Illinois Angus News - July/August 2023

July/August 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Carla Jurgenson

Vice President: David Mool

Secretary: Clay Sellmeyer

Business Manager: Doug Turner

Past President: David Jenkins

Bureau County: John DeRycke

Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager

Illinois Valley: Open

Lamoine Valley: Tracy Rawlings

Logan County : Carla Jurgenson

Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll

South Central: Richard Hurst

Wabash Valley: Shaye Harre

Directors at Large:

Grant Bedel

TJ Curtin

Jim Marsh

Bradley Wolter

Kyle Buetke

Jeff Dameron

Chris Cassady

Clay Sellmeyer

Dan Naughton

Greg McClure

David Mool

Bodee Schlipf

Brad Evans

ADVERTISERS INDEX

CONTACT

To place advertisements or your latest Angus news contact: Olivia Hoots

Illinois Beef Editor Illinois Beef Association 217-787-4280

olivia@illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

ON THE COVER

Photo taken at Lemenager Cattle during the IBA Junior Member of the Year video shoot. Paige Lemenager received this year’s award.

UPCOMING EVENTS

William Miller earns Silver Award

William Miller, Gridley, Illinois, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s Silver award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Miller is the 13-year-old son of Alan and Theresa Miller and attends El Paso Gridley Middle School. He is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association, where he serves as director.

He has participated in local, state, regional and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show, Miller participated in the team fitting contest and the All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off. He also participated in the mentoring program in 2018. In 2020 he attended Angus Convention in. He has consigned cattle to the Prairie View Farms Sale.

The Silver award is the second of three levels 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 honors. 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. The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for the nearly 6,000 active members nationwide.

Pioneer

Gary Dameron, Lexington, Illinois, won pioneer breeder at the 2023 AllAmerican Angus Breeders’ Futurity Roll of Victory Show, June 11 in Louisville, Kentucky. Pictured from left are Tom Burke, show chairman; Miss American Angus Kelsey Theis; Gary Dameron, recipient; Paul Hill, vice show chairman; Anne Patton Schubert, executive show committee; and Jamie Smith Nicholson, show treasurer. Photo by Next Level Images.

Show Results

DDA

Owned

Heifer Calf

Seldom Rest Sandy 2207

Owned By: Anne Dameron

Owned by: Jack Dameron

Kramers Nellie 1253

Owned by: Quentin Day

Owned

Breeder

2023 Atlantic National Regional Preview Junior Angus Show & Super Point ROV Angus Show Timonium, Md. | May 27 | Judge: Chris Wojciechowski, Middlebrook, Va. Photos provided by Next Level Images

Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

Northern Miss 2211

by: Reese Anderson

Champion Owned Fall

3rd Place Senior Showmanship Jack Dameron

National Merit Scholarships From Illinois: Reese Anderson

ROV Reserve Grand Champion Female

Seldom Rest Sandy 2030

ROV Senior Heifer Calf Champion

ROV Grand Champion Bull BNWZ Paisley 2143

by: Jeff Fruhling and Austin Nowatzke

2023 Central Illinois & Junior Angus Association Preview Show

Bloomington, Ill. | June 1-3 | Judge: Steve Patton, Ind.

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photos

Central IL Grand Champion Heifer Quentin Day

Central IL Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Ashton Dillow

Central IL 3rd Overall Heifer Paige Lemenager

Central IL 4th Overall Heifer Jack Dameron

Central IL 5th Overall Heifer Reese Anderson

Central IL Grand Champion Steer Anna Curley

Central IL Reserve Grand Champion Steer Clay Miller

Central IL Grand Champion Bull Anne Dameron

Central IL Reserve Champion Bull Reese Anderson

Supreme Champion Bred & Owned Female Max Dameron

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Female Paige Lemenager

3rd Overall Bred & Owned Female Amelia Miller

4th Overall Bred & Owned Female Ashlyn Mool

5th Overall Bred & Owned Female Anne Dameron

Supreme Champion Owned Female Ashton Dillow

Reserve Champion Owned Female Quentin Day

3rd Overall Owned Female Ella Brooks

4th Overall Owned Female Ashlyn Mool

5th Overall Owned Female Paige Lemenager

Champion Steer Kyle Eathington

Reserve Champion Steer Cheyenne Handsaker

Champion Pee-Wee Showman Tess Renfrow

Junior Division A Showman Champion Hank Renfrow Res. Champion Logan Suits

Junior Division B Showman Champion Macie Carroll Res. Champion Blake Wolter

Champion Intermediate Showman Addison Bartlow

Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman Caden Crain

Senior Division Champion Champion Ashlyn Mool Reserve Champion Cody York

The Joseph Besler Award Ashlyn Mool

The Troy Miller Award Paige Lemenager

IJAA Scholarship Recipients Jordan Oliver & Adam Miller

The Beryl Rutledge Award Reese Anderson

IJAA Royalty

IJAA Board

Illinois Angus

2023 All-American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Junior Show & Roll of Victory Show

Louisville, Ky. | June 10-11 | Terry Burks, Bowling Green, Ky. & John McCurry, Burrton, Kan.

Photos by Next Level Images

Fourth Overall Bred and Owned Champion Female

Dameron C-5 Lucy 2242

Owned by: Anne Dameron

Shore Acres SCC Phyllis 227

Owned by: Ella Brooks

Dameron Primrose 2146

Owned by: Max Dameron

Bred & Owned Reserve Senior Champion Female

Allstar Barbara 154

Owned by: Luke Zimmerman

Bred & Owned Reserve Junior Champion Heifer

PVF Blackbird 2061

Owned by: Ashton Dillow

Bred & Owned Reserve Intermediate Champion Heifer

BNF Saras Dream 2210

Owned by: Claire Kuipers

BOY Proven Queen 291K

Owned by Jack Dameron

W G A Maverick 12K

Owned by: Holly March

Destinys Prime 325

Owned by: Morgan Hutchins

Destinys Back In Black 320

Owned by: Morgan Hutchins

BOY Proven Queen 291K

Owned by: Jack Dameron

SCC CB Phyllis 1114

Owned by: Ella Brooks

3rd Overall Bred & Owned Champion Female

5th Overall Bred & Owned Champion Female

3rd Overall Owned Champion Female

ROV Intermediate Champion Bull

ROV Reserve Intermediate Champion Bull

ROV Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion

ROV Grand Champion Female

ROV Reserve Grand Champion Female

Get BQA’d and Support Your State Angus Association

Share your current BQA certification for a chance to win money for your state or regional Angus association.

By Morgan Boecker

You can’t easily quantify the days and nights tending to each new calf, or livestream to prove each animal gets the correct vaccine in the right place. You can’t show how it all works to protect the herd from ever having a bad day.

But it’s that level and attention to care that consumers are curious to know.

“The Certified Angus Beef ® brand built its reputation on taste,” says Bruce Cobb, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) executive vice president of production. “Now consumers are looking for added attributes—they want to know how cattle are raised, too.”

Taste still leads the way, but marketing details about production let consumers who buy CAB feel good about taking it home to their families, he says. Today, their biggest concern is animal welfare.

Accredited programs such as Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) help verify that commitment to care with consumers.

That’s why CAB is challenging Angus members to share their current BQA certification for a chance to win up to $2,000 for their state or regional Angus association. Until June 30, BQA or equivalent certificates can be submitted at CutTheBull. info/challenge. To be eligible, a single association must have at least 30% of its members participate. Find all of the challenge rules and how to win online.

Tell a Stronger Story with BQA

CAB is uniquely positioned to share production practices with licensed partners who sell and serve the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. Such sharing creates many passionate brand advocates, curious and eager to understand the level of care ranchers give every day so they can share that story with their customers. Of course, it’s not feasible to take every beef consumer to the ranch for the same experience.

“BQA provides cattlemen a framework to capture production information and share it with consumers,” Cobb says. “Surveys show that when consumers learn about BQA, their trust in producers grows.”

That’s why the CAB “Cut the Bull” campaign asks Angus cattlemen to share proof of their BQA certification with the brand. It lets CAB cut through the noise and spotlight the truth about animal welfare at the ranch.

“Cut the Bull shows producers a simpler way to tell their story,” Cobb says. “But it also tells beef buyers and sellers what producers have always done for effective cattle care.”

How to Get Certified

Get certified online at BQA.org or find a training near you. Getting certified online can be done at your own pace in a few hours that can be broken up over days.

If you’ve completed BQA training in the past, check to make sure it is still current. BQA certificates expire every three years, making it a continuing opportunity to learn the latest best practices backed by science and common sense, Cobb says.

It’s a simple, free and effective way to protect your reputation in a way that resonates with every segment of the beef industry.

Even cattlemen not affiliated with an Angus association can submit a certificate for a chance to win each month. Certified Angus Beef also draws from the list of submitted certificates to win a new vaccine cooler.

Learn more and share your certificate at CutTheBull.info.

Paige Lemenager

by Sara McClendon

Recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Junior of the Year Award Proves the Industry’s Future is Bright

Winning a national show championship, receiving awards across multiple breeds and serving in leadership positions for various beef industry organizations takes a certain amount of drive and determination. Add in the fact that it was all accomplished as a young adult, and it is clear that 19-year-old Paige Lemenager, the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Junior Member of the Year from Illinois Beef Association, is blazing a path for a strong future in the industry.

The Outstanding Junior of the Year award recognizes a member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association who shows integrity, leadership and dedication to Illinois’ beef cattle industry. Three areas where Paige, who serves as vice president, has shown up and stood out. Combine that with a humble attitude and a commitment to helping younger members of the industry, and it is easy to see how she has already made a name for herself in the beef industry.

Paige currently attends Lake Land College where she competes on the livestock judging team, an endeavor she began in high school. She also is the Lake Land College Collegiate Farm Bureau President and represents the college as a student ambassador. She has served in leadership positions in 4-H and FFA as well.

However, Paige is quick to point out that her success did not happen overnight. It took years of practice to hone her craft and reach the level she is at today. And it all started at home, on the family’s cattle operation in Hudson.

A Family’s Passion for the Industry

Lemenager Cattle began as an Angus operation in 1998 when Paige’s parents, Luke and Stacy Lemenager, purchased their first heifer together. It is a purebred operation, utilizing IVF with a progressive embryo herd.

Paige spent her childhood working alongside her parents and learning the ins and outs of a successful beef operation while they balanced their professional careers. As she worked in the family business, she made a point to understand different pedigrees. She also observed her parents’ passion for the beef industry.

In 2015, the family decided to expand to a second breed and introduce Herefords to diversify the operation and for Paige to show in addition to Angus heifers. Plus, as Luke says, the Herefords made it easy to distinguish which of the herd was his daughter’s.

After arriving home late one evening, Luke encouraged Paige to go out to the barn where a Hereford heifer was waiting for her.

“That was one of the most exciting moments for me because I knew it was the beginning of a new chapter,” Paige says.

For not having grown up raising Herefords, Paige said the industry welcomed her with open arms. She credits this to the strong community the beef industry has as a whole.

Luke and Stacy both grew up showing cattle and they passed

that passion down to their daughter. Stacy showed steers, and Luke and his brother, Chuck, showed breeding stock. At the time, they did not realize just how competitive their future would be in the show ring. However, Luke says that from a young age, Paige always gave her all to everything she did.

“When she was little and playing softball, she played with all her might,” Luke says. “When she played basketball in junior high, she gave 100 percent. She completely committed to everything she did.”

He says when Paige entered high school, she quickly realized that to give cattle the time and attention required, she would need to narrow her focus, which she did by continuing to show and becoming a leader in FFA.

“One thing we have always taught her is it only takes a little bit more effort to do something right,” Luke says. “We did not push her, but she realized if she was going to be competitive, she needed to focus on this. She saw a path to success and she has worked really hard.”

Luke and Stacy are Paige’s core role models in her life. They work together to accomplish their goals, and have taken on leadership roles in the industry that stood as a shining example of what it means to give back to others.

Paige’s extended family has also helped guide her way. She says watching her dad and her Uncle Chuck’s drive and optimism has influenced how she navigates her way through the industry. Her cousin Gabrielle also won the Outstanding Junior of the Year Award, which helped inspire Paige as well.

Hard Work Pays Off in the Show Ring

Paige says her show journey began at the county fair. Before ever stepping foot in the show ring, she was observing and learning from people who had built a strong reputation. From there, she spent countless hours working with heifers, leading to top awards in both Angus and Hereford breeds.

Then, at the Central Illinois Angus Preview Show and Illinois Junior Angus Field Day in Bloomington, Paige told her parents she was ready to try and hit the national stage and earn a spot to compete at the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest. With only one shot to get it right, Paige signed up for the competition, despite the fact that many people wait until they are 20- or 21-years-old to compete at that level and she was just 18.

“I didn’t necessarily want to be a trailblazer,” Paige says. “I just wanted people to feel that they could confidently pursue that challenge and contest at any age.”

Despite her history of many shows and many wins, the national ring offered a completely unique feeling to Paige.

“Being there in Kansas City was a surreal feeling,” Paige says. “Making top 15 was my goal. I had no idea what was to come after that because there were 15 people that I was standing alongside that I can confidently say I would put on the end of one of my heifers.”

Walking out of the ring, Paige was surrounded by her support system including mentors who had guided her along the way, and mentees who she had helped. She says being surrounded by people of all ages who supported her was an emotional moment as she was named the 2022 National Junior Angus Showmanship Winner.

Each accomplishment in showing serves its own meaning to Paige. Every award represents a different animal that she worked countless hours with, building a bond and

relationship. Plus, with a team of supporters backing her up, it is clear that relationships are what are most important to Paige.

“When I step into the show ring, no matter how it goes, I know that I am heading in there with a team behind me and a heifer I am proud to stand by,” Paige says. “That is what I get the most joy out of in the big picture.”

Paige and her family also prioritize bringing show heifers back into the herd. Paige says it is an amazing feeling to see a former show heifer become a donor. It is the relationship with the animal that means the most to Paige, and she gets a sense of pride every time a heifer is recognized because it means people believe in her, her family and in their genetics.

Leadership In and Out of the Ring

Paige credits the Illinois Junior Angus Association and Illinois Junior Hereford Association for laying the groundwork for interest and skill in leadership. She also says her involvement in the Illinois Junior Beef Association has been a rewarding experience.

“Being able to connect with people who come from different parts of the beef industry is what I really enjoy about the Illinois Beef Association,” Paige says.

Networking with others in the industry is important to Paige. It is the sense of community she gets from others in the industry that keeps her involved and leading the way. Her involvement in beef associations have also provided insight on how impactful older members can be in shaping younger members on their own journey in the industry.

“There is always someone looking up to you,” Paige says. “That is a very humbling feeling. It is a lot of pressure in some ways but I enjoy that. I enjoy serving as a role model and I hope I make people proud in my endeavors and in the way I carry myself.”

Without a doubt, Paige has made those in her life proud. Luke says that in the midst of keeping busy with showing and the business, he is grateful for opportunities to stop and reflect on all Paige has accomplished.

“We are grateful for this recognition from Illinois Beef Association. It was a pleasure to have them come to the farm and interview Paige and allow us to step back for a minute and appreciate all that she has accomplished and the memories we have made along the way. We are so very proud of her,” Stacy says.

While many would consider Paige and her peers as the future of the industry, Paige knows that it is never too soon to start mentoring the next generation of leaders.

The Pen-to-Pen program through the National Junior Hereford Association is of many opportunities Paige has used to connect with younger showmen. The program connects a younger member of NJHA to a mentor during the Junior National Hereford Expo, but the mentoring does not stop once the event is over. Afterwards, mentor and protégé continue to communicate through written correspondence the rest of the year, creating a lasting bond and a fantastic opportunity for younger members to learn and grow.

However, mentoring is not always through an official program. While at shows, Paige makes a point to connect with younger participants to share advice and encouraging words. She understands they are watching her, and other older kids in the show ring, just like she did when she was young.

The advice she would give to younger participants is simple: Take opportunities when they come your way and do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

“I have to brag on my parents for this one,” Paige says. “There was never an opportunity they let pass me by. They always pushed me to pursue opportunity because that is what grows you as an individual, grows your network and builds your legacy.”

industry.

“It is such a strong industry not only professionally, but socially,” Paige says. “You create this bond with people that is like no other.”

We are in the process of updating the Illinois Angus Association membership list. Please send us your updated contact info, including email.

Name:_______________________________________________

Paige encourages younger members of the beef industry to not be afraid to take on a leadership role. It might be scary at first, but networking is key to learning and becoming part of the industry. When attending shows, Paige encourages others not to just sit at stalls with friends, but to go and meet new people. She says building a network and being active in organizations like Illinois Junior Beef Association is crucial to building a solid foundation in the industry.

Farm Name: __________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

City:__________________________Zip:___________________

As Paige moves into her sophomore year, she keeps her studies at the top of her priority list. She is passionate about agriculture economics. She has plans to obtain her bachelors and has her sights on law school to receive her juris doctorate degree. Ultimately, she wants to serve as an estate and succession attorney, giving back to those in the ag industry who have helped her.

With core values of staying disciplined and being open minded, it is a safe bet that Paige will remain a fixture of the Illinois ag community. It is her commitment to the beef industry that gives hope for the next generation of leaders.

A Bright Future Ahead

Paige points out that there were many organizations, foundations, companies and individuals who have made investments into her and her peers’ future in the beef

Angus Association dues - $30.00 please mail this card and your check to:

“I plan to stay in the industry for the rest of my life,” Paige says. “I look forward to having a family of my own in the beef industry and raising cattle. I want to come back to McLean County. I want to stay active in the Angus and Hereford associations. That is where my passion lies and I hope that is where my future lies as well.”

Illinois Angus Auxiliary Membership Application

To become a member of the Illinois Angus Auxiliary, please send your $20 annual dues to: Kristen Ewing, 22821 Rock Lane, Rushville, IL 62681

Illinois Angus Auxiliary

2023 Officers President

Cindy Anderson

Vice President

Christy Dameron Schumaker Secretary

Kirsten Parr

Treasurer

Kristen Ewing

Scholarship Treasurer

Alicia Miller

Past President

Andrea Petersen Schnelten

Royalty Liaison

Ellen Zimmerman

Fundraising Chair

Katie Sellmeyer

Illinois

Illinois Angus Association Doug Turner 248 CR 2500 N, Mahomet, IL 61853

LEMENAGER CATTLE

Luke, Stacy & Paige 703 Hinshaw Rd. Hudson, IL 61748

Luke Cell 309-261-0752

Chuck, Tori, Curt & Grace 10098 N. 2200E Fairbury IL 61739

Chuck Cell 815-867-7011

www.lemenagercattle.com

LARRY RHODES 217-473-5868 cell 217-854-5200 o ce rhodesangus@royell.org

www.RhodesAngus.com

We are in the process of updating the Illinois Angus Association membership list. Please send us your updated contact info, including email.

Name:_______________________________________________

Farm Name: __________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

City:__________________________Zip:___________________

Home Phone:_________________________________________

Cell Phone(s):_________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________

Fax:__________________________________________________

Illinois Angus Association dues - $30.00 please mail this card and your check to:

Illinois Angus Association Doug Turner 248 CR 2500 N, Mahomet, IL 61853

9350 Rte 108, Carlinville, IL 62626

ILLINOIS ANGUS ASSOCIATION