Illinois Simmental News

President’s Note

As I sit down to write this month’s article it is just the beginning of October. Up here in northwest Illinois the temps have been very nice, but we are very dry too. Maybe ¾ of an inch of rain since Labor Day with not much yard mowing other than to top off the weeds. However, the crops are drying down rapidly, and harvest is in full swing. The Simmental breed had a great showing at the World Beef Expo in Milwaukee, Wis. in late Sept. Illinois’s own Luke Gilbert had the Supreme Cow-calf pair in the open show. Also, the Supreme Bull and the Supreme Heifer were Simmentals. The Harker family took both of those awards home with them to Indiana. This is a great event for all breeds of cattle. Open shows for the breeds end on Friday night with the crowning of the Supreme champions. All the champions come into the arena under a spotlight, it is something to see. Saturday is showmanship with the junior shows on Sunday. It is held in conjunction with a Harvest Fair so there is something for everyone at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. Sale season is in full swing as well. Every day you can find all kinds of calves, of all breeds for sale on the internet. There really is something for everyone out there. It is amazing how much these types of sales have changed the way we buy cattle. There are still many regular sale day events still going on also. Lots of these sales are advertised on social media as well as in several livestock publications. Remember everyone needs a Simmental this year as we are hosting the National Classic in Madison, Wis. July, 2022. Check out the Illinois Juniors Facebook page for any information. There will be lots of opportunities for fundraising events leading up to this event. Any questions can be answered by our three coordinators: Jennifer Tarr, Sherri Adcock, or Dr. Paul Walker. The junior advisors or any of the junior kid can help you out also. Everyone have a safe and smooth harvest season and good luck finding next year’s prospects. Good luck to all exhibitors during the fall shows.

- Scott

Scott Frederick, ISA President

Simmental Breeders

Bloomington, Ill. | Aug. 28 | Judges: Lee Rincker, Chad Holtkamp, Tucker Schlipf

Photos provided by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Heifer Simmental

Mabrey Schick

3rd Overall Heifer Simmental

Colt Reoder

Res. Grand Champioin Steer Simmental

Madeline Nightingale

Illinois Junior Livestock Classic

Bloomington, Ill. | Aug. 28-29 | Judge: Brent Murphy, Houstonia, Mo.

Photos provided by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography

Res. Grand Champion Steer Champion Simmental

Madeline Nightingale

3rd Overall Heifer Champion Percentage Simmental

Nalaney Guyer

5th Overall Heifer Champion Simmental

Paisley Schick

2021 World Beef Expo Open Show

Milwaukee, Wis. | Sept. 23-26

Champion Cow-Calf Pair

Born and raised in DeWitt County, Illinois, Larry Martin is a long-time sales manager and Simmental producer from Clinton. Growing up in an auctioneer family, Martin’s youth was spent in and out of the sale and show barns. He graduated from Illinois State University where he was a member of the Livestock Judging Team. He worked as a local vocational agriculture teacher for a short time before establishing his cattle sale business in the late 1970s.

Martin’s experiences growing up around his father’s business, Martin Auction, influenced his decision to start a cattle sale management business. The first sale that Larry Martin Cattle Sales managed was at the “Most of the Best” Show, an all-breed steer show, in Clinton. Over the years, Martin has managed and helped establish successful cattle sales in over eleven states. He has visited almost every county in Iowa and managed the sale at the Iowa Beef Expo for 18 years. Annually, he manages the national All Breeds Top 40 Club Calf Sale in Clinton. With over 40 years of experience in cattle sales, Martin has been involved in the sale of leading Simmental genetics in the cattle industry. From his own herd to other cattle operations’ popular cow families like Obsession or Burn It Up, Martin has either been a part of exhibiting, breeding, or assisting the sale of genetics that are the foundation of modern Simmental cattle today.

In addition to sales management, Martin is a founder and organizer of the annual Memorial Day Beef Show honoring Jim Flach. Established in 1988, this show has grown to the second-largest show in Illinois, with the goal of being a fun, educational experience for the whole family.

Martin has served for two terms on the Illinois Beef Association Board, and one term on the IBA Executive Board. He has also served on the DeWitt County Board, as well as many other organizations in his community over the years, and was a former president of the Illinois Auctioneers Association.

Martin credits his family for helping to make Larry Martin Cattle Sales, Martin Auction, and Martin Livestock successful. His wife, Cindy, is office manager, secretary, check writer for all consignors, and occasionally the clerk at the auction block. All three of their daughters, Lorri (Marc), Lucy (Rob), Leslie (Aaron), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are involved in carrying on the legacy that started with Martin’s father back in 1947.

Kansas City, MO The American-International Charolais Association Board of Directors has selected Clint Rusk, current Department Head of the Animal and Food Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University, as its new Executive Vice President. Clint will be replacing J. Neil Orth, who is retiring at the end of 2021 after two decades of leading the organization.

Clint grew up on his family’s Hereford and Angus ranch near Sun City, Kansas. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, Clint attended Colby Community College, where he was a Presidential Scholar and a member of the National Champion Livestock Judging Team. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kansas State University with his B.S. degree in 1980. After graduation, Clint returned to his family’s ranch for five years. In 1985, Clint and his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to manage the purebred cattle unit at Colorado State University. In 1987, he also accepted the duty of coaching CSU’s livestock judging team. Clint coached 10 livestock judging teams at Colorado State University. His teams were Reserve National Champions in 1987, 1991, 1993 and 1995. Clint was named “Coach of the Year” by the Intercollegiate Coaches’ Association, in 1991 and 1992. For the past 24 years, Dr. Rusk has helped coordinate livestock judging contests for collegiate, 4-H and FFA contestants at contests across the country.

Clint completed his M.S. degree in 1992 and his Ph.D. in male reproductive physiology in 1997 at Colorado State University. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Rusk joined Purdue University as its Youth Livestock Specialist. Clint enjoyed conducting educational programming for 4-H members and their parents for 13 years. In 2009, Dr. Rusk was selected to lead the Animal and Range Sciences Department at South Dakota State University. Over a three-year period, Dr. Rusk gained valuable administrative experience working with industry leaders, university professors, successful alumni, and an outstanding group of dedicated students.

As executive Vice President, Clint will work closely with AICA staff and Board of Directors to serve the Association’s members. He will be in attendance at the November board meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. Clint’s employment will commence November 1st at the AICA Headquarters. He and his wife, Madeleine will make their home in Kansas City. The Rusks have two children: Shane and his wife Julie and a daughter Ashley. Dr. Rusk said, “I am thrilled to join the American-International Charolais Association as Executive Vice President. I look forward to meeting Charolais breeders at the American Royal in Kansas City and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville in the coming weeks. While in Louisville, I’m also looking forward to attending the induction of J. Neil Orth into the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Club on Sunday evening, November 14th.”