Illinois Hereford Bulletin - May/June 2024

The

ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN

May/June 2024

CONTENTS May/June 2024

1 1 2 3 4 6 IBC

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES IHA BREEDERS HALL OF FAME CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN IJHA PREVIEW SHOW UPDATE 2024 JNHE SCHEDULE BOLD CONFERENCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVERTISERS INDEX

PRESIDENT Kevin Babbs 618-322-5880

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

TREASURER Buddy Edenburn 217-649-0108 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Noah Benedict 217-372-8009 nojo1132@gmail.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Craig Crutcher (Vice President) Matt Anderson Andrew Spinazola Kim Carney-Rhodes David Biggs Yale Young Jimmy Bernard Chad Crane Travis Meteer Lucas Stumpf

ON THE COVER 2024 IHA Hall of Fame inductees, the Fleisher family.

Read about them on page 1.

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

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE A

s many of you know, my wife Lisa and I have been active members and supporters of the Illinois Hereford Association and the Illinois juniors for several years. We have both served as junior advisors and IHA board members in past years, Lisa being president herself in 2019. Lisa and I share the same passion for the beef industry and, more specifically, the Hereford cattle and our Hereford family!

It is an honor to be the incoming president of the IHA for 2024. First, I would like to thank former president, Kent Burns, and last year’s board of directors for the positive impact they put forth for the future of the IHA and its membership. I am also excited to welcome the new class of directors to the board. New and returning members both, this board will be great to work with as we continue to add value to our association and its membership.

We held our Annual Meeting & Banquet on March 2, 2024, at the IBA office in Springfield.

A nice turnout of nearly 100 attendees had the pleasure of sharing a great meal, meeting, and fellowship. I want to highlight some key points of the 2024 event: • The Breeder of the year was awarded to Richardson Farms from Capron, and was presented Kevin Babbs, Illinois

by Jimmy Bernard.

Hereford Association • I had the pleasure to present the Hall of Fame award to the family of the late Richard President Fleisher of Fleisher Farms from Knoxville.

These awards are special achievements, and it was enjoyable to recognize such deserving farm families on March 2.

The Illinois Hereford Women’s Association once again held a silent auction at the banquet which helps fund their activities for the year. In addition the IHA also had a silent auction as well, which was ear-notched for the IJHA membership to help support their activities for the year. I would like to thank all that donated, bid, and purchased at the silent auctions.

The new board and I have hit the ground running for 2024 events. The planning stages are in process for the Tour which will be held in Northern Illinois in late August. The 2nd annual Illinois Winter Classic plans are in progress and please feel free to reach out to Noah Benedict with any questions for that sale. The board is thrilled with these two events, feeling we can add real value to being a part of the IHA here. This year is a Directory year, so feel free to reach out to Noah if you have any interest as well!

I would like to encourage everyone to pay their dues and join our association. Become a part of this group and share the enthusiasm and fresh new ideas that the board of directors has started as we continue to add value for your membership!

-Kevin Babbs

R

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

ich and Michelle Fleisher formally began the being built on a “rich history” and a relentless pursuit of operation of Fleisher Farms in 1976 upon returning high performance. from the University of Illinois. As a young family, Their children and grandchildren continue to carry the Fleisher’s traveled to the torch today with a many county and state fairs cornerstone of faith and with fond memories of family. The Fleisher family sleeping in the gooseneck was a host and highlight and barn stalls. Soon, the at the 2023 IHA tour. The children, Amy and Andy, grandkids continue showing would both learn to love Hereford cattle competitively livestock as well and spent at the state and national level. many years heavily involved A quote from IHA in the 4-H junior swine President, Keven Babbs, from and cattle shows. Rich and the 2024 IHA Banquet: Michelle built a successful, “Presenting this award sustainable row crop and comes with mixed emotions livestock operation from the for me. On one hand, it gives ground up on little more me great pride to honor a than faith and pure grit. man with the great values and Not by accident but because morals that Rich had. On the Fleisher Family the cattle at Fleisher Farms other hand, it comes with some

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regret that we as a board could have given this award earlier, because as many of you know, Rich was taken from us far too early.

It is an honor for me to help award Rich today. I only had a few short years to get to know this man, when he started to consign cattle to the Heart of America Sale in Wayne City, Illinois. He told me and many others that he truly enjoyed coming to this sale every year in which he could. I speculate he liked this sale so much because it is conducted as if we are one big Hereford family. I might not have known a great deal about Rich, but I am very comfortable in saying he was a family man. He beamed with pride when he talked about each and every one of his family members. He loved his friends and family and would do anything for all of us at any time. I can also tell you he was very particular on how his cattle looked and were presented at the sale. I have a feeling that this is how he lived his life and went about his business, with great pride because he knew he did it the right way. He was a very humble man who knew and respected the rich history of the Hereford breed and the families involved in it.”

Fleisher 2023 IJHA Preview Show Grand Champion Horned Female

R

2023 IJHA Preview Show Champion Slap

IHA BREEDERS OF THE YEAR

ichardson Farms of Capron, were awarded the 2024 IHA Breeder of the Year Award. Before owning any cattle, raising hogs and a few sheep were the focus for the Richardson family. While raising their kids, Jamie and Cathy knew having them involved in 4-H and county fairs would help them to learn responsibility, hard work and dedication. In the fall of 2012, they went to a Hereford production sale, never dreaming of what would have happened later that afternoon when they made their first purchase into the Hereford industry. Since that first purchase, the Richardson’s have been hooked on

Herefords. They continue to grow the family operation, traveling to numerous state and national shows while meeting people from all over the country. Most recently, winning Champion Polled female at the Illinois Junior Hereford Association Preview Show, and multiple division championships at the 2023 Junior National Hereford Expo. The entire Richardson family is looking forward to competing and raising quality Hereford genetics for years to come. Congratulations to Jamie, Cathy, Emma, Morgan and Danny on an incredible 2023 year!

Pictured left to right: Jamie, Morgan, Daniel and Cathy.

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2023 IJHA Preview Show Champion Grand Champion Polled Female

CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN H

ello everyone! Allow me to introduce myself: Corbin Cowles here, your new Upper Midwest Territory Manager hailing from south-central Kentucky. It is with great excitement I write these words to you as I begin my tenure with AHA. My background reads quite like many of you who are reading this. Born and raised in rural America via southern Kentucky on an Angus and Simmental seedstock operation. We host production sales annually, my sisters and I showed cattle competitively, and I have been blessed to be involved in many facets of the business in my life thus far. A fun fact from the archives, our family at one point did run a small nucleus of Hereford cows as well for about 10-12 years.

Growing up, sports and 4-H/FFA were the two main drivers of how I spent my time. Yet, when my athletic career ran its course, I pursued my education in agriculture at Oklahoma State University. My passion for the purebred cattle business has remained strong since I was young, and the privilege to work for an organization such as AHA has long been an aspiration of mine as I have entered the professional world.

What a time it is in the beef cattle industry. The baseline price for our commodity is at Corbin Cowles, American record highs, breathing room is here with regards to feed and fertilizer prices comparative Hereford Association to previous years, and replacement heifer retention at historic lows indicates the supply and Territory 5 Field Staff demand factor should cause our price per head to stay elevated for an extended period. The factors of production finally tip the scales in favor of the cow-calf and seedstock producer. In a time such as this, we at AHA are up to the task of helping you effectively market your program to reach your target audience and put the most dollars in your pocket as possible. The summer months are upon us: state preview shows, Junior National Hereford Expo, state fairs, and much more. Before we know it, preparations for fall sales will be in full force. Please reach out if you have any questions about how HPI can help you maximize your marketing efforts. I can be reached at 270-991-2534 or ccowles@hereford.org.

I will leave you all with this. In the book of James, chapter 1 verse 17, we are told: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” I feel incredibly lucky and blessed by this opportunity to work for AHA, and all the gratitude to God above for His continued blessings even though they are not deserved.”

Looking forward to all the future holds in store! Best,

-Corbin Cowles

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2024 UPDATES 2024PREVIEW PREVIEW SHOW SHOW UPDATES ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION ILLINOISJUNIOR JUNIOR HEREFORD HEREFORD ASSOCIATION

FRIDAY, SUNDAY, JUNE JUNE16, 16,2024 2024 FRIDAY,JUNE JUNE14, 14, 2024 2024 -- SUNDAY,

ENTRY JUNE11 ENTRY DEADLINE: DEADLINE: JUNE GENERALINFORMATION: INFORMATION: GENERAL ADDRESS: ADDRESS:

Georgetown Fairgrounds, Georgetown Fairgrounds, 413 N Seminary Road, 413 N Seminary Road, Georgetown, Illinois, 61846 Georgetown, Illinois, 61846

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE THURSDAY:

THURSDAY: 6:00 p.m. - Grounds open for set up.

6:00 p.m. - Grounds open for set up.

FRIDAY: FRIDAY: CHANGE: 2:00-4:00 p.m. - Check-in CHANGE: 2:00-4:00 Check-in CHANGE: Herefordp.m.

Bowl- Test During Check-in CHANGE: Hereford Bowl Test CHANGE: Fitting Contest 4:30 p.m.

During Check-in CHANGE: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hereford CHANGE: Fitting Contest 4:30 p.m.

Homeroom a leadership training CHANGE: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hereford seminar. - a leadership training Homeroom seminar.

ENTRY ENTRYPROCESS: PROCESS:

Entries May 1, 2024.

Entrieswill willopen open May 1, 2024.

Entries must be completed by Entries must be completed by June 1, 2024.

June 1, 2024. $40 PER ENTRY (including $40 PER ENTRY (including bedding). You can also pay your bedding). You can also pay your IJHA junior dues at this time.

IJHA junior dues at this time.

Junior dues are $10/junior.

Junior dues are $10/junior.

DUE JUNE 1st!

WE WILL NOT DUE JUNE 1st!

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE ENTRIES! ACCEPT LATE Please bring an ENTRIES! additional copy Please bring of anyour additional or photocopy health copy papers, we will of be your collecting or photocopy health these at check-in. papers, we will be collecting

these at check-in.

SATURDAY: Opening Ceremonies - 9:00 a.m. SATURDAY: Showing Opening Ceremonies - 9:00 a.m. Showmanship - 9:15 a.m. (youngest Showing to oldest) Showmanship - 9:15Show a.m. begins (youngest Bred and Owned at the to conclusion oldest) of showmanship.

Bred and Owned Show begins the Show Order: Cow/Calf, Bulls,atB&O conclusion of showmanship.

Heifers, Steers Scholarship Interviews Show Order: Cow/Calf, Bulls, B&O Junior Meeting Heifers, Steers– 5:30 p.m.

Banquet Interviews – 7:00 p.m. Location Scholarship SUNDAY: Junior Meeting – 5:30 p.m.

7:45 a.m.

- Group photo at photo Banquet – 7:00 p.m.

Location backdrop SUNDAY: Owned Show – 8:00 a.m.

7:45 a.m. -Heifer Group photo at photo

backdrop Owned Heifer Show – 8:00 a.m.

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2024 UPDATES 2024PREVIEW PREVIEW SHOW SHOW UPDATES ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION ILLINOISJUNIOR JUNIOR HEREFORD HEREFORD ASSOCIATION

LODGING: LODGING: HOTELS: HOTELS:

PREVIEW SHOW PREVIEW SHOWCONTESTS: CONTESTS:

Blocks roomsare areavailable available Blocks ofof rooms the followinglocations: locations: at at the following Best Western(Riverside) (Riverside) Best Western 217-431-0020 (Room 217-431-0020 (Room block under IJHA) block under IJHA) Baymont Inn Baymont Inn 217-446-2111 (Room 217-446-2111 (Room block under group block under group code 240613 ILJHA) code 240613 ILJHA)

CAMPING:

CAMPING: There is camping for $30 a

There is with camping for breakers. $30 a night, 30 AMP night, with 30 AMP breakers.

IJHA PHOTO BACKDROP IJHA PHOTO BACKDROP AUCTION: We will be auctioning off the AUCTION:

backdrop via a silent auction.

We will be auctioning off the The silent auction of the auction. backdropThe will backdrop via a silent open during check-in and remain silent auction of the backdrop will open until the conclusion of the open during check-in and remain Owned Heifer Show. open until the conclusion of the Owned Heifer Show.

2024 2024Contest ContestInclude: Include: Scholarships: Scholarships: Harry Tjardes Harryand andGeorge George Tjardes Memorial Scholarship Memorial Scholarship Chris Memorial ChrisStephens Stephens Memorial Scholarship Scholarship Wayne Sage Memorial Wayne Sage Memorial Scholarship Scholarship Faces of Leadership Travel Faces of Leadership Travel Scholarship Scholarship Junior Prospect Award Junior Award Due Prospect June 1, 2024 Due June 1, 2024 Speeches: Speeches: Illustrated Speech IllustratedSpeech Speech Advanced AdvancedSales Speech Individual Sales Academy Individual Sales We will follow Sales Academy the same rules andfollow age breaks as We will the same JNHE. rules and age breaks as

JNHE.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS: Kendall Boatman , Secretary IMPORTANT CONTACTS: Phone: (779) 774-5141

Kendall Boatman , Secretary Email: ijha.secretary@gmail.com Phone: 774-5141 Tom and (779) Tammy Boatman, Advisors Email: Tom:ijha.secretary@gmail.com 404-372-6754 Tammy: 770-354-4195 Tom and Tammy Boatman, Advisors Jacob and Brittany Chapman, Advisors Tom: 404-372-6754 Jacob: 770-354-4195 815-587-4061 Tammy: 815-712-6578 JacobBrittany: and Brittany Chapman, Advisors Jacob: 815-587-4061 Brittany: 815-712-6578

Craig and Brenda Crutcher, Advisors Craig: (815) 712-5735 Craig and Brenda Crutcher, Advisors Brenda: (815) 289-6325 Craig: Buddy and(815) Lisa 712-5735 Edenburn, Host Family Brenda: (815) 289-6325 Buddy: (217) 649 - 0108 Lisa: and (217)Lisa 304-7491 Buddy Edenburn, Host Family

Buddy: (217) 649 - 0108 Lisa: (217) 304-7491

ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 1

ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 1

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the junior national hereford expo 2024 | grand island, neb.

The Grand Daddy of ‘Em All Schedule is subject to change. For the most up to date version of the 2024 JNHE schedule, go to hereford.org/youth/junior-national-hereford-expo/resources/

SATURDAY, JULY 6 2 p.m.

Gates open for tack trailers to arrive and set up in barns

6 p.m.

Cattle may arrive into tie-outs through the night

SUNDAY, JULY 7 7 a.m.

8 a.m.

9 a.m. - Noon 9:30 a.m.

9 a.m.

11 a.m.

Noon Noon 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Foundation Club, Five Point Bank Arena

Judging Contest Check-In & Orientation Judging Contest Individual Sales & Sales Academy Finals NHW’s Catch a Vibe Event, followed by Queen’s Tea VitaFerm® Prep to Win Workshop Hereford Pen-to-Pen Session #2 Hereford Bowl Buzzer Round (start with junior division) Sullivan Supply Stock Show University Sullivan Supply Fitting Contest Future Professionals Contest Interviews Bridging the Gap College & Career Fair Social Networking

Five Points Bank Arena Five Points Bank Arena Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms Beef Pit, Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Five Points Bank Arena Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room Five Points Bank Arena Five Points Bank Arena Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms Beef Pit, Pinnacle Bank Expo Center

State Group of 3 & 5 Classes Sullivan Supply National Showmanship Contest Senior, Intermediate & Senior Finals Junior & Peewee

Five Points Bank Arena Five Points Bank Arena Ring 1 Ring 2

TUESDAY, JULY 9 8 a.m.

9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 7 a.m.

9 a.m.

Tom Dinsdale Automotive Cattle Barn, Aurora Cooperative Barn, Sheep Barn

NJHA Board and Candidate Orientation Breakfast Tatoo checks begin in each barn Cattle Paper Check-In Hereford Bowl Check-In & Written Test All cattle must be in barns at this time Advanced & Illustrated Speech Contest Finals Steer weights declared electronically by this time Queen’s Orientation Neogen’s DNA Collection Stations Hereford Pen-to-Pen Session #1 Meet the Candidate Ice Cream Social & Delegate Roundtables State Group Photos Begin Opening Ceremonies Grand Daddy of ‘Em All Food & Fun Night and Cornhole for a Cause HYFA’s Grand Drive to 25 5K Race

MONDAY, JULY 8 8 a.m.

9 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

Noon 1 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

6-8 p.m.

EARLY EN FINAL TRY 5/15 ENTRY 6/1

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms Foundation Club, Five Point Bank Arena Line Up Arena in Sheep Barn Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Five Points Bank Arena Five Points Bank Arena Aurora Cooperative Pavilion Aurora Cooperative Pavilion

NJHA Membership Update, Breakfast & New Board Election Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room Bred-and-Owned Show Five Points Bank Arena Cow-Calf Pairs, Bred-and-Owned Females, Produce of Dam Group Ring 1 Steer Show followed by Bred-and-Owned Bulls Ring 2 *Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring CHB Cooking Challenge, Photo & Poster, prior to selection of the Bred-and-Owned Top Five

THURSDAY, JULY 11 7:30 a.m.

6 p.m.

Owned Female Show Five Points Bank Arena HYFA Scholarship, Awards & Maroon Jacket Ceremony Five Points Bank Arena *Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring Future Professionals, Sales, Speech and Judging Contests, will follow the selection of the Division 3 Polled Females

FRIDAY, JULY 12 7:30 a.m.

Conclusion of Owned Female Show Five Points Bank Arena *Buckle and Awards Ceremony recognizing Herdsman of the Year, Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior, GKB Super States, Golden Pitchfork and the Bob Norton Excellence Award will be held prior to the champion drives ®

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HEREFORD JUNIORS BUILD ON THEIR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN TEXAS “It’s about doing the little things that lead to the championship and empowering others around us, so that when we rise, we raise everyone around us.” World champion rodeo athlete Tyson Durfey posed that challenge to National Junior Hereford Association members attending the Building On Leadership Development Conference in Desdemona, Texas, April 4-7.

BOLD has quickly become an NJHA staple. It is designed for selected college-aged National Junior Hereford Association members seeking opportunities to expand their leadership skills. The conference focuses on improving personal leadership, providing career opportunities, and cultivating life-long relationships. Workshops included “Looking Internal at Your Leadership,” “Yourself as a Leader Moving Forward” and “What are You Doing with Your Leadership?”

BOLD is graciously hosted by Gary and Kathy Buchholz, GKB Cattle, at their Hi Point Ranch. Along with inspirational speakers and workshops, BOLD featured a panel of career professionals from GKB Cattle, PepsiCo, Priefert and Purina Animal Nutrition. Attendees participated in a variety of leadership and career-building activities including resume writing and mock job interviews and received personal mentorship throughout the conference.

When asked “What was your favorite part about BOLD?”, the following three Illinois attendees had this to say: Simon Shepard: “My favorite part about BOLD was listening to all of the knowledge and wisdom shared to us by the Buchholz’s as breeders, as well as the experiences they have encountered along the way. My favorite quote from the week was from Gary, and that was, ‘Never give up on the dream.’”

Denton Stapleton: “Being chosen as one of 20 NJHA members to participate in BOLD Conference was a huge honor and privilege. I had the opportunity to sit down and meet up with junior board members, as well as some amazing industry professionals, to learn leadership and career skills that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I hope to use the skills as I move forward in my professional career and as I prepare to run for the National Junior Hereford Association Board this summer. I would like to give a huge thanks to Gary and Kathy Buchholz of GKB and Hi Point for their hospitality, as well as the Illinois Junior Hereford Association for their support.”

Elaina Walsh: “My favorite part of BOLD was being able to meet new people from all over the United States and listening to all the amazing speakers while getting the opportunity to better myself in the process.”

er l x i B

HEREFORDS Dan Bixler

7115 E. 1000th Ave., Newton, IL 62448 618-544-1842 • 618-562-3888 cell insman542002@yahoo.com

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

Malcom 815-761-8462

James cell 815-761-1523

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