Illinois Hereford Bulletin - January/February 2026

The

ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN

January/February 2026

CONTENTS January/February 2025

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PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN WORLD HEREFORD CONFERENCE SHOW RESULTS ANNUAL MEETING AND BANQUET IJHA PREVIEW SHOW SAVE THE DATE WINTER CLASSIC SALE RESULTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVERTISERS INDEX

PRESIDENT Craig Crutcher 815-289-2855

Baker Farms Bixler Herefords Ellis Farms Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company Milligan Herefords Perks Ranch Torrance Herefords

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

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CONTACT To place advertisements or your latest Hereford news contact: Olivia Hoots Illinois Beef Association 2501 N 8th Street Springfield, IL 62702 217-787-4280 olivia@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

ON THE COVER HAWK Priya 11M ET, exhibited

by Ty Pezanoski(left), was the Grand Champion Female at the NAILE Junior Hereford Show in November.

IHA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Scan the QR code with your phone camera for an online version of our directory.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE T he calendar has been changed on the wall. The spring calving cows have started their calving season and it looks like they have an opportunity to keep paying their way. The markets have stayed strong and I feel that they will continue for quite some time.

There are lots of exciting times coming in the cattle industry. Many cattlemen have attended the Cattleman’s Congress and the National Western Stock Show. We have another big event coming with the Illinois Beef Expo. Remember that there are activities happening every day at this event and you can always learn something when you keep your eyes and ears open. One of the highlights for me is the Annual Meeting and Social. This will be held Saturday night, February 21st, and was very well attended last year.

We will be looking forward to seeing everyone in Springfield for a very active week. It always feels like more of a family reunion to me than going to another cattle event. I have been fortunate to have grown up with very deep roots in the Illinois cattle industry, and I feel blessed to watch my kids' passion grow every year within the same group of families that I did.

-Craig Crutcher

Craig Crutcher, Illinois Hereford Association President

CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN H

ello All, I trust the holiday seasons have treated everyone well and time was well spent with family and friends. Yet, if you all are like we are on our operation, the expecting mothers did not seem to show much regard for holiday dates when dropping early calves as calving season has begun.

First, we are coming off the heels of an extremely successful run with the IHA Winter Classic Sale December 13th as well as the Carthage Livestock Hereford-Influenced Feeder Calf Sale that took place January 3rd. My biggest takeaway has been that Hereford breeders continue to raise the bar for quality and attention to detail with their breeding programs.

The most notable proof of this came from the results of the 2025 Winter Classic Sale; the sale average saw an almost $1,300 per lot increase in average while having an additional 10 lots over last year. This does not simply happen by chance, but rather by breeders committing to raise the bar and offer some of the best they have to offer. The strength of the Hereford breed has always been its people, and from what I’m seeing in the field, that foundation is as solid as Corbin Cowles, American ever.

Hereford Association As always, our staff kicks off the new year with a strong start. By the time you read this Territory 5 Field Staff article, we will likely have concluded the 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress and be into the National Western Stock Show before heading to Fort Worth at the end of January. With all the shows and sales that will be taking place, be sure to follow along on social media and the AHA website for updates on the results of all.

If I can assist in any capacity as we move forward into the new year, please feel free to reach out. My role is to be a resource, so please let me know how I can do that for you and your operation. Looking forward to more opportunities to connect at sales, shows, and other events in 2026!

Best Regards,

www.illinoisbeef.com

-Corbin Cowles

January/February 2026 - Illinois Hereford Bulletin

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WORLD HEREFORD CONFERENCE JOE ELLIS TO SERVE AS AHA DIRECTOR Joe Ellis, Chrisman, operates Ellis Farms Beef Genetics, a three-generation family business, which raises row crops and cattle to support four family households. Hereford cattle have always been the operation’s primary focus. Today, the family runs 200 momma cows. Joe and his wife, Lauri, have three daughters: Audrey, Hannah and Lauren.

The Ellis family has raised registered Herefords for 143 years. The first registered stock were brought into the family operation as a wedding gift in 1883: two cows and the imported sire, Beekjay Hero. The EFBeef program provides seedstock genetics to the commercial cow-calf producer and purebred sector. EFBeef genetics have been utilized on four continents and nearly all 50 states. They strive to produce a low-cost female with high fertility, which will thrive on fescue grass pastures, while also making a steer of the highest value that garners carcass weight and yield and quality grade incentives. The operation emphasizes producing a pound of beef more efficiently than prior generations through feed intake testing. EFBeef invests significant time and resources gathering genetic information each year. They’re committed to providing commercial cow-calf producers with additional data to help make decisions when marketing offspring sired

by EFBeef bulls.

Pictured is the 2025-26 AHA Board of Directors. Back row: Jim Coley, Tennessee; Joe Ellis, Illinois; Austin Snedden, California; Joe Dan Ledbetter, Texas; Danny Fawcett, South Dakota; and Scott Sullivan, Arkansas. Front row (l to r): Grant McKay, Kansas; Bryan Blinson, North Carolina; Cindy Pribil, Oklahoma; Jim Williams, Nebraska; Jerry Delaney, Minnesota; and Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president.

EFBeef is a two-time winner of the Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer Honor Roll of Excellence.

Joe’s parents, Phil and Joyce, previous directors of the AHA, were recently inducted into the Hereford Hall of Fame. EFBeef has been named the Illinois Hereford Breeder of the Year multiple times, along with being the winner of the Illinois Beef Seedstock Breeder of the Year and winning multiple grand championships at the national show in the ’70s and ’90s. EFBeef has received multiple honors and designations from the AHA and American Polled Hereford Association for Sires of Distinction, CHB SOD, Gold Seal Sire and Gold Trophy Sire.

Joe is retired from a career in the material handling industry. He currently serves as treasurer and is a past president of The Vermillion RISE, a 7,000-acre redevelopment of a former World War II Army base. He’s served on the County Area Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and is serving his 18th year as treasurer of the Hopewell Friends Meeting. Joe has served on the nominating committee for AHA Board candidates and the committee for genetic evaluation updates. He was a member of the 2005 Young Cattlemen’s Conference and was active in the APHA youth program during the 1980s. He will now serve a four-year term as director on the AHA board as decided at the 19th annual World Hereford Conference held October 22-26 in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Today’s growing demand for Hereford genetics is the result of breeders’ dedicated commitment to genetic improvement with the needs of commercial producers in mind,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president, regarding Joe and the other two Hereford producers that were recently elected as directors. “However, current breed opportunities are also the result of the selflessness and foresight of the men and women who have guided the AHA over time for the benefit of Association members. The new Board members, like those they join, have proven their dedication to the Hereford breed across decades.”

ONE OF TWO EE RANCHES SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO KADE BOATMAN Kade Boatman, Rockford, Illinois, is one of two Hereford juniors awarded a $5,000 EE Ranches Scholarship from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The other scholarship was awarded to Emma Ballinger of Kentucky. On October 24, during the Shaping the Breed’s Future: Young Breeders Competition and HYFA Scholarship Awards 2

Illinois Hereford Bulletin - January/February 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Luncheon on presented by VitaFerm®, HYFA and its donors awarded $165,500 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association members to help support their higher education goals.

A freshman at Lake Land College, Boatman is receiving his agricultural transfer credentials, while being an active member of the livestock judging team. He is currently most interested in a career in auctioneering and animal genetics.

“Not only am I interested in them, but I also see how they are beneficial toward the future of agriculture, which is what I am most passionate about,” Boatman says.

EE Ranches, Texas, sponsors two $5,000 scholarships each year through HYFA, made possible by Jo Ellard and her late HYFA directors, Ray Ramsey and Bruce Everhart, join Kade Boatman, Rockhusband, Bill, of Texas. EE Ranches was one of HYFA’s first ford, Illinois, and Emma Ballinger, McKee, Kentucky, the 2025 EE Ranches scholarship endowments, and the funds awarded over the years Scholarship recipients, during the award ceremony at the 2025 World have assisted many young people achieve their goals.

Hereford Conference coinciding with the AHA Annual Meeting.

“The quality of the applicants and the quality of their statements were first rate, making the selection of the recipients a very difficult task for the selection committee. More importantly, the quality of the applicants ensures they will be leaders who will position agriculture to meet the challenge,” says George Sprague, HYFA vice president and scholarship committee chair.

The scholarship fund serves as the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth benefit from its mission. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for youth in the Hereford breed.

LEMENAGER AWARDED NORTHEAST REGION POLLED SHOW FEMALE OF THE YEAR Regional Hereford show bull and female of the year winners, along with premier exhibitor awards, recognize Hereford breeders and exhibitors who present their cattle at the national level. To earn the coveted bronze cattle trophies, exhibitors collect points throughout the year by showing at national and regional events. Points were calculated throughout the 2024-25 show season, which ran from May 2024 through April 2025.

Northeast Polled Show Female of the Year was KJ 746D Coco Carmel 32L ET owned by Paige Lemenager of Hudson.

This year, Paige Lemenager of Hudson, Illinois, was awarded the Northeast Region Polled Show Female of the Year on October 26 in Kansas City following the National Hereford Show champion female drive of the American Royal.

$5,000 PERKS RANCH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO MEINHARDT Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan., was awarded the Perks Ranch Scholarship from the Hereford Youth Foundation of America.

Meinhardt, a sophomore at Kansas State University, is pursuing a degree in animal science and industry. Aspiring to a career in advocacy and communications, she believes the first step to effective representation is a strong understanding of the industry itself.

Rylie Meinhardt (center) was presented the Perks Ranch Scholarship by Tammy Boatman and Wade Perks of Perks Ranch.

www.illinoisbeef.com

The $5,000 Perks Ranch Scholarship, awarded by HYFA, honors the Perks Ranch of Illinois and highlights Doug Perks’ legacy and leadership during his time on the HYFA board of directors. He helped lead the $5 million capital campaign, which laid the groundwork for the foundation’s pillars — scholarships, leadership, education and research.

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SHOW RESULTS AMERICAN ROYAL NATIONAL HEREFORD SHOW | KANSAS CITY | OCTOBER 25-26

Open Reserve Grand Champion Female Champion Junior Yearling Female HAWK Priya 11 MET Owned by Ty Pezanoski

Open Grand Champion Bull

Champion Senior Bull BK PreGame 9113L Owned by Hawes Cattle, Texas; Jeff Paulsen, Iowa; and Garrett Post, Shabbona, Ill.

Open Reserve Champion Intermediate Bull PRCC Freedom 437M ET Owned by Prairie Rose Cattle Company

Junior Reserve Grand Champion Female Champion Junior Yearling Female HAWK Priya 11 MET Owned by Ty Pezanoski

Junior Reserve Champion Spring Heifer Calf

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION | LOUISVILLE | NOVEMBER 3-16

WILDCAT Versace 5068 ET Owned by Brady Jones

Junior Reserve Champion Junior Heifer Calf

WILDCAT Prosperity 5027 ET Owned by Lauren, Brady and Nick Jones

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Illinois Hereford Bulletin - January/February 2026

Junior Grand Champion Female

Junior & Open Show Champion Junior Yearling female HAWK Priya 11M ET Owned by Ty Pezanoski www.illinoisbeef.com

Junior Champion Bred & Owned Female Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Female KESL KORB KAGS Lollipop 11N Owned by Kesler Collins

Reserve Champion Spring Yearling Female RGR PURPLE Lilebet 34M ET Owned by Riley Rhodes

Junior Reserve Champion Junior & Open Champion Spring Heifer Calf Int. Yearling Female PURPLE Spencer 66N YB Bambi 711 2424 ET Owned by Kaylie, Holly and Chad Shelton Owned by Abagayle Britton

Open Show Champion Intermediate Yearling Bull PRCC Freedom 437M ET Owned by Prairie Rose Cattle Company

IHA ANNUAL MEETING & BANQUET WHERE: SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

T E V A S

T E! A D HE

WHEN: FEBRUARY 21, 2026; SOCIAL HOUR STARTS AT 5 PM

WHAT: ANNUAL MEETING, CASH BAR, DOOR PRIZES COST: $25 FOR ADULTS, $15 FOR KIDS RSVP TO NOAH BENEDICT BY FEBRUARY 10, 2026 | 217-372-8009 www.illinoisbeef.com

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SAVE JUNE 19-21, 2026 THE DATE

ILLINOIS JUNIOR HEREFORD ASSOCIATION PREVIEW SHOW

SALEM, IL

ENTRIES WILL BE OPEN MAY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 1, 2026

REMINDER: All steers will be required to be parent verified to both the sire and dam; therefore, a DNA profile of the steer, the sire and the dam must be completed through the official AHA lab by the entry deadline. To request a DNA kit for your animal, access your MyHerd or contact AHA customer service.

The IJHA follows all rules and guidelines put forth by the American Hereford Association unless otherwise stated.

HOTEL INFORMATION Headquarters: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Group Block Code: JHA 102 Holiday Ln Salem, IL 62881 618-740-0913 Cutoff deadline: 5/18/2026 for group rate $139.00

Other Hotels in Salem: Comfort Inn & Suites 1800 W Main St. Salem, II 62881 618-312-1055 Super 8 by Wyndham 118 Woods Lane Salem, IL 62881 618-740-4313

2025-2026 IJHA BOARD President: Kade Boatman Vice President: Connor Rhoads Secretary: Kendall Boatman Treasurer: Rhett Lehman Director of PR: Ella Bane

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Illinois Hereford Bulletin - January/February 2026

Directors: Morgan Richardson Aidan Knobloch Nolan Lee Faith Benedict Ella Crane Cora Belle Chapman Allie Anderson www.illinoisbeef.com

IHA WINTER CLASSIC SALE RESULTS 45 total lots; Average $5,615 • 2 bulls averaged $4,450 • 5 spring cows/choice pairs averaged $6,010 • 8 fall cow/calf pairs averaged $5,906 • 30 bred heifers averaged $5,550 High-seller commanded $10,250, a bred heifer consigned by Lorenzen Farms.

Jack and Sherry Lowderman Monte, Carrie and Rhett Brent, Kris, Blake and Morgan Cody, Abby, Nash and Tuck P.O. Box 488 Macomb, IL 61455 Office: 309-833-5543

www.lowderman.com

Lorenzen Farms Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803

Kings, IL 61068 Malcom 815-761-8462

Advertise HERE in Illinois Hereford bulletin olivia@illinoisbeef.com | 217-787-4280 www.illinoisbeef.com

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