Emily Bernard 815-992-8233 illinoishereford@gmail.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cody Crum, 217-248-7282
Jodi McMillan, 815-751-2293
Chad Benedict, 217-246-5099
Matt Anderson, 309-267-1410
David Biggs, 815-441-4354
Kim Carney-Rhodes, 217-899-4104
Jimmy Bernard
Craig Crutcher
Andrew Spinazola
Baker
IBC Bixler Herefords IBC Ellis Farms IBC Lorenzen Farms IFC, IBC, BC Lowderman Cattle Company IBC Milligan Herefords IBC Perks
1, IBC Torrance Herefords BC
by Devin Bollman of a Hereford calf at Perks Ranch near Rockford, Ill.
Photo
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE
In Southern Illinois, we are finally as dry today as we have been since March. As I write this, we still have 40 percent of our beans to plant and we finally rolled our first hay up yesterday, June 12. This has been a very challenging spring for our immediate area. Everyone continues to plant soybeans and there are several acres of corn that farmers elected to take prevent planting. Did I mention the wheat is ready to be harvested as well? The good news is the weather forecast seems to finally be in our favor to get some farming finished up.
The bright spot of this spring has definitely been the cattle market. The spring sale season was outstanding. The demand for all cattle has been great, but the demand for Hereford bulls has been record setting. In fact, in our neck of the woods it is nearly impossible to find a twoyear-old bull to sell for this breeding season. It appears that high cattle prices will continue for a while longer. Illinois Hereford Association membership, I encourage you to capitalize on this market. Plan your approach for the next year to maximize your profit and keep promoting the Hereford breed!
As summer begins, so does the summer show season. I would like to wish all Illinois Hereford Juniors the best of luck and safe travels as they head to Georgetown, Illinois, this weekend for the Illinois preview show and then as they travel to Grand Island, Nebraska, to compete at the junior national and the various state fairs in the Midwest. I am looking forward to seeing what our youth can accomplish with their summers!
-Kevin Babbs
CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN
What a stellar summer it has been to this point for the Upper Midwest Territory of the AHA. My travels thus far have shown me superb spring calf crops that represent some of the top sires in the breed, and breeders are displaying tremendous enthusiasm for the future of their operations. Even more, the state preview shows have been stacked with quality cattle from top to bottom. Illinois breeders descended upon Georgetown on Father’s Day weekend with a top-notch lineup of cattle that warranted lots of deliberation from the judges. Congratulations to all the exhibitors for a successful weekend, and best of luck as the show season progresses to Grand Island, state fair, and the fall show circuit.
As we look forward to the calendar post September 1, the region will be full of opportunities for commerce. A mixture of live and online sales alike are stacked in the calendar of events for the fall season. For a complete list, please reference the July issue of Hereford World. These offerings are sure to represent some of the best genetics Hereford breeders can acquire; if I can be of assistance in helping you purchase cattle this fall, please feel free to reach out. We at HPI are excited to help folks continue to market their product. Our extensive list of services can be catered to fit every situation. Whether it be catalog design/ production, postcard mailers, Hereford World ads, digital marketing, or anything else, we are ready to assist you with those needs. Additionally, we have a select few spots available for the Illinois breeder pages featured in the Hereford World; if you would like more information about those available opportunities or would like to advertise, please feel free to contact me.
Cowles, American Hereford Association
Territory 5 Field Staff
To conclude, it is no secret the weather has been challenging recently for people across the country. Excessive rainfalls halted plans for planting crops and hay cuttings, putting farmers significantly behind the eight ball. Now, the heat is starting to rear its head and make it difficult on livestock (and humans alike). Yet, even when Mother Nature makes life difficult, we are reminded by the Good Book that we serve the God of plentiful harvest who is faithful and just to provide. As Psalm 85:12 says, “Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.” My prayer is that the weather will stay in each of your favor and our faith stays strong that God will faithfully keep His promises.
Best,
-Corbin Cowles
Kevin Babbs, Illinois Hereford Association President
Corbin
IHA WINTER CLASSIC SALE
Illinois Hereford Association,
IHA Winter Classic Sale Part Two! A huge congratulations to those that consigned and made the Inaugural IHA Winter Classic Sale a success, and let’s look forward to making it even better for 2024.
The IHA Board has prioritized adding value for the Illinois Hereford Association membership. This second-annual event, is a way for all members to market the best of their herds , and connect with breeders and commercial cattleman from all over the state.
The Illinois Hereford Association Winter Classic Sale will be held on December 14th, 2024 in Carthage, IL at Carthage Livestock Inc. Brent and Kris Lowderman were incredible hosts last year, and we are excited for the chance to work with them again this year. They have and will continue to do incredible work for the Hereford breed, making this the perfect spot to continue to build this sale. Once again, Cody Lowderman will be serving as the auctioneer for this event.
I will be handling the screening process again for the IHA this year. The IHA board and I want to ensure quality stays consistent to help everyone turn as much profit as possible. All the nomination forms for the sale will be due on August 1st. Shortly after the first, I will begin planning to travel to farms with said nominations to screen the cattle.
When selecting cattle to nominate, I highly encourage you to select cattle that represent the best your program has to offer. The IHA Board sees the Winter Classic Sale as an annual event for breeders to purchase elite Hereford seedstock. To make this sale a household name, we must improve upon the already impressive set we had last year. Cattle with phenotypic quality, popular pedigrees, and desirable genomic profiles will add value and make this sale a success. The board and I will be placing a big focus on selling quality bred heifers and fall cow-calf pairs.
In the rest of this document, you will find the calendar of events, the general rules and requirements for the sale, and the nomination form. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The IHA Board and I are both looking forward building this sale for year two. We would love to work with any members of the IHA on consigning to this sale.
Sincerely,
The Illinois Hereford Association Winter Classic Sale is a screened sale. All cattle must first be nominated by the August 1st, 2024 deadline. All nominations must be accompanied by a non-refundable $50 per-lot nomination fee. If cattle are accepted after screening and consigned to the sale, this $50 fee will be credited to the consignor’s sale expenses. No cattle will be accepted that have not gone through the nomination and screening process. Any member of the Illinois Hereford Association that has paid their dues in 2024 and been accepted after nomination and screening is allowed to consign to this sale.
Other requirements:
1) Membership dues for the Illinois Hereford Association for 2024 must be paid by the time of nomination.
2) No animal will be accepted without actual (individual) EPD’s available by the time of cataloging. If EPD’s are not available at cataloging time, the animal will be rejected and no refund of fees will be made.
3) Any known carrier of any genetic defect will not be allowed to sell.
4) Cattle must be registered prior to cataloging, or they will not be accepted.
5) There shall be no substitutions after cataloging and there will be no refund of nomination or entry fees if an animal is not brought to the Winter Classic Sale. Substitutions may be made only prior to cataloging with screener approval.
6) Age of cattle:
a. All bulls must be at least 12 months of age, and no older than 30 Months of age
b. All females in sale must be under 5 years of age with calf at side or confirmed bred
c. Open females will be allowed in the sale, but in a limited amount
7) Bull Requirements
a. Must have passed a Breeding Sound Exam (BSE) within 30 days of the sale
b. Must have Genomically Enhanced EPD’s (GE-EPDS) and DNA on profile with the AHA
8) Female Requirements
a. Females being sold as bred to be confirmed on health papers within 30 days of sale
• Females due to calve between the sale and 2/15/25, have the option to provide a health paper within 60 days of sale to confirm pregnancy, alongside their standard health-paper within 30 days of sale
b. Females must be bred to have their first calf by 30 months of age
c. RECOMMENDED that females are ultrasounded to determine sex of the pregnancy
d. RECOMMENDED that females have GE-EPDS and a DNA on profile with the AHA
9) Health –
a. All cattle are required to have separate, official interstate health papers at sale time. Do not place multiple animals on one form.
b. All cattle must have a RFID or metal tag per state regulations. Suggested tests are Bangs, Anaplasmosis, Tuberculosis, and BVD. If your animal(s) sell into a state requiring listed tests, breeders will take the subject animal to its origin, have it tested, and once cleared, arrange shipping to the buyer.
10) Substitutions can be made up until the catalog deadline. They must be approved by the screener before said deadline.
11) Withdrawals made after cataloging are responsible for average sale expense of lot type.
Schedule of Events
August 1st
All nominations must be either post marked or emailed along with the $50 per lot nomination fee. Nomination fees are non-refundable but will be figured into sale expense if the animal is accepted.
August 1st - October 1st I will be making screening arrangements to be made.
October 15th
All information for catalog is due. Footnotes, pictures, breeding information, etc. Substitutions cannot be made after this date.
December 13th – 3 pm
All Cattle in place at Carthage Livestock Inc.
December 13th – 6 pm
Illinois Hereford Association Social
December 14th – 11:30 am
Illinois Hereford Association Winter Classic Sal
NOMINATION FORM
When selecting your animals to nominate, please keep in mind the rules and recommendations listed above in the document. All bulls to sell must have their DNA profile completed, and all females 30 months of age or older must be bred or have a calf at side. All cattle must be registered and have EPD’s by the time the catalogue is produced. Also, remember that your 2023 dues to the IHA must be up to date. Please Contact Buddy Edenburn or Noah Benedict for this.
Make checks payable to the Illinois Hereford Association. The fee is $50 per lot nominated. This is non-refundable but will be figured into sale expense if your nomination is accepted. Mail checks to Noah Benedict – 605 CR 2300 N – Dewey, IL 61840
Farm Name:
Mailing Address:
Farm Address (where screening will happen) :
Phone Number:
Email:
email nomination
to
CHAMPION POLLED FEMALE
JUNE 14-16,2024 |
KJ 746D COCO CARMEL 321L ET PAIGE LEMENAGER
3RD OVERALL POLLED FEMALE
HAWK PARKER 2302 ET ELLA BROOKS
POLLED RESULTS
RESERVE CHAMPION POLLED FEMALE
PRCC FAITH’S KATIE 303L ET FAITH BENEDICT
5TH OVERALL POLLED FEMALE
4TH OVERALL POLLED FEMALE
SPIN PIXI 104L BRYNLEY PYSZKA
HAWK RAINEE 6L ET NOLAN LEE
CHAMPION HORNED FEMALE
KJ TWJ 907E MARTINI 936K ET PAIGE LEMENAGER
3RD OVERALL HORNED FEMALE
STOL 711 28 MANEATER 0623 TENLEY STOLLARD
5TH OVERALL HORNED FEMALE
PURPLE HB ISLA 90L ELAINA WALSH
RESERVE CHAMPION HORNED FEMALE
CW CC MERLOT 361 ET LAUREN JONES
4TH OVERALL HORNED FEMALE
PRCC LSC LUCY 301L ET HATTIE YOUNG
JUDGE: CODY LAFRENTZ OWNED FEMALES
HORNED
JUDGE: DAN HOGE
CRANE THE BOSS 233
ELLA CRANE
CHAMPION COW/CALF PAIR
HPH 756 LADY LUCK 5480J
NICK JONES
CHAMPION STEER
DF ACD DARRELL 301
MAKENZIE HULS
BANE SIR MIXALOT 234
ELLA BANE
RESERVE CHAMPION COW/CALF PAIR
PERKS CATO 5049 CADY 1124
RHETT LEHMAN
RESERVE CHAMPION STEER
CRANE ANCHORMAN 2327
BROOKLYNN HULMES
SENIOR INTERMEDIATE
CHAMPION: LAUREN JONES
RESERVE CHAMPION: KENDALL BOATMAN
CHAMPION: RESERVE CHAMPION: ELLA BANE KADE BOATMAN
JUNIOR PEEWEE
CHAMPION: ELLA CRANE
RESERVE CHAMPION: ADDISON YOUNG
CHAMPION: CORBIN SWIGART
RESERVE CHAMPION: NASH LOWDERMAN
PREMIER BREEDER: PREMIER EXHIBITOR:
PRE PEEWEE:
NICK JONES
NICK JONES
RETIRING MEMBER:
Emma Richardson. Not Pictured-Corey Stumpf and Morgan Jones.
Junior Fitting: Champion-Peyton Sidles Reserve-Addison Young
Pee Wee Fitting Champion-Hattie Young
SALES AND SPEECH:
Illustrated Speech: Owen Crutcher
Corbin Perry
Advanced Speech: Caden Perry
Individual Sales: Addison Young
HARRY & GEORGE TJARDES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Morgan Richardson
WAYNE SAGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Morgan Richardson
2024 IJHA OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Morgan Richardson
CHRIS STEPHENS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Connor Rhodes
PROSPECT AWARD WINNERS:
BACK ROW: Brogan Keltner, Griffin Anderson, Cora Chapman, Lillie Anderson, Corbin Perry, Addison Young. FRONT ROW: Owen Crutcher, Crayton Chapman, Maggie Shepard, Hattie Anderson, Gabe Crutcher and Not Pictured Ty Anderson
FACES OF LEADERSHIP TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
BACK ROW: Shawn Crutcher, Caden Perry, Nolan Lee, Faith Benedict, Kade Boatman. FRONT ROW: Aidan Knobloch, Trevor Crutcher, Hatten Brother (representing Clayton & Denton Stapleton), Ellie Lehman, Kendall Boatman.
2024-2025 IJHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BACK ROW: Connor Rhoads, Ella Bane, Emma Richardson, Morgan Richardson (Vice President), Kendall Boatman (Secretary), Paige Lemenager (Director of Public Relations), Nolan Lee. FRONT ROW: Aidan Knobloch, Shawn Crutcher (Treasurer), Kade Boatman (President), Rhett Lehman.
2024 IJHA SPIRIT AWARD: Karson Sundberg
Kendall
Boatman twins named IBA’s 2024 Outstanding Juniors of the year, prioritize being
By Sara McClendon
As twins we are very competitive,” says Kendall Boatman. “We are always competing against each other.”
Kendall and her twin Kade own 2TK Cattle Company and help their parents manage Perks Ranch in Rockford.
The twins will start their senior year of high school in August. They have both been named the 2024 Illinois Beef Association Outstanding Junior for their humble, hardworking attitude and major contributions to the industry.
“I was very honored with the nomination,” says Tammy Boatman, Kade and Kendall’s mother. “Any parent would be to have someone else look in and see the hard work that your kids are doing. That’s what I’ve always taught them, to work hard. It was pretty special when I got the call.”
Tammy notes that typically the Outstanding Junior award goes to just one person each year. However, since Kendall and Kade both have the same interest and involvement in the beef industry, it was a special and unique circumstance for them both to be recognized.
Wade Perks, owner of Perks Ranch, says Kade and Kendall’s recognition is well-deserved.
“I’m glad Kade and Kendall were recognized because they are so selfless that they may almost go unnoticed,” Wade says. “They put the work and the time in.”
Born Into an Industry They Love
“As a sixth generation Hereford breeder, the industry kind of chose me,” Kade explains. “I don’t know anything else. If I didn’t have this industry, then I really have no clue what I would be doing.”
“I was basically born into this and I’ve been around it my entire life,” Kendall adds. “I’ve shown cattle ever since I could walk.”
Tom and Tammy Boatman have generations of experience in the Hereford industry. Tammy is fifth generation and Tom is third. It makes sense that their story began at a Hereford show.
“There is actually a picture from 1988 of Tammy and I both at Junior Nationals,” says Tom. “We are standing next to each other. We didn’t even realize it until much later.”
Even as babies, Kendall and Kade accompanied their parents as they worked with cattle. And, it was not long before Tom and Tammy found that both of the twins were naturals with cattle.
“I will never forget when they were about two-and-a-half years old, and we decided to enroll them in a preschool where they went two days, about 2 hours a day so they’d start getting social skills and be around some other kids,” Tammy recalls. “During that two-hour time period, Tom and I had moved some cows across the ranch to a totally different pen. We got back and were riding through the ranch, and both kids started pointing at the cows and saying their names.”
Tom and Tammy said they were amazed. Kade and Kendall were barely talking, but they could pick out and correctly identify cows in a new area. They even correctly identified their cows in sale catalogs. To this day, Tammy says if Kade and Kendall are there when a calf is born, they can pick out the calf from a mile away.
“We’ve always looked up to our parents and wanted to be like them,” says Kendall. “Seeing the success they’ve had throughout the years, we thought that starting our own cattle operation would give us the chance to
& Kade
the hardest workers in the room, staying humble and doing the right thing.
grow and learn new skills and hopefully be as successful as them one day.”
Max Stotz has known the family for a decade, helping at Perks Ranch on a regular basis. In addition to Tom and Tammy, he has been one of many mentors for Kendall and Kade. In fact, both the twins and Max agree they are like sponges around him, soaking up knowledge as they work with him.
“Kade and Kendall are well rounded and well-spoken kids,” Max says. “They were taught the honest way and know integrity. That’s all part of upbringing, and who you are surrounded by is key. They surround themselves with pretty good people. I could see the potential in these two kids when they were 10 years of age. I’m not disappointed. They’ve probably exceeded what I thought they would.”
Hard Work Delivers Results
Hard work is a consistent theme in Kendall and Kade’s life.
“Even if things don’t go your way, just keep your head up,” says Kendall. “If you keep working hard, it’s going to work to your advantage one day.”
“Always be the hardest worker in the room,” Kade agrees. “If you are the hardest worker in the room, then you will accomplish things.”
The Boatman twins have certainly accomplished a lot. They have won multiple awards for showing cattle and in FFA, including champion livestock judging teams, being named All-American and SAE projects. One standout award for Kade was his second year of showing at the Junior National Hereford Expo when he was named the Champion Peewee Showman.
“I remember the emotion I felt in the ring as soon as he gave me that grand champion slap,” Kade says.
For Kendall, the 2020 junior nationals sticks out in her memory. She won with a grand champion bull and won a division with a heifer.
“I was really proud of myself that I was able to breed and raise those cattle and put in the hard work to achieve my goals,” Kendall says.
Hard work is something others immediately recognize in Kendall and Kade.
“I think you’d struggle to find kids their age with their work ethic and talent,” says Noah Benedict, a close family friend who has worked with the Boatman family on sales, and in a professional capacity as a field manager for the American Hereford Association. “I’d put them against any cow people in the country on what they know about cattle operations. They’ve won awards all over the place. It’s pretty impressive. I think they have a true passion for the industry.”
Add in a love for the spirit of competition, and it is easy to see why the Boatman twins have been so successful.
“I think I’m most proud of Kade and Kendall, just for the drive and competitiveness they have,” Tom says. “They love to compete. They love to win. And I think what’s important in the world today is having that competitive drive.”
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
“I think competition makes us better at the end of the day because we are constantly pushing each other and we’re trying to beat each other,” says Kendall. “That makes us the best possible versions of ourselves. At the end
of the day, we’re a team and we win and lose together.”
This team mindset has been taught to Kade and Kendall since they were young. The family works together on the ranch, where the twins actively help their parents, learn the operation inside and out and make their own individual contributions.
Kendall is known for her outgoing, positive personality and love of the show barn.
“Kendall is the barn boss,” Max Stotz says. “Most families know who the barn boss is, and she runs the roost with show cattle. She’s detailed oriented and pays attention to the little things which is important if you want to succeed in the industry. You have to pay attention to the details.”
Kade is noted for his sense of humor, and always being the first one to jump in when they need to work with the cows or do tractor work.
“Kade is as sharp as they come,” Wade Perks says. “We were out looking at cows and he knows all the grass out in the pasture. He has a very mature sense of humor. He’s got a sophisticated wisecrack. I’ve seen him have conversations with my dad, who is 70, and my son who is 11.”
Despite all the time spent showing, and the numerous awards won, it is most important to Kendall and Kade that they do the right thing, no matter what.
“Both at the ranch and in our own operation, we strive to raise functional cattle that still have some style about them,” Kade says. “A lot of people say that they raise show heifers that can still go out into the real world and do what they are supposed to do. I like to think that I want to raise cattle that can go do things in the real world first, and then they can have style later. Without the cows in the pasture, we won’t ever have the showring.”
Future Beef Industry Leaders
To anyone who knows Kendall and Kade, one thing is clear: they have a strong future in the industry.
“My parents have always pushed me to do different contests and step into leadership roles,” Kendall says. “Without them, I might not be the person that I am today, or had the success that I’ve had.”
Kade and Kendall have been leaders in a variety of ag organizations. Kade has held multiple leadership positions in FFA, currently serving as treasurer. He is a junior leader in 4-H and also enjoys leading Illinois Junior Hereford Association as president. Kendall is also a junior leader in 4-H, and serves as president of FFA. She also is secretary of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association where she and Kade dedicate a lot of time and effort running meetings, securing sponsorships, and putting on the show. Both Kade and Kendall are also involved in Illinois Junior Beef Association.
“Last year we got the opportunity to go to the Illinois Junior Beef Tour for the first time, which was a really cool experience to just explore some different career pathways or possibly spark interest for me,” Kendall explains.
The twins also enjoy mentoring younger members, helping them stay inspired to stay involved in the agriculture industry. They both participate in the Pen-to-Pen program through the National Junior Hereford Association. Older members mentor younger members, giving them advice and guidance. Plus, Kendall and Kade serve as good role models for the future generation.
“They have a true passion for the industry and the Hereford breed too,” Noah Benedict says. “I’ve got a little sister and she’s now set goals for herself. She’s a few years younger than Kade and Kendall and I tell her to look at them, and that’s what you have to do. Having those role models and people who are passionate about it means you’re going to be in good hands when they are leading the way.”
For Tom and Tammy, encouraging their children to be involved and be leaders in the industry has left them with rewards beyond winning championships.
“The best decision I made was to sign them up for peewee speech at the junior national,” Tammy says. “They are really confident getting up in front of groups. They are responsible and organized with schedules and what we have to get done. They manage school, work and their activities.”
Both Kade and Kendall plan to continue livestock judging at junior colleges. Kade plans to graduate high school early and spend the second half of his senior year traveling to shows and ranches, gaining work experience and making connections. His future career is undetermined, but he is confident he will work with Hereford cattle and the beef industry. Kendall plans to get her bachelor’s degree in an ag-related field. She is excited to explore her career options, knowing that she will always be involved in the beef industry and ag community.
No matter where they end up, it is clear Kendall and Kade Boatman will continue to have a positive impact on the beef industry.
“Watch out for these kids,” Noah adds. “You’re going to see them win a lot more awards like this. It’s lucky IBA got in early!”
AUGUST
Kendall and Kade pose with their 2TK Cattle Co. sign at a show.
PERKS 2029 Copper Lady 5101 wins Champion Hereford Cow-calf pair at the North American International Livestock Exposition in 2017.
