Recognized for Representing

How Al Lyman’s involvement in the Illinois beef industry resulted in being named IBA Member of the Year.

by Olivia Hoots

In reflection of those who have served the Illinois cattle industry your mind might drift to your grandfather, past board members who have made a difference, a cattle feeder friend who taught you a new technique or, even, those we all look up to sacrificing their time to serve on national committees. Iowa-raised cattleman, Al Lyman, has planted deep roots in the Illinois beef industry, and his face has become a familiar one among cattlemen in our state. Just this year, Illinois Beef Association celebrated his election to the NCBA Beef Promotion Operating Committee made up of 20 cattle enthusiasts from across the country. He was elected among nine others who serve on the federation side of the committee and evaluate requests from contractors on how to use National Checkoff dollars.

Al’s involvement in the Illinois beef industry extends far beyond NCBA BPOC. His efforts to protect the industry he loves dearly were noticed by others, causing him to be awarded the first ever IBA Member of the Year award at the 2022 IBA Summer Conference held in Macomb, Illinois. Many notice him for his welcoming smile and kind demeanor but respect him for his dedication to the beef industry.

Karen’s parents, Cathy and Warren Hadley, with Karen and Al Lyman.

Road to Respect

If you have ever spoken to Al, you know of his enthusiasm. As it is for most people, enthusiasm is bred by other people who are sent into your life. It all began when he met his now wife, Karen, at Iowa State University. Their 35year marriage has been packed with all things cattle industry.

In 1988 the couple spent time at Karen’s parent’s feedlot, giving Lyman the “bug” for feeding cattle. After that year, they spent time at another feed yard, then moved back to Al’s home farm for a while until her family called to scope out their interest in returning to Hadley Farms, Inc. in Cambridge, Illinois.

Al has learned a lot from Karen’s dad, Warren Hadley, and grandfather, Gib. The Hadley’s can trace their operation back to Warren’s great-grandfather, but Warren was the generation who learned to feed cattle. Their farm taught Al about feeding cattle on an energy basis. They still use a similar balanced ration feeding technique today.

“That lends to sustainability where we can use other products that aren’t necessarily traditional corn silage to make beef and take things that we humans can’t use to turn it into a nutritious and safe product,” Al said.

Warren described Al’s evolution of the operation. “He is feeding longer now, and starting with bigger cattle, which the market seems to require.”

Al and Karen’s son, Justin, said he is amazed at the immense amount of growth the farm has experienced since he was younger. He even remembers feeding cattle when it was only one building.

It is only fitting that Al’s involvement with Hadley farms would lead him to service at cattlemen organizations. Warren was a part of the Henry County Beef Association, and the IBA as the District 2 Checkoff representative, as well as many committees. Warren’s father is a past president of the Illinois Livestock Feeders Association, a predecessor to the IBA, and went on to serve at the National Cattlemen’s Association, now known as National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. According to Warren, Henry County, where the Hadley farm is located, is important to the history and beginnings of the IBA.

Al’s work and relationship to the Hadley’s lent itself to him being asked to serve with the Henry County Beef Association in 1997. Then, 2002 increased his involvement with his election to the IBA Checkoff board as the District 2 representative, eventually spending 12 years on the state’s Checkoff board with a term on the executive committee.

“It is important to be a member of the associations that are looking out for us every day – promoting our beef, looking out for us politically. Particularly in an urban state like Illinois, there are forces at work that do not want us doing what we are doing, and we need everybody working together to make sure we have the ability to continue to raise beef in Henry County, Illinois and the United States,” Al said.

And yes, when Al says it is important to represent nationally, he means it. Before his involvement with NCBA BPOC he served as the Region Vice President for the Federation of State Beef Councils, his term ending in February 2022.

Al’s Why

“I enjoy people,” Al said. Al expresses his sentiments about the benefits of his involvements. “A long time ago Karen’s grandpa told me that some of the best people in the world know something about cows,” Al said. “He was right about that.”

Since 1985, Karen has seen what matters most to Al, both at home and at cattlemen meetings. “He is always wanting to know people, where they came from,” she said. “He mostly enjoys the before and after, in the hall, meeting conversations.”

Warren also expressed his sentiments, going beyond just the cattle. “He has been a very good father to his children, which is important to me. I am happy for Karen,” he said. “He’s always wanted to feed cattle, and he does a good job with these things.”

For Al, he knows he is not going to earn an hourly wage. Nevertheless, he said “you’ll meet some of the greatest people in the world,” when you involve yourself in communities like he has.

We know Al’s top reason for his involvement is the people behind the operations, but his other reason is the operations themselves. That is why Al has given so much time to the Beef Checkoff. “The Checkoff gives us an opportunity to promote what we’re doing,” he said.

IBA President, Dr. Paul Walker, said this: “Al Lyman appreciates the role IBA and the NCBA serve for the beef cattle industry more than most producers. He has volunteered his leadership and dedicated his time, away from home, to make a meaningful difference,” he said. “Al has been involved

Remember Who Sent You

Al grew up with an understanding that involvement in organizations was for the “bigger guys.” “It’s not, it’s all of us,” he said. “I have sat on these national boards and state boards with people with a handful of cows and people with thousands of cattle on feed. If you have a passion for the industry and want to be involved, please be involved.”

From Al’s perspective, you should always remember who it is from back home that sent you to do the work you are doing, and in turn remember it is them you are representing.

Al’s goals revolve around remembering those people at home, then looking at how outside factors are affecting them. “Particularly on the checkoff side in general, our struggles are not within the industry, but outside forces. Our purposes are promoting beef, education, and research – the three legs of the checkoff.”

The work Al has done has not gone unnoticed. In reflection of his IBA Member of the Year award, he stated, “I am deeply grateful for the member of the year award. I did not expect that in any way, shape or form, and it has been a fun experience.”

May Al’s dedication convince us all of our need to serve those in our communities.

IBA’s Programs and Services Manager, Annie Schoetmer, presents Al with his award at the 2022 Summer Conference.

Karen and Al

“I have great appreciation for producer leaders willing to contribute their time and energy to improve our industry. At NCBA we are fortunate to work with leaders from across the country who recognize the value of our industry-driven, grassroots organization. Al Lyman exemplifies this service through leadership at the local, state and national level. Al has served both the policy and checkoff divisions of NCBA, including a three-year term as Region 3 Federation Vice President and most recently has served the beef checkoff program as a Federation member of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. Thank you, Al for all you have done and continue to do to serve the beef industry.” -Todd Johnson, Vice President, Federation Services and Governance National Cattlemen’s Beef Association