Illinois Angus News - May/June 2023

IN THIS ISSUE:

May/June 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: David Jenkins

Vice President: Carla Jurgenson

Secretary: Aaron Schafer

Business Manager: Doug Turner

Past President: Joel York

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

Lee Stremsterfer

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Illinois Angus Association will host their next meeting on June 2 during the Illinois Junior Angus Field Day in Bloomington.

The Illinois Junior Angus Preview Show is June 1-3. Central Illinois Preview Show is June 2 and Illinois Junior Angus Field Day is June 3. Watch out for the IJAA spring newsletter for more information.

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

Ascent Angus BC Bill Farm Angus 3 Callan Farms 3 Evers Livestock Farm 3 Kiesewetter Angus 3 Kramer Angus 3 Lemenager Cattle 3 Lorenzen Farms 3 Panther Creek Ranch 3 Rhodes Angus 3 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 3 Walnut Grove Angus 3 WP Angus 3 York Farms 3

ADVERTISERS INDEX

2 2023

2 2023 Mid-Atlantic

3 Western National

1 Angus Media names Clay Zwilling as President

1

Ella Brooks earns Junior Bronze and Silver Awards

National Junior Angus Association’s Raising the Bar Conference

Junior Angus Classic Regional Preview

Angus Futurity Super Point Roll of Victory Show

Photo taken at Dameron Angus Farm.

Angus Media names Clay Zwilling as President Illinois native to lead largest beef breed media company

The Angus Media board of directors recently named Clay Zwilling president of the organization to guide the company as it delivers industry-leading education, information and marketing to the beef industry.

“Clay is a natural leader,” said Mark McCully, vice chairman of the Angus Media board of directors and chief executive officer for the American Angus Association. “His passion for innovation, while keeping an eye on the tradition, makes him a perfect fit.”

Most recently, Zwilling was the chief operating officer for Walton Webcasting, where he helped develop the organization during a time of rapid growth. Prior to that, he was the chief executive officer of the National Swine Registry working with the executive committee, breed boards and membership to create and execute their vision and mission. Zwilling started his professional career with Farm Credit Illinois as the director of marketplace education and development.

“Angus breeders are stewards of both their herds and family ranches, as well as the Angus legacy,” Zwilling said. “Angus Media plays an important role in telling their stories and giving them cutting-edge, cost-effective marketing tools to achieve their goals.”

Zwilling brings diversified livestock experience to Angus Media, but his roots are in the beef business. He grew up raising cattle and knows that background from other segments of the livestock industry is additive, giving him additional perspective.

“I believe the vision of Angus breeders is very much like the rest of the livestock industry,” he says. “We all want to ensure the profitability of the industry we love. That requires an understanding of the tried and true but with the ability to be innovative and creative.”

That kind of vision is exactly what intrigued him about the position, and similarly why the Angus Media board selected him as the new president.

Zwilling holds a master’s degree from Texas A&M University in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. He did his undergraduate work at Oklahoma State University and Lake Land College in Illinois. In addition to his work experience, Zwilling has held various leadership roles within the livestock and agriculture industries, including currently serving on the board of National Pedigreed Livestock Council and OSU Animal Science Alumni. He was an All-American and a member of the national champion livestock judging team and is a past Illinois State FFA president.

Zwilling will assume his duties as president on May 8 and will relocate to the St. Joseph area with his wife, Deanna, and their 2-year-old daughter, Allie.

For more information about Angus Media and the American Angus Association, please visit angus.org.

—Written by Holly Martin, Angus Communications

Ella Brooks earns Junior Bronze and Silver Awards

Ella Brooks, Prophetstown, Illinois, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Brooks is the 18-year-old daughter of Jeff and Shelley Brooks and attends Western Reserve Academy. She is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association, where she has served as director and royalty.

She has participated in state, regional and national shows. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Brooks participated in the quiz bowl and team sales contests and the All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off. She also participated in the Raising the Bar conference in 2021 and the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference in 2022.

She consigned cattle to the Dameron Angus Farm- Focus on the Future sale.

The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and selfdevelopment opportunities for the nearly 4,500 active members nationwide.

www.illinoisbeef.com May/June 2023 - Illinois Angus News 1

2023 National Junior Angus Association’s Raising the Bar conference

Angus youth gathered at the 2023 National Junior Angus Association’s Raising the Bar conference, March 30 - April 2 in Greenville, South Carolina. A total of 86 juniors from 24 states attended the conference, “Tearin’ it up with the Tigers,” where they grow as leaders and explore future college and career opportunities, while networking with peers. The group pictured is at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina.

Representatives of the Illinois Junior Angus Association, were among several Angus youth at the 2023 conference. Pictured front row from left are Anne Dameron, Towanda; Ella Brooks, Prophetstown; Chloe Grant, Owaneco; Reese Anderson, Chrisman; and Addison Bartlow, Monticello. Back row from left are Brenna Bartlow, Monticello; Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound; Lauren Wolter, Aviston; and Ben Sellmeyer, Maroa.