Illinois Beef May/June 2021

Breeding good cattle isn’t complicated. Cattle feeders give us the ultimate report card. According to Jared Wareham, Top Dollar Angus, “No other option offers the greatest terminal crossbreeding value from the ranch through the feeder like a really good set of smokes or buckskins that are at least 50% Angus or Red Angus.”

Use a registered Charolais bull and genetic verification through CharAdvantage to earn more premiums.

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Illinois Charolais Association Officers President: Sharlene Bullard - 815-358-2827 Vice President: Nick Bertsche - 815-822-4417 Secretary/Treasurer: Robb Creasey - 309-255-7799

Members:

LaFraise Farms, Flanagan Dale Bertsche - 815-796-2950 Steve Bertsche - 815-769-4440

Bertsche Farms, Flanagan Troy Bertsche - 815-674-1244 Bullard Cattle Co., Cornell Paul Bullard - 815-358-2827 Creasey Charolais, Macomb Robb Creasey - 309-255-7799 D-Mar-Mac Charolais, Warsaw Sam Zumwalt - 217-256-4619 Tom Engel, Flanagan - 815-796-4440 Grand View Farm, Hanover Don Kautz - 815-591-3766 Grove Charolais, Metamora Keith Grove - 309-222-0287 Grusy Bros., Gridley - 309-747-2696

K&D Cattle, Elizabeth Kelley - 815-275-8904 Devin - 815-858-2318 Wayne & Diane Moore, Piasa 618-410-3308 Nord Farms, Bloomington Ron Nord - 309-828-1448 Ellen & Jerry Cassady -309-212-0488 Eric & Samantha Nord Karl Messman Rob & Lucy Nord, Clinton -217-935-2656 TC Cattle Services, Vandalia Doug Thurnau - 618-604-4714 WGB Charolais, London Mills 309-251-1485

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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CONTENTS May/June 2021

FEATURES 16

Illinois Beef Association Summer Conference

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Check out the results from the 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show held on March 13-13 in Peoria.

Mark your calendar’s for the 2021 IBA Summer Conference on June 8-9 in East Peoria

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Cattle Market Transparency: In Pursuit of Price Discovery and Member Input Price disovery has been top of mind over the last eighteen months. IBA wants to hear from all members to adopt a policy that best represents our industry.

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Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show

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Blending Passion with Experience May is officially National Beef Month. But for the Bagley family of Shipman, every month is beef month.

A Family Tradition Jack and Sherry Lowderman have passed their passions to the next generation, as sons Monte, Brent and Cody are all actively involved in the auction business and cattle industry.

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Reflections from the Ring Illinois Junior Beef Association member, Ashtin Guyer, looks back on her success in the ring.

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

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Illinois Producers Celebrate May Beef Month To mark the celebration of May as Beef Month in Illinois, IBA has several marketing and promotion activities currently underway.

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Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Brand Launches Sustainability Campaign NCBA has launched an integrated campaign to share stories of real beef farmers and ranchers and their committment to protecting their land for generations to come.

COLUMNS 6 8 10 12 40

Association Focus Executive Edge Extension Update Gate Cuts On the Edge of Common Sense

DEPARTMENTS 4 41 45 51 65 68 70 72 72

Board of Governors Checking in on the Checkoff Illinois Angus News Illinois Hereford Bulletin Illinois Simmental News Illinois Shorthorn Update Marketplace Purebred Breeders Advertisers Index

On the Cover:

A juicy burger to celebrate May as National Beef Month and to highlight IBA’s summer grilling promotions.

Illinois Beef Magazine Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Avenute, Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 www.illinoisbeef.com Phone: 217-787-4280 Fax: 217-793-3605

Illinois Beef, the official publication on the Illinois Beef Association, is published bi-monthly by the Illinois Beef Association, 2060 W. Iles Ave. Ste. B, Springfield, IL 62704 . Subscription is free to Illinois Beef Association members.

Illinois Beef is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of the beef industry by representing all of its segments. Illinois Beef Association retains all editorial rights to the content of the magazine. Member of Livestock Publications Council.

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Buzz Iliff, Wyoming

Paul Walker, Danvers

President IBA Board of Governors Email: buzzwithcow@yahoo.com

Vice President IBA Board of Governors Email: pwalker@ilstu.edu

Policy Division Checkoff Division Chair: Jay Miller, Atlanta Vice Chair: Dave Duzan, Lexington Sec./Treas.: Shannon Welsh, Blandinsville Directors District 1 Jarad Carroll, Mt. Carroll, Jccattle07@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022

District 2 Jake Perino, Deer Grove, twinrailsoverp@gmail.com

Directors District 1 Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, justinrahn@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022

Lou Lamoreux, Lanark, unclelou49@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

District 2 Scott Wetzell, Tampico, sd_wetz@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023

Bill Gebeck, Buda , wgebeck@aol.com

1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026

District 3 Ken Dau, Sheridan, dau.kenny@gmail.com

District 3 Jim Sundberg, Mendota, jimsfarms@gmail.com District 4 Shannon Welsh, Scotia, angus3@winco.net District 5 Betsy Pech, Lincoln, bpech55@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026

1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022

1st term expires: 2021 | 2nd term expires: 2024

OPEN District 4 Terry Boydstun, Abingdon, tboydstun@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

Thad Tharp, Monmouth, tthaddeus88@gmail.com

District 6 Matt Witte, Heyworth, matthewcwitte@gmail.com

District 7 OPEN At Large Directors Jay Miller, Atlanta, miller@timbercrestvet.com

1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026

District 5 T.J. Curtin, Blue Mound, tjcurtin78@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022

1st term expires: 2018 | 2nd term expires: 2021

Darrin Smith, Alexander, dasmith@wildblue.net

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

District 6 Chase Brown, Warrensburg, cdbrown2@gmail.com

Jake Fidler, Fariview, salebarn@mymctc.net Barney Gehl, Geneseo, barney.gehl@zoetis.com

1st term expires: 2018 | 2nd term expires: 2021

Dave Duzan, Lexington, duzanagy@mtco.com 1st term expires: 2018 | 2nd term expires: 2021

Andy Jones, Chapin, ajones@mix30.com

1st term expires: 2023| 2nd term expires: 2026

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

Wendall Alwardt, Altamont, walwardt1@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026

1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023

District 7 Ed Billingsly, Goreville, stoneridge@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

Jim Meller, Anna, meller.hillcroft.james@gmail.com

Bruce Betzold, Nokomis, betzoldfarms@yahoo.com Larisa Willrett, Malta, lwillrett1313@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025

Ex Officio Members Joni Bucher, Past President Travis Meteer, U of I Extension & BQA Teresa Steckler, U of I Extension Justin Rickard, ISU

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Chair: Scott Wetzell, Tampico Vice Chair: Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll Sec./Treas.: Ken Dau, Sheridan

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022

IBA Staff Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters, josh@illinoisbeef.com Director of Communications Betty Haynes, betty@illinoisbeef.com Director of Industry Relations Mareah Rauch, mareah@illinoisbeef.com Financial Officer/Business Manager Nancy Betz, accounting@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

Soy nutrition is a vital component for all Illinois livestock. That’s why Illinois Soybean Association is proud to partner with other organizations in support of livestock expansion efforts across the state, supporting beef cattle producers as they work to improve farms, grow animal agriculture, and meet global demand with homegrown solutions.

you

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Association Focus Buzz Iliff, Illinois Beef Association President May is Beef Month, everyone is planting, and spring calving is winding down. There is no better feeling than to see calves running around with their tails in the air on green grass.

I would like to thank the Illinois Beef Expo board and IBA staff for their hard work putting together a great event for our Junior membership in Peoria this spring. They did an outstanding job pulling everything together in these times. It was an event that many, including me, enjoyed attending. The cattle were once again out of this world. Congratulations to all that participated.

We continue to monitor the current issues that our industry faces. One of our most pressing is cattle marketing.

There are several federal legislative bills dealing with this topic. There is the Grassley bill and the Fischer Bill.

Please read more about these proposals in this issue of the magainzemagazine and give us your opinions. I personally take this issue with great weight. We need to carefully think of the cause and effect that each bill would set into action.

Please contact the IBA office in Springfield or get in touch with any board members and let us know your stance.

The threat of foreign animal diseases are very real. To be prepared and to have quick reaction times we need to know

where livestock is located. I would urge everyone to get a premises identification and some will have to get multiple numbers for different locations.

Premise Identification is invaluable if we do get a foreign animal disease. This will help to quarantine and contain the diseases. A premises identification can be obtained by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If you have questions or problems contact the IBA office for help.

I am excited for the upcoming IBA Summer Conference.

Please join us on June 8 and9 in East Peoria for great information, tours, and social events. It is a wonderful chance to pick up some new ideas, network with other producers and make new friends. You can register for the meeting on our website or by calling the office.

Remember May is Beef Month and it is our job as producers to promote our great product locally. Thank your local grocer and see if they need any promotional items. All of these are available by calling the IBA office.

Have a great Spring!

Nicely done, beef.

You only need one ingredient to taste like a hamburger.

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Executive Edge Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President “I don’t sell beef. I sell cattle!”

The statement stopped all conversation during a recent teleconference I was a part of, as an out-of-state producer exclaimed his opinions on the topic of beef marketing. His view was that he did not have a role creating value in the marketplace because he was just a cattle feeder—in his mind, simply a middleman who was a price-taker with no influence in the supply chain he sold into.

It was a perspective that stuck with me throughout that Thursday, and as I hit the road for my drive home from the office that night, I pondered why you might want to run a cattle business without the end-product in mind.

In our industry we commit a lot of resources to making improvements that benefit the carcass value of our animals; we spend a lot of time and money selecting for genetic traits and enhancing feed rations. We shop the marketplace in pursuit of stronger sires and select for better heifers. We manage against disease and strive for feeding efficiencies.

Through all these efforts and investments, our businesses today are successfully producing significantly more pounds of beef per animal and locally, we are growing superior cattle in Illinois that yield a premium quality beef product in our processing facilities, when compared with industry averages.

By the time I hit the gravel of our driveway that night, I was certain that we cannot look back in this business and think we are solely selling cattle: we are all beef producers, and we all play a critical role in improving and marketing that beef product, regardless of what type of cattle operation you are running.

In recognition of this work, we celebrate May as Beef Month and this issue of Illinois Beef magazine if filled with great stories and informative articles highlighting the many fantastic aspects of beef production in this state. You will find information on how your state and national checkoff dollars are working harder to capture consumer attention, building demand for beef. It is work we need to keep striving to expand, as studies show consumers are more curious (and receptive) than perhaps we have seen in recent decades.

NCBA just published a figure citing that less than one quarter of U.S. consumers claim to have knowledge of how beef is raised.

Through our partnership with the Illinois Farm Families coalition, Illinois Beef Association has invested in new survey data – seeking a deeper understanding of where our state’s population is at with their views of production agriculture, specifically looking in on their ideas and perceptions about the importance of farming, trust in our operations and how satisfied they are with how their food is grown. This study takes a close look at what people in Chicago and the suburbs think about Illinois farming operations, but also includes key insights from our non-farming neighbors in rural communities, too. The findings are positive but highlight 8

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

that we have a great opportunity to grow our connection with Illinois’ beef-loving consumers. We will share more in-depth findings from this consumer pulse survey in our next issue, but it is this kind of critical information that has helped your IBA staff form and execute plans for marketing campaigns that connect consumers and producers during the month of May, and throughout the summer months ahead.

Speaking of surveys, please be on the lookout for e-mails and mailings from IBA regarding our questionnaire on cattle market issues; we all know that market dynamics are a critical topic right now, and we are seeking everyone’s input to understand how each producer is impacted. Your answers in this survey will help shape policy and direct the work of IBA staff and leaders in the weeks ahead. It only takes a few minutes to complete so please make sure you watch for it and get back to us with your thoughts.

Separate from this column, I have taken up some word count in this issue to highlight the latest information on cattle marketing discussions across the industry. Over the last year we have seen this topic percolating and with the rising cost of inputs along with the growing spread between what packers are making on a carcass versus fed cattle prices, it is a debate that is reaching fever pitch across the value chain. In the article on market topics, you will see that the industry has no clear answer. Everyone is searching for the best path forward; all indications are that we may be at a policy crossroad, and we have been driven there by several significant and varied influences in the market.

There is a lot of economics and emotions at play in this topic, and our leadership and staff are working to sort through the best means to help members and take action in a way that reflects the desires of our producers. I receive phone calls and e-mails regularly from cattlemen across the state seeking to understand what is being done to address market transparency; everyone has concern and input to share about the markets and the impact – and I really do value the perspective that each call or note provides, so please do keep reaching out. It is a priority for our team in the office, and for the leaders on the board as well. Please do make sure your thoughts are reflected in a response to the survey, because every member’s opinion matters to us.

Many of you are likely caught up with the business of spring field work, and some of you are getting ready to start with first-cutting hay in some parts of the state. I have enjoyed the chance to get out on some farms in recent weeks to see the fruits of a successful winter calving season many cow-calf operators enjoyed, and I am hopeful that folks with a late spring and early summer calving window soon find www.illinoisbeef.com

themselves in the same boat. We have seen most regions of the state steadily opening back up, and I’m optimistic that it is paving the way for a summer filled with great cattle shows, and perhaps even our county and state fairs back in full swing. This past week I had calls with a couple of event staff and volunteers regarding the pre-planning for state fair events in both Springfield and DuQuoin, and it feels good to have these familiar dates coming back onto our calendars for the balance of this calendar year.

As your local beef events get scheduled for the summer months, please make sure we know about them here at the IBA office. I personally would like the chance to be there, to meet those of your who are members and network with cattlemen across Illinois who we might recruit to be new members, too. We might also be able to provide support and resources, depending on what you have planned. Give us a call or drop us an e-mail, and we’ll do our best to promote your local events as best we can.

I will wrap up today with a shameless plug for one event that is currently highlighted on my calendar – and I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival next month. We are just a couple of weeks away from the 2021 Summer Conference and IBA Annual Meeting, and I would like to take one last opportunity to formally invite you to join us! We have planned a great meeting for Tuesday, June 8, at the Holiday Inn and Suites in East Peoria. This year’s conference features an insider’s perspective on the political climate in Washington, with a presentation by Ethan Lane, NCBA’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs. We will also hear about cattle markets from the expert economist, Dr. Scott Brown at the University of Missouri, providing his outlook on the volatility we’ve been seeing, and sharing his update on what

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might be in store through the second half of this year.

We will dive into some key on-farm topics, too, like nutrient management and developing markets for local beef sales with presentations from Illinois farmers putting tools to work on their operations to achieve success in both arenas.

I’m excited to share with the conference about what we have been seeing from a government relations standpoint in our own state capitol and joining me will be some notable names from the policy scene in Springfield. You will not want to miss all the topics planned for this meeting.

Our group tours planned for Wednesday, June 9, are second-to-none, as well. This year’s agenda offers you a first-hand look at one of Illinois’ premier seedstock cattle operations, along with an up-close tour through some of the biggest machines manufactured in North America. There is a great meal planned, and a look inside the region’s newest state-of-the-art meat processing plant will also be a highlight of the day. You’ll want to bring comfortable shoes and great questions, because the tour day is jam-packed with great stuff.

Don’t miss out on the 2021 IBA Summer Conference. Hop on our website today and register for your spot; we are itching to save you a seat in the meeting. And it is not too late to call the hotel and book your discounted room in the conference block, so that you can stay overnight for the reception celebrating Dr. Buzz Iliff ’s retirement as IBA president and partake in these great industry tours the next morning.

If you have questions, concerns or need help with an issue on your operation or in your community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My contact at the office is josh@illinoisbeef.com or (217) 787-4280 and if I am on the road, you can call or text me via (217) 282-0250.

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Extension Update Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist

Hay - Is it Worth it?

As we watch corn and soybean prices climb, feed costs have taken center stage for discussions on the cattle operation. While it is evident feedlot cost of gains are climbing because of higher corn prices, traditionally, hay is the most common feed ingredient for cow/calf producers.

As we enter hay-making season and you prepare to evaluate feed needs this year, I think it is important to look at what hay is worth, what it costs, and whether your cattle operation should be in the hay business.

What’s it Worth?

Every ton of hay removes approximately 40 lbs. of N, 20 lbs. of P, and 50 lbs. of K. However, it is important to calculate N losses at about 75%, thus only about 10 lbs. of N are returned to the soil when hay is fed. The values of P and K are accurate to what would be returned.

Fertilizer prices for Illinois published by USDA (Apr. 8 report) are roughly: N $0.55, P $0.47, K $0.36.

Using current nutrient values, hay has a fertilizer value of $32.90 per dry ton. Assuming a 1200lb round bale is 15% moisture, the nutrient value per bale is $16.77.

If you are figuring what it costs you to make hay on your farm, add mowing, raking, and baling at approximately $20 per bale (Machinery Cost Estimates, University of Illinois Extension). As a result, a bale of hay sitting in the field costs $36.77.

Other costs would include moving the bales from the field, some additional time and labor in handling the bales, and the use of equipment to transport the hay. If yields are below average, nearly all costs increase.

Buying Hay vs. Growing Your Own Hay

The cost/value of hay stated previously may lead you to the question “Should I buy my hay or grow my own hay?”

While cost should be the primary factor, the correct answer depends on numerous factors. The list below helps illustrate these factors.

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Buy Hay • Limited land resources to use for hay production • Hay is available for purchase at an economical price • Busy, limited time to devote to hay production • Short on labor • Must purchase hay equipment, update old equipment • Set-up to handle by-product/alternative feeds • Have access to reliable hay source • Limited market for excess hay • Unable to store and carryover hay with little waste • Hay enterprise cannot self-support investment in equipment Grow Hay • Land available for hay production • Hay is hard to find or is too expensive to buy • Adequate time and flexible schedule to accommodate hay production • Labor needs are adequate or labor can be sourced economically • Some equipment costs can be shared with other enterprises • Absolutely need to control harvest time and hay quality • Lack of flexibility in feeding set-up, infrastructure is geared towards feeding hay • Good demand for hay, potential diversification of farming business • Can store excess hay, carryover hay with little waste • Hay acreage supports equipment payment and regular update of equipment Even in cases where some aspects of the farm may support growing your own hay, the opportunity cost is too high and buying hay can allow better use of time and equipment to focus on more profitable portions of the farming operation.

Farming practices like spraying or fertilizing row crops may be more economically important when compared to baling hay.

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If you are purchasing hay, the fertilizer value of hay is important to consider, realizing that if these nutrients are evenly spread over pastures during winter feeding, the benefit could be quite large to helping distribute additional nutrients to poorer fertility sections of a pasture. With a little thought and management when feeding hay, producers can build pastures up, reduce manure handling, and help make the most out of purchased hay.

Land price and availability are big constraints on herd expansion. Diverting hay ground to managed pastures can be beneficial. Managed pastures allow longer grazing seasons, can allow increased herd size or stocking rates, and can result in lower fertilizer and fuel needs to support the cattle operation. Illinois has abundant sources of feed, but acreage available for pasture is limited. Thus, would you be better off grazing your hay ground?

Waste: Hay’s Biggest Problem

Hay storage and feeding can be extremely wasteful.

Numerous studies have shown over 1/3 of the harvested forage is wasted during storage and feeding. Thus, hay as the primary feed ingredient in your cattle diet can result in high ration costs per head per day.

On the other hand, technology is helping reduce hay waste. Bale density has improved and storage losses can be reduced by proper storage or wrapping bales. Baleage has become a more popular form of hay production. While it does require more equipment, better feed value, less waste at feeding, and reduced storage loss has serious appeal.

Good quality forages are hard to beat as the foundation of beef cattle diets. If hay is going to be a large part of your ration, focus on reducing storage and feeding wastes while maximizing nutrient value and hay quality.

Final Thoughts

I encourage you to have some hay on hand at all times.

Good quality dry hay solves a lot of problems. It is a must for a drought management plan, weaning calf diets, getting sick cattle to eat, and helping transition cattle to different diets. Dry hay is a staple ingredient to have available when formulating cattle diets, but it does not need to be the entire ration or even the biggest part of the ration.

Illinois has abundant feed resources. Be innovative.

Look for alternatives. Crop residues, cover crops for forage production, ethanol co-products, local by-products, or foodwaste stream feeds can all be opportunities to decrease and replace a portion of hay in cattle diets.

Every farm is different. Investigate what synergies may exist with harvested forages and your cattle operation. The ability to market extra hay at a premium and share equipment with other farm enterprises can result in a hay-making being profitable.

Increasing profit potential in a cow/calf operation hinges largely on controlling feed costs. Proven methods to control feed costs include reducing the need for purchased feeds, limiting hay feeding, and extending the grazing season. In larger cow/calf herds or more confined systems, utilizing alternative feeds and limit-feeding can help reduce feed costs.

No matter herd size, feeding less hay generally results in greater profit potential.

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Gate Cuts Paul Walker, DI Walker Consulting

Thoughts on Replacement Heifer Selection Currently, it is the middle of the May-June calving season, but it will not be long until we are weaning winter born calves and making decisions regarding which heifer calves to keep as replacements. To that point, I recently read a well-written article that cited 11 criteria upon which to base replacement heifer selection. Over the 33 years that I taught Beef CowCalf Production, Beef Cow-Calf Management and Feedlot Management courses I learned that book recommendations too often do not match real-world scenarios. The fact is, there is not much flexibility to utilize selection criteria for keeping replacement heifers because the numbers dictate a culling only scenario. What do I mean?

Let us assume a 100-cow herd that culls 20% of the cows each year (open, lame cows, old cows, poor milking cows, and the occasional dead cow). Assume a calf crop weaned percent is 90% (the U.S. average is closer to 85%-USDA statistics). Accordingly, there are 45 heifer calves to consider for replacements. Regarding the 20 cows culled each year, a good practice is to keep 50% more replacements than needed as calving 2-year-olds. In this scenario, 30 heifer calves should be kept as potential replacements; as additional culling of the replacements will occur 1) as yearlings prior to breeding. 2) 90-120 days following breeding and 3) maybe again as bred heifers. Notice I have used the word culling up to his point because no selection has been accomplished.

Heifers have been discarded because they are open, unsound or have a physical/disposition problem. No selection criteria based on performance or genotype have been utilized so far in this discussion as replacement heifer selection has been strictly a numbers game unless all of the 30 heifers become pregnant and have no soundness nor disposition problems.

Only then does the cattleman have an opportunity to utilize selection criteria.

Of the original 45 heifers available, 30 were required to meet the 20, bred 2-year-old number needed. Accordingly,

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the only selection opportunity is which 15 heifers will not be kept, but this number may be only 7.5 (8) heifers. Most authors recommend keeping only those heifers that were born during the first half of the calving season because those born during the last one-half may not have an opportunity to cycle at least twice before breeding time as yearlings. Therefore, of the 45 heifers weaned, selection criteria [such as EPD traits, phenotype/conformation, frame score, pelvic area measurement, fleshing ability, etc.] could only be utilized for 8 heifer selections. Consequently, for a commercial herd the only real chance to make genetic improvement comes from the choice of sire. This is why selection of potential herd bulls is such an important decision. And, sire selection should always be considered an investment, not an expense.

Yes, I have implied little selection occurs on the cow side of the equation. Of the 100 cows that calved 10 did not wean calves. In commercial herds, in most years, cows that do not wean calves should be culled. There are exceptions that can be affected by such things as drought, cost of feed, value of cows versus the value of heifers, etc. Ten additional cows are culled each year because they are open, unsound, have poor udders and/or they are old. Almost always an open cow should be culled because economics seldom justify keeping an open cow, but there can be exceptions (the bull becomes infertile during breeding season, etc.). None of the factors listed involve selection. These reasons for removal are an either/or situation. Either they are kept, or they are culled.

Either they are bred, or they are not. Either they weaned a calf, or they did not. Either they are sound, or they are not.

Either they have a good udder, or they do not. Therefore, I repeat myself, “the only real chance for a commercial herd to make genetic improvement is from the choice of sire selected.

“Of course, there are exceptions the Book did not state, or the Professor forgot to mention. I will write about those in another article.

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Affiliate News Heartland Beef Alliance The Heartland Beef Alliance partnered with Menard County Farm Bureau and Greenview United Church to donate 225 lbs. to the Anthens Area Food Pantry, Greenview Food Pantry and Petersburg Community Action.

Rod Leman, Greenview Food Pantry president; Connie Leman, Greenview Food Pantry volunteer; Ann Broch, Greenview Food Pantry volunteer; Larry Eimer, Heartland Beef Alliance vice president; and Betsy Pech, Heartland Beef Alliance president.

Betsy Pech, Heartland Beef Alliance president; Linda Pedigo, Athens Area Food Pantry vice president; and Larry Eimer, Heartland Beef Alliance vice president.

Affiliate Summer Calendar Jo Daviess County Beef Association Banquet

June

The banquet will include a prime rib dinner during the annual beef promotion and scholarship auction. Location is TBD.

Henry County Beef Association Banquet

Saturday, June 12

The banquet will be held at Lavender Crest Winery. Contact Taryn Johnson or visit the Henry County Beef Association Facebook page for additional details.

Bureau County Cattlemen “Beef and Ag Festival”

Saturday, June 19

The festival will be held at Soldiers and Sailors park. Steak sandwiches, beef hot dogs and hamburgers will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Entertainment will be provided.

Tri-County Affiliate Banquet and Educational Tour

Saturday, August 28

Location is TBD.

Affiliate News Do you have Affiliate News? Submit information to Betty Haynes at betty@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280.

Please notify Betty as changes to affiliate officer teams are made for our records.

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

In the Know Applications Available for Veterinary Student Loans Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) is accepting applications for its Illinois Veterinary Education and Training (IVET) loan program.

Loans are available to second-year veterinary students attending any accredited college of veterinary medicine in the U.S. and who are focused on Illinois food animal medicine.

The Illinois Veterinary Education Training (IVET) Program helps offset the high cost of veterinary education. The program loans up to $40,000 to as many as three veterinary students each year. Loans are made over a period of two to three years.

IVET awards recipients a $1,500 stipend during their fourth year in school to help pay expenses associated with clinical rotations. Loans are repaid over five years, during which graduates must commit to working in a food animal practice that services Illinois livestock producers.

“Illinois Farm Bureau encourages veterinary students to pursue a career in caring for food animals,” said Tasha Bunting, associate director of commodities & livestock practices, IFB. “To succeed, farmers need the services of a food-animal veterinarian to help them care for their beef cattle, swine, sheep and poultry. It’s an incredibly rewarding career field that has seen an increase in demand in recent years.”

Applications are due May 15, 2021 and can be found online at www.ilfb.org/IVET. The selection committee will interview eligible applicants in spring 2021.

Successful applicants will be notified by mail. Loan disbursements begin in August.

IFB established IVET in 2005. Since then, the organization has awarded more than $510,000 to 26 veterinary students who focus on caring for food animals in Illinois.

For more information about the program, contact Tasha Bunting at 309-557-2993 or tbunting@ilfb.org.

NCBA Backed Study Proves Stepped-Up Basis Repeal Would Be Detrimental to Farms and Ranches The Family Business Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC) released an EY study quantifying the impact a repeal of stepped-up basis would have on family businesses.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has long advocated for the preservation of this long-standing provision of the U.S. tax code, as well as other sound tax policies for rural America, and has been an active supporter of this study.

“The EY study sheds light on the facts that we at NCBA—among others in the agricultural community—have long known.

Simply put, the repeal of stepped-up basis would have catastrophic impacts on the ability of farmers and ranchers to transfer their operations to the next generation,” said NCBA Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck.

The EY study found that family-owned businesses and the local economies they support would be hit hardest by a repeal.

To reveal the impact stepped-up basis repeal would have on family-owned farms and ranches, EY developed a case-study based on a theoretical family-owned cow-calf operation. In this scenario—one where the stepped-up basis is no longer a tool for family-owned business to utilize when generational transfer occurs — gains are taxed at death and would result in an immediate one-time tax liability equivalent to 280 percent of the farm’s annual income.

“NCBA continues to advocate for tax policy that allows the next generation of agricultural producers to have the economic tools to be successful. Repealing stepped-up basis would adversely impact farmers and ranchers across the country.” said Beck. www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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-------------------------------------------Registration Information Name(s): _________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State: __________________ Zip: _____________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________

Credit Card Information Name: ___________________________________________ Number: _________ - _________ - _________ - _________ Exp. Date: _________ - _________ CVV Code: ___________ Address: _________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State: __________________ Zip: _____________________

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

Registration Rates

IBA Member $__________ Complete Conference Registration(s)

$125/person by June 1 $__________ Tuesday One-Day Registration(s)

$100/person by June 1 $__________ Wednesday One-Day Registration(s)

$35/person by June 1

Non-Member $__________ Complete Conference Registration(s)

$250/person by June 1 $__________ Tuesday One-Day Registration(s)

$200/person by June 1 $__________ Wednesday One-Day Registration(s)

$60/person by June 1

Location Holiday Inn and Suites 101 Holiday Street East Peoria, IL 61611

Registration Deadline: June 1 Please submit payment along with registration Make checks payable to: Illinois Beef Association Mail registration to: Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Avenue, Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 www.illinoisbeef.com

2021 SUMMER CONFERENCE

SCHEDULE

JUNE 8-9 EAST PEORIA, IL TUESDAY, JUNE 8 8:30 a.m.

Registration

9:30 a.m.

Illinois Agriculture Policy - An Update from Springfield Kristy Jones, llinois Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Director Illinois Beef Association Staff

10:30 a.m.

Political Climate Change and the Beef Business Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs

11:30 a.m.

District Caucus Meetings

12:15 p.m.

Lunch and IBA Annual Meeting

2:00 p.m.

Cattlemen’s Education Series Workshops • Marketing Beef Direct to Consumers • 2021 Market Update

3:00 p.m.

Cattlemen’s Education Series Workshops • Matching Cows to Your Resources • Nutrient Management Planning Panel

4:00 p.m.

Cocktail Party Buzz Iliff, Retiring President’s Reception

6:00 p.m.

Awards Dinner

8:00 p.m.

Social

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 6:30 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet at Holiday Inn

8:00 a.m.

Leave for Raber Packing Plant

10:30 a.m.

Leave for Cross Creek Farm

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.

Tour Kress Corporation

ACCOMODATIONS Room reservations can be made by contacting the Holiday Inn and Suites at 309-698-3333. Members can book their rooms under the Illinois Beef Association block for $109 per night. Please book by June 1 to receive rate and receive a room in the IBA block. www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Cattle Market Transparency: InInpursuit pursuitof ofprice pricediscovery discoveryand andmember memberinput input

by Josh St. Peters

O

ver the last eighteen months, depressed prices have driven producers, industry groups and legislators to closely evaluate the complex factors influencing transparency and price discovery in live cattle markets, especially in the finished cattle sector. It is a challenging discussion that has been exacerbated by the increasing spread between cash cattle values and boxed beef cutout values; while producer revenues have remained stagnant, meat packers have enjoyed robust profits and record income as the result of very strong retail demand for beef.

Illinois Beef Association leadership has worked to understand how the issue impacts cattle operations in our state, partnering with other state and national cattle groups to advocate for action supported by the grassroots membership.

The topic is a top priority for staff and board members here at IBA and has been the focus of policy discussions and ongoing research to identify paths forward that benefit the entire cattle industry, especially Illinois livestock producers. Focus on price discovery has centered around finished or fat cattle, given the divergent ratios between packer values and prices paid for fed cattle.

Through the first quarter of 2021, that spread in the ratio has been steadily apparent. In an April 28 article titled “Cattle Market Caught Saving the Day but Selling Out Out Tomorrow” published by DTN/Progressive Farmer, author and market analyst ShayLe Stewart pointed out that the 18

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

negotiated cash cattle market is being cut short by two problems: the processing supply chain is experiencing problems, and packers are able to buy cattle with time.

This argument of buying cattle with time is supported if you look at the data on the cattle purchases reported by packers on a weekly basis. From the DTN/Progressive Farmer article, USDA data showed for the week of January 4, 2021, 72% of the cattle bought by packers were for nearby delivery. Meanwhile, in the same reporting period 28% of the purchases were for deferred delivery.

Follow the week-by-week data up to the time the story was published, during the week of April 25, 2021, and the USDA reports show 52% of the cattle bought were for nearby delivery and 48% were for deferred delivery. The four months of data show a trendline from January through April of steadily increasing forward bought cattle in the weekly reports. This translates to less demand for cash transactions in the countryside, with packers having a growing supply of forward contracted cattle coming into the plants. It also complicates the overall profitability issue further, as formula pricing often uses cash prices as the base for determining value.

With a strong supply of beef coming through the pipeline, the industry sits with a supply and demand problem; too many feeders and fats on the market, and not enough need from packers to create aggressive competition for those www.illinoisbeef.com

those animals. Meanwhile, retail demand from consumers continues to be strong, so beef cuts are selling at a premium and packers are making strong profits with every carcass they harvest.

A Fire and a Virus The near-term challenges with cattle market price discovery aren’t new; legacy cattlemen point to prior market cycles where the topic was debated – typically at points where the value of beef at the retail counter was strong, while cash values in the country were weak. But the situation garnered extra attention and faced tougher critics over the last year and a half due to two unprecedented and unrelated events: the August 2019 fire at Tyson’s Holcomb, Kan., beef processing plant and the March 2020 onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Separately, both incidents created near-term crisis in the cattle market; they surfaced significant breaks in the beef supply chain, bottlenecking movement of finished cattle to plants and driving retail prices higher. The economic outcomes of the fire and the virus were similar in creating profit opportunities for packers, while pulling the rug out from underneath producers who were already in strained positions.

In the months that followed the Holcomb fire, rumors and criticism led to formal investigations by federal agencies. There was scrutiny placed on packers and their U.S. operations, as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice sought answers about market transparency. Amid this same period in the first half of 2020, as the pandemic unfolded, supply chain challenges seemed to pancake. Packers had to shutter some processing facilities, due to worker absences and virus outbreaks. The public experienced meat shortages at some grocery locations, filling news headlines and creating a steady increase in the retail value of beef cuts; state and local quarantines shifted beef demand from restaurant dining to in-home consumption, creating big opportunities for the processors who could pivot their supply and capture added dollars.

But again, the slow and frequently halted processing lines inside packing plants deflated demand for live cattle; the industry was again scrambling to find a solution for market-ready animals that no longer had delivery dates. And this marketplace was still recovering from the longtail of the inventory logjam created months before with the Holcomb fire. Oklahoma State University’s Extension Livestock expert, Dr. Derrell Peel, determined that the U.S. cattle industry had likely been hit with a devastating $13.6 billion economic storm in the wake of 2020’s COVID outbreak. His damage assessment, developed with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Center for Public Policy, painted a very bleak picture of severe financial losses on every one of the more than 800,000 cattle operations across the country.

Fortunately, beef industry experts and public officials worked quickly in the second half of 2020 to align with government agencies and packer representatives. Groups like Illinois Beef Association and other state organizations, along with NCBA, were pulling together beef leaders alongside lawmakers to come up with plans to put some strength back www.illinoisbeef.com

in the farm economy. Government programs were implemented in response to the economic toil; USDA worked to open federal disaster assistance to cattlemen, along with producers of other commodities, to provide some assistance with the income challenges.

Senators Offer Proposals for Accountability In the spring of 2020, the rumors and angst about cattle markets had drawn legislative actions from elected officials on Capitol Hill. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and a bi-partisan group of colleagues from five other states introduced a cattle pricing bill. The legislation was proposed to increase competition and transparency among meat packers, according to Grassley’s office. He said it was aimed at major meat packers who would be required to purchase at least 50 percent of their weekly beef slaughter volume on the open or spot market. In introducing the bill, Grassley specifically cited the Holcomb fire and COVID-19 impacts as the driving forces behind his proposal. In his news release about the bill, co-sponsoring Senators stated that forcing meat packers “to engage in more spot transactions” would bring up formula prices for cattle marketers, creating a more accurate, flexible, and transparent livestock market.

Grassley’s bill was celebrated by some corners of the industry, as a potential step in the right direction. But additional regulations enforced by the federal government were not welcomed by all cattle producers. NCBA’s statement following the Iowa Senator’s announcement was clear, “Government mandates, like that being proposed by Senator Grassley, would arbitrarily force many cattle producers to change the way they do business,” stated South Dakota Rancher Todd Wilkinson, NCBA’s Policy Division Chair at the time.

In late September of last year, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced her own legislation that she said was intended to restore transparency and accountability in the cattle market. Her proposal would establish regional negotiated cash minimums for packers, using localized data to determine the mandated level. This bill required a specific portion of each packer’s finished cattle purchases occurring

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

19

as cash transactions, while also sharing significantly more market information than previously available to the public.

She told farm groups and reporters that she expected the change to ensure “a sufficient number of cash transactions to facilitate price discovery and equip producers with more price information.”

In September, IBA joined with 16 other state beef organizations, sending a letter to bi-partisan leaders in Congress asking for support of Fischer’s legislation. The message, sent with signatures from fellow cattle groups in South Dakota, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Nebraska among others, highlighted four key aspects that could benefit the cattle industry: 1) regional cash minimums for negotiated trade in finished cattle, 2) a beef contract library that USDA would publish and maintain giving public access to marketing contracts between packers and producers to inform negotiation of favorable contracts, 3) 14day slaughter reporting by each major packer, requiring these processors to share the number of cattle they have scheduled for harvest in a two-week outlook, and 4) reinforcement of rules requiring USDA to report information collected, mitigating a common complaint that USDA has not typically reported all of the collected data over concerns about confidentiality.

This backing of Fischer’s proposal was not fully supported across the entire industry, either. NCBA cited the national organization’s prior policy discussion as reasoning for their desire for more discussion on the topic: “Price discovery is an issue of critical importance to cow/ calf producers, stockers, backgrounders, and feeders across the United States, and more negotiated trade is needed throughout the cattle feeding regions to ensure sufficient price discovery. That is why all of NCBA’s 46 state affiliate organizations unanimously adopted a fed cattle price discovery policy at our 2020 Summer Business Meeting.

This policy directs NCBA to pursue a voluntary approach to price discovery that includes triggers established by a working group of producer members which, if tripped due to a lack of regionally sufficient negotiated trade, would prompt NCBA to seek legislative or regulatory solutions—such as those outlined in Sen. Fischer’s bill—to achieve robust price discovery.

“Sen. Fischer’s bill explores many avenues to improve transparency in the cattle markets. The creation of a cattle

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

contracts library and clarification of confidentiality rules will provide crucial data to cattle producers as they seek to make informed marketing decisions. However, our policy dictates that the voluntary framework we are developing be allowed the opportunity to succeed or fail before we can lend our support to regional mandatory minimums for negotiated trade.”

Leaders Tasked with Considering Industry Solutions A few weeks after the Fischer bill was introduced, NCBA sent a letter to all membership highlighting the significant work that had been underway specific to the issues with price discovery. The message highlighted the fact that this work had paved the way for the organization’s appointment of the Live Cattle Marketing Working Group – put in place following the Holcomb fire, and before COVID-19 had impacted society. In the letter, NCBA shared that the Working Group’s initial findings from their price discovery review had been shared during a six-hour session at the organization’s Summer Business Meeting in 2020. At the conclusion of that summer meeting, NCBA adopted the Fed Cattle Price Discovery policy cited in their response to the Fischer bill.

The letter detailed how the summer policy decision further resulted in the appointment of a seven-member Regional Triggers Subgroup, who were meeting on a biweekly basis to deliver a voluntary framework to achieve price discovery in the fed cattle market.

NCBA’s then-President Marty Smith further explained in his note: “this approach lays out a plan to increase negotiated trade and incentivize each of the major packers’ participation in such negotiated trade. The framework explains in detail what we are calling the “75% Plan,” which is designed to provide negotiated trade and packer participation benchmarks for the industry to strive toward. In essence, the Subgroup will evaluate the weekly negotiated trade information for each of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s cattle feeding reporting regions on a quarterly basis in arrears. Eventually, the Subgroup will include in its evaluation an analysis of packer participation data, but this information is not yet published under Livestock Mandatory Reporting. To avoid tripping triggers, in any given quarter, each region will have to: • Achieve no less than 75% of the weekly negotiated trade volume that current academic literature indicates is necessary for “robust” price discovery in that specific region, • Achieve this negotiated trade threshold no less than 75% of the reporting weeks in a quarter, • Achieve no less than 75% of the weekly packer participation requirements, to be determined in short order, and assigned to each specific region, • Achieve this packer participation threshold no less than 75% of the reporting weeks in a quarter.

In the event that triggers are tripped in any two out of four rolling quarters, the Subgroup will recommend that NCBA pursue a legislative or regulatory solution to compel robust price discovery. The Subgroup will take into account black swans on a case-by-case basis, which are outlined in www.illinoisbeef.com

the force majeure section of the document and may allow for flexibility within the 75% Plan if events disrupt the normal flow of cattle in a quarter. Periodic adjustments may need to be made to the framework in the event that academic literature is updated, technological advances are made, or other conditions of supply and demand have changed. The Subgroup will make these adjustments on an as-needed basis.”

In the months that followed, neither the Fischer bill nor the Grassley bill advanced in Congress, as legislative progress on most fronts was delayed in D.C. due to Presidential elections and continued debate about COVID response.

New Year, New Efforts Unfortunately, cattle markets at the beginning of 2021 continued to show signs of struggle. Some optimism was seen coming into the winter, but it began to dwindle with climbing commodity prices adding financial complexity to the backlog remaining in the cattle supply chain. In the first quarter of this year, as NCBA’s Live Cattle Marketing Working Group continued their studies, and as state beef affiliate groups worked with producers to understand local impacts, political leaders in Washington reignited their calls for action. Fischer stepped forward and reintroduced her bill in the Senate, and days later Grassley followed suit reintroducing his proposal as well.

In early April, shortly following the announcements from both Senators about their respective bills, NCBA President Jerry Bohn sent a follow-up letter to members and State Beef Councils providing an update on the Live Cattle Marketing Working Groups on-going study of markets: “After evaluating the weekly USDA-AMS negotiated trade data in the five major cattle feeding reporting regions, the subgroup has determined that a major trigger was tripped during the first quarter of 2021. According to our memberapproved framework, if another major trigger is tripped during any of the remaining quarters this year, NCBA will pursue a legislative or regulatory solution to increase negotiated trade as determined by our membership.”

Your Input Needed to Shape Illinois Beef Policy As cited by NCBA in their member letters, cattle organizations adopt policy through the input and opinions of their members and IBA is working from the same approach. Our work to date has been driven by the policies put in place during the summer of 2020, following discussion and outreach by board leaders and staff with cattle feeders across Illinois. This is reflected in the letter sent last September with those other 16 state organizations, delivering on the IBA cattle market transparency policies (republished in the March-April 2021 issue of Illinois Beef magazine).

Input from members continues to shape the actions of this organization, and IBA desires to understand how every producer in the state is impacted by these challenging circumstances in the marketplace. Board leaders are also working to further understand what actions the membership would like to see taken in the debate about government regulation over price discovery and market transparency issues in the cattle industry. To achieve this desired understanding, in the most recent meeting of IBA’s Board of Governors, the IBA Policy Division voted unanimously to approve a full survey of active members across the state. This study is designed to capture a clearer picture of how many IBA members are impacted by the topics discussed in finished cattle market dynamics, and the survey also seeks to understand how our members are marketing their fat cattle in the market. It is the goal of this initiative to identify what policy IBA’s current members support regarding the items being debated within cattle organizations and by our elected representatives in Washington.

Every member is asked to complete the survey, online at www.illinoisbeef.com/survey. The entire process takes less than ten minutes and will provide critical information for upcoming discussion and decision among our membership and leadership. The survey is open for your input now and will close in the coming weeks. Our goal is to have a full report on the survey findings in the July-August issue of Illinois Beef magazine, and the information will inform IBA input to NCBA’s policy discussions.

Questions about the survey can be directed to the Illinois Beef Association office at (217) 787-4280 and via e-mail to josh@illinoisbeef.com. www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

21

a family

tradition Jack and Sherry Lowderman share a family history of farm auctions and raising cattle. They have passed both passions to the next generation, as sons Monte, Brent and Cody are all actively involved in the auction business and cattle industry.

by Betty Haynes The Lowderman family can trace their roots in the auction business back to 1963, when Jack Lowderman graduated Mason City School of Auctioneering, and formed L&W Auction Service with his friend Tommy Williams. It was the start of a partnership between the two that thrived for more than two decades until the Williams family moved to Oklahoma in the 1980s. During this transition, Lowderman Auction and Real Estate Company was officially established outside of Macomb, Ill. Since then, the Lowdermans and the Williams have remained close friends, as the Illinois-based auction business has grown into a full-time family business.

Today the company includes Jack’s sons Monte, Brent, and Cody, but the founding principles of honesty, integrity and sincerity remain.

“We’re probably one of the oldest auction firms in the state,” says Jack. “How does that saying go? We aren’t the best because we’re the oldest, we’re the oldest because we’re the best.”

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

Although the family business presents its share of challenges, it’s always worth it. Jack describes working with his sons as hectic and difficult at times, but he wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Last year has brought on a lot of changes to our lives,” he says. “If it’s brought out anything, it is our belief in God and family. Everything else is secondary.”

Family Legacy in the Auction Business “I never want to retire,” says Jack Lowderman, patriarch for the Lowderman family. “I want to slow down, but I never want to retire. You have to have something to get out of bed for every day.”

The Lowdermans pride themselves in being honest, fair and always doing what is right for their customers.

“Each one of us grew up in the auction business as kids and we don’t take that for granted,” says oldest son, Monte.

“We are very fortunate that each of us has a knack we accel at.

www.illinoisbeef.com

We each are a piece of the puzzle.”

Second-oldest brother, Brent, explains that he is does pasture and manure management around the farm, while Cody excels at cattle breeding and Monte serves as an auctioneer and is largely responsible for the auction and real estate company decisions.

Their business is backed by four generations of experience in the marketing industry with a tradition of results. The family has extensive history in the business, which has made them one of the most respected and recognized auction firm in the Midwest. Those are attributes that brother Monte credits as very significant to their future, citing the importance of integrity, experience and results to their continued success in the future.

“I told the boys, whenever you think you know everything in this business, you better quit,” explains Jack. “I’m still being educated at the age of 76 years old. One thing about auctions is there are no two alike.”

The legacy Jack first established back in the 1960s has continued with his sons and their families to be a trusted name in auction and professional arenas for more than 50 years. They have travelled extensively, conducting over 15,000 auctions for customers in 49 states.

“My great-grandfather owned a sale barn and my father sold at different livestock markets five days a week,” adds, Brent. “Instead of sitting at home on Saturday watching cartoons I was going to sale barns.”

Brent and wife, Kris, were approached in 2003 to purchase Carthage Livestock, Inc., which they now own and operate.

In 2007, they initiated their first annual Greater Midwest Hereford Influenced Feeder Calf Sale. Brent and Kris were presented the Hereford Industry Innovation Award by the AHA in 2013 for their efforts.

“I’m fortunate to be able to do something I love so much that I would do it for free, says youngest of the brothers, Cody. “Here I am making a living doing it.”

This year, Lowderman family was approached to host both the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale and MidAmerica Simmental Sale for the Illinois Beef Expo.

They successfully hosted both events, lending a hand to the industry.

“There was a need, and we were more than willing to help and host however we could,” Cody says.

Lowderman Cattle Company Jack’s parent’s, Wayne and Eloise Lowderman, began a livestock trading business in 1942 which started the family’s interest in the cattle industry.

“Jack and I were gifted two Hereford heifers from my dad when we were married,” says Sherry, matriarch of the Lowderman family. The wedding gift later turned into 4-H projects and has since grown into Lowderman Cattle Company.

Sherry is the daughter of Wayne “Smiley” and Betty Moore, Hereford breeders and owners of Whispering Meadows Farm. Sherry is the granddaughter of Chet and Lucy Jennings who owned Jennings Sales Co. outside of Macomb. In 1979, the family moved to the farm where Sherry was raised. The farm serves as the cattle headquarters today. www.illinoisbeef.com

Reid Suddeth, Monte, Cody, Jack, and Sherry

LLC Special Ops

Cody, Sherry, Jack, and Monte

Cody, Brent, Monte, and Jack

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Cory at his second Hereford Junior National in 1979.

Seven-time national champion, RJL LCC Miss Poker Face 5C ET

Three-time national champion, LCC SHF Miss Lemon Lime 502 ET

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

“Both of my grandfathers have definitely influenced where I am today,” explains Brent. “So many sayings from my grandfather stick in my heart and I live by them today.”

From there, the family became heavily involved in 4-H and FFA, showing cattle across the state and later across the country.

“Showing cattle has given our kids and grandkids responsibility,” says Jack. “It helped them to interact with other kids and they have made life-long friends.”

All three sons are now married with children of their own. Showing cattle continues to be a passion for the next generation.

“Showing instilled honesty, dedication, hard work and fairness in all of us,” says Monte, “Showing cattle in 4-H and FFA taught us work ethic and how it felt to get rewarded for hard work.”

Cattle have played a tremendous role determining the fate of the Lowderman family. Not only is it a business, but cattle provide an opportunity to share time together as a family and make memories.

“There is no better place to raise your family than on the farm,” says Cody. “I’m so thankful to be able to do this with the rest of family. There are definitely challenges that come with that dynamic, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.”

From their humble beginning, the Lowderman family has built a legacy within the cattle industry as an elite Hereford program. Their operation has bred, owned and showed dozens of national and world champion animals.

“Years ago, we couldn’t even win a county fair,” recalls Brent. “We always had passion for the Hereford breed and for showing cattle. If you have a dream, stick to that dream; be honest, work hard, say a few prayers along the way, and soon that dream will become a reality.”

Strength in Family The Lowderman family is no stranger to heartache. In June of 2000, Jack and Sherry’s son, Cory, was in a fatal car accident at age 29. Family describe Cory as a talented livestock evaluator and show pig enthusiast who loved his family.

“We used Cory’s death to really put things into perspective,” says Cody, who was a student at Michigan State University when Cory passed. “A lot of times people don’t realize that your greatest weakness is your greatest strength.

The weakness of losing a sibling made us stronger as a family.

It gave us all of the feelings and emotions that come with it.

Since then, the Lowdermans have adopted “Believe” as their family motto.

“Believe traces back to Cory,” says Sherry. “Both to believe in Christ and to believe in the truth and honesty of what you are doing. We re-entered as seedstock Hereford breeders on a new level to honor Cory.”

“

A lot of times people don’t realize that your greatest weakness is your greatest strength. The weakness of losing a sibling made us stronger as a family.

- Cody Lowderman www.illinoisbeef.com

Cory’s death renewed the Lowderman family’s commitment to produce Hereford cattle that would excel both in production and in the showring. The Lowdermans decided to honor Cory through an investment in nationally renowned Hereford genetics. The investment has since made their herd a seedstock source for many around the country.

In 2003, the Lowderman family held their first Illini Top Cut Sale, which has become an annual event held the third Sunday in September. Animals featured in the sale have been named champions at local, state and national cattle shows.

“It’s been fulfilling to grow from where we started,” recalls Monte. “We’ve been very blessed.”

Today, the enterprise consists of approximately 200 cows and features 15 proven donor cows with over 50 embryo transfer calves born annually.

Celebrating Success Legacies are plentiful in the beef industry. Celebrating successes like the Lowdermans highlight what makes the beef industry worth fighting for: family, perseverance, integrity, humility and pride in raising quality cattle.

“I’ve seen this industry change tremendously over the last 50 years,” recalls Jack. “The kind of cattle that we’re producing today is pretty much ideal for the industry. We change all the time to make ourselves better. We’re always trying to produce better cattle.”

Although the cattle industry has changed over several decades, farmers like the Lowdermans are committed to preserving their land and way of life to keep their farm sustainable for the next generation.

“As cattle farmers we’re trying to raise a superior protein product on our family farm,” says Cody. “It’s important for us to provide a good, safe product to feed both consumers and for our family. We have to produce what the consumer is wanting, and today’s consumers want safe and consistent quality.”

Consumer expectations may be evolving but cattle farmers are dedicated to raising safe high-quality protein.

“Agriculture today needs spokespeople to tell our story to the consumer so that they know where their products originate,” explains Sherry. “It’s safe and well cared for. Those that are responsible for raising cattle are dedicated to their way of life. We have a continuing challenge as producers with consumer resistance so we must continue to highlight the value and safety of our product.”

For more information on the Lowderman family, visit www.lowderman.com.

Today the Lowderman businesses are truly family-owned and operated: • • • •

Monte and his wife, Carrie, and their son, Rhett Brent and his wife, Kris, their children, Blake and Morgan Cody and his wife, Abby and their sons, Nash and Tuck Cory is always in their hearts

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12/15/2020 2:37:10 PM

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Reflections FROM THE RING Illinois Junior Beef Association member, Ashtin Guyer, looks back on her success in the ring.

by Jaclyn Krymowski

A

shtin Guyer of Robinson, Ill., was only five years old when she showed her first heifer at the 2008 North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Ky. That childhood experience kickstarted a lifelong love of cattle showing – one that would take her to the regional, state and even national levels – studded with memories that can only be described as being once-in-a-lifetime.

Next year will be the now-20 year old’s last in the ring as an IJBA junior member. She is both humbled and proud looking back on the journey that has played such a large part in her life.

“A lot of relations and connections come with this industry,” says Ashtin. “It’s also taught me how to communicate with others on a professional level and using that to move forward.”

Now a sophomore at Lake Land College in Mattoon, 26

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Ashtin showing her very first heifer ever in Louisville in 2008.

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Ashtin stands as a testament to the success of the many youths blessed with the ability to grow up in the stock show world. Looking back now is a bittersweet thing, she reflects, but it is certainly not the end as she assumes a new role mentoring to the next generation.

The Long Road to Success For the Guyers, the cattle itch just runs in the family.

Ashtin’s parents Lucy and Dave also grew up showing livestock and continued that love through the family business, Guyer Cattle Company, where they market elite animals across the nation.

When Ashtin and her younger sister, Nalaney, were first introduced to the sport, the two immediately fell in love. The two girls took it upon themselves to go all into the game, competitively showing both pigs and cattle.

A veteran in the livestock business, Dave says that it’s always the kids’ commitment to their projects that makes all the difference.

“In the livestock world, if they’re not 100% bought in and dedicated it’s just not going to be a successful project,” he says. “ Both of our girls have taken upon themselves on an everyday basis and showed responsibility at a young age.”

But when telling her story, Ashtin is sure to credit the multiple role models who have helped her along her journey – especially her parents who have continually accompanied her at the ringside.

“The older I get,” she says, “the more I see how important those role models are because now I’m about to be one of them.”

As she takes time to work with younger kids, Ashtin explains that it puts a new perspective on the value of those people in her life.

While she has been backed with an outpouring of support, that doesn’t mean there were no low moments of discouragement.

“I’ll be the first to admit I lost faith at times,” she says laughing, “but you do with any project.”

Ironically, some of these moments happened right before two of her career’s greatest highlights. But with personal determination and family there to spur her onwards, she stayed the course.

It’s a good thing she did because her best moments would truly be dreams come true.

Shining Moments Without hesitation, Ashtin can tell you her career’s two most memorable moments.

One of those happened in Louisville with a spring heifer at one of the nation’s biggest cattle shows. Not only did the heifer – appropriately named “Plus” – top her Shorthorn Plus class, but she also went on to be tapped the 2018 Supreme Champion Overall Heifer.

“That is the Super Bowl of shows,” Ashtin says of NAILE, “so that one has stuck with me. (It) was definitely my favorite.”

Her family is in agreement that this accomplishment particularly stands out, not only for their daughter, but them as well. www.illinoisbeef.com

Ashtin with her very first steer “Harry” at the North American International Livestock Exposition in 2011. He went on to be Reserve Overall.

Ashtin showing the 2018 Supreme Champion Overall Heifer at the 2018 NAILE.

DDA Barbara 1915, Grand Champion Angus Heifer 2020 Illinois Beef Expo

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One of Ashtin’s senior pictures taken after being selected Supreme Heifer.

Being selected Grand Champion Steer with “Olaf” at the 2020 National Western Stock Show on the legendary green carpet.

“You don’t set goals like that because they’re just unachievable,” says Dave. “I always say that that was a dream for anybody – including myself.”

The heifer wasn’t the first time Ashtin had a NAILE champion. In 2011, her first steer at the show was named Reserve Champion Overall.

Another favorite win happened several states over at the National Western Stock Show in Denver where early in 2020 her steer “Olaf ” was tapped Grand Champion. He also happened to set a new all-time record selling for $155,000 to Ames Construction Company.

“That’s been on my bucket list was to get a steer on the green carpet,” she says, noting this follows her sister who had pigs on the carpet prior. “Being selected and then going to the Brown Palace, that’s something that you just never forget.”

Like all showmen, Ashtin recounts the tough days at the barn where animals don’t look their best. It’s tough, she says, but it’s something that you need to stick with through thick and thin.

“It’s going to pay off in the end no matter what you do,” she says. “Whether it’s sports, in livestock or anything like that, you stick with it and pour your heart and soul into it and it’ll happen.”

Ashtin has also excelled in the swine community. Perhaps most notably, she had the 2016 Champion Gilt at the National Junior Summer Spectacular.

For her proud parents, Dave and Lucy say that in addition to the tenacity and dedication displayed by both their daughters, stock showing takes the team effort on behalf of everyone playing their part with the showman.

“The girls have always pulled their part and they’ve always kept their link in the chain of teamwork strong,” Dave says.

“They’ve stayed focused and never wavered from their goals.”

A Bright Future Outside Arena Lights But of course, the qualities of a showman don’t end once they leave their junior years behind them. Ashtin now looks forward to carrying the passion and life skills she’s acquired into the next phase of her life.

After Lake Land, she has plans to transfer to Western Illinois University this fall. She aspires to earn her bachelor’s in ag business with a minor in animal science and go into an animal chiropractic medicine career.

But besides her professional goals, what really keeps her going are the other juniors looking up to her, and those that will come after.

“I’m not going to be able to step in the show ring as a junior anymore,” she says. “But I can be the one to tell tow that calf in or carry a spray bottle with a pig – just showing those kids what I’ve learned through the years.”

As far as her father and mother are concerned, that type of character is among the greatest of laurels, and they are proud to see their daughters sharing that with other young people.

“The biggest accomplishment would be that we raised two very good girls that have got their heads screwed on straight,” Dave says with a laugh. “They are very good mentors to the younger up-and-coming generation. They’re always willing to help.”

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“

It’s going to pay off in the end no matter what you do. Whether it’s sports, in livestock or anything like that, you stick with it and pour your heart and soul into it and it’ll happen.

- Ashtin Guyer www.illinoisbeef.com

Lending Support to

Beef Producers

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Illinois Beef Expo 2021 Junior Show Guyer and Gensini exhibit Grand Champion Heifer at 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Thirteen breed champions vied for the Grand Champion Heifer title at the 2021 Illinois Beef Expo on March 14 in Peoria.

Ashtin Guyer of Robinson led her Champion Angus Heifer to the banner in Ring A. McKlay Gensini of Hennepin led her Champion AOB Heifer to the banner in Ring B. A total of 390 head were exhibited in the junior heifer show.

There was a two-ring show format to allow exhibitors to show cattle twice in one weekend. Ring A was open to both in-state and out-of-state exhibitors, while Ring B was only open to in-state exhibitors only. Judge Jon DeClerk of College Station, Texas evaluated the entries in Ring A and judge Shane Meier of Stonewall, Texas evaluated Ring B. Judge Jon DeClerk selected Champion AOB Heifer by McKlay Gensini of Hennepin as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring A. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Simmental Heifer shown by Millie Lashmett of Winchester. Charlee Jones of Gridley exhibited her Reserve Champion AOB Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Champion Polled Hereford Heifer shown by Paige Lemenager of Hudson.

Judge Shane Meier selected Champion Angus Heifer shown by Ashtin Guyer of Robinson as Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Ring B. Third Overall Heifer was the Champion Chianina Heifer exhibited by William Miller of Gridley. Nalaney Guyer of Robinson exhibited her Champion Percentage Simmental Heifer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Heifer was the Reserve Champion AOB Heifer shown by Charlee Jones of Gridley.

In addition, Compeer Financial, Earlybird Nutrition, Show-Rite and Stephens Trailer were platinum sponsors of the event, while Bar QH Simmentals, Edge Animal Nutrition, Hopedale Agri Center, Illinois Farm Bureau, Midwest Genetics, SC Online Sales, Show Cattle Connection and Toenyes Livestock served as gold sponsors.

Ellerbrock exhibits Grand Champion Steer at 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Ten breed champions vied for the Grand Champion Market Animal title at the 2021 Illinois Beef Expo on March 13 in Peoria. Kashen Ellerbrock of Atkinson led his Champion Chianina Steer to the banner. A total of 185 head were exhibited in the junior steer show.

There was a two-ring show format to allow exhibitors to show cattle twice in one weekend. Ring A was open to both in-state and out-of-state exhibitors, while Ring B was only open to in-state exhibitors only. Judge Shane Meier of Stonewall, Texas evaluated the entries in Ring A and judge Jon DeClerk or College Station, Texas evaluated Ring B. Judge Jon DeClerk selected Champion Crossbred Steer shown by Nalaney Guyer of Robinson as Reserve Grand Champion Steer in Ring A. Third Overall Steer was the Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer shown by Max Bedeker of Seneca. Kade Gensini of Hennepin exhibited his Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Steer was the Champion Simmental Steer shown by Jacob Bressner of Graymont.

Judge Shane Meier selected Champion Crossbred Steer shown by Nalaney Guyer of Robinson as Reserve Grand Champion Steer in Ring B. Third Overall Steer was the Reserve Champion Crossbred Steer shown by Kade Gensini of Hennepin.

Keegan Murphy of Seneca exhibited his Maine Steer for Fourth Overall. Fifth Overall Steer was the Third Overall Crossbred Steer shown by Colton Baudino by Mazon.

In addition, Compeer Financial, Earlybird Nutrition, Show-Rite and Stephens Trailer were platinum sponsors of the event, while Bar QH Simmentals, Edge Animal Nutrition, Hopedale Agri Center, Illinois Farm Bureau, Midwest Genetics, SC Online Sales, Show Cattle Connection and Toenyes Livestock served as gold sponsors.

All Illinois Beef Expo photos taken by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography 30

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Ring A Heifer Show Results RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

GRAND CHAMPION

Champion Angus

Champion AOB

Shown by Ashtin Guyer

3RD OVERALL HEIFER

Shown by McKlay Gensini

4TH OVERALL HEIFER

5TH OVERALL HEIFER

Champion Simmental

Reserve Champion AOB

Champion Polled Hereford

Champion Horned Hereford

Champion Limousin

Champion Mainetainer

Champion Red Angus

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Champion Shorthorn

Shown by Millie Lashmett

Shown by Ella Bane

Shown by Aubree Bauer-Hanold

Shown by Charlee Jones

Shown by Riley Smith

Shown by Grace Rincker

Shown by Paige Lemenager

Shown by Joshua Darbyshire of Iowa

Shown by Lauren Mohr

Other Heifer Winners: Champion Chianina, Trace Titus

Champion % Simmental Shown by Amelia Miller

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Champion Commercial Shown by Paige Lemenager

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Ring B Heifer Show Results RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

GRAND CHAMPION

Champion AOB

Champion Angus

Shown by McKlay Gensini

3RD OVERALL HEIFER

Shown by Ashtin Guyer

4TH OVERALL HEIFER

5TH OVERALL HEIFER

Champion Chianina

Champion % Simmental

Reserve Champion AOB

Champion Horned Hereford

Champion Limousin

Champion Mainetainer

Champion Red Angus

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Champion Shorthorn

Shown by William Miller

Shown by Ella Bane

Shown by Paige Van Dyke

Shown by Nalaney Guyer

Shown by Riley Smith

Shown by Carly Powell

Shown by Charlee Jones

Shown by Avery Seys

Shown by Alexa Turner

Other Heifer Winners: Champion Simmental, Kendra Myers; Champion Commercial, Amelia Miller

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www.illinoisbeef.com

Ring A Steer Show Results RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

GRAND CHAMPION

Champion Chianina

Champion Crossbred

Shown by Kashen Ellerbrock

Shown by Nalaney Guyer

3RD OVERALL HEIFER

4TH OVERALL HEIFER

Reserve Champion Crossbred

Reserve Champion Crossbred

Champion Simmental

Champion Angus

Champion Hereford

Champion Maine

Shown by Max Bedeker

Shown by Cole Caldwell

Shown by Kade Gensini

Shown by Kinnick Paulsen of Iowa

5TH OVERALL HEIFER

Shown by Jacob Bressner

Shown by Carter Preston

Taken by Codee www.illinoisbeef.com

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Champion Shorthorn Shown by Kylie Saathoff

Champion Shorthorn Plus Shown by John Lukach

Champion AOB

Shown by Shae Varner

Taken by Codee Champion Market Heifer Shown by Allison Loftis

Ring B Steer Show Results RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

GRAND CHAMPION

Champion Chianina

Shown by Kashen Ellerbrock

3RD OVERALL HEIFER

Reserve Champion Crossbred Shown by Kade Gensini 34

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

Champion Crossbred Shown by Nalaney Guyer

4TH OVERALL HEIFER

Champion Maine

Shown by Keegan Murphy

5TH OVERALL HEIFER

Third Overall Crossbred Shown by Colton Baudino

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Champion Angus

Champion Hereford

Champion Shorthorn

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Champion Simmental

Champion AOB

Shown by Christian Fischer

Shown by Koby Kearns

Shown by Amber Lee

Shown by Madeline Nightingale

Shown by Kylie Saathoff

Shown by Shae Varner

Taken by Codee Champion Market Heifer Shown by Tyson Gillespie

Taken by Codee www.illinoisbeef.com

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Ble B lend ndiin ng g Pa s sion w P assion wit ith h Exp tiis E xpe er rt se e BAGLEY BROTHERS MANAGE BEEF FROM BIRTH TO BARBECUE

by Barb Anderson

M

The family started their Angus herd in 1991, when the ay is officially National Beef Month. But for the Bagley brothers started showing steers and then registered Bagley family of Shipman, Illinois, every month is heifers.

Today, the brothers have about 50 registered Angus beef month. Brothers Andrew and Adam, together females and a few commercial embryo recipient cows. In with their wives, Lauren and Emily, have turned their addition, they background about 200 head on feed a year, collective passion for beef into two full-time businesses. buying 500-pound heifers and selling them at about 700 They raise Angus and commercial cattle and operate a local pounds.

The family markets 10-15 registered Angus bulls a retail meat market at the same time. year through private treaty and sells “My passion for meat science was some bred heifers. They like to retain really sparked by Tom Carr at the heifers to replace about 10 females a University of Illinois,” says Andrew. year to keep up with advancements in Carr, a now-retired meat science genetics. professor, is known to have influenced “It depends on what the many students during his long tenure. commercial producer wants,” he says.

“I majored in animal science and “Calving ease is a big selling point. We interned on the meat side of the are very focused on phenotype, EPDs industry in Nebraska. I worked for and genetic potential, but we still have Tyson for 18 months selling boxed beef to have functional, sound cattle that after graduation in 2002.” appeal to the eye, so bull buyers are Andrew returned to the family interested. ” farm as the fifth generation in 2003 to In 2017, Andrew invested in the join his dad, Jeff, in raising cattle and Hansen Meat Company that was growing corn, soybeans, wheat and Andrew Bagley shows off a tomahawk ribeye, one opening a new location in nearby hay. Jeff passed away unexpectedly in of the most popular cuts available at the market.

Edwardsville, Illinois. However, 2009, and Andrew continued to farm Andrew’s partner and owner, Ryan alone for about three years. He then hired a hand to help with Hansen, decided to close the location in late 2018. Andrew the farm for a few years before Adam decided to also return bought the equipment and assumed the lease. to farm in 2014.

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Bagley Farms Meat Market employees pose in front of the company van.

“Owning a retail butcher shop is something Adam always wanted to pursue,” says Andrew. “We opened as Bagley Farms Meat Market in 2019 to a steady increase in business until COVID hit.”

Andrew was concerned the pandemic might spell trouble for the business. Instead, it grew gangbusters. “We are very blessed,” he says. “As grocery stores ran out of meat, COVID brought new faces to our door. Business was hot, but we were cautious about it. We expected those customers to return to grocery stores once they restocked, but our customer base stayed with us.”

Bagley Farms Meat Market focuses on providing the St. Louis Metro East area with the “highest quality, most wholesome meat, cheese and produce available.” The brothers do not claim to be a locally sourced operation, but they do try and source local products as they can.

“Some of the cattle we raise do end up as beef in our meat case, but by and large we source Choice Angus beef from packing plants throughout the Midwest,” says Andrew.

“We use Korte Meat Processing in Highland, Illinois, to do our wholesale cuts. Then, we cut our own steaks and other products. We sell a beef/pork blend snack stick made from our beef by another company.”

The Bagleys have tested the waters for servicing local restaurant beef needs but have found it is not economically feasible for them. The price spread between what the Bagleys say they need to charge and what restaurants are willing to

(217) 824-2815 stephenstrailers@yahoo.com www.stephenstrailers.com

The Bagley family includes, left to right, Adam and wife Emily and their children, Andrew and Lauren on their wedding day, and Adam and Andrew’s mother, Rosemary.

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With no slowdown in growth in sight, the Bagleys are pay for Choice Angus beef is too wide. moving to a larger retail space in July 2021. The new building “We do get some requests from customers interested in will have a prominent storefront along a major road in buying a quarter or half beef, but we can’t offer that service Edwardsville. They plan to further diversify their offerings right now. Appointments for processing in this area are and become more of a one-stop shop. Their fresh meat and booking a year and a half out due to COVID, and I can’t deli case space will double and include more value-added guarantee a beef price that far out,” he says.

One area of growing demand they service enthusiastically products that are ready to cook, given that convenience continues to be a is for dry-aged major selling point. prime beef.

They also will have Andrew says they larger cooler and have the capacity freezer space and to dry-age 24 will increase drybone-in ribeyes aging capabilities in their case at a to accommodate time. Typically, more beef. all 24 sell almost “We are immediately and adding a bakery often customers that will feature will request to substantial desserts buy a whole like homemade ribeye. They also pies, cookies and have created four cinnamon rolls,” made-to-order he says. “We will meat bundles that Bagley Farms Meat Market will move to new retail space, as depicted in this artist have a beer cave they sell at a bulk rendering, in July to expand their meat case and value-added product lines. and limited wine and discount price. alcohol selection. I “It helps am a self-professed whiskey junkie, and whiskey just seems to move some of the lower demand cuts,” says Andrew. “Our go with smoking and cooking meats.” inventory is always subject to change based on availability, Word of mouth has been the most successful and most and we do our best to meet the needs of our customers. Our economical promotion strategy for the business. Andrew butcher can help people find the right cut of meat when they also has found sharing weekend specials on social media and come in and cut meat to order.” using a text message platform to share sales and coupons with Andrew gets occasional requests for grassfed beef and for their roughly 1,000 customer “VIP” list is effective. Spending antibiotic- and hormone-free beef. money on other advertising has not been necessary.

“I take time to find out consumer beliefs and correct “This is a hard business, but we love it,” Andrew says. “If misinformation about what exactly antibiotic- or hormoneother producers are interested in selling beef locally, I would free beef is. Often, they do not understand it. They just have recommend sticking with quarters, halves and wholes. If heard it is better,” he says. “It makes me cringe every time you try and sell cuts, your steaks get sold and too many soup someone thinks they are getting a premium product with bones end up in the freezer. You could end up with inventory antibiotic- or hormone-free beef, but they generally are you can’t move, and that doesn’t pay the bills in this business.” receptive to the facts.”

Bagley Farms Meat Market sources Choice Angus beef from packing plants throughout the Midwest to feature in its fresh meat case at the store.

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It’s our duty to help protect this sacred bond. This is what defines us. We are born of the bond.

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Illinois Farm Bureau is proud to support beef farmers.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2021 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. GCA-00517

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Edge of Common Sense Baxter Black, cowboy and former large animal veteranarian

The Last Dollar For those of you who forgot how easy it was to get started in farming let me tell you about my friend Con. Many years ago, he bought a farm in the wilds of Minnesota. The feller that sold him the farm had his farm sale the day Con arrived to take possession of the land.

Now, Con had been a cowboy type all his life and, upon viewing the farm machinery stacked in the yard, he was hard put to identify anything other than the handy man jack and a tractor. But he thought if this stuff was good enough for the farmer that sold out, it was good enough for him. He’d figger out what it was later.

All the neighbors for miles around came to see who the new sucker was and maybe pick over the machinery like buzzards on fresh road kill . . .

Con jumped in and bought the only thing he recognized: the tractor. It was a 45 Allis . . . he paid $1,250. Then he bought the mounted plow that went with it. Con said the auctioneer started on a big pile of orange metal. “Ain’t you gonna buy that? You bought the tractor and the plow.” Con bought it. Two days later he found out it was a mounted cultivator.

When the sale was over several of the farmers asked Con

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to load their heavy stuff, since he’d bought the tractor an’ all, they said. Con leaped up in the seat, intent on showin’ these skeptical neighbors he knew what he was doin’. He fumbled around for ten minutes, switching on the headlights, the choke, the throttle, the gauges and wipin’ the transfer case clean lookin’ for some instructions. Finally an ol’ timer reached over and said, “Pull this, son.” It fired up right away (it was the only time in the next five years it ever did that). He couldn’t find the shift pattern but fortunately it was in gear and the clutch was where it belonged.

The first thing they wanted him to load was an old pull type, disjointed disc. It never went anyplace he aimed it. Con would turn around and it would be passing him. Eventually he dragged it up on a flat bed inflicting considerable damage in the process. Pleased with himself he turned and said, “Next?” Everybody else had drifted away.

The feller with the bent disc came over to Con, opened his wallet and handed him a dollar bill. “Kid, you take this and buy yourself a can of gas. It’ll be the first and last dollar you ever make farmin’, but you’ll always have enough to git outta town.”

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CH HE EC CK KIIN NG G IIN N W WIIT TH H C

TH HE E C CH HE EC CK KO OF FF F T

Illinois Producers Celebrate May as Beef Month To mark the celebration of May as Beef Month in Illinois, IBA has several marketing and promotion activities currently underway. Aimed at building demand for beef through education and communications, the promotional campaigns during May and June highlight the benefits of our industry’s product to consumers across the state using a variety of different tactics.

To build more demand in the state’s largest consumer marketplace, IBA has partnered with the Chicago Tribune in May for a new promotion highlighting the city’s most acclaimed burger joints. The month-long campaign features news articles by a Tribune food writer, profiling the hip new places to dine out for a great burger. IBA worked with the Tribune staff to ensure 100% of the content featured beef burgers, and the outcome is a top-ten list of mouthwatering pictures and descriptions on Chicago’s great new beef destinations. The campaign also features social media content to promote an IBA-sponsored contest for Tribune readers and urban beef fans to share their favorite burger recipes. At the end of May, one Chicago-area household will have their family’s beef burger recipe selected for a free overnight hotel stay Downtown, along with a dinner at one of the top burger joints profile in newspaper article.

Expanding the reach of this promotion, IBA and the Tribune have partnered for a special “Summer BBQ & Grilling” insert in the newspaper later this month, and additional digital advertising in a subscription- based email newsletter to more than 50,000 “foodie” households in the Chicago metro area. The digital and

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print marketing promotion has been underway since May 1 and runs through the end of the month, with an estimated reach of more than 6 million urban consumers. IBA has also partnered with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and several of their affiliates to lease billboard promotional space in and around the city, and if you’re through the region this summer you’ll likely to see them up catching the eye of commuters with prominent “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner,” signage.

In conjunction with the promotions in Chicago, IBA staff are working across the state in support of marketing and public relations partnerships with several of our affiliate organizations. Local programs include beef donations to area food banks and media interviews to promote our industry programs and producer-members. The Association is also partnering with Operation Food Search, a St. Louis-based foodbank organization, to provide beef product donations to urban food pantries on the Illinois side of their region, specifically in Madison and St. Clair counties.

Through the Illinois Farm Families Coalition, IBA is featured on the watchusgrow.org website this month with a series of new content. This long-time partnership with the other commodity groups in Illinois aims to increase engagement with consumers seeking to learn more about our state’s farmers. In the new videos and articles, IBA members are featured explaining current topics like sustainable beef production, meat quality, multi-generational beef operations and nutritional benefits of real meat in your diet – specially beef.

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Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Brand Launches Sustainability Campaign NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launches integrated campaign to share stories of real beef farmers and ranchers and their commitment to protecting the land for generations to come.

The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand, managed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launched a new beef campaign highlighting real beef farmers and ranchers. Consumers will be invited to learn more about how cattle farmers and ranchers around the country are employing sustainable practices to care for the land and produce high-quality beef.

Recent scientific research funded by the Beef Checkoff shows that due to decades of continuous improvement efforts on farms and ranches around the country, the U.S. is the leader in sustainable beef production. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas from beef cattle only represents 2% of emissions in the U.S. Additionally, 90% of what cattle eat is forage and plant leftovers that people can’t eat.

With this strong foundation of scientific and consumer market research, NCBA took the opportunity to develop a fully integrated campaign that will target consumer, influencer, media and supply chain audiences. The campaign will come to life in a variety of ways, including: • New Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. advertising that will run on social media, YouTube and connected TV with a new video series highlighting how beef farmers and ranchers around the country are implementing landconserving, award-winning environmental efforts • An interactive map on BeefItsWhatsForDinner. com that will be featured in the new ads and invite consumers to meet beef farmers and ranchers from each state

www.illinoisbeef.com

•

A series of interviews showcasing sustainability from farm to table on local TV and radio stations across the country • Influencer partnerships bringing chefs and cattle producers together for a collaborative and educational video series • Content partnerships and sustainability story placements in publications, from the national level to the local level, across the country “Beef farmers and ranchers have been caring for the land and environment for generations and will continue to do so,” said Clay Burtrum, 2021 Federation Division Chair. “Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and as sustainability becomes a focus for consumers, it’s important for us to tell our story as effectively as possible and this campaign does just that.”

According to market research, only 24% of consumers say they are knowledgeable about how cattle are raised for food. This sustainability campaign aims to address that by introducing consumers to farmers and ranchers across the country and showcasing the many efforts underway to help sustain and improve the land for generations to come.

Consumers will also be introduced to the Environmental Stewardship Award Program and the Beef Quality Assurance Program as further evidence of steps taken by the industry to adhere to the highest standards.

For more information on the U.S. cattle industry and beef sustainability, visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com or www.beefresearch.org.

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2021

June 28 - July 1

Des Moines, IA

Apply for the Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute PURPOSE

The Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute (ILLI) provides an opportunity for young men and women to become actively involved in the livestock industry and all of agriculture. ILLI, sponsored by the Illinois Beef Assocation, Illinois Pork Producers Association and Midwest Dairy, is administered by the three organizations.

ILLI focuses on careers in the livestock industry through hands-on experiences, tours and networking with peers and professionals. Youth will learn about promotion, research, consumer information and issues that affect the livestock industry

ELIGIBILITY

ILLI delegates must be 16-20 years old by the start of the trip. ILLI delegates need not be livestock producers or from livestock producing families, but must exhibit a sincere interest in the industry and agriculture as a whole.

The trip will be limited to 27 participants. Applications will be judged based on the essay response. Selected applicants will be notified within a week of the deadline passing.

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QUALIFICATIONS

Each participant must have an interest in the livestock industry and want to learn how they can assist the industry in the future.

Applications must be submitted by May 21, 2021.

EXPENSES

A $150 registration fee, per participant, is due upon acceptance to the institute (not at the time of applying). An additional form and further information will be shared at that point.

After the $150 registration fee, all lodging, meals and other expenditures which are part of ILLI, will be covered.

Delegates are responsible for personal expenses which are not a part of ILLI. (ex: gifts, snacks, etc.).

This trip will be limited to 27 participants plus 3 staff.

Essay response will be part of the application score. Selected applicants will be notified within a week of the deadline passing and asked to submit their $150 trip fee at that time.

Apply at www.illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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IN THIS ISSUE: May/June 2021

47

Paige Lemenager Earns Junior Bronze and Silver Awards

47

Angus Election Under Way

47

Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off is Back and Better Than Ever

48

Show Results

ILLINOIS ANGUS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Joel York Vice President: David Jenkins Secretary: Aaron Schafer Business Manager: Doug Turner Past President: Tyler Rhode 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 Sale Manager: Lee Stremsterfer Directors At Large: Grant Bedel Jim Marsh TJ Curtin Bradley Walter Kyle Beutke Jeff Dameron Brent Henkel Clay Sellmeyer Dan Naughton Greg McClure Lee Stremsterfer David Mool 46

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

ADVERTISERS INDEX

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bill Farm Angus 50 Callan Farms 50 Evers Livestock Farm 50 Kiesewetter Angus 50 Kramer Angus 50 Lemenager Cattle 50 Lorenzen Farms 50 Panther Creek Ranch 50 Rhodes Angus 50 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 50 Walnut Grove Angus 50 WP Angus 50 York Farms 50

Visit the Events page at www.illinoisangus.com for a list of upcoming events and Angus sales this fall and winter.

ON THE COVER Taken by Betty Haynes at Lowderman Cattle Company in Macomb, Ill.

CONTACT

To place advertisements or your latest Angus news contact:

Betty Haynes Director of Communications Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

Paige Lemenager Earns Junior Bronze and Silver Awards Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Ill., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Jaclyn Upperman, education and events director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo. Lemenager is the 17-year-old daughter of Luke and Stacy Lemenager and attends Normal Community West High School.

She is a member of the NJAA, Illinois Junior Angus Association, where she served as director.

She has participated in state and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Lemenager participated in the photography and team sales contests and the All-American Certified Angus Beef® CookOff. In 2014 she was a participant in the mentoring program. She also participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conferences in 2017 and 2019 She has consigned cattle to the Illinois Angus Futurity.

The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, 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 selfdevelopment opportunities for the nearly 4,500 active members nationwide.

Angus Election Under Way The American Angus Association® is preparing for the 2021 Annual Convention of Delegates, hosted in conjunction with the Angus Convention Nov. 6-8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

In accordance with the Association bylaws, forms and information required to nominate a delegate online or through the mail have been mailed to every eligible voting active life and regular Association member who qualified as an eligible voting member to nominate delegates to the annual meeting. To nominate online, eligible voting members must visit the address provided on the form included in the mailing and use the unique pin number provided. The unique pin number is located below the member code in the upper right corner of the form. Nominations submitted online must be completed no later than 4:30 p.m., CDT June 11.

If the traditional printed form included in the mailing is used to nominate, the signed nomination form must be received in the Association office no later than 4:30 p.m., CDT on June 11.

The nomination period is April 12 to June 11, and each eligible voting member is allowed to nominate one eligible voting member who resides in the same state or district, including himself or herself. More information is available here.

The candidate should be highly involved in the Angus business, willing to attend the meeting and able to represent Angus breeders.

Following the close of the nomination period, every qualified nominee will be included on a state/district ballot. Ballots will be mailed to the eligible voting members in July to vote for the final slate of state/district delegates. The Annual Convention of Delegates will take place Monday, Nov. 8, during the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Online registration for the convention will begin July 1, and further information will be available at www.angusconvention.com.

Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off is Back and Better Than Ever Calling all chefs, grill masters and beef lovers — the famous American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus BeefÒ Cook-Off is back and better than ever! In addition to the annual Certified Angus BeefÒ Cook-Off contest and the Certified Angus BeefÒ Chef’s Challenge, there will be a third division, the Certified Angus BeefÒ at Home contest. The All-American Certified Angus BeefÒ Cook-Off and the Certified Angus BeefÒ Chef’s Challenge are to be hosted on July 13, 2021, in conjunction with the Grandest Show at the 2021 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS).

The purpose of all three of these contests is a chance to display participants’ knowledge of the beef industry and cooking skills in an educational, competitive and fun way. Among junior teams in particular, the Cook-Off has fostered a cooperative spirit. The Cook-Off is an excellent way to educate and entertain nonparticipants, while promoting the ultimate end product — the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.

“We are so excited to be back in action this year with our annual contests, as well as the Certified Angus Beef® at Home challenge for round two,” said Anne Lampe, American Angus Auxiliary Beef Education Committee co-chair. “The CookOff is a favorite contest at the NJAS, and we can’t wait to see the competitive spirit exhibitors bring this year to Grand Island!”Learn more at www.angus.org. www.illinoisbeef.com

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Show Results 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Angus Show

Peoria, Ill. | March 13-14 | Judges: Shane Meier, Tex. and Jon DeClerk, Tex Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Ring A Grand Champion Heifer Ring B Res. Grand Champ. Heifer

Ring A Champ. Angus Steer Ring B Res. Champ. Angus Steer

Ring A Res. Champ. Angus Steer Ring B Champ. Angus Steer

Both Rings Third Overall Angus Steer

Ring A Res. Champ Angus Heifer

Ring B Res. Champ. Angus Heifer

Ring A Third Overall Angus Heifer

Ring B Third Overall Angus Heifer

Ashtin Guyer

Logan Suits

Jaycie Schertz

Cole Caldwell

Lauren Mool

Christian Fischer

Addison Bartlow

Coehen Kirchner

2021 Angus Royalty:

IL Junior Angus Queen: Jordi Oliver IL Junior Angus Ebonette: Lizzie Schafer IL Junior Angus Ebonette:Cheyenne Handsaker IL Junior Angus Ebonette: Ella Brooks IL Junior Angus Princess: Macie Carroll IL Junior Angus Princess: Madeline Bergmann

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2021 Mid-Atlantic Junior Angus Classic (MAJAC) Regional Preview Show Harrisonburg, Va. | March 13-14 | Judges: Scott Bush, S.D. Photos by Next Level Images

Bred-and-Owned Intermediate Champ. Female

Bred-and-Owned Res. Intermediate Champ. Heifer

Res. Grand Champ. Owned Female

Owned Intermediate Champ.

Heifer

Owned Res. Early Junior Champ.

Heifer

Intermediate Showmanship

Morgan Hutchins

Morgan Hutchins

Reece Anderson

Emily Brooks

Emily Brooks

Miss American Angus Ellie Kidwell; Reese Anderson, champion; and Montana Hulsmeyer, reserve champion.

2021 National Junior Angus Association’s Raising the Bar Officer Training Montgomery, Ala. | April 8-11 Photos by American Angus Association

Pictured from left are Addison Bartlow, Monticello; Lauren Wolter, Aviston; Paige Lemenager, Hudson; Reese Anderson, Chrisman; Ella Brooks, Prophetstown; and Eric Schafer, Owaneco.

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Bill Farm Angus Marvin Kramer

1037 N. 2850 St. Farina, IL 62838 mkramerangus@gmail.com Cell: 618-267-3884 Annual Sale: 4th Saturday in March

340 Valley View Circle Dahinda, IL 61428 (309) 337-5196 The new home for SAV Emblynette 4603!

Owned with Pasture View Angus

Carl & Janet Evers 22198 Little Indian Rd. Virginia, IL 62691

217-415-3033 evers52@yahoo.com

LARRY RHODES 217-473-5868 cell 217-854-5200 office

rhodesangus@royell.org

9350 Rte 108, Carlinville, IL 62626

www.RhodesAngus.com

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

%LAN - Stonington, IL Mika Callan: (217) 823-0653

E-mail: mcallanlOl@spaadnat.com 120 Cow Perlormance Herd

WP Angus Genetics for production and beauty Like WP Angus on Facebook

Wayne & Pam DeWerff

Pam’s cell 217-823-9453 pamdewerff@yahoo.com

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ADVERTISE HERE Contact Betty Haynes Director of Communications betty@illinoisbeef.com 217-787-4280

Owaneco, Illinois Sale in Spring of 2021

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

The

ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN

www.illinoisbeef.com

MAY/JUNE 2021

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

51

CONTENTS MAY/JUNE 2021

53 Membership Services Note 54 A Minute With the Meents 54 AHA Announces Plans for 2022 Cattlemen’s Congress and National Western Stock Show 55 Illinois Hereford Association Fall Tour 56 Herefords in Demand 56 DNA Sampling Guide 58 Illinois Junior Hereford Association Preview Show 2021 60 2021 JNHE Lodging Information 60 2021 IHA Summer Schedule 61 Illinois Hereford Association Membership Forms 62 Show Results

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVERTISERS INDEX

PRESIDENT Dave Roome 309-945-8400

Baker Farms Ellis Farms JNHE Hereford Spectacular Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company Milligan Herefords Perks Ranch Torrance Herefords

VICE-PRESIDENT Gene Stumpf 618-407-8374 TREASURER Buddy Edenburn (217) 649-0108 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Dr. Tamar Crum 217-820-0964 illinoishereford@gmail.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Kline, 309-824-9937 Matt Johnson, 309-883-9466 Phil Tjardes, 815-383-0003 Brent Lowderman, 309-221-9621 Luke Goldstein, 217-663-3390 Cody Crum, 217-248-7282 Jodi McMillan, 815-751-2293 Chad Benedict, 217-246-5099 Kent Burns, 618-521-3199 52

Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

PHOTOS 64 64 63 64 64 64 64 64

On the Cover: Taken at Lowderman Cattle Company in Macomb, Ill. Below taken by Caseelynn Johnston at Illinois Beef Expo.

CONTACT To place advertisements or your latest Hereford news contact: Betty Haynes Director of Communications Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES NOTE

I

am sure many of you know me, but for those of you who may not, I am Molly Biggs and I am this year’s IHA Member Services Intern! I grew up in Dixon, Illinois, which is about 45 miles south of Rockford, and 100 miles west of Chicago. I am sure many of you know my dad, David, as he is always starting up a conversation with people around the barns (sometimes it seems at the most inconvenient times). My Mom, Marianne, is probably found helping me (on the wash rack) or making us lunch. Together we own and operate Biggs Polled Herefords, which is a 40-head cow calf operation. I started showing and growing my own herd in 2010 and have been in love with the Hereford breed ever since. The places I have seen, the lessons I have learned, the opportunities I have had, and most importantly the people I have met, are second to none. I would not be who I am, or where I am today if it were not for Hereford cattle.

Literally, I would not be sitting in Manhattan, Kansas, if it were not for Herefords.

So, that brings me to today. I am currently a freshman at Kansas State University, double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science. After obtaining my degree I plan to pursue a career in Agricultural Communications, helping to increase transparency between producers and consumers. While I am not 100% sure what I want to do for the rest of my life, I always say that my “dream job,” would be getting to work for the AHA, getting to write for the Hereford World, and designing marketing materials, like ads and sale catalogs.

At K-State, I am currently involved in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Block and Bridle, Collegiate Cattleman’s, and was just recently selected to be a College of Agriculture Ambassador, and was elected to be the Events Coordinator for the organization. I would not be at K-State if it were not for my Hereford Family. The first time I visited Manhattan was during the Faces of Leadership in 2017, and knew I loved the campus. We always say that your Hereford family is everywhere, and it truly is, whether it’s Emily Bernard, who is always down to get cookie bakes, or seeing Taylor Belle Matheny, around Waters Hall, we truly are everywhere.

I am also currently serving as the IHJA Secretary, so all you parents of juniors, I am the person you get all those annoying emails from, and who harps on you to get your preview show entries in! You can find more information about this year’s preview show in this issue. I think I speak for the Junior Board when I say we are all very excited for this year’s preview show, for all of us to be back together and of course the top-quality cattle the Illinois juniors always bring.

Well, I am sure I wrote more than Tamar asked me to, but I am excited to be this year’s Member Services Intern, and though I have big shoes to fill after last year’s intern, Lauren McMillan, I just want to say that I am extremely excited for this opportunity and to get to give back to a breed and association that has meant so much to me!

Stay safe and I cannot wait to see everyone this summer!

- Molly Biggs

IHA Membership Services Intern

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A MINUTE WITH THE MEENTS John Meents, AHA Field Staff, jmeents@hereford.org, 419-306-7480 On April 7, 2021, the American Hereford Association Board of Directors voted on the 2021 and 2022 National Shows and judges. January 5-8, 2022, the Cattlemen Congress in Oklahoma City, OK will be hosting the National Show and Sale along with the National Pen Show. The National Western Stock Show in Denver will be a regional show the week following Oklahoma City. There will be both a hill and pen show in Denver. Exhibitors can display and/or show cattle at both locations if they desire as the show dates will NOT overlap.

2021 -2022 National Show dates and judges are as follows: Keystone National, Harrisburg, PA Show Date: October 8

Entry Date: August 31

Judge: Chad Breeding, Miami, TX

American Royal, Kansas City, MO Show Date: October 24

Entry Date: September 16 Judge: Tom Hawk, Earlville, IL

North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY Show Date: TBD

Entry Date: October 1

Judge: Andrew Foster, Niles, MI

Western States Hereford Show, Reno, NV Show Date: Dec. 3-4

Entry Date: October 31

Judge: Shane Werk, Manhattan, KS

Cattlemen’s Congress, Oklahoma City, OK Show Date: Jan 5-8

Entry Date: November 20 Judge: Matt Copeland, Nara Visa, NM

Pen Judges: Keith Phillips, Mays Lick, KY, Sam Shaw, Caldwell, ID, Bruce Thomas, Gold Creek, MT Fort Worth Stock Show, Ft. Worth, TX Show Date: Jan. 31

Entry Date: November 15 Judge: Harlan Yocham, Sapulpa, OK

FEEDER CALF UPDATE: If you have fall Hereford feeder cattle to market, please consider consigning to the Kentucky Hereford Influenced Feeder Sale, May 13 at Bluegrass Stockyards, South, Stanford, Ky. For information call: John Meents 419-306-7480.

MAKE YOUR CATTLE BETTER TODAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MARKET THEM TOMORROW!

AHA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2022 CATTLEMEN’S CONGRESS AND NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW A decision has been made on the recognition of national shows for January 2022.

The American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors met this week during their spring board meeting to make a decision about recognition levels of the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Okla. and National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo. The AHA Board voted to host the 2022 National Show and National Hereford Sale during the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City.

The shows and exhibitor surveys were all taken into consideration during this decision. It was decided that Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City will host the 2022 National Show and National Hereford Sale, junior show and pen show.

Following Cattlemen’s Congress, AHA will recognize the NWSS as a Regional Point Show. The AHA will share more information and schedules with its membership and interested parties once both venues have been notified and establish final changes.

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

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Save the Date

IllInoIs Hereford AssocIAtIon

Fall Tour August 28-29 centrAl regIon

• Banquet/Social to follow on Saturday night • Hotel: Comfort Suites - Springfield 217-615-4445 Room block is reserved under: Illinois Hereford Group Rooms.

IllInoIs Hereford Women

Upcoming Events

• MeMbership Meeting

Illinois Hereford Women will have a meeting after the IJHA Banquet on Saturday night during preview show.

• please subMit MeMbership Dues Dues are $30.00 and can be submitted to: Lisa Edenburn 1764 US Rt 136 Penfield, IL 61862

• silent aution at the iJha preview show

Please bring any donations to the IJHA Preview Show. The Illinois Hereford Women will also have handpainted Christmas ornaments for sale.

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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HEREFORDS IN DEMAND Spring seedstock sales are well under way in many parts of the country as cattlemen and women purchase bulls meant to add value to their operations. An increasing number are choosing Hereford.

“We’ve found that a lot of our customers that have more straightbred cattle, once they use Hereford genetics in a crossbreeding rotation, not only did they see higher weaning weights at the sale yard and their calves were more in demand, but more importantly, we feel that the female end of things has improved from a fertility standpoint, and maternal traits have improved a lot when they’ve actually used Hereford genetics in a crossbreeding rotation,” says Kyle Colyer, Idaho Hereford breeder.

Colyer says the breed’s proven longevity and efficiency have more commercial cattle operations turning to Hereford.

“One of the main reasons they come back to Hereford bulls, year in and year out, is the longevity and how long those bulls last, the structural correctness and the feet and legs, and how many years they can get out of a bull,” he adds.

Hereford bulls used on Angus-based cows offer cattlemen advantages in profitability, herd size, retained female fertility and longevity, according to multi-year studies from the American Hereford Association (AHA) and leading commercial cattle ranches.

Shane Bedwell, AHA chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, says heterosis study results released in recent years show a $51 per-cow, per-year advantage. (Read more at hereford.org/commercial/.)

“With direct heterosis, by using Hereford genetics on that British cow herd, you’re going to get about a 15- to 20-pound increase,” Bedwell says, compared to straight commercial Angus cattle. One study, in which 600 commercial Angus females were AI-bred to 10 Hereford sires, documented improved feed efficiency and average daily gain (ADG) among black baldie calves — as well as fertility increases in females.

“They kept the baldy females back, bred them and compared them over a three-year study, and that showed a 7% advantage in pregnancy rate, so we’re getting more females bred because of that heterosis advantage,” he says.

The advantages also translate to the feedyard.

“We’ve always had that great, rich tradition of Hereford cattle being docile and sound, and now we’ve coupled that together with calving ease bulls that can inject a lot of pounds into your calf crop. The conversion advantage of Hereford cattle is tremendous, and we’ve also seen the end product come with that as well.”

With the breed’s genetic progress in recent years, Colyer recommends commercial ranchers consider upgrading their bull batteries when possible.

“It’s important for producers to update their bull batteries to get the most current genetics that are available to them, especially the carcass genetics that the Hereford breed has been able to turn over and find most recently, especially more IMF and adding more marbling into these cattle,” he suggests. “We feel that if commercial producers were updating their bull batteries more often, that would be a good thing.”

Find Hereford bull sale listings, sale books and field staff at Hereford.org.

DNA SAMPLING GUIDE DNA testing is vital for improving the beef industry. The American Hereford Association (AHA) requires DNA testing on any sire born on or after Jan. 1, 2011, from which calves are registered. Donor dams from which calves are registered must also have DNA on file. As you head into spring calving season, keep the following tips on collecting DNA in mind to help the process go smoothly.

Sampling suggestions - The AHA allows four types of testing samples for DNA submission: hair, blood card, semen straw and tissue sample unit (TSU). Review the tips below for each sample type to follow the best practices when obtaining and mailing DNA samples. Sample collection resources can be found online at Hereford.org/genetics/dnatesting/?tab=sample-collection.

Hair: Collect hair from the tail switch of the animal. Be sure to pull the hair sample; do not cut it. You will need to collect 80–100 strands to make sure the lab can obtain a result. This may seem like a lot of strands, but hair is easily broken and the strand may lack a good follicle or may be contaminated. Try to make sure the hair is clean of manure, mud, bodily fluids, etc. It is best to wait until the animal is at least weaning age before taking a hair sample. Samples taken from young calves generally do not have a lot of follicles, making it difficult to get results.

Blood Card: To collect a blood sample, draw blood using any method deemed desirable and fill the blotting paper section of the card with blood. Saturate the card just enough to fill the circle, but not enough to make the card soggy.

Too much blood can cause a “bad sample” result from the lab. Insert the blood card lid into the top slit, so there is room 56

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for air to flow. Allow the card to dry at room temperature in a clean area. Do not use a heating source for drying. Once dry, open the lid and insert it into the bottom slit for storage or shipping. Blood card samples can be collected at any age, so these are a better option than hair to test a young calf. Blood cards can be purchased from the AHA for 50 cents each, with a minimum order of 10 at a time.

Semen Straw: Semen straws can be used to collect DNA samples for bulls. Straws can be stored at room temperature for shipping and do not need to be refrigerated. Be aware, though, that semen straws break easily. An ink pen is a simple solution to protect semen straws during shipping. Simply pop the top off an ink pen, pull out the ink chamber, then put the semen straw in the pen. The plastic exterior provides protection for the straw in the mail. A padded envelope works, too, and is recommended to use even when mailing samples have been placed in a protective case.

Tissue Sample Unit (TSU): A great option for taking samples, TSUs use an ear punch to replace tail hair, blood or semen samples. Still, like all sample types, they are not fail-proof. To collect a tissue sample, you need the proper equipment: tissue sample tubes and a tissue sampling applicator. (Refer to the “DNA sample pricing” sidebar for information on how to order TSU equipment.) Samples can be collected at any age; however, the sample should not be taken immediately after birth. The calf may still have fluids on it that will contaminate the sample. Give the calf at least a few hours to “dry off.”

Before taking the sample, wipe the ear clean with a dry cloth or paper towel. Do not use any cleaning products to clean the ear because they could contaminate the sample. Try to collect the sample from a portion of the ear without a tattoo because tattoo ink can also contaminate the sample. Press the white cap of the sample tube down firmly to ensure liquid cannot escape. As with semen straws, it is important to properly protect TSUs during shipping. Send samples in a padded envelope or another form of protective casing. They should not be sent in a regular envelope, as they puncture the envelope and fall out during shipping. Often times, envelopes arrive at the lab with a submission form, but no sample.

Don’t forget - All samples should be sent in with the corresponding DNA submission form for the specific animal.

Obtain forms from the AHA before sending the samples to the lab. Make DNA requests through MyHerd or contact AHA Customer Service. If samples are received at the lab without the proper AHA paperwork, the samples will not be processed. Genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) are no longer printed on the DNA results statement. Due to the weekly evaluation, the GE-EPDs have the ability to change frequently. However, GE-EPDs can be found online at MyHerd or the EPD/animal search function on Hereford.org.

Please keep in mind GE-EPDs will not appear until two weeks after the AHA receives DNA results. For example, if the AHA receives a DNA result March 1, the GE-EPDs for that animal will be released March 15. Having trouble navigating MyHerd? Visit Hereford.org/member-services to view over 20 tutorials explaining the ins and outs of MyHerd, or contact AHA Customer Service at 816-842-3757. To sign up for MyHerd, email your member number to myherd@ hereford.org.

Official publication of the Illinois Beef Association Articles to keep you informed about the latest cattle industry topics and issues Sent out six times a year to more than 2,000 readers *NEW* Digital advertising options are also available For more information, contact Betty Haynes at betty@illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

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ILLINOIS JUNIOR HEREFORD ILLINOIS JUNIOR HEREFORD ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION

Preview Show 2021 Friday, Preview June 18th - Show 2021

Georgetown Fairgrounds Georgetown, Illinois, 61846 Georgetown Fairgrounds

Sunday, June 20th Georgetown, Illinois, Friday, June 18th 2021 2021 61846 S chedule Sunday, June 20th T J 17 2021 2021 Schedule hurSday

une

Th

• GROUNDS WILL NOT BE OPEN!

Friday June 18Th T une 17Th • hurSday Cattle and Jexhibitors can start

• GROUNDS arriving at 6 WILL AM. NOT BE OPEN! • riday Check-in – Friday F June 18Th2-5:00 PM •SaTurday Cattle andJexhibitors can start une 19Th 6 AM. • arriving OpeningatCeremonies8:00 AM • Check-in – Friday 2-5:00 PM Saturday • aTurday Fitting Contest 8:15Th S June– 19 Showmanship - 9:00 (youngest •• Opening Ceremonies8:00 AM to oldest, pre-pewee at the very end) Saturday Scholarships and other contests •• Fitting Contest – 8:15 Approximately -30 minutes afterto • Showmanship 9:00 (youngest the conclusion of the show. oldest, pre-pewee at the very end) • Junior Meeting – 5:30 p.m.

• Scholarships and other contests Banquet – 7:00 30 p.m.

Approximately minutes after

the conclusion ofTh the show.

Sunday June 20

• Junior Meeting – 5:30 p.m.

• Owned BanquetHeifer – 7:00Show p.m. – 8:00 AM

Sunday June 20Th NEW THIS YEAR!! The•fairground will not be open before 6 AM FRIDAY JUNE Owned Heifer Show – 8:00 AM 18TH. No cattle on grounds before 6 AM on Friday June 18th.

The IJHA Preview would will not not be possible without ourFRIDAY gracious NEW THIS YEAR!!

TheShow fairground be open before 6 AM JUNE sponsors! The IJHA Board of Directors, members and advisiors greatly 18TH. No cattle on grounds before 6 AM on Friday June 18th. appreciate their support!

58

The IJHA Preview Show would not be possible without our gracious sponsors! The IJHA Board of Directors, members and advisiors greatly Illinois Beef - May/June 2021 www.illinoisbeef.com appreciate their support!

,

hoTelS

enTrieS

The Hampton Inn: Danville 370 Eastgate Drive Danville, IL 61834 Reserved under Illinois Junior Hereford Association.

• Entries will be completely online.

• $25 PER HEAD • Entries will be DUE JUNE 1st!

• If not submitted by June 1st, entry fees will double.

conTeST opporTunTieS Incentives will be offered this year for participation in the following JNHE Contests: • Individual Sales • Team Sales • Illustrated Speech Contest • Extemporaneous Speaking Contest • Future Professionals Contest

Future Professionals Contest: IL will be having a state resume contest.

Industry professionals will review these resumes and get them back to participants prior to the due date for JNHE. State contest resumes can be emailed to Lauren (laurentmcmillan@gmail.com) by May 15th.

The JNHE contest will be due June 1st and submitted on the AHA website.

Be on the look out for social media posts and be checking your email inboxes for updates, additional information, entries, scholarships and other important information regarding the 2021 Preview Show and JNHE!

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May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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2021 JNHE LODGING INFORMATION HOTEL INFO

CAMPING INFO

CAMPING INFO

Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center 2345 McGee St. Kansas City, MO 64108 Cut-Off: 6/11/2021 Single Rate: $129 + Tax

Worlds of Fun Village Resort 8000 NE Parvin Rd. Kansas City, MO 64161 15 minutes from the American Royal facility

Kansas City West/Lawrence KOA 1473 Highway 40 Lawrence, KS 66044 30 minutes from the American Royal facility

American Hereford Association Code: M-L5UYB54 1-866-932-6214

American Hereford Association Code: M-L5UYB54 1-866-932-6214

Full RV hook ups available Make reservations TODAY

2021 IHA SUMMER SCHEDULE NAME

DATE

LOCATION

Illinois Junior Hereford Association Preview Show Entries Due

June 1, 2021

Online

Illinois Beef Association Summer Conference

June 8-9, 2021

East Peoria, IL

Advertising Deadline for IL Beef Magazine and IL Hereford Bulletin

June 15, 2021

Contact Betty Haynes, IL Beef Association at betty@illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Junior Hereford Preview Show

June 18-20, 2021

Georgetown, IL

Illinois Junior Hereford Association Awards Banquet

June 19, 2021

Georgetown, IL

Illinois Hereford Women Membership Meeting

June 19, 2021

Georgetown, IL

Breed Improvement Federation Symposium

June 22-25, 2021

Des Moines, IA

Advertising Deadline for August Hereford World

June 25, 2021

Junior National Hereford Expo

July 3-9, 2021

Kansas City, MO

August 28-29, 2021

Central Region of IL

Entries DOUBLE in price.

Save the Date: IHA Tour (Banquet/Social on Saturday night)

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Show Results 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Hereford Show

Peoria, Ill. | March 13-14 | Judges: Shane Meier, Tex. and Jon DeClerk, Tex Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Ring A Champ. Hereford Steer

Ring B Champ. Hereford Steer

Both Rings Third Overall Steer

Both Rings Champ. Horned Hereford Heifer

Ring A Res. Champ. Horned Hereford Heifer

Ring A Res. Champ. Polled Hereford Heifer

Ring B Res. Champ. Polled Hereford Heifer

Ring A Third Overall Polled Hereford Heifer

Kinnick Paulsen

Ella Bane

Ty Pezanoski

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

Amber Lee

Sophia Pyszka

Dash Simpsen

Jakob Setchell

Denton Stapleton

www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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

Kings, IL 61068

James home 815-562-4946 James cell 815-761-1523 Malcolm 815-761-8462

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

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

President’s Note A

s I sit down to write this little note, I think back and it has been one year since I became president of the Illinois Simmental Association. While this past year has been trying, it has also been rewarding. Every time we had to move something or change something, the senior and junior boards came together to make the changes to pull off our events. Thank you to all for your willingness to serve and flexibility to make things happen.

The MidAmerica Simmental Sale went off smoothly. A big thank you again to Lowderman Sale Facility for hosting us and also a huge thank you to our great bunch of consigners. I would like to thank DP Sales for once again managing our sale. The Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale was also a success with Simmentals having the highest average of $4,527, the highest senior bull average was $5,400 and the highest yearling average was $4,333. Rincker Simmentals had a yearling bull sell for $8,000 and The Rhode Family had a senior bull sell for $6,000. Congratulations!

Our Annual Banquet also was held at the Lowderman Sale/Banquet Facility with a room full of juniors and Simmental breeders. This turned into a great event with great support for the semen auction and heifer raffle.

Thank you to Ryan Haefner and Carly Riley for their hard work on gathering the semen of the “hot” bulls. A huge thank you to the Boinott family for the heifer donation, even though I did not win the raffle.

As we head into summer, remember all of the Simmental activities that will be happening. Our Preview Show is in Macomb on May 22-23, with the activities on the 22nd and the show on the 23rd. The regionals are all being held within the first couple weeks of June and the National Classic is June 26 - July2 in Grand Island, Neb. All of the entries are online through the AJSA website. Make sure you are checking the Illinois Junior Simmental Association Facebook page for activities as well as our state website, illinoissimmental.com, for other announcements and links pertaining to these events.

In closing, I hope everyone is having a safe spring season in the fields and we continue to make progress for the summer show season with our local county fairs and state fair. Good luck to everyone!

- Scott Scott Frederick, ISA President

Simmental Breeders

www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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www.illinoissimmental.com

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

Show Results 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Simmental Show

Peoria, Ill. | March 13-14 | Judges: Shane Meier, Tex. and Jon DeClerk, Tex Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Ring A Fifth Overall Champ. Steer Ring B Champ. Simmental Steer Jacob Bressner

Madeline Nightingale

Both Rings Res. Champ.

Simmental Steer

Ring A Champ. % Simm. Heifer Ring B Res. Champ. % Simm.

Heifer

Ring B Res. Champ. Simmental Heifer

Ring B Res. Champ. Simm. Heifer Ring B Third Overall Heifer

Amelia Miller

Kami Stahl

Landry Freeman

Grace Lemenager

Ring B Third Overall Simmental Heifer Gracyn Welsh

www.illinoisbeef.com

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SUNDAY JUNE 6

DEWITT CO. FAIRGROUNDS JUDGE: AUSTIN SMITH NO FIT SHOW

Check in 8-9:30 am Junior meeting 10 am Show starts 11:30 am Food will be available

Entry fee $25 per head by deadline $50 for late entries Each exhibitor must be IJSA member $10 Entries are due by May 15

Purebred Heifers, Bred & Owned Purebred Heifers ShorthornPlus Heifers, Bred & Owned ShorthornPlus Heifers

Bred & Owned Purebred Bulls Purebred Steers ShorthornPlus Steers Showmanship

REGISTRATION FORMS ONLINE AT IL JUNIOR SHORTHORN ASSOCIATION FACEBOOK PAGE FEES & DUES WILL BE COLLECTED DURING CHECK IN REGISTRATION PAPERS WILL BE CHECKED

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

Show Results 2021 Illinois Beef Expo Shorthorn Show

Peoria, Ill. | March 13-14 | Judges: Shane Meier, Tex. and Jon DeClerk, Tex Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Champ. Shorthorn Steer Both Rings

Kylie Watry

Ring B Res. Champ. Shorthorn Steer, Ring A Third Overall Shorthorn Steer

Ring B Third Overall Shorthorn Steer

Ring A Champ. Shorthorn Heifer

Ring B Champ. Shorthorn Heifer

Ring A Res. Champ. Shorthorn Heifer

Ring B Res. Champ. Shorthorn Heifer

Ring B Third Overall Shorthorn Heifer

Kylie Saathoff

Natalie Hill

John Gellerman

www.illinoisbeef.com

Ring A Res. Champ. Shorthorn Steer

Lauren Mohr

Jenna Starman

Brody Ingram

Alexa Turner

Clayton Poppe

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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CURTIN T.J. Curtin: (217) 825-3005

Tasha Bunting 309-557-2993

tbunting@ilfb.org

SHUCKLAGE FOR SALE D E A N

B A C O N

&

B E E F

LEROY, IL HIGH VALUE SILAGE COW FEED OR GROWER DIETS

2401 S. Bunn, Bloomington, IL 61704

Dave Wilcox

dave.wilcox@kentww.com 309-275-7184 www.kentfeeds.com

deanfarm4@gmail.com

Derek: 309-275-0712 Rick: 309-838-9300

402-463-1359

Brad McCormick bmccormick@johnsonconcreteproducts.com

Weekly Auctions: Salem - Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Shelbyville - Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Collection Point: Goreville - 2nd and 4th Wednesday collection www.uproducers.com

MULTIMIN USA, INC www.MultiMinUSA.com

Joe Brown

Technical Sales Representative

Cell: 417-848-5755 jbrown@multiminusa.com

Dan Crum

Independent Sales Representative AI Service & Semen Sales

Stronghurst, Illinois 309.371.5729 dlcrum@gmail.com

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

www.illinoisbeef.com

D & S Brown

Top Of The State Hay & Straw 8962 N Davis Road Davis, IL 61019

Sandra L. Brown Donald E. Brown, Jr. (815) 865-5471 (815) 238-8372 don.brownjr708@gmail.com sandee.brown@hotmail.com

Barney Gehl: 563-506-8075 Eli Slouha: 319-423-1293 Jarred Searls: 608-393-3735

217-285-6379

Jonathon Ruzich: jruzich.longhorn@gmail.com Stan Edge: edgekimstan@gmail.com

Devin Albrect: (888) 464-5282

Fairview Sale Jan,, lt1c.

1120 Carter Street • Fairview, IL 61432

www.fairviewsalebarn.com

Tuesday: 10 a.m.

Fat Cattle & Slaughter Cows/Bulls

Jake Fidler: 309-224-2226 Bob Garber: 309-696-9798 Ray Johnson: 309-337-6029 Laura Fidler: 309-778-2225 Bob Fidler: 309-224-2327

Thursday: 12 p.m.

Goats, Sheep, Feeder salebarn@mymctc.net Cattle, Cows/Bulls

Kent Buckert buckert@adams.net (217) 242-7495 www.ursacoop.com

Lincoln, IL Atlanta, IL (217) 732-5700 (217) 648-5800 timbercrest@timbercrestvet.com www.timbercrestvet.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

May/June 2021- Illinois Beef

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Purebred Breeders Shorthorns

Leveldale Farms Mason City, IL 62664 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com

Dr. L.E. Mathers III mathers@leveldale.com Rob Bruce, Herdsman 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com We are also on Facebook!

Advertiser’s Index ABS AICA Arthur’s Repair Shop Baker Farms Bergman Farm Supply Bill Farm Angus Biopryn BioZyme Inc. Bloomington Meats Buchheit Callan Farms D & S Brown Hay & Straw Dean Bacon and Beef Ellis Farms Beef Genetics, LLC Evers Livestock Farms Fairview Sale Barn Farm Credit Illinois Frank & West Environmental Engineers Greenville Livestock Auction Grain Diversification International Hadden Farms, Inc. Hiel Trailer Sales Huber, Robert Hueber Feed, LLC

IL Charolais Assn IL Corn Marketing Board IL Farm Bureau IL Jr. Hereford Assn. Preview Show IL Jr. Shorthorn Assn. Preview Show IL Simmental Assn.

IL Soybean Association Johnson Concrete Waterers Kalmbach Feeds Kent Nutrition Group Kiesewetter Angus Kramer Angus LaFraise Farms Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company

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Illinois Beef - May/June 2021

70 IFC 70 64 13 50 70 71 70 71 50 71 70 64 50 71 39 70 71 70 11 11 71 71 IFC 1 39, 70 58 68 66 5 7, 66 70 70 50 50 72 50, 64 64

Lemenager Cattle 50 Leveldale Farms 72 Longhorn Confinement Systems 71 Mark Seed 71 Mauer-Stutz 29,71 Merck Animal Health BC, 71 Mid-Continental Livestock Supplements 7 Milligan Herefords 64 Mix 30 70 MultiMin 15,70 Nikles of Petersburg 70 Nord Farms 72 Panther Creek Ranch 50 Perks Ranch 64 P.H. White Co. 40 Pike Feeds 13 Producer’s Hedge 70 ProHarvest Seeds IBC Purina Animal Nutrition 25,70 Rabo AgriFinance 39 R&H Seed Solutions 71 Rhodes Angus 50 Rincker Law 71 Rincker Simmentals 65 Riverode 37 Select Sires MidAmerica 71 ST Genetics 70 Stephens Trailer Sales 37 Steinhart Farm Service Rotomix 7 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 50 Timbercrest Vet Service 71 Torrance Herefords 64 United Producers, Inc. 70 Ursa Farmers Cooperative 71 WP Angus 50 Walnut Grove Angus 50 Wildberry Farms 65 Zoetis

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Illinois Beef, printed bi-monthly, is the official publication of the IBA. It serves as the voice of Illinois’ 12,000 beef producers.

ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING RATES Black & White Full Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $540 2/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $420 1/2 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $310 1/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235 1/4 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180 Inside Front Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Inside Back Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,140 Business Card Ads . . . . . . . . $180 Color 4-color: $400 + B&W page price Discounts 10% for six time insertion ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING DEADLINES Jan./Feb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 15 March/Apr. . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 15 May/June/July. . . . . . . . . . Apr. 15 Aug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 15 Sept./Oct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 15 Nov./Dec. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Oct. 15 Betty Haynes Director of Communications 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

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