2022-2023 BLA Class
Ben Lehman
Hanover, IL
Gage Hagen
Quincy, IL
Sarah Dirks
Moweaqua, IL
Trevor Maiers
Payson, IL
Adam & Rachel Harms
Chrisman, IL
Austin and Sierra Walter
Grand Ridge, IL
2023-2024 BLA Class
Dustin Holton
Sherman, IL
Jackson Matthews
Urbana, IL
Josiah Klokkenga
Lincoln, IL
Katie Spivey
New Windsor, IL
Leslie Walker
Danvers, IL
Logan Sarginson
Taylorville, IL
Dan & Betty Haynes
Petersburg, IL
A DAY OF RECOGNITION AND EDUCATION - A NEWLY STRUCTURED ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY STRIKES SUCCESS
by Devin BollmanThe Illinois Beef Foundation recognized the scholarship recipients for the 2023 year. With a record number of outstanding applicants, the Foundation awarded eight scholarships to the following individuals:
Reese Anderson
Chrisman, IL
Lauren Wolter
Aviston, IL
Anna Webel
Farmington, IL
Adam Miller
Gridley, IL
Lizzie Schafer
Owaneco, IL Eric Schafer
Owaneco, IL
Molly Biggs
Dixon, IL Paige Van Dyke
Louisville, IL
Nearly 200 of Illinois’ cattlemen and women came together in Springfield this past Tuesday for the 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony. From the annual meeting and Cattlemen’s Education Series sessions to the IBA office debut and awards ceremony, the day proved to be yet another success for Illinois beef producers.
Another Illinois Beef Association annual meeting has come and gone and beef producers from across the state head home with a wealth of knowledge and outlook for the upcoming year. The Artisans Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds was host to a full day’s event where IBA members engaged in meetings, educational sessions, networking and a night of recognition during the awards ceremony.
Retiring IBA President, Dr. Paul Walker kicked the day off with the 2023 Annual Meeting and commended his fellow retiring Board of Governors for their years of service to the association. Retiring board members included Jim Sundberg of Mendota and Andy Jones of Chapin, who have both served six years with the Policy Division, and Scott Wetzell of Tampico, who served six years as a Checkoff director and three years on the Executive Committee. IBA Executive Vice President followed with a presentation of significant program activities and achievements for IBA over the last year. St. Peters mentioned the success of new programs such as the Cattlemen Connect Education Series held in conjunction with the Beef Quality Assurance trainings across the state, a thriving and growing junior program and their new Illinois Junior Beef Tour, a growing membership that is more engaged than ever, and ever improving communications outlets, such as the Illinois Beef magazine and new e-newsletter, Cattle Concepts. Other achievements included Illinois Beef’s growing partnership with other commodity and industry coalitions, including Illinois Farm Families, the We Are the 96 campaign, Illinois Ag in the Classroom, and other various partnerships with Illinois Pork Producers, Illinois Corn Growers, Illinois Wine, and so much more.
Dr. Buzz Iliff, chair of the IBA nominating committee, announced the election of IBA’s new President, Dave Duzan of Lexington,
and IBA Vice President, Shannon Welsh of Blandinsville.
The 2023 Annual Meeting wrapped up and Master of Ceremonies, Steve Bridge of WFMB radio, guided the program into the start of the Cattlemen’s Education Series sessions, sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Corn Growers Association. John Herath, Director of Communications at the United States Meat Export Federation, led the first session of the day and covered international beef trade. Herath discussed different trade relationships and programs with other countries like Mexico, China and Columbia. Beef retail promotional programs funded by USMEF are
Following the excitement of the three Cattlemen’s Education Session, the IBA welcomed everyone to the office located across the fairgrounds in Building 30 for tours and a happy hour sponsored by Farm Credit Illinois.
The day concluded with the 2023 IBA Awards Ceremony, where the association recognized several dozens of valued members and their achievements. The inaugural Beef Leadership Academy class graduated from the program and helped welcome the new BLA class participants to the program (see above for class participants). Illinois Beef Foundation named the 2023 Foundation Scholarship recipients, along with hosting
Dr.Winners
Retiring IBA Board of Governors
Andy Jones - Policy Division, At Large
Jim Sundberg - Policy Division, District III
Scott Wetzell - Checkoff Division, District II
IBA “Valued Industry Partner”
Dave Wilcox, Kent Nutrition Group
Outstanding Junior of the Year
To recognize a member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association who exemplifies integrity, leadership and commitment to being active in Illinois’ beef cattle industry.
Paige Lemenager - Hudson IL
IBA Member of the Year
To recognize a member of the Illinois Beef Association that continually goes above and beyond to support the efforts of the Association, and demonstrates a commitment to the Illinois cattle industry, and its people.
Betsy Pech - Lincoln, IL
Environmental Steward of the Year
proving successful in the promotion of beef on a national retail level and enhancing the demand in export markets.
Cattlemen’s Education Series session II covered livestock marketing through cattle merchandising and fed cattle market outlooks. David Hales of Hales Trading Company traveled from Amarillo, TX to share with us his knowledge and outlooks of beef marketing. The final education session was an interactive panel discussion with Dr. Buzz Iliff, past IBA President and practicing veterinarian, Dr. Staci Slager, Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief of Animal Health and Welfare, and Laura Fidler from Fairview Sale Barn. The three engaged in conversations surrounding cattle identification and technologies, and more specifically, electronic identification devices.
Following the excitement of the three Cattlemen’s Education Session, the IBA welcomed everyone to the office located across the fairgrounds in Building 30 for tours and a happy hour sponsored by Farm Credit Illinois.
their Silent Auction to raise funds for the scholarship program. For the first time ever, Illinois Beef recognized a “Valued Industry Partner” or “VIP”. The award has been developed to recognize industry professionals and business partners who go above and beyond, putting their time and talents to work in support of the association and its missions. The inaugural VIP recognition was given to Dave Wilcox of Kent Nutrition Group.
IBA presented the 2023 Membership Awards to the following individuals and families:
Outstanding Junior Member of the Year went to Paige Lemenager of Hudson, Illinois.
IBA Member of the Year went to Betsy Pech of Lincoln, Illinois.
Environmental Steward of the Year went to the McManaway Family of Altamont, Illinois.
Commercial Producer of the Year went to Jakobs Bros. Farms of Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Seedstock Producer of the Year went to Cardinal Cattle Company of Wyoming, Illinois.
Farm Family of the Year went to the Andras Family of Andras Stock Farm in Manchester,
for their scholarship fund. The Illinois Beef Foundation is a non-profit corporation and operates exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, most notably annual youth scholarships that help passionate juniors continue their education. This years Foundation Board included Dr. Paul Walker, Wes Hornback, Carol Lock, Rick Dean, Joan Harrison, Curt Rincker, Sheryl Hopkins, Randy Faber, and Dan Kiesewetter.
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois whose natural resource stewardship practices protect the environment and contribute to productivity and profitability.
The McManaway Family - Altamont, IL
Commercial Producer of the Year
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the commercial cattle industry.
Jakobs Bros. Farms - Mt. Sterling, IL
Seedstock Producer of the Year
To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the purebred cattle industry.
Cardinal Cattle Co. - Wyoming, IL
Farm Family of the Year
To recognize a beef producer family in Illinois who has done an outstanding job in the production and promotion of beef and exemplified leadership skills on the county and state level.
The Andras Family of Andras Stock FarmManchester, IL
“Never settle for less than your best; know your limits, then break them; you are not finished when you lose, you are finished when you quit.”
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Paul “Doc” Walker Retiring IBA President