Illinois Beef May/June 2024

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14 Beef Trade Update

Oklahoma State University’s, Derrell Peel, gives an update on U.S. trade within our industry. He states, “U.S. beef trade continues to evolve in the face of a unique domestic cattle market situation.”

34 Gain a New View of Your Pastures’ Forage Potential

Noble Research Institute regenerative ranching advisors Will Moseley and Steve Swaffar say a grazing exclosure is perhaps the simplest method to help see the potential of our land’s production. 28

Annual Meeting and Awards

Join us June 4 for our IBA Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. New breakout sessions and an excellent set of award winners will make for a memorable day.

38

Life is a Race, Run it with Endurance

Beef producers Lyle and Sheryl Hopkins have built a legacy of giving their time and talents to serve the Illinois beef industry. Now they are encouraging the next generation of producers to do the same.

45 Checking in With the Checkoff

This May Beef Month special edition of our Beef Checkoff section includes producer recipes and beef product updates, ensuring every reader is sure to find a reason to celebrate beef this month.Plus, be sure to participate in our Beef Eaters Club — see page 44 — for a chance to win a prize!

47 Beef Heritage

IBA member and cattle producer, Gary Hadden, proves that passing the culture of beef from one generation to the next makes for a successful operation, a well-fed family and a happy life.

48

Illinois Beef’s Family Recipes

Celebrate May Beef Month with recipes from Illinois producers, including Will’s favorite chili, the Willrett’s Carne Asada and Jenna Siegel Meteer’s Beef and Noodles.

Whiteside County Cattlemen’s members grilling during their April meeting. Photo by Devin Bollman.

- Illinois Beef

Dave Duzan, Lexington President

IBA Board of Governors

Email: duzanagy@mtco.com

Policy Division Checkoff Division

Chair: Betsy Pech, Lincoln Vice Chair: Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll

Directors

District 1

Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, justinrahn@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028

District 2

Jake Perino, Deer Grove, twinrailsoverp@gmail.com

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

District 3

Doug Hanson, Danforth, dough@proharvestseeds.com

1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

District 4

Cody Lowderman, Macomb, codylowderman@yahoo.com

1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027

District 5

Betsy Pech, Lincoln, bpech55@gmail.com

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

District 6

Matt Witte, Heyworth, matthewcwitte@gmail.com

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

District 7

Kevin Rose, Salem, krr1998@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027

At Large Directors

Scott Wetzell, Tampico, sd_wetz@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

Jake Fidler, Fairview, salebarn@mymctc.net

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

Wes Hornback, Monticello,whornba2@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027

Bruce Betzold, Nokomis, betzoldfarms@yahoo.com

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

Larisa Willrett, Malta, lwillrett1313@gmail.com

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

Rick Dean, Le Roy, deanfarm4@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027

Ted Prehn, Jerseyville, tedprehn@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

IBA Staff

Executive Vice President Financial Officer

Programs & Services Manager

Membership & Communications Manager

Publications & Business Operations Manager

Shannon Welsh, Blandinsville Vice President

IBA Board of Governors

Email: cowdynasty@yahoo.com

Chair: Jamie Martz, Maple Park

Vice Chair: Lou Lamoreux, Lanark

Sec./Treas.: Thad Tharp, Monmouth

Directors

District 1

Anna Flikkema, Lanark, flikkema.anna@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028

Lou Lamoreux, Lanark, unclelou49@gmail.com

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

District 2

OPEN

Bill Gebeck, Buda, wgebeck@aol.com

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

District 3

Jamie Martz, Maple Park, jamiemartz85@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027

Kip Harms, Cullom, harms2@frontiernet.com

1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

District 4

Carol Lock, Avon, clock7857@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028

Thad Tharp, Monmouth, tthaddeus88@gmail.com

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

District 5

Joan Harrison, Minier, joan.harrison16@yahoo.com

1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028

Darin Smith, Alexander, simmybreeder68@hotmail.com

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

District 6

Chase Brown, Warrensburg, cdbrow2@gmail.com

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

Wendell Alwardt, Altamont, walwardt1@yahoo.com

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

District 7

Garrett Mattox, Anna, bigmcattle@hotmail.com

1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028

Ryan DeWitt, Cobden, rdewitt93@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

Josh St. Peters, josh@illinoisbeef.com

Mary Faber, accounting@illinoisbeef.com

Annie Schoetmer, annie@illinoisbeef.com

Devin Bollman, devin@illinoisbeef.com

Olivia Hoots, olivia@illinoisbeef.com

Officio Members

Dr. Paul Walker

Travis Meteer

Dr. Teresa Steckler

Dr. Jennifer Earing Al Lyman

Past President

U of I Extension

U of I Extension

Illinois State University

NCBA Beef Promotion Operating Committee

Association Focus

Last month I made a trip to Washington D.C., to attend the 2024 NCBA Legislative Conference and to meet with several of our state’s elected officials up on Capitol Hill. It was several days packed with a lot of conversations and updates about topics that are critical to the farms and cattle operations across our state. There were several topics covered between meetings with Congressional leaders, Senate staff and USDA agency leaders.

One of the obvious pressing issues for our industry right now is the need for the next Farm Bill to take shape and be passed in Congress. It is important for all agriculture, as the legislation addresses a wide variety of issues for pretty much every commodity in our state. From a beef industry standpoint, Josh and I talked to our Congressional delegation about four key areas that IBA views as important in the Farm Bill. First, we need to continue to support strong risk management tools like Livestock Risk Protection to help producers hedge against price decline. We also talked a lot about protecting animal health resources, like the Foot-andMouth disease vaccine bank at USDA, and the government’s animal disease preparedness programs.

While we were with leaders from the Farm Service Agency, we also received updates on the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Forage Program, to make sure these resources continue to support our members here in Illinois. We also talked about Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other similar resources that are voluntary conservation programs for livestock producers; EQIP has been effective in many parts of the state, and we stressed the value of voluntary programs in aiding producers when they invest in improvements on their farm.

During a dinner event at the conference, we were joined by the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman G.T. Thompson of Pennsylvania. He shared that it was his hope that the Committee could mark up a Farm Bill draft as soon as later this month; he conveyed his willingness to work with our cattle organizations and stressed that he appreciated the input and prioritization of our members in the process of building this important legislation.

As we set out for meetings with our representatives in Congress, we heard much of the same optimism. From both sides of the aisle, members of the House Agriculture Committee from Illinois conveyed that they, too, were ready to get to work drafting the bill. Congresswoman Miller, an IBA member and cattle and grain farmer from Oakland, talked with us about her hope that they would be able to address the Farm Bill in the coming weeks, as did Congressman Mike Bost from southern Illinois, and Congressman Eric Sorensen from northwestern Illinois. All three represent big geographic areas of the state, where a lot of our members reside. While Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski from central Illinois was tied up in other Congressional duties that morning and could not meet with us, we did sit down with one of her legislative staff members

to talk about IBA priorities. It was a great discussion, too, as the young woman we met with happens to be from a central Illinois farm herself, and shared a common knowledge on the topics that are critical to Illinois’ beef industry.

I was thoroughly pleased, and maybe a little surprised, by how eager these folks are to work with us on the issues that make a big difference on our farms. For example, Congressman Bost represents the southernmost parts of the state, and several of his counties are where our members face real problems with these black vultures. They are different from turkey vultures we see throughout most of Illinois; these black vultures are a protected species, but they are known to kill newborn calves and harass cattle on farms. They roost in big groups, causing big problems. And we are working with NCBA to try to get relief for members in the counties where these birds are a problem. Congressman Bost had heard of the same problems, and he, too, was concerned about farmers losing livestock and suffering real economic loss from these birds. At the conclusion of our meetings, he was so fired up about it, he joined on as a co-sponsor to a Black Vulture Relief Act in Congress, which would pave the way for impacted farmers to be able to address the threat of these predatory birds when they try to roost or nest on a farm and cause problems. It was a great sign of commitment and support from one of our leaders, understanding how important beef production is to his local economy.

Similarly, we had a great discussion with Congressman Eric Sorensen about animal disease concerns, and how we need to ensure there is adequate funding for the vaccine bank at USDA. He spent an hour with us, talking about the cattle operations in his district, and the need to protect these farms from the threat of a foreign animal disease outbreak. He also talked about the importance of beef to consumers (he counts himself in that group, sharing a tip on his favorite place to get a ribeye near the Capitol) and how the beef industry connects with average consumers to share information and inform about our projects.

I came away from the trip to Washington glad to see our association connecting and resonating with the leaders who vote on behalf of our state. We are maintaining relationships with these folks and their staff, and representing your farms and cattle operations to make sure they know the importance of your enterprise. When it comes to policy topics, I think these folks all view us as an important resource for input and guidance, and that is really all we can ask for. It gives us an open door, or at least an open phone line, to keep a connection, maintain a conversation, and help ensure that the policy needs of our beef industry are well represented by Illinois’ elected officials.

Executive Edge

Be the connecting point.

The simplest form of communication is between two points, sending and receiving information, sharing data or knowledge, exclusively between those two sources, uninterrupted, and without an intermediary.

I was recently reminded of this communication reality when working with my two teenage sons on our family’s cow-calf operation. It was a rainy evening in early April, right about sunset, when we I was doing a pasture check and discovered that one of the cows was calving, and it was not going stellar. She had decided it was time to present with a less-than-easy calving situation that needed some chuteside intervention. And it was almost dark. And muddy. And we needed to clear three sets of gates from where she was standing to be inside the part of the barn where the real work was about to happen.

The boys were each on different parts of the farm, one tending chores in the barn and the other over checking pairs in another pasture. I was calling, and texting, and trying to pass along a list of things we needed to gather. Requesting someone to grab the calving bag. And then clarifying as we played the telephone game between the three of us.

At one point there was confusion, the result of miscommunication. And then more explanation on which calving chains would be needed. It was a healthy exercise for me in remembering that learning often requires instruction, and instruction always requires patience.

But eventually we got it sorted out, and things fell into place to do what was needed. So, with the help of my fifteen-year-old and thirteen-year-old boys, we hustled this uncomfortable cow up to the barn, through the slippery muck and into a dry barn. Into the chute, sleeved arm and all, sure enough came confirmation that this was in fact, a dystocia.

A brief minute or two later, they were elbow-deep in helping push back some shoulders, and twist around some feet. And soon enough we were able to complete the aided delivery of an exasperated baldie bull calf. A few more minutes, and the cow was out of the chute being an attentive new momma and the world was right again.

And I stood there watching and considering that the hardest part of the whole experience was probably the communicating, the teaching, and the learning. Not just for me, but for the boys, too.

Now, the cow would probably disagree. She had a tough job to do there, too. But between us humans, there was a challenge in getting on the same page, sharing the necessary information to get knowledge conveyed so that impactful communication could occur.

We needed to be at that connecting point, clearly sending and receiving the facts.

This chute-side observation came back to me the other morning, as I sat on a conference call of industry leaders addressing questions and considering variables of the latest hot topic issue we are wrestling: animal disease traceability,

and the realities of these H5N1 avian influenza cases in U.S. dairy cattle.

By the time this issue of Illinois Beef magazine hits your mailbox, I suspect we will know a lot more about the threat of this disease. So far, we know it has been impacting lactating dairy cows in at least nine states. Government officials are testing milk samples and now ground beef, too, just to make certain we have every aspect of human and animal health under watch.

We know the risk to human health is very low, and state and federal agencies are coordinating together in the impacted states to manage the spread of the disease. They have a “gold-standard” PCR test for identifying this strain of bird flu, and so far, pasteurizing dairy products is proving effective. It is sound science. Heat food products to the appropriate temperature and you can stave off the threat of spreading a potential infection.

So, what does this have to do with that cow in the chute and the teenage boys getting an impromptu lesson on effective learning?

We, the farmers and industry stakeholders, need to be the connecting point.

We must look for opportunities to engage with the public and clarify the messages. We need to make sure that our neighbors understand milk is safe to drink, because when they buy it at the store it has been pasteurized for their safety. And eggs will still be safe to eat, because they are produced on inspected farms where consumer safety and animal wellbeing are the top priority, every day.

And beef is safe to eat, because we are utilizing safety measures and traceability and modern technologies as a part of the world’s safest, smartest, and most abundant food supply chain.

And they can believe that message, because it is coming from you, the local family farmer they know. Because they live down the road from you, or go to church with you, or your kids are in school together.

So, connect with people, and tell them your story, please. Because otherwise they will rely on the learning via messages coming from third-party sources, and intermediary information sharing. And then there will be more room for confusion, and misunderstandings. And when the opportunity presents itself, do not be afraid to learn from them, too. Listen to their questions and receive their feedback.

IBA will continue to monitor this situation and will share updates if pertinent information comes about that is needed for the beef industry – and you should not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. The staff and leaders of our Association are here as a resource, so please call or e-mail if we can be of assistance.

Silent Auction

HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE IBA ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Silent Auction hosted by SC Online Sales

Bidding open June 3 at 3 p.m. through June 4 at 8 p.m.

ILLINOIS BEEF FOUNDATION

For questions on donating, bidding, or the Foundation, please contact Devin Bollman at the IBA Office.

devin@illinoisbeef.com (217) 787-4280

The Illinois Beef Foundation, Inc. was created by action of the Illinois Beef Association Board of Governors on November 20, 2015. The foundation is a non-profit corporation and operates exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Illinois Beef Foundation, Inc.’s purpose is to engage in educational, promotional, and charitable activities dedicated to the improvement of beef production in Illinois and the social and financial advancement of beef producers in Illinois. The Foundation’s primary purpose is to award college scholarships.

Extension Update

Should you recalibrate vitamin A levels in lategestation beef cow rations?

Where do cows get vitamin A?

The best source of vitamin A is beta-carotene, which is a pigment in green plants that cows turn into vitamin A. In most cases, if animals are consuming green grass they will be consuming sufficient vitamin A. However, animals consuming stored feeds or dormant grasses due to drought for longer periods of time may be susceptible to deficiency of vitamin A. Thus, vitamin A needs to be supplemented through a vitamin and mineral mix.

What does vitamin A deficiency look like?

Extreme deficiency of vitamin A can cause symptoms such as blindness, reproductive failure, skin lesions and skeletal deformation. Low-level deficiency symptoms may include diarrhea, reduced feed intake, poorer conception rates, lower sperm counts in bulls and higher incidence of stillbirths or weak, lethargic calves that succumb to disease challenges.

What situations could be at risk for vitamin A deficiency?

• Cows consuming dormant forage due to drought.

• Grazing cornstalks for longer periods of time.

• Feeding baled cornstalks, straw, and year-old hay.

• Extended dry-lot or semi-confinement systems.

All these generally lack green grass/forage in the cow diet. If cows are asked to spend most of the time in one of these scenarios which could lead to low vitamin A in the diet, especially during the 3rd trimester, it may warrant looking at increasing vitamin A levels in the supplement.

What

has changed in terms of recommended supplementation?

Previously, it was thought cows with adequate liver stores of vitamin A did not need supplement intervention. However, new research findings show the greater importance of levels of vitamin A in the daily diet of beef cows to prepare colostrum levels to be adequate for newborn calves. Newborn calves have relatively low vitamin A levels and rely heavily on colostrum levels as their first source of vitamin A.

Research¹ led by Mary Drewnoski and others at University

of Nebraska-Lincoln showed that cows with adequate liver stores of vitamin A did not ensure that the calves of these cows would also have adequate liver stores of vitamin A. Thus, the authors recommended that cows being fed harvested feed for extended periods likely need to be supplied with more supplemental vitamin A in the diet. Cows that have been feed harvested feeds for a year or longer may need to be supplemented up to 3 times the current recommendation (~93,000 IU’s per head per day) to achieve adequate liver stores.

What factors should be considered before revising supplementation levels?

The feeds that make up the cow diet during the last trimester when she is building her colostrum is important. Feeding high-quality, well-stored hay is going to supply a better level of vitamin A than cornstalks, straw, old hay or even by-product feeds. So, some of the lower-cost rations including by-product feeds and crop residues will likely need to be supplemented for vitamin A at a greater level than traditional high-quality hay rations. Late-spring, summer, and early fall calving cows generally consume green grass as they prepare colostrum prior to calving and likely need no intervention.

Overall, research is helping us identify nutritional hurdles in alternative cow systems, drought feeding strategies and maintaining calf health in these scenarios. Testing feedstuffs and balancing cow rations is always important to avoiding nutritional problems. Appropriate cow body condition score, updated vaccine schedules, and providing a clean, healthy environment are still pillars of good animal health and performance. Evaluating your cow’s nutritional needs prior to calving is very important to ensure high quality colostrum prepares newborn calves for the various challenges they will inevitably encounter early in life.

¹ Speer, H. F., Freetly, H. C., Wilke, K. H.; Drewnowski, M. E. 2024. Nebraska Beef Cattle Research Report. pg 25-27. [online] Available at: https://beef.unl.edu/2024-nebraskabeef-cattle-report [Accessed 18 Apr. 2024].

Gate Cuts

Selecting the Correct Fence

Question: Are you fencing the livestock in or the people out? Is the purpose for the fence to serve as an attractive ornament or as an economical piece of equipment? Is it a border fence or a division fence? A division fence may not have to be as secure as a border fence. Questions. Questions. Selecting an appropriate fence can be a challenging assignment, especially considering the average one strand barbed wire 48 inch high woven wire fence will cost at least $10,700 per mile in materials.

Some important points to consider when selecting an appropriate fence design include:

• Most fences for sheep and goats will stop cattle; but fences that will contain cattle will not often stop sheep or goats. Design for the difficult!

• Fences that will keep a coyote out will also keep a sheep or goat in; but not all sheep fences will keep coyotes out. Fences that stop beef cattle will almost always stop dairy cattle. But the reverse is very seldom true.

• Intact males (bulls, rams, bucks, stallions) are always harder to fence than females or neutered males (steers, wethers, geldings, etc.). This is most true during breeding season when the sex drive distorts normal pain response reactions. To contain or repel adults at this time requires taller fences with closer wire spacing and an electric pulse with higher animal shock effect.

• Fences for animal groups of mixed sizes (ewes with lambs, cows with calves, etc.) will need more wires (electric wire or barbed wire) than animal groups that are all the same size.

• Certain breeds require taller or heavier duty fences than others (e.g. flighty Romanov sheep, tall Columbia sheep, range cattle vs. show cattle). Match the fence to the characteristics of the specific animals.

• Hungry (limit-fed) animals put more pressure on fences than well-fed animals.

• Young animals and their mothers are desperate to rejoin during weaning. Fences that work well at other times may fail during this period.

• Bored animals in corrals or dry lots will challenge fences more than those on pasture with ample grazing.

• Animals spooked by dogs, varmints, etc., or loud noises may panic and run straight at any fence no matter what its design. In these instances even a strong, well-built fence can fail.

How much will it cost (in time and money) if the fence fails? The higher the potential cost, the more reliable the fence design should be. Examples include:

• Along public highways: In some states the livestock owner is fully liable for damage to both vehicles and humans. Within Illinois, sometimes the legal interpretation of the law can vary from judge to judge.

• Around stored feed: Some species will gorge on grain. Large numbers of deaths often result as well as damage

to the feed. So a fence that fails here will be costly.

• Protecting valuable plants: Gardens, orchards, young conifers and rare plants cannot tolerate animal foraging or trampling. An adequate fence design is important for this type of protection.

• Fences with animals on both sides of the fence: Sorting out mix-ups is always time consuming and frustrating. It is especially costly if such intermingled animals breed or spread disease. Neighborhood relations can be strained for life, and lawsuits can occur.

How visible should the fence be? Will horses or deer be in the area?

• If so, ensure that the fence wires are easily seen. These species both move at a high speed and have poor depth perception. They often fail to see some small electric fence wires and thus charge right through them. Other domestic animals can then escape through the damaged fence. So it is wise to choose the conductor according to the visibility of these species. Woven wire or board fences or high tensile fence may be a more desirable alternative.

How long will the fence be in place?

• Temporary: Less than a month (often moved daily or weekly). The fence must be quick and easy to install, and remove. Thus, it’s normally electrified and under low tension. For horse and cattle fences use wind-up reels and step-in line posts. For sheep and goat fences use either reel systems or electrified netting. Always pre-train animals to the fences.

• Semi-permanent: In place more than a month but removed within five to seven years. Usually electrified and under moderate to low-tension, line posts may need to be reset annually and conductor tension checked every three to six months (also after ice, snow, windstorms or frequently during deer hunting/rut season). ldeal for fencing rented land.

• Permanent: The trade-off between five strands of barbed wire and 48 inch tall woven wire with 1 barbed wire in labor required for installation and materials cost are usually equalized. An important aspect to remember is the legal component, especially for a division fence between neighbors. The state law usually implies that as the landowner faces the fence the right one-half is the owners responsibility. In addition, most state laws require that each one-half of the fence must be capable of retaining the other owners animal species. Example: five-strand barbed wire may be adequate to contain cattle but not hogs. If one neighbor has pasture swine, both neighbors may be required to build a woven wire fence with one barbed wire at ground level.

for landowners raising livestock is they are surrounded by neighbors with no livestock. Each landowner may still be required to maintain a legal one-half of the division fence but enforcing the legal responsibility may cause more hard feelings than the cost of the fence justifies.

Getting Along With Neighbors. The fence law may be on your side but enforcing the law may not be a landowners/ operators best long-term neighbor interest. A growing problem in Illinois for landowners raising livestock is they are surrounded by neighbors with no livestock. Each landowner may still be required to maintain a legal one-half of the division fence but enforcing the legal responsibility may cause more hard feelings than the cost of the fence justifies.

One last thought: building fence is both an art and a science. The more I travel through the country the more I

One last thought; building fence is both an art and a science. The more I travel through the country the more I realize that building fence is becoming a lost art. Perhaps that is why I am very skeptical that pasture livestock will ever return to the Midwest -fencing costs are too high, there are few fences left standing and few people know how to build a 20-year fence. Table 1 shows the itemized cost to fence 40 acres of level ground with no ditches, hollows, creeks, or hills. Installing a woven wire fence with one strand of barbed wire, wooden corner posts and steel-posts set every 10 feet adds $300 per acre to the purchase of each acre of ground.

realize that building fence is becoming a lost art. Perhaps that is why I am very skeptical that pasture livestock will ever return to the Midwest — fencing costs are too high, there are few fences left standing and few people know how to build a 20-year fence. Table 1 shows the itemized cost to fence 40 acres of level ground with no ditches, hollows, creeks, or hills. Installing a woven wire fence with one strand of barbed wire, wooden corner posts and steel-posts set every 10 feet adds $300 per acre to the purchase of each acre of ground.

• Wood posts

• Steel T-Posts

• Barbed Wire (one strand 12.5 gauge, 4 point) (one roll = 1,320 ft)

Woven Wire

• Fence Clips to Hold Wire (4 clips per T-post; 2,080 clips;

Staples

Total Materials Cost $10,700.66

• Labor (estimated 64 hrs = 2 laborers working 32 hours each (4-8 hr days@ $20:hour) $1,280.00

Beef Trade Update

U.S. beef trade continues to evolve in the face of a unique domestic cattle market situation. Beef exports in February were down 1.3 percent year over year with the two-month total thus far in 2024 down 2.6 percent. This follows a 2023 year over year decrease of 14.3 percent from record 2022 beef exports. Beef exports in the first two months of the year are down year over year from most of the top markets; including number one Japan, down 13.5 percent; number two South Korea, down 5.5 percent; and number three China/Hong Kong, down 2.6 percent. Additionally, Canada, the number five market is down 2.0 percent thus far in 2024, along with number six Taiwan, down 7.5 percent year over year. Mexico, which had been the number three market as recently as 2019, is currently the number four market but recovering. Beef exports to Mexico are up 20.7 percent in January-February, following a 12.2 percent year over year increase in 2023. Beef imports in February were up 23.8 percent year over year and are up 31.9 percent in the first two months of the year. This follows a 9.9 percent year over year increase in beef imports in 2023. Beef imports this year are led by Brazil, who jumps out strongly to fill the “other country” quota early in the year, with shipments moderating after two or three months in the face of the over-quota tariff. Imports from Brazil are up 41.8 percent year over year thus far in 2024. Imports from Australia are up sharply so far this year, with a year over year increase of 111.3 percent, still narrowly the number three country as a beef import source. Canada is the number two import source, slightly ahead of Australia and up 9.0 percent year over year. New Zealand is the number

four beef import source and is up 48.6 percent thus far in 2024. Mexico is the fifth largest source of beef imports, down 16.9 percent in January-February after decreasing 12.4 percent year over year in 2023. Uruguay is the number six beef import source and is up 90.9 percent year over year thus far in 2024.

Beef exports continue to face headwinds as beef production decreases and beef prices increase in the U.S. market. A generally strong U.S. dollar adds additional headwinds, making U.S. beef imports more expensive to international customers. At the same time, decreasing domestic beef supplies in the U.S., coupled with higher prices, attracts additional beef imports, with the strong dollar adding additional incentive for beef imports. As is typical, beef imports are heavily dominated by imports of lean processing beef to supplement decreasing supplies of nonfed beef in the U.S. Decreasing lean beef supplies, coupled with strong ground beef demand in the U.S. is pushing 90 percent lean prices (and ground beef prices) to record levels. Fed beef (steer and heifer) production is declining, but the large percentage of yield grade 4 and 5 in feedlot cattle means that the supply of fatty (50 percent lean) trimmings is high relative to lean beef supplies and stimulating strong demand for domestic and imported lean processing beef to increase ground beef production.

Perspectives

With traceability becoming a growing consideration in the livestock industry, IBA is reaching out to a variety of Illinois agriculture leaders to understand how the issue impacts producers in our state. The column below from the Illinois Pork Producers Association highlights how our friends in the swine industry are tackling traceability in their industry’s value chain.

U.S. Pork Industry Approves Traceability System – What it Means for Pork Producers

For the past sixteen months, the National Pork Producer’s Council has been leading an effort alongside swine-producing states focused on improving the United States’ live-swine traceability system.

In December of 2022, a producer-led swine traceability task force met for the first time to review a set of traceability standards that were written by the industry back in 2011. The task force represented multiple industry sectors including contract growers, packers, cull markets, the exhibition industry, large integrators, smaller independent production systems, as well as state and federal regulators. In Illinois, independent pork producer and IPPA Past President Curt Zehr, from Tazewell County, and Mike Woltmann, Production Supervisor for Illini Swine in Dekalb County, were sitting members of the task force.

Over the subsequent eleven months, NPPC worked to gather industry feedback. A tiered comment period was

rolled out to allow producers and industry partners multiple opportunities to provide their thoughts on the standards. The task force met a total of four times to consider comments and revise the standards document. As part of the process, individual states were also asked to review the proposed standards with their members and relay any concerns back to NPPC and the task force. The NPPC Animal Health and Food Safety Policy Committee was then asked to review and accept recommendations from the task force.

Special Native Feeder Cattle and Bred

Cow Sale

October -March | 3rd Tuesday of the Month 11:00 AM

In early March, the proposed standards were brought before voting delegates at the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum, the industry’s annual policy-making meeting, for consideration and debate. Delegates approved the proposed standards and NPPC has since submitted them to USDAAPHIS to consider including them in the Code of Federal Regulations covering swine health.

Traceability is a priority for the swine industry and has been for decades. The ability of the U.S. government to regionalize an outbreak of a trade-limiting disease is entirely dependent on having an effective, industry-wide mandatory pre-harvest traceability system to demonstrate for our trading partners we know where the disease is present and where it is not. An outbreak of a foreign animal disease in the U.S. such as African Swine Fever, or foot and mouth disease, would result in the immediate suspension of pork exports from the U.S. In 2022, the U.S. exported over 25 percent of production, totaling over $7.7 billion in pork and pork products.

The proposed standards would enhance the current liveswine traceability system by implementing the following:

• All individuals who own swine would need a premises identification number.

• All swine and semen movements would need to be electronically recorded within three business days

o Data to record would include the date, animal type, sending and receiving PINs, official identification numbers if present.

• Following the detection of a trade-limiting swine disease, movement data would need to be reported to a centralized database.

• Breeding swine moved to slaughter, co-mingled with animals outside of the production system, or sold, will need a radio frequency, animal identification number tag.

o AINs are unique, 15-digit numbers assigned to individual animals.

• Show and exhibition stock would need radio frequency, AIN tags.

Column by Jennifer Tirey, Executive Director, Illinois Pork Producers

Agricultural Services

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Aaron Oreb
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Daniel Feucht Laura Rouse

Affiliate News

Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association held their first-ever Cattlemen’s Forum on Friday, March 22, at Meks on Main in Monmouth. The event included two guest speakers, a time for relevant discussion, and wrapped up with a ribeye sandwich and potatoes dinner.

Woodford County Beef Improvement Association

hosted their annual meeting banquet on March 5 at The Cannery in Eureka. Speakers included long-time Angus Breeder Gary Dameron (pictured) and Jesse Faber.

Jonwyn Ayers of Oregon, who is currently attending Black Hawk College, began the evening’s events. Recently, Ayers had a TEDx talk published on YouTube titled “Climate, Cattle & Conversation” where she shows the benefits of the beef industry on land and resources, especially when it comes to methane emissions and carbon sequestration. At the forum she expanded on her personal story and encouraged the audience to alway be prepared and enthusiastic about telling their beef stories. In her own experience, consumers are often amazed producers care so deeply. Michael Moore with Country Financial followed with a run-down of Livestock Risk Protection, including details on what it is and how to get it. Before dinner, Thad Tharp led a group discussion regarding different industry issues such as market prices and costs.

Henry County Beef Association hosted their annual banquet on March 23. The evening included a dinner, awards presentation and fundraising auction, as well as a beef industry update from IBA President Dave Duzan. Pictured left are the evening’s award winners as follows: Katie Spivey received Friends of the Industry Award, Todd Davison received Outstanding Member, Maddy Stevens received the Young Producer Award, President Chad Horsley, and Jon DeRycke received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The right photo includes this year’s beef ambassadors: Sam Nightingale, Avery Knupp, Miranda Reed, Mallory Dwyer, Jon Stevens, Rachel DeRycke and Hunter Wexell.

Jonwyn Ayers
Michael Moore

Adams County Beef Producers presented their third-annual “Beef Bonanza” on March 23 at the Ambiance in Quincy. A fifty dollar ticket got attendees a night of beef from local retailers, drinks and live music, plus the opportunity to participate in raffle and auction experiences.

Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association beef ambassador, Aaliyah Whitney (pictured below), distributed beef stix to participants at the finish line of the Bruce Johnson Memorial Farm 5K/10K run in April.

Whiteside County Cattlemen’s Association hosted 375 attendees at their 2024 Spring Banquet & Scholarship Fundraiser on April 19 at the New Life Lutheran Church. The ribeye dinner, cooked by Knox County Cattlemen’s, preceded the keynote speaker, Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin spoke on her role in agriculture and animal handling, as well as autism and animal behavior. The night concluded with her scholarship fundraiser, which raised $7,000.

Whiteside County President, Jake Perino, gives opening remarks.
Grandin is known for her work with cattle handling.
Grandin’s autism allows her to see things from an animal’s perspective.
Community businesses donated items to be auctioned off.

In the Know

Beef Leadership Academy visits Chicagoland for their third interactive experience

On March 23 and 24 the Beef Leadership Academy traveled to Chicagoland for their third immersive experience. The program consisted of a stop at Fulton Marketing Group, the beef procurement arm of McDonalds where participants learned about the beef supply chain, beef buying, and the immense reach of the McDonalds business. Following FMG, participants got a tour of the global McDonald’s Headquarters and had lunch at an in-house McDonald’s restaurant, from a menu that featured burgers and other food items from around the world. The next stop took BLA to Maple Park for a tour and discussion at the Larson Farms cattle feeding operation. To wrap up their time in Chicagoland, participants toured OSI, one of McDonald’s five U.S. beef processors. The Aurora OSI facility manufactures 1/10 and quarter pounder patties. The two-day tour in Chicago and out on the farm gave BLA participants a unique snapshot of beef production, processing and consumer marketing. The overview of the McDonald’s business was comprehensive, and featured interactions with some of the company’s leading meat buyers and policymakers.

Illinois Farm Families trains agriculture ambassadors

The Illinois Farm Families coalition has announced six farmer ambassadors who are taking to social media as promoters for Illinois agriculture. IBA member Trevor Maiers of Adams County is one of the producers who underwent training and preparation to serve as a virtual ambassador through the program. Farmers enrolled in the IFF program are using communication skills to engage not only in their own social media platforms, but also on IFF media as well. Illinois Beef Checkoff contributed funding toward the training, as part of IFF. The other five farmer ambassadors are Matt Boucher of Livingston County, Suzi Steber of Jasper County, Erin Michels of Richland County, Callie Plager of Stephenson County and Jonathon Griffel of Macoupin County.

Agriculture Legislative Day brings IBA leaders to State Capitol

On March 13, IBA Board of Governors and members traveled to Springfield to attend Agricultural Legislative Day at the Illinois State Capitol. The day started at the Agriculture Legislative Day Breakfast where agriculture leaders and others presented encouraging messages regarding the future of agriculture and its importance in Illinois. Speakers included Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, young leaders from 4-H and FFA, 2024 County Fair Queen Natalie Evans, Senator and ag committee chair Doris Turner, Senator Win Stoller, Representative Sonya Harper and Representative Charlie Meier, as well as Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan.

After the morning program, productive discussions with Illinois Senators and Representatives were had regarding the most pressing issues and bills that would affect cattle producers. Pictured right you will find the legislators they were able to interact with. They also had the opportunity to watch the beginning of the day’s House session where Representative Dan Swanson gave a warm welcome to members of IBA.

Mike Martz gives cattle feed and nutrition demonstration at his farm in Larson Farms.
BLA Class of 2024 poses for a picture with Mike and his wife, Lynn Martz.
Martz also gave the group a tour of their fullyequipped cattle feeding operation.
BLA participants prepped to tour the McDonalds OSI processor.
Also at the McDonalds facility, participants pose by a Happy Meal toy display.
Of course, they also had to grab a photo by Mr. Ronald McDonald himself!
Bruce Betzold and Al Lyman catch up with Representative Neil Anderson, discussing memories and important industry issues.
Josh St. Peters, Bruce Betzold, Cori Malone, Betsy Pech, Representative Neil Anderson, Al Lyman, Shannon Welsh, Joan Harrison, Dave Duzan.
The IBA group caught up with Senator Patrick Joyce at the State Capitol to discuss animal health policies currently under consideration in the Senate.
Senator Patrick Joyce takes a moment to pose for a photo with the IBA group.
State Representative Dan Swanson hosted IBA members in the Gallery of the Illinois House of Representatives before the start of session.
IBA Policy Division Chair Betsy Pech listens to the discussion with Representative Brad Halbrook.
Beef producer leaders stop for a quick discussion and photo with Representative Brad Halbrook.
Al Lyman and Shannon Welsh have meeting with Representative Tony McCombie.
The group meet with Representative Norine Hammond.
IBA Board Members Betsy Pech and Joan Harrison chat with Senator Doris Turner before the morning program.
Senator Doris Turner tells IBA members about her upcoming local foods initiative and the group discusses other upcoming bills.
IBA members Al Lyman, Bruce Betzold, President Dave Duzan, VP Shannon Welsh and EVP Josh St. Peters pose with Senator Turner.
Al Lyman chats with other Illinois ag leaders before the morning program.
IBA members Cori Malone and Shannon Welsh prepare to watch the morning Agriculture Legislative Day program.
Illinois County Fair Queen and Illinois Junior Beef Association member, Natalie Evans, speaks during the program.

USDA issues guidance on cattle traceability rules

On Friday, April 26, USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced their plans for the final rule regarding cattle disease traceability. The move, a mandate aimed at strengthening the U.S. industry’s technology, tools, and process to pinpoint and respond to a foreign animal disease outbreak, had been anticipated for nearly a year.

The USDA final traceability rule amends a previous 2013 rule that requires sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate to have an official form of animal identification. The 2013 rule, which cattle producers already comply with, instituted visual ID tags for interstate movement. The new final rule switches producers to electronic ID tags, which are easier to read and would yield a faster traceability response during a foreign animal disease outbreak.

The rule requires official ear tags to be visually and electronically readable for official use for interstate movement of certain cattle and bison, and revises and clarifies certain record requirements related to cattle.

The cattle industry faces immense threats from foreign animal diseases, which can be carried into the country by individual travelers, on contraband products, or through regular commerce. It is estimated that a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the U.S. would lead to $221 billion in economic losses. Only 11% of the U.S. cattle herd is impacted by this final rule. The rule will not take effect for six months to provide time for producers to prepare.

“Rapid traceability in a disease outbreak will not only limit how long farms are quarantined, keep more animals from getting sick, and help ranchers and farmers get back to selling their products more quickly – but will help keep our markets open,” said Dr. Michael Watson, APHIS Administrator.

USDA has claimed that the most significant benefits of the rule for farmers and ranchers will be the enhanced ability of the United States to limit impacts of animal disease outbreaks to certain regions, which is the key to maintaining our foreign markets. By being able to readily prove disease-free status in non-affected regions of the United States, USDA has said will be able to request foreign trading partners recognize disease-free regions or zones instead of cutting off trade for the entire country. Traceability of animals is necessary to establish these disease-free zones and facilitate re-establishment of foreign and domestic market access with minimum delay in the wake of an animal disease event.

This rule is the culmination of goals established by USDA to increase traceability, and enhances a rule finalized in 2013 for the official identification of livestock and documentation for certain interstate movements of livestock. USDA will continue to provide tags to producers free of charge to jumpstart efforts to enable the fastest possible response to a foreign animal disease. In Illinois, those free tags are available via the State Department of Agriculture.

If you have questions about the cattle disease traceability rule, or to request free compliant tags for your farm, please contact:

Illinois Department of Agriculture | Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare

Telephone: 217/782-4944

Email: agr.premises@illinois.gov

SAVE THE DATE: Funk Farms to celebrate 200 years

Known for Funk Farms Premium Beef, and other products and services, Funk Farms will celebrate 200 years in the farming business on June 22 in Shirley. This public event will include family fun, live entertainment, the release of a book detailing the Funk family’s history and a vendor market.

When: June 22 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: 5959 N 1100 East Rd., Shirley, Illinois

IBA members receive high profile farmer award

On March 28 in Bloomington, the Illinois Beef Association celebrated three of its members for their milestone achievement of being named 2024 Prairie Farmer Master Farmers. IBA members Lou Lamoreux, of Lanark, and Susan and Malcolm Head, of Blue Mound, received the prestigious award that seeks to recognize farmers for their “agricultural production skills, commitment to family and service to community,” as described by Prairie Farmer Senior Editor, Holly Spangler.

Lou Lamoreux is vice chair of the IBA Checkoff Division and has served the Association, as well as other community groups, for many years. In his acceptance speech, Lamoreux emphasized the common values each of the winners share — faith, family and farm. He and his wife Sue, along with their family, have a successful multi-commodity farm of crops and cattle, and are committed to their longstanding family values.

Malcolm and Susan Head were 2022 IBA Environmental Stewards of the Year, and Susan served the IBA Board of Governors for many years. The Heads have worked to build a long-standing farm for the coming generations, including their two sons who work on the farm today, Rollin and Alex. When accepting their award, the Heads insisted on the essential need of one another in making their operation what it is today, and their commitment to keeping the Lord at the center of their work.

The IBA is proud to stand alongside such upstanding members of the Illinois beef community and congratulate both the Lamoreux and Head families. If you would like to suggest a nomination for 2025 be sure to reach out to us and let us know who you think would be a good fit, or email Prairie Farmer’s, Holly Spangler, at holly.spangler@farmprogress.com for a nomination form.

Lincoln Land student joins IBA as intern

Kaitlyn Zeedyk is IBA’s 2024 intern. As an Lincoln Land Community College agriculture student and livestock judging team member, Zeedyk is able to gain credit from the college through doing an internship. Zeedyk began her work at the IBA on April 1 and will carry out her work for the IBA until after the Illinois State Fair in August. She will work on Ag in the Classroom projects, help with various producer and Beef Checkoff programs and lend a hand where needed. Zeedyk plans to transfer to Iowa State University.

Malcolm and Susan Head and family.
Lou and Sue Lamoreaux and Prairie Farmer’s, Holly Spangler, who presented the award.

IBA Policy Chair Betsy Pech attends Illinois Ag Advisory Committee Event

Betsy Pech, IBA Policy Division chair, attended Senator Sally Turner’s Agriculture Advisory Committee event on April 3. Presenters included Illinois Grain and Feed Association Executive Vice President, Jeff Adkisson, and Illinois Director of Agriculture, Jerry Costello. The event was hosted by Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta. Pictured: Senator Sally Turner, Betsy Pech, Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello.

IBA hosts grazing-focused CCES in southern Illinois

On April 13, IBA staff traveled south to Anna to host a Cattlemen Connect Education Series meeting. The meeting began at 11:00 a.m. with introductions from IBA board members Garrett Mattox and Ryan DeWitt, and a hearty lunch of brisket, potato salad, baked beans and, of course, mac and cheese.

Following the meal, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition’s own, and Past IBA President, Trevor Toland gave a cattle grazing presentation. He says there are three things cattle need — water, forage and fencing. He explained the simplicity of rotational grazing with high tensile wire. “Temporary fencing is a grazer’s best friend; if you don’t use temporary fencing you should,” he says. Toland then detailed a 35 day rotation of cattle between 8 different paddocks, the cattle grazing for 5 days in each paddock. He believes this is the best way to maximize the economic sustainability of rotational grazing. Finally, Toland encouraged his audience to remind criticizers of rotational grazing that you are making money. “Be proud,” he says.

Next on the agenda were the farm visits. The first stop was CJ Simmentals, Chuck Weilmuenster’s Fullblood Simmental operation. Weilmuenster described his rotational grazing set-up, touched on calving and discussed grasses with Toland. The final stop of the day was the Meller family’s Hillcrest Angus Farm. Attendees got to see their processing barn and further discuss grazing by learning from the Meller’s tactics. Be sure to keep an eye on more producer meetings coming soon.

IBA board members Ryan DeWitt and Garrett Mattox give IBA update.
IBA Programs and Services Manager, Annie Schoetmer, gives overview of the day’s events.
Attendees were entered to win one of four giveaways, including an IBA branded Yeti cooler.
Jeff Aden and other attendees learning about the day’s activities.
Trevor Toland demonstrates ways to set up and utilize temporary fencing in rotational grazing.
The group heads outside for a closer look at Trevor Toland’s fencing and grazing tactics.

A close-up look of what temporary

looks like on an

You

IBA’s spring Cattlemen Connect Education Series was a success with almost 40 attendees, two tour stops and Trevor Toland’s IGLC grazing demonstration — if you want to be a member of IGLC be sure to reach out to him. Call the IBA office for more programs and experiences coming soon. Thank you to everyone who attended.

A cow-calf Fullblood Simmental pair at CJ Simmentals
Chuck Weilmuenster talks about his rotational grazing set-up.
fencing
operation.
IBA member Dwayne Schwarz participates in the conversation.
IBA board member Ryan DeWitt listens with his wife and daughter.
An extra-friendly FullbloodSimmental cow
Purina sponsored the day’s event. Pictured is Purina’s David Williams.
Southern Illinois cattlemen tour CJ Simmentals.
Jim Meller, owner of Hillcrest Angus Cattle.
Attendee asks Jim about his operation.
are never too young to learn about grazing!
IBA members Tyler and Darrell Gressel pose by farm sign.

IBA leaders visit Washington, D.C., for 2024

NCBA legislative conference Producers

Discussed Farm Bill, Reducing Regulation, and Countering Animal Rights Activists

In April, IBA President Dave Duzan and IBA Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters traveled to the U.S. Capitol for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Legislative Conference. The three-day event brought together cattle producers from across the country to Washington D.C., to meet with federal agencies and elected members of Congress.

During the trip, IBA’s representatives had the opportunity to meet with several officials from Illinois, including members of Congress and U.S. Senate staff members. Their scheduled included connecting with: Congresswoman Mary Miller, IBA member and U.S. Representative from the 15th Congressional district, Congressman Mike Bost from the 12th district in southern Illinois, Congressman Eric Sorensen from the 17th district in northwestern Illinois, and Congressman Darin LaHood, representing central and northern Illinois in the 16th district. They also met with representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Senator Dick Durbin.

“This Legislative Conference was a great opportunity to meet with our representatives in Congress and discuss issues with agencies like USDA, EPA, and the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher. “I am thankful for the work that NCBA’s team does every day in Washington, and meetings like this are so valuable for showing policymakers how the decisions they make here in Washington impact our farms and ranches thousands of miles away.”

Illinois’ leaders also met with senior staff from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to discuss important topics facing the beef industry in our state. Duzan and St. Peters attended a briefing with APHIS Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rosemary Sifford, where they discussed cattle traceability rules and animal disease outbreak concerns. Sifford, who also service as the agency’s Deputy Administrator, reiterated that her team is committed to supporting the beef industry.

FSA meetings included much discussion on the pending U.S. Farm Bill, which could begin a mark-up progress in the House Agriculture Committee as soon as the end of this month. Agency leaders updated cattlemen on risk management programs and disaster assistance tools that are currently utilized by beef producers, as well.

During the trip up Capitol Hill, Duzan and St. Peters lobbied Illinois’ Congressional delegation to be vigilant about additional funding for the USDA’s National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), which houses the U.S. supply of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine antigens. The cattle industry has been pushing for further investment in NAVVCB resources, to better protect producers from the critical threat of an FMD outbreak. Currently, this vaccine bank is the industry’s strongest

source of rapid-response assistance should we encounter an outbreak in our country.

This year, more than 300 cattle producers traveled to Washington and participated in 170 meetings on Capitol Hill. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also shared valuable updates on the inspections that occur at ports of entry to prevent diseases and pests from entering the United States.

“The Legislative Conference is a testament to NCBA’s grassroots leadership and role as a member-driven organization,” said Idaho rancher and NCBA Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett. “Unlike activist-led groups that are little more than a fundraising website and a lobbyist, NCBA represents real farming and ranching families across the country. We showed that to members of Congress and agency staff, and delivered the message that policymakers need to listen to real cattle producers when making decisions that impact our livelihood. I have seen firsthand how NCBA’s work in Washington benefits our industry and I encourage you to join us and support that work too.”

During the event, NCBA members discussed their priorities for the next Farm Bill, including the need for animal health, disaster relief, risk management, and voluntary conservation programs. Producers also urged policymakers to reduce red tape on farms and ranches by reeling in overreaching regulations from federal agencies. Additionally, members discussed the need to protect the cattle industry from the threat of a foreign animal disease and defend the Beef Checkoff from animal rights activist attacks.

IBA and Congressman Bost partner to support Black Vulture relief for southern Illinois farmers

Another topic of discussion with Congressional leaders from Illinois was the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023, which could assist farmers and ranchers in managing Black vulture depredation impacting cattle operations. Currently, several counties in southern Illinois are impacted permanent flocks of Black vultures that often roost in large groups. These scavenger birds have adapted their feeding patterns to sometimes include attacking livestock, including cattle and calves. At their peak infestation, producers have reported as many as 40-50 individual birds in calving pastures, and USDA Wildlife Services data shows that Black vulture attacks on cattle increased nearly 25 percent from 2020 to 2022.

Congressman Bost from Murphysboro, who represents the southern Illinois counties most impacted with Black vulture infestation, has taken a keen interest in the issue due to outreach from constituent farmers in his district, and discussions with IBA members. He shared his experiences in his district, seeing the birds and the large groups that are known to depredate in certain farming areas. He joined IBA in support of the need for a solution, co-sponsoring the Black Vulture Relief Act.

Ironically, the Black vulture population in southern Illinois is permanent, as the birds stay put year-round, meanwhile

they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. With increased concerns about the impact of these vultures in counties where they already exist, and reports that their populations may be spreading in adjacent counties, IBA is engaging federal officials about the Black Vulture Relief Act, in hopes that new legislation could ease the process of farmers defending their livestock. Currently, producers with Black vulture infestations must work with state authorities and Federal permitting agencies to receive a sub-permit for taking a limited number of birds each year. The new legislation proposes lifting a cap, allowing producers to take black vultures as needed, while maintaining reporting standards to allow state and federal officials to continue to monitor the Black vulture population and uphold responsible stewardship of the species.

IBA President and Executive Vice President, Dave Duzan and Josh St. Peters, respectively, visit Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16).
Duzan and St. Peters also spoke with Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
Congressman Mike Bost(IL-12) listened to St. Peters and Duzan as they detailed their interest in the Black Vulture Relief Act and its importance for cattle producers..
Congresswoman Mary MIller (IL-15) stopped to catch up with IBA leaders, Duzan and St. Peters.

FuLL scheduLe

Expo Building, 2561 Main St, Springfield

Expo Building, 2561 Main St, Springfield

Registration Tradeshow Open

Breakout Sessions

9:00-9:30 9:00-5:00 10:00-11:30 11:30-1:00 1:00-3:45 4:00-5:00 5:00-8:00 Supper & Awards Ceremony

Lunch & IBA Annual Meeting

General Sessions Cattlemen’s Reception

State FairgroundsAwards Ceremony

Illinois Beef Foundation Illinois Beef Foundation

Junior Recipients

Aubrey Wagner Hometown: Onarga Future School: Iowa State University

Drew Mickey Hometown: Taylorville Future School: Kansas State University

Audrey Curtin Hometown: Blue Mound Future School: Butler Community College

Ella Thacker Hometown: Walnut Future School: Black Hawk College - East

2024 Scholarship Recipients Senior

2024 scholarship recipients

Recipients

Katelyn Engel

Hometown: Galesburg School: University of Illinois

Natalie Evans

Hometown: Jacksonville School: Murray State University

Lilie Perry Hometown: Marshall School: University of Illinois

Reese Anderson

Hometown: Chrisman School: University of Illinois

Gain a new view of your pastures’ forage potential

Five ways to maximize the power of a simple grazing exclosure to help truly know what you can grow.

It’s all too easy to bypass what we see – or fail to see – in the places we see the most.

Noble Research Institute regenerative ranching advisors Will Moseley and Steve Swaffar say a grazing exclosure – a small, fenced area inside a grazing unit that livestock cannot access that gives the rancher a direct view of what and how much was grazed around it – is perhaps the simplest method to help see the potential of our land’s production.

“We get in our routine, we overlook things, or don’t see what’s really out there,” Moseley says. “But once we stop and put an exclosure up and take a fresh look at what’s going on there, you can learn a lot.”

How to build a grazing exclosure

An exclosure can be as large or small as the materials you have available dictate, but Moseley recommends fencing off an area at least 3 feet by 3 feet. It doesn’t need to be any bigger than 6 by 6. Build it with whatever you have available – four cattle panels work well, or try a 16-foot hog panel bent into a square or circle, anchored by a t-post.

Whatever you use, be sure it’s tall enough that your livestock – be they cattle, sheep, goats or other species – can’t reach over the top or access forage below or through the fencing. Sunlight also needs to penetrate the exclosure to

allow photosynthesis.

Select a location in your pasture that is a good representation of the forage growing there – not the best, but not the worst — and near a regularly trafficked area. Be sure to avoid actual pathways to the water tank or gates or close to a fence line, and set up the exclosure before you graze the surrounding pasture or paddock.

Putting your exclosure to work

The observations you might gather from a simple exclosure are as varied as the materials you can use to build it. Here, Swaffar and Moseley offer five ways to use an exclosure as a powerful assessment of your grazing potential:

1. Potential forage production and animal consumption: At the end of the grazing event, measure the amount of forage standing in the exclosure against what’s left outside, and you’ll have a quick assessment of what your animals consumed. This is the biggest reason for an exclosure, Swaffar says. “You really want to know, what was the potential forage production in that pasture, and did I actually take the best advantage of it?”

2. What your livestock actually eat: Count and note the number and types of plant species within the grazing exclosure, and compare that observation with what you see outside the exclosure after a grazing event.

“If you’re seeing certain plants inside the exclosure not occurring outside, that’s probably telling you that your animals are selecting for that species. They’re grazing it out,” Moseley says. If it’s a desirable species, consider changing the timing of that grazing event to allow those plants to more fully express themselves before they are grazed, or give that pasture more recovery time to allow it to establish a stronger population.

3. Regrowth potential in grazing versus haying: If one of your goals is to reduce fuel inputs and tractor time by allowing livestock to harvest more of what you grow rather than taking it for hay, a grazing exclosure could quantify varying rates of regrowth.

Swaffar recounts a producer who set up two exclosures in the same pasture. Once the producer was finished grazing, he used a weed eater to cut the second exclosure’s forage to mark an equivalent to haying it. He could then compare plant growth and recovery among three scenarios: no harvest, livestock harvest and mechanical harvest.

4. Compare the grazing habits of different livestock: Use an exclosure to help observe the differences in grazing patterns and preferences between species and classes of livestock in similar pasture conditions.

5. Understand the role wildlife pressure plays in pasture potential: If you’re new to planting a cover crop, or working to re-establish native grasses in a pasture previously cultivated for introduced species and the seeding success rate is disappointing, a grazing exclosure will answer the question: did it fail because the seeds didn’t germinate, or did wildlife graze it out before you had a chance to see it flourish?

Keeping track of your observations

In all of these scenarios, record-keeping matters. How you do it is dictated by your personality and desire. At minimum, Swaffar recommends recording how many different species you see inside the exclosure and outside the exclosure, and how much forage is growing. That can be noted by a visual assessment, or it can be as scientific as a clip-and-weigh measurement to know exactly what your potential was. That might look like keeping a notebook on the pickup dash, typing a note on your phone, or photographing the

exclosure from the same direction and distance at minimum before, during, and after the grazing event. His experience says once you’ve set up one exclosure, you’ll probably want more.

“What’s really fun about this is that once you set one up, you start to get curious and excited about it,” Swaffar says. “You’ll find you might make an excuse to go by there and just see, next thing you know, you’re there on a weekly basis going, ‘Huh. That’s interesting, wonder what’s happening there?’

“It really piques your curiosity, and that’s a good thing. That’s why it’s such a powerful observational tool.”

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LIFE IS A RACE, RUN IT WITH ENDURANCE

Beef producers Lyle and Sheryl Hopkins have built a legacy of giving their time and talents to serve the Illinois beef industry. Now they are encouraging the next generation of producers to do the same.

There is something about a northern Illinois drive that makes one appreciate wide open spaces and expansive farm landscapes. Driving north on I-39 and then onto US Highway 52 will get you through Dixon and into Polo. Somewhere in the green hills and prairie in between sits the homestead of Lyle and Sheryl Hopkins. Folks in the Illinois beef industry know them both as past IBA presidents, Lyle in 1988 and Sheryl the first woman in ’02 and ’03. Yet, they were driving around Illinois for years prior on behalf of Illinois producers like themselves. The effort the Hopkins put into life reflects their focus on family and the betterment of the agriculture industry, a lifestyle they lead for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Back in the “olden days,” before the association was called the Illinois Beef Association, beef producers supported the Illinois Livestock Association – prior to that it was the Cornbelt Livestock Feeders Association and the Illinois Livestock Feeders Association – and the Beef Checkoff supported the Illinois Beef Industry Council. Back then only men were involved in these organizations so there was also the Illinois Cattle Women, or Illinois Beef Auxiliary –originally the cowbells – which did the promoting of beef on behalf of the associations. In 1995, the association became what it is today, merging all three organizations into one. Of course, after the merger, Sheryl got to have her turn as president like her husband.

Both Lyle and Sheryl have served the organizations since the early seventies and have been more influential than today’s producers realize. Did you know Lyle played a significant role in getting the Beef Checkoff to be $1.00? This is one of many examples of the influential role of the Hopkins in the industry.

The Making of a Leader

The truth is some producers today do not feel the need to serve the way Lyle and Sheryl have. They themselves are

concerned about the lack of leadership in the upcoming generation – maybe it is the artificial community felt through technology, or just never learning the importance of service at an early age like they did, they wonder.

Sheryl’s life philosophy is focused on hard work and family, and it was at an early age that Lyle learned the importance of these things, especially when it comes to service to one’s own community.

In the early twenties Lyle’s grandparents moved up into northern Illinois, where his dad saw the need to start a dairy during The Great Depression after someone in his town asked, “You wouldn’t happen to have any cream would you?” By the 1940s, the Hopkins were fully into the dairy business. Lyle recalls growing up milking the cows and driving a tractor for his neighbors since he was ten years old.

When it was his turn to run an operation, Lyle and his brother put a down payment on some land and bought equipment with money from their dad. Later, in 1974, their cousin, Leo Patterson, wanted to rent his 240-acre farm which included an 80-acre pasture to Lyle, and that is how they got into beef cows. “We have only been farming that farm for 49 years,” he says amusingly. And it is right next to the farm his great grandmother homesteaded.

Lyle and Sheryl were married after high school in 1965 and will have been married for 59 years this summer. “The reason I got married was my brother was a lousy cook and she was a real good cook,” Lyle jokes.

Before this, in the fall of 1965, Lyle’s brother was drafted into the United States Air Force. The next year, Lyle was about to be drafted, but President Johnson sent out a marriage deferment law that applied to Lyle’s own time of marriage. Though a bit discouraged he could not follow in the footsteps of his brother, he took to community service work on the county board, township board, and eventually gave much of his time to the Illinois Beef Association after being encouraged during his time serving the Ogle County beef affiliate. “I figured I would do my time that way.”

From conventions to policy change to friendships, the Hopkins made strides together in the Illinois beef industry, and it had the same effect on them too. They recall happy times with their “Association friends” such as, Dan and Kathy Koons, Roger and Karen Houston, Dave and Carol Bateman, Ray and Jeri Nieman, who did all the association work from home in the seventies, the first IBA EVP John Butler, IBA EVP Tim O’Connor, then IBA EVP Maralee Johnson, who Sheryl went to many meetings with.

Learning the Right Lessons

Through their time in service to various organizations, and especially through their on-farm experiences, the Hopkins understand that in this industry, “sometimes things fall apart even if you have not made a mistake, health problems come up in livestock, markets go up and down, but you learn a lot of lessons,” Lyle says.

In all the various challenges, whether it was operating Sheryl’s parents’ auction business, distress in the ‘eighties or their house fire just a few years ago, they cling to what is certain – their love for their family and their farm.

Lyle enjoys taking care of the cattle. Sheryl’s favorite part is the signs of spring, calves galloping across the lush green grass and crops budding up – both showing signs of new and vibrant life.

It is things like this that keep them young. Lyle recently told his physical therapist “If I can chase a calf through the mud and catch him and hold him between my legs and feed him a bottle, I think I am pretty well back in shape,” something he really did just days before the appointment.

The Need for People

With a legacy of four children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren – who are the seventh generation to go to the same little church on the corner, just up the road from where Lyle and Sheryl live – the Hopkins are giving all

they have to leave the most important life lessons behind for their family and community. They even have a son-in-law, Justin Rahn, and granddaughter, Anna Flikkema, currently serving on the IBA Board of governors.

For them, that starts with service – something they hope will be reawakened in the hearts of the upcoming generations.

In their own local cattlemen’s affiliate, they have had a couple younger producers as president and vice president, and they seek out other members to help at their county fair food stand, but Sheryl says it is often like pulling teeth.

Yet, the Hopkins have long been committed to the furtherance of their affiliate organization, the Illinois Beef Association and other organizations like them. “Somebody has got to continue the tradition to make sure some idiot does not pass something we cannot live with,” Lyle says.

Sheryl agrees, adding, “and we are promoting our product, which is what it is all about,” she says. “I do not think the younger generation can see that because their mother and dad always did it.” Our associations need younger people carrying the torch their parents before them lit.

“We did for others what maybe we should have been doing for ourselves, but that was not important, it was the other people who were important to us,” Sheryl says. “The younger generation totally live different than we used to.” She recalls scraping buy and saving as much as possible, and starting with nothing, and even moments where they had nothing again – especially in the eighties when it was tough for everyone.

“We never gave up,” Lyle says. “We had a lot of help.”

For many people, they have been that help. The effort they put into life reflects their focus on family and the betterment of the agriculture industry. Not only have they created a legacy farming operation, but have taught and are teaching their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how to leave one too.

Lyle holds their youngest grandson, Evan, in their kitchen.
The R + H Land and Livestock grain truck parked on the farm.
Sheryl receives her retirement gift after her term as IBA president (2002-2003).
Lyle and Sheryl pose with their children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

A recipe for success: Corn &

Livestock

The recipe for profitable Illinois farmers is no secretit's partnerships that make progress work. IL Corn partners with USMEF to increase beef and pork exports which increase the value of livestock AND corn. Here are some recent results.

Ingredients of Success

512.7 million bushels

Beef and pork exports accounted for 512.7 million bushels of U.S. corn usage, which equated to a market value of $3.05 billion.

$671.62 million 14.6% per bushel

Beef and pork exports accounted for 3.07 million tons of DDGS usage, equating to $671.62 million.

Beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 14.6% of the value of one bushel.

MULTI-SPECIES JACKPOT SHOW

2 SPECIES PER 2 RINGS

RING 1 - CATTLE & SHEEP RING 2 - HOGS & GOATS

Top 5 will be chosen for each species, females and market animals.

Breed/Division Awards Cash Payouts

Top 2 Showman in each age division for each species.

June 29-30, 2 024

LaSalle County Fairgrounds

BTRJLA Sanctioned Show IBA Points, ICPA Points Series, Illinois Wether Series Points, ICLA Points

Saturday June 29:

Gates open - 4:00a.m.

Check in - 5:00 - 7:00a.m. - 8:00a.m.

GENERAL RULES & INFORMATION:

Sunday June 30:

Gates open - 4:00a.m.

Check in - 5:00 - 7:00a.m.

Goat/Sheep show - 9:00a.m.

Goat/Sheep Showmanship

• Exhibitors must be 8 - 21 years old as of January 1, 2024 and reside in Illinois.

• Health Papers required

• Generators encouraged heifers shown by breed and age

- commercial heifers shown by age/weight

- steers shown by breed and weight

• Hogs - Gilts shown by breed and age

- Barrows shown by breed and weight

• Sheep - Market ewes shown by weight

- Market wethers shown by weight

• Goats - Market does shown by weight

- Market wethers shown by weight

JUDGES:

Ca le

Sue Schafer, IL

Hogs

Derek Henningsen, IA

Goats

Andy Roth, IA

Sheep

Buddy Haas, IA

*For up to date information, please follow us on Facebook* Any questions call: Chris Utegg- (815) 343-1071 or Carter Gualandri- (815) 326-5269

This show is not a liated with the LaSalle County 4-H & Junior Shows

Showcase PRAIRIE BEEF jackpot show

DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds | April 7 | Judge: Rob Johnson
Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photos
Prairie Beef Association Show Committee
Senior Showmanship: Grace Lemenager, Addison Stollard
Intermediate Showmanship: Alexa Turner, Reece Entwistle
Junior Showmanship: Maddox Reedy, Kinlynn Dryer
Grand Champion Steer
Champion Simmental
Shown by Alex Smith
Reserve Grand Champion Steer Champion AOB
Shown by Landon Loschen
Third Overall Steer
Champion Angus Shown by Dash Simpson
Fourth Overall Steer Champion Shorthorn Shown by Knox Rutledge
Fifth Overall Steer
Reserve Champion Simmental Shown by Dash Simpson
Grand Champion Heifer
Champion Angus Shown by Chloe Boitnott
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
Reserve Champion Angus
Owned by Kesler Collins
Third Overall Heifer Champion AOB
Shown by Ty Freed
Fourth Overall Heifer
Champion Shorthorn Shown by Maddox Reedy
Fifth Overall Heifer
Reserve Champion AOB
Shown by Kesler Collins

MAY BEEF MONTH

BEEF EATERS CLUB

BEEF EATERS CLUB

How to Join

How to Join

Eat out at any restaurant in Illinois and order at least one beef item off the menu and send in a copy of your receipt to the Illinois Beef Association

Club Member Perks

Club Member Perks

Every Beef Eaters Club member gets the annual Beef Eaters Club sticker! Ten lucky members will be selected to win a Summer Grilling Basket, three will be selected to win gift certificates to a listing on the IBA Local Beef Directory, and one member will win the Ultimate Grilling Prize!

Official Rules & Regulations

CHECKING IN WITH THE CHECKOFF

A May Beef Month

Special Edition

Illinois Beef Association

Today’s Date

Seller’s Name

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM

State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CRF 1260.201 Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CRF 1260.203.

ID Number (if known)________________________

Buyer’s Name

Address Address

Seller’s Signature

Buyer’s Signature

Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Illinois Beef Association

Date of Sale

Total Number of Cattle Sold: X

*State of Origin

$1.00 per Head Federal Checkoff = Total Checkoff Payment for Federal and State $0.50 per Head State Checkoff =

Person remitting form : Seller Buyer Phone Number:

*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased

Send Report and Remittance to:

For additional information: call 217-787-4280 or email susan@illinoisbeef.com

olivia@illinoisbeef.com

The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) collects the Illinois Beef Checkoff in accordance with the Illinois Beef Market Development Act. IBA also collects the national beef checkoff fulfilling its role as the Qualified State Beef Council for Illinois as designated by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Beef Heritage

IBA member and cattle producer, Gary Hadden, proves that passing the culture of beef from one generation to the next makes for a successful operation, a well-fed family and a happy life.

Gary Hadden of Jacksonville spends a lot of time taking care of his cattle. It is a family thing. His wife, mother and father all still help, and his sons and daughters do so as well.

“It isn’t work for me – it’s just something you do because you love it,’’ says Hadden, who took a break recently from planting corn to talk about his love for raising cattle. “I grew up raising cattle. My grandparents did it; my parents and now my family.”

He has a 300-head Angus/Simmental cow-calf herd and raises his own bulls and heifers. Between February 20 and now, he’s had 180 calves and currently has 15 left to calve this spring. “On our busiest day, we had 12 in one day, but we average 6-8 a day for about 30 days straight. And that means, we’re checking those mamas 3-4 times a day.”

For him, it is all about the life lessons he learned, and the life lessons his kids have learned.

“You can’t teach any better work ethic and responsibility than raising livestock. You learn you have to be responsible – for everything that animal needs – watering, bedding, nutrition. My kids all showed at the county fairs, and the entire process taught them decision-making skills. They had to figure out when to wash calves, what to feed them and when. The best part was they didn’t even know they were learning those skills.”

Raising cattle has served his family well. His oldest daughter, Lauren, works for Prairieland FS and comes home on weekends to help with the cattle operation. His oldest son, Cody, who majored in animal science and now works for Earlybird, takes care of the family herd’s nutritional needs, analyzing hay samples and corn silage and tweaking rations to make sure they have a balanced diet.

Another son, Luke, helps on the farm as well as with the cattle, and his youngest daughter, Megan, a junior at the University of Illinois, is studying agricultural education.

“I’m happy that all four of our kids are or will be U of I graduates,” says Hadden. “And they all still love to come home and help with the cattle operation.”

He believes the farm life and all it entails has helped his parents stay young.

“Mom and Dad are 81, and they’re still outside every day helping on the farm,” he adds. “I grew up with that. It’s their passion, and they enjoy it.”

Gary and his wife, Lisa, also enjoy grilling and smoking meat from the cattle they have raised. They often sell quarters or beef halves to neighbors and friends.

“It depends on the season, but we love to grill or smoke

a brisket, flank steak, T-bones, ribs – all of it,” he says, especially on his prized Weber grill. “In the winter, Lisa will do a roast in the slow cooker or make vegetable soup or chili. We love to find new recipes and new ways to flavor and season beef.”

His operation is grain-finished rather than grass fed. The latter takes a lot longer to be market ready, which can end up costing more.

“I love the flavor and tenderness of beef that’s been grain-finished. It’s a choice. For me, I’ll balance that meal nutritionally with vegetables.”

Beef can be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet – in the right portions. A 3-ounce serving of beef (about the size of an iPhone) provides more than ten essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc and vitamins B12 and B6. One serving of beef contains about half of the Daily Value for protein for about 170 calories.

Illinois Beef’s

Directions:

Will’s Favorite

Beef Chili

What you will need:

Ground Beef:

• 4lbs ground beef

• 1 sweet onion, chopped

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Chili:

• 4 tbsp flour

• 1-1 1/2 tbsp Chili Powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 3 tsp cumin

• 3 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt

• 1/4-1/2 tsp ground allspice

• 1/4-1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 cap full A1 Steak Sauce

• Good Squirt of ketchup

• 2 46oz cans tomato juice

• 1 27oz can chili beans

• 1 28oz can petite cut tomatoes

• Cayenne if you want extra heat

Cook ground beef with spices and onion in a large pot over medium heat. Drain off fat. Once beef is cooked, sprinkle flour over ground beef and cook for a minute or two. Add the rest of the spices, steak sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, and chili beans. Lower heat, if needed, so you do not burn anything. Give this a good stir to combine everything, then slowly add the tomato juice, stirring as you pour. Lower to medium-low heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, lowering heat as necessary. Serve with your choice of Fritos corn chips, cheese and saltine crackers. Also good served over spaghetti for “Chili Spaghetti!”

The Willrett Family’s

Carne Asada Fries

What you will need:

Carne Asada:

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp cilantro, minced

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 1/4 cup lime juice

• 1lb flank or skirt steak

• 1 tsp canola oil

• 1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice

French Fries:

• 2 Russet potatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

For Serving:

• sour cream

• guacamole

• diced tomato

• cilantro

• cotija cheese

Slow Cooker Beef & Noodles Family Recipes

from Jenna Siegel Meteer’s Moments Together cookbook

What you will need:

• 2 lb chuck roast

• 3 tbsp herb and garlic seasoning

• 2 cups + an additional 1/2 cup beef broth

• 1/4 cup cornstarch, whisked, with an equal amount of water

• 16 oz egg noodles

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Season roast with 2 tbsp of seasoning and place in slow cooker. Add 2 cups of broth, cover, and cook on low for at least 8 hours or until roast is fall-apart fork tender. After cooked, shred beef and add cornstarch slurry, the remaining 1/2 cup of broth, noodles and cream to slow cooker. Turn to high heat and cover and allow to cook for another 30-40 minutes, stirring a few times, until noodles are cooked and sauce is thick. Once it is done, season with remaining seasoning and mix well.

Get the Book!

Inspired by the five generations of farmers that came before her, Jenna Siegel Meteer brings a collection of recipes targeting farm wives, stock show moms, sports parents, and those from all walks of life who need a hand in the kitchen. From breakfast to main meals and desserts, these recipes are meant to be joyfully created and enjoyed by all who cherish their moments together.

Moments Together recipe book available for purchase on Amazon at a.co/d/cxCqs1k

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. While oven is preheating, cut potatoes into wedges. In a large bowl, stir the potatoes, olive oil, salt, garlic powder and paprika. Place the fries on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. While fries bake, in a bowl, combine salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, garlic, cilantro, OJ and lime juice. Add steak and marinate for 20 minutes. Heat your skillet with oil over medium heat. Cook the steak for 3 minutes on both sides for a medium cook. Remove from the skillet and let steak rest before dicing. In an oven-proof dish, place fries, cheese of choice, and carne asada and broil until cheese is bubbly. Serve and top with your choice of sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, cilantro and grated cheese.

TRENDING IN FOOD & MEDIA

FOCUS ON HERD NUMBERS & BEEF PRICES

The latest U.S. cattle herd numbers announced by the USDA at the end of January led to more media discussion about beef supplies. According to the USDA, the cattle inventory numbers were the lowest since 1951.2

NBC News compared Ground Beef to increased milk and white bread prices over the last four years. Overall for January, the potential reach for beef price stories declined by 9%.1

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

Beef demand remains strong, and consumers continue to make three out of four meals at home, as mentioned in Farm & Ranch Guide.3

NEW BURGERS IN THE HEADLINES

McDonald’s had nearly 1,800 news mentions in January about bringing back the Double Big Mac. The surge in media mentions happened around Jan. 9. Social media mentions surged two weeks later when sales for the Double Big Mac started.1

The first new burger in eight years for Jack In The Box will arrive nationwide in Feburary. The chain planned a quiet six week launch for the Smashed Jack in January but sold out of supplies in just two weeks.4

NEWS AND NOTES

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced he is raising cattle at his compound in Hawaii. The announcement led to more than 400,000 likes on Zuckerberg’s Instagram account and more than 300 news mentions.1

Google reported a significant spike in the searches about protein and attributed it to interest in the 30 30 30 diet trend. Google Trends showed the highest search interest for how much protein is in steak in 20 years of tracking.5

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

News mentions of smash burgers increased by 234% in January compared to the previous month.1

GOOD NEWS FOR BEEF

Media outlets focused on new grills and ovens on display at the Consumer Electronics Show. Several publications mentioned a new oven from Seargrills that can cook a Ribeye in 90 seconds.1

4. https://www.businessinsider.com/jack-in-the-box-new-smashed-burger-review-2024-1

5. https://twitter.com/GoogleTrends/status/1749554989469757672

GROUND BEEF PERFORMANCE:

SALES TRENDS BY LEANNESS, FORM, AND LABEL CLAIM

Nearly every consumer was impacted by the volatility of goods and services during 2023. As consumers have grappled with these changing market dynamics, shifting preferences have emphasized versatility, affordability, and convenience. Ground beef products sported one of the lowest average prices per pound in 2023 for beef products, with an average price being 22.5% lower than all beef other products.¹ Ground beef sales also comprised 50.6% of all retail beef sales in terms of volume (pounds sold) and 39.2% in terms of value (dollars sold) in 2023.¹

Not only is ground beef a major component of the beef retail market, but ground beef also accounted for 19% of all retail fresh meat sales in terms of volume and 21% of all retail fresh meat sales in terms of value during the same time frame.¹ As shown in Figure 1, ground beef sales have been increasing in terms of dollars since 2021 while decreasing in terms of pounds over the same time frame. More specifically, retail ground beef sales have increased by 2.3% in terms of

dollars and have decreased by 2.0% in terms of pounds since 2022.¹ Decreasing pound sales coupled with increasing dollar sales points to an increasing price per pound, which have indeed risen an average of 8.4% from 2019 to 2023 and increased by 4.4% from 2022 to 2023 alone.¹

Satisfaction with ground beef purchases remains high, with consumers expressing satisfaction with their eating experiences at home (92%) or in a restaurant (90%).² Additionally, consumers exhibit strong confidence in shopping for and preparing ground beef and burgers, with approximately 80% expressing confidence in shopping for and cooking ground beef.² While over two-thirds of consumers claimed their ground beef purchases would remain the same as the previous year, 16% indicated that they would be purchasing more ground beef than they did previously, while 11% indicated that they would be purchasing less ground beef than they previously did (equating to a 5% net increase in future intent to purchase).³

Fresh ground beef products are sold in varying forms ranging from chubs, modified atmospheric packaging, polyvinyl chloride over wrapped trays, and vacuum packaged bricks. Figure 2 shows these popular ground beef forms as a percentage of the ground beef available at the retail case in 2021. Polyvinyl chloride over wrapped trays were the most popular packaging method, occupying over 53% of the ground beef available in the retail case.⁴ Vacuum-packaged bricks occupied a little over 28% of the retail meat case, while chubs and modified atmospheric packaging rounded out the popular packaging methods with 13% and 5% of the market share, respectively.4 While this survey was conducted in 2021, these market shares are not expected to shift much year-over-year, as the survey has been conducted every few years with little variation.

Figure 3 breaks down retail ground beef sales

Figure 1. Retail Ground Beef Sales (both dollars and pounds) from 2019 – 2023.¹
Figure 2. Ground Beef Retail Case Availability

in terms of lean-to-fat ratio, with the most popular ground beef products containing between 11-20% fat (80-89% lean).⁵ Ground beef products that contained 11-20% fat occupied 45.1% of ground beef sales by value, with a total of $5.9 billion sold in 2023.³ In terms of pounds sold, fresh ground beef containing 11-20% fat accounted for 1.2 billion pounds sold, 46.5% of all ground beef sales by volume in 2023.⁵ Fresh ground beef products that contained 10% or less fat (90% or greater leanness), have sold approximately 562 million pounds (21.0% of the ground beef market by volume) worth $3.4 billion (26.1% of the ground beef market by value) in 2023.⁵ Another popular option at retail is ground beef products that contain between 20-29% fat (70-79% lean), which sold approximately 520.9 million pounds (19.5% of the ground beef market by volume) and $1.9 billion worth in terms of dollars (15.0% of the ground beef market by value) in 2023.⁵ Ground beef products that have leanness claims that do not fit into these categories sold 28 thousand pounds (0.001% of the ground beef market by volume) and worth $160 thousand dollars (0.001% of the ground beef market by value) in 2023.⁵ Finally, those ground beef products that either did not specify leanness or did not have that data collected sold 346 million pounds (12.9% of the ground beef market by volume) worth $1.8 billion dollars (13.9% of the ground beef market by value) in 2023.⁵ These market shares have remained stable over the past few years, with 80-89% lean ground beef showing signs of slightly increasing market share from 2019 – 2023.⁵

Consumers can also select their preferred ground beef product according to the production claim label, such as grass-fed, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and organic. The largest of these claims is antibiotic-free ground beef, which was present on approximately 5.9% ($762 million) of all ground beef labels in terms of dollars sold and 3.8% (101 million) in terms of pounds sold in 2023.⁶ Beef products labeled with hormone-free claims occupied 5.5% ($715 million) of the total ground beef sales in terms of dollars and 3.6% (95 million) in terms of pounds sold.⁷

Beef products labeled with grass-fed claims occupied 4.6% ($603 million) of the total ground beef sales in terms of dollars and 3.0% (81.5 million) in terms of pounds in 2023.⁸

Organic ground beef label claims occupied the smallest market share of the popular production claims, occupying 3.2% ($422 million) in terms of dollars and 2.2% (58 million) in terms of pounds.⁹ While these claims still occupy a small fraction of the market, demand for production transparency appears to be growing, as ground beef sales with these production labels have grown by an average of 5.4% from 2020 to 2023.⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹

Ground beef is a versatile, cost-effective, and in-demand beef product, in part due to the custom feel that ground beef offers. Whether shoppers are looking for a certain leanness percentage or product form, ground beef is well apt to cater to a multitude of lifestyles and preferences. This versatility helps explain why ground beef is consistently one of the best-selling beef products year-over-year, especially when consumer budgets continue to be stretched. As consumer preferences continue to shift, ground beef will be sure to continue adapting to meet these needs.

1. NielsonIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales, 2019 - 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

2. Consumer Beef Tracker Survey, Directions Research, analyzed and summarized by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, January – December 2023.

3. State of the Consumer Survey, conducted and analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, June 2023.

4. Gonzalez A.A., Williams, E.P., Schwartz, T.E., Arnold, A.N., Griffin, D.B., Miller, R.K., Gehring, K.B., Savell, J.W., National Beef Tenderness Survey, 2021. https://www.beefresearch.org/resources/product-quality/projectsummaries/2021-present/national-beef-tenderness-survey-2021

5. NielsenIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales by Fat Content, 2019 – 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

6. NielsonIQ Discover, Ground Beef Sales by Antibiotics Label Claim, FullYear 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

7. NielsonIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales by Hormone Label Claim, FullYear 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

8. NielsonIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales by Grass-Fed Label Claim, FullYear 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

9. NielsonIQ, Discover, Ground Beef Sales by Organic Label Claim, FullYear 2023 Weeks Ending 12/30/2023. Analyzed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff.

Figure 3. Market Share of Ground Beef by Leanness. ⁵

BEEF LABEL CLAIMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PURCHASING BEHAVIOR BEEF LABEL CLAIMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PURCHASING BEHAVIOR

Beef is a popular and essential source of protein worldwide. It is consumed in many forms, from steaks and roasts to ground beef and jerky. With its nutritional value and versatility, beef has become a staple in the diets of many people around the world. However, in recent years, there has been increasing interest in exactly what you are buying when you pick up that steak or order that burger. Label claims have become a key factor in the purchasing decisions of many consumers and a way for retail and food service operators to differentiate their products. Regardless of choice, the beef industry continues to enjoy strong consumer demand. According to the Beef Checkoff’s Consumer Beef Tracker, 70% of consumers ate beef at least weekly throughout the 2023 calendar year. ¹ Some label claims appeal to customers more than others. For instance, we know consumers are most apt to purchase items that indicate USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grade, while breed specific claims garner the least amount of attention.¹ This article will discuss some of these production claims and analyze the demand surrounding them, but before we move on, let’s examine some of the most common label claims and what they actually mean.

What Are Label Claims?

Label claims are statements made on food packaging that describe the product’s attributes or qualities. For beef, these claims can be about the product’s nutritional value, how the cattle were raised, quality factors, and what medications were utilized during the animal’s life. Some of the common label claims for beef include:

Grass-Finished: Grass-finished cattle spend their entire lives grazing and eating from pastures. These cattle may also eat forage, hay, or silage at the feedyard. As well, grass finished cattle may or may not be given FDA-approved

antibiotics to treat, prevent or control disease and/or growthpromoting hormones.

Grain-finished: Grain-finished cattle, like grass finished, spend most of their lives eating grass and foraging in pastures. When beef is grain-finished, cattle are free to eat a balanced diet of grain, local feed ingredients, like potato hulls or sugar beets, and hay or forage at the feedyard. Similarly, grainfinished cattle may or may not be given FDA-approved antibiotics to treat, prevent or control disease and/or growthpromoting hormones.

Certified Organic: Certified organic beef, designated by the official label, comes from cattle that have never received any antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. These cattle may be spending time at the feedyard and can be either grass-finished or grain-finished if the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service certifies the feed as 100% organically grown.

Naturally Raised: Naturally raised beef comes from cattle that have never received antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. This beef may spend time at a feedyard and can be either grain-finished or grass-finished.

Hormone-free: Beef raised without growth hormones.

LABELING - INTENTIONALLY PURCHASED IN PAST MONTH

Source:

of the Above” = exclusive choice.

BEEF
Consumer Beef Tracker 2018 –2023; BB12: Which of the following types of beef have you intentionally purchased or ordered in the past month? (Select all that apply.), “None

Antibiotic-free: Beef raised without antibiotics. Grade: Select, choice, and prime are the most common grades which are based on tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Breed Specific: Refers to the animal’s breed the product came from, such as Angus, Hereford, and Wagyu.

These label claims provide information to consumers about the product they are purchasing and can influence their buying decisions.

The Impact of Label Claims on Beef Sales

Label claims can have a significant impact on beef sales. Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact their food choices have on their health, the environment, and animal welfare. They are willing to pay a premium for products that meet their criteria for quality, sustainability, and ethical production. Quality attributes like USDA grade are the most effective claim when driving higher sales. The grade is followed by callouts about how the animal was raised and then its breed. Furthermore, 77% of consumers have intentionally made a purchase decision based on a label callout. ¹

Consumers are also willing to pay more for certain claims over others, providing operators an opportunity to increase sales. When it comes to ground beef, consumers are willing to pay $1.61 to $1.90 more per pound for labels such as “USDA Prime” or “Breed Specific” versus standard “ground beef” when comparing the five-year average. ²

This also applies to steak which commands a much higher price point than ground beef. Consumers are willing to pay $7.11 to $7.85 more for steak labels such as “USDA Prime” or “Breed Specific” when comparing the five-year average willingness to pay. ³

CHART: BEEF LABELING - WILLINGNESS TO PAY - RIBEYE STEAK

Source: Consumer Beef Tracker 2019 – 2023; BB7: What would be an everyday price per pound you would be willing to pay for a steak where you typically purchase groceries? Slide the blue line to the price per pound you would be willing to pay for steak. BB13B: Now, we’d like you to imagine you’re grocery shopping for Steak. If you come across a pound of Boneless Ribeye Steak for $10.25 per pound and then see 1 lb. of Boneless Ribeye Steak that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST” right next to it, how much would you be willing to pay for the Boneless Ribeye Steak that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”? For each product, move the button to the price you’d be willing to pay for 1 lb. of Boneless Ribeye Steak if it was “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”.

Beef Grading

The grade of beef is still the most influential claim when it comes to overall sales. In 2023, 40% of consumers actively sought out beef that was graded as choice, the highest percentage of any claim. ⁴ This claim also resonates differently between generations with Boomers paying the most attention to grade and Gen Z’s paying the least amount of attention. However, over time grade has decreased in importance falling from a high of 46% in 2019.⁴ Organic,

local & humanely raised have seen the most consistent increase since 2019, but still fall short of grade or a label of grass-fed.⁴

CHART: LABEL CLAIMS PURCHASED IN PAST MONTH - USDA CHOICE

Source: Consumer Beef Tracker 2019 - June 2023; BB12: Which of the following types of beef have you intentionally purchased or ordered in the past month? (Select all that apply.), “None of the Above” = exclusive choice.

Production Claims

While the grade of beef has the most impact on consumer purchase decisions, production claims also come into play for a smaller portion of consumers. Labels such as “grassfed,” “organic,” and “humanely raised” not only signify certain production practices but also serve as trust signals for consumers seeking transparency in the food supply chain. In an era where individuals are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their choices and the ethical treatment of animals, these production claims have increased over time as decision making factors. ⁴

Grass-finished, or grass-fed as it’s more commonly called, has the most significance over all the other production claims over the past five years. ⁴ This presents an opportunity for retailers and restauranteurs to educate their consumers that all cattle feed on grass for most of their lives and are only fed grain during the last 3 – 6 months before processing. The difference will produce distinctly different flavor and tenderness profiles that may or may not appeal to individual consumers.

Grass-finished may be the production claim that resonates the most with consumers, but it’s important to know that the largest increase in over the past five years pertains to the label of organic. ⁴ Similarly, the most consistent year-over-year increase for a label belongs to the claim of humanely raised especially with Gen Zs and Millennials. ⁴

CHART: LABEL CLAIMS PURCHASED IN PAST MONTH - RAISED HUMANELY

Source: Consumer Beef Tracker 2019 - June 2023; BB12: Which of the following types of beef have you intentionally purchased or ordered in the past month? (Select all that apply.), “None of the Above” = exclusive choice.

Consumer Knowledge, Concerns, and Trust

While purchasing behavior and data is important to understanding label claim impacts, it’s equally important to understand the mindset of the consumers as it pertains to production knowledge and trust in raising cattle. This allows operators to fill in the gaps to better market and sell beef products.

In a recent survey only 28% of consumers claim to know a lot about how cattle are raised and 43% often or always consider how food was raised when making purchases. ⁵ When asked what concerns they have regarding how cattle are raised, animal welfare ranks the highest at 22% with hormones and antibiotic usage coming in at 2nd and 3rd with 16% and 14% respectively. ⁵ This makes sense given the consistent rise of the claim ‘humanely raised’ illustrated above.

Trust also plays a pivotal role in consumer decision making when it comes to beef. While over 70% of people surveyed report trusting that beef is nutritious and safe to eat, that percentage drops significantly to 42 – 45% when they consider the use of antibiotics and hormones, as well as transparency of the beef industry. ⁶

CHART: TRUST METRICS: HOW CATTLE ARE RAISED FOR FOOD (PART TWO)

Source: Consumer Beef Tracker January – December 2023. CR4: “Thinking about how cattle are raised for food in the U.S., please tell us how much you trust each of the following statements.”

Conclusion

While beef sold with a production claim label represents a small percentage of total beef sold, consumers do have options to choose beef products that carry production-based claims. The beef industry has shown that it is willing to adapt

and provide the choices some consumers are looking for, and this production related claim data is evidence of that.

Conventional beef is still the overwhelming favorite at the meat department; however, production claim-based products are expected to continue to be part of the many choices consumers have either at the grocery store or their favorite restaurant.

Find out more about how beef is responsibly raised on BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com/raising-beef.

1. Consumer Beef Tracker, 2023

2. Consumer Beef Tracker 2019 – December 2023; BB6: What would be an everyday price per pound you would be willing to pay for ground beef where you typically purchase groceries? Slide the blue line the to the price per pound you would be willing to pay for ground beef. BB13A: Now, we’d like you to imagine you’re grocery shopping for Ground Beef. If you come across a pound of 80% Lean Ground Beef for $3.30 per pound and then see 1 Ib. of 80% Lean Ground Beef that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST” right next to it, how much would you be willing to pay for the 80% Lean Ground Beef that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”? For each product, move the button to the price you’d be willing to pay for 1 Ib. of 80% Lean Ground Beef if it was “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”.

3. Consumer Beef Tracker 2019 – 2023; BB7: What would be an everyday price per pound you would be willing to pay for a steak where you typically purchase groceries? Slide the blue line the to the price per pound you would be willing to pay for steak. BB13B: Now, we’d like you to imagine you’re grocery shopping for Steak. If you come across a pound of Boneless Ribeye Steak for $10.25 per pound and then see 1 Ib. of Boneless Ribeye Steak that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST” right next to it, how much would you be willing to pay for the Boneless Ribeye Steak that is “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”? For each product, move the button to the price you’d be willing to pay for 1 Ib. of Boneless Ribeye Steak if it was “INSERT STATEMENT FROM LIST”.

4. Consumer Beef Tracker 2018 –2023; BB12: Which of the following types of beef have you intentionally purchased or ordered in the past month? (Select all that apply.), “None of the Above” = exclusive choice.

5. Consumer Beef Tracker January – December 2023. CR1r1: Please indicate how knowledgeable you are about each of the following.; Q9: How much do you consider each of the following when you are deciding to have a meal at home with beef, chicken, pork, fish, meat alternatives, or some other source of protein.; CR3a: What, if any, concerns do you have about how cattle are raised for food. Please be as specific as possible.. ^March – December 2023, Analysis: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

6. Consumer Beef Tracker January – December 2023. CR4: “Thinking about how cattle are raised for food in the U.S., please tell us how much you trust each of the following statements.”

THIS ISSUE:

May/June 2024

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Carla Jurgenson

Vice President: David Mool

Secretary: Clay Sellmeyer

Business Manager: Doug Turner

Past President: David Jenkins

Bureau County: John DeRycke

Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager

Illinois Valley: Open

Lamoine Valley: Tracy Rawlings

Logan County : Carla Jurgenson

Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll

South Central: Richard Hurst

Wabash Valley: Shaye Harre

Directors at Large:

Grant Bedel

TJ Curtin

Jim Marsh

Bradley Wolter

Kyle Buetke

Jeff Dameron

Chris Cassady

Clay Sellmeyer

Dan Naughton

Greg McClure

David Mool

Bodee Schlipf

Brad Evans

CONTACT

To place advertisements or your latest Angus news contact: Olivia Hoots Illinois Beef Editor Illinois Beef Association 217-787-4280

olivia@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

ON THE COVER

The Mool family wins IJAA Farm Family of the year at the annual IAA banquet in Bloomington.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Director of Member Services, Jerry Cassady, retires

Long-time American Angus Association employee, Jerry Cassady, retires April 30.

Jerry Cassady’s name became synonymous with service long before he took up the helm in the Member Services department at the American Angus Association®.

“Serving the members, over the years, has been a highlight and primary focus,” said Cassady. “It truly has been where my passion lies; making sure their needs are being met and working to promote the Angus breed.”

The long-time employee will retire at the end of April.

“I truly appreciate Jerry’s three decades of service and dedication to the breed and the members,” said Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association®. “Jerry’s leadership and professionalism in both his role as Regional Manager and Director of Member Services has been integral to the success of the organization.”

Cassady began his career with the Association in 1992 as a regional manager for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

During a time when the role was expanding and regional managers were finding their schedules booked up, Cassady was dedicated to connecting with and assisting as many breeders as possible. He offered a new option to members: local and regional educational sessions.

“There were a lot of small producers in the region I was covering,” recalled Cassady, “and when they had the opportunity for some type of collaboration with other breeders with like minds and common goals it always tended to lead to really good interaction, networking and exchanging of ideas.”

During his time in the field, Cassady spent many weekends helping at junior events. As a 4-H and FFA Alum, Cassady recognized the tremendous value derived from time spent in the show ring at a young age.

“You watch them grow up to become future leaders of our industry at state, regional and national levels, which is rewarding,” Cassady told the Angus Journal in a 2004 article.

Cassady became Director of Member Services in 2016. During his tenure, Cassady helped facilitate organizational changes that have helped the Association more effectively serve members.

“When I started, the folks on the Member Services team were very specialized,” said Cassady. “Today, with efficiency for members in mind, we’ve undertaken enormous cross-training efforts so we can provide the services that the member needs with just one phone call.”

McCully commended Cassady for his dedication to the members.

“Jerry’s deep institutional knowledge and understanding of Association rules and policies was always coupled with his commitment to providing the best service to all members,” remarked McCully.

With Cassady’s retirement, Levi Landers has been promoted to Director of Member and Field Services.

“The leadership that Jerry Cassady provided the organization was unmeasurable. I hope to continue down the path that Jerry has provided for the members during his career,” said Landers.

-Written by

Jerry Cassady, Director of Member Services at the American Angus Association® retires.
Jerry Cassady, Director of Member Services visits with others in the industry during the 2023 Angus Convention Tradeshow.

2024 Illinois Angus Association Banquet

Bloomington | March 16 | Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photos

Cindy Cagwin-Johnston awarded IJAA Appreciation Award.
Grant Bedel and Jim Marsh each completed six years on the IAA Board of Directors.
IAA Board of Directors - Front Row (L to R): Doug Turner, Dave Mool, Carla Jurgenson, Clay Sellmeyer, Middle Row (L to R): Dan Naughton, Tracy Rawlings, Luke Lemenager, Kyle Buetke, Jeff Dameron, Back Row (L to R): Jarad Carroll, Brent Henkel, Vaughn Kiner, Sam Brumleve, Chris Cassidy
Left to right: Vice President David Mool, President Carla Jurgenson, Business Manager Doug Turner, Secretary Clay Sellmeyer
IAA President Carla Jurgenson leads meeting.
American Angus Association CEO Mark McCully.
IJAA Family of the Year The Mool Family: Shelia, Dave, Ashlyn and Lauryn. The annual banquet included a silent auction, Seeds of the Future Auction and the IJAA T-Shirt Auction.
IJAA 2024 Outstanding Junior Ashlyn Mool
IJAA President Reese Anderson and Auxiliary President Cindy Anderson
National Junior Angus Association Award winners (L to R): Anna Parr (Silver), William Miller (Silver), Macie Bartlow (Bronze), Audrey Curtin (Bronze and Silver) and Madaline Bergmann (Bronze).
Illinois Angus Queen Audrey Curtin First Vice President Anne Dameron
Illinois Angus Ebonettes Cylee Kirchner and Macie Carroll (left) and Illinois Angus Princess Claire Kuipers (right) pose with Angus friends.
Illinois Junior Angus Association members

Show Results

2024 Dixie National Roll of Victory

Jackson, Miss. | February 10 | Judge: Craig Sand, Okla. Photos by Richmond

& Video

IJAA Spring Board Meeting

The spring board meeting was a great time. We all want to say thank you to our t-shirt and Seeds of the Future sponsors. Without you guys we would not be able to host the preview show and do fun activities. A few of our members attended the Raising The Bar conference at the end of March. Audrey Curtin, Brenna Bartlow, Claire Kuipers, Lauren Wolter, Will Miller and Ben Sellmeyer went and they all enjoyed it. They said it was a great time and they got to see multiple different operations. They got to see Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, CSU Spur, the new layout of the Denver Stockyards, AgNext research center, Parry Angus and the CSU - JBS Global Food Innovation Center. They also got to talk with Caroline Lukens with NWSS, Jena Lee Wagner with Blueprint, Michaela Clowser with NCBA, Paul Dykstra with CAB, Dr. Tim Holt(leading expert in PAP testing) and X2D Ranch Ministries. This summer Angus enthusiasts will be traveling to Madison, Wisconsin, for a “Showdown in Madtown” on June 29-July 6. Online entries are only available to junior members of the American Angus Association. Be sure to look at the NJAA website for more info like schedules, local hotels, campground info, awards and rules. Coming up in central Illinois is the CIAA/IJAA field day, be sure to download the showman app and search for the Central Illinois Angus Preview show. You will be able to find all the details and entry info there. Some important times and dates to remember are Wednesday, June 15, is the last day to enter, cattle can arrive on Wednesday, June 29, and Thursday is check-in from 10 a.m.-12 a.m. A new addition to the preview show this year is the PGS show, if we can get 15 or more entries it will happen. Without 15 or more entries it is not able to be fairly judged and it will be postponed until next year. The CIAA Preview Show is on Friday starting at 9 a.m. and the IJAA Field Day is Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Hope to see you there!

Your reporter,

Photo
Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair Diamond T Saras Dream 0206 Owned by Morgan Hutchins
Intermediate Champion Bull Destinys Prime 325 Owned by Morgan Hutchins
Fall Junior Heifer Calf Champion Destinys Saras Dream 341 Owned by Morgan Hutchins
Fall Bull Calf Champion
Destinys WAF America Strong Owned by Destiny Angus Farm and Wills Angus Farm
Late Junior Heifer Calf Champion EXAR Frontier Gal 3955 Owned by Ben Sellmeyer
Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion Destinys Back in Black 320 Owned by Morgan Hutchins, Ill. and Sawyer Eastridge, Ind.
Region 4 NJAA Members: Adaelyn Berg - IN, Allie Howell - IN, Brenna Bartlow - IL, Claire Kuipers - IL, Ben Sellmeyer - IL, Bryce Hofing - IN, Audrey Curtin - IL, Lauren Wolter - IL, Maggie Mindemann - WI, Will Miller - IL and Delaney Waterman - IN.

Illinois Charolais Association O cers

President: SharleneBullard- 815-343-9381

Vice President: Marla Todd- 217-840-5949

Secretary/Treasurer: Robb Creasey- 309-255-7799

Members: LaFraise Farms, Flanagan

Dale - ehcstreB 5-67 4-4419 5932-476-518Steve - ehcstreB

Bertsche Farms, Flanagan Troy Bertsche- 815-67 4-1244

Bewely Farms, Yates City Beau Bewely - 309-358-143 4 / 309-208-0786

Bullard Cattle Co., Cornell

Paul Bullard- 815-343-9380

Sharlene Bullard- 815-343-9381

Creasey Charolais, Macomb Robb Creasey- 309-255-7799

D-Mar-Mac Charolais, Warsaw Sam Zumwalt- 217-256-4619

Tom Engel, Flanagan815-674-5140

Grusy Bros., Gridley

Frank Grusy- 309-747-2696

K&D Cattle, Elizabeth Kelley- 815-275-8904 Devin- 815-858-2318

Nord Farms, Bloomington Ron Nord - 309-275-0409

Barnard Farms, Foosland Matt Barnard217-417-7699

Michael Potthast, New Douglas217-456-1266

Joseph Potthast, Sorento - 217-456-1266

Christine Potthast, New Douglas217-456-1266

Roger Elliot, Greenview - 217-416-8981

Marla Todd, Foosland - 217-840-5949

Steve Hoag, Illinois City - 563-506-0544

Link Livestock, Rio 309-297-0293

The ILLINOIS BULLETIN

PRESIDENT

Kevin Babbs

618-322-5880

TREASURER

Buddy Edenburn

217-649-0108

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Noah Benedict

217-372-8009

nojo1132@gmail.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Craig Crutcher (Vice President)

Matt Anderson

Andrew Spinazola

Kim Carney-Rhodes

David Biggs

Yale Young

Jimmy Bernard

Chad Crane

Travis Meteer

Lucas Stumpf

IHA Hall of Fame inductees, the Fleisher family. Read about them on page 69.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE

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

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

We held our Annual Meeting & Banquet on March 2, 2024, at the IBA office in Springfield. A nice turnout of nearly 100 attendees had the pleasure of sharing a great meal, meeting, and fellowship. I want to highlight some key points of the 2024 event:

• The Breeder of the year was awarded to Richardson Farms from Capron, and was presented by Jimmy Bernard.

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

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

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

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

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

-Kevin

Babbs

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Rich and Michelle Fleisher formally began the operation of Fleisher Farms in 1976 upon returning from the University of Illinois. As a young family, the Fleisher’s traveled to many county and state fairs with fond memories of sleeping in the gooseneck and barn stalls. Soon, the children, Amy and Andy, would both learn to love livestock as well and spent many years heavily involved in the 4-H junior swine and cattle shows. Rich and Michelle built a successful, sustainable row crop and livestock operation from the ground up on little more than faith and pure grit. Not by accident but because the cattle at Fleisher Farms

being built on a “rich history” and a relentless pursuit of high performance.

Their children and grandchildren continue to carry the torch today with a cornerstone of faith and family. The Fleisher family was a host and highlight at the 2023 IHA tour. The grandkids continue showing Hereford cattle competitively at the state and national level.

Fleisher Family

A quote from IHA President, Keven Babbs, from the 2024 IHA Banquet:

“Presenting this award comes with mixed emotions for me. On one hand, it gives me great pride to honor a man with the great values and morals that Rich had. On the other hand, it comes with some

Kevin Babbs, Illinois Hereford Association President

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

IHA BREEDERS OF THE YEAR

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

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

Fleisher 2023 IJHA Preview Show Grand Champion Horned Female 2023 IJHA Preview Show Champion Slap
Pictured left to right: Jamie, Morgan, Daniel and Cathy.

CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN

Hello everyone! Allow me to introduce myself: Corbin Cowles here, your new Upper Midwest Territory Manager hailing from south-central Kentucky. It is with great excitement I write these words to you as I begin my tenure with AHA.

My background reads quite like many of you who are reading this. Born and raised in rural America via southern Kentucky on an Angus and Simmental seedstock operation. We host production sales annually, my sisters and I showed cattle competitively, and I have been blessed to be involved in many facets of the business in my life thus far. A fun fact from the archives, our family at one point did run a small nucleus of Hereford cows as well for about 10-12 years. Growing up, sports and 4-H/FFA were the two main drivers of how I spent my time. Yet, when my athletic career ran its course, I pursued my education in agriculture at Oklahoma State University. My passion for the purebred cattle business has remained strong since I was young, and the privilege to work for an organization such as AHA has long been an aspiration of mine as I have entered the professional world.

Corbin Cowles, American Hereford Association Territory 5 Field Staff

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

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

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

-Corbin Cowles

2023 IJHA Preview Show Champion Grand Champion Polled Female

2024 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES

2024 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES

R I D A Y , J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 2 4 - S U N D A Y , J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 2 4

E N T R Y D E A D L I N E : J U N E 1

G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N :

G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N :

ADDRESS:

ADDRESS:

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

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

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY:

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

FRIDAY:

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

CHANGE: Hereford Bowl Test -

During Check-in

CHANGE: Fitting Contest 4:30 p m

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

SATURDAY:

Opening Ceremonies - 9:00 a mShowing

Opening Ceremonies

Showing

ENTRY PROCESS:

ENTRY PROCESS:

Entries will open May 1, 2024

Entries must be completed by June 1, 2024.

Entries will open May 1, 2024. Entries must be completed by June 1, 2024.

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

Showmanship - 9:15 a.m. (youngest to oldest)

Showmanship - 9:15 a to oldest)

Bred and Owned Show begins at the conclusion of showmanship

Bred and Owned Sho conclusion of showm

Show Order: Cow/Calf, Bulls, B&O Heifers, Steers

Junior dues are $10/junior.

DUE JUNE 1st! WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE ENTRIES!

Please bring an additional copy or photocopy of your health papers, we will be collecting these at check-in.

Scholarship Interviews

Junior Meeting – 5:30 p m

Show Order: Cow/ Heifers, Steers

Scholarship Interview

Banquet – 7:00 p m Location

Junior Meeting – 5:30

SUNDAY:

Banquet – 7:00 p m

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

SUNDAY: 7:45 a.m. - Group p backdrop

Owned Heifer Show – 8:00 a m

Owned Heifer Show

2024 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES

2024 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES

LODGING:

LODGING:

HOTELS:

HOTELS:

Blocks of rooms are available at the following locations:

Blocks of rooms are available at the following locations:

Best Western (Riverside)

Best Western (Riverside)

217-431-0020 (Room block under IJHA)

217-431-0020 (Room block under IJHA)

Baymont Inn

Baymont Inn

217-446-2111 (Room block under group

217-446-2111 (Room block under group code 240613 ILJHA)

CAMPING:

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

IJHA PHOTO BACKDROP

AUCTION:

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

Owned Heifer Show.

PREVIEW SHOW CONTESTS:

PREVIEW SHOW CONTESTS:

2024 Contest Include: Scholarships:

2024 Contest Include:

Scholarships:

Harry and George Tjardes

Harry and George Tjardes

Memorial Scholarship

Memorial Scholarship

Chris Stephens Memorial Scholarship

Chris Stephens Memorial Scholarship

Wayne Sage Memorial Scholarship

Wayne Sage Memorial Scholarship

Faces of Leadership Travel Scholarship

Faces of Leadership Travel

Junior Prospect Award

Due June 1, 2024

Speeches: Illustrated Speech

Advanced Speech

Individual Sales Sales Academy

We will follow the same rules and age breaks as JNHE

I M P O R T A N T C O N T A C T S :

Kendall Boatman , Secretary

I M P O R T A N T C O N T A C T S :

Phone: (779) 774-5141

Kendall Boatman , Secretary

Email: ijha.secretary@gmail.com

Craig and Brenda Crutcher, Advisors

Craig: (815) 712-5735

Brenda: (815) 289-6325

Craig and Brenda Crutcher, Advisors

Phone: (779) 774-5141

Tom and Tammy Boatman, Advisors

Email: ijha secretary@gmail com

Tom: 404-372-6754

Tom and Tammy Boatman, Advisors

Tammy: 770-354-4195

Jacob and Brittany Chapman, Advisors

Tom: 404-372-6754

Jacob: 815-587-4061

Tammy: 770-354-4195

Jacob and Brittany Chapman, Advisors

Brittany: 815-712-6578

Jacob: 815-587-4061

Brittany: 815-712-6578

Buddy and Lisa Edenburn, Host Family

Craig: (815) 712-5735

Buddy: (217) 649 - 0108

Brenda: (815) 289-6325

Lisa: (217) 304-7491

Buddy and Lisa Edenburn, Host Family

Buddy: (217) 649 - 0108

Lisa: (217) 304-7491

the junior national hereford expo

2024 | grand island, neb.

The Grand Daddy of ‘Em All

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

SATURDAY, JULY 6

2 p.m.

6 p.m.

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

Cattle may arrive into tie-outs through the night

SUNDAY, JULY 7

7 a.m.

8

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

NJHA Board and Candidate Orientation Breakfast

Tatoo checks begin in each barn

Cattle Paper Check-In

Hereford Bowl Check-In & Written Test

All cattle must be in barns at this time

Advanced & Illustrated Speech Contest Finals

Steer weights declared electronically by this time

Queen’s Orientation

Neogen’s DNA Collection Stations

Hereford Pen-to-Pen Session #1

Meet the Candidate Ice Cream Social & Delegate Roundtables

State Group Photos Begin

Opening Ceremonies

Grand Daddy of ‘Em All Food & Fun Night and Cornhole for a Cause

HYFA’s Grand Drive to 25 5K Race

MONDAY, JULY 8

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

Noon

1 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

6-8 p.m.

Judging Contest Check-In & Orientation

Judging Contest

Individual Sales & Sales Academy Finals

NHW’s Catch a Vibe Event, followed by Queen’s Tea

VitaFerm® Prep to Win Workshop

Hereford Pen-to-Pen Session #2

Hereford Bowl Buzzer Round (start with junior division)

Sullivan Supply Stock Show University

Sullivan Supply Fitting Contest

Future Professionals Contest Interviews

Bridging the Gap College & Career Fair Social Networking

TUESDAY, JULY 9

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

State Group of 3 & 5 Classes

Sullivan Supply National Showmanship Contest Senior, Intermediate & Senior Finals Junior & Peewee

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

7 a.m.

9 a.m.

NJHA Membership Update, Breakfast & New Board Election

Bred-and-Owned Show

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

Foundation Club, Five Point Bank Arena

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms

Foundation Club, Five Point Bank Arena

Line Up Arena in Sheep Barn

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center

Five Points Bank Arena

Five Points Bank Arena

Aurora Cooperative Pavilion

Aurora Cooperative Pavilion

Five Points Bank Arena

Five Points Bank Arena

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms

Beef Pit, Pinnacle Bank Expo Center

Five Points Bank Arena

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room

Five Points Bank Arena

Five Points Bank Arena

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Contest Rooms

Beef Pit, Pinnacle Bank Expo Center

Five Points Bank Arena

Five Points Bank Arena Ring 1 Ring 2

Pinnacle Bank Expo Center Quilt Room

Cow-Calf Pairs, Bred-and-Owned Females, Produce of Dam Group Steer Show followed by Bred-and-Owned Bulls

Five Points Bank Arena Ring 1 Ring 2

*Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring CHB Cooking Challenge, Photo & Poster, prior to selection of the Bred-and-Owned Top Five

THURSDAY, JULY 11

7:30 a.m.

6 p.m. Owned Female Show

HYFA Scholarship, Awards & Maroon Jacket Ceremony

Five Points Bank Arena

Five Points Bank Arena

*Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring Future Professionals, Sales, Speech and Judging Contests, will follow the selection of the Division 3 Polled Females

FRIDAY, JULY 12

7:30 a.m. Conclusion of Owned Female Show

Five Points Bank Arena

*Buckle and Awards Ceremony recognizing Herdsman of the Year, Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior, GKB Super States, Golden Pitchfork and the Bob Norton Excellence Award will be held prior to the champion drives

®

HEREFORD JUNIORS BUILD ON THEIR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN TEXAS

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

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

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

When asked “What was your favorite part about BOLD?”, the following three Illinois attendees had this to say:

Simon Shepard: “My favorite part about BOLD was listening to all of the knowledge and wisdom shared to us by the Buchholz’s as breeders, as well as the experiences they have encountered along the way. My favorite quote from the week was from Gary, and that was, ‘Never give up on the dream.’”

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

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

Bixler

HEREFORDS

Dan Bixler

7115 E. 1000th Ave., Newton, IL 62448

618-544-1842 • 618-562-3888 cell insman542002@yahoo.com

SWebel’s Wanderings Webel’s Wanderings

pring is here, and there is no more exciting time to be a cattleman than this time of year. The cows and calves are ready to roll out on grass and attention turns to breeding decisions for next year’s calf crop. Hope and optimism are at the heart of every day as we watch the calves grow and develop. As the calendar continues to turn, dads like me are getting close to being able to figure out when the kids get out of school that will allow for more help just around the corner.

I am honored to have been elected as the next president of the Illinois Simmental Association and wanted to use this space to introduce myself and my family. My wife Emily and I have six kids and are at least partially responsible for the continued growth of the IL Junior Simmental Association, from a shear numbers standpoint. Our kids are on the entire spectrum of junior membership, with Anna, a current Freshman at Lake Land College and currently serving on the AJSA board, to Mary and Caroline, age 9, who are first-year members of 4-H and IJSA. Josie (HS Junior), Amelia (HS Freshman) and Jack (7th Grade) fill in the middle of the crew. For our “day jobs” I lead ingredient purchasing for The Maschhoffs, a family-owned pork production company, and Emily is in advertising with Simantel (looks just like Simmental, right??) in Peoria. Our cow herd consists of 30 cows here in southeastern Knox County and I remain involved in my family’s farm operation in northern Pike County.

My Simmental Story started in 1984 when my dad bought two registered purebred heifers for my first 4-H project. We hit the county 4-H fair with a pickup truck with a set of stock racks and showed those giant yellow and red spotted heifers with saddle-soaped legs, balled up tails and tremendous pride. While pretty much everything about that first experience is different today than it was back then, what is NOT different is that people showed up to make that experience great for us. There were experienced families that helped us learn how to prepare for the show, volunteers who set up the facilities and judges who offered their opinions and recommendations on how to improve our projects and their progeny. New friends were made as fellow Simmental breeders, and new opportunities to learn and grow alongside this new breed continued. As our family progressed through the next few years, we continued to find people who stepped up and offered advice and assistance to help a very green set of Freddy 4-Hers work towards making progress in our young herd of Simmentals.

As my kids have come through the 4-H and IJSA program, we have been so blessed to have been able to benefit from the mentorship of producers we consider to be great friends. Having been on the receiving end of that assistance, I consider it to be a great privilege to give back to others what has been given to me. As President, I am simply a facilitator of a great group of cattlemen and women who are committed to making sure that the next generation of Simmental enthusiasts has the same, and even better opportunities that we have had to continue to grow with this great breed of cattle.

As our new board was elected at our annual meeting in February, we welcome Gary Gilbert and Jackson Lashmett to the board and look forward to their contributions. Meanwhile, we want to offer a sincere “Thank You” for the service and leadership of Scott Frederick and Ryan Haefner, who just completed their terms and had served as President and Secretary respectively, for the last several years. We thank them for their service to the organization!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this organization, and we look forward to making your investment in membership worthwhile!

Joe Webel, ISA President (217) 621-7362 | joe.webel@gmail.com

MARK JOHNSON — NORTHERN ILLINOIS CELL: 815-274-6096

MKJOHNSON@LANDOLAKES.COM

MEGAN MYERSCOUGH — CENTRAL ILLINOIS CELL: 217-722-0787

MMYERSCOUGH@LANDOLAKES.COM

DAVID WILLIAMS — SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CELL: 618-713-7525

DWILLIAMS@LANDOLAKES.COM

Purebred Breeders

Advertiser’s Index

THURSDAYS 12 pm Feeder Cattle, Sheep and Goats

JUNE 20 JULY 11

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