Musgrave Jumbo
Blackbird 2051
Bred heifer by Musgrave Jumbo due February 2025.
IN THIS ISSUE:
January/February 2025
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 Buetke
Jeff Dameron
Chris Cassady
Clay Sellmeyer
Dan Naughton
Eric McClure
David Mool
Bodee Schlipf
Brad Evans
Tracey Rawlings
CONTACT
ON THE COVER
Photo by Devin Bollman of a catalog at the 2024 Multi Breed Female Sale at Illinois
UPCOMING EVENTS
Message from your President
Happy New Year Angus enthusiasts! This is the time when New Year’s Resolutions and reflections are made to see what can be done to have a better 2025. There is no better way to start a year than with new life! Midwinter/spring calving has begun for a large portion of our Angus family, what a more wonderful way to begin a year than with newborn calves. My favorite season is calving season! I’m anxious to see what our sire choices have created, how the embryos calves turn out, and whether my wagers with my son on calf gender get rewarded. There’s nothing better than to watch a mother cow do her job and get that newborn calf cleaned up and nursing. We are not always that lucky with bred heifers but once they get the idea, often with assistance, all is good. I pray everyone keeps safe from exhausting calf watch schedules and your calving season presents very few unexpected challenges.
Our inaugural Fall Female Sale was held December 14 at Fairview Sale Barn in Fairview. The weather was not the best, a bit rainy and icy, however, bidders still ventured out and the online bidding was very active. The sale was successful and there will be another sale next year. A big thank you to our consignors who entered a quality set of breeding stock and to our IAA Show/Sale Committee for organizing this event.
IAA membership forms will be sent out soon. These are for new members and renewals. If you are an Angus breeder and have not joined the state organization, we would like to invite you to give us an opportunity to serve you. We are offering our annual banquet and conference on March 8 at Northfield Inn in Springfield; you are more than welcome to attend (information included in this issue). Another membership option would be one of our local associations near you that offer show opportunities for your children and sale opportunities for your cattle. Juniors are one of our main focuses. They are our breed’s future.
Hoping you are all off to a good year and hope to see you at upcoming shows, sales and our annual banquet.
Carla Jurgenson, Illinois Angus Association President
Illinois Junior Angus Association Update
We are excited to welcome our new advisor Ashlynn Mool to the Illinois Junior Angus Association. As a recent junior member Ashlynn is a familiar face to many and brings valuable experience to the role. Feel free to reach out to her anytime!
Second Annual IJAA Banquet
• Northfield Inn and Suites in Springfield
• March 8, 2025
Mark your calendars! Join us at our upcoming banquet for a fun day featuring junior and adult programs and lunch .
Officer and Director Applications
Please refer to our website, www.illinoisangus.com, if you would be interested in running for an officer or director for this upcoming year! You can find the application under the “Junior Association” tab on our website. All applications are due by March 1.
Miss American Angus, Lauren Wolter, presents awards at the 2024 Angus Convention Awards Dinner
Miss American Angus, Lauren Wolter, Illinois Junior Beef and Illinois Junior Angus Association member, presented recognition and awards at the 2024 American Angus Association Convention and Awards Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas, in early November.
This includes the Roll of Victory winners (photo example).
Thank You to Our Supporters
We are so thankful for everyone who has supported us this year, without you we would not be able to do the things we do. Thank you for being with us and believing in our mission.
Adam Stuckemeyer Earns Junior Silver Award
Adam Stuckemeyer, Altamont, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Silver award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo.
Stuckemeyer is the 18-year-old son of Daron and Crystal Stuckemeyer and attends Beecher City High School. He is a member of the NJAA, and the Illinois Junior Angus Association.
He has participated in local and national shows. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Stuckemeyer participated in the Skill-A-Thon contest.
He has submitted DNA samples for Genomic Profile Testing through Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and has consigned cattle.
The Silver award is the second level of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.
Show Results
2024 American Royal Junior Angus Show
Kansas City, MO | October 25
Judge: Jeff Dameron, Ill.
Owned Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion
SCC Phyllis 3110
Owned by Ella Brooks
2024 American Royal Super Point Roll of Victory Angus Show
Kansas City, MO | October 26
Judge: Chad Holtkamp IA
Photos by Next Level Images
SCC SFC Phyllis 324 Owned by Brenna Bartlow
Grand Champion Bull BNWZ Paisley 2143
Owned by Jeff Fruhling, Ill., and Austin Nowatzke, Ind.
2024 North American International Livestock Exposition Super Point Roll of Victory Angus Show
Louisville, KY | November 17
Judge: Barry Nowatzke Ind.
Photos by Linde’s Livestock Photos
Louisville, KY | November 18
2024 North American International Livestock Exposition Junior Angus Show
Judge: Barry Nowatzke, Ind.
Photo by Linde’s Livestock Photos
Reserve Junior Heifer Calf ChampionDivision 2
FCF JAF Proven Queen 421 Owned by Macie Bartlow
Junior Champion - Division 2
PVF SFA Blackbird 3303
Senior Heifer Calf Champion - Division 1
Seldom Rest Pin Up Gal 3223 Owned by Cody Robert York,
Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair
TLF Northern Miss Owned by Holly Marsh
From raising kids to selling bulls T.J. Curtin is dedicated to quality work and successful outcomes.
By Olivia Hoots
After a long, wet, winter, the ice begins to melt, the skies open and the blades of grass in the pasture begin to smell like spring. You look out in awe, thankful for the good Lord that your cows have survived another Illinois winter, cold nights of calving and all. As you check on your cows and their calves you notice the one born in late February on the coldest night of the year. She’s walking strong – getting up at 2 a.m. is always worth it to see that sight. As she runs alongside her mother your face forms a proud smile, you aren’t sure how it got there, it was almost involuntary.
Across the pasture, there is your pride and joy, a bull calf you hope to sell in a Performance Tested Bull Sale someday, next to its mother. You remember choosing the sire – that also makes you grin. T.J. Curtin of Blue Mound has felt these types of emotions in his own pastures, anticipating one of his most favorite parts of selling bulls, the day they sell. As a consigner to the Illinois Performance Tested Bull sale, T.J. knows what it means to prize quality and thoroughly tested bulls, ones that will be worth something to other cattlemen. Here is a little insight into T.J., his family, and of course, his Angus cattle.
Family Business
T.J. And his wife Megan live between Blue Mound and Taylorville on their farm with their four children, Audrey, Will, Patrick, and Nora. Megan teaches junior high P.E. and also helps run the social media account for their freezer beef sales. The pair met in college through friends but still grew up not too far apart, with Megan’s parents in Decatur and T.J.’s parents in Stonington.
The Curtin’s oldest daughter, Audrey, 18, goes to college
in El Dorado, Kansas, where she is on the livestock judging team, which helps her dad choose their best bulls for sales. She also has a custom jewelry business. “It has turned into quite the business, T.J. says.
“I really love business and being an entrepreneur,” Audrey says.
T.J. recalls a story from when their oldest son, Will, was about five and a UPS man rang their doorbell “You’ve got a bunch of cows out here,” he told Megan, who answered the door.
“Okay, alright,” she responds.
“What color are their tags,” Will pipes up.
“Yellow.”
“Okay I know where they go.” And little Will wrangled them all back in.
At just 16, he is the farmer of the four kids, always wanting to be on the farm taking care of the calves, mowing pastures, etc. He says he loves being outside, and is a workforce on the farm according to his dad. “I could not do what I do without him.” He has also been noticed by surrounding farmers who would like to hire a Will to help with their own operations.
“Boy I sure did like meeting your son,” said one farmer. Their next son, Patrick, is 15 and known for his passion on the basketball court, and in the baseball diamond, at Taylorville High School. Though he is not as involved with the cattle, he has his own jobs around the farm and the Curtin’s ultimately want all their kids to chase what they are most passionate about. “I encourage my kids to follow what they want to do,” T.J. says.
Nora, the Curtin’s youngest daughter, is in 7th grade, and loves showing cattle, playing volleyball and dancing.
T.J., Nora, Will, Audrey, Megan and Patrick.
Angus Business
The Curtin’s raise over 50 head of cattle on their operation and do have some farm ground for raising corn and soybeans too, which means they need to manage calving season around harvest and planting like many farmers.
Typically, they calve half their cows in early spring, and half in early fall, and while aiming for early-born bulls.
The Curtin family overall has spent over 80 years in the cattle business. T.J. remembers growing up in the Illinois Junior Angus Association program, doing preview shows and doing junior nationals in the 90s. He did a judging team just like his daughter while in high school and brought some his own ideas home from his own college experiences. Ultimately, T.J. is passionate about selling bulls and females that produce performance cattle, ones that help other producers improve their herds.
In terms of genetics, T.J. believes in seeking out highlyproven bulls from reputable Angus operations throughout the country that they can implement into their own cowcalf operation. This contributes to their goal to produce registered Angus bulls.
A Performance Tested Business
Years ago, T.J. was involved with the Illinois Performance Tested Bull sale except for from 2009 to 2019 when they had their own production sale at farm. Since then, they have made appearances at each IPT Bull Sale and will again sell bulls there in 2025.
The Curtins appreciate the standards the sale represents, and that each bull has to go through a rigorous set of standards
“As a buyer, you can look at all the rigorous tests these bulls had to go through, you can have assurance that you have a quality bull bought that should not give you trouble down the road,” T.J. says.
This year, they have three bulls out of the same cow to market. She is a donor cow purchased in fall 2020, Deer Valley Rita 8154. Audrey and Will went in search of a foundation female. She is a member of the first cow crop of the Deer Valley Growth Fund. T.J. is grateful for the job the cow has done for them so far, with strong calving ease EPDs, a great utter, and a strong phenotype, and she still provides flexibility on sire choice.
“We’re pretty pleased to have the buyers come put their appraisal on them,” T.J. says about the three bulls they are
about to market.
“Throughout my career here, over 20 years of raising Angus cattle, we have bred these cattle that have a heck of an engine under the hood. That is what I want to say about the Performance Tested Bull Sale,” T.J. stresses. “These cattle, they have to be tested, and there is a difference in the type of Angus cattle that you breed as far as performance goes,” for these types of sales.
For his small feedlot for their freezer beef business, that performance that’s documented and tested for selling breeding bulls carries over into the quality of beef they produce for their beef sales. “The difference to those cattle as far as performance and predictability is another reason why I value to buy bulls at performance tested sales,” T.J. says.
At the IPT bull sale he always appreciates the camaraderie and work ethic of the other consigners. His brother, Joe Curtin, consigned some of the prized bulls in the past few years. Also to T.J., the Kramer family is highly respectable, and enjoys the friendly competition amongst another Angus breeder. “They always have good bulls,” T.J. says. He also enjoys talking to Simmental consigner Curt Rincker and admiring his “excellent” consignment of cattle and has also looked up to Bud Hobbs and admired his quality of cattle.
“There is just something about cattle people. When I am with others who raise cattle, there is a brotherhood there, a fraternity. We have all had bad days, we have all had good days,” T.J. explains.
Heart Business
Behind the curtain of this operation is a true delight in
raising cattle. The springtime pasture is “like a drug” to T.J., and a good bull sale his high.
The entire process of cattle raising is something he will never undervalue. “I have thought about which bulls to AI my cows to, I have bred them, they get bred then eventually have a live calf. Then they raise the calf, I manage him correctly and that day he sells is a thrill to me,” T.J. says.
Megan, T.J., and Audrey.
Will working cattle.
Member Awards
Member Awards
NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
Your nominations for the IBA member awards are critical to recognize those individuals who "give their all" to make our industry the best it can be. This is an opportunity to recognize them both personally and professionally.
All awards nominations are due by March 28, 2025. Nomination forms can be found at www.illinoisbeef.com/membership/awards
Farm Family of the Year
A beef producer family in Illinois who has done an outstanding job in the production and promotion of beef and exemplified leadership skills on the county and state level.
Member of the Year
A member of IBA who continually goes above and beyond to support the efforts of the association, and demonstrates a commitment to the Illinois cattle industry, and its people.
Commercial Producer of the Year
A beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the commercial cattle industry.
Seedstock Producer of the Year
A beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the purebred cattle industry.
Environmental Producer of the Year
A beef producer in Illinois whose natural resource stewardship practices protect the environment and contribute to productivity and profitability.
Outstanding Junior of the Year
A member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association who exemplifies integrity, leadership and commitment to being active in Illinois' beef cattle industry.
PRODUCER MEMBERSHIP FORM
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rudow’s Queen 460
Knights of Columbus Hall 213 S. Locust Street Pana, Ill. 62557
Rudow’s Erica 817 Selling 18 month old and
Rudow’s Rosetta 961
Rudow’s Miss Erica 48
Rudow’s Empress Pride 194
Rudow’s Enchantress 839
Several bulls will be calving ease. - All of the bulls will be 50K tested.
March 8 • Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center
2025 ANNUAL BANQUET & CONFERENCE
2025 ANNUAL BANQUET & CONFERENCE
We are excited to host the second annual banquet for the Illinois Angus Association on March 8, 2025, at the Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center in Springfield, Illinois. This year will feature junior and adult tracks for the afternoon with programs focused on marketing strategies for today’s Angus producer.
FEATURES OF THE DAY’S PROGRAM INCLUDE:
Illinois Junior Angus Activities:
• Lunch at a Certified Angus Beef restaurant and tour of the HyVee Meat Counter and discussion of branded beef in retail
• Speakers including: Representatives from SCOnline, Certified Angus Beef, and Angus Media staff
• The Annual Meeting of the IJAA, Elections, Celebration of Accomplishments
Illinois Angus Association:
• Speaker rotation focused on marketing: featuring speakers from SCOnline, Certified Angus Beef, and Angus Media Staff
• Illinois Angus Association Annual Meeting
• Joint Illinois Angus and Illinois Junior Angus Banquet:
• Social hour, dinner and auction to raise support for Junior Angus activities
Sponsorship Levels:
• Premier Sponsor ($1000 and Up): trade show booth, signage at event and in advertising leading up to event
• Gold Sponsor ($500 and Up): signage at event and in advertising leading up to event, Option to provide information on tables at event and dinner
• Mention Sponsor ($250 and Up): mention of name in program at Annual Meeting and on tables at banquet Registration will open up after January 15.
For more information or to support the conference as a sponsor please contact Tracey Rawlings at 217-737-6607 or Theresa Miller at 217-649-1990.