertilizer value is subtracted from the hay cost, this results in a 36% reduction, resulting in hay costs of $1.28/hd/d or $32/bale after the nutrient credit.
In my experience, there are plenty of challenges that come with bale grazing. First, taking the net wrap off a frozen, icedover bale of hay is a frustrating task. Same for trying to step in posts and move polywire when the ground is frozen. The weather can dictate success. Wet, muddy conditions are not fun to bale graze in. The trample and pugging around the hay bales can be detrimental to forage stands and open it up to weed pressure. You must accept that there will be mud, there will be hay waste, and there will be weeds that will fill in holes to the sod. Timely seeding is necessary to fix these high impact areas. Despite these challenges, I think it is time to try bale grazing.
Gate Cuts
Paul Walker, Professor Emeritus, DI Walker Consulting
Business, Lifestyle, or an Expensive Hobby
First, a few facts according to USDA statistics. In 2023 96% of farm households (the principal operator and spouse) earn money from off-farm sources. The median age (½ above, ½ below) of all farmers is 58 years old and one third of all farmers are over 65 years old. For cattle producers, 10% of their income comes from the farm and 90% of their income comes from an off-farm job/career. In 2022, 79% of cow –calf producers owned less than 50 cows with an average herd size of 47 cows, which represents 25% of the national cow herd. In Illinois ,the average beef cow herd was only 24 cows. To me, these numbers are very sobering. I have always known that making money in the commercial cattle industry was challenging, but these statistics suggest a couple of things.
One, if the average age of cattle producers is getting older then fewer young people are choosing to own cows. Two, there is little incentive to encourage young people to enter the cow –calf business if 90% of their income must come from an off-farm career/job. Quite frankly, for most people (not all) raising cattle is too much work for 10% of one's income. And, the irony is that substantial money currently can be made in the cattle industry whether it is the feedlot, stocker, commercial cow-calf, seedstock or show cattle sector.
Most everyone has heard the phrase “technology puts the little guy out of business "and “technology is too expensive for the small producer to adopt.” These phrases are true but there are ways small producers can utilize technology to improve economic viability. This article outlines a few strategies that even small-scale producers can utilize.
1. Make use of EPD’s to select herd sires. It is an easy way to improve performance.
2. Utilize artificial insemination/synchronization to improve herd performance.
3. Utilize alternative feeds. Instead of buying commercial creep feeds or cow supplements, use soybean hulls as a beef cow energy source when cows are fed hay. Use distillers grains (DGS) as a protein/energy source for cows fed silage or hay. Use a mixture of corn gluten feed pellets and soyhull pellets to grow calves instead of commercial creep feeds.
4. Purchase modified wet DGS in bulk when it is “on sale” and hire a custom operator to bag the modified wet DGS – it will keep almost indefinitely in a bag.
5. Adopt a viable herd vaccination program for the cows and the calves. In our 12 – cow herd we vaccinate all calves at 60 and 180 days and all the cows about 60 days (about 2 months) prepartum for clostridium, IBR, BVD, PI 3, Haemophiles ,BRSV, Lepto, Vibrio and Pasteurella. We pour cows and calves on as needed basis. In addition, we vaccinate cows with a prepartum E.coli coronavirus and give calves an oral coronavirus E.coli antibody at birth.
6. Make sure calves have value added status.
– Make calves eligible for a traceability program. Put EID tags in every calf sold. Electronic identification tags are currently given away (free) by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Register your livestock premises with the IDOA. A premises registration number is required to get EID tags.
– Become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, either on-line or at one of the in-person training seminars sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association. BQA is a recognized certification for value-added production.
– Precondition calves prior to selling them i.e. on feed for at least 30 days (either before weaning or after weaning), castrated, dehorned, and over weaning stress (the bawl is out and they are rehydrated).
It is important to note that even preconditioned calves will sell at a discount if sold in small numbers. Calves sold as ones or twos, or in group sizes of less than 7 or 10 head are usually discounted. So how does the small producer get around this situation? One option is to work with one or more neighbors and combine calves prior to or at the time of selling to make droves of 10 –20 calves of like kind. Small groups sold at a sale barn rarely receive premium prices.
7. Many nutrition specialist's tout the value of feeding TMR’s. Total mixed rations definitely improve economic efficiency but vertical grinder-mixers are generally too expensive for a small scale producer to own. Good used mixers are sometimes available and affordable – but not always. Partnering with a neighbor to own a mixer is sometimes feasible but being creative is often challenging. Sharing equipment with neighbors is not always easy.
8. Retaining ownership of calves through finishing and selling locker beef can increase economic return. However, finishing cattle requires additional facilities to which the smaller scale producer may or may not have access. Merchandising locker beef requires extra time and skill the part time producer may or may not have.
Being a small scale producer is often more challenging than being a large scale producer. Sometimes there is truth in the phrase “ too large to fail”. The beef cattle industry has survived on the backs of small – scale producers but the winds of time may be shifting.
Expensive hobby, a lifestyle or a business, the first two can survive for a long time to come, the latter’s days may be numbered. Reminds me of a sign I saw in the airport “whether the glass is half full or half empty, it is time for another beer." Doc
13 Month Calendar with Gestation Calendar
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Advertisement Placement Deadline: October 17th
All January ads will double for January 2026 and January 2027 at the price of one ad. Ad dates/months will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Advertising for multiple sales, events or seasons? Packages are available!
For questions about advertising space or to purchase an ad placement in the 2026 IBA Calendar, contact Devin Bollman. devin@illinoisbeef.com | (217) 787-4280
VP Thoughts
Larisa Willrett, Illinois Beef Association Vice President
Where Are the Feeder Cattle?
This year the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service resumed their gathering of cattle inventory statistics and released results in July. With all the talk surrounding cattle inventory numbers among both producers and consumers, I think it wise to evaluate these numbers and see where we are.
USDA July Reports
There are 94.2 million head of cattle on U.S. farms. Onethird of these are cows and heifers and less than a third are beef cows. Cattle on feed total 13 million head, with an estimated calf crop of 33.1 million head for the year.
With no July 2024 comparison, we can see cattle inventory is 1% below July 2023 numbers, which was then down 3%. Cows and heifers that have calved are down 2% in inventory from 2023, then down 2% from 2022 as well. Steer inventory is down 1% when compared to 2023 numbers.
The numbers show continuing liquidation, but a liquidation that is slowing down. Liquidation cannot go on forever; it is a matter of when producers begin to retain their cattle more frequently when numbers go up again. Right now, producers still seem to be holding onto price factors.
Steer and steer calf numbers are up from 2024, but heifer and heifer calves are down 5% from 2024 – a pretty large percentage.
Fed cattle marketings are also down a large percentage – 4% from 2024 – which is the lowest number of marketings since 1996 when this series began. However, inventory was then down 9% from 2023. The estimated calf crop of 33.1 million is down a total of 1% from last year.
It’s not just our domestic cow herd that’s affecting feeder numbers. The on-again off-again U.S.-Mexico border closures due to New World screwworm will have longstanding
ramifications to the U.S. beef supply. Approximately 1.25 million feeder calves travel across the border to be fed out in U.S. feedyards each year. With the closure at 213 days and counting, imagine the dramatic effect on domestic beef supplies if it continues the rest of the year … and herd rebuilding remains stagnant.
They’re still buying beef!
It is known to every beef producer that prices are still high, which means – if you learned about supply and demand in high school – there must be a reason for it. Consumers are not quite sure what to think, but be prepared to explain why. That’s your job.
Here’s the kicker. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association research shows beef consumers are still willing to pay a high price for beef, demonstrated by the 6.3% increase in beef sales year over year that consistently outpaces pork and poultry. Plus, the latest Consumer Price Index shows steak, roast and ground beef prices have increased, but eggs, coffee, condiments and others still surpass beef. You could also remind your friends it is not just beef. Wink, wink.
What might shock even some producers is that this past year saw an increase in fresh beef sales, and across-the-board beef sales are up, led by roasts. I would venture to guess consumers are getting a good bang for their buck with that cut. Yet, producers need to keep our eyes on consumer behavior because eating habits, trends and preferences continue to evolve. The high-protein diet trend and GLP-1 medications have certainly supported demand, even in the face of higher beef prices.
So why are producers still slow to retain heifers? For one, cost is also a factor when it comes to live cattle, not just after harvest. But supply cost and environmental factors – drought, open cattle, etc. –count for something too.
Derrell Peel, Ph.D., ag economist at Oklahoma State University, foresees producers will have to increase herd size and hold back more calves. Currently, producers find it hard not to sell because of the high prices, but ask yourself –when will you be ready to retain?
Affiliate News
Prairie Beef Association hosted a membership drive at the Tri-County (DeWitt, Macon and Piatt) 4-H fair on July 1213, and provided matching PBA t-shirts for all beef exhibitors. The Association had promotional items for giveaways, brownies, and free ice cream coupons for members to enjoy and support the 4-H fairgrounds kitchen. They also held a gun raffle drawing.
Stephenson/Winnebago County
Beef Association did a variety of promotions this summer. During Beef Month, Ambassadors, Anna and Charlie, served samples of New York Strip Steak at Cub Foods. In July, the Association served a meal at the NW Illinois Forage Expo. Plus, during the Stephenson County Fair, the Association hosted a "Beef Jeopardy" game. Participants were given a $2 coupon toward any sandwich at the "Beef Corral" food booth on the fairgrounds.
Carroll County Livestock Feeders hosted their 79th Annual Banquet on July 13 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. The evening included a meal, baked goods auction, and guest speaker Multimedia Journalist, Haley Bickelhaupt, of WQAD 8.
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Heartland Beef Alliance gave away 150 beef kabobs at the Logan County Fair 4-H show which took place July 28-August 4.
Union County Cattlemen's Association gave monetary donations to Union County Fair beef show top exhibitors. Overall heifer and steer champions each received $100 and reserve champions received $50. Campbell Belcher (pictured left) was the recipient of both heifer division awards, while Lane Murray had the champion steer and Michelle Walker (pictured right with Chuck Weilmuenster) had the reserve steer.
In the Know
IBA sponsored FFA awards honor young beef producers, IJBA members are FFA
Once again, IBA sponsored FFA State awards in an effort to continue its support of beef juniors and increase beef literacy across the state.
State Star Winners
The first was for the State Meat Evaluation CDE, won by the Newton FFA Chapter. Long-time IBA member, Travis Tarr, is Chapter advisor of the team. According to Illinois Association FFA, during the meat evaluation contest, participants demonstrate their knowledge of meat animal products and their talent in evaluation of them. "The Meats Evaluation and Technology event also requires participants to grade a ring of beef carcasses for quality, grade a ring of beef carcasses for yield and identify retail cuts of meat." Each are talents IBA was pleased to encourage in the youth of Illinois FFA members. Top individuals from Newton FFA were Nick Bierman in first, Reed Tharp in third, and Grant Fulton in seventh.
IBA also sponsored two State Proficiency awards, which honor FFA members who, through SAE, have developed specialized skills that will aid in their future careers. The first was Beef Production Entrepreneurship, awarded to Brody Diekemper of Carlyle FFA. The Beef Production Entrepreneurship SAE is focused on using "best management practices to efficiently produce and market beef," according to National FFA.
Kendall Boatman received the final State Proficiency award sponsored by IBA, in Beef Production Placement. Kendall is part of the Byron FFA Chapter and has also won Illinois Beef Foundation scholarships and been highly involved in the Illinois Junior Beef Association. For her SAE, she had to work "for a livestock producer applying best management practices available to efficiently produce and market beef," according to National FFA.
In addition to IBA sponsored awards, two IJBA members were honored as Illinois FFA State Star Winners. Reed Naughton of Olympia FFA was awarded Star in Ag Placement and Kade Boatman of Byron FFA was awarded Star in Agriscience.
Newton FFA Chapter wins State Meat Evaluation CDE. Congratulatory photo from Illinois FFA Facebook.
Brody Diekemper wins State Beef Production Entrepreneurship SAE proficiency.
Kendall Boatman(right center) and her FFA advisor, Eric Tryggestad, and mom, Tammy Boatman.
IJBA member Kendall Boatman is pictured far left, and Reed Naughton center-right.
Illinois Beef staff travel across the state to share the message of beef with teachers
IBA staff completed their yearly summer travels around the state for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Ag Institutes giving lessons on the basics of beef and pointing teachers to various beef resources that are available. The map reflects 12 separate IAITC SAIs IBA staff were able to travel to, reaching over 130 teachers with basics of beef presentations and Beef. It's What's for Dinner. resources. An additional 65 bags containing resources were sent to SAIs staff were unable to attend. This reach means nearly 200 individual educators now have beef resources in their hand, and therefore the opportunity to use beef educational resources in their classrooms.
Illinois Beef Checkoff sponsors Springfield Lucky Horseshoes game
For the first time this year, the Illinois Beef Checkoff sponsored the Ag Night game of the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes baseball team. Players adorned jerseys with a rural plaid shirt and overall design, the cherry-on-top a Illinois Beef logo. Adorning a Beef. It's What's for Dinner. branded t-shirt, the Illinois County Fair Queen gave the first pitch. For giveaways to game attendees, baseball lipbalms, koozies and chip clips were handed out, and kiddos adorned cow ears and played the beef cuts magnet game. The game was attended and staffed by IBA members.
IBA Partners with Illinois Pork and JBS for Livestock Truck Rollover Trainings
From July 22-24, three consecutive Livestock truck rollover trainings were held throughout Illinois. This free interactive training prepared responders and industry professionals to safely and effectively handle these incidents. The course included content on livestock behavior, responder safety, scene management and handling priorities. There was a hands-on walk through and discussions.
IBA Sponsors 2025 4-H State Food Challenge
Held on June 14, this fastpaced culinary competition brought teams of 3–4 youth together to create a delicious dish using three mystery ingredients. The Spice Squad of Bureau/McLean County was named Champions with DeWitt Homeschool of DeWitt County as runnersup. Thanks go to IBA member, Susan Head, for being a volunteer judge.
President Trump Opens Australian Market to U.S. Beef in Win for American Cattlemen
On Wednesday, July 23, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced that for the first time in 20 years, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef, ending decades of bureaucratic red tape and prolonged negotiations that have prevented American cattle producers from accessing the Australian market. NCBA thanks President Donald J. Trump for delivering yet another trade win for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.
“For 20 years, U.S. beef was denied access to Australia while Australia exported $29 billion of beef to U.S. consumers. The lack of two-way, science-based trade has been a sticking point for many years, and we are pleased that President Trump has successfully opened the Australian market to American beef,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “NCBA has spent decades working to correct this trade imbalance and we are proud to have a President who is willing to fight for American farmers and ranchers, expand export markets, and fix unfair trade agreements across the world.”
The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2005 and was intended to allow U.S. beef to be sold in Australia. Over the last 20 years, Australia has used countless tactics to delay implementation of the agreement and prevent any shipments of fresh or frozen U.S. beef from entering Australia. Over the same 20 year period, Australia has sold $28,759,340,461 worth of their beef in the United States.
“The United States is the gold standard for safe and delicious beef, and we have some of the highest animal health and food safety standards in the world,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “Opening the Australian market to American beef will benefit our producers at home, while also offering Australian consumers the opportunity to enjoy our high-quality beef. We greatly appreciate President Trump delivering another win for America’s family farmers and ranchers.”
In the first week in August, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
“CERCLA and EPCRA were intended to address the worst industrial and toxic chemicals, not govern family farms and ranches. This decision affirms that family cattle producers should not have to file reports for a natural, biological process under a law meant for significant chemical contaminants,” said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA stepped up to protect family farms and ranches through this litigation and we are pleased that the federal district court has brought clarity to this decades-long discussion."
CERCLA and EPCRA are laws intended to address massive, severe chemical spills and environmental contaminants. Unfortunately, these laws have been weaponized by animal rights activists seeking to target family farms and ranches. The ruling in this case upholds a reporting exemption issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2019 that exempted cattle producers from reporting emissions under EPCRA, an exemption that was affirmed through the 2018 Farm Bill.
Beef Promotions at DuQuoin State Fair
DuQuoin State Fair bookends summer, with a full line up of livestock shows, concerts and events that mirror Illinois State Fair. IBA made sure beef was well represented at the southern Illinois fair by working with our Egyptian Cattlemen affiliate to showcase the industry at the Perry County-based fair, which ran August 28 through September 7. IBA co-hosted a "Farm to Fair" dinner for fairgoers featuring smoked beef brisket and other local farm dishes. Also at the fair, IBA sponsored the NEW Livestock Exhibitor Hospitality Center, which featured cold soft drinks, like the ever-popular Ski, and beef-branded promotional items.
EVP Josh St. Peters attends the "Farm to Fair" dinner along with members of the Egyptian Cattlemen affiliate in Southern Illinois.
EVP Josh St. Peters is seen here with Illinois Agriculture Director and IBA member Jerry Costello II, inside the hospitality booth that featured cold soft drinks and beef-branded promotional items.
IJBA members Bailey and Shelby Pearl stopped by the IBA hospitality center while showing livestock at the DuQuoin State Fair, pictured here with Josh St. Peters and IDOA director Jerry Costello II.
IBA WELCOMES DAN LOOS!
IBA is pleased to announce the addition of a new team member to our Springfield-based staff. Dan Loos joined IBA on September 2 as the new Director of Business Operations.
Earlier this year the board approved the creation of this new director position to lead financial operations, business management and special projects on behalf of the Association and its affiliated entities, like the Foundation, Checkoff, Expo and junior programs. The new position reports to IBA’s Executive Vice President and serves as a backup to the executive on management and compliance for Association business.
Dan’s Background
Growing up in New Berlin, Illinois, just west of Springfield, and then attending Illinois State University, shows Dan is a central Illinois guy. “Go Pretzels,” he says, celebrating his high school mascot. Earning both an international business degree and marketing degree in college is just one of the things that makes Dan a perfect fit for the IBA team. One fun fact is Dan spent seven months in Germany during his junior year of college. Bavarian pretzels anyone?
Following his time in college, Dan started his career at an office supply company and was there for about four years in the accounting department and also did acquisitions, parts of his career history that made his resume stand out.
His next position was at Sinclair Broadcast Group, also located in Springfield, the home of WICS News Channel 20. There he was their business manager and also became Regional Business Manager over the Quincy and Kirksville stations.
During the early years of his career, he also received his master’s in business administration from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys going to his three-year-old son’s t-ball and soccer games with his wife of four years,
Brooklyn. He’s a St. Louis Cardinals fan and his hobbies include hunting deer, waterfowl, turkey and gamebirds.
IBA, the Next Step
As Dan grew up, his dad, Dave Loos, who dedicated many years in government affairs and renewable fuels work at Illinois Corn, advised him of the quality of work that is available in the agriculture industry in Illinois. Dave did not just mean in the field, but working with, and for, Illinois farmers in varying capacities.
“When I first graduated college, I was a little naive to what that meant,” Dan says. “I did not know how I could become a part of the industry.” Yet, in the back of his mind throughout his career, he knew it could still be a rewarding industry to continue his career someday.
“This position fits my desire to work in agriculture, and my past professional experience fits it too,” he says. From now on, Dan has hopes to be in the agriculture industry longterm.
Dan’s Role at IBA
With knowledge of the greatness of the Illinois agriculture industry, Dan knows that greatness comes from the people. In this position, though much of it will be office-based work, he is excited to meet and work with the members of IBA.
Dan will help members with Checkoff remittance and refunds, plus help bring in-house stability to our financial books by streamlining processes. Overall, fiscal and compliance responsibilities will be Dan’s line of work at the office.
“I will be taking responsibilities off other team members plates so they can focus more on their own projects,” Dan adds.
If you have the chance to meet Dan in the next few months at upcoming BQA and Cattlemen Connect meetings or over the phone through a call at our office, make sure to give him a warm welcome. IBA is happy to have you, Dan!
IBA Director of Business Operations, Dan Loos.
Dan, his son, Cooper, and his wife, Brooklyn.
Introducing the class of
Jessie Ahrens
Strasburg
Elizabethtown
Ty Halpin
Gardner
2025-2026
Elise Main
Altona
Ryder Flener
Kaylie Huizenga Mendota
Cori & Ryan Malone Mackinaw
Beef Leadership Academy
Megan Pierson
Louisville
Logan McKeon
Bloomington
Mikayla Peters Urbana
Gavin Sherrod Effingham
Megan Torrance Tuscola
Ashley & Wyatt Stierwalt
Atlanta
the Process to Safe, Effective Immunity, Livestock Health,
Cattle producers and veterinarians are trusted stewards of the animals in their care. Cattle health and welfare depend on many partners throughout the industry to ensure a healthy animal and wholesome product. Producers work with their herd veterinarian to determine the best practices to minimize stress and disease in their herd, improving welfare and productivity. Low-stress handling, nutrition, biosecurity, health plans and other aspects all contribute to the health of the animal. The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program provides science-based guidelines for producers. It is important to collaborate with the herd veterinarian to know which animal health products are beneficial to the herd or individual animal.
In the previous article in this series, how vaccines work in the cattle’s immune system was reviewed along with the important connection cattle have to vaccine development. Vaccines are one animal health product that is critical to prevent disease, improve welfare, optimize productivity and minimize resource loss. The livestock industry relies on federal partners to ensure the products used in disease prevention, control or treatment are safe and effective. Because cattle contribute to the food supply, it is important these animal health products are not only safe for the animal, but also for the humans who consume meat or milk from those animals. Confirming this from the beginning improves trust in producers and veterinarians and the communities consuming the product. All stakeholders have a common interest in having the best vaccines available to prevent disease.
Regulation of Livestock Vaccines
Ensuring that veterinary biologics (products that work through immunological process) available for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of animal diseases are effective, safe and uncontaminated has been a goal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB).
CVB ensures that there is a licensing pathway that allows pharmaceutical partners to adapt to disease risks with new, safe and effective vaccines. This process is science-based at every step of review. As new disease challenges arise, the need for new and better vaccines that are safe for the animal and food supply is ever present, so a trusted and vetted process for vaccine approval is key.
Livestock vaccines and other veterinary biologics are regulated by USDA APHIS CVB. CVB reviews licensing documentation, tests methods, labels and other processes in vaccine approval. There are safety evaluations at every step, from the initial application to a CVB laboratory testing of vaccines and ingredients, as well as inspection of manufacturing facilities and collecting and evaluating adverse reports from veterinarians and owners. This process ensures vaccines are:
• Pure: know and understand what is in bottle of vaccine and it’s not contaminated.
• Safe: know that testing was completed in animals, and other types of testing to prove it is safe for both the animal and the environment and for the people handling them.
• Potent: vaccine has right amount of active ingredients.
• Effective: manufacturer has done studies to prove the label claim; it does what the label says.
Safety is critical, and multiple studies are completed through the process, such as field safety, inactivation, injection site, and nontarget animal safety. Key questions that CVB asks during the risk assessment of vaccines and biologics include:
• Safe for use in intended animal (cattle): Adverse events are predicted and evaluated in addition to risks associated with specific situations such as use in very young calves or pregnant animals.
• Public health safety: Since humans are giving these products, possible outcomes of human exposure are assessed.
• Environmental safety: Seeing what hazards (if any) are present when the product is released into the environment; this could be other animals, spread, survivability or adverse ecological effects.
CVB wants to prevent unsafe vaccines from coming to market. The entire licensing process typically takes a couple of years before the final decision is made. This indepth assessment allows time to identify risks, gather more
and Food Security Livestock Vaccines: Building
data, add warning statements on the label, or apply restrictions to the vaccine (for example, rabies vaccines are limited to use by a veterinarian). The process does not stop post-licensure or after the vaccines are approved. Adverse event reporting is a critical part of producing and maintaining safe and effective vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers are responsible for monitoring their products and reporting adverse events to CVB. CVB has a program dedicated to interpreting the adverse event data, improving product safety and efficacy in animals and safety in people exposed to products.
For other animal health products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulates animal drugs (such as antibiotics or some parasiticides) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides.
Each level of cattle care is dedicated to improving animal health and welfare, contributing to a safe food supply, and ensuring licensed vaccines are used safely and effectively is one step. Next month’s article will wrap up the discussion with how vaccines are used in the herd health program and how producers make those decisions with their herd veterinarian. Review vaccination and animal health product guidelines by going to www.bqa. org and downloading the new manual.
Producer’s and Veterinarian’s Role
As a producer, it is important for you or your veterinarian to report any unexpected adverse events or lack of expected efficacy to the vaccine manufacturer. Technical services veterinarians from those companies can help with the inquiry and determine the next steps. Using approved vaccines is integral to improving herd health and keeping the food supply safe. All vaccines have either a 21-day or 60-day withdrawal, meaning meat and milk is safe to consume after these time frames have been met. The components of all vaccines are ‘digested’ or broken down by the animal’s cells during this time frame, so that residual components do not persist in animal tissues for long periods of time and those tissues are safe for human consumption. The new BQA National Manual has a label reading exercise to guide users to the important information on the label. Reading the label on every animal health product before each use is critical to product efficacy, handling and storage and food safety.
By Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff
Generations of Tradition
Farm Family of the Year is rooted in a tradition of service and passion for the beef industry.
By Sara McClendon
When lunch time rolls around at the Hugh Moore Jr. Family Farm, a familiar tradition takes place.
Brothers Tom and Ron Moore sit down for a meal provided by their mother, 90-year-old June Moore. It is something the brothers have done their entire lives on their family farm in Jersey County, Illinois. The 2025 Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year will celebrate 75 years raising shorthorn cattle next year, and while the business has grown during that time, the Moore family remains rooted in a legacy of service to the industry.
The farm is a true family affair. Ron, his wife Lori, and their daughter Sarah and her husband Cruz Nichols are all actively involved in the operation. Ron’s oldest daughter, Emily Adcock, helps with marketing and social media on the operation. Tom and his wife Sandy are a team both on
the shorthorn cattle operation and in their community leadership. Their daughter Kelsey has shown cattle like her cousins and is always there to lend a helping hand on the operation.
In fact, for Sarah, the family support is a key part of Hugh More Jr. Family Farm’s success.
“The fact that everybody is willing to pitch in when they need to is an important thing,” Sarah says.
The Moore family embraces a balance between honoring their legacy and adapting so the business can grow. Connecting it all is a deep appreciation for all of the hard work that went into starting and growing the family business.
“This is what my grandfather and grandmother started,” Ron says. “We give grandpa and dad a lot of the credit, but grandma Moore was a big part of the operation back then.
We probably shouldn't forget that because she was a very tough lady, very strong, and she always pushed us to be better.”
Ron and Tom’s father, Hugh Moore, still stays as active in the operation as possible.
“Dad is 91 and still working,” Tom jokes. “He hasn’t quit yet, so I won’t look very good if I retire now.”
A Family Legacy Rooted in Tradition and Commitment to Growth
This year, the Moore family celebrated a huge milestone. It was their 50th year in a row showing cattle at the Illinois State Fair. Over the years, the family has had their share of successes and memorable moments. For both Tom and Ron, one year in particular stands out. It was 1988 and one of the hottest years at the fair, with temperatures rising to 108 degrees that day. Ron showed a two-year old bull in the extreme heat. After a long day of showing, everyone at the fair was overheated and exhausted. However, the results made it all worth it. They won grand champion bull.
“I still remember the judge saying that he was hot, the guy showing him was hot, but the bull was the coolest thing out there,” Tom recalls.
“When he slapped me for grand champion, I thought for sure I was going to go down,” Ron adds. “I was so happy and then the adrenaline kicked in.”
The family’s first grand champion female was shown by Tom’s daughter Kelsey in her first ever trip to the Illinois State Fair.
“I told Kelsey that she did something in her first show that her dad and uncle have been trying to do for years,” Tom says.
Now, Sarah is working with her five-year-old-daughter to prepare to show cattle and Tom’s grandson, Case, shows cattle, continuing the family legacy.
A Passion for Serving the Industry
Getting better year after year is another familiar tradition for the Moore family. The family holds multiple sales throughout the year, including online sales. Yet, no matter how the business changes over the years, the family remains committed to serving their customers.
“It’s about continuing to have good relationships with customers,” Sarah says. “Some of them have become like family.”
It’s easy to keep relationships strong when you’re delivering a quality product.
“You know, as much as I get much enjoyment out of having a heifer win a show somewhere, I had a neighbor come here and said ‘Man, that’s the best steak,’” Tom says. “Well, that’s about the best compliment you can get. You know that you’re doing something right for the whole industry.”
Beyond their dedication to the family business, the Moore family strives to support the industry. Four generations of family members have served on the Jersey County Fair Board.
“I’ve been treasurer of the Jersey County Fair Board since 1987,” Tom explains. “It’s teamwork with my wife, Sandy. We’re very proud of our fair here in Jersey County. Most
nights we can’t get any more cars on the ground.”
Tom has also served on the Illinois Association for Agricultural Fairs board for 20 years. He’s a past-president of the organization. They work closely with the state of Illinois to ensure funding for fairs.
“Aside from the educational part about agriculture, and getting young people involved, the economic impact of county fairs on small towns is important,” Tom explains. “By far, the county fair in Jersey County is the biggest event, and the influx of 8,000 or 9,000 people into Jerseyville is huge. In smaller towns, it means even more.”
The family is also very involved in 4-H, and in 2023 they were selected as the 4-H Family Spirit Award winners. Tom, Ron, their wives and their parents have all been involved in leading 4-H. In fact, Tom estimates his family has close to 300 years’ worth of experience in 4-H.
Despite the family’s deep dedication to the industry, being selected as the IBA Farm Family of the Year was a surprise to the Moore family.
“It’s a great honor because I had no clue that we were even considered for it,” Ron says. “I was totally shocked when they called me and told me we were the Farm Family of the Year. I think over the years our family has gained a lot of respect in Illinois and the industry as being a true and honest family that works hard. It means a lot.”
And while the family feels honored to be recognized for their legacy, at the end of the day, it’s a love for industry that remains at the heart of all they do.
“Through the beef industry, I’ve connected with so many
family and my kids.”
For Tom, his love of the industry comes down to the “old basics of walking through a nice green pasture, looking at my cows, seeing what the calves look like or thinking about what am I going to breed this cow to this year.”
The Tradition Continues for the Next Generation
Sarah teaches agriculture at the high school and often uses her experience on the cattle operation in her classes. She also cherishes the valuable lessons her daughters are learning on the farm.
“I like the idea of raising my kids on the farm, them being outside and having some responsibility,” Sarah says. “Both of my girls love to be outside any chance they can get, especially out in the barn. That’s how I want to raise my kids, just like how I was raised.”
All of Tom and Ron’s children have stayed involved in agriculture, and are excited to continue the family tradition of service in the beef industry. They each have a deep appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices their parents and grandparents gave to get the operation to where it is today.
“Not everybody has that opportunity to be handed something or be passed on something,” Sarah says. “It is important to learn from the family and see things that they have chosen to do. You learn from the past to grow forward in the future.”
BREEDING CATTLE and building a legacy
Learn how Seedstock Breeder of the Year, Horsley Brothers, have been top breeders since the beginning and continue their legacy today.
By Olivia Hoots
Josie, Chad, Jessica, Jeb, Bob, Mary and Jim Horsley.
When Bob and Jim Horsley’s father was six months old, their family moved from the rolling green hills and dewy weather of Scotland to Detroit, Michigan. During the Great Depression, they would visit their uncle Elmer Williams’ farm in Toulon, Illinois, to work for the summer. They liked the livestock on the farm, and their aunt would feed them delicious meals, which at that time were greatly appreciated. The second summer they were on the farm, when the kids were headed home, Jim and Bob’s father jumped off the train home and told his aunt he did not want to leave the farm.
Bob and Jim Chasing Banners
“That was the very beginning,” Bob Horsley says, regarding their livestock history. Their cattle operation began in Toulon and continues there to this day.
After working cattle sales and clipping for producers, Bob and Jim began their seedstock operation with Simmental cattle, winning the Illinois State Fair in 1973, and Grand Champion Steer at the 1976 North American Livestock Exposition.
The brothers then transitioned to the Chianina breed in the early 80s, some of the first to flush their cows at the time. Their HB High Expectation Bull won Grand Champion full-blood bull in 1983 at the American Chianina Association National show.
The most influential cow in the Chianina program was their Octavia cow, which produced two national champions. High Expectation was one of the calves – a very influential bull in the breed at that time.
“We progressed with the Chianinas and we had a real successful run,” Jim says. “We won a lot of national
championships.”
Today, Horsley Brothers is an Angus cow/calf operation, becoming one after they originally bought 100 Angus cattle from another farmer about 15 years ago.
The Next Generation In Action
Bob’s son, Chad, reflects positively on his dad and uncle’s legacy, and hopes to carry it into the future.
Since 2014, Chad has also lived and worked on the operation, and is building his own legacy with his wife, Jessica, and their two children – Jeb (4) and Josie (2). Jessica grew up on an Angus operation, so she was prepared to take on farm life. “I convinced her to move back here to Illinois,” Chad says.
The couple are already involving their kids in the
operation, doing chores together like feeding the calves before going to daycare. “It is good to have them around,” Chad says.
Business Rooted in Community
Community relationships are an important part of Bob, Jim and Chad’s lives and vital to how they run their business too. Chad says he is trying to lead by example, demonstrating this through his current role as President of Henry County Beef Association.
“Building relationships in this market is huge.”
Chad's market philosophy is to emphasize relationships with his customers, and part of that includes standing behind a “brand,” or image, that he wants their operation to reflect.
For example, he tries to be responsive and helpful in his customers’ operations and often gets questions about how to best implement their new cattle on their operation. “I enjoy talking to people about that kind of stuff,” Chad says. “And helping them succeed, that probably means the most to me.”
Bob, Jim and Chad are all very expressive of their thankfulness to their customers and ultimately, friends.
Those relationships keep them striving toward better animals too.
Problem Free Cattle
“We want problem-free animals,” Bob says.
Chad agrees, emphasizing the importance of calving ease and maternal instincts. Phenotypically, he wants a correct, square, shapely and sound female, one that will give him a good 12-15 years. “Longevity is key,” he says.
This outlook recently won them the Champion Bull at the Western Regional Angus Show in Reno, Nevada.
A Great Way to Live
Bob and Jim foresee Chad fully taking over the cattle operation one day, then Jeb and Josie further down the line. But for now, they all enjoy this way of life together.
“It is just nice to work outside and do your own thing without everybody telling you what to do,” Jim says. “You make a mistake, it is yours.”
Chad enjoys going out on the farm with his dog, Knox, to take care of the cattle and watch them thrive. This is the life the Horsley Brothers have built, one of well-bred cattle that will carry on their long legacy of success.
RIBEYE CORRAL CONNECTS ILLINOIS
CONSUMERS & BEEF PRODUCERS
Craig Nafziger, Henry County Beef Association Representatives Ellie Knupp, Christine & Hunter Wexell, Sally Kiner and Heather Kapinski.
Jacksonville FFA students and advisor, Mark Dyer.
Paul & Denise Rice, Al Lyman, Lindsay Ryan and friends.
Farm Credit Illinois representatives.
Schuyler/Brown Cattlemen's representative.
Craig & Lisa Nafziger, Ted Prehn, Trevor Maiers, John Spangler, Dan Haynes, Nathan, Caroline & Holly Spangler and Kurt Schaffnit.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered at Ribeye Corral!
Other volunteers we were not able to capture a photo of include Buzz Iliff, Justin Lewis, John Brubaker, Kayla Gallagher, Whiteside County Beef Producers representatives, Ray Schmidt, Justin & Weston Collins, Dale Pfundstein, Carol Lock, Darin Smith, Dave Duzan, Bradley Wolter, Dr. Paul Walker, Megan Torrance, Hadden Farms representatives, Midwest Cattlemen's Representatives, Mike, Lynn & Jamie Martz, Cori Malone, Jim & Diane Lindgren, Matt Raben, Kyle & Ashley Beutke and New Berlin FFA students.
Bank of Springfield representatives.
Joe Leonard, George Allspach and Paul Rice.
Central FFA students and advisor.
Heartland Beef Alliance representatives.
Crossroad Beef Producers representatives.
Dwayne & Sue Schwarz.
Fritz's Meat & Processing representatives.
ILLINOIS BEEF JUNIORS PREPARE TO BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PRODUCERS
On Tuesday, August 5, the Illinois Junior Beef Association held its annual meeting at the Illinois State Fair. Nearly 150 junior members from across the state gathered and elected new members to the IJBA Board of Directors. New board members include Ella Eathington, Brooklynn Hulmes, Cole Rapp, Paige McCaskill and Grace Lemenager. Congratulations to retiring directors Jack Jungmann, Kyle Eathington, Lauren Wolter, Anne Dameron and Audrey Curtin.
During junior show check-in earlier on Tuesday, junior members could grab a bingo card to fill out for a chance to win a gift card to their favorite restaurant. The photos below include some of the winners.
2024-2025 IJBA Board of Directors
President: Toby Behrends, Vice-President: Grace Lemenager, Secretary/Treasurer: Emma Taylor, Beef/Show Promotions Co-chairs: Cody York & Myah Little
District 1 Directors: Ella Eathington & Toby Behrends
District 2 Directors: Brooklynn Hulmes & Cole Rapp
District 3 Directors: Paige McCaskill & Emma Taylor
District 4 Directors: Cody York & Ben Sellmeyer
At-Large Directors: Myah Little & Grace Lemenager
BOARD MEMBERS SHARE IBA SUCCESSES AND PROGRAMS ON AGRICULTURE DAY
IBA Vice President, Larisa Willrett, Policy Chair, Joan Harrison, and President, Shannon Welsh, chat with Region V U.S. EPA Administrator, Anne Vogel.
Willrett is interviewed by reporter Steve Bridge from Springfield.
Board members met with State Representative, Sharon Chung, during Ag Day breakfast.
Harrison talks with Congresswoman, Nikki Budzinski, during Ag Day Breakfast.
Welsh and Willrett team up for a radio interview with Randy Miller from Taylorville during an ag media event.
Harrison is interviewed by a Peoria TV station during the ag day media event.
SELLS FOR $105,000
Grand Champion Steer of the Junior Beef Show went to Kadie Hummel, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker purchasing the animal at the Governor’s Sale of Champions. IBA awarded $500 to Hummel for the champion honors.
Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Steer went to Champion Hereford exhibitor, John Lukach. The animal was purchased for $70,000 by BRANDT, Incorporated’s, Evelyn Brandt Thomas, Case IH, and friends of John Lukach,
HEBERTS PROMOTE & SERVE LOCAL BEEF AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR
Hebert Family Farms of Owaneco is owned by David and Kristy Hebert and their two sons Noah and Evan. At the fair they shared their beef jerky and promoted their local products to fairgoers. Learn more about their operation at hebertfamilyfarms.com
Springfield | August 10
Jackpot Jackpot
Judge: Nick Anderson, Iowa
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Shown by Ella Eathington
Shown by Maddox Robb
Show Results Show Results
Champion Angus
Shown by Lauren Wolter
Reserve Champion: Logan Suits
Champion Charolais
Shown by Briggston Bertsche
Reserve Champion: Laci Wernicke
Champion Shorthorn Plus
Shown by Brayden Goodbred Reserve Champion: Averie Johnson
Champion Chianina
Shown by Jenna Setchell
Reserve Champion: Jemma Dorsey
Champion Red Angus
Shown by Emery Dunn
Reserve Champion: Lauren Wolter
Champion AOB
Shown by Isabella Forbes
Reserve Champion: Reid Waier
Other Winners: Reserve Champion Maine: Jacqueline Schertz, Champion
Advanced Division Top 5 Champion: Ella Crane, Reserve Champion: Macie Bartlow, Third Overall: Addison Duis, Fourth Overall: Carson Beckman, Fifth Overall: Kinlynn Dryer
Showmanship Showmanship
Novice Division Top 5 Champion: Chandler Jones, Reserve Champion: Cora Craig, Third Overall: Colin May, Fourth Overall: Palmer Foran, Fifth Overall: Reagan Head
Intermediate Division Top 5 Champion: Brock Freed, Reserve Champion: Maci Beckman, Third Overall: Clara Chappell, Fourth Overall: Blakely Storey, Fifth Overall: Bronson Dorsey
Cody York is presented the Grand Champion Senior Beef Showman Award in memory of Montie Schumacher.
Showmanship judges pictured left to right: Ben & Nicole Lowers, and Jennifer Livermore-Dwyer & Nick Dwyer
Junior Junior
Springfield | August 30
Judge: Robbie Duis, Ill.
Grand Champion Female Champion Hereford Shown by Addison Young
Reserve Grand Champion Female Champion Simmental Shown by Campbell Belcher
Photos by Double D Photography
how ShowResultsResults
Springfield | September 1 Judges: Buddy Haas, Ill. Photos by Double D Photography
Grand Champion Steer Champion AOB Shown by Lane Mollett
Reserve Grand Champion Steer Reserve Champion AOB Shown by Cruz Hill
3rd Overall Steer Champion Crossbred Shown by Lane Mollett
4th Overall Steer Reserve Champion Crossbred Shown by Payton Gvillo
5th Overall Steer Champion Shorthorn Shown by Colby Metzger
AED G E Conference
nother successful Illinois Junior Beef Association EDGE Conference was held on July 17 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville. EDGE stands for Engaging, Developing, Growing and Educatingdifferent ways in which juniors can expand their knowledge and experience in the beef industry.
Juniors gathered to learn about the basics of beef as a consumer product beyond the production of the live animal, and more on what comes after that animal is finished.
The day started off with University of Illinois Assistant Professor Dr. Bailey Harsh and Ellie Burris presenting beef quality and yield grading factors and showing juniors how to determine beef flavor and quality. Dr. Harsh and Burris also split up into two stations to show attendees more about cuts and quality.
Leading up to the lunch hour, participants prepared charcoal grills and seasoned their own burger patties and steaks to learn how to grill on their own. Cheese, pickles, mustard and ketchup were stacked atop their burger buns with their grilled burgers and enjoyed. Before the afternoon session, games like spoons were enjoyed and then it was time for education to continue.
IJBA Board Members Toby Behrends, Cody York, Emma Taylor, Myah Little, Anne Dameron and Audrey Curtin partnered up and manned three separate stations and participants rotated to continue their learning.
The first station was about how to USDA quality and yield grade. Juniors got to put their knowledge into practice at station two with meat judging classes. The third station was the magnetic board where juniors tested their knowledge of anatomy and meat cuts, plus learn about beef by-products.
Next, everyone took their seat for a pop quiz to earn prizes and then it was game time again. The day ended with an EDGE conference classic - sno cones! We look forward to seeing everyone at EDGE Conference in 2026.
Illinois District Show series
District Shows | August 16
NORTHERN DISTRICT
Grundy County Fairgrounds, Morris
SOUTHERN DISTRICT Marion County Fairgrounds, Salem
EASTERN DISTRICT Farmer City Fairgrounds, Farmer City
WESTERN DISTRICT
McDonough County Fairgrounds, Macomb
All State Finale | August 17 Farmer City Fairgrounds, Farmer City
Western, Eastern and Finale photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography; Northern District Backdrops by MW Creative; Southern District backdrops by Double D Photography
Northern District Champions
Grand Champion Heifer
Shorthorn shown by Koby Kearns
Reserve Grand Champion
Angus
Grand
Shorthorn
Crossbred
Heifer
shown by Beau Cassady
Third Overall Heifer Mainetainer shown by Koby Kearns
Fourth Overall Heifer Maine shown by Addison Hermann
Fifth Overall Heifer Charolais shown by Macy Hoag
Champion Market Animal
shown by Josie Wiggim
Reserve Champion Market Animal
shown by Zac Wiggim
Third Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Allissa Martin
Fourth Overall Market Animal Maine shown by Blake Kearns
Fifth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Koby Kearns
Southern District Champions
Grand Champion Heifer
Charolais
Reserve Grand Champion
Grand Champion Market Animal
Reserve
shown by Kaolin Lewis
Heifer Chianina shown by Jemma Dorsey
Third Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Maddox Robb
Fourth Overall Heifer Angus shown by Abagayle Britton
Fifth Overall Heifer Angus shown by Deken Kemme
Shorthorn Plus shown by Lane Mollett
Champion Market Animal Crossbred shown by Barrett Alwardt
Third Overall Market Animal
Simmental shown by Rhett Schoen
Fourth Overall Market Animal Shorthorn Plus shown by Blake Hanke
Fifth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Alexsys Hammond
eastern District Champions
Grand Champion Heifer
Charolais
Grand
Shorthorn
shown by Brecke Barnard
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
Angus shown by Emily Atten
Third Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Adlee Haefner
Fourth Overall Heifer Shorthorn shown by Wyatt Dryer
Fifth Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Luke Short
Champion Market Animal
Plus shown by Waylon Paulek
Reserve Champion Market Animal
Crossbred shown by Morgan Huls
Third Overall Market Animal
Crossbred shown by Levi Paulek
Fourth Overall Market Animal Charolais Composite shown by Jace Bressner
Fifth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Kaylin Nolte
Western District Champions
Grand Champion Heifer
Lim-Flex Shown by Aliana Hankes
Grand
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Commercial shown by Hailey Allen
Third Overall Heifer Mainetainer shown by Ella Eathington
Fourth Overall Heifer % Simmental shown by Carson Beckman
Fifth Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Ella Behymer
Champion Market Animal
Crossbred shown by Jenna Brown
Reserve Champion Market Animal Limousin shown by Addysen Link
Third Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Cami Powell
Fourth Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Hailey Allen
Fifth Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Myah Little
Illinois District show series all state finale Champions
Grand Champion Heifer
Lim-Flex Shown by Aliana Hankes
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
Charolais shown by Kaolin Lewis
Third Overall Heifer Mainetainer shown by Ella Eathington
Fourth Overall Heifer
Charolais shown by Brecke Barnard
Fifth Overall Heifer
Simmental shown by Maddox Robb
Illinois District show series all state finale Champions
Champion Market Animal
Grand
Shorthorn Plus shown by Waylon Paulek
Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal
Crossbred shown by Jenna Brown
Third Overall Market Animal Limousin shown by Addysen Link
Fourth Overall Market Animal
Crossbred shown by Cami Powell
Fifth Overall Market Animal
Shorthorn shown by Josie Wiggim
Illinois Beef Association
State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.
Today’s Date ID Number (if known)________________________
Seller’s Name
Address
Seller’s Signature
Buyer ’s Name
Buyer ’s Signature
Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Illinois Beef Association.
Date of Sale
Total Number of Cattle Sold: X
*State of Origin
$1.00 per Head Federal Checko = Total Checko Payment for Federal and State
$0.50 per Head State Checko =
Person remitting form : Seller Buyer Phone Number:
*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.
Send Report and Remittance to: Illinois Beef Association PO Box 19214
For additional information: call 217- 787- 4280or email dan@illinoisbeef.com
The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) collects the Illinois Beef Checko in accordance with the Illinois Beef Market Development Act. IBA also collects the national beef checko ful lling its role as the Quali ed State Beef Council for Illinois as designated by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
BEEF IS A RELATIONSHIP BUSINESS
The beef industry relies on relationships. From gate to plate, building trust with loyal customers starts with a conversation. The Channel Marketing team at NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, focuses on cultivating relationships with those companies bringing beef to consumers, such as national retailers, foodservice distributors, manufacturers and restaurant operators. These important markets are where consumers purchase beef, with more than $80 billion in beef sales annually.1,2
training sessions, educational sessions and promotional opportunities, resulting in new ways to expand beef’s presence across menus and store shelves.
“Our work is focused on building lasting relationships that result in more beef being sold at restaurants and grocery stores across the country,” said Jill Rittenberg, senior executive director of channel marketing at NCBA. “Those relationships may take months or even years to develop, but they pay huge dividends in the end.”
More than 88% of restaurant menus include beef.3 At retail, beef’s value in dollars represents 55% of the total meat case, while chicken’s value in dollars is 27% of the total case.⁴ Channel partners understand that business success goes hand in hand with understanding how to sell beef.
The pandemic changed how foodservice and retail partners engaged with the beef industry, shifting from inperson meetings to virtual discussions. However, decision makers are returning to the table, yearning for personal engagement, not only with NCBA’s Channel Marketing team, but with producers as well.
This past year, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, NCBA organized the Beef Business Summit and invited foodservice and retail professionals to Colorado to engage with the industry firsthand. Over the course of more than two days, attendees received an update on the state of the beef industry and learned about producers’ commitment to sustainability and where high-quality beef begins. Attendees toured several innovative cattle operations, made connections and experienced beef in new and exciting ways. This event brought back in-person engagement to those who were missing face-to-face experiences, and it led to additional strategic meetings, training sessions and innovative programs.
The immersive educational event gave the Channel Marketing team the opportunity to engage with partners and understand their needs. It helped to build trust in beef and in NCBA as a partner and thought leader. Attendees gained value from the event, which led to strategic beef-centric
“This type of work can be difficult to explain because the people are the program,” said Rittenberg. “We are demonstrating to influential partners how beef is an important part of any menu and any meat case, and then helping partners find ways to grow their beef knowledge base, their beef offerings and ultimately their beef sales.”
By partnering with state beef councils, the Channel Marketing team is able to provide a wide range of channel partners with the opportunity to experience what it takes to get beef from the gate to the plate through local ranch tours. Recently, the meat and sustainability teams from national retail and foodservice chains toured ranches in California, Wisconsin and Florida. By working together, NCBA and state beef councils efficiently build confidence in beef and effectively communicate a positive beef message to important decision makers.
Foodservice and retail companies reach and influence millions of consumers, and they are a conduit for beef to get on plates and in grocery carts. These activities help fill knowledge gaps and open a two-way dialogue between the cattle industry and those selling their end product. The end result is maintaining and building confidence about beef as part of their business portfolios.
“We want to help these foodservice and retail professionals understand the value of beef to their business,” concluded Rittenberg. “When they win with beef, it’s a win for the beef industry.”
2. Circana Food Service Category Sizing, Full Year ending 12/29/2024
3. Technomic, 2025
4. Circana, Year to Date Retail Protein Sales, year ending 12/29/2024, Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
Understanding the Market Force Behind Producers' Bottom Lines.
Cattle producers have a lot on their plates managing the dayto-day grind of ranch life, and in an industry with constantly changing dynamics, it’s easy to overlook the forces shaping market returns. There’s one factor that quietly influences producer profitability, and it often gets misunderstood:
CONSUMER BEEF DEMAND.
In the 1980s, consumer confidence was slipping, dietary trends were shifting and beef demand plummeted, taking cattle prices down with it. Producers were culling herds, packing plants were closing and the ripple effects were felt across rural America.
In response, cattle producers voted to create the Beef Checkoff in 1985, a beef promotion, research and education program with one mission — building consumer demand for beef. Forty years later, the Beef Checkoff’s mission hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s become even more important in today’s marketplace.
When demand is strong, everyone in the beef supply chain benefits, starting with the producer.
Let’s break demand down using real data, insights from Kansas State University Agricultural Economics Professor Dr. Glynn Tonsor and tools like the Meat Demand Monitor to show how demand ensures long-term profitability on the ranch.
Demand vs. Consumption: Why the Difference Matters
Consumption
= how much beef is eaten. Demand = how much consumers are willing to buy at different prices of beef.
It’s common to hear these two terms used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. While consumption can tell us the volume of beef people are eating, it doesn’t tell us how much they’re willing to pay (and by extension total beef expenditures), and that’s the number that really influences the market.
Demand is the more powerful measure because it captures both volume (lbs) and value ($/lb). It reflects how much beef consumers buy and the price they’re willing to pay. When demand is high, it means consumers are not just eating beef; they’re choosing it on purpose, even when it costs
more. That kind of willingness to pay is what supports strong cattle prices.
Dr. Tonsor explains this using a blue jeans analogy. “If you walk into a store planning to buy one pair of jeans, but you spot a buy-one-get-one-free deal and leave with two pairs, your consumption doubled, but your demand didn’t change,” he said. “You simply bought more than originally planned because the price was lower than anticipated. Now flip that: if you went in planning to buy one pair and left with two at full price because you liked the fit and quality, that’s true demand growth. You valued the product enough to pay more for it.”
That’s why consumption data alone can be misleading. There could be millions of pounds of beef sold, but if it was all discounted to quickly move through the system, it’s not likely helping producers’ bottom lines as total industry dollars have likely not grown. That’s why the Beef Checkoff uses demand as an indicator for a successful, profitable industry.
Demand’s Power
Last year offered a clear example of how powerful consumer demand can be. In 2024, beef production was essentially flat, up just 0.1%, with no major shifts in slaughter numbers or carcass weights. Yet fed cattle prices rose 6.6%, and feeder cattle prices jumped 15.6%. 1 This fact can be attributed in part to stronger consumer beef demand.
Taking it a step further, research conducted by PH.D.s Melissa McKendree, Glynn Tonsor, Ted Schroeder and Nathan Hendricks estimated how much cattle prices respond to changes in retail beef demand:
• 1% increase in demand boosts fed cattle prices by 1.52%.2
• It also boosts feeder cattle prices by 2.48%.2
Using that math, 2024’s 6.7% rise in beef demand2 translates into a:
• 10.2% increase in fed cattle prices.1
• 16.6% increase in feeder cattle prices.1
“This model helps us put real numbers behind the value of demand growth,” Tonsor said. “It shows just how much of a per-head return is tied to what consumers are willing to pay at retail.”
In short, if demand hadn’t grown, both fed and feeder cattle prices in 2024 likely would have been 10% lower or more2.
What’s Driving Demand Today?
What’s behind this rise in demand? Two major factors, according to the Meat Demand Monitor (MDM), co-funded by the Beef Checkoff, which surveys 3,000 U.S. residents every month:
1. Taste
Consistently, taste is the number one reason consumers choose beef.
In April 2025:
• 58% of respondents said taste was a top driver.3
• Only 13% said it was a low priority.3
The U.S. cattle industry has responded by improving carcass quality over the past two decades. Rates of Prime and upper two-thirds Choice have increased, giving consumers a more consistent, flavorful eating experience. The Beef Checkoff reinforces this effort with targeted consumer campaigns and influencer partnerships that spotlight beef’s superior taste and eating experience.
2. A “Pro-Protein” Culture
The broader American public has been leaning toward protein-rich diets.
Vegan and vegetarian diets are declining, according to MDM data. Additionally, MDM data shows demand for plant-based alternatives peaked in 2021 and has steadily declined since.
“This hasn’t been a headwind for beef,” Tonsor said. “Beef demand has continued to grow despite more availability of these products.”
What About Sustainability?
Negative reports about the environmental impact of agricultural practices can sometimes circulate in news outlets, often causing producers to feel anxious and defensive. Still, MDM data shows environmental impact ranks much lower as a driving point for consumer purchasing decisions. In April, only 12% of respondents listed environmental impact in their top four drivers, while 65% put it in the bottom four3.
Dr. Tonsor emphasizes that broad demand is still being
driven by eating experience, price and freshness, not claims about sustainability. While sustainability may not be a leading purchase driver, the Beef Checkoff continues to highlight producers’ environmental stewardship through national campaigns showcasing responsible grazing, water conservation and habitat preservation. These campaigns remind consumers that raising beef and caring for the land go hand in hand.
Does the Beef Checkoff Make an Impact?
In comparison to other commodity checkoffs, the Beef Checkoff collection amount has not changed since its inception — $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle. With inflation, the economic purchasing power of $1 today is not the same as it was in 1985. In response, Beef Checkoff efforts have had to adjust. For example, instead of airing beef ads on traditional broadcast channels, ads now run on Connected TV platforms like Hulu and YouTube, where they reach urban consumers most likely to be influenced.
“Beef Checkoff efforts often out-punch their weight,” Tonsor said. “The programs help drive value well beyond the size of the investment.”
In today’s complex, fragmented market, where consumer preferences vary by age, region and income, demand growth is not something to take for granted. It’s something that must be earned and protected with every dollar and every message. That’s why the Beef Checkoff remains focused on doing exactly that, driving demand through research, promotion and education to keep beef front and center on the plate.
Sources:
1. Livestock Marketing Information Center, 2024 Fed and Feeder Cattle Market Summary (5-Market Average and 7–800# Southern Plains data)
2. McKendree, M. G. S., Tonsor, G. T., Schroeder, T. C., & Hendricks, N. P. (2020). Quantifying the Impacts of U.S. Beef Demand Determinants on Cattle Prices. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. https://doi.org/10.1093/ ajae/aaz034
3. Tonsor, G. T. (2025, April). Meat Demand Monitor – April 2025. Kansas State University. Retrieved from https:// agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthlymeat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demandmonitor-april-2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
September/October 2025
OF DIRECTORS
President: Carla Jurgenson
Vice President: David Mool
Secretary: Clay Sellmeyer
Business Manager: Doug Turner
Past President: David Jenkins
Bureau County: Vaughn Kiner
Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager
Logan County : Carla Jurgenson
Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll
South Central: Richard Hurst
Wabash Valley: Shaye Harre
Directors at Large:
Sam Brumleve
Brent Hinkle
T.J. Curtin
Brian Hutchins
Kyle Beutke
Jeff Dameron
Chris Cassady
Clay Sellmeyer
Dan Naughton
Eric McClure
David Mool
Bodee Schlipf
Brad Evans
Tracey Rawlings
CONTACT
ON THE COVER
Illinois exhibitors, Anne Dameron and Reese Anderson, are all smiles while showing their cattle at the North American Junior Angus show this summer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit
In the News
Road to Recognition: Juniors Earn Stockman Award at National Show
Three juniors earn prestigious Stockman award for standout scores across contests.
Three young cattleman and women proved they had the drive, knowledge and grit to earn one of the 2025 National Junior Angus Show’s most respected honors. The Minix Stockman Contest, renamed in 2022 to honor the late Ed and Wilma Minix of Black Witch Farm, recognizes juniors who compete in the judging contest, quiz bowl written exam and Skill-a-Thon.
On July 4h in Tulsa, Okla., the top individual in each age division was awarded to Avery Mullen of Kansas (Junior Division), Lane Toledo of California (Intermediate Division), and Lauren Wolter of Illinois (Senior Division).
Each winner received a custom belt buckle and cash prize, celebrating not only their achievements, but their future as leaders in the Angus and livestock industries.
Despite stepping away from participating in contest last year to serve as the 2024-2025 Miss American Angus Queen, Wolter was humbled to learn she had still earned the prestigious Stockman Award.
“It was a complete surprise to me,” she said.
Wolter is currently gaining additional experiences in meat judging and research while studying at Kansas State University. “It’s fun to be able to apply what I’m learning in school in the Angus world.”
The Minixes were passionate about empowering youth involved in livestock and helping them become leaders in the agriculture industry. A portion of their estate was donated to the Angus Foundation to benefit juniors who participate in the Stockman Contest and recognize. excellence, dedication, and leadership in the beef industry.
The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) strives to give juniors future opportunities in the agriculture industry, and their success is made possible through the continued support of the Angus Foundation.
Results of the 2025 NJAS, including shows, contests, awards and scholarships, can be found at www.njas.info. Additional coverage is also available on the NJAA social media channels and in the September issue of the Angus Journal.
Lauren Wolter of Illinois (left) was named one of three winners of the Stockman Contest for their respective age divisions at the 2025 National Junior Angus Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Show Results
2025 Junior Show & Angus Breeders' Futurity Roll of Victory (ROV) Show
Louisville, Ky. | June 14-15 | Judges: Mark Davis, Shelbyville, Tenn.(Juniors) & Chad Ellingson, Bismarck, N.D.(ROV)
by Next Level Images
Fourth Overall Owned Champion Female
Johnson Nellie 460
Owned by Curtner Bergmann, Vienna, Ill.
Reserve Senior Champion Female
Seldom Rest Pin Up Gal 3223
Owned by Cody Robert York, Palestine, Ill.
Intermediate Champion Bull W G A Ghost 8M
Owned by Holly Marsh, Earlville, Ill.
2025 Northern Illinois Junior Angus Association Preview Show
Milledgeville, Ill. | June 22 | Judge: Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill.
Photos
Photos by Brodie Abney Photography
Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female
CK3 HAWK Sandy L93 Owned by Caylen Kirchner
Grand Champion Owned Female
CK3 HAWK Sandy L83 Owned by Macie Carroll
Grand Champion Steer
EA Diesel 4385
Owned by Aden Egan
Reserve Champion Steer
CK3 Good Times 458
Owned by Coehen Kirchner
Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Female
CK3 HAWK Sandy L88
Owned by Coehen Kirchner
Champion Commercial Heifer Owned by Brea Musser
Champion Crossbred Steer Owned by Allissa Martin
2025 Tennessee State Fair Roll of Victory Angus Show
Lebanon, Tenn. | August 17 | Judge: Tom Hawk, Earlville, Ill.
Reserve Grand Champion Bull
HB Expectation 3012
Owned by Horsley Brothers, Ill., and Wilson-Good Cattle Company, Mo.
Photo by Next Level Images
JUNE 28-JULY 5
Judges: Jeff Gooden, Mo., judged the bred-and-owned heifers and bulls, bred-and-owned and owned cow-calf pairs; Reed Gordon, Mo., assisted with the bred-and-owned heifers and bulls, bred-andowned and owned cow-calf pairs; Charlie Boyd, Ky., judged the owned heifers; Blake Boyd, Ky., assisted with the owned heifers; Scott Greiner, Va., judged the steers; and Ryan Rathmann, Texas, judged the phenotype and genotype bulls and females. Photos by Next Level Images
Bred & Owned Senior Bull Calf Champion Rhode High Roller 34 Owned by Preston Rhode
Brenna Bartlow
BRED & OWNED STEERS
Reserve Division 1 Bred & Owned PGS Female Parr Barbara 4P39 Owned by Anna Parr
Anne Dameron is the 2025-2026 NJAS Vice Chairman. Pictured here with her dad, Jeff Dameron.
Showmanship Contest
Forty youth from across the country competed for top honors in the 59th annual event. Each of the top five finishers received a cash prize from the Ham James Memorial Fund and a Silver Revere bowl from the American Angus Auxiliary. Judges: Mark Core, Brady Jensen, and Kass Newell.
Illinois Representatives
Fourth Place Overall Showmanship Honors
Adam Miller and Addison Bartlow
Addison Bartlow
Scholarship Presentation
Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded more than $5.3 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to Angus youth.
Gary Brost LEAD Award
From Illinois: Adam Miller (left), Ben Sellmeyer (center)
Stan Prox LEAD Award Anne Dameron presents to Audrey Curtin.
Angus/Talon Undergraduate Scholarships
From Illinois: Anne Dameron, Paige Lemenager, Lauren Wolter
All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off
Junior Angus breeders translated their knowledge in the barn to the plate during the 2024 All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off. The cook-off, put on by the American Angus Auxiliary, encourages young beef enthusiasts to learn more about the end product they are producing for consumers.
Salsa Verde Sirloin: Lydia Leake, Brianna Tebbe and Zane Tebbe, Kelson Kuipers, and Alice Leake
Top Sirloin Medallion Crostini: Blake Wolter, Macie Bartlow, Macie Carroll, Cylee Kirchner, and Grayson Leake
Ella Eathington, and Madaline Bergmann
National Junior Angus Show Awards Ceremony
Junior members showcased their skills beyond the showring by competing in a variety of contests.
Left to right: Jack Sellmeyer, Addison Tebbe, Claire Kuipers
Third Place Junior Division Landscape Photography
Brianna Tebbe (right)
First & Third Place Junior Division Around the Farm Photography
Drew Mickey (left), Zane Tebbe (right)
Second Place Intermediate A Career Development
Claire Kuipers (center)
First Place Senior Career Development
Lauren Wolter (left)
Third Place Junior B Judging Contest
Connor Suits (right)
Second Place Senior Skill-A-Thon Lauren Wolter (center)
First Place Senior Extemporaneous Speaking
Lauren Wolter (left)
Richard L.Spader Award
Lauren Wolter (center)
Second Place Intermediate Quiz Bowl Left to Right: Anna Parr, Madaline Bergmann, Addison Tebbe, Claire Kuipers
Second Place Senior Quiz Bowl
Left to right: Lauren Wolter, Audrey Curtin, Cheyenne Handsaker, Macie Bartlow
First Place Fitting Contest
Left to Right: Connor Suits, Will Miller, Cody York, Adam Miller
Crystal Award Winners
Lauren Wolter (center)
Gold Award Illinois Recipients
Paige Lemenager, Cheyenne Handsaker, Charles Parr
Senior Stockman Contest Winner
Lauren Wolter (right)
Age 7-9 Coloring Contest
Colton Tebbe
2025 Illinois State Fair Roll of Victory Angus Show
Springfield | August 11 | Chris Styles, S.D.
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Grand Champion Heifer
Champion Division 2
SCOTTEN Queen Ruth
Owned by Paige Lemenager
Grand Champion Bull
Champion Division 3
SK Patton Tyrus M06
Owned by Grace Lemenager
Champion Division 1
DF Missy F15
Owned by Braden Deal
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
Champion Division 3
APB - ALL Phyllis 494M
Owned by Addison Bartlow
Reserve Grand Champion Bull, Champion LOL
Champion Division 2
RHODE High Roller 34
Owned by Preston Rhode
Reserve Champion Division 1
FRUHLINGS Reatat 1105
Owned by Travis Fruhling
Reserve Champ Division 4
SULL Lucy 4586M
Owned by Danielle Alberts
Champion Division 4
WBF Princess M23
Owned by Paige Lemenager
Reserve Champion Division 2
DAMERON Northern Miss 41
Owned by Beau Cassady
Herdsman Award
Paige Lemenager
Champion Division 5
APB - ALL Phyllis
Owned by Isabella Morrow
Champ. Land of Lincoln Div. 4
HLC Princess 13M
Owned by Beau Tschantz
Reserve Champion Division 5
Lemenager Northern Miss
Owned by Logan Suits
Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln
Champion Land of Lincoln Division 3
FCF Phyllis 449
Owned by Macie Bartlow
Champion Division 3 Bull
Plum Creek Perspective 41
Owned by Matthew Ewing
Champion Division 1 Bull
MAF King Pin
Owned by Steven Rawlings
Res. Champ. Land of Lincoln Div 4
FCF Sandy 424
Owned by Addison Tebbe
Champion Division 6
Seldon Rest Pin Up Gal 32
Owned by Cody York
Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Bull
Reserve Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Division 2
DA Sterling 007M
Owned by Mike Dorethy
Grand
Owned by Madison Huls
Reserve
Champion Land of Lincoln Steer
2025 Illinois State Fair
Junior Angus Show
Springfield | August 8
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
3rd Overall, Champion Land of Lincoln and Bred & Owned Heifer
Champion Angus
CK3 Hawk Sandy L93
Owned by Coehen Kirchner
4th Overall Land of Lincoln Steer
Champion Angus
Owned by Connor Suits
4th Overall Land of Lincoln
Reserve Grand Champion Angus Heifer
PVF Proven Queen 4087
Owned by Ashton Dillow
Reserve Champion Angus Steer
Owned by Brecke Barnard
Leading with Purpose
National Junior Angus Association member Lauren Wolter receives the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award
By Ashlyn Murdock, Angus Communications
During one of the final stops on the National Junior Angus Show’s (NJAS) Route 66 road trip, one junior achieved a milestone she has worked towards for years.
From her early days as a 4-H member to FFA speaking contests, from mentorship through the Illinois Junior Angus Association (IJAA) to educational competitions at NJAS and leadership conferences, to her current studies at Kansas State University, each experience helped shape Lauren Wolter of Aviston, Illinois, into the leader she is today. Her dedication and growth culminated in being named the 2025 Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award recipient.
“My time within the Angus Association has been really impactful for me as a leader,” Lauren Wolter said.
Wolter’s passion for the Angus breed is rooted in family. Her family became first-generation Angus breeders when she was just six months old when they purchased their first Angus heifer.
“What was supposed to be just a youth project for me has exploded into a 500 head seedstock and direct to consumer beef operation known as Windy Hill Meadows,” Wolter explained.
At eight years old, she showed her first Angus heifer, Jewel, at the county fair. Three years later, she entered the ring at NJAS for the first time.
This marked the beginning of her journey in agriculture and first steppingstone in helping build her confidence and skills that would later define her leadership. Her first handson experience in leadership came through her 4-H club.
“It was the first organization I ever held offices in and was where I really learned how to public speak and lead my peers,” she said. “4-H gave me the confidence to run for
positions within my state Angus association and eventually my FFA chapter.”
From these initial experiences of leading 4-H club meetings to being a role model in her state association, Wolter has furthered her involvement in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), building on these fundamental skills she learned as a young junior member.
In 2024, Wolter was not holding a gavel running meetings or organizing cattle check-in but rather leading in a red blazer and sash with ruby red stones, as she represented the breed as Miss American Angus. The personal development skills she learned at a young age though 4-H and the mentorship she provided to peers on a state level only grew as she graced the ring at national shows to advocate for the Angus breed and agriculture across the country.
Wolter shared that her favorite part of being Miss American Angus was serving as a role model for young girls in the Angus industry, while also mentoring older girls preparing for college.
“I really enjoyed working with the girls that were trying to figure out what college they were going to go to,” Wolter said. “I was a freshman in college, and I just lived that experience, so it was really fun for me to be like an older sister to those girls.”
Beyond mentorship within the breed, Wolter found fulfillment in sharing her experiences with a wider audience. Her crown gave her a platform to engage with producers and industry professionals, bridging her personal story with broader conversations around the beef industry.
“I love being able to talk about experiences I had in conversations with producers and people in the industry” Wolter said. “It’s rewarding being able to showcase how I've taken my experiences within the Angus Association and been able to make impacts in conversations with people outside of that [world], as well."
While serving as Miss American Angus was a highlight chapter in her Angus story, Wolter’s leadership story can’t be defined by just one role. From contests to conferences, officer positions to mentorship opportunities, each experience within the NJAA has shaped who she is today and has ultimately led her to Kansas State University.
Wolter exhibiting in the Owned Heifer Show at the National Junior Angus Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ellingson Badlands Bull Calf
Ellingson Badlands 0285
Reg. # 19811197
Reg. # 19980403
Herd Bulls sired by “Big R” available this fall!
Wolter is currently pursuing a degree in Animal Sciences and Industry with a concentration in Meat Science and plans to pursue a master’s degree in either Meat Science or Agriculture Policy.
When she is not busy in the classroom, you will find her being a leader on campus.
“I feel my leadership skills have truly blossomed [at Kansas State].” Wolter said.
At K-State she is a College of Agriculture Ambassador, an Animal Sciences and Industry Mentor, and is serving as the Government Relations director within the Student Body President's cabinet.
“Serving in this role has allowed me to represent student perspectives in a way that makes an impact as well as share my passion for agriculture with students who are not familiar [with the industry],” Wolter said.
Wolter’s leadership journey in NJAA has shaped not only her skills, but also her vision for the future. She sees herself as a bridge between science and communication.
“I want to be someone that’s intelligent enough to understand things from research and a science perspective but is a strong enough communicator to make it valuable to the industry and beyond,” Wolter said.
As she looks ahead, Wolter remains committed to using her voice and experiences to make a lasting difference in the agriculture industry. With a foundation built on experiences, opportunities and leadership, and an outlook focused on
advocacy for agriculture, Wolter exemplifies the mission and purpose of the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leader Award, recognizing a junior member for their involvement and supporting their future in agriculture.
This award is considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in the NJAA, one that is awarded to a special junior each year. The winner must submit an application that encapsulates a diversity of leadership and involvement experiences both within and outside of the NJAA.
Knowing the prestige of this award, Lauren set earning the title as a goal during her junior career but realized this accomplishment would take time and dedication to develop a winning application.
“It's not the easiest thing in the world to win,” Wolter said. “So, I really kind of waited until the time was right and it felt like I would have the right material and the right type of things to be able to put on my application to feel really confident when I sent it in.”
This award is in tribute to the late Jim Baldridge and his devotion to helping Angus youth through the NJAA. Bill and Betty Werner of Werner Angus in Cordova, Illinois, donated $50,000 to the Angus Foundation in 2013. Their donation created a permanent fund that awards a $5,000 scholarship each year to the winner of the NJAA’s Outstanding Leadership Award. This award, first established in 1998, recognizes one exceptional NJAA member each year for their leadership in Angus.
The ILLINOIS BULLETIN
PRESIDENT
Craig Crutcher
815-289-2855
VICE PRESIDENT
Travis Meteer
217-430-7030
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Noah Benedict
217-372-8009
nojo1132@gmail.com
TREASURER
Buddy Edenburn 217-649-0108
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrew Spinazola - 309-313-2191
Jimmy Bernard - 779-771-4687
Chad Crane - 815-712-5739
Yale Young - 815-867-7333
Lucas Stumpf - 618-830-0971
Tammy Boatman - 770-354-4195
Mark Stephens - 217-825-7913
Matt McCaskill - 217-779-0775
Corey Perry - 217-294-2934
ON THE COVER
Griffin Anderson shows his Hereford heifer at the 2025 Illinois State Fair. Photo by Devin Bollman.
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE
As I am writing this, calves are starting to get weaned. When I am out at a customers’ place, the barn lots are beginning to fill up with weaned calves, for a short time. When you are beginning to decide what to do with the calves, keep in mind that there are new rules for the coming spring regarding DNA with the American Hereford Association.
In many of my conversations about the DNA policies, most people will be sending off DNA on all the heifer calves that they are retaining in the herd. By doing this, you will be ahead of the game in future years. If you have any bull calves born after January 1, you will need to have DNA on both the sire and dam recorded with the AHA, if you plan on using that bull calf in a registered herd where offspring by him will be registered.
Always remember that the IJHA Preview Show and Junior Nationals both require that steers have both their sire and dam DNA on record. With this try to be proactive and the earlier that you send off the DNA the quicker you will get it back. The lab does process a lot of samples and turn around time can be around a month or longer. If you are needing them done by a certain date, keep that in mind when you are sending them off.
Thank you all for your dedication to the Illinois Hereford Association, and wishing you all a great fall harvest and sale season.
-Craig Crutcher
CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN
Greetings everyone,
Junior previews, the JNHE, and state fairs have come and gone as we wind down another full summer of recognition for our junior and adult members alike and the work they put in with their projects for the last calendar year. My compliments to everyone in Illinois as well as all of Territory 5 for raising the bar yet again with the quality of cattle and talent you displayed. It never ceases to amaze the skill and dedication you all put into the craft of exhibiting great Hereford cattle.
We turn our focus now to the fall sale season, and the outlook can only be described as extremely optimistic. Just yesterday, I was reading posts about new individual sale barn records as well as national sale records repeatedly being set around the region, which continues the trend of ascending prices in 2025. It’s simple: the baseline value for our commodity is at its highest point in history. Demand does not seem to show any signs of softening soon; the forecast does not show any signs of significant heifer retention. As breeders, we have the assets that people want. There is cost to acquiring quality genetics, but in the same breath those quality genetics pay. If I can be of assistance in your search for live cattle or frozen genetics, feel free to reach out.
Anticipation continues to build as we approach late October when we gather in Kansas City for the World Hereford Conference in conjunction with the AHA Annual Meeting. Our international friends have put their best foot forward with consignments to the Ladies of the Royal sale offering that will feature frozen genetics from multiple foreign countries. Our entire AHA staff has put tremendous effort into making this a first-class event that any Hereford enthusiast won’t want to miss.
If I can be of assistance in any way, feel free to reach out. Wishing you all a safe and successful harvest as well as fall calving season.
All the best,
-Corbin Cowles
Craig Crutcher, Illinois Hereford Association President
Corbin Cowles, American Hereford Association Territory 5 Field Staff
FACES OF LEADERSHIP
PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION CENTER HOSTS HEREFORD JUNIORS
Eighty-four National Junior Hereford Association members from 21 states gathered at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Missouri., July 30 – August 2, for the 2025 Faces of Leadership conference. Hosted in partnership with Purina, this year’s event kicked off with a focus on exploring leadership through a personal lens, encouraging members to discover and develop their unique leadership styles while sharpening vital communication and team-building skills.
“People want to follow leaders who stay humble, stay hungry and always try to find better for those around them,” said Mike Matheny, St. Louis, Mo., setting the tone for NJHA members during the first night of the conference. Matheny is a New York Times best-selling author, former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. He is also a leadership coach who inspires others through his faith-based approach to mentoring, team building and character development.
Conference participants enjoyed several unique learning opportunities during the event, including:
• An inside look at Purina Animal Nutrition Center, where participants toured the dairy, beef, poultry and companion animal facilities, learning about the farm's diverse operations from industry leaders.
Association staff provided valuable insight and guidance to help prepare participants for future careers in the industry.
• The Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair included representatives from 13 agricultural companies and universities for juniors to explore opportunities.
Missouri Director of Agriculture, Chris Chinn, explained to participants how her personal “why” fuels her advocacy for agriculture and those who work in it.
“I want you [NJHA members] to have every opportunity available to you,” Chinn explained. “Don’t not try.”
Over the course of the two-day leadership simulation workshop, participants leaned into their personal leadership styles and found motivation through their individual “why.” The experience came full circle with a powerful closing keynote from NJHA Chairman Salem Sifford.
• A hands-on leadership simulation led by the NJHA board of directors, designed to challenge and grow their decision-making and communication skills, while working in a teamsetting.
• Roundtable discussions with American Hereford
“I was never told that I had to be one way or another to be a leader within the Hereford breed. My Hereford family accepted me as I am and simply encouraged me along the way. I learned that it truly is all about the people that meet you where you are and encourage you,” Sifford explained.
Made possible by the Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America, this conference is a pivotal stepping-stone to building the pipeline of future leaders for the Hereford breed. This year, juniors were fortunate to have Rick Malir and his wife Bonnie Coley-Malir join for the duration of the conference, and heard from Rick as a keynote speaker.
Eighty-four NJHA juniors representing 21 states arrived in Missouri this July, to better themselves and the NJHA as a whole. Here the full group is pictured at the Purina facility.
July 12-18
Judges: Chan Phillips sorted the bred-and-owned bull show and steer show; Charlie and Blake Boyd sorted the bred-and-owned females; Cody Sankey and John McCurry sorted the owned females; Ty Bayer and Calli Spengler evaluated the senior and intermediate showmanship contests; Bob and Lauren May evaluated the junior and peewee showmanship contests. Backdrop photos by Next Level; Award photos by AHA Staff
Reserve Champion Owned Cow/calf Pair
MKS 73G 3J Yankee Girl 9L
Owned by Kade & Kendall Boatman
Champion Division 4 Bred & Owned Heifer
L2 LCC J16 Fancy Pants 63M ET
Owned by Tuck & Nash Lowderman
Reserve Champion Division 6 Bred &
Owned Heifer
CRANE Sasha 2434
Owned by Ella Crane
Reserve Champion Division 4 Bred & Owned Heifer
Lemenager Myla M55 ET
Owned by Paige Lemenager
Champion Division 5 Owned Heifer
Lemenager Myla M55 ET
Owned by Paige Lemenager
Division 1 Champion and Bred & Owned Steer GMC Tommy 18M
by Kaylie Shelton Champion Division 12 Owned Heifer HAWK Audrey 7M ET
Division 2 Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Bull
L2 MKL LCC 7437 Gentry 2471
THANK YOU to the everyone who sponsored meals and snacks throughout the week, as well as helped serve. This was greatly appreciated!
Second place exhibited by Kade Boatman Third Place exhibited by Kendall Boatman
SPEAKING CONTEST
Advanced Speaking Contest
Second Place: Faith Benedict
JUDGING
Illinois Hereford Juniors
Overall Winner - Trevor Crutcher
15 and over boys - 1st Place Rhett Lehman
14 and under boys - 1st Place Crayton Chapman, 2nd Place
Gabe Crutcher
14 and under girls - 2nd Place Cora Chapman
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Judging Team - Intermediate Division
First Place: Ryne Allen, Ella Bane, Ella Crane, Reagan Kasper
Judging Team - Senior Division
Second Place: Kade Boatman, Shawn Crutcher (2nd place Senior Individual), Rhett Lehman, Simon Shepard
Walter & Joe Lewis Memorial High Point Senior Kade Boatman
Herdsman of the Year Kade & Kendall Boatman
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Elected to the National Junior Board of Directors
Kendall Boatman
Donna Curry Memorial Scholarship Kendall Boatman
Kendall Boatman was also awarded the Outstanding State Junior Member.
John Wayne Memorial Scholarship Paige Lemenager
Hereford Herdsman Scholarship Kade Boatman
Junior Golden Bull Award
Faith Benedict
SHOW RESULTS
Illinois State Fair Open Hereford Show
Springfield, Ill. | August 9
Photos
by
Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Grand Champion Polled Heifer
HAWK Audrey 7M ET
Owned by Nolan Lee
Reserve Champion Horned Hereford Heifer
RGR Trixy Gypsymark 17Z
Owned by Blakely Storey
Grand Champion Horned Hereford Bull
L2 MKL LCC 7437 Gentry 2471
Owned by Nash Lowderman
Reserve Grand Champion Polled Heifer
PRCC Miss Prairie Lady 440M ET Owned by Addison Young
Grand Champion Polled Bull
PERKS PRCC 0039 Ghostwood 3016
Owned by Perks Ranch and Prairie Cross Ranch
Reserve Grand Champion Horned Hereford Bull
SPIN PRCC High Plains
Owned by Prairie Cross Ranch and Spinazola Cattle
Overall Land of Lincoln Champ. Champion Horned Hereford Heifer
PURPLE Sutton 1262 ET
Owned by Stetson Storey
Reserve Grand Champion Polled Hereford Bull
TRG PRCC Constitution 17M ET Owned by Prairie Cross Ranch
Reserve Champion Land of Lincoln Polled Hereford Bull
LF PMH 8071 Proficient 4037 ET
Owned by Logan Rhoads
Polled Premiere Herdsman Garrett Post
Horned Premiere Herdsman Stetson Storey
2024 Illinois State Fair Junior Show
Springfield, Ill. | August 7-9
Reserve Land of Lincoln Champion Heifer
Champion Hereford Heifer
HAWK Priya 11M ET
Champion Polled Hereford Heifer
CFCC HPH Marley 26M
Shown by Hadley Eubank
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer Champion Hereford Steer
Shown by John Lukach
Shown by Ty Pezanoski
Reserve Champion Hereford Female
Purple Sutton 126L ET
Shown by Stetson Storey
Reserve Champion Hereford Steer
Shown by Makenzie Huls
Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Heifer
SPIN Alexandra 12M ET
Shown by Faith Benedict
The Illinois State Fair is in the rearview mirror and fall sale season is upon us along with the start of school, fall harvest, and the myriad of responsibilities that come with a cattle farm. Our board would like to congratulate the exhibitors of the Illinois State Fair, as well as the many other shows that hard-working dedicated individuals have made possible this summer. As always, Simmental genetics were popular and well received in the showring, with three head placing in the top five of this year’s Junior Heifer Show. Beyond those fortunate enough to be selected as champions, we want to make sure that you know we are rooting for the success of ALL exhibitors whether you stood at the top of the class or not.
I want to thank our Illinois Simmental Association State Fair committee for helping run an outstanding open show. This committee does a great job behind the scenes making sure classes are broken correctly, and that everything is ready for a great show. Their work in the show ring ensures an efficient and quality show for all participants. Carly Riley, Nancy Adkins, John Sandidge, Tyler Alwardt, Ryan Haefner and Kerry Travis make up that committee, and we all appreciate their efforts. We hope the participants found the revised show day schedule helpful; we had a lot of positive feedback on that, and if you have an opinion, we hope you will share that with your board members.
As mentioned previously, an event like the Illinois State Fair does not happen without the efforts and dedication of leaders who make things happen. We as a board would like to publicly acknowledge and thank Dr. Larry Wilson for his unwavering commitment to the Illinois State Fair Beef show for these many years and wish him well as he steps away from that leadership role and congratulate him on his induction to the Showtimes Hall of Fame! Most of us cannot fathom the details that must be taken care of and the decisions that must be made to successfully execute one of the premiere state fairs in America.
Thanks for your time-
-Joe Webel, ISA President (217) 621-7362 | joe.webel@gmail.com
Simmental Show Results
2025 Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show
Springfield | August 7-9
% Simmental
Heifer
% Simmental Heifer JSUL Who Dat 433 M Shown by Kade Roeder
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Fourth Overall Heifer Champion
OAKP Audi 106M - Shown by Conley Schick
Fifth Overall Heifer Champion Simmental
Roxi's Mirror Image - Shown by Ellie Drach
Reserve Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Reserve Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Kaolin Lewis
Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Jeron Johnson
Champion Land of Lincoln Young Cow/calf Shown by Lindy Kane
Shown by Adlee Haefner
2025 Illinois State Fair Open Simmental Show
Springfield | August 10
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Champion % Simmental Heifer
OAKP RJ M25U
Owned by Schick Chicks Cattle Co
Grand Champion %
Simmental Bull
TCK Motley Crew 15M
Owned by Ty Knodle
Reserve Champ. % Simmental Heifer
SCC SFC Phyllis 445 Owned by Addison Bartlow
Reserve Champion % Simmental Bull
Ferdinand Owned by KB Cattle Service
Champion Simmental Heifer
Bramlet's Dakota M466 Owned by Adlee Haefner
SimmentalChampion Bull
Lemenager aaayyy the bigg
Owned by Curt Lemenager
Champion % Simmental Cow/calf
UDE Princess 172L Owned by Brenna Bartlow
by
Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer FC Countess 31M
Owned
Jasper Tarr
Reserve Champion Simmental Bull DI Can Do M6
Owned by Leslie Walker
Simmental Premiere Herdsman Jasper Tarr
Shorthorn Show Results
2025 Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show
Springfield | August 7-9
Shown by Koby Kearns
Shown by Emma Rae Spittler
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Fifth Overall Land of Lincoln Champion Shorthorn Heifer
WBF Jessie's Girl Et - Shown by Lilian Unger
Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer
Shown by Charlee Jones
Fifth Overall Steer
Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer
Shown by Ainsley Link
Third Overall Land of Lincoln Steer
Champion Shorthorn Steer
Shown by Aliana Hankes
Reserve Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer
Shown by Waylon Paulek
Fifth Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer
Shown by Collby Metzger
2025 Illinois State Fair Open Beef Show
Springfield | August 11
Grand Champion and Land of Lincoln Champion Shorthorn Heifer
SULL LGF Riby Knight
Shown by Kinlynn Dryer
Lorenz's Dottie
Shown by Toby Behrends
Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull
CCS Unstoppable 305N
Shown by Cagwin Farms
GCC Kane Whitley PW2W
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography
Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer
Shown by Ellen Klein
Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Bull
FN Gametime 11N
Shown by Nathan Northup
Reserve Champion Bull MM Chance LO 117M Shown by Emily Adcock
Shorthorn Premiere Herdsman Alyssa Miller
Shorthorn Plus Premiere Herdsman Toby Behrends
Champ. Cow-calf Pair Owned by Cagwin Cattle Service
Purebred Breeders
Advertiser’s Index
Illinois Beef, printed bi-monthly, is the official publication of the IBA. It serves as the voice of Illinois’ 12,000 beef producers.
Illinois Charolais Association Officers
President: Tim Grusy - 309-275-0012
Vice President:
Marla Todd, Foosland - 217-840-5949
Secretary/Treasurer:
Sharlene Bullard - 815-343-9381
Troy Bertsche - 815-674-1244
Members:
Bewely Farms, Yates City
Beau Bewely - 309-358-1434 / 309-208-0786
Marvin Schnitzler, Elizabeth
Kelly Parks, Milledgeville 815-275-8904
LaFraise Farms, Flanagan
Dale Bertsche - 815-67 4-4419
Steve Bertsche - 815-674-2395
Trent Bertsche, Flanagan - 815-992-0282
Tom Engel, Flanagan - 815-674-5140
Bullard Cattle Co, Cornell
Paul Bullard- 815-343-9380
Sharlene Bullard- 815-343-9381
Steve Hoag, Illinois City - 563-506-0544
Dan Naughton, Atlanta - 217-304-6502
Grusy Bros, Gridley
Frank Grusy - 309-747-2696
Bertsche Farms, Flanagan
Troy Bertsche - 815-674-1244
Creasey Charolais, Macomb
Robb Creasey- 309-255-7799
Ronald Krahl, Milan - 309-737-8353
Parish Klawitter, Mulberry Grove
K&D Cattle, Elizabeth Devin - 815-990-6780
Karen - 815-275-3083
KB Farms, Lena Jay Kempel - 815-541-4461
KK Charolais, Basco Kreig Koehler - 309-224-6113
Hinshaw Show Cattle, Secor Dan Hinshaw - 309-824-5771
