Illinois Beef September/October 2024 by Illinois Beef

One Shot. Two Ingredients. Fast Recovery.

Draxxin® KP can treat BRD and control fever quickly.1,2

Start treating bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and fever quickly with Draxxin® KP (tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection) Injectable Solution. The long-lasting BRD treatment you trust now has added fever control that can help support animal well-being.1,2,* It’s an effective combination that can help your cattle recover from BRD and fever fast, which can help them feel better.*

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

Draxxin KP has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days in cattle. Not for use in female dairy cattle 1 year of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to tulathromycin and ketoprofen. See Brief Summary of Full Prescribing Information below.

*Draxxin KP animals showed numerically improved attitude and respiratory scores compared with saline-treated and Draxxin-treated animals.

1 Data on file, Study Report No. A431N-US-16-418, Zoetis Inc.

2 Data on file, Study Report No. A131C-XC-17-528 and Report Amendment 01, Zoetis Inc.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted.

Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information

(tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection)

For subcutaneous injection

Antibiotic: 100 mg of Tulathromycin/mL

INJECTABLE SOLUTION

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug: 120 mg Ketoprofen/mL

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian

DESCRIPTION

DRAXXIN KP (tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection) Injectable Solution is a ready to use sterile parenteral preparation containing tulathromycin, a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic of the subclass triamilide and ketoprofen a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Each mL of DRAXXIN KP contains 100 mg of tulathromycin as a free base and 120 mg ketoprofen as a free acid in a 50% propylene glycol vehicle. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: monothioglycerol (5 mg/mL), 2-pyrrolidone (70 mg/mL), citric acid (20 mg/mL) and sodium hydroxide/hydrochloric acid added to adjust pH. DRAXXIN KP contains an equilibrated mixture of two isomeric forms of tulathromycin in a 9:1 ratio and a racemic mixture of ketoprofen. The chemical names of the tulathromycin isomers are (2R,3S,4R,5R,8R, 10R,11R,12S,13S,14R)-13-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3- Ο -methyl-4-C[(propylamino)methyl]-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2-ethyl-3,4,10-trihydroxy3,5,8,10,12,14-hexamethyl-11-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylohexopyranosyl]-oxy]-1-oxa-6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one and (2R,3R,6R,8R, 9R,10S,11S,12R)-11-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3- Ο -methyl-4-C[(propylamino)methyl]-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2-[(1S,2R)-1,2-dihydroxy1-methylbutyl]-8-hydroxy-3,6,8,10,12-pentamethyl-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-1-oxa-4-azacyclotridecan-13one, respectively.

The chemical name of ketoprofen is 2-(3-Benzoylphenyl) propanoic acid.

INDICATIONS

Draxxin® KP is indicated for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis, and control of pyrexia associated with BRD in beef steers, beef heifers, beef calves 2 months of age and older, beef bulls, dairy bulls, and replacement dairy heifers. Not for use in reproducing animals over one year of age, dairy calves, or veal calves.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Inject subcutaneously as a single dose in the neck at a dosage of 2.5 mg tulathromycin and 3 mg ketoprofen/kg (1.1 mL/100 lb) bodyweight (BW). Do not inject more than 10 mL per injection site. Use this product within 56 days of the first puncture and puncture a maximum of 20 times. If more than 20 punctures are anticipated, the use of automatic injection equipment or a repeater syringe is recommended. When using a draw-off spike or needle with bore diameter larger than 16 gauge, discard any product remaining in the vial immediately after use.

Table 1. DRAXXIN KP Cattle Dosing Guide

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The use of DRAXXIN KP Injection is contraindicated in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to tulathromycin and ketoprofen.

WITHDRAWAL PERIODS AND RESIDUE WARNINGS: Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 18 days following last treatment with this drug product. Not for use in female dairy cattle 1 year of age or older, including dry dairy cows; use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows or heifers. Not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves.

USER SAFETY WARNINGS: NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides more detailed occupational safety information. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471.

ANIMAL SAFETY WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS

The effects of DRAXXIN KP on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Not for use in reproducing animals over one year of age because reproductive safety testing has not been conducted. Administration of tulathromycin and ketoprofen injection may result in injection site swelling that appears the day after treatment and may persist for at least 32 days post-injection. This may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs (Ketoprofen) may be associated with gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse effects varies with the individual patient. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Use judiciously when renal impairment or gastric ulceration is suspected.

Since many NSAIDs possess the potential to induce gastrointestinal ulceration, concomitant use of DRAXXIN KP with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs and corticosteroids, should be avoided or closely monitored. Discontinue use if fecal blood is observed.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Repeated administration of NSAIDs can result in gastric or renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse effects varies with the individual patient. Patients at greatest risk for toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with pre-existing gastric ulcers, renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction.

HOW SUPPLIED

DRAXXIN KP Injection is available in the following package sizes: 50 mL vial; 100 mL vial; 250 mL vial; 500 mL vial

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store at or below 25°C (77°F), with excursions up to 40°C (104°F).

Protect from freezing.

APPROVED BY FDA under NADA # 141-543

Distributed by: Zoetis Inc. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Product of Spain May 2021 40028876/40028876/40028872/40028868A&P

Opportunity Sale Opportunity Sale

28 From Generation to Generation

Both the Kramer family and their cattle have a rich family heritage that spans generations, earning them the 2024 IBA Farm Family of the Year award.

Moore Cattle, Moore Quality

2024 IBA Seedstock Producer of the Year, Dennis Moore of Moore Land and Cattle, says the secret to success is hard work, good genetics, and a drive to improve.

36 Corporate Transparency Act

In 2021, Congress passed a law called the Corporate Transparency Act. Thankfully, complying with the law is fairly straightforward but farmers and ranchers must act now to review the law and gather information to file with FinCEN. Turn here to learn how.

39 Illinois State Fair

Beef showing, promotion and service, all in one place. Take a trip through our 2024 Illinois State Fair scrapbook to see all that the IBA did to promote beef and serve producer’s best interest.

62 EDGE Conference

Another successful EDGE Conference was held on July 18 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville. The IJBA board and junior association members gathered to participate in the four pillars of EDGE.

64 From Cattle to a Crown

IJBA member and Miss Illinois County Fair Queen advocates for ag and spreads inspiration across the state. Read more about her journey here.

75 Beef Checkoff Brand Expansion

This summer, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. released a brand update, complete with new fonts and colors, updated trademark rules, and guidelines for photography, messaging and more.

Tyler Miller with his IJBA Jackpot Show winning heifer at the 2024 Illinois State Fair.

Photo by Devin Bollman.

Dave Duzan, Lexington President

IBA Board of Governors

Email: duzanagy@mtco.com

Policy Division Checkoff Division

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

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

1st term expires: 2027 | 2nd term expires: 20230

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

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

Betsy Pech, Lincoln, bpech55@gmail.com

1st term expires: 2027 | 2nd term expires: 2030

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

Ex Officio Members

Dr. Paul Walker

Travis Meteer

Dr. Teresa Steckler

Dr. Jennifer Earing

Al Lyman

Keith Mussman

Past President

U of I Extension

Illinois State University

NCBA BPOC

Illinois Farm Bureau

Association Focus

Dave Duzan, Illinois Beef Association President

We have wrapped up the busy summer season and transitioned to the equally busy fall season across the state of Illinois. IBA invests a lot of dollars and hours spent in those summer programs, from our junior beef promotions to our checkoff programs, the State Fair activities, conferences and political campaign outreach. All of it requires a significant amount of planning and involvement from staff, leaders and volunteers. As we wind down this busy season, I want to express thank you and gratitude for all the members who gave their time to help make activities possible, through volunteering or showing up to participate.

There were several great beef promotion programs this summer at county fairs. These local events help showcase the work of our industry and connect with consumers throughout Illinois. Utilizing the IBA grant programs, many affiliates can use checkoff and promotion funds to showcase the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. promotions locally through these events.

During the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, we had a lot of programs and events that brought the public and beef producers together to showcase our protein. Several members signed up and took part in the promotions on the midway at IBA’s grain bin site next to the Coliseum. I heard a lot of good feedback about the discussions and engagement with the public, sampling beef products and talking about

buying beef during these outreach opportunities. Similarly, producers had outreach to the public and with school-aged children during the DuQuoin State Fair at the end of August, too, through the beef barn site as part of the Farmer’s Little Helpers exhibit. Thanks to our affiliates and local beef producers for making these kinds of checkoff promotions possible in all corners of the state.

Another huge thank you goes out to affiliates and members for taking part in the IBA Ribeye Corral in Springfield again this summer. I am told that the first weekend of the fair set records for ribeye sales in recent years, and we had huge lines consistently from Thursday night through the entire opening weekend. A lot of work and coordination goes into this presence at the state fair, and it cannot be done without the help of volunteers. The staff has pulled together a list of people who gave their time and energy at Ribeye Corral and it is listed here in the magazine. I want to thank all of you for showing up and making it possible, from the setup through the entire fair and in the tear down work afterwards; IBA is a membership organization that depends on grassroots involvement to make things happen, and this is one great example of where people show up to be part of the association.

I am looking forward to several meetings and events coming up this fall and into the winter. IBA has a very strong lineup of programs planned. Please be sure to mark your calendars with the dates that are listed here in the magazine and online at our Illinois Beef website.

IBA President and Vice President, Dave Duzan and Shannon Welsh, respectively, chat with cattleman Brent Clark of Clark Cattle Company on Governor’s Day at the fair.

607 W. North Street, Walnut, IL 815-379-2737

Special Native Feeder Cattle and Bred Cow Sale

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

Ron Bend: 815-739-5079

Paula Bend: 815-762-2124 walnutauctionsales@gmail.com www.walnutauctionsales.com

Executive Edge

Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President

Expanding programs to grow Illinois Beef opportunities

October starts the new program year for our organization and gives us the opportunity to look forward to building on the foundation of all our work as a membership and policy association, as well as being the promotion and marketing checkoff council. This year, Illinois Beef Association is using the new program year as a chance to add on some things that we think will benefit producers and expand our presence across the state’s cattle industry.

In this issue you will see mention of our new Illinois Beef Quality Showcase, which is a competitive program designed to highlight the best of the best in Illinois’ beef production. Kicking off this fall, the IBQS contest will recognize cattle operations that produce the most superior beef in the state, using actual cattle feeding and carcass data to pinpoint what exception traits and performance look like in Illinois-fed beef animals. There is significant prize money and bragging rights tied to this program, and I look forward to seeing how we grow the cattle feeding contest into 2025 and beyond. A similar program has existed across the river in Iowa for a number of years, and we have consistently heard from members and leaders that they wish Illinois did something similar; do not delay if you are interested in taking part in the program because spots are filling up and we want to make sure you are included.

Also new in the 2025 program year is a pilot program aimed at collegiate involvement in IBA and our membership. We are kicking off a new approach to working with universities and junior colleges across the state to engage young people involved in the beef industry, to highlight all the plentiful opportunities that exist for the next generation of producers in our state. This program partners with the new NCBA collegiate membership program, so our Illinois

collegiate folks will be some of the first in the nation to be getting industry involvement in a joint program, and we think it will give them a great advantage as young producers and future professionals. Be sure to have the college-aged cattlemen in your family seek out details, by contacting Devin in the IBA office for more information.

Our Cattlemen Connect Education Series fires back up for an expanded presence across the state this year, too. We will be across Illinois with seminars and workshops that equip our members with new information and valuable networking. The 2024-25 Beef Quality Assurance meetings include a big tour this winter, and the dates are listed later in this magazine; save the date for your local BQA and be sure to get registered. Remember, these meetings and the meal are free for IBA members – so do not miss out on the benefit.

Also expanded this year is our Beef Leadership Academy, which provides valuable experience and training for our young beef producers, ages 21-40. We have an exceptional third cohort in place, and they just kicked off their year-long program during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Look for details about this class and their individual stories in a highlighted section of the magazine.

This kind of programming and outreach is a very important part of our missions here at IBA, and we hope you find value in participating. Please take a moment to look at what the Association is doing in your part of the state and in your sector of the industry; we are here to serve you, and I look forward to catching up with you at one of these upcoming IBA events.

Monday,

Extension Update

Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist

Finding more grazing days

Cow/calf producers can significantly reduce costs by extending the grazing season, delaying feeding of purchased feeds. Common sense and research both tell us cattle are most profitable when they are harvesting their own feed. Allowing cattle to graze into late fall and early winter is crucial to reducing costs. Even with lowering commodity prices, grazing is still the cheapest way to feed cows. Stockpiled forages, cover crop forages, and grazing crop residue, are all options for extending the grazing season.

Stockpiling fescue

Cool season forages, especially fescue, are excellent candidates for stockpiling. While fescue may garner a bad reputation for endophyte issues and poor production in the summer months, fall is a time to shine for fescue. Cool temperatures in the fall negate complications with elevated body temperatures when cattle are consuming endophyte infected fescue. Re-growth in the fall is primarily green leaf tissue and the plant is not putting on seadheads which are a feared concentrated source of the endophyte.

The stockpiling process starts with designating pastures that will be used for stockpiling. Cattle need to be removed from the selected pastures in early-to-mid-August. Applying supplemental nitrogen in August has proven beneficial to yields. When pastures were allowed to stockpile until December 1, applying 50 pounds of actual N per acre in early-to-mid-August can add approximately 25 lbs. dry matter per lb. of N added or 1,250 lbs. of DM per acre.

Grazing management will greatly influence the ability to utilize stockpiled forages. Strip grazing is the common and most recommended practice. Strip grazing will allow close to a 70% utilization of the available forage, a 30% improvement over continuous grazing. Stockpiling fescue for 90-100 days will typically yield approximately 2000 lbs. DM per acre. Assuming a 1400 lb. cow eats 3% of her body weight in DM, the cow would eat 42 lbs. DM per day. Using strip grazing,

an acre of stockpiled fescue could support a cow for 33 days. Adding 50 lbs. of N can add an extra 21 days of grazing under the same management and stocking rate.

Cover crops for additional forage

Illinois is blessed with very fertile farmland. Higher land prices, soil health benefits, and the ability to grow more feed, are incentives to add cover crops to a diversified farming operation. Using cover crops following cash crop production for added forage is one of the best opportunities for Illinois cattlemen to lower production costs. There are numerous options for farmers depending on their crop rotation.

A popular choice after corn silage or in idle wheat ground is seeding a mixture of oats and turnips. Two bushel of oats and 4 lbs. of turnips per acre will give a nice stand and offer around three to four tons of DM per acre. Annual Ryegrass is another cover crop that needs to be planted in late summer. Yields can be 2 to 4 DM tons per acre. Annual Ryegrass will overwinter and will require good management in the spring to achieve termination of the stand. Oats and turnips will winterkill.

Cereal rye, triticale, wheat, and mixes including them, are good options for producers looking to provide forage possibilities in the early spring. Many will chop and bag these forages prior to planting beans in the spring. Weather can make this challenging; however, forage yields of up to four to five dry tons per acre can be accomplished. As with any crop there will be variation in success depending on seed choice, weather, and management. Start a discussion with your seed dealer and investigate your options for cover crops.

Grazing Cornstalks

The cost of grazing cornstalks is low; first because the cows graze and harvest their own feed and second, because all costs to produce the plant for grain production are attributed to the row-crop operation. Even with the cost of a temporary fence (which many farmers already have) and water, grazing cornstalks is more economical than feeding hay.

Cattle eat the more digestible and higher protein portions first. Therefore, a good mineral is probably the only supplementation needed for the first month unless the herd includes fall-calving

cows or stocker calves.

Grazing stalks can also have benefits for subsequent crops. Cows grazing cornstalks for 60 days will remove approximately 30 to 40 percent of the residue. Residue buildup has been a well-documented problem in many corn-on-corn fields with new hybrids. Cows deposit nutrients in the form of manure back on the field. As they graze, they reduce volunteer corn, considered a weed and a yield-robber in soybean fields.

Using an equation developed at the University of Nebraska, a field that averages 200 bushels per acre yields 3,147 pounds of leaf and husk. I recommend a 40% harvest efficiency for budgeting. Trampling, weathering, and wind loss, are factors that can decrease this efficiency. Thus, for budgeting, use 1,258 pounds of DM husk and leaf per acre, available as feed.

A dry, 1300-pound cow consuming 2% of her bodyweight in DM results in 780 pounds of DM needed per month. At 200 bushels an acre, approximately 2/3 acres of cornstalks are needed to feed the cow for 30 days. To feed the same cow on cornstalks for 60 days, two acres would be a safe estimate. If weather conditions are poor or cows are grazing longer after harvest, be prepared to increase available acreage to maintain cow performance.

Producers should scout fields for ear drop or down corn areas. A significant amount of grain loss in fields can cause acidosis or founder in animals. Fields with these areas will need careful management via strip grazing or completely fencing the problem areas out.

Advances in portable electric fencing technology can be your friend when grazing cornstalks. Strip grazing can be easily achieved with geared reels, step-in posts, and a solar fence charger. While strip grazing has shown to increase the utilization of cornstalks, it is important to be timely with moves. Paying attention to cow behavior will be the simplest way of knowing when to move the fence. Rain and wet weather can increase trampling and require quicker moves.

On the other hand, some technology may work against you. Many newer combines are equipped with mowers on the head to reduce residue build up. If you plan to graze the cornstalks it is recommended to turn the mowers off. Mowing reduces particle size and speeds up degradation of the cornstalk. Mowed residue will break down faster. Thus, less will be available for animals after a few weeks.

Gate Cuts

Paul Walker, Professor Emeritus, DI Walker Consulting

Finding Sick Cattle Before They Are Sick

Like so many skills in livestock production, finding sick cattle before they are sick is an art based on scientific principles. Understanding animal behavior is key to identifying cattle that are not feeling well before they show the obvious signs of sickness. When I taught class, students always wanted me to just tell them the “applied stuff.” Far too many did not want to learn the science behind the application. The problem with being told the application without learning the science is that when the teacher is not around the student has no basis for observing a new application. The best way to learn the “applied stuff” is to physically observe it from experience. The art cannot be taught. It must be learned from personal observation/ experience. The science can be taught.

The best way to understand animal behavior is to spend time sitting on a fence post just watching animals. The two best times to check cattle for healthiness are the early morning, as cattle are naturally getting up, and as the feed wagon approaches and the cattle are preparing to eat. One without the other does not provide a complete picture. Checking cattle takes time and patience. Unstartled cattle will always stretch when getting up. Second, cattle will normally defecate, then urinate. On occasion the order will be reversed, urinate then defecate. Next healthy cattle will eat, then drink. In hot weather, cattle may drink, then eat, but they will always follow eating by drinking. Knowing cattle routine helps identify healthy versus sick cattle.

Other characteristics to notice include acting different than the group, separating from the group, head down, ears down, neck extended and nose out, depression, loss of appetite, abnormal respiration, soft cough, runny nose, and of course a higher-than-normal body temperature (101.5/102.5 is normal, 103.5 is high). Get to know the cattle. Even sick cattle will line up at the feed bunk with the rest of the cattle, but most generally they will not eat or will eat very little. Observing fresh feces can tell a lot about healthiness, or lack of healthiness. Is the feces firm, yet soft and pasty- the mark of healthy cattle? Or is it dry and hard- indicting the animal is not eating? Is the feces too watery and does it have a bad odor-indicating sickness?

Treating cattle before they show clinical signs is more

effective than waiting until clinical signs are observed. Treating early requires less treatment and cattle generally respond to treatment faster. Being able to spot sick cattle before they are showing clinical symptoms is an artand some people just never seem to learn that art or they will not take the time to learn. An employee with these skills is worth more.

I will always remember when I was a boy working for a registered cattle operation. The manager (who was a misplaced urbanite) told the cattle feeder (who was a sincere city person with no/little cattle experience) to run the cattle around the lot a couple of times each morning and the cattle at the rear of the group were the sick cattle and should be treated. It seemed every morning the feeder was treating two or three cattle. As cattle people, we understand the fallacy of this situation, but it seemed to make sense to the manager and the young inexperienced feeder did not know the difference.

Observation to identify cattle getting sick before they show classic clinical symptoms takes time, but I consider it time well spent. I like to observe cattle in the morning before they know I am there. Keeping newly weaned or newly arrived cattle in smaller groups when possible is a best management practice. Smaller groups allow cattle to exhibit more normal behavior and depressed cattle are easier to spot. Timid cattle are less likely to be stressed when housed in smaller groups and less stress equals less sickness. An easily established and maintained pecking order lowers cattle stress and pecking orders are simpler in small groups.

Avoiding the addition of new cattle to an existing pen of receiving cattle will lower the stress level within a pen of cattle. Maintaining enough feed bunk space for all newly arrived, or newly weaned, calves to eat at the same time will lower the stress level, help prevent cattle depression and increase cattle healthiness. Avoiding high starch diets for newly arrived/newly weaned calves will lower rumen acidosis and improve cattle health. I recommend diets higher in corn gluten, distillers grains or soy hulls compared to diets containing shelled corn. Avoid high moisture diets like corn silage for incoming calves. A diet high in dry matter promotes healthy calves and lowers respiratory problems. And, a great receiving diet always includes long stem grass hay, oat straw or even wheat straw to promote rumination.

We are the verge of technology (electronic ear tags) that will allow us to record body temperature changes in the early stages before the onset of clinical symptoms. When this technology becomes economically priced, it will be an added asset. The art and science of cattle feeding/handling go together. A good feeder learns the science and masters the art. Some feeders never do either.

Have a great day. Doc

NCBA Connections

Mark Eisele, NCBA President

Lab-Grown Protein Stumbles But Our Vigilance Remains

Last summer, NCBA passed a policy on lab-grown protein for the first time. Unlike the plant-based Impossible and Beyond fake meat that we are familiar with, lab-grown protein is a new technology that takes animal cells and grows them in a bioreactor. If that sounds a bit unappetizing, you’re not alone.

It turns out consumers would rather have beef raised by farmers and ranchers, not burgers grown in test tubes. These lab-grown protein companies, backed by millions of dollars from celebrities and hedge funds, were once predicting the end of traditional agriculture and a new era of “manufactured” meat. Today, they are singing a different tune.

Recently, a company called SCiFi Foods shut down operations after running out of money to commercialize labgrown protein. In 2023, SCiFi Foods built a manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California, and had big plans to sell a burger made from a mix of lab-grown protein and plant-based imitations. In a note from the co-founders, they blamed consumer choice and politics as the reasons their idea never got off the ground. They stated:

“Unfortunately, in our case, great technical execution just wasn’t enough. In the last few years, the zeitgeist around meat alternatives went from boom to bust, calling into question the viability of blended products. At the same time, the regulatory progress on cultivated meat in the U.S. has seemingly stalled despite last year’s historic approvals, and cultivated meat got dragged into the U.S. political culture wars with Florida and Alabama proactively banning the sale of products yet to be on the market. With all this risk, combined with today’s capital markets, it became effectively

Invest in something real.

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impossible for us to raise the tens of millions SCiFi needed for a small commercial launch; much less the hundreds of millions needed for full commercialization.”

It’s no surprise that as consumers learned more about lab-grown protein, they wanted nothing to do with it. At the same time, numerous states have introduced or passed legislation on lab-grown meat — instituting labeling requirements or banning it outright. In Washington, NCBA has worked with members of Congress to introduce the bipartisan FAIR Labels Act that would require clear labeling of lab-grown products, so consumers know exactly what is in their shopping cart. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to finalize a rule later this year about what to call lab-grown protein, NCBA will continue working to make sure an accurate name like “lab-grown” or “lab-cultured” is used rather than a name that would slander traditional cattle production.

Despite beef’s popularity and wins in the marketplace, we can’t rest on our victories. Just this past month, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) released a plan to pour $500 million of taxpayer money into lab-grown protein research by a company called BioMADE. I firmly believe our nation’s military heroes should not be fed untested food like lab rats, they should be enjoying the highest quality, real protein like beef. Immediately, NCBA called out this funding and we even got Congressman Don Bacon, a retired Air Force Brigadier General, to introduce an amendment blocking the DOD from funding lab-grown protein. NCBA is keeping the pressure up to ensure only real food goes into our service members’ rations.

Your daily hard work on the farm or ranch contributes to the highest quality beef in the world. Beef is the king of summer barbeques and celebratory dinners; we continue to see strong demand, and we are driving lab-grown imitators out of business. Still, we must always remain vigilant and continue sharing the environmental, economic and social benefits raising cattle has on our communities and the world.

Thank you for trusting us to be your partner in fighting for real beef, and thank you for your membership in NCBA.

Initiated 1898, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is the oldest and largest national trade association representing America’s cattlemen and women. With more than 25,000 individual members and 60 state and breed affiliates, NCBA serves as the collective voice of the U.S. beef industry. We strive to advance the economic, political, and social interests of the U.S. cattle industry and to advocate for its policy positions and economic interests.

With less than 2% of American’s producing the food for the entire US and beyond, we must stand together. Anyone with a stake in the beef and cattle industry needs to be a member of NCBA to ensure our voices are being heard loud and clear.

NCBA is working every day to fight for your rights with policy created by cattle producers, for cattle producers. To continue our fight, we need your help. Join NCBA today and help protect the future of our industry.

Beyond the political insurance that NCBA provides, members also receive exclusive benefits and publications. Join NCBA today and receive a FREE 1L bottle of Cydectin Pour-On from Elanco and an NCBA pocket knife!

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IBA Internship

Kaitlyn Zeedyk, 2024 IBA Summer Intern

A Summer at the IBA Office

Where has summer gone? It feels as though April 1 was just last week when I walked into the office, very nervous about starting my first day. Within this summer time-frame, I was able to meet many new people associated with IBA or within the cattle industry. For those of you who do not know who I am, let me introduce myself.

I am from rural Hicksville, Ohio, where I was raised on a grain and sheep farm with my parents and three younger brothers. I grew up showing market lambs competitively at the local, state, and national levels. I also spent my first two years of school at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, where I was a member of Ag Club and Ag Ambassadors, and was competitive on the livestock judging team. I recently graduated from LLCC and will further my education at Iowa State University this fall majoring in Animal Science while competing on the judging team.

My time at IBA has been filled with many responsibilities, tasks, jobs, travels, and more. I did not grow up with a cattle background, unless you count showing dairy beef feeders, so this internship allowed me to expand my knowledge in the cattle sector of the livestock industry. I tagged along on the Illinois Junior Beef Tour that was hosted at Western Illinois University. This tour is a great opportunity for the juniors to take advantage of, and I learned many new things from a cattle perspective!

Now, you may have noticed some new changes and updates to the website. One of my tasks was to start working on updating the website, adding new pictures, the cattlemen’s calendar, and more! New additions will be added after I leave so make sure to continue to check the website for upcoming events and information.

One of my favorite things I helped with this summer was Ag in the Classroom. I created my own presentation entitled “why beef is awesome” and traveled to many different counties around the state to teach teachers about beef. I was able to answer any questions they had and give them informative bags that they could then use in the classroom with their students.

For the juniors, I was handed the reins on a few projects. This summer I have been in charge of tallying up and tracking all of the show points for the sanctioned shows in Illinois. Make sure to check points standings on the website as well! I also planned EDGE Conference for the juniors which turned out to be a success this year! Some of the stations included biosecurity, orange injections, tagging and tattooing ears, and public speaking on an ideal working facility. The day ended with sno-cones and a game of kickball!

Most recently, I had the opportunity to fly to Denver, Colorado, to tour and talk to many people at NCBA. What a great experience this was! The ladies I spoke with gave me a more in-depth description of both the policy and Checkoff side of things, as well as the history of NCBA. Even though there was smoke in the sky, my trip was amazing, to say the least! I spent my time at the airport reading the books and pamphlets that I received.

This internship was everything and more that I could have planned for my summer! Josh, Annie, Devin, and Olivia have all been great to work with and do so much work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed. I am sad that my internship is up, but forever grateful for the people I have met, the staff I worked with, and the friends I made along the way.

I look forward to continuing to build on the connections that I have made along the way as I take the next step toward senior college and what my future holds. Thank you all for an amazing summer!

Kaitlyn taking care of sheep at the Illinois State Fair!

Illinois State Fair

Devin Bollman, IBA Communications and Membership Manger, Junior Coordinator

I feel like everyone experiences the longest two weeks of the year during the Illinois State Fair. While technically only ten days (more like 15 when you include livestock on grounds days), so much gets jammed into this short time frame here in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The hustle and bustle amidst the roughly 75% of the grounds not filled with livestock has not anywhere near the excitement contained in the junior barn, other cattle barns, the Obernagel Livestock Center, and the Coliseum. In being the junior coordinator, and even having some cattle in the barns myself, I get a firsthand glimpse into dedication, passion, and hard work the juniors and beef producers put into the livestock that walk amongst our fairgrounds. Sometimes,

I’m even lucky enough to capture it all with my camera. From the early mornings and countless cans of empty tail adhesive and paint, to the ribbons and congratulatory hugs and cheers, every bit of being a cattlemen, a showmen, a parent, a friend, a herdsman or fitter, is all so worth it for that handshake or Grand Champion slap.

With over 750 junior entries and over 1,000 open show entries for the Illinois State Fair Beef Show, we can absolutely say this was great year for our industry. I could go on and on about the individual success stories and champions, but you’ll find that as you continue to flip through this issue, so I’ll just share the overarching highlights.

The two-day junior heifer show sorted by father-daughterduo, Jeff and Jennifer Bedwell of Isabella, OK., ended in nine champions being named between Top 5 Overall, Top 5 Land of Lincoln and Grand and Reserve Bred and Owned Females. It’s truly amazing how Illinois recognizes and awards those juniors within each of the three respective divisions – each of those champion titles being such high honors, all in namesake of outstanding individuals and families.

The junior market steer show – what a show! Travis and Beth Pembrook, also Oklahoma natives, sorted through over 165 steers, and with quality as deep as Illinois juniors bring to the show ring, that is no easy task. The junior steer drive in the Coliseum glowed with excitement and thrill as ten champions were selected among a crowd full of families, supporters and friends. Again, I cannot preach enough how outstanding it is to recognize not only a Top 5 Overall, but a Top 5 Land of Lincoln – with

this year it being two sets of champions!

It’s exciting to even bear witness to the quality representation of juniors, livestock, and work put into these cattle and these moments we experience here at the Illinois State Fair – but even more exciting to be a part of it all.

Aside from the junior show, the IJBA hosted it’s annual meeting. Every year we see attendance grow, this year having over 150 juniors gathered in the Livestock Center for IJBA updates, junior board elections, and of course - pizza and games. The IJBA announced the new photography contest that will be available for all IJBA members to participate in next year. The contest will be accepting entries from the first of the year until February 15 with judging and awarding occurring during the 2025 Illinois Beef Expo. More information about the IJBA Photography Contest can be found on the Illinois Beef website under the IJBA Junior Programs tab. Additionally, the board welcomed three new directors, Toby Behrends (District 2), Cody York (District 4), and Myah Little (At-Large). I look forward to working with these juniors to continuing bringing more exciting opportunities to Illinois’ juniors.

Affiliate News

Jo Daviess County Beef Association

beef ambassador, Brea Musser, distributed ribeye samples for a sales promotion at Cub Foods in Freeport. Then, beef ambassador, Aaliyah Whitney, helped the Stephenson County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, with a lesson on beef at the Lena library. Participants made beef cow fans and cookie burgers, and colored beef-themed coloring sheets.

Woodford County Beef Improvement Association hosted a freezer beef raffle during this year’s

County 4-H fair, as well as provided a free “Dinner in the Barn” to all fair exhibitors, family members and those interested in a future beef project. Burgers were served on Wednesday, July 24, before the beef show took place the following day.

Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association

offered Stephenson County Fair attendees a discount coupon off of any sandwich at the “Beef Corral” for playing “Beef Jeopardy” with local FFA members. Items for sale at their beef food stand included a beef hot-dog, two sizes of a beef burger and, of course, a ribeye steak sandwich. “The Beef Corral” was also featured at the Winnebago County Fair, August 17-18.

Submitting Affiliate News

Do you have Affiliate News? Submit information to Annie Schoetmer at annie@illinoisbeef.com or call 217-787-4280.

Please notify Annie with changes to affiliate officer teams.

Woodford

The raffle table complete with beef handouts and stickers.

Woodford affiliate members grill up their annual “Dinner in the Barn” burgers.

A new affiliate sign for the 4-H beef show.

WCBIA Board Members

Woodford County 4-H Beef Show exhibitors

Dave Wilcox

Territory Sales Manager dave.wilcox@kentww.com 309-275-7184

Tyler Schleich

Territory Sales Manager tyler.schleich@kentww.com 309-335-3939

Mareah Rauch

Territory Sales Representative mareah.rauch@kentww.com 618-553-6839

Cole Whisman

Territory Sales Representative cole.whisman@kentww.com 309-791-2757

In the Know

Illinois Beef Checkoff prioritizes education at IAVAT event

On June 20, IBA EVP Josh St. Peters and IBA Board Member Joan Harrison staffed a booth at the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers conference at the Southern Illinois University Student Center. IBA staff member Devin Bollman put together some beef lesson resources for the teachers and gifted a, “Beef. It’s What’s for Teachers.,” bag to each of them. It was a great day celebrating #TeachAg and promoting beef and meat science education to our wonderful agriculture teachers from all across Illinois. Pictured below are examples of those resources and in the center IBA Director Joan Harrison enjoyed catches up with Olympia High School agriculture instructor Chris Embry Mohr during a break at the conference in Carbondale.

Young producers travel to Denver for CattleFax Seminar

IBA members Ryan DeWitt, Ross Adams and Ben Lehman, had the opportunity to attend the June CattleFax Risk Management Seminar in Denver. These seminars focus on the CattleFax decision tree and offer opportunities for industry partnerships. The two days offered these producers the chance to learn from CattleFax leaders like Randy Blach and Kevin Good. Mike Murphy lead the seminar and also taught the main Decision Tree sessions. Other sessions included “Money Flow” lead by Troy Bockelmann and Holden Ramey, “Connecting The Dots Between Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle” with Patrick Linnell and Terrel Platt, and “Cow-Calf & Feeder Cattle Risk Management Tools - LRP” with Troy Applehans Matthew McQuagge, and many more throughout the two-day period.

“Beef. It’s What’s for Teachers.” logo bag

Joan Harrison chats with agriculture teacher Resources for agriculture teachers

Ryan DeWitt, Ross Adams, and Ben Lehman pose in front of the NCBA office in Denver. CattleFax is housed in the same office space.

Illinois Beef staff travel across the state to share the message of beef with teachers

For years, IBA interns and staff have traveled to Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Ag Institutes giving lessons on the basics of beef and pointing them to various teaching resources that are available. With both a staff member and intern tackling the travel, the two were able to visit twelve separate ag institutes, reach over 120 teachers with their lessons and send an additional 40 bags of educational resources for other institutes. Take a look at the map to see the widespread message of beef among public school teachers!

Illinois Beef debuts quality showcase, accepting entries for new competitive feeding test

this fall

IBA has announced a new program to promote cattle feeding and highlight the top beef-producing operations in our state. The Illinois Beef Quality Showcase program kicks off this fall, offering members the opportunity to donate a feeder calf to go on test at the University of Illinois, for a chance at winning thousands of dollars in prizes and recognition.

“We have some of the best cattle feeders in the country right here in Illinois, and our genetic base in the state’s cow-calf operations is second to none. Celebrating the promising performance of Illinois’ beef cattle is what this program is all about,” says Josh St. Peters, IBA executive vice president. “This program gives our producers a chance to showcase their best feeder cattle, using data from the rail to determine the top beef production in Illinois in 2025.”

IBQS requires members to commit to donating a steer before October 18, 2024. Cattle will go on test at the University of Illinois’ beef facility in Urbana-Champaign in late November, with a starting target weight of 750 pounds (+/- 10%). Animals will be ultrasounded and feed intake data will be gathered throughout the feeding period. Cattle will be harvested at a commercial packer in May with carcass data collected for all entries. Participants will receive data on the contest animals.

Winners of the inaugural IBQS program will be announced in June of 2025, with cash prizes being awarded in several categories. Donated calves may be entered by individual members, county or regional cattlemen groups, and members may partner together on submitting a calf. Industry organizations and businesses may also participate, by sponsoring entries, if they choose. Sponsoring businesses and donor farms will receive promotional recognition throughout the program, in Illinois Beef magazine, at an open house event at the University of Illinois in the spring, and during the IBQS awards ceremony at the conclusion of the 2025 feeding test.

Producers interested in learning more about the program, or willing to commit a calf for entry in the upcoming Illinois Beef Quality Showcase contest are encouraged to contact IBQS program chairman Thad Tharp at (309) 333-8814 or tthaddeus88@gmail.com or IBA EVP Josh St. Peters at (217) 7874280 or josh@illinoisbeef.com

IBA leaders attend NCBA Summer Business Meeting in San Diego

On July 10, grassroots members of the NCBA concluded a successful Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. Cattle producers discussed top issues facing the cattle industry including risk management, taxes, and business regulation.

“Our grassroots members are the backbone of NCBA, and I am extremely proud of how they made their voices heard through our centuries old grassroots policy process,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “The policies passed at the Summer Business Meeting will direct our association’s advocacy efforts in Washington to strengthen our industry’s profitability, reduce crippling government regulation, and safeguard our way of life for the future. Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting and spoke up on the issues facing our industry.”

The new policies passed by NCBA members direct the association to improve disaster relief and risk management programs, advocate for reduced capital gains tax, and oppose burdensome business registration and reporting requirements like the Corporate Transparency Act. Several existing policies were also renewed or amended.

NCBA members also discussed the implementation of USDA’s new animal disease traceability rule that will take effect in November.

“The USDA rule moves the cattle business forward allowing more efficient and accurate means of tracing animal movement in the event of a disease outbreak, which is crucial as diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease continue to spread around the globe,” said Eisele. “USDA has made the decision to switch from visually readable to both visually and electronically readable tags for certain classes of cattle moving interstate. NCBA has already secured funding to help defray the cost of making this change and we will continue pushing for additional funding and privacy for producer data. NCBA policy also supports the work of U.S. CattleTrace, which is an extremely important partner in the efforts to increase the adoption of EID tags and overall herd traceability. CattleTrace is an excellent resource for producers seeking to implement a traceability program for their herd.”

USDA’s traceability rule updates a previous 2013 rule that requires intact cattle 18 months of age or older, rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate to have a visually readable ear tag. The new traceability rule simply switches the type of tag from visually readable to both electronically and visually readable. This new rule will take effect on Nov. 5, 2024.

The Summer Business Meeting is one of two annual meetings to set policy for NCBA. Learn more about the NCBA grassroots policy process at ncba.org.

DuQuoin State Fair Reserve Champion Steer sponsored by Illinois Beef

As at the Illinois State Fair, IBA has once again donated a monetary prize to the Reserve Champion Steer exhibitor. This year’s Grand Champion Steer was owned by Lily Emge, who exhibited the Champion AOB Steer, and the Reserve Champion was owned by Emily Atten, whose steer was Reserve Champion AOB. Atten will receive the $500 monetary prize from IBA.

Lily Emge, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Steer.

Emily Atten, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Steer.

Illinois Farm Families Coalition hosts successful tent at Chicago Square Roots Festival

The Illinois Farm Families Coalition hosted a successful farm and family focused tent at the summer Square Roots festival event. Hosted in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, the food-heavy event was the perfect occasion for engaging new individuals within IFF target demographics, specifically Chicago parents.

IBA intern Kaitlyn Zeedyk and Publications and Business Operations Manager, Olivia Hoots, had the opportunity to attend the event and chat with community residents about various aspects of food production in Illinois. Many consumers in this area of the state associate farming with farmers markets that are common in their area, so it is important to engage passer-bys about “larger scale” farms of beef, corn, soybeans and the like.

Within the “Meet the Farmers Who Grow Your Food” tent, event goers could find a make-shift kitchen complete with faux counter tops and a real fridge, all stocked with real food products. Each product had a “fast fact” about the farming and production of the product to engage onlookers in the IFF discussion. On the right of the booth is a wall of photos and included in those were three beef producers. Each photo is complete with a QR code that takes the scanner to the Watch Us Grow website. Volunteers handed out reusable grocery bags complete with conversion and meat temperature magnets, and chip clips. In order to engage kids, the tent also included a Connect 4 farm fact game, cornhole, and IFF coloring books with soy crayons. Plus, about a block away in the Square Roots Kids Zone was a Watch Us Grow mural for families to color together.

Overall, the main goal of interaction was to help Square Roots attendees reconcile the fact that over 95% of farms in Illinois are owned by families like their own, and not by cooperations. Making this connection to all consumers is vitally important in the work IFF does.

Summer BQA trainings in Southern Illinois

Programs and Services Manager, Annie Schoetmer, took BQA trainings to two Southern Illinois towns this July, hosting meetings at both Shelbyville United Producers (pictured) and Sparta Lions Club. If you were unable to attend the summer meetings, please feel free to call or email Annie at (217) 787-4280 or annie@illinoisbeef.com, or get trained online at BQA.org.

Some of our beef farmers had profiles to showcase various segments of the industry. IBA’s 2022 Environmental Stewards of the Year, Head Land and Cattle, were among those featured.

Intern Kaitlyn Zeedyk points at the QR code for IBA 2024 Commercial Producers of the year MAC Cattle Company, who were also featured among the kitchen frames.

IBA members Shelia and Marty Marr of Marr Cattle Co., also had a beef and corn profile.

Meet the Class of 20242025

Jason Bedwell

Medora

Jason has a long history within the cattle business. Originally from Indiana, Jason is a graduate of Lake Land College and the University of Illinois. After school, he managed Prairie Cross Ranches, a purebred Hereford and Full-Blood Maine Anjou operation in Sherman, Illinois, for four and a half years. Today, Jason is herdsman for Moore Shorthorns. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Jason is most excited to develop a broader network through Beef Leadership Academy.

Maddie & Joe Buckley

Gilman

The recently married, Maddie (Hanson) and Joe Buckley are looking forward to growing in the cattle business as a couple. Maddie is a fifth-generation beef producer with ties to the cattle industry on both sides of her family, and Joe comes to the cohort with extensive knowledge in row crop production. Today, Maddie purchases all steer calves and feeder heifers from the family herd, feeds them out, and markets nearly 70 head of finished beef through her business, Hanson Family Meats.

Cody Hadden

Jacksonville

Cody has a strong, deep-rooted connection to the beef industry. His passion started at a young age on his family’s diversified cow/calf and row crop operation. Following a decorated junior show career, he obtained a degree with a focus on ruminant nutrition. Today, Hadden works as a Feed Specialist, and manages the family’s 300-head cow/calf operation in addition to running his own purebred cows.

Jake Hlas

Blandinsville

Hlas grew up on a diversified farm in Iowa, where his family ran a cow/calf and row crop operation. Since moving to Illinois, Jake balances a unique cattle business in addition to his professional career within the industry. With limited cow numbers in Iowa, he relies heavily on cooperator herds to source calves each year to focus on supplying production orientated Simmental genetics to commercial producers. In addition to his family operation, Jake also has some of his cows in western Illinois.

Andres Olalde

Sterling

Andres did not grow up on a farm but was fortunate to find his path in the industry through his high school work experience. He spent many years working for Weber Beef Inc., where his love for the beef industry really flourished. Since discovering his passion, Andres has taken every opportunity to expand his knowledge and skillset, including participating in the I-BELIEF program, and accepting the Assistant Beef Farm Manager role at the University of Illinois.

Beef Leadership Academy

Blake Rinkenberger

Minier

Blake grew up in central Illinois surrounded by agriculture and pursued those interests through his schooling, internships and work experiences. Today, Blake works for AgLand FS as a Crop Associate where he focuses on sales training and daily operations. While much of his experience relates to grain and hay production, recently, Blake has expanded his interests to the cattle industry where he has taken special interests in the commercial cow/calf industry.

Bailey Rogers

Armington

A recent graduate of NDSU, Bailey is setting her roots down at her family’s commercial beef operation in Armington. While in college Bailey was actively involved in the Collegiate Cattlewomen’s Association, and even served as chapter president. She was also selected for the Certified Angus Beef Youth Leaders program. Bailey is excited to grow her cattle operation alongside her family, while becoming more immersed in the Illinois Beef industry.

Ben & Sara Trygar

Jerseyville

Ben and Sara reside in Jerseyville, where Ben manages Moore Land & Cattle, a 200head seedstock operation. Neither Ben nor Sara grew up in the cattle industry, but since marrying in 2023, have been working to build their own cattle herd, in addition to Ben’s professional role. In his role as cattle manager, Ben tends to daily herd needs, carries out all breeding needs within the herd, and plays an integral role in the operations annual production sale.

Rebecca Walker

Altamont

Rebecca is a second-generation cattle producer that has recently taken over the family operation and is actively working to expand and improve the beef herd. Along with her husband, Rebecca calves roughly 100 cows each year, and aims to purchase and feed an additional 100 head annually. Since her roles have changed on the farm, Rebecca is eager to gain more knowledge and continually improve the family operation to keep feeding America.

Blake Webel

Champaign

With extensive knowledge in the pork industry, Blake is relatively new to the beef business. Nevertheless, through his extensive, multi-year internship at Windy Hill Meadows, Blake has become knowledgeable and passionate about beef cattle. So much so, that Blake is attending the University of Illinois to pursue a master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition and is acquiring cattle to build his own herd.

FROM GENERATION TO Generation

One of the best parts of the Illinois Seedstock industry is the commitment families have to carrying on the traditions of those who came before them. This dedication to one particular breed or another, based on the generation before you, is common among Illinois Angus families.

Both the Kramer family and their cattle have a rich family heritage that spans generations, earning them the 2024 IBA Farm Family of the Year award.

By Olivia Hoots

If you have been in the Illinois Angus industry for any amount of time, you have heard the last name Kramer. Maybe you have chatted with Keith, one of his brothers, or are familiar with the Angus legacy that lives within their family, which began over 60 years ago by Keith’s parents, Eugene and Marilyn. Keith and his wife, Denise, their son, Brady, and his wife of ten years, Brittney, make up Kramer Farms in Farina. Brady’s sons, Owen (6) and Hudson (3) are the seventh generation to grow up on the farmland where the Kramer family lives.

The Seventh Generation

Keith grew up as one of six children on the Kramer Farm – four of which are still involved in the cattle industry, and his three children, and five grandchildren, are all still involved in agriculture as well. “Family means more than anything in the world,” Keith says.

“That really says something about how it was instilled in

my grandparents, it is really in our blood

and something that we have stuck with through the years, through the decades,” Brady, says. “I am honored to have been born into this operation, just one person of what I hope is a long line that continues for years to come.”

Brittney can tell they will have no problem continuing that line. She says their son Owen is a cattleman, always setting up fences for his toy animals after an evening of feeding cattle with his dad or grandpa. Hudson, he is the “row cropper” who is always up for a spin in the tractor or combine, known for his fair share of combine naps.

“They love doing anything they can with grandpa and daddy.” The pair can even be found repeating their dad and grandpa’s conversations later in the evening after helping in the field.

Brittney always knew she wanted to marry and raise a family with someone with the values and work ethics of a farmer, and now hopes she can help steward the Kramer legacy alongside her husband.

Brady feels the same way. “When I was my boys age, I knew I was going to be a farmer just like my dad – this is the only life I could imagine living,” Brady says. “Because who would not want to grow up on the farm and get to do all the fun things like riding in the tractor, checking cows. It is in

our blood.”

For him, carrying on a legacy like this one is something you just cannot put a price tag on, and he especially feels this when he looks back on his grandfather Eugene, and grandfather Harry Deters, Denise’s father. Keith also used to spend much of his time soaking up their knowledge.

Brady has grown up doing the same with his own dad. “I enjoy working with my son because we get to make decisions together,” Keith says, suspecting someday soon Brady will be making all the decisions. “We really enjoy having our family involved in the operation.”

Keith’s parents instilled in him and his siblings what he has also tried to instill in his own children – being faithful, going to church, working hard for what you have, and being honest. “Yet still doing things you enjoy,” he adds. “My dad loved to coon hunt, and I love to play golf.”

Keith also values his community, serving as a volunteer firefighter for 17 years, as secretary for the county fair for over 20 years and on the fair board for about 20 years as well. Currently he is a town trustee, and a trustee on his church board.

Long time friend and co-member of the fair board of Keith, Jackie Wright, expressed that their family has always been committed to educating the public on agriculture and serving their Angus, town and church communities. “They are just good people,” she says.

Ten Generations Later

Keith’s dad started the registered Angus herd around 1960, when “belt buckle” Angus were in style. “Dad always wanted bigger frame cattle,” he says. “He and a friend traveled to Oklahoma to bring bigger frame, higher-growth cattle.”

Some of those cattle lines are still part of their cow families. “And they are still some of our best producers,” Keith says. He is proud he gets to carry on the legacy of his father.

“Our goal since the beginning is to raise functional, problem-free cattle that will thrive in this part of the world in Southern Illinois,” Brady says. “We look to just have problemfree cattle that excel in all traits.”

IBA Board Member and long time Angus friend of the Kramers through the South Central Angus Association, Bruce Betzold, says “they are progressive cattle breeders who continually balance the many sound traits of high quality cattle.”

Many of those current females are tenth generation animals from the original Angus herd. “They have stood the test of time,” Brady says. He adds that though they have brought in different cow families over the years, their original bloodlines have outlasted some of those and still stick out in the herd today. The hope is these ten generations of cattle will one day be a twentieth generation Angus herd.

He ultimately hopes his sons can take those cow families

Keith, Denise, Owen, Brittney, Hudson and Brady Kramer.

and continue to breed them on so someday they can look back and reach the hundred-year mark of registered Angus on their farm.

For now, they are steadily seeking to raise functional, problem-free, performance-oriented cattle, and primarily market bulls through the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale at the Illinois Beef Expo in February – Eugene even consigned to the very first sale. “I do not think we have ever not been in the IPT sale,” Keith says.

“We have remained committed to it,” Brady says. “It is an excellent market for us.”

They also are faithful to the Wabash Valley Angus Association Sale, which takes place in late March every year. “I believe it is the largest running state association sale still happening in the state; we have been involved there for decades, longer than my lifetime. I remember going there since I was born,” he says. He is also on the board, committed to keeping the sale alive and well.

In the last thirty years of sales and breeding Angus cattle, Keith has seen a lot of changes in the industry.

Today they are using many new technologies like drawing blood at weaning to send in to retrieve genetic profiles to

more easily know which bulls and heifers to retain,” Keith explains. “In my dad’s day we would not have dreamed it would be like that.”

“We use DNA to help select for desired traits and pick AI sires that will further those traits, but also focus on performance-based ones to sell to the commercial cattle producers in the area,” he adds.

Weight and marbling are important to the Kramer’s for that reason too.

For the past 41 years they have worked with Dr. Charlie Durbin as their veterinarian. He says the family supplies a lot of Angus genetics all over, and are very by-the-book type people. “They are great people to work with,” he says.

Because of fluctuating conditions and transitioning technologies, among other factors, the Kramers believe in keeping their operation diversified.

“Growing up I really enjoyed production agriculture, but have realized that sometimes you are not in total control when it comes to farming. You work with the season and the weather,” Keith says. “Having beef cattle, we have more control of our genetics but the price, not necessarily.” He says it helps to bring in new bloodlines to further their existing

herd, like they have been doing for so many generations.

Generations Past and Future

“Raising my boys on the farm is exactly what my wife and I always dreamed we would do,” Brady says referring to Owen and Hudson who will inevitably be the next generation to run the farm. He loves watching them grow a love for the life they built together.

Keith has spent his life doing the same with his kids. “I hope that I am leading by example, and that my boys are watching me and want to follow in my footsteps. Hopefully with them watching my dad and me setting a good example, they will want to eventually take over and continue this legacy,” Keith says.

That is what makes a homestead so important after all, right? Making the generation before you proud and hoping the one after you will want to do the same.

They all stay very involved in making sure their row crop ground and registered Angus herd continues well into the future. Brady hopes to continue to grow both sides.

Growth has happened since he married his wife, Brittney

too. “We are selling more bulls, with good genetics,” Brittney says. She and Denise are active wives in the operation, whether it is doing the book work or driving the grain truck during harvest. They both love it as much as the men. “There is nothing better than seeing fresh calves running across the pasture.” She is grateful for Brady and the life they live together.

Keith wants his grandchildren and future great grandchildren to understand that the opportunity was given to him and believes they should view it as a given opportunity too, to have the family tradition of raising Angus cattle and crop production. This is the kind of attitude that prompted his peers to award their family the 2024 IBA Farm Family of the Year award.

Betzold says “Keith and Brady have made an excellent team successfully breeding superior seedstock and they are well deserving of this achievement award.”

“Getting selected for this award is quite a humbling honor to me,” Brady says. “I am so glad people take notice whenever you are trying to do things right and live a life you can be proud of.”

MooreCattle

By Betty Haynes

MooreQuality

2024 IBA Seedstock Producer of the Year, Dennis Moore of Moore Land and Cattle, says the secret to success is hard work, good genetics, and a drive to improve.

It started out as a Bic lighter, and has turned into a pretty nice little fire,” says Dennis Moore from his farm in rural Jerseyville.

In just 28 years, Moore has grown Moore Land and Cattle from a pipe dream to a seedstock powerhouse, earning the title of 2024 Illinois Beef Association Seedstock Producer of the Year.

“Dennis is a very hardworking, trustworthy person,” Dennis’ wife, Sara, says. “He doesn’t know the word quit. He wants things done the right way.”

Sara says the recognition came as a welcome surprise to decades of determination.

“He doesn’t do it for the accolades,” Sara says. “He does it because he loves it and he is always up for a challenge – and cows are challenging.”

Today, Moore Land and Cattle includes 2,700 acres of crop ground, hay and pasture. He has roughly 200 registered Simmental and Angus cows, and farms corn, soybeans, and wheat.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Humble Beginnings

Dennis was raised on a farm in Jersey County, but the 1980s brought high interest rates and a challenging farm environment.

Dennis opted to take his farm boy work ethic and follow another profession. He worked jobs in construction and painting, until starting his own painting business in 1992.

“I always knew there would be people a lot smarter than Dennis Moore, but where I’ll beat them is that I’ll outwork them,” Dennis says. “If they work eight hours a day, I’ll work 12. If they work 12 hours, I’ll work 20. If they work five days a week, I’ll work seven.”

As a young entrepreneur, Dennis says he was blessed to

have several older mentors advising him and the business.

“One piece of advice I got was ‘the bigger the monster, the more you have to feed it’,” Dennis explains. “So be careful on how big you make the monster.”

As the painting business grew, Dennis took this advice by investing his earnings in farmland, feeling it would require fewer employees and fewer headaches.

In 1996, Dennis purchased his first farm at auction. It was 360-acres of paradise where he and Sara now reside. Coincidentally, Dennis’ father was born on the same farm in 1929, and later left in 1936.

“You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” he says, reflecting on the transition from farm kid to business owner to farmer.

Sara says the pair bought their first registered cattle in 2007 for their three daughters to show. Dennis meticulously researched genetics when starting the herd.

“It takes just as long to clean the barn out for a good one as it does a bad one,” says Dennis. “I figured, if we have to clean the barn out, we might as well get some good ones.”

Dennis and Sara agree that raising cattle undoubtedly shaped their daughters into who they are today. Their youngest daughter is a lawyer, their middle daughter is a veterinarian, and their oldest daughter works at a daycare.

“It gave them a work ethic,” says Sara tearfully. “All three of them are really hard workers just like their dad. And they all love animals.”

As the cattle business grew, Dennis’ colleagues started taking notice, inquiring about his new venture.

“They’d say, ‘tell me about this cattle business because if you’re jumping in, it has to be a money maker,” says Dennis with a smile. “I’d reply, ‘no, it’s more of a passion. You know how you make a million dollars in a cattle business? You start with ten’.”

Dennis contributes part of his success to learning from other breeders, and being open-minded to the opinions and advice of those around him.

“When I visit someone else’s farm or ranch, I try to pick up on the things they believe in and learn what they do well,” he says. “Then I can digest those ideas and make them fit with our program. It’s kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.”

He’s always learning and evolving, continually trying striving for perfection.

“When you stop ripening, you start to rot, so you have to keep trying to ripen,” Dennis explains.

Blue Ribbon Genetics

In the seedstock business, Dennis has learned that breeders either lean into raising good cows or raising good bulls.

“I always wanted a stiff cow battery, because I can get my hands on semen from good bulls to AI or flush,” he says. “A bull is half of your calf crop, so he’s undoubtedly an important piece of the puzzle. But when I’m looking to purchase, I want to see what the cow looked like – I want to see the mother.”

The foundation herds of Moore Land and Cattle are the Shelby cow family on the Simmental side and the Forever Lady cow family on the Angus side.

“The Shelby cow had the pieces and the parts to make the offspring,” Dennis explains. “She raised two national champions.”

Dennis takes pride in raising easy-doing, good-sized cows with great maternal instincts while maintaining their soundness and phenotype.

“I’m proud to say that I make cows to be show animals, not show animals to be cows,” says Dennis. “The bottom line

competition.

“You have to look through a lot of different windows to make sure that you’re going in the right direction,” says Moore. “Because one mistake can really set a program back.”

He’s found that the number one thing breeders want in Illinois is cattle with good disposition.

“The last thing they want is cows jumping over fences that are mean, or will get somebody hurt,” says Dennis.

Dennis has learned that having repeat customers is built around trust.

“A true seedstock cattleman has to triple check all of the boxes to make sure they’re promoting the best quality animals to the commercial guys.”

Five years ago, Ben Trygar joined the Moore Land and Cattle crew as herdsman.

His first impression was that Dennis was a good business man, who wasn’t afraid to spend the money on good cattle and good equipment.

“He definitely isn’t afraid to reach out and make sure the job gets done,” says Ben. “Dennis is also very outgoing and isn’t scared to say what he thinks whether it’s right, wrong or indifferent.”

Over the last several years Ben’s respect for Dennis has only grown, as he’s invested in 4-H, local cattle producers, and IBA.

“I think people are seeing where Dennis is trying to go with the operation and they’re impressed by it,” says Ben. “He’s trying to make the beef industry step up its game by getting good genetics in this area to push out to the whole country.”

Ben adds that what sets Dennis and Moore Land and Cattle apart from the competition, are their genetics.

“He tries to get some of the top genetics here,” says Ben. “We’ll get genetics from different breeders from all areas of the country, to raise premium quality animals for our customers.”

Moore Land and Cattle holds an annual production sale every December featuring open heifers, bred heifers, semen packages, and embryo packages. For more information, please visit, http://moorelandandcattle.com.

Dennis Moore, owner of Moore Land and Cattle, out in pasture checking his cattle.

Rosettes from stock shows past, including national, state and county level shows, displayed in the barn office.

Herdsman, Ben Trygar, out doing a regular treatment of insecticide to cow herd.

Trygar out in pasture observing the female herd.

IReports from Farm and Ranch Owners Now Required Under New Corporate Transparency Act

n 2021, Congress passed a law called the Corporate Transparency Act. Its goal was simple: prevent financial crimes by knowing the identity of corporation owners. In many states, forming a company is as easy as filing a document with the secretary of state and many types of legal entities like limited liability companies (LLC) offer tremendous privacy to their owners. With concerns mounting around foreign business acquisitions, Congress wanted a way to unmask anonymous legal entities.

While the law’s intentions may have been good, honest farmers and ranchers have been unfortunately caught up in the Corporate Transparency Act and are now subject to its onerous rules. The law requires companies with 20 or fewer employees to file beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, identifying who owns or controls the company. The stakes are also high because the law comes with severe penalties. Failing to file a report on time can result in fines of $500 per day and willfully ignoring the law can result in up to two years of jail time.

Thankfully, complying with the law is fairly straightforward but farmers and ranchers must act now to review the law and gather information to file with FinCEN. Any corporation, LLC, or other type of legal entity that has 20 or fewer employees and files with the secretary of state is likely required to file with FinCEN. These reports to FinCEN

include basic identifying information about the people who have “beneficial ownership” of a company—information like legal name, date of birth, home or business address, and a driver’s license or passport number. While FinCEN has a specific legal definition of “beneficial owner,” it generally applies to those who own over 25% of the company, have significant say in its operations, or receive a large benefit from its assets.

FinCEN started accepting reports at the start of 2024 and deadlines for filing these reports are rapidly approaching. For companies created or registered prior to January 1, 2024, FinCEN reports must be submitted by January 1, 2025. For companies created in 2024, owners have just 90 days after forming their company to submit a report to FinCEN. That deadline shrinks to just 30 days in 2025. Additionally, any updates or corrections to FinCEN reports must be submitted within 30 days.

This new requirement can be confusing, but FinCEN has created resources like a frequently asked question document and a Small Entity Compliance Guide. Both resources, and the form to file with FinCEN, are available at www.fincen. gov/boi. Producers with additional questions can also contact FinCEN by calling 1-800-767-2825 toll free or 703-905-3591.

This is not professional advice. Consult with a tax professional or attorney for advice as to whether the Corporate Transparency Act applies to you.

All cattle vaccines from Merck Animal Health now live under the BOVILIS® name. They’re the same vaccines you’ve relied on for years – only with updated names and packaging. Each product has its own distinct color and is clearly marked with information you need to protect your clients’ cattle from disease. No matter how you build their protection, efficacy and ease of use are present in every single vaccine.

BEEF 2024Illinois State Fair

EGYPTIAN CATTLEMEN

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at Ribeye Corral!

Dwayne, Susan, and Silas Schwarz

FARM CREDIT ILLINOIS

Joe Leonard, Jessica Freeman, Amy Deibert, Nathan Probst, Barb Lindsey

IL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Nik Freeman

ILLINOIS CORN

Kayla Gallagher, Matt Raben

MANSFIELD CLOVERS 4-H CLUB

Aubrey Veeder, Kenzie Owen

HADLEY FARMS

Al Lyman, Bryan Warman, and Seth Dawson

JOHN BRUBAKER

MCLEAN COUNTY BEEF ASSOCIATION

Craig and Lisa Nafziger

IBA LEADERSHIP

Joan Harrison, Shannon Welsh, Dave Duzan, Ted and Julie Prehn, Larisa Willrett, Mike and Lynn Martz, Jamie Martz, Paul Walker and Margaret Allen, Justin and Ellen Rahn, Justin Lewis, Buzz Iliff

WHITESIDE COUNTY BEEF ASSOCIATION

Eric and Mary Benson, Ed Lawson, Mike

Frankfohler, Scott, Maddison, Harper and Miranda Wetzell

UIUC HOOF & HORN

Ava Ratliff, Carrie Gill

HENRY COUNTY BEEF ASSOCIATION

Avery Knupp

ILLINOIS FFA

Rachel Donoho, Brianna Culles, Maddie Toman, Aubrey Wall, Kyle Bradshaw, Karley Putnam, Paige Sierens

FAIRVIEW SALE BARN

Ruth Nott, Stacey Schisler, Sherry Weaver

SCHUYLER-BROWN CATTLEMEN

Gordon and Jackson Yingling, Steve and Shelly Reich

TREVOR MAIERS

KENT NUTRITION

Renee Lloyd, Dave Wilcox

PAUL AND DENISE RICE

ILLINOIS MIDWEST CATTLEMEN

Gary and Lisa Hadden, John and Sherri

Tomhave

HADDEN FARMS

Dale and Paige Hadden

KURT SCHAFFNIT

MONROE COUNTY CATTLEMEN

David and Emma Krebel

BANK OF SPRINGFIELD

Schyler Hollis, Xavier Collier, Justin Knoedler, Brian Anderson, Matt Stark

BREESE CENTRAL FFA

HEARTLAND BEEF ALLIANCE

Dan Haynes, Jackie Schmidgall, Dianne and Jim Lindgren, Randy Pech, Alan Klokkenga, Pamela Creager

CROSSROADS BEEF PRODUCERS

Stan and Lisa Buzzard, Wendell and Christine Alwardt, Steve and Stephanie

Carruthers, Steven Reinacher, Kendra Steele

OGLE COUNTY CATTLEMEN

Ray Schmidt, Justin and Weston Collins

NOKOMIS FFA

NEW BERLIN FFA

JACKSONVILLE FFA

Ribeye Corral volunteer John Brubaker of Chatham took a break from serving sandwiches to win first place in his age division of the Illinois State Fair “Abe’s Amble” 10K race.

Brubaker received his first place ribbon from IBA member and Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans of Jacksonville.

RIBEYE CORRAL CONNECTS ILLINOIS

CONSUMERS & BEEF PRODUCERS

A variety of FFA groups volunteered this year. Pictured above are

and their

Volunteers David and Emma Krebel, and Bank of Springfield employees Schyler Hollis, Xavier Collier, Brian Anderson and Justin Knoedler.

Central FFA students

advisor.

Farm Credit Illinois staff volunteers Jessica Freeman, Nathan Probst, Amy Deibert and Barb Lindsey.

Another one of our FFA Chapter volunteers — New Berlin FFA.

Ribeye Corral kitchen staff Kipp Burroughs, Melissa and Kevin Reed, and Mia Marcy. Other kitchen staff also included Paula Harper, Max Musgrave and Clarence Denning.

Affiliate volunteers always show up from year-to-year. Pictured above is Paul Rice and Ogle county volunteers Ray Schmidt, Justin Collins, Justin and Ellen Rahn, and Weston Collins.

BOARD MEMBERS SHARE IBA SUCCESSES AND PROGRAMS ON AG MEDIA DAY

IBA President, Dave Duzan, chats with Jim Taylor of RFD Radio, in the Agricultural Commodities Pavilion on Agriculture Day.

Tharp shares exciting new Illinois Beef Quality Showcase news, along with all the details, with Jared White of Brownfield Ag News.

IBA Board Member Thaddeus Tharp takes a moment to talk with Roger Ward of WLDS Radio, Jacksonville.

Duzan is video-interviewed by Eliza Petry of News Channel ABC 20 about the importance of consumers visiting the fair.

Duzan talks with Mike Perrine of MP Ag Radio, long-time agriculture broadcaster who represents several radio stations in Illinois.

Tharp also talked to Stu Ellis of AgricultureReporting.com about the Beef Quality Showcase.

IBA LEADERS INTERACT WITH POLITICAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE FAIR

IBA President and Vice President, Dave Duzan and Shannon Welsh, respectively, plus board member Scott Wetzell, chat with Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.

Also on Governor’s Day, Duzan and Welsh, along with IBA Board Member Scott Wetzell attend the Governor’s Sale of Champions. Pictured centerright is Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker.

Duzan and Welsh, join IBA EVP Josh St. Peters and IDOA Director Jerry Costello to visit with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, also on Governor’s Day.

IBA hosted the pre-show concert party on Governor’s Day, complete with beef from Raber’s Packing Company, the official vendor of the 2024 Ribeye Corral. Pictured serving is RPC’s, Buddy Courdt.

IBA board member and Ribeye Corral Volunteer, Betsy Pech, her daughter and friend, attend the pre-party.

IBA leaders Joan Harrison, Dave Duzan and Shannon Welsh with Representative Bill Hauter (center left) on Republicans Day at the fair.

Harrison, Duzan and Welsh meet with Representative, and IBA member, Jason Bunting (far right).

Pictured center left is Chair of the Illinois Republican party Kathy Salvi, with Welsh, Harrison and Duzan.

IBA member, Representative Charlie Meier (center left), in front of Ribeye Corral with St. Peters, Pech, Harrison, Duzan and Welsh.

Welsh and Harrison chat with Representative Norine Hammond.

Harrison with House Republican leader, Tony McCombie on Republican Day at the fair.

SALE OF CHAMPIONS: GENSINI’S STEER SELLS FOR A RECORD $110,000

Grand Champion Steer of the Junior Beef Show went to Kade Gensini, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker purchasing the animal at the Governor’s Sale of Champions. IBA awarded $500 to Gensini for the champion honors.

Grand Champion Land of Lincoln Steer went to Champion Shorthorn exhibitor, Chace Riley. BRANDT, Incorporated’s, Evelyn Brandt Thomas, Senator Sue Rezin and Riley family friends, purchased the animal for a record $65,000.

ILLINOIS BEEF JUNIORS PREPARE TO BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PRODUCERS

On Tuesday, August 6, the Illinois Junior Beef Association held its annual meeting at the Illinois State Fair. Nearly 100 junior members from across the state gathered and elected new members to the IJBA Board of Directors. Congratulations to newly elected directors, Toby Behrends (District 2) and Cody York (District 4), Myah Little (at-large), along with re-elected director Audrey Curtin. 2024-2025 IJBA Board of Directors: President: Jack Jungmann, Little York; Vice-President: Cody York, Palestine; Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Sellmeyer, Maroa; Beef/Show Promotions Chair: Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound.

District 1 Directors: Kyle Eathington, Avon; Jack Jungmann, Little York

District 2 Directors: Anne Dameron, Towanda; Toby Behrends, Sheffield

District 3 Directors: Lauren Wolter, Aviston; Emma Taylor, Murrayville

District 4 Directors: Ben Sellmeyer, Maroa; Cody York, Palestine

At-Large Directors: Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound; Myah Little, Murrayville

Reserve Grand Champion Steer of the Junior Beef Show was awarded to Nalaney Guyer’s steer. IBA awarded her $250 for champion honors.

Attendees had the opportunity to win fun IJBA-branded gear.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS OF 2025 CONNECTS WITH ILLINOIS BEEF LEADERS

Grace Brown retires as District 2 Director and IJBA Secretary.

Newly-elected IJBA board members Toby Behrends, Cody York and Myah Little.

Farm Service Agency’s State Executive Director, Scott Halpin, speaks to the new 2024-2025 class.

Buddy Courdt of Raber Packing Company served a delicious tenderloin sandwich and “Cowboy Potato” dinner for the BLA launch attendees.

New Class of 2025 BLA participant, Rachel Walker, gives an introduction about herself to fellow classmates.

Blake Webel, also in the class of 2025, listens as Program Manager, Annie Schoetmer, introduces the new class to the program.

Lynn Martz of Larson Farms gives an overview presentation of their operation, encouraging new participants toward leadership.

“BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER.” SPONSORS BRING-IN BEEF RECIPE CONTEST

JACKSONVILLE PRODUCERS STAFF GSI GRAIN

BIN TO PROMOTE & SERVE LOCAL BEEF

Linda Cifuentes of Mahomet won first place with her Four-Seasons Beef and Brussels Sprout Chopped Salad.

Peggy Snyder of Springfield won second place with her Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwich.

Dianna Wara of Washington won third place with her Spicy Cheeseburger Sliders.

Dianna’s cheeseburger sliders complete with a Beef Checkoff logo to hold the layers together.

The top three meals won a Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. gift basket that includes a branded skillet and other kitchen tools.

IBA member judges of the contest included Abby Lowderman, past IBA President Buzz Iliff, Paige Van Dyke and Darin Smith.

Siblings Meghan and Cody Hadden staff the GSI Grain Bin to serve and promote Hadden Farms beef processed by Jones Meat & Locker.

Gary Hadden talks with a fairgoer while serving him beef sloppy joe.

The recipe was the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Beefy Sweet & Sloppy Joes.

ILLINOIS BEEF SPONSORS CHILI COOK-OFF

TO PROMOTE “BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER.”

Mike Earles wins the 2024 Illinois Beef People’s Choice award, and received a $100 monetary gift from the Illinois Beef Checkoff.

Corner Bar located at 3271 W Iles ave in Springfield tied with Earles for People’s Choice Winner. He was also awarded the $100.

Duzan staffed the Chili cookoff with Josh St. Peters and his son, Collin. The third overall people’s choice winner received an Illinois Beef cooking basket, complete with a Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. skillet.

Springfield | August 11

Jackpot Jackpot

Judge: Kip Wallace, Mo.

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Shown by Tyler Miller

Shown by Ella Eathington

Show Results Show Results

Champion AOB

Shown by Lizzie Schafer

Reserve Champion: Ella Eathington

Champion Hereford

Shown by Peyton Sidles

Reserve Champion: Lily DeAth

Champion Simmental

Shown by Caleb Gentle

Reserve Champion: Briggston Bertsche

Champion Charolais

Shown by Briggston Bertsche

Reserve Champion: Jenna Setchell

Champion Red Angus

Shown by Lauren Wolter

Reserve Champion: Chayton Day

Champion Cow-Calf Pair

Shown by Odin Stabenow

Reserve Champion: Ross Stabenow

Reserve Champion Angus

Shown by Macie Bartlow

Champion Shorthorn

Shown by Kinlynn Dryer

Reserve Champion: Maylen Kramper

Other Winners: Reserve Champion

% Simmental: Carson Beckman, Champion Shorthorn Plus: Blake Goodbred, Shorthorn Plus: Maddox Reedy, Champion Maine/Maintainer: Maci Beckman, Reserve Champion Maine/Maintainer: Kaisson Jones

Heifer Heifer

Springfield | August 10-11

Judges: Jack and Carter Ward, Mo.

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

Champion Angus Shown by Quentin Day

3rd Overall Heifer

Champion Horned

Grand Champion Heifer

Champion Maine Shown by Avery Seys

4th Overall Heifer

Champion % Simmental Shown by

5th Overall Heifer

Champion Simmental Shown by

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Hereford Shown by Paige Lemenager

Breckyn Bloomberg

Lilian Unger

Champion land of Lincoln

Reserve land of Lincoln

Show Results Show Results

Champion Charolais

Shown by Breckyn Barnard

Reserve Champion: Mayci Humphrey

Champion Limousin

Shown by Kesler Collins Reserve Champion: Kesler Collins

Champion Chianina

Shown by Breckyn Bloomberg

Reserve Champion: Andrew Talbert

Champion Red Angus

Shown by Chayton Day

Reserve Champion: Trevor Hale

Reserve Champion Angus Shown by Paige Lemenager

Champion AOB

Shown by Hailey Allen Reserve Champion: Lizzie Schafer

Shown by Kinlynn Dryer Reserve Champion: Alexa

Other Winners: Reserve Champion Horned Hereford: Stetson Storey, Reserve Champion Simmental: Ellie Drach, Reserve Champion % Simmental: Breckyn Bloomberg

Champion Polled Hereford

Shown by Ella Brooks Reserve Champion: Paige Lemenager

Champion Maintainer

Shown by Nalaney Guyer Reserve Champion: Maci Beckman

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Shown by Maddox Reedy

Reserve Champion: Kesler Collins

Champion Shorthorn

Turner

Grand Champion Bred & Owned, 4th overall Land of Lincoln

3rd overall Land of Lincoln

5th overall Land of Lincoln

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned

Springfield | August 12

Steer Steer

Judges: Joe and Joelynn Rathmann, Tx.

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Steer Champion Crossbred Shown by Kade Gensini

Reserve Grand Champion Steer Champion Chianina Shown by Nalaney Guyer

3rd Overall Steer Reserve Champion Crossbred Shown by Cole Caldwell

4th Overall Steer Reserve Champion Chianina Shown by Casen Huls

5th Overall Steer Champion Charolais Composite Shown by Hailey Allen

Show Results Show Results

Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer

Champion Shorthorn Shown by Chace Riley

Land of Lincoln Reserve Grand Champion Steer Champion Angus Shown by Connor Suits

3rd Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Reserve Champion Shorthorn Shown by Kyle Eathington

4th Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Champion Hereford Shown by Kinlynn Dryer

5th Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Reserve Champion Hereford Shown by Kylie Gillespie

Other Winners: Champion Maine/Maintainer: Kade Gensini, Reserve Champion Maine/Maintainer: Abby Clapp, Reserve Champion Angus: Cheyenne Handsaker, Reserve Champion Charolais Composite: Charlie Jones

Champion Simmental

Shown by Jared Bressner Reserve Champion: Jeron Johnson

Champion AOB Shown by Addysen Link Reserve Champion: Emily Atten

Champion Shorthorn Plus Shown by Tanner Foose Reserve Champion: Alex Barnard

Beef

Springfield | August 7

Junior

Senior Division Champions

Champion - Addison Bartlow, Reserve Champion - Abagayle Britton, Third - Ty Knodle, Fourth - Claire Dorsey, Fifth - Lauren Wolter, Sixth - Alyssa Miller, Seventh - Emerson Tarr, Eighth - Anna Webel, Ninth - Grace Rincker, Tenth - Jacqueline Schertz, Eleventh - Chezney Robb

Junior Division Champions

Champion - Mabrey Schick, Reserve Champion - Kylie Gillespie, Third - Brenna Bartlow, Fourth - Nolan Lee, FifthConley Schick

Advance Division Champions

Champion - McKlay Gensini, Reserve Champion - Avery Seys, Third - Paisley Schick, Fourth - Carson Beckman, Fifth - Jemma Dorsey

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Showmanship

Intermediate Division Champions

Novice Division Champions

Champion - Evelyn Onion, Reserve Champion - Jade Range, Third - Nash Lowderman, Fourth - Kaisson Jones, Fifth - Hattie Young

Champion - Maci Beckman, Reserve Champion - Kinlynn Dryer, Third - Maddox Reedy, Fourth - Lindy Kane, FifthKade Roeder

From left to right: Judges Ron Moore and his daughter, Emily Adcock, ???, Senior Division Showmanship winner Addison Bartlow and Reserve Champion Abagayle Britton, ???, Sarah and Cruz Nichols.

Photo by Jack Jungmann

AEdge Conference

nother successful EDGE Conference was held on July 18 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville.

The IJBA board and junior association members gathered to participate in the four pillars of EDGE. The first pillar is Engaging; member interacted with one another as they played relationship-building games. The next two pillars are Developing and Growing; members developed skills and grew their knowledge. Finally, the fourth pillar is Educating; students expanded their knowledge of beef quality, good practices and handling techniques and learned the best ways to carry out day-to-day tasks on their own operations.

At 8:00 a.m. juniors began checking in and the day kicked off with IJBA board introductions and an ice-breaker game of “Signs.” Next, IBA intern Kaitlyn Zeedyk gave an in-depth Beef Quality Assurance presentation like those typically given at BQA trainings throughout Illinois.

Next, Will Andras, of Andras Stock Farm, gave a beef handling demonstration complete with “dad jokes.” He detailed topics like the cattle nature, flight zone, “don’ts” and the importance of safe handling. He then took one of his Red Angus heifers through a Palco chute, provided by Hadden Farms, to demonstrate best practices in handling cattle.

Next it was lunch time with burgers grilled by the junior board, fruit, chips and cookies. Then is was time for a game break of “cups.”

The final session of the day was a round robin of four stations. The first station was herd health where juniors learned how to generate a health plan, watched an example of vaccination handling and giving injections, plus record keeping. Station two was identification where they did tagging, tattooing and record keeping on real ears from Jones Meat Locker. Station three was biosecurtiy where they learned how to generate a biosecurity plan for their operation, talked about new animal arrival, equipment precautions and personal safety. Finally, station four was environmental where they designed their own dream facility that would allow for maximum assurance of beef quality.

As per traditional, the day rounded out with snow cones! Attendees received IBA sorting flags, IJBA lunch boxes and EDGE Conference Shirts on their way out. It was a great time had by all.

From Cattle to a Crown Cattle Crown

IJBA

Member and Miss

Illinois

County Fair Queen Advocates for Ag and Spreads Inspiration Across the

State

By Sara McClendon

For Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, 19-year-old Natalie Evans of Jacksonville, it all began with a bottle calf named Blossom.

“I’ve been showing livestock since I was 8 years old in 4-H,” Natalie says. “My siblings and I initially showed sheep because that’s what my dad showed.”

It turns out that sheep weren’t quite the right fit for the Evans siblings. Neither were pigs. However, when the family got Blossom as a calf and Natalie’s older brother first showed her in the ring, it sparked an interest in show cattle for Natalie. She started showing cattle in 2017 and has never looked back. In particular, she enjoys working with Red Angus.

“They are just so sweet,” Natalie says. “They all have a personality. I feel that every heifer I’ve ever had, I have built the biggest relationship with them and it is never going to fade. They are extremely docile, they are really good mothers, and they are easy keepers. What makes it even better is we know so many great people in the breed too.”

Connecting with others in the industry is important to Natalie. For her, the county fair is the key to meeting others in the community who share her passion.

“I love the whole vibe and atmosphere of the county fair,” Natalie says. “I have been going to it since I was little. I look more forward to county fair week than family vacations. It provides for the local economy and it’s a unification. People grow closer because it’s something they can do together.”

A Love for Showing and the County Fair

Natalie’s path to Miss Illinois County Fair Queen is rooted in her love for showing cattle and the fair. Sean Evans,

Natalie’s father, says when the family decided to move into showing cattle, he was at first focused on working with Natalie’s older brother. He didn’t realize was Natalie was quietly watching the entire process until she asked him one day to show Red Angus. That started a lifelong journey for Natalie. Along the way, Sean and Natalie worked closely with the Andras family, steadily growing a strong bond between the two families as Natalie began her beef showing journey.

Peri Andras, who is now one of Natalie’s closest friends, says the two grew close working cattle together. While Peri admits at first both she and Natalie weren’t sure they would get along, they soon discovered a mutual love for Red Angus that brought them together and forged a friendship.

“We’ve been showing cattle for at least seven years together,” Peri says. “We spent every summer together. She would buy the cow from us, we would keep it at our house, and she would come over every day and we would work cows together. Just spending that much time together made us grow closer.”

The Andras family was there when Natalie made her showing debut.

“The very first show where Natalie ever entered the show ring was at the Junior National Red Angus Show in Stillwater, Oklahoma,” Sean explains. “Her first show experience at the end of a halter was at a national show. She just went out and it was natural for her. She had the biggest smile on her face. Her face just lit up coming out of the show ring.”

Sean says as Natalie left the ring, he turned to his friend Will Andras who told Sean, “I think she’s been bitten by the bug.” He was right.

A Passion for Cattle Provides Important Life Lessons

“I will be the first one to admit, I’ve never won a big grand championship anywhere,” Natalie says. “I think it was my second or third year showing and I was at my county fair and I was in a pretty good-sized class. I got first place. I remember being so happy in that moment.”

Losses can be tough for any child in the showring. However, Natalie didn’t let that lessen her love for showing cattle. It just inspired her to work harder.

“What I love the most about showing cattle is that it has taught me humility and how to be humble,” Natalie says. “I lost a lot, but I also won too. I owe it all to being the person I am today. I appreciate the wins, but I also appreciate the losses too. There have been times where I’ve wanted to quit and times where I’ve wanted to cry but I just get up and remember that it will all be okay tomorrow.”

Showing cattle may have helped develop a sense of resilience for Natalie, but her drive and work ethic have been there her whole life. It also inspired her current journey to become a large animal veterinarian as she attends Murray State University, with plans to finish her education at the University of Illinois.

“She’s very driven,” Sean says. “As a child, Natalie was independent and strong-willed. She always knows what she wants. She’s very goal-oriented and she sets high expectations for herself. It’s something I’ve always admired.”

While Natalie’s family lives off the farm, they are very involved in her grandfather’s farm and active members of the farming community in Morgan County.

“We are fortunate that we were able to have her in agriculture,” says Sean. “We’ve been able to expose her into that. We’ve been able to stay engaged in the beef production with my father and my brothers. From an early age, she’s gravitated towards that.”

Connecting with the Industry

For Natalie, building connections with other in the beef industry has provided a multitude of opportunities.

“Junior Beef Association has allowed me to get involved at the state level, and even further to the national level,” Natalie explains. “I was a scholarship recipient this past year. Being able to show and see the junior board inspired me.”

After her involvement in JBA, Natalie went on to get involved in the Junior Red Angus Association. She served on the board from 2021-2023. She says programs like JBA and the Junior Red Angus Association are investments in her future. Plus, she’s made life-long friends by being involved in these organizations.

“Natalie serving as a board member of the National Junior Red Angus Association and the national show, and all the extra beyond just going in the ring with your animal, has had more of an impact than just going in the show ring alone,” Sean says. “It has given her some skills. And as I think about her preparing for a pageant, the ability to feel comfortable doing public speaking, or being asked to talk about a topic you aren’t familiar with, and having many opportunities to do that, put her in an excellent position to be where she’s at today.”

Natalie believes, serving on the board and going to national shows are vital to keeping the beef industry strong.

“At the end of the day for me, there is just something about cattle that sparks in me,” Natalie says. “Being able to serve on the junior board and go to different national shows really fired up that passion. I feel like we are just one big family. Nationally, there is one thing that we are all working towards and that is keeping our industry alive. With the challenges that we face every day, as an industry, we have our competitors, but when it comes down to it, we’re really trying to build each other up and support each other in order to all be successful and make our industry the best it can be so it can thrive for many years to come.”

Advocating for Ag as Miss Illinois Country Fair Queen

Natalie had always considered running for Morgan County Fair Queen, and finally went for it in 2023, winning the crown. Despite never entering a pageant before, she knew she would regret it if she didn’t go for it.

For six months after she won, Natalie represented Morgan County at the State Fair and in parades. Then, it was time for one of the biggest moments for a county fair queen – the state competition.

“The state pageant weekend was so much fun,” Natalie says. “Morgan County has some of the best fair directors in the world. They made that experience ten times better. I never felt once like I needed to win. I was going there to have fun. Then, on that Sunday of that weekend I was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair and it just soared from there.”

Illinois Beef Association is a sponsor of the Miss Illinois

Natalie with her dad, Sean.

Natalie and her friend, Peri, at a North American Junior Red Angus Event when they were younger.

County Fair Queen competition, which provides winners with an opportunity to visit other county fairs, talk with legislators and be a face of the State Fair to people across the state. The competition begins at the county fair level, and winners from each county go on to the state competition. Over the summer, Natalie visited 29 county fairs.

“As Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, you are an advocate for agriculture and the state fair,” Natalie explains. “The state fair is so important to Illinois. It showcases all of our agriculture. It also allows a place for people to learn, meet people and have fun. I think it’s important to have someone to advocate for that and be a warm, welcoming smile.”

Gracie Holt, co-director of the Morgan County Fair Pageant, helps royalty as they complete their duties as Morgan County Fair Queen. She says Natalie possesses all of the qualities needed for a fair queen.

“Natalie is the full package,” Gracie says. “I’ve always described her as sweet as a button, but also the most knowledgeable person in the room.”

Plus, Natalie’s passion for agriculture is an inspiration to girls across the state.

“She’s paving a road, especially back here in Morgan County,” Gracie explains. “We have never had a Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. She’s showing girls, especially back home, but all over the state that you can be smart, and kindhearted and all these other things while also being the brightest smile in the room. I think she’s showing those girls that it’s possible to really be who you are and also be the full package.”

Peri agrees that Natalie is a good role model for young girls in Illinois.

“Natalie is the most genuine person you could ever meet,” Peri says. “On her own, Natalie is a big advocate for agriculture. Agriculture is such an important part of our lives, and her advocating for that to these young girls who are looking up to her means those young girls are more likely to listen to her and take that to heart.”

Sean says watching Natalie speak to large crowds, truly being herself and taking on challenges is one of many points of pride from him.

“I keep being blown away as I see things,” Sean says. “She just makes me so proud. And just when I think it can’t get better, she just one-ups it. I see her out and about and there might be a small group of kids off to the side. I see her pull them in and go to them. She’ll take the time to talk to them, ask them how their day is going and what their interests are. And I see her do that all the time. That, to me, is what makes me most proud.”

If one of those kids Natalie talks to asks for advice from the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, she’d likely tell them to go for it and take every opportunity presented.

“All these little things in life add up to grow you as a person,” Natalie says. “I know when I was younger, I would absolutely dread doing anything my dad told me to do. However, I am so grateful that he pushed me to do those things and pushed me out of my comfort zone because I’m not really afraid now to do something and know that there’s a possibility to fail. When you take those opportunities and just try, you will get something out if it.”

Illinois District Show series

District Shows | August 17

NORTHERN DISTRICT

Grundy County Fairgrounds, Morris

SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Marion County Fairgrounds, Salem

EASTERN DISTRICT

Farmer City Fairgrounds, Farmer City

WESTERN DISTRICT

McDonough County Fairgrounds, Macomb

All State Finals | August 18 Farmer City Fairgrounds, Farmer City

Western, Eastern and Finale photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography; Northern District Backdrops by Bar S Photography & Design; Southern District backdrops by Double D Photography

Northern District Champions

Grand Champion Heifer

Angus shown by Colton Kies

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

Simmental shown by Chace Riley

Grand

Crossbred

Third Overall Heifer Charolais shown by Macy Hoag

Fourth Overall Heifer Commercial shown by Koby Kearns

Fifth Overall Heifer Hereford shown by Brynley Pyszka

Champion Market Animal

shown by Allie Baudino

Reserve Champion Market Animal

Simmental shown by Mya Miller

Third Overall Market Animal

Crossbred shown by Brayden Rapp

Fourth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Zac Wiggim

Fifth Overall Market Animal Hereford shown by Brooklynn Hulmes

Southern District Champions

Grand Champion Heifer

Grand

Mainetainer

Charolais shown by Maddox Robb

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Shorthorn shown by Maylen Kramper

Third Overall Heifer % Simmental shown by Claire Dorsey

Fourth Overall Heifer % Simmental shown by Emery Dunn

Fifth Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Kaolin Lewis

Champion Market Animal

shown by Lyla Mollett

Reserve Champion Market Animal

shown by Kaolin Lewis

Third Overall Market Animal

Charolais Composite shown by Lane Mollett

Fourth Overall Market Animal Shorthorn Plus shown by Blake Hanke

Fifth Overall Market Animal Maine-Anjou shown by Lily Emge

eastern District Champions

Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental shown by Connor Unger

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental shown by Kynzie Kelly

Reserve Champion Market Animal

Simmental

Third Overall Heifer Mainetainer shown by Andrew Talbert

Fourth Overall Heifer Angus shown by Lydia Leake

Fifth Overall Heifer Charolais Composite shown by Charlee Jones

Grand Champion Market Animal

Charolais Composite shown by Kaylin Nolte

shown by Dash Simpsen

Third Overall Market Animal Hereford shown by Makenzie Huls

Fourth Overall Market Animal Charolais shown by Sophie Trainer

Fifth Overall Market Animal Shorthorn shown by Knox Rutledge

Western District Champions

Grand Champion Heifer

Angus shown by Ella Eathington

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental Shown by Hailey Allen

Grand Champion Market Animal

Reserve Champion Market Animal

Maine-Anjou

Third Overall Heifer Charolais shown by Addison Fidler

Fourth Overall Heifer Angus shown by Macie Bartlow

Fifth Overall Heifer Simmental shown by Maci Brooks

Charolais Composite shown by Hailey Allen

shown by Addysen Link

Third Overall Market Animal Hereford shown by Kylie Gillespie

Fourth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Colton Foose

Fifth Overall Market Animal Chianina shown by Brayden Richardson

Illinois District show series

Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental shown by Connor Unger

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental shown by Hailey Allen

Third Overall Heifer Angus shown by Colton Kies

Fourth Overall Heifer

% Simmental shown by Claire Dorsey

Fifth Overall Heifer Shorthorn shown by Maylen Kramper

all state finale Champions

Grand Champion Market Animal

Charolais Composite shown by Hailey Allen

Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal

Charolais Composite shown by Kaylin Nolte

Third Overall Market Animal

Hereford shown by Makenzie Huls

Fourth Overall Market Animal

Hereford shown by Kylie Gillespie

Fifth Overall Market Animal

Maine-Anjou shown by Addysen Link

Better by Association

For 60 years, we’ve looked beyond the rows to help you grow more opportunities from every acre. Funded by farmers and focused on the future, we invest in promotion, advocacy, research and education to create profit opportunities and drive preference for soy from Illinois. Because together, we’re better by association.

MCDONNELL FAMILY OTTAWA, IL

Checking in with the Checkoff .

Your Dollar Does

A Beef Checkoff brand update.

This summer, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. released a brand update, complete with new fonts and colors, updated trademark rules, and guidelines for photography, messaging and more. This expansion does not change overall IBA branding outside of Beef Checkoff promotions. On the next four pages you will find a detailed description of the expansion and its implementation.

According to the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Brand Style Guide, the brand’s “story is deeply rooted in American values, emphasizing that the best moments in life happen around the table. Whether it’s a celebratory steak or a burger at a family cookout, each beef experience embodies enjoyment, excellence, and the promise

Expanding our brand.

THE VALUE OF A BRAND

Consumers show preference to brands they know

People more often pay premiums for known brands

With familiarity consumers will more likely remember the product

The more we use, the more it is recognized, the greater the brand equity

Brand Values – We believe beef transforms everyday events into joyful moments that invite real connection

Brand Purpose

WHAT: We responsibly raise beef to cook up joyful moments

HOW: By sharing stories that inspire, entertain and educate

WHY: To invite real connection

Brand Mission – We’re on a mission to champion every aspect of beef so you can appreciate where it comes from, savor its flavors and enjoy its benefits

Brand Vision – We see a world where beef is the leading protein of choice for everyone, everywhere

Brand Voice – What we say and how we say it

Joyful & Enabling

Warm & Inviting

Grounded & Educational

Neighborly & True

KEY BENEFITS OF USE

Communicates our key benefits

Creates consistency across touchpoints

Expresses emotional connection

Grounds our brand in storytelling

Simplifies brand executions Expands visual vocabulary

BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER IS TOP TIER

In a recent Checkoff funded study, consumers were asked about brand recognition for Beef.It’s What’sFor Dinner. as well as other food and commodity brands. When shown a variety of brands and taglines 67% of consumers say they recognize Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

VISUAL UPDATES

1) BLOCK LOGO

Standardized boxed-out logo eases applications in layout // increases legibility

2) NEW HEADLINE TYPEFACE

Protects our brand by eliminating the logo typeface from our consideration set // Sentencecase approach on headlines (Sabon) expresses our brand voice // Up to three words can be highlighted in brand color for emphasis

3) BLOCK TYPOGRAPHY

Mirrors new boxed-out logo and eases applications in layout // increases legibility // Allows food photography to remain vibrant

4) NEW COLOR PALETTE

Introduction of Off-White and Cream based on butcher and parchment paper // proportional usage of colors establishes warm canvas // a warm skewed secondary palette frames our product with versatility across our demand drivers

5) NEW TEXTURES SUITE

Introduction of wood, marble, paper, and prints based on a warm and inviting kitchen

6) NEW ICON SUITE

Introduction of a comprehensive suite of icons that unifies and expresses our brand voice // Establishes a structured icon-design framework to develop more as needs arise

7) PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE

Consolidates photo direction from multiple disparate documents // Establishes our photo direction as warm, welcoming, and natural

1 touchpoints

of lasting memories.” This invites us as staff and members of a state beef council, along with the 42 other beef councils, to celebrate our common passion for the “best protein around,” and encourage consumers to “savor every moment, one delicious bite at a time.”

The Federation of State Beef Councils approached rebranding by evaluating the history of the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand, a tradition of over 30 years. You may recall campaigns from the ‘80s and ‘90s with celebrities like Cybill Shephard emphasizing that beef was back in style, or the beginning of the phrase Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. in the classic commercials.

The new brand guidelines have yet to fully replace the previous guidelines. However, be prepared to see the rollout happen gradually throughout the next year. We here at Illinois Beef will continue to spread the messages of nutrition, sustainability, versatility and togetherness, as we promote the best protein available — BEEF! If you have any questions about current Illinois Beef campaigns email our Communications Manager, Devin Bollman, at devin@illinoisbeef.com.

Billboard (Nebraska)

Brochure

Billboard (Nebraska)

Johnny Reel of Congerville has been representing the power of beef in our diets. In representation of Team Beef, Reel has worn our Illinois jersey to two races so far this year and plans to run another five races before the end of the year. Here he is pictured at the Steamboat Classic 15K in June, where some spectators yelled “let’s go team beef” as he sped by. Thank you Johnny for being a great representative of our product!

Beef’s Top 10

Beef gives you the nutrients your body needs and the taste you love! See how beef’s essential nutrients work to keep your body going.

CHOLINE

supports nervous system development. IRON helps your body use oxygen.

VITAMINS B6 and B12 help maintain brain function and give you energy.

PHOSPHORUS helps build bones and teeth.

ZINC helps maintain a healthy immune system.

PROTEIN helps preserve and build muscle.

BEEF GIVES YOUR BODY MORE

A 3-oz serving of cooked beef, on average, provides 175 calories and:1

DV refers to Daily Value, the amount of a nutrient needed for a healthy adult on a 2,000-calorie diet. The %DV is the percent of a nutrient’s Daily Value provided by a serving of food. For example, if a food has 50% of the DV for protein, then it provides 50% of the protein an adult needs each day. Even if your diet is higher or lower in calories, you can still use the DV as a guide to whether a food is high or low in a speciﬁc nutrient.

NIACIN supports energy production and metabolism.

RIBOFLAVIN

helps convert food into fuel.

SELENIUM helps protect cells from damage.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Don’t be left unsatisﬁed. On average a 3-oz serving of beef provides half (25 g) of the Daily Value for protein,1 which is one of the most satisfying nutrients.

• Get your workout in! Exercise is more e ective when paired with a higher-protein diet.2

AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL BEEF CHECKOFF PROGRAM FOR THE MOST RECENT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD

2019 -2023 Return on Investment Study

To estimate the impact of the national Beef Checkoff program, in terms of additional benefits and industry returns, a market simulation model was used to calculate an average return on investment (ROI). For this study, the average ROI measured the incremental financial impact to producers and importers for each $1 invested1 in national Beef Checkoff demand-driving activities

WHAT WERE THE IMPACTS OF THE NATIONAL BEEF CHECKOFF ON BEEF DEMAND3 AND FOR THOSE PRODUCERS AND IMPORTERS WHO PAY INTO THE PROGRAM?

• The national Beef Checkoff had a positive and significant impact on beef demand in the U.S. compared to what it would have been in its absence. Had there not been any national Beef Checkoff demand-driving activities over the most recent five-year period (2019–2023), total domestic beef demand WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.4 BILLION POUNDS (8.5%) LOWER per year than actual results.

• The national Beef Checkoff had a positive and statistically significant impact on U.S. beef exports over the most recent five-year period (2019–2023). Specifically, had there not been any national Beef Checkoff program funds (along with other foreign marketing expenditures) spent on export demand-driving activities 4 , U.S. beef export demand WOULD HAVE BEEN 372 MILLION POUNDS (11.5%) LOWER per year than actual results in the seven major importing countries5 included in this study.

• Had there not been any national domestic demand-driving activities from 2019–2023, the steer price WOULD HAVE BEEN 7.8% LOWER per year than actual results.

• For every national Beef Checkoff program dollar invested in domestic and export demand-driving activities for the most recent five-year period (2019–2023), the program had a positive effect on beef demand, resulting in a total financial impact of $13.41 BACK TO PRODUCERS and IMPORTERS who pay into the program.

This study does not assess the impacts of Beef Checkoff program dollars invested at the state level.

2023 Broader Economic Impact Study

The impact of the national Beef Checkoff on employment, labor income, value added, gross domestic product (GDP), and tax revenue creation were estimated using a macroeconomic input-output model. These findings offer insight into the broader impacts of the beef industry 6 that are attributable to the national Beef Checkoff’s demand-driving activities.

WHAT WAS THE DIRECT EFFECT OF THE NATIONAL BEEF CHECKOFF TO THE BEEF INDUSTRY?

The percentages for domestic beef demand (8.5%) and U.S. beef exports (11.5%) were used to calculate the national Beef Checkoff’s contribution to the incremental increase in total revenue to the beef industry. Applying these percentages indicated that the direct effect of the national Beef Checkoff added an incremental $3.3 BILLION to the beef industry in 2023. The $3.3 billion incremental amount was achieved by higher domestic sales volume (8.5%) and higher export volume (11.5%) due to national Beef Checkoff domestic and export demand-driving activities.

of the national Beef Checkoff also increased tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels. In 2023, this amounted to:

WHAT WERE THE INDIRECT EFFECTS OF THE NATIONAL BEEF CHECKOFF TO THE BROADER GENERAL ECONOMY?

The direct effect of the national Beef Checkoff adding an incremental $3.3 BILLION to the beef industry had positive indirect effects to the broader economy 7 , including:

• Increases in U.S. employment by almost 47,000 PEOPLE.

• Increases in total value added by $4.1 BILLION in the U.S.

• Increases in U.S. employment income by $2 BILLION.

• Increases in U.S. GDP by nearly $9.5 BILLION.

• $34 MILLION in county tax revenue • $205 MILLION in state tax revenue • $504 MILLION in federal tax revenue Grand Total: $743 MILLION in total tax revenue.

METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH PERIOD & PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The Return on Investment & Broader Economic Impact Studies were conducted by Dr. Harry Kaiser in 2024. Dr. Kaiser is the Gellert Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University in the Charles H. Dyson School. Dr. Kaiser has been involved in the research of commodity promotion for 40 years and has conducted over 130 economic evaluation studies of domestic and international checkoff programs in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT STUDY

ECONOMETRIC MODELS

Econometric models were developed to filter out the effects of other demand drivers/factors (e.g., other protein prices, real disposable income, seasonal variables, etc.), which enabled the study to quantify the net impact that national Beef Checkoff demand-driving activities had on domestic and export beef demand.

Econometric models were estimated with beef demand driver/factor data observations from 2006–2023.

MARKET SIMULATION MODEL

Once estimated, the econometric models were used to develop a market simulation model, which was simulated under two scenarios: 1) baseline scenario, and 2) counterfactual scenario. The difference in beef demand between the two scenarios determined the ROI of the national Beef Checkoff for beef producers and importers.

The market simulation model utilized data observations from the most recent five-year period, 2019–2023.

BROADER ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY

The Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) was the input-output model used to determine the benefits of the national Beef Checkoff on the broader economy. Using 2023 as the base year, the IMPLAN model measured the incremental impacts of the national Beef Checkoff on employment, labor income, value added, tax revenue, and gross domestic product (GDP).

ONLINE ACCESS

To access the full ROI and Broader Impact Studies online, scan the QR Code or visit BeefBoard.org/ROIstudy

IN THIS ISSUE:

September/October 2024

President: Carla Jurgenson

Vice President: David Mool

Secretary: Clay Sellmeyer

Business Manager: Doug Turner

Past President: David Jenkins

Bureau County: Vaughn Kiner

Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager

Logan County : Carla Jurgenson

Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll

South Central: Richard Hurst

Wabash Valley: Shaye Harre

Directors at Large:

Sam Brumlevy

Brent Hinkle

TJ Curtin

Brian Hutchins

Kyle Buetke

Jeff Dameron

Chris Cassady

Clay Sellmeyer

Dan Naughton

Eric McClure

David Mool

Bodee Schlipf

Brad Evans

Tracy Rawlings

CONTACT

ON THE COVER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Registration Open for the 2024 Angus Convention in Fort Worth

Join the Angus Family in Fort Worth, Texas, for the American Angus Association’s national convention.

What better place to explore the future of the Angus breed than in a city built by the cattle industry. The American Angus Association® is headed to Fort Worth for the 2024 Angus Convention, Nov. 1-4. Cowtown will serve as a fitting backdrop to drive innovation, explore and shape the future of the Angus breed, and engage in education and conversation.

“We are looking forward to being back in Fort Worth for Angus Convention this November,” said Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities for the American Angus Association. “Cowtown certainly attracts cattlemen and women from across the country along with allied industry members.”

The event will kick off in a “Welcome to Texas” fashion with the National Angus Tour and Beef Blitz on Friday, Nov. 1. These ticketed events immerse attendees in the local industry.

The stellar lineup continues through the weekend with general sessions focused on providing producers with unique perspectives and a little food for thought to take back to the ranch.

A pillar of the annual convention, Angus University educational sessions will drive conversation around marketing, herd rebuilding, diversification, and succession planning.

Angus Convention is not just for Association members. Texas Regional Manager Radale Tiner encourages local producers to take advantage of the resources coming to their backyard.

“This is a great opportunity for both registered & commercial producers in Texas to learn more about innovations in our industry,” said Tiner. “It is also a great networking opportunity to share a bit about the great things we have going on in the state’s beef industry.”

All members are welcome to invite commercial customers to take part in the convention, connect with fellow ranchers and attend the educational session. Angus University will host an additional session focused on commercial operations.

Between educational sessions, we will celebrate the accomplishments of producers who have helped move the breed forward, elect the next Board of Directors, discuss the state and future of the American Angus Association® and explore new industry innovations at the trade show.

Join your Angus Family in Fort Worth! Together we celebrate tradition & explore innovation. Register today at www.angus.org.

Juniors awarded Angus Foundation scholarships, awards

Over $228,000

in scholarships awarded at 2024 National Junior Angus Show

What better place to explore the future of the Angus breed than in a city built by the cattle industry. The American Angus Association® is headed to Fort Worth for the 2024 Angus Convention, November 1-4. Cowtown will serve as a fitting backdrop to drive innovation, explore and shape the future of the Angus breed, and engage in education and conversation.

These junior members received the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Undergraduate Scholarship at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show, June 30 – July 7 in Madison, Wis. Pictured from left are Jonwyn Ayres, Ore.; Ryan Borer, Va.; Suter Clark, Va.; Jack Dameron, Ill.; Ella Jordan, Mo.; Rosalind Kidwell, Ind.; Paige Lemenager, Ill.; Blake Long, Okla.; Drew Mickey, Ill.; Alli Perry, Tenn.; Sydney Sanders, Ohio; Sawyer Styles, S.D.; and Lauren Wolter, Ill. Photo by Pearl’s Pics.

A group of ambitious young cattlemen and women from across the United States were awarded scholarships from the Angus Foundation at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show in Madison, Wisconsin.

Since 1998, The Angus Foundation has awarded more than $4.2 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

“The Angus Foundation is thankful for our donors that graciously give to support our upcoming leaders and their future endeavors.” said Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director. “We’re proud to be able to make an impact on so many of our outstanding Angus leaders.”

A five-member committee consisting of industry experts, Foundation board members, Angus breeders and National Junior Angus Association board members evaluates the applications. The committee considers involvement, participation, leadership, service, career goals and other criteria set forth in the scholarships’ fund agreements.

For more news, information and to support the mission of the Angus Foundation, visit www.AngusFoundation.org.

Angus Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships – $2,000

Reese Anderson – Chrisman

Audrey Curtin – Blue Mound

Anne Dameron – Towanda

Angus Foundation Graduate Scholarship – $5,000

Maddie Fugate – Oregon

Eric Schafer – Owaneco

Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Undergraduate Scholarship – $5,000

Jack Dameron – Towanda

Paige Lemenager – Hudson

Drew Mickey – Taylorville

Amelia Miller – Gridley

Lizzie Schafer – Owaneco

Lauren Wolter – Aviston

Mike McCravy/MM Cattle Co. Scholarship – $1,000

Adam Miller – Gridley

Joel Harrison Memorial Angus Scholarship (Champion Bred & Owned Cow/Calf Pair)

Anne Dameron – Towanda

Gary Brost Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Award

Audrey Curtin – Blue Mound

Drew Mickey – Taylorville

Pat Grote Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Cookoff Award (Intermediate Steak Team)

Charlee Jones – Gridley

Ella Bane – Towanda

Blake Wolter – Aviston

Danielle Alberts – Atlanta

Macie Carroll – Mount Carroll

Macie Bartlow – Macomb

Stan Prox Memorial Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Award

Mady Bergmann – Vienna

View results of the 2023 NJAS, including shows, contests, and other awards at www.njas.info.

– Written Olivia Rooker, Angus Communications

Find more photos of the scholarship winners on the 2024 NJAS results pages.

Six new green coats join the NJAA Board of Directors

Junior delegates elect new board members at the 2024 NJAS

Sitting ringside, an eight-year-old NJAA member attends their first junior nationals. They watch the show intently, taking in the cattle and the judges’ comments. As the cattle circle the ring, something catches the first-time attendee’s eye, an older junior member helping usher cattle around the ring in a green coat. It sparks a dream for the young member—to one day wear that green coat themselves as a National Junior Angus Board member.

It’s a story that resonates with many, including newly elected NJAA Board member, Anne Dameron. “At a young age, I was a little more intimidated going to larger shows. That quickly changed when a green coat came up to me,” Dameron recalled. “The board members have never failed to put a smile on my face and encourage me. From the very first time I saw a green jacket; I knew that serving on the NJAA board was something that I wanted in my future.”

Developing the next generation of industry leaders is a vital component of the NJAA mission. Each year, six junior members are elected to serve on the board, where they further develop their leadership skills and represent Angus youth. The new directors were announced at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show on July 5, in Madison, Wisconsin.

The newly elected board members will serve two years — the first year as directors and the second as officers. The new set

of directors includes Illinois native, Anne Dameron of Towanda. Alongside her fellow directors she will travel the nation, assisting at shows and conferences, supporting junior members during state and national events and helping to advance the NJAA mission.

Dameron grew up with Angus in her blood. She is a fourthgeneration Angus breeder. Dameron currently attends the University of Illinois where she is working toward a degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Pre-Med, with the longterm goal of becoming a physician while continuing to be an activist for agriculture in her rural community. She believes that the Angus breed has shaped her into the person she is today and will forever be grateful for the opportunities presented to her. She is looking forward to giving back and helping to create the same opportunities of other NJAA members to grow and develop.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better organization to be raised in. Being a part of the NJAA means being surrounded by individuals who dream big and have great passion,” Dameron said. “You are who you surround yourself with, and the NJAA juniors are the people to be around. I hope to inspire juniors to continue to dream big and work hard.”

To learn more about the NJAB, visit www.angus.org/NJAA/home/board.

– Written by Molly Biggs, Angus Communications

Paige Lemenager recognized as Outstanding Leadership Award recipient

Illinois junior receives the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2024 NJAS

Paige Lemenager was announced as the 2024 Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award recipient at the NJAS, July 5 in Madison, Wisconsin.

“I felt humbled and incredibly proud to receive this award,” Lemenager said. “I was proud that other people had put their confidence in me to continue being a strong leader.”

The award recognizes an NJAA member who shows integrity and serves as a role model to others within the association. Lemenager of Hudson, was presented with a trophy and awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

“To me, leadership can be the smallest interactions that you have throughout the day,” Lemenager says. “It could be a oneon-one conversation that nobody else sees.”

Lemenager is currently a state director but has previously served as president, vice president, show secretary and secretary for the IJAA.

She received her associate’s degree as an agriculture transfer student at Lake Land College in Mattoon this spring, while competing on their livestock judging team. This fall, she will transfer to Texas Tech University in Lubbock to study animal science with an agricultural economics minor and will be a member of Texas Tech livestock judging team.

Upon graduation, Lemenager plans to attend law school to become an attorney in estate and succession planning.

“I want to help farmers and ranchers, not only in my community, but in my state and in other states as well,” she says. “Just really helping people manage the legacies they’ve built, specifically shaping their futures for their families and future generations.”

In addition to her career goals, Lemenager said she sees her leadership continuing after her junior membership expires.

“Leadership was my way of helping others in the Angus family grow our breed as a whole,” she says. “I have a strong desire to give back one day, whether that be as a mother, whether that be as an advisor or a breeder impacting someone else’s life.”

First instituted in the 1990s, The Outstanding Leadership Award was created to acknowledge an honorable youth leader within the NJAA. In 2013, Bill and Betty Werner of Werner Angus of Cordova, donated $50,000 to establish an endowment fund and provide a scholarship for the Outstanding Leadership Award recipient in honor of their close friend, Jim Baldridge –a lifetime member and supporter of the American Angus Association®.

To learn more about the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award visit www.angus.org/NJAA.

– Written by Megan Clark, Angus Journal

Newly elected directors for the National Junior Angus board pose alongside second-term directors during the awards ceremony at the 2024 National Junior Angus Show on July 5 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Darrell Stevenson of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, presents Paige Lemenager of Hudson, Illinois the 2024 Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award at the National Junior Angus Show on July 5 in Madison, Wisconsin.

New education platform launches for Angus juniors

BEEF Academy, a new online learning platform hosted by Angus University, teaches juniors about the beef industry through interactive, 10-minute modules

A new online learning platform, BEEF Academy, launched in July for members of the NJAA. In the future, the platform will be available to other young people interested in learning more about the beef industry.

“I hope to see this program thrive within the ag industry,” said NJAA member Lyle Perrier of Eureka, Kansas. “I think this program can do a phenomenal job of giving people a good overview of the beef industry. It shows the information in a way that makes sense.”

BEEF Academy was created with support from the Angus Foundation, Ingram Angus and the American Angus Association®.

“The academy blends these organizations’ missions into an online learning experience built especially for young people interested in our industry,” said Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation.

The launch was celebrated all week long at the NJAS July 1-6 in Madison, Wisconsin. Exhibitors were encouraged to “Take the Pledge” and commit to taking advantage of BEEF Academy’s online learning modules. There was also a fun display in the trade show area that attendees of NJAS used for a selfie backdrop and for a chance to win prizes. Then, a ceremonial ribbon cutting was held on July 6 with representatives from supporting organizations.

“It was a really rewarding experience growing up in the junior Angus association,” said Jason Upchurch, a managing partner at Ingram Angus who took part in the ribbon cutting. “It was just an honor to be able to stand there and give back to the program that built the Angus relationships I have today.”

Upchurch said their decision to support the project was truly a team effort.

“Orrin [Ingram], David [Cagle] and I all work as a team at everything we do,” he said. “Orrin is very giving person, who loves youth and loves hardworking kids that put forth effort to make something out of themselves. With that combination along with Dave and I’s background, being part of the Angus juniors as we grew up, we felt like it was important to combine forces. We put our minds and resources together to have the ability to do something like this that gives junior members another tool to be able to gain knowledge about our industry.”

In the first set of modules, junior members learn about the five beef industry segments, and how they both compete and work together as part of our dynamic beef industry. Later this year, new topics will be added, including beef breeds & genetics and beef science.

Perrier, who helped pilot the program in the spring of 2024, said the content easily builds connections with learners.

“There’s a lot of visual parts within the program that do a good job of catching your eye and giving you something that sticks with you,” he said. “It’s not just a bunch of quizzes or lecturing. It’s actually graphic models, facts and stuff that shows regions it affects, which I think even amplifies the ties it builds with the people using it.”

Beef industry professionals help ensure the platform’s information is relevant and uniquely tailored to be a go-to resource. Experts including meat scientists, geneticists, and animal science professors continue to aid in the development of additional courses.

“It’s a great way to learn and do more and become more involved in the Angus breed or cattle business,” said NJAA member Cooper Murnin of Pompeys Pillar, Montana. “I enjoyed the imagery of it. It all tied in really well.”

The online learning experience caters to youth ages 8-21 and breaks content into 10-minute modules within three age categories.

Briella Humpert of Windthorst, Texas participated in the pilot test in the youngest age category. She said she thinks it is important for her and her peers to know about the beef industry for themselves, and the interactive knowledge checks were her favorite.

“I like how you had to match what you heard,” Humpert said.

All National Junior Angus Association members can now access BEEF Academy free-of-charge using their AAA login information at beefacademy.com.

“The BEEF Academy platform is really fulfilling a need for high-quality beef industry education targeting juniors,” said Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities. “It is complimentary to the events and in-person education we offer through the National Junior Angus Association and adds value to all of our members”

To learn more about BEEF Academy, visit https://qrco.de/about-beefacademy.

— Written by Sarah Kocher, Angus Communications

Show Results

2024 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show

Harrisburg, Pa. | June 7-9 | Judges: Britney Creamer, Colo., and David Dal Proto, Neb.

Photos by Next Level Images

Grand Champion Owned Female

SCC SFC Phyllis 324

Owned by Brenna Bartlow

Owned Reserve Intermediate Champion Heifer

DDA Northern Miss 2318

Owned by Max Dameron

Grand Champion Owned Female

Owned Senior Heifer Calf Champion

PVF Missie 3161

Owned by Ella Eathington

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

PVF Blackbird 3152

Owned by Adam Miller

Owned Reserve Junior Champion Heifer - Division 1

SCC HF 24K Lady 331 Owned by Addison Bartlow

Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

2146

Owned by Max Dameron

Reserve

Dameron C-5 Nellie 2145

Owned by Quentin Day

Dameron Primrose

Bred & Owned Junior Champion

Heifer

PVF SFA Blackbird 3303

Owned by Ashton Dillow

Intermediate Champion Heifer

PVF Proven Queen 3126

Owned by William Miller

Intermediate A Showmanship Champion: William Miller

Reserve Champion: Ella Eathington

2024 All-American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Junior Show

Louisville, Ky. | June 15 | Judge: Scott Burks, Ky.

Owned by Brady York

Calf Champion

Allstar Lucy 318

Owned by Luke Zimmerman

BNF Atomic 2302

Owned by Claire Kuipers

Intermediate Champion Bull BNF Cosmis 2304

Owned by Claire Kuipers

Photos by Next Level Images

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female York Farms Rosie 2319

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Bull York Farms Knight Rider 2259 Owned by Cody York

Bred & Owned Reserve Senior Heifer

Bred & Owned Junior Champion Bull

Bred & Owned Reserve

2024 All-American Angus Breeders’ Futurity Roll of Victory Show

Louisville, Ky. | June 16 | Judge: Randy Daniels, Ga.

Photos by Next Level Images

Reserve Grand Champion Female Henning BCII Sandy 3012 Owned by Brenna Bartlow

2024 Northern Illinois Angus Association Preview Show

Milledgeville, Ill. | June 23 | Judge: Breck

Gold Digger 954 Owned by Charlote Musser

Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair W G A Lady Nellie 16J Owned by Holly Marsh

Intermediate Champion Bull BNF Cosmic 2304 Owned by Claire Kuipers

Pioneer Breeder Blanford Pierce Family - Creston, Ill.

First Place Get-of-sire Luke Zimmerman - Camargo, Ill.

Debnam, Ga.

Photos by Casey Jentz

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

CK3 Barbara K69 Owned by Cylee Kirchner Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female DSM Sheza

Grand Champion Owned Female Betsy’s Lady FCL01 Owned by Cheyenne Handsaker

Res. Grand Champion Owned Female

CK3 Proven Queen L45 Owned by Macie Carroll

Grand Champion Steer

CK3 Alpha 352 Owned by Coehen Kirchner

Reserve Grand Champion Steer Ace High Mickey Owned by Cheyenne Handsaker

Senior Showmanship Champion: Cheyenne Handsaker Reserve Champion: Alyssa Miller

Intermediate

Champion: Macie Carroll Reserve Champion: Cylee Kirchner

Junior

Champion: Jocelyn Ruppert Reserve Champion: Caylen Kirchner

Champion Angus-based Steer Shown by Oakley Miller

Res. Champion Angus-based Steer Shown by Wyatt Swanson

Champion Commercial Heifer Shown by Oakley Miller

Res. Champion Commercial Heifer Shown by Rahfi Pfeuti

Pair of Females Macie Carroll

Reserve Pair of Females Coehen and Caylen Kirchner

June 30-July 6

Judges: Tim Fitzgerald, Ind., judged the bred-and-owned heifers and bulls, and bred-and-owned and owned cow-calf pairs; Brian Fitzgerald, Mo., assisted with the bred-and-owned heifers and bulls, and bred-and-owned and owned cow-calf pairs; Lydell Meier, Tenn., judged the owned heifers; Holly Gamble Meier, Tenn., assisted with the owned heifers; Chris Effling, S.D., judged the steers; and Alan Miller, Ill., judged the phenotype and genotype bulls and females

Owned Females

Fourth Overall Owned Champion Female

PVF Proven Queen 3025

Owned by Ashton Dillow

Heifer Calf Champion Division 3 Owned Females

PVF Missie 3161

Owned by Ella Eathington

Reserve Junior Champion - Division 2 Owned Females

Henning BCII Sandy 3012

Owned by Brenna Bartlow

Heifer Calf Champion Division 1 Owned Females

Seldom Rest Pin Up Gal 3223

Owned by Cody York

Intermediate Champion - Division 1 Owned Females

FCF Phyllis 358

Owned by Lauren Wolter

Reserve Junior Champion - Division 4 Owned Females

Seldom Rest Sandy 3012

Owned by Anne Dameron

Photos by Pearl’s Pics

Owned Heifer Class 23

Dameron Northern Miss 374

Owned by Paige Lemenager

Senior Champion - Division 3 Owned Females

Dameron C-5 Nellie 2145

Owned by Quentin Day

Bred & Owned Cow/calf Pairs

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Cow-calf Pair

Dameron C-5 Lucy 2242

Owned by Anne Dameron

Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Cow-calf Pair

DDA Northern Miss 2211

Owned by Reese Anderson

Bred & Owned Females

Fifth Overall Bred & Owned Champion Female

Blackbird 3152

Owned by Adam Miller

Bred & Owned Reserve Late Summer Yearling Heifer

Eathington Missie 171L

Owned by Ella Eathington

Senior Champion Bred & Owned Bull

Farms Knight Rider 2259

by York Farms

Bred & Owned Bulls

Grand Champion Steer

Curtins George 15

Owned by Christian Fischer

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Steer

Suits Marvel 3303

Owned by Connor Suits

Reserve Grand Champion Steer

Coor R2C Good Vibes 309

Owned by Christian Fischer

PGS Females

PGS Reserve Bull Division 3

BNF Atomic 2302

Owned by Claire Kuipers

PGS Bull Division 2

BNF Cosmic 2304

Owned by Claire Kuipers

PGS Division 2 Owned Heifer

WHM Primrose 3150

Owned by Blake Wolter

2024 National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest

Forty-two youth from across the country competed for top honors in the 58th annual event. Jill Harker and Curtis Bryant judged the individuals.

2024 National Junior Angus Show Scholarship Presentation

Since 1998, the Angus Foundation has awarded more than $4.9 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to Angus youth.

Illinois Representatives

Lauren Wolter and Reese Anderson

Fifth Place Overall Showmanship Honors Reese Anderson

Gary Brost LEAD Award From Illinois: Audrey Curtin(pictured second from the left)

Stan Prox LEAD Award Madaline Bergmann

2024 National Junior Angus Awards Ceremony

Junior members showcased their skills beyond the showring by competing in a variety of contests.

Angus Foundation $2,000 Scholarship

Pictured from left are Reese Anderson, Ill.; Audrey Curtin, Ill.; Anne Dameron, Ill.; Sam Greiman, Iowa; Hailey Jentz, Wis.; Avery Kimble, Colo.; Kaylan Kiser, Texas; Ava Leibfried, Wis.; Eliza Patchin, Iowa; Will Philipello, Texas; Elizabeth Rone, Miss.; Anna Scheurman, Ohio; Alyson Schulze, Md.; Bryanna Smith, Ky.; and Mary Wood, N.C.

Mike McCravy/MM Cattle Co Scholarship Adam Miller

Angus/Talon Graduate Scholarships Lindsey Decker (right)

Auxiliary’s Female Scholarship Winners

Second: Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound

Senior Division of Graphic Design First: Anna Johnson, Durand

Senior Division of Creative Writing

Third: Anna Johnson, Durand

Junior Division of Photography - Landscape

Third: Brianna Tebbe

Intermediate Division of Photography - Around the Farm or Ranch

First: Brenna Bartlow

Senior Division of Photography - Angus Cattle

First: Reese Anderson

Senior Division of Photography - Landscape

Third: Reese Anderson

Senior Division of Photography - People

First: Reese Anderson Reese Anderson also won fourth overall in the entire photography contest.

Senior Division of Photography - Around the Farm or Ranch

First: Laney Stephens

Junior B Division Public Speaking

Second: Macie Bartlow

Junior B Poster Division Second: Macie Bartlow

Senior Public Speaking Second: Laney Stephens

Career Development Intermediate A Overall Third: Addison Tebbe

First Place in the Intermediate Division of the Quiz Bowl Team: Claire Kuipers, LeRoy; Anna Parr, Mason City; Ella Bane, Towanda; Audrey Curtin, Blue Mound

Third Place Finish in Fitting Contest

Cohen Kirchner, Leaf River; Conner Suits, Rantoul; Jared Bressner, Graymont; Cody Robert York, Palestine

Skill-A-Thon

All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off

Junior Angus breeders translated their knowledge in the barn to the plate during the 2024 All-American Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off. The cook-off, put on by the American Angus Auxiliary, encourages young beef enthusiasts to learn more about the end product they are producing for consumers.

Junior Division

Third: Macie Bartlow

Career Development Intermediate A Overall First: Laney Stephens

Intermediate Roast First Place/Top Honors Orange-Lime Chuck Flap Roast: Addison Tebbe and Brianna Tebbe, Saint Rose; Madaline Bergmann, Vienna; Ella Eathington, Avon; Cylee Kirchner, Cambridge; and Claire Kuipers, LeRoy.

Intermediate Steak First Place/Top Honors Coffee and Cola Steak: Blake Wolter, Aviston; Ella Bane, Towanda; Macie Bartlow, Macomb; Macie Carroll, Mount Carroll; Danielle Alberts, Atlanta; and Charlee Jones, Gridley.

Senior Steak First Place/Top Honors

Suya (Peanut Butter Grilled Beef): Max Dameron, Lexington; Ella Brooks, Prophetstown; and Brenna Bartlow, Monticello.

Black Kettle Award

Anne Lampe, presenting; Brenna Bartlow, Monticello; Max Dameron, Lexington; Ella Brooks, Prophetstown

The ILLINOIS BULLETIN

PRESIDENT

Kevin Babbs

618-322-5880

VICE PRESIDENT

Craig Crutcher

815-289-2855

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

Noah Benedict

217-372-8009

nojo1132@gmail.com

TREASURER

Buddy Edenburn 217-649-0108

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Matt Anderson - 309-267-1410

Dave Biggs - 815-285-0227

Andrew Spinazola - 309-313-2191

Jimmy Bernard - 779-771-4687

Kim Carney-Rhodes - 217-899-4104

Chad Crane - 815-712-5739

Yale Young - 815-867-7333

Travis Meteer - 217-430-7030

Lucas Stumpf - 618-830-0971

ON THE COVER

Riley Rhodes shows his Hereford heifer during the junior beef show at the Illinois State Fair. Photo by Devin Bollman.

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE

In Southern Illinois, rain has still been very abundant in our area. This time of the year there will be very few complaints about that. However, in a ten day window in late July and early August, Salem had over ten inches. With all the rain and warm temperatures the crops are catching up as fast as they can and will hopefully salvage what has been a challenging crop year for us. The pastures are lush and green and the grass is plentiful, especially in my yard which needs mowing every three or four days. Speaking of mowing, it looks like we will have a window of opportunity to finally get some second cutting hay done this week. Illinois was well represented at the Junior National Hereford Exposition in Grand Island, Nebraska. Illinois juniors were not only competitive in the show ring with their cattle but also in the many other events that the “The Grand Daddy of ‘Em All” offers to the juniors. The Illinois Junior Hereford Association and their members and advisors continue to be a group that is admired by many other state organizations. Congratulations to all on a very successful JNHE!

As summer winds down so does the county and state fair show season. The Illinois State fair was definitely one of the cooler fairs to date in terms of temperature. Almost sweatshirt weather for some. Once again, what was hot at the ISF was the very competitive junior and open Hereford shows throughout the week. Congratulations to everyone that found their way to the backdrop.

As we start to focus on the fall sale and show season along with harvest, let us all be thankful for the many blessings we are granted in our daily lives. Let us not forget that faith, family, friends and Hereford cattle are what motivates us everyday to be better, do better and provide more for everyone.

Have a safe and blessed fall,

-Kevin Babbs

CATCHING UP WITH CORBIN

Greetings everyone,

Just as fast as it arrived, summer has passed us by. State fairs are almost entirely wrapped up, schools are back in session, fall calving season is just around the corner, and harvest will be in full effect in short order. Even though our agricultural way of life seems to not have an “off-season”, the impending months ahead feel like some of the busiest on the calendar.

Also scheduled into the last four months of the year are numerous opportunities for purchasing elite genetics across the region, and more specifically in Illinois. Many of the state’s top breeders are putting their best foot forward with the offerings being assembled for live and online sales alike. If I can be of assistance by viewing and appraising cattle that peak your interest, please let me know. Additionally, it is time to start preparations for the annual Hereford-influenced feeder calf sale that will be held Saturday January 4, 2025, in Carthage. As always, the crew at the Carthage Livestock facility is preparing for what should be a great set of Hereford influenced genetics to be offered to the public. If you have an interest in consigning to the sale, please contact Brent Lowderman or myself for more information. Program details and forms can be found on their website at www.carthagelivestock.com.

Corbin Cowles, American Hereford Association Territory 5 Field Staff

In other AHA news, we invite you to make plans to attend the 2025 World Hereford Conference that is being held here in the United States. We are excited to welcome our international friends along with many US Hereford breeders to Kansas City October 23-26 of next year. If you would like more information about the event and the activities/tours that will take place, please visit the AHA website at www.hereford.org where you can find a tab at the top of the homepage that will provide additional details. The staff in Kansas City has been working hard to coordinate a fantastic event, and we hope you can join us for a worldwide celebration of our Hereford breed.

I look forward to seeing many of you out at various events this fall! All the best,

-Corbin Cowles

Kevin Babbs, Illinois Hereford Association President

FACES OF LEADERSHIP

EVEN LEADERSHIP IS BIGGER IN TEXAS FOR HEREFORD JUNIORS

Don’t let the speed bumps become stop signs,” is how Matt Rush, Levelland, Texas, set the tone for National Junior Hereford Association members attending the 2024 Faces of Leadership conference in Fort Worth, Texas, July 28-31. Rush, a professional motivational speaker and artist, who comes from a Hereford ranching background in New Mexico, has a passion for bringing the next generation of leaders to the forefront.

The Faces of Leadership conference is designed to help NJHA members hone communications, team-building and other skills essential to becoming effective leaders. This year, 115 members from 25 states attended, including 11 from Illinois.

Conference participants enjoyed several unique learning opportunities during the event including:

An up-close look into Allflex USA Inc., and how their technology and data-driven solutions are shaping the industry.

also takes place during the annual Junior National Hereford Expo. It included representatives from 14 agricultural companies and universities.

“Faces of Leadership is a tool to not only build leaders, but to get these young people started on a successful career path. We hope they stay in agriculture, but whatever industry they land in after college, we want them to be armed with the knowledge and the skill sets to be successful,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association Director of Youth Activities and Foundation.

Livestock handling and processing presented by the Texas Christian University Ranch Management program.

Beef Quality Assurance and vaccination protocols presented by Merck Animal Health USA.

For the first time, the conference included Bridging the Gap, a unique career learning and networking event which

Participants also had ample opportunity for fun, including time in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, a visit to the Cowboy Channel studio and a customized tour of Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers play.

“It was easy to see the excitement in each participant,” says Salem Sifford, NJHA communications chair. “We had several new attendees and they felt welcomed and included in every event.”

The annual Faces of Leadership conference — for NJHA members 14-21 years old — is made possible by the ColeyMalir Leadership Endowment and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The 2025 conference will be hosted at the innovative Purina Research Facility near St. Louis.

Illinois attendees: Back row - Faith Benedict, Caden Perry, Jacob Fiscus, Nolan Lee; Middle row - Ellie Lehman, Kendall Boatman, Shawn Crutcher, Kade Boatman, Trevor Crutcher; Front rowDenton Stapleton, Clayton Stapleton

One hundred fifteen NJHA juniors representing 25 states arrived in Fort Worth, Texas, from July 28-31, bettering themselves and the NJHA as a whole. Here the group is pictured at Texas Christian University.

SHOW RESULTS

Illinois State Fair Open Hereford Show

Springfield, Ill. | August 10

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Champion & LOL Hereford Steer Owned by Makenzie Huls

Champion Horned Female

KJ TWJ Martini 936K ET

Owned by Paige Lemenager

Champion Polled & LOL Female

RF 8036 Vienna 14L

Owned by Emma Richardson

Reserve Champion Horned Bull & LOL

RGR 15F HR Leonidas 2L ET

Owned by Riley Rhodes

Champion Horned Cow/Calf & LOL PERKS Cato 5049 Cady 1124 Owned by Rhett Lehman

Reserve Champion Horned & Champion LOL Female

RGR Diana’s Star 628 11L ET

Owned by Stetson Storey

Reserve Champion Polled & LOL Female

PRCC Faith’s Katie 303L ET Owned by Faith Benedict

Champion Polled Hereford & LOL Bull

GB 249D Triple X 756 356L

Owned by Laney Stephens

Other Open Show Winners: Champion & LOL Horned Cow/Calf: Reece Entwistle, Reserve Champion & LOL Hereford Steer: AR VCR41H Harley 39k, Kinlynn Dryer

Reserve Champion Cow/Calf & LOL CF 21G Prominence 05H 212 Owned by Taylor Cole

Reserve Champion Horned LOL Female

PRCC LSC Lucy 301L ET Owned by Hattie Young

Champion Horned Bull & LOL CRANE The Boss 233 Owned by Ella Crane

Reserve Champion Polled & LOL Bull BANE Sire Misalot 234

Owned by Ella Bane

Horned Premiere Breeder Storey Family

2024 Illinois State Fair Junior Show

Springfield, Ill. | August 8-9

Third Overall Heifer Champion Horned Hereford Female

Shown by Paige Lemenager

Reserve Champion Horned Female

Shown by Stetson Storey

Fourth Overall Land of Lincoln Steer

Shown by Kinlynn Dryer

5th Overall Land of Lincoln Female Champion Polled Hereford Female

Shown by Ella Brooks

Reserve Champion Polled Female

Shown by Paige Lemenager

Fifth Overall Land of Lincoln Steer

Shown by Kyle Gillespie

Land of Lincoln Champion Aged Cow-calf Pair

Shown by Reece Entwistle

Other Junior Show Champions: Reserve Champion B&O Horned Female: Cory Stumpf, Reserve Champion LOL Female: Morgan Richardson, Reserve Champion LOL Horned Female: Riley Rhodes, Champion Bred & Owned Horned Female: Tenley Stollard, Reserve Champion B&O Female: Addison Duis, Champion Polled B&O Female: Morgan Richardson, Reserve Champion LOL Cow-calf Pair: Taylor Cole

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

July 6-12

Judges: Brigham Stewart, Kan., sorted the bred-and-owned bull show and steer show; Dr. Mark Hoge, Ill. and Clayton Boyert, Ohio, sorted the owned females; Kevin and Brady Jensen, Kan. sorted the bred-and-owned females; Jake and Kami Scott, Neb., judged the senior and intermediate showmanship contests; Sam and Morgan Wallace, Mo., evaluated the junior and peewee showmanship contests.

Backdrop photos by Next Level; Award photos by AHA Staff

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Bull

RGR 15F HR Leonidas 2L ET Owned by Riley Rhodes

Division II Bred & Owned Steer

Owned by Addison Duis

Champion Division II Polled Female

OTHER CLASS WINNERS

CONTESTS & AWARDS & SHOWMANSHIP

Top 10 Peewee Showmanship

L to R: Ella Weldon, Okla.; Saylor Norvell, Okla.; Copeland Paulsen, Iowa; Adalynn Grace Blankenship, N.Y.; Paislee Van Horn, Ind.; Cricket Collins, Okla.; Kendall Devine, Okla.; Blakely Storey, Ill.; Keaton Goss, Calif.; Davis Ward, Mo.

Peewee Photography - Hereford People Division

Third place exhibited by Hattie Young

Intermediate Photography - Hereford People Division

First place exhibited by Shawn Crutcher; Second place exhibited by Nolan Lee

Top 10 Intermediate Showmanship

L to R: Paxton Hovley, Idaho; Jase Beltz, Kan.; Avery Rowlett, Tenn.; Blayklee Stelzer, Okla.; Nolan Lee, Ill.; Emma Lynn, Okla.; Carly Kolterman, Neb.; Nancy Sullivan, Calif.; Kaisha Alber, Neb.; Josie Mares, Wyo.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Intermediate Photography - Hereford Cattle Division Third place exhibited by Nolan Lee

COOKING CHALLENGE

Certified Hereford Beef Cooking ChallengeIntermediate Division Second place dish prepared by Brogan Keltner

Kendall Boatman, Kade Boatman, Brogan Keltner and Morgan Richardson team up for Hereford bowl.

Hereford Bowl Contest - Champion Senior Team Brogan Keltner, Kade Boatman, Morgan Richardson, and Kendall Boatman

Hereford Bowl Contest - Champion Junior Team Cora Chapman, Ella Crane, Owen Crutcher, and Addison Duis

Hereford Bowl Contest - Junior High Point Test

Addison Duis

Advanced Speaking Contest - Intermediate Division

Second Place: Ella Bane, Towanda

ADULT BREEDER

Premier Adult Breeder

Purple Reign Cattle Company, Toulon

Three outstanding college-aged NJHA members were awarded the Golden Bull Achievement Award during the 2024 VitaFerm® Junior

Future Professionals Contest - Intermediate Division Winner: Kade Boatman

GOLDEN BULL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

JNHE Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 11 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Golden Bull Achievement Awards are given to three collegiate students each summer. This is one of the most coveted honors awarded at the JNHE, as these young people not only receive a bronze bull, but also a $2,500 scholarship to help further their education. The following are the 2024 Golden Bull Achievement Award winners: Blake Bruns, North Platte, Nebraska, Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Illinois, and Lydia Shaw, Caldwell, Idaho

Paige Lemenager is a junior at Texas Tech University where she is pursuing a degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural economics. After completing her undergraduate degree, Lemenager plans to pursue a career as an agricultural attorney. She hopes to serve as an advocate for farmers facing financial challenges.

“I recognize the abundant enthusiasm of the Hereford youth , therefore, I am honored to have earned the respect of my peers and been elected to represent junior breeders in Illinois,” Lemenager said.“To serve as a role model in the eyes of young members is an opportunity I value every day. No matter where I travel or the opportunities I seek, it is in the forefront of my mind that I represent my family, state association and the entire NJHA.”

PROSPECT AWARDS

The Prospect Award program recognizes junior members involved in the Hereford breed and agricultural industry along

1st place Boys 15-30: Trevor Crutcher

1st place Boys 14 & under: Crayon Chapman

3rd place Boys 15-30: Rhett Lehman

with their communities and schools. Prospect Awards are given to the most active and dedicated students in third through eighth grades.

Through this award program, juniors are able to showcase their hard work both in and outside of the showring while learning professional skills they will carry with them well beyond the JNHE.

“The NJHA and AHA work together to build a pipeline of industry leaders, and this starts at an early age with the Prospect and Junior Golden Bull Awards programs,”

Morgan Richardson was named Outstanding State Exhibitor for Illinois.

said Amy Cowan, AHA director of youth activities and foundation. “The NJHA is excited to have a record- high number of applicants this year for these prestigious awards, and we salute all of the winners and can’t wait to watch them continue to do big things in the Hereford breed.”

The 2024 fifth grade winner is Crayton Chapman of Seneca. Chapman recently completed fifth grade and enjoys speech contests, judging livestock and showing Hereford cattle. Chapman said he cannot wait to see where the NJHA takes him as he grows older and can participate in even more events.

“Now that I am a little bit older, I am finally able to understand what it really means to be a part of the Hereford breed,” Chapman said. “The lessons I can learn from this program will help me for many years, and I plan to keep growing my own herd and selling feeder calves to save money for college.”

He expressed that while he was hesitant to show his first Hereford heifer, he trusted his dad and is so thankful he did.

BixlerHEREFORDS

7115 E. 1000th Ave.,

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

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

Webel’s Wanderings Webel’s Wanderings

My last writing was directly after our state preview show in June, and now Illinois State Fair is in the rear-view mirror. Just like that, another summer has passed – as my oldest is now in college, I’m realizing that the number of summers that we have together with our kids are fleeting, and that I need to do a better job of stopping to smell the proverbial roses a bit more. Lucky for me, I have kids of a wide range of ages, so I have lots of time to apply the lessons I learn on this first one.

The 2024 Illinois State Fair will long be remembered as one of the most pleasant in history from a weather standpoint. Congratulations are in order to all of the exhibitors! The winners are pictured in the pages that follow. The Simmental breed was well-represented by a very deep set of quality cattle all the way through the purebred and low percent shows. While there are always opportunities to do more, it is noted that the Illinois Department of Agriculture continues to make improvements to the grounds and facilities to make the fair enjoyable and seems to be open to suggestions. As a board, we plan to submit some recommendations regarding the Open Show logistics and timing as well as other observations that we would like to see improved and addressed to the benefit of livestock exhibitors. I don’t know if we’ll be able to move the needle on some of those issues, but as always, if you don’t ask, they won’t know it’s a concern. I would like to express my thanks to the board members and association members who stepped up to assist at the ISF Open Show and for other needs during our week in Springfield. We will work to continue to make it a great experience for our members and junior members.

As we turn the page to fall, we move into cattle sale season, though it seems there are sales all year long these days. I attended my first live sale of the fall just yesterday, and the Simmental cattle were well received in all categories. It’s hard to beat the breeding flexibility of the Simmental cow, and there is a lot of demand for our products, both from a meat animal and breeding stock perspective. As a board, we want to support and promote the sales of our members, so feel free to reach out to any of us to come and represent the Illinois Simmental Association at your sale – we’re happy to come in support and give a welcome on behalf of the association.

Best wishes for an enjoyable fall,

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

Simmental Show Results

2024 Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show

Springfield | August 8-10

% Simmental

Reserve Champion % Simmental Shown by Breckyn Bloomberg

Champion Low % Simmental Young Cow-calf Shown by Brooklyn Welsh

Champion Simmental Young Cow-calf Shown by Grace Lemenager

Champion Low % Simmental Aged Cow-calf Shown by Ross Stabenow

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Fourth Overall Heifer Champion

Shown by Breckyn Bloomberg

Fifth Overall Heifer, Reserve Land of Lincoln Champion Simmental Heifer Shown by Lilian Unger

Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Jared Bressner

Reserve Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Jeron Johnson

Other Junior Show Champions:

Heifer: Ellie Drach

2024 Illinois State Fair Open Simmental Show

Shorthorn Show Results

2024 Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show

Springfield | August 8-10

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Champion Shorthorn Heifer

Shown by Kinlynn Dryer

by Alexa Turner

Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer

Shown by Maddox Reedy

Shown by Kesler Collins

Champion Land of Lincoln Steer

Shown by Chace Riley

Third Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Shown by Kyle Eathington

Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer Shown by Tanner Foose

Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer Shown by Alex Barnard

2024 Illinois State Fair Open Beef Show

Springfield | August 12

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Shorthorn Premiere Herdsman Turner Girls

Shorthorn Plus Premiere Herdsman Ella James

Champion Shorthorn Steer Katelyn Odonnell

Res. Champion Shorthorn Steer Knox Rutledge

Champion Shorthorn Female Laikyn Parchert

Res. Champ. Shorthorn Female Mark Gordon

Champ. Shorthorn LOL Female Alexa Turner

Res. Champ. Shorthorn LOL Female Ronald Moore

Champion Shorthorn Bull William Milashoski

Res. Champion Shorthorn Bull Cagwin Farms

Champion Shorthorn Plus Bull Hugh Moore Jr & Sons

Res. Champ. Shorthorn Plus Bull Nathan Northup

Champion Shorthorn Plus Female Kesler Collins

Reserve Champion Plus Female Grace Rincker

Lassie Queen Massyn Riggins

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

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

Advertiser’s Index

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1Perry GA, Larimore EL, Crosswhite MR, et al. Safety

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