Red Angus Magazine - November 2026 by Red Angus Association of America

Beckton Red Angus 2026 Online Fall Production Sale Bidding Opens Nov. 19 Bidding Ends Nov. 21 On DV Auction

40 elite 18 Month Registered Red Angus Bulls 200 Commercial Red Angus Females

Your source of Total Balanced Performance Red Angus For generations, Beckton has been recognized as a leading breeder of Red Angus cattle, known for producing animals that have industry leading maternal traits such as calving ease, and robust growth - traits that enhance the success of commercial cow-calf herds. Our focus on wellrounded genetics and maternal strengths have helped us become the preferred provider for replacement females and for establishing and building productive cow herds.

17 of the top 20 sires in the entire Red Angus breed for Calving Ease EPD are Beckton sires or descended from Beckton sires 16 of the top 20 sires in the entire Red Angus breed for Average Daily Gain EPD are Beckton sires or descended from Beckton sires 16 of the top 20 sires in the entire Red Angus breed for HerdBuilder Index are Beckton sires or descended from Beckton sires 19 of the top 20 sires in the breed for low Birth Weight EPD are Beckton sires or descended from Beckton sires

80 Years of producing breed and industry leading Genetics

becktonredangus.com office@becktonredangus.com 37 Beckton Drive Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-6095

NOVEMBER 2026 Volume 62 | Issue 9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEPARTMENT COLUMNS 4 8 12 16 20 26 72 76 80 94 96

Letter from the Editor Board Commentary Association Commentary Breed Improvement Marketing Update Member Services Bulletin Junior Update Show Results Member News Calendar of Events Advertising Index

30 A STRATEGIC FALL SEASON FOR SUCCESSFUL SPRING CALVING

34 2026 RED ANGUS

48 DO RIGHT

44 THE MODERN MEAT

68 HOBBY FARM OR BUSINESS

CONVENTION RECAP

PARADOX

Understanding the consumer behind beef demand

Cover artwork by Luke Bolin

Red Angus Association of America Group: Red Angus Stockyard

Red Angus America

2 2

redangusamerica

RED RED ANGUS ANGUS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE // NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2026 2026

58 DINNER’S SERVED

Perry and Shelly Harrison prioritize Red Angus in farm to table beef business

Paul and Ginger Holton awarded as the 2026 Red Angus Breeder of the year

OPERATION?

Proactively tackling the hobby loss question

Remington Red Angus 13870 Remington Road Vale, SD 57788 Jesse Cibic 605-423-1144

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

COMMUNICATIONS CONVERSATION

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR

IMPACTFUL DECISIONS Written by Faye Smith

As a child the only thing I cared about most with our cattle operation was if we’d attend the National Western every January. Primarily for three things: Eat a crepe, help show a pen of bulls, and I could run up and down the old catwalk with my friends. I’ve always been a social gal, what can I say. Obviously I grew up. But, I still love people, I still love traveling to cattle events and I still will eat a crepe at a moments notice. But most of all, I have learned to recognize how growing up in the center of cattle country gave me perspective on the importance of decisions producers make for their operations. My family was quite different from our neighbors. We raised Shorthorns (I know, not the right type of red), my parents spent hours together making breeding decisions trying to produce bulls that could work in the show ring and for production operations, and I spent more time learning the importance of a pedigree than most children. But things quickly changed. As a teenager, my parents saw an opportunity

Affiliated with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Improvement Federation U.S. Beef Breed’s Council National Pedigreed Livestock Council

Faye Smith Managing Editor faye@redangus.org 316-249-4336

to develop our herd out of the show ring, and into a commercial operation. Instead of developing yearling bulls and heifer prospects in the fall, we transitioned to feeder calves and replacement females. This was a stark change to a kid who didn’t know any different, but my parents’ decision to transition the herd was made due to the ever evolving markets, customer preference in our area, and a goal to create an operation rooted in success in the feedlot. It took years of developing our genetics and cows to create cattle we were proud to sell through the supply chain. I learned the importance of backgrounding calves for success in the finisher lot, why we precondition cattle all spring and summer, and most importantly, how to create value for our cattle in the marketplace. The decision my parents made to develop the herd, and every management practice I learned from them gave me the opportunity to understand how important it is to set goals, and make decisions for the operation on behalf of them. Although their priorities changed, they still wanted to breed cattle that

would be successful with their end goal in mind. Throughout my first six months at the Red Angus Association of America, I have had the opportunity to meet and chat with countless producers who are proud of the cattle they are producing. All of their operations are different; the cow-calf producer, purebred show cattle herdsman, and the commercial cattleman, but they all have two things in common. Creating high-quality cattle for their operational goals, and championing Red Angus. This issue has highlighted producers that have developed cattle and operations rooted in success for the marketplace. From the pasture, to the consumer plate, the magazine content focuses on how Red Angus producers and influencers are cornering every segment in the beef industry. Throughout the 2026 Red Angus National Convention recap, and producer features, I hope you can see how important decision making has been for these cattlemen and women.

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE STAFF

GENERAL INFORMATION

Director of Communications Luke Bolin 870-754-1160 | luke@redangus.org Managing Editor Faye Smith 316-249-4336 | faye@redangus.org Industry Partnership Specialist Jennifer Hudlow 580-822-5339 | jenniferhudlow@redangus.org

Published 10 times annually by the Red Angus Association of America at the national headquarters (18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202, Commerce City, CO 80022). A non-political magazine dedicated to the promotion and improvement of breeding, feeding and marketing Red Angus cattle. Subscription rate: U.S., 1 year - $30; 2 years - $55. Canada and Mexico, 1 year - $44, 2 years - $82 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). International Air Mail, 1 year - $55; 2 years - $100 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). These rates are based on Third Class Bulk mailed from Jefferson City, Missouri. Add $20 per year for First Class.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING POLICY Advertising and editorial content are not limited to any particular class of product or subject matter. However, we reserve the right to refuse publication of any material not within the bounds of high agricultural ethics. While we devote the utmost care to the preparation of each advertisement, we cannot be held responsible for ads received after the ad deadline. Furthermore, the accuracy and content of copy received over the telephone is entirely the responsibility of the advertiser. No adjustment for incorrect ad copy will be considered for ads that are received after the ad deadline or that are placed over the telephone. All unused reserved advertising space that is not canceled by the advertising deadline will be billed to the advertiser.

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

PROVEN GENETICS. BUILT FOR REAL-WORLD PROFIT. For generations, Bieber Red Angus has produced cattle that excel where it matters most— fertility, calving ease, growth, maternal strength and carcass value. This fall, we're offering an elite set of registered bred heifers, cows, and age-advantaged bulls backed by one of the industry's most trusted breeding programs.

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NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

ASSOCIATION STAFF CONTACT

RED ANGUS

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 2012 S. Post Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73130 940-387-3502 | Fax 888-829-6069 RedAngus.org

ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP STAFF

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Greg Ruehle 720-916-1135 | GregRuehle@redangus.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Halla Ramsey Ext. 10 | halla@redangus.org DIRECTOR OF BREED IMPROVEMENT Larry Keenan Ext. 39 | larrykeenan@redangus.org DATABASE & REGISTRATION CONSULTANT Kenda Ponder Ext. 15 | kenda@redangus.org CO-DIRECTORS OF BEEF SUPPLY & MARKET DEVELOPMENT Troy Marshall 719-342-0001| troy@redangus.org Ashley McCoy 308-655-0748 | ashley@redangus.org DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Luke Bolin 870-754-1160 | luke@redangus.org

MEMBER SERVICES

REGISTRATION REPRESENTATIVE Brenna DeVoe Ext. 1 | membership@redangus.org

BEEF SUPPLY & MARKETING

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Cory Peters 402-418-2351 | cory@redangus.org Elizabeth Caskey 706-513-4951 | elizabeth@redangus.org Jesse Henson 828-734-3451 | jesse@redangus.org

IT & PROGRAMMING

DATABASE PROGRAMMERS Tom Ballard, Roy Sebastian and Praveen Seerapu

SHOWS

SHOW SPECIALIST Erin Dorsey 970-396-5420 | erin@redangus.org

EDUCATION

JUNIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR Taylor Dorsey 970-397-0356 | taylordorsey@redangus.org

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Samantha Corn 979-450-1819 | samanthacorn@redangus.org CREATIVE CONTENT SPECIALIST Jared Farley 509-520-3527 | jared@redangus.org MANAGER EDITOR Faye Smith 316-249-4336 | faye@redangus.org INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP SPECIALIST Jennifer Hudlow 580-822-5339 | jenniferhudlow@redangus.org

RAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Jeff Pettit | Sebree, KY jeff@diamondpcattle.com

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT AREA 6 DIRECTOR - GREAT PLAINS Jason Anderson | Oberlin, KS jasonea9@hotmail.com SECOND VICE PRESIDENT REGION B DIRECTOR Craig Bieber | Leola, SD craig@bieberredangus.com EX-OFFICIO Kyley DeVoe | Justin, TX kyley@3klandandcattle.com TREASURER / REGION A DIRECTOR Keith Hickle | Auburn, WA keith.a.hickle@gmail.com SECRETARY / AREA 5 DIRECTOR - NORTHERN PLAINS Stephanie Jung | Mina, SD lazyjbarranch@yahoo.com REGION C DIRECTOR John Langdon | Benson, NC johnlangdon5@gmail.com AREA 1 DIRECTOR - WEST George Murdock | Pendleton, OR murdockcattle@gmail.com AREA 2 DIRECTOR - MONTANA Craig DeBoer | Manhattan, MT ctredangus@yahoo.com AREA 3 DIRECTOR - ROCKY MOUNTAIN Ron Christensen | Sterling, UT hotshoeredangus@gmail.com AREA 4 DIRECTOR - SOUTHWEST Paul Holton | Cisco, TX holtoncattle351@gmail.com AREA 7 DIRECTOR - NORTHEAST John Kriese | Branchport, NY hereford@frontiernet.net AREA 8 DIRECTOR - SOUTHEAST Michael Watkins | Harrison, AR watkinscattleco@windstream.net AREA 9 DIRECTOR - MIDWEST Will Andras | Manchester, IL andras@irtc.net

RAAA COMMITTEE CHAIRS AFFILIATE PROMOTIONS Annette Steffan heartrivergenetics@yahoo.com

AWARDS Tena Ketchum | ketchum@midrivers.com BREED IMPROVEMENT / NOMINATING COMMITTEE Tony Ballinger | anthony.ballinger@adm.com CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS George Murdock | murdockcattle@gmail.com CONVENTION / INDUSTRY AFFAIRS Rob Hess | hessfarm@verizon.net FINANCE Keith Hickle | keith.a.hickle@gmail.com JUNIOR ADVISORY / RASF BOARD PRESIDENT Kyley DeVoe | kyley@3klandandcattle.com MARKETING Bryan Gill | bigredgenetics@hotmail.com RULES & REGULATIONS Johnny Rogers | jrrogers1968@gmail.com SHOW & SALE Will Andras | andras@irtc.net STRATEGIC PLANNING Kelli Brown | kelli@rabrownranch.com TECHNICAL Jason Anderson | jasonea9@hotmail.com

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ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

BOARD COMMENTARY

WEARING THE SAME BRAND Written by Craig Bieber

One of the greatest strengths of the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) has always been its people. That has been said at nearly every convention and meeting I can remember, and after many years of serving this association, including as a past president and now again as a board member, I still believe it is true. We are a breed built by independent cattlemen and cattlewomen. We are competitive by nature. We have strong opinions. We believe in our programs, our cattle, and the direction we think this breed should go. That independence has made Red Angus better. It has driven innovation, competition, debate, and progress. But it can also work against us if we are not careful. The Red Angus world is a relatively small one. We compete with each other, buy from each other, market cattle together, hire family members and former employees, work with cooperators, and serve together on committees and boards. Those relationships are going to overlap. They always have, and they always will. The real question is not whether relationships exist. The real question is whether decisions are being made honestly, transparently, and in the best interests of the association and the breed. I have been involved with RAAA long enough to know that suspicion, rumor, and sometimes envy have always existed in the background. I have seen it directed at large breeders, small breeders, staff, board members and presidents. When a member’s family member is hired, some immediately assume favoritism. When a director has 8

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

Craig Bieber Region B, 2nd Vice-President craig@bieberredangus.com

cooperators, customers, partners, or other relationships within the breed, some assume there must be a hidden benefit. When a successful breeder supports a decision that also helps the breed as a whole, the first question can become, “What is in it for them?” I understand why members ask questions. They should. But there is a major difference between asking a question and making an accusation. Every member should expect accountability from the people they elect. Directors should disclose conflicts and recuse themselves when appropriate. Hiring decisions should be based on qualifications and the needs of the association. Policies should be applied consistently. Good governance and transparency are not optional. I was reminded of this recently in my role as president of another cattle organization. An affiliate that had left years ago voted to reaffiliate after staff and leadership worked to rebuild that relationship. Afterward, I was accused by a member of having pushed the affiliate to bend to my personal will. The truth was far less dramatic. I had little to do with the process other than supporting the effort and attending the meeting where they voted to return. Did I want them back? Absolutely. But not for myself. I wanted them back because I believe our industry is stronger when we can speak with a larger, more unified voice. That accusation bothered me because it questioned my motives without knowing the facts. Like most people who serve, I try to advance the interests of the

organization I represent, even when doing so may not benefit my own business. That experience reminded me how easily intent can be misjudged from the outside. But fairness works both ways. We need to recognize that the bestqualified person for a job may happen to be the son, daughter, spouse, former employee, or relative of a member. A highly qualified board member may also have cooperators, customers, partners, or longtime friends within the breed. Those relationships do not automatically make someone dishonest or conflicted. In fact, the people we most want serving this association are often the very people with the deepest relationships in Red Angus and the cattle industry. We want successful breeders. We want people who understand commercial cattlemen. We want people who have built businesses, developed markets, worked with customers, served on industry boards, and built relationships across the country. Then, at times, we become suspicious of them for having exactly the experience and relationships that make them valuable. If we continue down that road, good people will eventually decide that serving is simply not worth it. That would be a loss for every member. Rumors also divide organizations faster than disagreements ever will. Large breeder versus small breeder. Board versus membership. Staff versus breeders. One genetic philosophy versus another. One marketing approach versus another. Those divisions do nothing to make Red Angus cattle more valuable.

Our competition is not the breeder sitting across the aisle at a board meeting or selling bulls in the next state. Our real competition is every other option a commercial cattleman has when deciding where to invest his genetic dollars. There is room in Red Angus for different-sized operations, genetics, marketing programs, and opinions. I have disagreed with plenty of people during my years of service, and plenty of people have disagreed with me. That is not the problem. The problem begins when disagreement turns into questioning someone’s character or motives without facts. Most people who step forward to serve are doing so because they care about the breed. They may not always make the decision I would make. They may see an issue differently than I do. But disagreement alone is not evidence of bad intent.

We need to give each other a little more grace. That does not mean looking the other way. If there is a conflict, disclose it. If there is a problem, address it. If a policy needs changing, change it. If someone has acted improperly, deal with it directly and through the proper process. But rumor should never be treated as evidence, and jealousy should never be mistaken for oversight. A breed association ultimately runs on trust. Trust between members and the board, trust between the board and staff, trust between breeders and commercial customers, and trust that even when we disagree, we are still trying to leave this breed stronger than we found it. I have had the privilege of sitting in the president’s chair, around the board table, and in the audience as a member. Those perspectives have taught me something important: leadership is rarely as simple

from the inside as it appears from the outside. Decisions often involve more information, more discussion, and more consideration than members may ever see. That does not mean leadership should be beyond question. It means we should be careful about assuming motive when we may not know the whole story. We can ask hard questions without assuming bad motives. We can demand accountability without creating suspicion around every relationship. We can compete hard in the marketplace and still work together to grow the value of Red Angus genetics. We will not always agree, and we do not need to. But after all my years in this breed, I still believe we have far more in common than what separates us. At the end of the day, we are all wearing the same brand. Red Angus.

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ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

ASSOCIATION COMMENTARY

PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER Written by Greg Ruehle One of my mentors over my nearly fourdecade career in association management, is a cattle industry leader from West Point, Nebraska by the name of Harry Knobbe. If you’ve spent much time with Harry, you would often hear him use the phrase, “Be willing to be part of something bigger than yourself.” This would describe his involvement in membership and volunteer organizations, ranging from his local church or schools, to the local, state and national cattle associations. For Harry, being a part of something bigger meant that he focused on how the impacts of a decision or policy change might affect all members of the group, rather than how it might impact himself, his family or his business. Harry’s dedication to putting the group first has made him a sought-after leader. As evidence of his true character, he rarely said no when asked to serve or support a cause he believed in. Today, many would refer to Harry as a servant leader, or having a servant’s heart. Those references would be accurate. But at the end of the day, Harry would humbly say that it never was about him, and again, refer to his saying, “being a part of something bigger than himself.” The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) is committed to the betterment of the beef industry as a whole, and to the breed. We accomplish this through the dedicated, voluntary effort of literally hundreds of people; Executive officers, board members and committee members to name a few. These members are asked to put aside their individual interests and “be part of something bigger than themselves.” After being in this position for just over one year, I can name plenty of examples where RAAA leaders give much more of themselves in their time and talent, than 12

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

Greg Ruehle Executive Vice-President gregruehle@redangus.org 720-916-1135

they can ever expect to receive in return. To each of you – past, present, and future; I tip my hat and say thank you. But times are changing, and the demands of a breed association also continue to evolve. Like other breeds, the RAAA has a primary obligation to manage a herdbook, along with the phenotypic and genotypic data associated with the pedigrees in the herdbook. The breed must establish and maintain rules for breeders to operate by, so that aggregated data has value in promoting breed attributes that guarantee continued growth in the influence of Red Angus genetics in the commercial cow herd. The breed relies on information provided by all breeders, from our largest full-time producers, to the producers who work a day job and run a handful of cows. Cattle prices are high, and the demand for outstanding seedstock pushes the prices higher. New technologies create opportunities for one herd to be differentiated from their peers. If that differentiation is created by comparing a producers animals to the entire breed, it carries a high-level of accuracy and applicability. (Ex: The role EPD’s have played for the past several decades.) If the new technology makes a comparison against only a small contemporary group, or creates a new method of evaluation that falls outside established breed-wide averages, it creates confusion amongst buyers, sellers and the breed as a whole. An example from the past: Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) vs. EPDs; are they the same, or is one more accurate? Two perfect examples of this transformation are the swine and dairy industries. Individual breeds (and their associations), play a diminishing to non-

existent role in defining and promoting their respective breeds. What were once examples of inclusion that defined breed association progress, these programs have fallen prey to privatized databases that only benefit a few. The beef-on-dairy phenomenon brings this evolution closer to home. Private entities gather data, evaluate results and create privatized tools for the benefit of a few, unlike breed associations operating for all. More importantly, these tools measure and compare only a few carcass characteristics, but ignore maternal traits such as birth weight, breeding or feed efficiency. This is a critical oversight that diminishes the core value of the most favored female, the Red Angus cow. Especially at a time when her influence in the rebuilding of the U.S. cowherd could be the most beneficial. What might feel like a slick marketing tool today, can become the stick used against the breed association tomorrow. To help alleviate this concern, RAAA is working with outside service providers to assure that when breeders request their genomic or phenotypic data be sent outside of the RAAA evaluation, that the service provider shares any information created from that data back to RAAA for inclusion in the breed-owned database and genetic evaluation. The request is for reciprocal treatment, based on mutual disclosure and sharing of data and genomic results. With the support of leadership, my time at Red Angus will be focused on “being part of something bigger than myself,” and to giving credit to Harry Knobbe for investing this mindset in me.

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By Tim Parks, DVM

Five considerations to fuel fall-born calves’ health The timing of calving seasons has tradeoffs, but fall calving is gaining in popularity in many parts. A University of Tennessee study compared 19 years of data from springcalving and fallcalving herds, and it found the fall calving season to be more profitable than spring calving.1 The higher prices of steer and heifer calves captured by fall-born calves were able to cover the higher feed expenses and lighter weaning weights of the fallborn calves. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons based on your situation, and keep in mind that managing fall calvers is different than spring calvers. From a health standpoint, here are five considerations.

1. Prepare for passive protection

While fall typically offers better weather conditions for calving, high temperatures can pose stress. Calves will likely have to endure fluctuating weather as fall turns to winter. Vaccinating cows prior to calving with a scours vaccine such as BOVILIS® GUARDIAN® will stimulate antibody production and result in higher-quality colostrum. Ensure adequate colostrum; calves need about two quarts of colostrum within four hours of birth and one gallon within 12 hours.2

2. Vaccinate early against viral and bacterial threats An intranasal vaccine helps provide disease protection at a young age while also avoiding the potential risk of maternal antibody interference. BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH is the first intranasal vaccine to protect against both viral and bacterial pneumonia. The modified-live vaccine protects against five of the major causes of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and can be given to calves as young as one week of age.

3. Don’t forget to deworm

Calves are highly susceptible to the detriments of parasites simply due to their lack of exposure. Internal parasites can decrease feed intake and impact immune function, including response to vaccination. Before turnout on winter pastures, deworm the cows and calves. Not all dewormers are created equal. SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole) offers several formulation options — all demonstrating a median efficacy above 99.7%.3

4. Preconditioning is worth it

A 2024 dataset from Superior Livestock Auction showed that VAC45 calves vaccinated with two doses of clostridial, two doses of five-way modified live virus and at least one dose of a Mannheimia haemolytica and/or Pasteurella multocida vaccine, and weaned at home for 45 days before delivery, added $8.46/ cwt compared to those receiving only one dose of vaccines and weaned at shipping.4 The calves also weighed more.

5. Fine-tune treatment protocols

Talk to your veterinarian to develop a plan to reduce disease incidence and severity. Knowledge of previous antibiotics used is important, as your veterinarian may choose a different class for this treatment. They may also recommend using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to address fevers caused by BRD. For more information, visit MAHCattle.com. Tim Parks, DVM Technical Services Veterinarian Merck Animal Health

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR SAFE-GUARD: CATTLE: Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Additionally, the following meat withdrawal and milk discard times apply: Safe-Guard/Panacur Suspension: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 8 days following last treatment. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours. Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in dairy cattle at 10 mg/kg. Safe-Guard Paste: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 96 hours. Safe-Guard Suspension: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours. Safe-Guard ENPROAL Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 11 days. For use in beef cattle only. Safe-Guard 20% Protein Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 16 days. For use in beef cattle only. Safe-Guard Type A and other medicated feed products (pellets, cubes, free-choice mineral, or free-choice liquid): Cattle must not be slaughtered for 13 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 60 hours Griffith, A.P., C.N. Boyer, G.W. Henry, J.A. Larson, S.A. Smith, and K.E. Lewis. 2017. “Fall Versus Spring Calving: Considerations and Profitability Comparison.” University of Tennessee Extension publication W 419. 2. Walz, T. The Importance of Colostrum to the Newborn Calf. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. March 1, 2019. https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/importance-colostrum-newborn-calf. Retrieved Feb. 6, 2024. 3. Merck Animal Health FECRT database with 14,506 samples from 600 farms; based on data through 2023. 4. Glynn T. Tonsor. Kansas State University. Evaluation of 2024 Superior Livestock Auction data. 1.

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NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

BREED IMPROVEMENT

HAIR SHEDDING RESEARCH EPD GAINS MOMENTUM

Larry Keenan Director of Breed Improvement larry@redangus.org

Written by Larry Keenan

When the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) released the Hair Shedding (HS) Research EPD in July 2026, the goal was to provide members with an early look at a potentially valuable genetic selection tool while continuing to build the dataset behind it. The initial HS Research EPD was developed by Dr. Jared Decker and Dotun Olaoye at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) using 1,975 hair shedding records collected on Red Angus cattle. Since that initial release, stakeholder interest has been validated with RAAA members submitting an additional 1,549 hair shedding records, substantially increasing the amount of information available for genetic evaluation. With the rapid growth of the dataset, Mizzou offered to conduct a second Hair Shedding genetic evaluation. RAAA welcomed the opportunity to see how the additional records would affect the Research EPD. The results are promising. One of the most encouraging changes was an increase in the estimated heritability of Hair Shedding. Heritability increased from 0.28 in the original evaluation to 0.33 in the updated analysis. Heritability is an indication of how much of the variation observed in a trait can be attributed to genetic differences among animals. The updated estimate continues to support Hair Shedding as a trait where producers can make genetic progress through selection. Several other statistics used to evaluate the overall health of the genetic evaluation also improved with the addition of more records. Perhaps the most noticeable 16

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

improvement, however, is the greater representation of sires used throughout the Red Angus breed. As additional hair shedding records have been submitted, the evaluation has gained information on progeny from a broader group of sires. That increased representation helps strengthen genetic connections across herds and improves the ability of the evaluation to compare animals throughout the Red Angus population. This is exactly why continued data collection matters.

RAAA’s policy for publishing Research EPDs remains unchanged. Members who have submitted Hair Shedding data can view HS Research EPDs on animals within their herd through REDSPro. In addition, all members have access to the HS Research EPDs for the top 20 actively used sires with the greatest Research EPD Accuracy. The improvement seen between the first and second evaluations provides a good example of how genetic predictions develop over time. A research EPD does not begin with hundreds of thousands of

HAIR SHEDDING (HS) Predicts differences in progeny’s ability to shed their winter hair coat earlier in the spring. Hair shedding is expressed in units of hair shedding score, with a lower HS EPD being more favorable. RAAA# 1147702

NAME RED HILL B571 JULIAN 84S

HS EPD -0.01

HS ACC 0.62

4604779

BROWN GTLS TITUS K6257

0.05

0.61

3483547 1190716 4299641 1670037 4275753 387580

5L GENUINE 1603-195C BUF CRK NICE’N EASY T189 WEDEL CORNERSTONE 0224H REDHILL T189 MEDAL 176A LSF SRR KING ARTHUR 0136H BECKTON JULIAN GG B571

-0.02 -0.29 0.05 -0.04 0.2 0.32

0.59 0.57 0.56 0.54 0.54 0.53

3958815

BIEBER CL ENERGIZE F121

-0.14

0.52

1736663 3521866 979031 1496928 414830 4333753 4465849 4641289 4658231 1017932 1379610

REDHILL 190Z JULIAN 271B REDHILL 84S JULIAN 215C BECKTON NEBULA P P707 REDHILL 28U RIPPER 132Y BROWN PRA PATRIOT G6291 G A R HIGH SECURITY JSF 4005 ALC WINDFALL BROWN IDEAL K1377 BROWN SW2W NOBLE K6728 PCC OH CASH CROP 4429P BROWN PREMIER X7876

0.04 -0.03 0.09 0.21 -0.30 -0.45 -0.07 -0.42 0.04 -0.17 -0.06

0.51 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.46 0.46

Registrations in order by accuracy number

records. It begins with producers collecting useful phenotypes, submitting those records and allowing the dataset to grow. Each additional record adds information. As records accumulate across herds, pedigrees and sire groups, the genetic evaluation becomes stronger and more representative of the breed. The progress made between the first and second Hair Shedding evaluations demonstrates how quickly a genetic evaluation can strengthen when members contribute additional phenotypic information. What began

with 1,975 records has quickly grown to 3,524 records, providing greater representation across the Red Angus population and improving several measures of the evaluation. RAAA encourages members to continue submitting Hair Shedding scores, including historical records that may already exist in herd records, spreadsheets or other management systems. Those records can be incorporated into future evaluations and help expand the number of animals, sires and herds represented in the analysis. The continued development of the

Hair Shedding Research EPD will depend on the same thing that has driven genetic progress in Red Angus for decades—member participation and quality data. As the dataset continues to grow, RAAA will be able to move beyond a limited Research EPD and work toward including Hair Shedding as part of the EPD profile for all Red Angus animals. Every additional score submitted today helps move Hair Shedding from a promising research tool toward a routine part of the Red Angus EPD profile— putting more useful genetic information in the hands of every Red Angus breeder.

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ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

MARKETING UPDATE

MAKING RED ANGUS VALUE VISIBLE

The Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium followed values from the pasture to the plate, ask how better information can bring the learning home.

Ashley McCoy

Troy Marshall

ashley@redangus.org 308-665-0748

troy@redangus.org 719-342-0001

Written by Ashley McCoy and Troy Marshall

Co-Directors of Beef Supply & Market Development

One animal. One set of breeding decisions. One set of management decisions. All supporting one producer trying to create value. That was the starting point for the Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium at the 2026 Red Angus National Convention. Rather than beginning with an industry average, a carcass report or a broad claim about the breed, the session asked the audience to follow one animal forward; From the production mating, through the commercial cow herd, feedyard and packing plant, into a professional kitchen and finally onto a consumer’s plate. At the end of that journey, the consumer makes two simple judgments: Was it worth what I paid for it, and would I buy it again? Every decision made upstream eventually has to survive that test.

What the market is really buying

The consumer, chef, processor and cattle buyer see the same animal through very different lenses. A feeder considers health, gain and conversion. A packer manages probabilities involving weight, quality, yield and consistency. A chef thinks about portion size, trim, labor, plate cost and whether the hundredth steak will perform like the first. The consumer decides whether the eating experience justified the price. Yet each of them shares something important: they must make a decision before the outcome is completely known. In that sense, the market is not 20 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

simply buying cattle or beef. It is buying confidence that cattle will perform, that a carcass will meet a specification, a product will work in the kitchen and that paying more will deliver more. That is why creating value and capturing value are not the same thing. Seedstock breeders may spend generations building genetic merit. Commercial producers may invest in health, nutrition and management. The value may be real, but, if the next person cannot understand it or confidently predict what the cattle are likely to do, the market cannot fully reward it.

“The genetics are already creating value. The opportunity now is to make sure the marketplace can see it and reward it with confidence,” - Ashley McCoy & Troy Marshall That space between the value producers create and the value the market can confidently recognize is the recognition gap. Closing it requires more than telling the Red Angus story louder. It requires evidence, consistency, useful information and relationships that make more of the value visible.

A commercial philosophy

Red Angus is well positioned to pursue this opportunity because its commercial philosophy is grounded in real environments and real markets. The goal is not to make every cow the same or to claim that one breed answers every genetic question. Red Angus believes in breed complementarity, heterosis and the flexibility of the commercial producer to build the cow that fits the environment and produce the calf that fits the marketplace. Match the cow to the environment. Match the calf to the marketplace. That philosophy means the tools built for commercial producers must work in the multi-breed world in which they operate. If Red Angus genetics are creating value within a crossbreeding system, the industry should be able to describe that merit credibly, document what happens downstream and use the results to help both breeders and commercial producers make better decisions.

From a value chain to a learning system

The session also emphasized that value has to survive the entire chain. More pounds, more marbling or more output can create opportunity, but maximum is not always the same as optimum. Carcass size, yield, consistency, fabrication needs and menu economics all influence whether an improvement made upstream remains useful downstream. The better question is not only, ‘How good can these cattle be?’ It is, ‘How predictably

Bringing the learning home

None of this replaces the cattleman. A score will not replace judgment. Data will not replace stockmanship. Technology will not replace knowing the cows, the country, the customer, or what works in a particular environment. The purpose of better commercial tools is to extend the usefulness of the genetic tools breeders already use and connect breeding decisions more clearly to economic outcomes downstream.

Done correctly, this strategy does not make THE RED ANGUS COMMERCIAL VALUE ARCHITECTURE the seedstock producer less important. It makes A Closed Loop, Not A Straight Line the breeder more relevant to what happens after a bull leaves the sale Create Value 1 ring. It creates a deeper Genetics + Management conversation with commercial customers. Not merely, ‘What kind of bull are you looking Preserve Value 2 for?’ But ‘What are you Persistent Commercial Identity / Angus Access trying to accomplish with your cow herd? Where will the calves go? What does that market reward? Value 3 Describe Genetic Merit Scorecard And what genetics give you the best opportunity to get there?’ That conversation Connect Value connects the three places 4 Markets, Supply Chains, Commercial Partners where producer value is created: genetics, management and marketing. Profitability Recognize & Reward Value does not live in any 5 Accurate Price Discovery + Market Alignment + Market Signals one of them alone. Profitability lives at the intersection. The system will only Expand Value 6 Best-Fit Management Practices + work if it is built with Commercial Intelligence breeders, commercial producers and market partners. It requires participation, connections from Value 7 Learn to commercial customers, Performance + Economics + Feedback shared outcomes, honest feedback and a willingness to learn Create More Value even when the evidence 8 Better Genetics, Better Management, challenges long-held Better Marketing assumptions. The question posed “The value already exists. Our opportunity is to at the beginning of the help the marketplace consistently recognize, symposium therefore communicate, reward, and learn from it.” remained at the end: If Red Angus cattle are to be more valuable The opportunity now is to make sure the ten years from now, what must begin changing today? The answer is not simply marketplace can see it, understand it and reward it with confidence. to produce better cattle or tell the story louder. It is to listen, measure, learn and bring the learning home, then make the next decision better than the last. The genetics are already creating value. VALUE COMPOUNDS WITH EVERY CYCLE

good can they be for the market they are intended to serve?’ That shift—from chasing averages and maximums toward fit, consistency and useful outcomes—is central to producing more of what the market can recognize and reward. The Red Angus Commercial Value Architecture illustrates the opportunity as a closed loop rather than a straight line. Genetics and management create value. Identification and program participation help preserve it. Commercial tools describe and benchmark it. Market and supply-chain relationships connect it. Price discovery and market signals recognize and reward it. Performance, carcass and economic outcomes then create learning that can return upstream. When that loop closes, the information generated by cattle does not disappear after the sale. It comes home and improves the next breeding, management and marketing decision. That is the difference between collecting data and building a learning system. The distinction matters. More data is not the goal, better decisions are the goal; Better mating decisions, better bullbuying and replacement decisions, better management and marketing decisions, and better purchasing decisions farther down the chain. This is why efforts such as Angus Access and Allied Access, commercial genetic-merit tools, GridMaster benchmarking, supplychain relationships and stronger data infrastructure should not be viewed as unrelated programs. They are pieces of an architecture designed around one simple principle: Genetics create opportunity. Information helps the marketplace recognize that opportunity.

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

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ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

MEMBER SERVICES

A PARTNERSHIP BUILT AROUND BETTER DATA AND BETTER SERVICE

Halla Ramsey, Executive Director of Operations halla@redangus.org 940-387-3502, Ext. 10

Written by Halla Ramsey

When the Red Angus Association of America first began working with UltraInsights, we knew they could help us improve the way data was processed and managed. What we did not fully anticipate was just how much that relationship would grow or how willing Becky Hays and her team would be to step into new challenges alongside us. As the days and months have gone by, our partnership with UltraInsights has continued to strengthen. What began as a focused working relationship within the Registration department has developed into something much broader. Becky and her team have consistently demonstrated a willingness to take on tasks that, at the beginning of this partnership, we never dreamed we would ask them to handle. A major reason for that growth is the customer-first mentality Becky has built within her team. It is evident in the way they communicate, the way they approach questions, and the way they work through problems. Their team understands that behind every piece of data is a member, breeder, or producer who is depending on that information to be accurate and timely. At Red Angus, we continue to place a strong emphasis on improving the member experience. Faster turnaround times are important, but speed cannot come at the expense of accuracy. Good customer service also means identifying missing information, asking the right questions, catching potential errors early, and helping members understand what is 26 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

needed to move a submission forward. UltraInsights has embraced that philosophy from the beginning. We are also reminded at nearly every Board meeting by George Murdock of the importance of building and maintaining strong partnerships like this. These relationships are not only valuable from a service standpoint, but they also support the overall function of the association. Having trusted partners with the expertise and capacity to assist in key operational areas creates greater flexibility, strengthens continuity, and helps reduce organizational risk. As our association continues to grow and evolve, these types of relationships become increasingly important to our long-term stability and effectiveness. We were pleased to have UltraInsights join us at the 2026 Red Angus National Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Becky hosted a workshop during the Commercial Cattlemen Symposium, where she discussed not only how UltraInsights works with RAAA, but also why proper data input and data management are so important. That conversation is especially valuable because good data is the foundation of so much of what we do as an association. Whether we are talking about registrations, performance records, genetic evaluations, or other programs, the quality of the end result depends heavily on the quality of the information that goes into the system. Accurate, complete, and timely data

benefits everyone. It helps reduce delays, creates greater confidence in our records, improves efficiency for staff and members, and ultimately strengthens the tools available to Red Angus breeders and commercial producers. Our work with UltraInsights continues to evolve. Within the last month, their team has expanded its support into our DNA department, assisting with results processing in an effort to improve turnaround times and help move information back to our members more efficiently. This is a great example of how the relationship has grown beyond its original scope. When we see an operational need, Becky and her team are willing to sit down with us, understand the challenge, and determine how they can help. We truly value that willingness. Partnerships are strongest when both organizations communicate openly, solve problems together, and remain focused on the people they serve. UltraInsights has continued to demonstrate those qualities in their work with Red Angus. We appreciate Becky and the entire UltraInsights team for their commitment, flexibility, and willingness to take on each new challenge we put in front of them. As we continue improving our processes, strengthening service to our membership, and building greater operational resiliency, we are excited to see where this partnership goes next.

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STOCKMAN’S FOCUS

A STRATEGIC FALL SEASON FOR SUCCESSFUL SPRING CALVING Written by Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist, Kansas State University, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry

The seasonal transition from fall into winter is certainly a busy time for cowcalf enterprises across the country. Lateseason weaning, pregnancy checking, making preparations for upcoming production sales, as well as fall-calving and breeding activities take center stage for many. Rapidly approaching is the start of the calving season after the calendar turns to 2027. If your females are bred to calve on or around February 1st, then we are now in the third trimester of pregnancy which represents a period of time that is critical for both the development of the calf in utero and future reproduction of the dam. In this column, we will review key nutrition and management factors that have significant implications on the success of calving and breeding along with practical approaches for strategically addressing them, with a focus on the spring-calving herd in latefall and early-winter.

Meet third trimester requirements

Once calves are weaned and lactation ceases, the energy and protein

TABLE 1.

requirements of the cow drop by approximately 30-40% depending on her level of milk production. As females advance in pregnancy towards expected calving, requirements increase and then ultimately peak at approximately 50-60 days post-calving as indicated by research to date. Energy and protein requirements during the third trimester are largely a function of fetal and placental growth, and research suggests deficiencies of these nutrients during this time may have negative implications on progeny health, performance, and reproduction in females. Target total diet intakes of 1.7 to 2.5 lb/hd/day of crude protein and 12 to 16 lb/hd/day of total digestible nutrients (TDN) as general guidelines during this time with appropriate adjustments for body condition score (BCS) and desired gain.

Focus on body condition going into calving

Accurately evaluating BCS provides: An indication of the previous level of nutrition of the herd and a prediction of

Energy required for a 1,350 lb dry, pregnant, mature cow to change BCS in last 60 days before calving.

CURRENT BCS

DESIRED BCS

TDN REQUIRED, LB

EXAMPLE SUPPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

14.5

30 lb. of native range + 3 lbs of dried distillers grains

27 lb. of native range + 5.5 of dried distillers grains + 4 lb of corn + 3 lb of alfalfa hay

27 lb. of native range + 5.5 of dried distillers grains + 6 lb of corn + 6 lb of alfalfa hay

30 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

future reproductive success. Early foundational research showed the length of time from calving to first estrus may decrease from approximately 90 days for cows in a BCS 3 at calving, to approximately 40 days for cows in a BCS 5 at calving. It is critical that females are actively cycling at the onset of the breeding season to provide the best opportunity for conception to occur early in the breeding season. Minimizing the length of time between calving and first estrus greatly improves the ability for females to maintain a 365-day calving interval. During the last 60 to 90 days before calving, weight and BCS can be added gradually and economically as it becomes more difficult to do so after calving due to the energy demand on the cow for milk production. Practical examples of feedstuff amounts

FIGURE 1.

CRP Forage Protein Content, Eastern KS (% DM Basis) 12

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

JULY APRIL

MARCH

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

MAY

JUNE

PHOTO COLIN MCINTYRE

MONTH

necessary to change BCS during the last 60 days prior to calving are provided in Table 1. Use your own costs and these values as a guide to determine what is feasible for your operation. Keep in mind that while

data suggest targeting a BCS at calving of 5 for mature females and 6 for first calf females, for optimal reproduction, once females are beyond a 6 the additional improvements are minimal. Additional

BCS resources from K-State Extension include: Beef Cow Body Condition Scoring - KSRE Bookstore and Body Condition Scorecord for Cattle - KSRE Bookstore.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

STOCKMAN’S FOCUS

Forage sampling is key

Knowing forage quality is essential to making informed nutrition management decisions. As indicated by data from a recent analysis of conservation reserve program (CRP) forages across Kansas (Figure 1.), there is significant variation in forage nutrient content due to season of the year and other variables (production and harvesting conditions, management, soil type etc.). While your primary forage base is likely different from what is represented in these data, the take home message is that forage nutrient content can be highly variable supporting the need for operation specific analysis. Proper sampling techniques and equipment are necessary to produce samples that yield accurate laboratory results. Consult an Extension professional in your area or a nutritionist for assistance with collecting and analyzing samples, interpreting the results, and diet or supplement formulation approaches specific for your operation.

Be prepared to adjust for severe cold stress

Severe winter weather increases cow energy requirements due to the need to maintain core body temperature. While it has been determined that energy needs increase in response to cold stress, there is no clear impact on protein, vitamin, or mineral requirements. A beef cow’s lower critical temperature represents the temperature at which once the effective (what it feels like) temperature is below, then she must produce additional heat to maintain her body temperature. Lower critical temperatures can be influenced by many factors including precipitation, hair thickness, and mud. Currently established lower critical temperatures for beef cows in a BCS 5 are 32°F if dry with a winter hair coat and 18°F if dry with a very heavy, long winter hair coat. A good rule of thumb to follow for adjusting feedstuff amounts to offset requirements due to cold stress is that needs increase by about 1% for each degree F below the lower critical temperature. For example, if the lower critical temperature were 32°F and her requirements were 14 lb of TDN per day, then needs would increase to 15.7 32 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

TABLE 2.

Example feeding scenarios for pre-calving and post-calving beef cows for offsetting additional energy needs due to cold stress 1 LAST 3 MONTHS POST-CALVING (base TND needs = 13.4 lb/day)

EFFECTIVE TEMP (°F)

ENERGY INCREASE, %

TDN INCREASE, LB/ DAY

EXTRA HAY NEEDED, LB/DAY 2

+EXTRA DDGS NEEDED, LB/DAY 3

32.0

22.0

1.3

2.5

12.0

2.7

5.5

2.0

4.0

5.0

2.0

-8.0

5.4

4.5

4.0

-18.0

6.7

3.5

6.0

FIRST 3 MONTHS POST-CALVING (base TND needs = 77.0 lb/day) 32.0

22.0

1.7

3.5

12.0

3.4

7.0

2.0

5.1

5.5

3.0

-8.0

6.8

5.5

5.0

-18.0

8.5

5.5

7.0

1 Assuming a 1,400 lb cow, dry, winter hair coat and 5.0 body condition score. 2 As-fed amounts of 56% TDN (total digestivle nutrients) hay at 90% dry matter. 3 As-fed amounts of DDGS (corn dried distillers grains plus solubles).

lb if the effective temperature were 20°F (32 – 20 = 12; 0.12 x 14 lb TDN = 1.7 lb TDN; 1.7 lb TDN + 14 lb TDN = 15.7 lb TDN). In this scenario, if wheat midds (73% TDN) where the feedstuff of choice then an additional 2.3 lb per day would be necessary to offset the energy demands due to cold stress (1.7 lb additional TDN needed ÷ 0.73 (TDN content of wheat midds) = 2.3 lb wheat midds). When adjusting supplement amounts in response to cold stress, avoid feeding more than 0.5% of body weight daily in grains to minimize risks of founder. Feedstuffs high in digestible fiber and low in starch like distillers grains, corn gluten feed, soybean hulls, or wheat middlings are preferred as they do not interfere with forage digestibility. Avoid large changes in daily supplement intake when adjusting amounts in response to cold stress and remember that sufficient access to fresh water is necessary to enable forage intake by cows which in turn

helps with subsequent heat production. Example approaches for mitigating energy requirements due to cold stress are provided in Table 2. Additional details on managing cowherds through extreme winter weather events including guidelines on lower critical temperatures are available at: Managing Beef Cows During Cold Stress - KSRE Bookstore. The key is being prepared to react to severe winter weather when it occurs, particularly for cold stress events that last one week or longer. As females approach calving, focus on ensuring the herd is either maintaining or gaining BCS and avoid BCS losses during that time. Take time to sample forages and make strategic nutrition decisions based on subsequent analyses as minor adjustments in feeding programs can have large impacts on overall costs. Best of luck to you all in the upcoming calving season.

FEATURES

NATIONAL RED ANGUS Convenion 34 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

RED ANGUS ASSOCIATION HOSTS THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Written by Faye Smith, Managing Editor

The annual Red Angus National Convention serves as the cornerstone of education and fellowship for Red Angus breeders and enthusiasts. Each year, members gather to attend the convention in conjunction with the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) annual membership meeting. This year 222 total participants visited the convention held at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. through September 15-18, 2026. Of those attendees, 87 were voting members, 1 participant joined from Canada and 92 were first time guests. Throughout the week, guests were welcomed to many industry speakers that focused on relevant topics such as data submission, consumer marketing and industry affairs. “I believe a national convention is the perfect way to bring those important topics to members in a first-hand manner,” said Executive Vice President, Greg Ruehle. “Hearing directly from the speaker and being able to engage in a follow-up dialogue is tough to replicate outside a face to face presentation.” Attendees were also able to attend association-led speakers such as the Commercial Cattle Symposium, facilitated by the Co-Directors of Commercial Marketing, Troy Marshall and Ashley McCoy. The convention additionally created a multitude of networking and camaraderie for guests. The Red Angus Trivia night, Awards Reception and Ladies Symposium were some of the highly attended social events during the event. “Time and again, I had attendees share they thought our convention was tremendous,” Ruehle said. “Whether they were referring to the speakers and topics, the entertainment, or the ability to interact with fellow breeders, the convention definitely struck a positive chord with those in attendance.” This year’s event made headlines for many departments within the association. From newly elected board members, to communications highlights, the 2026 Red Angus National Convention has created its mark in Red Angus history. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

FEATURES

New members elected to RAAA Board of Directors During the annual meeting of the Red Angus Association of America, membership voted on the 2026-2027 Board of Directors. Paul Holton of Cisco, Texas was elected as the Area 4 Director. Area 4 represents the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Holton currently owns and operates Holton Cattle Company, a family operation that includes a commercial cow-calf herd and growing Red Angus seedstock program. Area 7, Northeast members elected John Kriese of Branchport, N.Y. as their representative. Kriese is a third-generation beef producer, and is the co-owner of Finger Lakes Cattle Company. For over 30 years he has been an avid seedstock Red Angus breeder. Keith Hickle, Region A Representative, and Will Andras, Area 9 Representative were both re-elected to continue their service to the Board of Directors. Jeff Pettit, Sebree, Ken., was re-elected to serve a second term as President of the Board of Directors. Pettit’s vision as president is grounded in the association’s mission: “To provide our members and their customers with innovative programs and services, to continue advancing the quality, reliability and value of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced seedstock

Will Andras: Area 9 – Midwest Director used in the commercial beef industry.” John Langdon: Region C Director The RAAA recognizes Tony Ballinger and Rob Hess as retiring board members and appreciates them for their dedicated service, leadership and commitment to the association. The 2026-2027 Board of Directors is listed as follows: Jeff Pettit: President Jason Anderson: 1st Vice President, Area 6 – Great Plains Director Craig Bieber: 2nd Vice President, Region B Director Keith Hickle: Treasurer, Region A Director Stephanie Jung: Secretary, Area 5 – Northern Plains Director Kyley DeVoe: Ex-Officio George Mudock: Area 1 – West Director Ron Christensen: Area 3 – Rocky Mountain Director Paul Holton: Area 4 – Southwest Director Craig DeBoer: Area 2 – Montana Director Michael Watkins: Area 8 – Southeast Director John Kriese: Area 7 – The RAAA thanks Tony Ballinger (left) and Rob Hess (right) for Northeast Director their years of service on the board. Photo by Jared Farley.

The 2026-27 Red Angus Association of America Board of Directors. Back Row (Left to Right): Ron Christensen, Craig DeBoer, John Kriese, John Langdon, George Murdock, Paul Holton, Will Andras. Front Row (Left to Right): Jeff Pettit, Jason Anderson, Craig Bieber, Keith Hickle, Stephanie Jung, Kyley DeVoe, Michael Watkins. Photo by Jared Farley.

36 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

PHOTOS BY JARED FARLEY

Thank you 2026 RASF Fundraiser buyers and donors! Red Angus Stakeholders Foundation establish record-breaking fundraising At the 2026 National Convention, the Red Angus Stakeholders Foundation (RASF) made a substantial impact on raised funds for association projects for the upcoming year. Through events such as the Golf Tournament, annual Dummy Roping contest and the RASF Fundraiser auction, members are able to help fund RASF through its three main funds: General, Research and Development and Junior. As the biggest fundraising event of the year, the RASF Fundraiser raised over $104,495.15 to distribute through the three funding programs. “The success that we were able to have with all of our fundraising events at convention gave [RASF] more opportunities to do more for the association than we have planned,” said RASF President, Kyley DeVoe. “With

this year’s support it gives us the ability to invest back into the breed more than we thought we would be able to.” This fundraiser highlighted several membership donated lots that spanned from frozen genetic lots to jewelry to Red Angus memorabilia. The highest sold lots included a video and content package donated by the RAAA communications staff, and the Lot 1, Pick of the Herd. The Pick of the Herd is an honored tradition for RAAA members. Each year, an operation from the region that the RAAA Convention is held generously donates an animal from their operation for the purpose of donating to the RASF fund of their liking. Langdon Farms, owned by John and Eileen Langdon of Benson N.C., were recognized as this year’s Pick of the Herd contributors. The lot sold for $20,000 to

Seven Oaks Farm, LLC c/o James D. Robinson, Jr. Woodruff, SC, to contribute to the support of RASF and its goals for 2027 and beyond. “The Pick of the Herd gives us the opportunity to recognize individuals who go above and beyond in their support of the foundation,” DeVoe said. DeVoe encourages members to continue to be involved in the mission behind RASF to ensure the success of future endeavors for the association. “The Red Angus Stakeholders Foundation serves every member of the organization, I believe every member should want to participate in some way,” DeVoe said. “Investing in the breed and our own business is what this is about, continuing to pursue improving the Red Angus breed and the beef industry CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 is the goal.” NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

FEATURES

2026-27 National ad campaign “Run Reds” unveiled The fall season has been an impactful time for the RAAA Communications team. In addition to the RAAA Visual Rebrand, the department developed and released the 2027 National Ad Campaign, Run Reds. This campaign sets the tone for how the industry perceives the Red Angus breed. “Run Reds is more than a tag line, it is a declaration and truthfully something that already exists in our culture,” said Director of Communications, Luke Bolin. “For years cattlemen and women have used the statement ‘Run Reds’ in everyday conversation. It was now our job to turn that into an anthem to carry the breed.” The campaign was created by the communications department and was developed in part by the members of the affiliate promotions committee. Bolin attributes the success of the campaign to the essential feedback process from committee members. Led by Bolin, the goal was to premiere

the campaign during the 2026 Red Angus National Convention to create an immersive experience that would put all of the focus on the story being told in through the first short film. The ‘Run Reds’ film premiered prior to the RASF Fundraising Auction during convention and showcased how this campaign will be the epicenter of RAAA marketing efforts. “This campaign will serve the breed and the association for the foreseeable future. We want to make sure we leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of telling the story of why so many people choose to Run Reds,” Bolin said.

Advocate of the Year: Anne Kimmey, OK (left), Presented by Edie Tolar, OK (right)

Breeder of the Year: Paul & Ginger Holton, TX

Industry Service Award: Grant Keenen, AR (right), Presented by Kyley DeVoe, TX (left)

Commercial Producer of the Year: L to R; J.D., David & Karen Miller, SC, Presented by Raymond Prescott, SC.

John V. Robbins Distinguished Service Award: Chuck & Carol Feddes, MT (left), Presented by Craig DeBoer, MT (right)

Pioneer Breeder of the Year: Dan and Alicia Stickel, WV (left), Presented by Rob Hess, PA (right). Alicia not pictured.

38 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

PHOTOS BY JARED FARLEY LUKE BOLIN

We’d like to thank our presenters, staff members and attendees for making this convention one for the history books.

Want in on the action? Join us next year in Salt Lake City, Utah! September 6-10, 2027 NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

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FEATURES

The Modern Meat Paradox Understanding the consumer behind beef demand.

Written by Faye Smith, Managing Editor; Adapted from Molly Shelton, Vice President of Client Services, Midan Marketing

Consumer priorities

The modern beef consumer is sending mixed signals to producers. Shoppers are watching their budgets, looking for convenience and prefer transparency about where their food comes from. However, they still want high-quality beef on their plates. Understanding these conflicting priorities is essential for the beef industry. Because consumer dollars fuel the beef supply chain, purchasing decisions at the retail meat case ultimately influence the entire industry, from retailers and packers to feedlots, commercial producers and seedstock operations. Beginning in 2016, Midan Marketing has conducted three iterations of the Meat Consumer Segmentation Research – expanding to a fourth later this year. This research allows for understanding the different motivations behind meat purchases. 44 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

“Trends matter because consumer expectations are driven by them, trends map changing needs, and paying attention to them protects businesses from irrelevance,” “Trends matter Shelton said because Updating segmentation consumer research allows expectations Midan and its are driven by meat industry partners to base them,” their marketing - Molly Shelton strategies on active consumer behaviors, rather to price and less motivated by healththan outdated related claims. Classic Palates, the assumptions. According to Shelton, oldest segment, tend to follow familiar everything in the chain starts with purchasing habits, sale pricing and prefer the consumer. traditional meals. The research identified five consumer Shelton believes this segmentation segments: Connected Trendsetters, is essential to Red Angus producers Claim Seekers, Convenience Cravers, realizing what consumers find valuable, Committed Carnivores and Classic and how it empowers producers to make Palates. These segments represent how the informed genetics, management and even consumer behaves around the meat case. marketing decisions. Connected Trendsetters are She also explains producers can adventurous meat eaters who embrace capitalize and leverage the breed's new products and social media strengths to meet the surge in at-home recommendations. Claim Seekers place premiumization and value-added cuts. greater emphasis on health, animal “When producers understand the welfare and environmental considerations, consumer's ‘why behind their buy,’ they making them receptive to production can proactively align their production claims and certifications. practices, such as selection for marbling, Convenience Cravers prioritize tenderness, docility, and traceability, with affordable, quick meal solutions and real-time consumer demand,” Shelton may lack confidence in the kitchen. said. “It protects the beef supply chain Committed Carnivores enjoy meat from irrelevance in a rapidly changing and home cooking but are sensitive marketplace.”

JARED FARLEY

The National Red Angus Convention is a time for producers to reconnect with each other and relish in educational efforts relevant to the beef industry. With the association dedicating an increasing emphasis on how Red Angus can gain value in the retail beef space, the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) welcomed Molly Shelton, Vice President Client Services for Midan Marketing, to speak on the importance of consumer behavior. Her presentation, The Modern Meat Paradox: How shifting Trends Drive Shopper Demand, emphasized that consumer trends are more than passing fads. They represent sustained changes in behavior, attitudes and values that can offer an early look at future market demand.

Trends shaping demand

The presentation explored several trends influencing purchasing behavior. Despite record-high retail beef prices, demand remained through much of early 2026. According to research, June 2026 data showed ground beef sales increasing while volume declined, while other less expensive grind products from chicken and pork increased in both dollars and volume. During this time, the research suggests that prices were high enough that consumers traded down to these less expensive ground meat products. Consumers have also increasingly viewed protein as an important part of everyday nutrition and emphasize the thought that “food is medicine.” These purchasers have a growing interest in product claims on packaging, attributing the importance of these claims to the quality and health benefits of beef. Convenience also plays a role in purchasing behavior – the research states that most consumers spend less than 30 minutes preparing weeknight dinners. Shelton explains there are many ways to

connect with these consumer trends. One that connects with the younger target audience and the way technology and information seeking is driving decisions. “With over 50% of frequent protein buyers using digital and AI tools and 72% of Gen Z turning to social media for meal ideas, the association can support branded beef programs by delivering digital-first messaging that reinforces Red Angus quality,” Shelton said. Other trends include “Grandma Core,” cooking traditional comfort foods and using versatile cuts to balance cost and quality, and seeking restaurant quality at home.

The Red Angus message

These trends present an opportunity for the Red Angus breed to connect its strengths with what consumers value. The broader message Shelton presents is that cattle production decisions are part of a larger consumer story. How cattle are raised, cared for and fed can contribute to the way beef is understood and valued in the marketplace. When asked about her time visiting

with Red Angus producers at the RAAA Convention, Shelton was thankful that her presentation made an impact on attendees. “Several different producers approached me and expressed gratitude for the presentation. Many said they had been wanting this type of information for a long time,” Shelton said. She encourages the association and producers to continue effectively communicating its story across the channels and platforms where modern consumers are actively engaged. “As technology, digital influence, and consumer segmentation evolve, producers have a greater opportunity than ever to intentionally raise cattle that directly match what shoppers want,” Shelton said. For the beef industry, recognizing those overlapping consumer priorities is an important step toward remaining relevant. By understanding who consumers are, what matters to them and where they seek information, producers can better connect their work to the expectations driving demand.

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FEATURES

A simple principle has guided Paul and Ginger Holton from four cows in a 40-acre lease to the 2026 Red Angus Breeder of the Year Award. Written by Samantha Corn, Digital Marketing Specialist

There was never a grand plan for Holton Cattle Company to become what it is today. When Paul and Ginger Holton look back on more than two decades of building their cattle operation, they see opportunities, calculated risks and decisions made with a fairly simple standard in mind: Do right. For both Paul and Ginger, that means producing cattle that work for their customers, and being proud of them when they leave the ranch. But more importantly, it means treating people honestly and fairly, and making sure they know their business matters. Together, 48 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

it has helped shape an operation built as much around relationships and reputation, as it is the cattle themselves. This year, Paul and Ginger were awarded as the Red Angus Association of America’s (RAAA) Breeders of the Year. It is a long way from where they started. In their college days when Ginger met Paul, he was already laying the groundwork for his and their eventual future. Paul was determined to build a cattle operation of his own, and it was never a question to Ginger what he could accomplish. “That’s all he ever wanted,” she said. “Everything he has ever done, he’s had to learn himself, he studies and watches, he

The Holtons run approximately 650 Red Angus Influenced commercial cattle and a 300 head herd of registered Red Angus females. Photo Courtesy Ginger Holton.

listens, and he talks, he works constantly.” Starting small, Paul ran four cows on a 40-acre lease, purchased after putting his

truck up for collateral. From there, each investment became an opportunity for another, and nearly every dollar he could spare went toward building something bigger. “He started with nothing,” Ginger said. “He did everything that he could do to make money so he could buy cows.” That included making a decision that still makes Ginger laugh. Buying a set of cows with money from his family to pay for college. “We paid on his student loans forever,” she joked. “But that’s okay. It was a great investment.” From there came leased country, commercial cows and yearlings. Paul gained experience working as a foreman for a larger ranch and through his work with Superior Livestock Auctions, while Ginger built a career teaching agriculture and the two began raising their family. At that point, there was not a grand expectation for where the operation would eventually lead. “There wasn’t ever a vision for something like that,” Paul said. What he did have was a clear idea of the kind of cattle he wanted. Paul joked, “I would go bull shopping, I had a wine taste with a beer budget.”

One step led to another

The move into the Red Angus breed wasn’t part of a carefully mapped-out plan. Like much of Holton Cattle Company’s early growth, it started with a practical need. “We started raising our own bulls because we couldn’t afford to buy the bulls we wanted,” Ginger said. This is where Red Angus came into play. They caught Paul’s attention in part because he wanted to do something different than what was common around them. What began as a way to raise cattle for their own commercial operation gradually gained momentum. The Holtons continued investing in that side of the business, including selling 100 commercial cows as they began building their registered herd. There were successes, mistakes and plenty to learn, but no single moment when the Holtons decided the operation needed to become what it is today.

Instead, one step seemed to create the opportunity for the next “He had some Red Angus bulls he really likes, so he bought some cows and that just kind of started it, and it snowballed from there because we really liked the cows,” Ginger said. Although Red Angus began as a solution for their own commercial herd, running reds had become another side of Holton Cattle Company almost organically. “[The Red Angus cattle] just grew and grew a lot faster than we probably had planned,” Ginger said. Looking back, that same pattern can be seen throughout much of the Holtons’ story. There was no blueprint laying out where they would be decades later. There was the next opportunity, the next decision and a willingness to learn as they went. And through it all, Paul and Ginger were building more than a cattle operation. They were building a life and raising a family alongside it.

Building it together

life they were building alongside it. The challenging seasons, she said, ultimately brought them closer. “I think [the ranch] made us close as a couple and as a family,” she said. Their partnership entered a new chapter when Ginger stepped away from teaching and became more involved in Holton Cattle Company full time. For the first time in over two decades, they weren’t simply building the same operation from different directions. They were working in it together every day. That required adjustment. For most of those years, Paul was able to make most of the day-to-day decisions himself. Ginger’s time spent in teaching allowed her to bring a different perspective to the ranch. As time has gone on, they have learned where each fits best. With Paul’s day job frequently taking him on the road, Ginger has taken greater responsibility for the cattle at home, particularly feeding and caring for weaned cattle, along with DNA, registration work and sale planning. And some responsibilities have become unmistakably hers. Paul recounted a time where he

For much of their marriage, their contributions to the ranch looked different. Paul dedicated his career to working for Superior and building their cattle operation, while Ginger spent 23 years teaching agriculture, and much of that same time raising their three children. Ginger is quick to give Paul much of the credit for growing the operation during those years, but their roles were never a measure of who was more invested in what they were building. Their responsibilities Top: The Holton family from Left to Right. Carter, Dixon Sinclair, Paul, may have looked Ginger, Claire, Becky, and Casey. different, but for Bottom: Holton Cattle Company’s ranch has grown tremendously throughout the years. The Holtons are thankful for the assistance from Ginger, the ranch’s employees, family and friends to ensure the success of the ranch. growth is difficult Photos Courtesy Ginger Holton. to separate from the NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

FEATURES

Do right

The words have come to describe much of the Holtons’ approach originated with Ginger’s father, a long time agricultural educator. “He had one rule, and it was ‘Do right.’ That’s it,” Ginger said. “He just had it on his board, just do right.” It became something she carried with her. “Always try to do what’s right,” she said. “That’s what I’ve always lived by. That’s what we live by, just always try to do the right thing.” When it comes to Paul, that principle is closely tied to relationships and trust. “We’re in a customer relation business,” he said. “The cattle industry is just that, whether you think so or not.” Ginger has watched that same philosophy anchor throughout their marriage. Before the Holtons held their own sale, Paul kept a book with the price he

thought was appropriate for each animal he offered private treaty. If a customer selected one of the less expensive animals, he didn’t change the price simply because they had chosen it. To Ginger, those small moments reveal something much larger about him. “He helps a lot of people, but no one ever knows it,” she said. “He’s instilled that in our kids just by watching him without ever having to say it.” Paul’s 25 years working with Superior Livestock have only reinforced his belief in those relationships. Marketing someone’s calf crop, he said, means being entrusted with something that may represent that producer’s entire income for the year. Ginger has come to the same conclusion through their involvement with Red Angus. “It’s more about the people than it is about the cattle,” she said. When asked how she hopes people remember Holton Cattle Company, she wants the cattle to matter. However, she wants people to know they were treated fairly, that their business mattered and that they can call when they need something. Her summary puts it simply: “Just raising and selling good cattle, but building better relationships with people.”

Recognition along the way

About four years ago, at one of Ginger’s first National Red Angus Conventions,

“That’s what I’ve always lived by. That’s what we live by, just always try to do the right thing.” - Ginger Holton

50 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

GINGER HOLTON

returned after two weeks of traveling on work, Ginger made one of those boundaries clear. “She said ‘You don’t feed. You don’t mess with my bulls,’” Paul recalled. The exchange is comical, but the sentiment reflects how their partnership has evolved. Through the growth of their business also comes the growth of their family. Naturally, the hope for their eventual involvement on the family ranch has grown as well.

she watched the RAAA recognize its Breeder of the Year. It was then when she knew what she wanted to work toward. Paul being less convinced of the possibility maintained the charge forward with their initial goals in mind. Breeder of the Year wasn’t something they began working toward. But after Holton Cattle Company earned a GridMaster Award in 2024, a goal Paul had set, Ginger reminded him of hers. “She said ‘We won the Gridmaster award. I want to work toward the Breeder of the Year,’” Paul recalls.. His motive with their operation didn’t change but the growth of it did. In 2026 that work ethic garnered recognition. Ginger was excited, but also humbled by the recognition and the many Red Angus breeders she believed were equally deserving. More than anything, she was proud of the work she had watched Paul put into the operation. Paul’s first reaction was disbelief. For him, the significance wasn’t simply in receiving an award. “That means a lot for someone to even think of your operation enough to nominate you,” he said.

Something worth passing on

Today, Paul hopes Holton Cattle Company will be known for functional cattle that work in the real world, but even more so, he hopes it will be known for a family that is willing to stand behind them. He hopes their children will eventually take on more responsibility, though he is quick to clarify. “I don’t ever plan to retire.” Whatever comes next will likely unfold much like everything before it: one decision, one opportunity and one step at a time. Certainly, there will be a few more disagreements over who gets to feed the bulls too. But the standard beneath it all remains simple. Four cows became a commercial herd. A need to raise their own bulls grew into a registered Red Angus operation. Customers became friends. A young couple building a life together became the 2026 Red Angus Breeders of the Year. The scale changed. The principle didn’t. Do right.

ED-

Land

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NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 14TH, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2026 2026 Dacotah Bank Center brookings, south dakota live auction @ 1 pm

mnraa annual banquet friday, nov 13th, 6 pm

2026 embryos sell!

she sells!

on the s Red airie

she sells!

Where Premier RED ANGUS GENETICS BEGIN.

featuring

$25,000 Junior Futurity Show

she sells!

641/919-1077 | REDCOWSELLER@YAHOO.COM

GILCHRIST AUCTION CO KYLE GILCHRIST, SALE MANAGER & AUCTIONEER

VOL. II

P ROV E N G E N E T IC S | R E A L OP P ORT U N I T I E S S AT U R DAY,

N OV E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 2 6 1 P. M . | AT T H E R A N C H | HOBA RT, OK L I V E S A L E S E V E N T | HO S T E D B Y

RED ANGUS BULLS

Selling 90 Lots

RED ANGUS BRED COWS

RED ANGUS BRED HEIFERS

RED ANGUS OPEN HEIFERS

COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

QUALITY CATTLE. A STRONGER TOMORROW. SALE MANAGEMENT: Kiley McKinna (402) 350-3447 Wiley Fanta (320) 287-0751

FREEMAN BEEF GENETICS

Randy Ratliff (615) 330-2735

AUCTIONEER: Ryan Dorran: (403) 507-6483

Joe Max Freeman, DVM joemf1985@gmail.com Phone: (580) 352-1985 • Office: (580) 480-2913 13435 State Hwy. 44 • Hobart, Oklahoma 73651 NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

FEATURES

56 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

Performance. EfficiencY. Longevity.

SATURDAY, december 12, 2026 KIST LIVESTOCK • MANDAN, ND • 1 PM CST JOIN US AT THE North Dakota Red Select salE!

DCCC Patty 6048 Selling: Registration: 5247603

dam:

Carlson Patty 502

sire:

Red Mar Mac DM Landmark 10k

DCCC Crowfoot Lady 6005 : g in ll e S Registration: 5247577

dam:

Red XO Crowfoot Lady 2444z

sire:

HXC Allegiance 5502C sire:

Private Treaty Sale

Max & Haley Robison

AT THE RANCH

haley@drycreekranchnd.com

MARCH 2027

Amidon, ND Max: 406.461.3462 Haley: 701.523.8285

FEATURES

Perry and Shelly Harrison prioritize Red Angus in a farm to table beef business, showcased in fall American Rancher. Written by Jared Farley, Creative Content Specialist The farm to table movement is growing. Consumers want to know where their food comes from. The answer is often one shrouded in ambiguity as a result of industrial processing plants and factory farms. Harrison Harvesting seeks to shift this norm. Perry and Shelly Harrison of Carlisle, Kentucky, have always relied on their own livestock to source their family’s meat for the year. Knowing where their food came from was an inherent fact. But, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, producers like Perry were abruptly met with six to eight month wait times to get cattle processed. This is when Perry decided to cut ties with the conglomerated beef supply chain. “We didn’t realize that we were holding to our values as tightly as we were until we started seeing how the big four packers were doing it,” Perry said. 85% of beef in the United States is processed through only four meatpacking companies, Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS USA, and National Beef Packing Company. Many of the vulnerabilities of this came to fruition during COVID: an onslaught of labor shortages, cumbersome safety protocols, and a bottleneck in beef supply resulted in a 40% drop in cattle slaughter rates. 58 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

JARED FARLEY

Solving the problem

Perry serves as the owner and operator of Harrison Harvesting, a beef processing facility, in their hometown. His wife, Shelly, manages Harrison Harvesting’s retail counterpart, Bourbon Barrel Beef. Perry established Harrison Harvesting in 2021, as an alternative to oversized and unreliable processing facilities. Early ideation of the business only focused on processing, until Perry realized the answer to reliable output

people who were in the same situation as us,” Perry says. “My concern was if there weren’t enough people that ended up coming to get their animal processed, what am I gonna do then? You know, we’ve got the people hired, we’ve got the building built, now what?” But, the Harrisons saw the opportunity doesn’t simply stop at processing. Perry explains, “If I’ve got the animals, I’ve got to figure out a way to sell the meat.” And thus, Bourbon Barrel Beef is born. Today, the Harrisons have expanded to four retail locations around the Carlisle and Lexington areas. Thanks to an intentional decision in their cattle operation, this expansion came without compromising quality.

The operation behind the product

When Perry decided to supply the plant and retail store with his own beef, he needed to choose which breed to emphasize in their herd. “That led down the dark hole of trying to figure out what it was that would make the best possible product, because we wanted quality and consistency.” Perry says. “If we’re gonna put our name on it, we wanted to make Top: Perry Harrison evaluates carcasses on the rail at his retail beef facility, Harrison Harvesting. sure it was a quality Bottom: Shelly (left) and Perry (right) have expanded their product and that retail locations to four locations in the state of Kentucky. you’d get the same Photos by Jared Farley. thing every single time you came in.” During Perry’s search, Red Angus rose was establishing a cattle to the top: a balance between genetic operation that could fill any consistency and meat quality. Following and all gaps in production. insights from people such as Texas Tech “We just started off with meat judging coach, Mark Miller, Perry the processing plant in order began experimenting with Red Angus to process our animals and

genetics to substantiate the claims of the breed’s consistency and quality. “We started off with a cow-calf operation because I was doing everything myself in order to try to prove it. I had a herd of about 200 cows and I bought a couple bulls and I thought, ‘Okay we’re gonna see if this works,’” Perry said. After seeing resounding results in the Red Angus’ carcass quality and consistency, Perry shifted the farm from a cow-calf operation into a feedyard for Red Angus feeder calves. “Because of finances and everything else we kind of did away with the cow calf side and really honed in on the [Red Angus] genetics for the feeder cattle,” Perry said. DNA testing has become an invaluable tool for Harrison, who tests approximately 90% of their feeder calves, enabling them to cull calves that likely won’t maintain Harrison Harvesting’s measures at market weight. “For me, to have the numbers I have, it doesn’t do me any good to waste time feeding an extra 500 head that aren’t going to meet the criteria that I want,” Perry says. The capability to control the quality of a product is a necessity for Perry. Much of the value proposition at Bourbon Barrel Beef is their ability to deliver the same quality with every cut of meat they sell. “If we’re gonna put our name on it we wanted to make sure it was a quality product and that you’d get the same thing every single time you came in,” Perry says. Perry and Shelly have done just that. Their operation accentuates their values every step of the way, and it’s something they aren’t willing to compromise. For most consumers, the source of their beef is hidden behind a corporate veil. But, for the folks around Carlisle, Kentucky, Harrison Harvesting provides the alternative. As far as Perry’s concerned, he’s just doing what he’s done from the start; doing things right. “We just did it how I grew up and how I thought I’d always seen it done, and how I thought it was supposed to be done,” Perry says. “We feel like we’re on the right path and we really wouldn’t change the way we do it to make more money or make processing quicker or anything like that. We feel there are values in the attention to detail.” NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

Position your ranch for proﬁtability with Red Angus-sired calves. BARENTHSEN-BULLINGER RED ANGUS

Mark & Kathy Barenthsen Jeremy & Jessica Bullinger Powers Lake, ND • bbredangus.com Mark: 701/464-5741 • 701/339-1834 Jeremy: 701/464-4893 • 701/339-2899 Jessica: 701/339-7922 mkbar@nccray.com • jbullinger@nccray.net

BERWALD FAMILY

Austin Berwald Toronto, SD • 605/690-3319 austinmberwald@hotmail.com

BRENNER ANGUS

Sidney & Melva Brenner • Carson, ND 701/584-3335 • 701/471-9135 brennersmb@gmail.com

BROKEN HEART RANCH Gary & Chad Pederson • Firesteel, SD 605/865-3190 • 605/850-9878 bhrredangus@lakotanetwork.com www.pedersonredangus.com

CAMPBELL RED ANGUS Robert Campbell • McIntosh, SD 701/422-3721 • 605/845-4812 campbellra@westriv.com www.campbellredangus.com

DAHLKE RED ANGUS Bryantt Bolduc • Arlan Dahkle Bagley, MN 218/533-0259 • 218/694-6727 dahlkerancher@yahoo.com dahlkeredangus.com

DK RED ANGUS

Scott Kueffler • Grenora, ND 701/694-3620 • 701/641-0519 redangus@nccray.com www.dkredangus.net

DRY CREEK RANCH

Max and Haley Robison • Amidon, ND 701/523-8285 Max: 406/461-3462 • Haley: 701/523-8285 haley@drycreekranchnd.com www.drycreekranchnd.com

Connect with us!

FORSTER RED ANGUS

LAZY D RED ANGUS

RED LEGEND CATTLE

Kenneth Forster • Richardton, ND 701/974-2450 • 701/290-2450 forsterredangus@yahoo.com www.forsterredangus.com

John & Sara Berg • Cody Berg • Williston, ND John: 701/826-4211 • 701/570-9788 Cody: 701/826-4231 • 701/570-0730 lazydredangus@yahoo.com

Mark or Bryan Ressler • Binford, ND 701/789-0191 • 701/789-7294 contact@resslerlandandcattle.com redlegendcattle.com

HEART RIVER RANCH

LAZY J BAR RANCH

RIM ROCK LIVESTOCK

Chuck & Annette Steffan • Belfield, ND Annette: 701/290-9745 Chuck: 701/260-4630 heartrivergenetics@yahoo.com www.heartrivergenetics.com

HUBER EY RED ANGUS

Bryan & Emmy Huber • Jud, ND 701/685-2687 • Bryan: 701/320-8054 Alex: 701/709-0850 • Emmy: 701/320-1995 emmy@drtel.net • www.hubereyredangus.com

JACOBSON RED ANGUS Gary & Val Jacobson • Hitterdal, MN 701/361-3189 gjrangus@feltontel.net www.jacobsonredangus.com

KAL-KOTA RANCH

Ed Kalianoff • Steele, ND 701/475-2694 • 701/471-4006 kalkota@bektel.com www.kalkotaranch.com

KALBERER RANCH

Jesse & Susan Kalberer • Bismarck, ND 701/425-0111 • Jesse: 701/471-4388 kalbererjesse@hotmail.com www.kalbererfarms.com

KIRWAN RED ANGUS

J.D. & Jaydn Kirwan • Valentine, NE J.D.: 605/491-4125 Jaydn: 402/322-1809 jd606kirwan@gmail.com

KOESTER RED ANGUS

Steve & Tracey Koester • Steele, ND Steve: 701/400-1611 • Tracey: 701/391-5440 koesterredangus@gmail.com www.koesterredangus.com

L83 RANCH

Ben & Lacey Lodoen • Rylee Marthaler Wyatt Lodoen • Jennie Lodoen • Westhope, ND Ben: 701/201-0477 • Rylee: 701/263-1018 Wyatt: 701/263-1787 • Jennie: 701/263-1016 lodeoncattle@gmail.com • L83Ranch.com

Website: ndredangus.org Watch for more exciting events in North Dakota! Oct. 20 L83 Ranch Online Female Sale, SCOnlineSales.com Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Wasem Red Angus Genetic Opportunity Online Female Sale, DVAuction.com Dec. 11 NDRAA Annual Meeting & Banquet, Bismarck, ND Dec. 12 ND Red Select Sale, Mandan, ND Dec. 14-16 Seeger & Rusch Red Angus Online Female Sale, DVAuction.com Dec. 19-20 Turtle River Cattle Co.’s Online Female Sale, DVAuction.com

John & Stephanie Jung Mina, SD John: 605/228-1743 Steph: 605/380-1796 lazyjbarranch@yahoo.com lazyjbarranch.com

Larry & Jodi Lundberg • Killdeer, ND Chance & Maggie Lundberg Larry: 701/690-6387 Chance: 701/690-8731 • Maggie: 701/866-5192 lundber@ndsupernet.com

LELAND RED ANGUS

Jordon Rhodes: 605/228-9301 • Faulkton, SD Jackson Rhodes: 605/216-7841 kellirhodes6@hotmail.com jordan.rhodes@live.com

Melvin & Luella Leland Melvin: 701/565-2347 • 406/489-1465 Todd & Carla Leland • Sidney, MT Todd: 701/565-2361 • 406/489-1466 lelandra@restel.net • lelandredangus.com

LONE TREE RED ANGUS Brad Schecher • Bison, SD 605/244-5972 • Brad: 605/430-2787 lonetreeredangus@hotmail.com www.lonetreeredangus.com

MCGEE RED ANGUS

Doug & Darcy McGee • Bowman, ND Kruze & Bailey Robinson Doug: 701/523-6086 Bailey: 701/523-6179 • Kruze: 701/449-6597 ddmcgee@ndsupernet.com bailey_mcgee@ndsupernet.com mcgeeredangus.com

MISSOURI RIVER RED ANGUS

Blake & Whitney Wold • Watford City, ND 701/770-4105 missouririverredangus@gmail.com missouririverredangus.com

NORDLUND STOCK FARMS, LLC.

Mike Nordlund: 701/799-0943 Sam Nordlund: 701/799-1613 Clearbrook, MN nordlundstockfarm@gvtel.com nordlundstockfarm.com

OHR RED ANGUS

Edward, Jeanne & Carl Olson • Argusville, ND Ed: 701/238-3601 • Carl: 701/361-0684 olsoncandc@aol.com • olsonredpower.com

PRESSER RED ANGUS Troy Presser • Turtle Lake, ND 701/447-2855 • 701/220-0189 tpresser@westriv.com

RHODES RED ANGUS RANCH

ROHRICH’S CUTTING EDGE RANCH

Rick, Amber & Kaden Rohrich • Steele, ND Rick: 701/391-1911 • Kaden: 701/934-4178 Kolden: 701/934-0485 cuttingedgeranch@bektel.com

SCHRIEFER RANCH, LLC. Marc, Jodi, Riley, Cheyenne Schriefer Golden Valley, ND 701/870-4292 • 701/879-2609 701/983-4292 • 701/870-4292 marcjodi@icloud.com schrieferredangus.com

SEEGER & RUSCH RED ANGUS Brandon & Dixie Rusch • Sherill Seeger New Salem, ND • ruschvet@gmail.com Brandon: 701/226-5479 Dixie: 701/426-9443 Sherill: 701/400-5077 seeger-ruschredangus.com

TURTLE RIVER CATTLE CO. Ron & Ryan Clemetson • Grand Forks, ND 701/739-0639 • 701/741-6407 trreds@hotmail.com

TWEDT RED ANGUS Sam Twedt • McHenry, ND 701/262-4768 • 701/388-4035 twedtredangus@hotmail.com www.twedtredangus.com

VALNES RANCH RED ANGUS

Emit & Jayme Valnes • Eden, SD 605/698-6596 • 605/228-8857 valnesranch@hotmail.com • valnesranch.com

WASEM RED ANGUS

Chris & Jolyn Wasem • Halliday, ND 701/938-8365 • 701/260-1513 jolyn.wasem@gmail.com wasemredangus.com

North Dakota Red Angus Association

President: Bryan Ressler • Vice President: Ben Lodoen Immediate Past Pres.: Sam Twedt Directors: Ryan Clemetson, Rick Rohrich, Max Robison & Blake Wold Sec./Treas.: Chuck & Annette Steffan • 701/290-9745 • heartrivergenetics@yahoo.com

North Dakota RED SELECT Sale

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2026 Kist Livestock | Mandan, ND | Sale Time: 1 p.m. CST

Catalog online mid-Nov. ndredangus.org

50 Hand-Selected Lots Open Heifers | Bred Heifers | Elite Embryo Packages | Rare Semen

Roses of the Prairie - Foundation Females of Distinction 2025 Sale Highlights

BERWALD STONY 5018 – #5155617 $100,000 Berwald PVF Outright 221L daughter sold to Cruze Robinson

BERWALD ABIGRACE 5016 – #5155665 $43,000 Smoky Y Absolute K94 daughter sold to Koester Red Angus and Leland Red Angus

KIRWAN TAFFETA 5015 – #5146905 $40,000 Berwald PVF Outright 221L daughter sold to Berwald Red Angus

NSFR MARJORIE N28 – #5142643 $20,000 NIO American Freedom 1005 daughter sold to Broken Heart Ranch

L83 MALEFICIENT 405M – #4960642 $23,000 Red Wilbar Intuition 832J daughter sold to George LaBrie

RGJ TKM MISS JUMPSTART 379M – #5057871 $19,000 Bieber Jumpstart J137 daughter sold to Mitchell Bottomley

Junior Opportunities:

2026 Donation Heifer:

Sale Sponsored by:

HEIFER GRANT • $1,000 grant toward the purchase of a heifer in the ND Red Select Sale • NDJRAA members are eligible • Must be present at sale JUNIOR INCENTIVE PROGRAM • Various sale credits awarded for show success for a heifer purchased at the ND Red Select Sale • Heifer must be transferred to NDJRAA member • NDJRAA members are eligible Full details and applications at ndredangus.org

ND Red Angus Association (701) 290-9745 • ndredangus.org heartrivergenetics@yahoo.com

Annual Meeting & Banquet: Friday, Dec. 11

Bismarck Hotel, Bismarck, ND MRRA MS 1980 CADDYSAK P609 – #5269609

Meeting: 1 p.m. Social: 5 p.m. | Banquet: 6 p.m.

Donated by Missouri River Red Angus, Watford City, ND

Sale managed by Logan Hoffmann

(701) 388-2618 | ldh2007@hotmail.com

Elite Power Genetics with a Maternal Focus

We are a family-owned and operated ranch

built on a foundation of honesty and integrity. We have been selling top-quality seedstock for over 15 years. We have a passion and desire to continue to pursue topquality genetics in order to offer our customers the best genetics available in the industry.

Annual Production Sale

Tuesday, February 2, 2027

1 p.m. CST • At the Ranch • McHenry, ND 9 mi. N. of McHenry, 2 mi. E. & 1/2 mi. N.

Selling:

65 Yearling Red Angus Bulls 15 2-Year-Old Red Angus Bulls 20 Registered Red Angus Heifers 40 Commercial Bred Heifers

bit.ly/TwedtRedAngus

Sam Twedt

C: (701) 388-4035 • H: (701) 262-4768 twedtredangus@hotmail.com 2061 95th Ave NE McHenry, ND 58464 www.twedtredangus.com

Sell Steers that TOP the Market Run Cows that Don’t Eat All the Profits

All Bulls

Get Sale Catalog

PAP &

Feed Efficiency Tested

2026 Fall Proﬁt $eeker Bull Sale

Thursday, November 19, 2026 • at the ranch, Sheridan, MT 180 Red & Black Angus, SimAngus and Char x Red Angus Bulls *50 Spring Calving Bred Red Angus Heifers - By the Gooseneck load or Potload* All Bulls: Feed Efficiency Tested | Fertility Evaluated | PAP Tested Volume Discounts | 1st Season Bull Warranty | Free Bull Delivery (with min. purchase) The Larry Mehlhoﬀ Family • Sheridan, Montana • 5lranch@3rivers.net

855-5L-Bulls • (406) 596-1204 • 5LBulls.com

Bred for excellence JYJ Red Angus Production Sale Saturday, November 14, 2026 • 1 pm CDT • Columbia, AL

N5699

N5687

Remedy x Genuine

Remedy x Energize

Hi Profit! 2% ProS, 3% Herdbuilder, 8% GridMaster, 6% Marbling

45 Age-Advantage Bulls, loaded with Red Meat and fleshing ability Ready for Heavy Service

1% ProS, 2% Herdbuilder, 8% GridMaster, 6% Marbling Sleep-All-Night Calving Ease

Multi-Trait Calving Ease Specialists That will add Pay-Weight, carcass Value, and Cow Herd Traits

(100+) Spring Calving Commercial Red Angus Bred Heifers (28) 3/4 Red Angus x 1/4 Brahman Fall Open Yearling Heifers

Progeny & Service of:

Scan for

Sale Catalog Sortable Data Videos 64 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

Brown-CH PROLIFIC L5159 • Brown IDEAL K1377 Bieber BLUE CHIP H302 • PIE CADILLAC 3289 Brown SURE THING K122 • Brown GTLS TITUS K6257 Wedel GRAND SLAM 3377 • ALC REMEDY K60 Bieber JUMPSTART J137 • Wedel CORNERSTONE 0224H Brown JRAR END ZONE H6629 • Wedel PRIME-TIME 0007 9 Mile FRANCHISE 6305 • LSF MR FIX IT 3204L

• Registered Red Angus Spring Calving Bred Heifers • Fancy Registered Red Angus Open Yearling Heifers • Sharing our most Prolific and Prepotent donors - still in the prime of their life • Registered Red Angus Spring Calving Cows with A.I. sired Heifer Calves at side • Age-Advantage Elite $Profit Registered Red Angus Bulls • Spring Calving Commercial Red Angus Bred Heifers

93N 1% ProS, 2% GridMaster 117 ADG, 183 IMF & 120 REA Ratios

N770

127 IMF & 106 REA ratios 3% $Profit, 2% $Ranch, 1% Fertilityu

Remedy x Genuine (Full-brother sells)

Versatile x Brunswick - Her Donor Dam also Sells!

103M #4872786 Dam has a 368-day calving interval and an average progeny weaning ratio of 112.

Heifer pregnancy by Pie Cadillac 3289

This offeriing is Loaded with Deep Bodied, Big-Ribbed, Slick Haired Replacements safe to their A.I. Service

Featuring 60 Registered Red Angus Bred Heifers Right off the top of our Replacements, Most are safe in calf to their 1st service A.I. mating!

128N N46 18 CED to 130 YW SiredMarbling, by the $400,000 1.06 (3%) Record Priced, PiePremier Hollywood, 222 Ideal x 102 MPPA daughter

97N 5% ProS, 8% HerdBuilder 6 Traits in Top 10%

Featuring a Hand-Picked Selection of Open Yearling Heifers, Loaded with Performance and sired by the Breed’s Leading A.I. Sires.

Born, Bred, Raised and Adapted to the Deep South

Titus x President

Also Selling: some of our Best, Young, Bred Cows, Just Entering the Prime of their Productive Life

Jim & Jessica Yance (334) 726-7342 1092 Davis St Columbia, AL 36319

jyjredangus.com

jim@jyjredangus.com jessica@jyjredangus.com

C-BAR GENETICS Online Frozen Genetics Sale Steve & Cindy Maier 785-623-9736

Nov. 28th 2026

Inventory Reduction of nearly all embryos

C-BAR STONY 837F

C-BAR STONY 907G

C-BAR ABIGRACE 122J

C-BAR STONY 309L

C-BAR LEANNA 321L

C-BAR BRANDY 404M

LHR SUSIE 8809

OOO JOSIE ASH 20170

Over 120 embryos from many of our legacy donors

Bred to Breed-Leading Red Angus Sires and Distinctive Angus Sires

PIE HOLLYWOOD

STRA RANCH HAND

SPRING COVE GRANT

POLLARD HENNESSEY

BOYD BEDROCK

Sale Catalog and Online Bidding on: LSF JLM LEVERAGE

HRP SHERMAN 5105N

Steve Maier: (785) 623-9736 Brian Brigham: (970) 481-5192 email: CBARSteve58@gmail.com

Built on Relationships Backed by Genetics Building a Red Angus & Ranching Heritage Horse program our family is proud of

NOV 17th Salina, KS JANth6th Red Revolution FEB 18 Bar U Ranch Legacy 620-794-5332 NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

STOCKMAN’S FOCUS

HOBBY FARM OR BUSINESS OPERATION? Proactively tackling the hobby loss question

Contributed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Is your cattle operation a business or a hobby, and are you sure the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agrees? When nearly 69% of herds are less than 50 head of cattle, and many operators rely on additional off-farm income, the distinction between business and hobby operation can become a serious point of scrutiny. If the IRS classifies an operation as a hobby, the producer loses the ability to deduct any expenses but is still required to report all income, which can lead to a higher tax bill. Errors in misclassification can be extremely costly not only in terms of money spent but also in time spent documenting your business which can hurt long-term growth and development. If an operation is misclassified, it can be remedied, but documenting business operations before the IRS raises questions can save significant time and financial strain.

Defining hobby loss rules

Generally, the IRS will follow a guideline that first considers profits over the past three of five years for most farmers and ranchers, or two of seven years for farms and ranches engaged in horse farming. If audited, it’s important to consider how this may affect your business in the future and the potential for additional audits which may include documentation of previous years. If a farm passes the guideline, the operation is usually classified as a business. Failing the guideline does not automatically classify the operation as a hobby farm but it shifts the burden of proof onto the business to show they are operating with profit as the motive.

Document everything

“In determining whether an activity is engaged in for-profit, all facts and circumstances with respect to the activity are to be taken into account. No one factor is determinative in making this 68 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

determination.” (Treas. Reg. § 1.1832(b)). In the event a farm is misclassified, the IRS will consider nine factors in proving a profit motive, which the taxpayer is responsible for establishing. The more factors that can be proven, the stronger the case. 1. Manner of operation. Is the taxpayer keeping records, tracking profit/loss, and expenses? Is this a money-making effort? Jeff Magee, Mississippi cattleman, retired IRS agent, and chair of NCBA’s Tax & Credit Committee, stated, “One of the best ways to set yourself up for success, regardless of an audit. is to, at a minimum, create separate accounts for operations.” Documenting business plans, cashflow projections or future goals also works to show active intent for profitability. 2. Expertise of taxpayer. Does the taxpayer have training or the experience to become profitable? Is the taxpayer seeking professional advice to do so? Using professional resources or taking on professional education in addition to past experience can help to establish intent to work towards profitability. 3. Time & effort spent. Is the amount of time spent on the operation enough to show this is a legitimate business effort? “There’s a perception out there that you get material participation if you have 500 hours a year devoted to your farming activities,” said Thomas J. Bryant. CPA. a Florida cattleman, a senior tax partner at Beasley, Bryant & Company and vice chair of the NCBA’s Tax & Credit Committee. It’s important to note that the 500 hours means physically doing the work. 4. Expectation of asset appreciation. Does the farm or ranch land, livestock genetics, or other assets gain value through the operation’s work and efforts? Tracking how assets have gained value helps to establish intent. 5. Past success. Has the taxpayer run successful businesses previously? Being

able to show transformational work in past projects, regardless of industry, can be useful. 6. History of income & loss. Is there a history of profit? Keeping track of receipts, invoices, and accounts receivable/ payable from other business efforts, in addition to current work, puts the operation in a better place to support the claim. 7. Size of profits or losses. Is the taxpayer taking steps to reduce loss and work towards profitability? Showing changes the operation made in response to loss helps establish how the business is working towards reducing loss and applying future success into the health of the operation. 8. Financial status of taxpayer. Is farming the main source of income or is the taxpayer employed in an off-farm job? Magee noted this as a particular point of scrutiny for farmers and ranchers, where the risk of challenge from the IRS increases if there is substantial income from an off-farm job along with high losses on farm, and increases again as the gap between them grows. 9. Personal enjoyment. Can much of the work be established as lifestyle work? Document the time spent working on the farm, including “unpleasant” tasks such as cleaning stalls or farm maintenance. Any time spent supporting the operation’s work can support business classification. It all starts with documentation. Being able to document and prove the operation’s intent gives farmers a headstart should the IRS have questions and protects a farm or ranch’s current and future profitability. The IRS is primarily considering the ability and intent to turn a profit, but the IRS may also consider extenuating circumstances when evaluating individual cases. It’s wise to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and to talk to a tax professional.

YOUR NEXT GENERATION STARTS WITH HER. PRIVATE TREATY HEIFERS AVAILABLE.

Kelley Kimmey (817) 996-4263 Garrett Schuering (573) 721-8730 7kredangus.com

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

ASSOCIATION INSIGHTS

JUNIOR COMMENTARY

GIVING THAT SHAPES THE NEXT GENERATION

Taylor Dorsey, Junior Program Coordinator taylordorsey@redangus.org 970-396-5420

Written by Taylor Dorsey

Ask any JRA member what shaped them most during their tenure in the Junior Red Angus Association, and odds are it wasn’t a single event. It was the sponsor who made that event possible in the first place. It’s easy to think of sponsorship as a line on a budget, a logo on a banner, a name in a program. But for the members who walk away from Round-Up with a new appreciation for agriculture, who leave SPARK with a clearer sense of where they’re headed as a leader, or who spend a week at Red Angus Youth Expo (RAYE) discovering just how big the Red Angus community really is, sponsorship is something much more personal. It’s the reason they got to be there at all. November is the season of giving and being thankful, and we are grateful for the members and industry professionals that have helped the JRA get to where they are today through their generous contributions. Pouring into the JRA is more than attaching your name to a sponsorship, it is giving junior members the chance to learn and grow. There are many ways that individuals can contribute towards the JRA in the 202627 Fiscal Year. The Junior Board of Directors launched their Annual Investment Campaign at the 2026 Red Angus Convention. The Annual Investment Campaign allows individuals to contribute to the programs that are at the core of the JRA. These funds go to the general programming of the JRA, including SPARK and RoundUp. The Round-Up conference continues to bring members together to learn about agriculture in different regions and foster competition and connection. SPARK, 72 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

our leadership conference, exists for the members who are starting to ask “what’s next” in their education and career pursuits. Sponsorships for these events doesn’t just fund a conference weekend; it funds mentorship, career exploration and the next steps in becoming a great leader for Red Angus and the agriculture industry. New to this year in our Annual Investment Campaign, is the opportunity to designate your funds directly to certain aspects of Round-Up or SPARK, such as meal sponsorships, conference shirts, and more. Another fun opportunity to support the programing of the JRA, and possibly have a chance to win a prize in return, is our Tagged for Greatness Fundraiser. Catch a junior board member at any fall Red Angus show for your chance to purchase a tag and be entered into a drawing for a cash raffle, which will take place at the 2027 Cattlemen’s Congress. You will also receive a key chain memento that you can carry around all year to show your pride in supporting the JRA. We cannot end the season of giving without talking about one of the highlights of the JRA. The 2027 RAYE, “Reds Grand Galaxy,” is set for June 20-25 in Grand Island, Nebraska. RAYE is where it all comes together: the Skill-A-Thon, educational workshops, shows, and the kind of week-long community and friendship building that members talk about for years afterward. Every one of those pieces relies on the generosity of sponsors who believe in what these members are building. That’s the part that’s easy to miss when we talk about sponsorship in dollar figures. A showmanship sponsor isn’t just a shiny

award; it’s a confidence builder where kids can shine based on their hard work and efforts. A meal sponsor isn’t just providing a free dinner; it’s community building and sharing a meal amongst new and old friends. A Skill-A-Thon station isn’t just an activity; it’s a hands-on lesson that sticks with a ten-year-old long after the event ends. This season of giving, we invite you to consider what your support could make possible in 2027. Every level of sponsorship matters, and every sponsor becomes part of the reason a JRA member walks away with the tools to be leaders, innovators, stewards, and advocates for the Red Angus breed, the beef industry, and agriculture as a whole. To learn more about 2027 sponsorship opportunities, check out the JRA and RAYE websites or reach out to a JRA Board Member. We’d love to talk about where your support could make the biggest impact.

JUNIOR RED ANGUS ASSOCIATION

juniors.redangus.org

juniorredangus

SEE YOU IN 2027

AT THE RED ANGUS YOUTH EXPO

Join us as a Sponsor for the Grand Galaxy! redangusyouthexpo.com

McCANN

RED ANGUS 7TH ANNUAL BULL SALE FEBRUARY 25TH, 2027 | LEWISTON, IDAHO Be added to the mailing list today!

MCCANNREDANGUS.COM | 208.743.5517 NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

SHOW RESULTS

KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION OPEN SHOW RESULTS Regional Show | Friday, Oct 2, 2026 | Harrisburg, PA | Judge: Jace Stagemeyer, NE

Grand Champion Purebred Female: PR3S STAR - 5199339- 11/10/2026 Owned by: Tatumn Poff, Chardon, Ohio

Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Female: RH EL PRIDE 03N - 5083915 - 04/22/2025 Owned by: Hannah Smith, Franklin, North Carolina

Grand Champion Purebred Bull: DAYT TRUST FUND 610 - 5256883 - 02/20/2026 Owned by: Dayton Cattle, Maysville, West Virginia

Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Bull: RUST BUCKET - 5282899 - 03/02/2026 Owned by: Abma’s Red Angus, Hillsborough, New Jersey

Specialty Awards Premier Exhibitor: Dayton Cattle, Maysville, West Virginia

Premier Breeder: Pleasant View Farms Inc., Somers, Connecticut

RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

For all backdrops and other photos from the Keystone International Livestock Expo Regional Show, visit lindeslivestockphotos.com

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

STOCKMAN’S FOCUS

TOP DOLLAR

WE LISTEN TO OUR CUSTOMERS, BUT WHICH CUSTOMER?

Nate Smith, General Manager Top Dollar Angus www.topdollarangus.com nate@topdollarangus.com 620-546-4839

Balancing the cow-calf producer and the feedyard when setting genetic criteria Written by Nate Smith It’s that time of year again. Fall production sales are starting to fill up our calendars, and with them comes one of the most important jobs we do at Top Dollar Angus: reviewing our customers’ genetics and deciding which sires qualify to wear the logo on sale day. Alongside that process comes a second job that gets less attention but matters just as much. Every year, we re-evaluate the criteria themselves. Which genetic metrics will help our commercial customers raise feeder calves that make our feedyard customers more successful in the years to come? That last part of the sentence deserves a closer look. When we sit down with our seedstock partners, the conversation naturally centers on their bull buyers, the cow-calf producers. Helping them succeed is one of our core goals. But at the end of the day, we also need the feedyard that buys those calves to make money. If the feeder doesn’t win, the premium doesn’t come back, and the whole chain feels it. So how do we promote success for every link in the supply chain at once? Two words: balance and precision.

Know whose expertise is whose

Let’s start with what we don’t know as well as our partners do. Seedstock producers understand their buyers’ needs far better than we do when it comes to maternal traits and the environments those replacement females will live in. There’s no arguing that. A bull that works in the Kansas Flint Hills may not be the right fit on a dry Wyoming range, 78 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

and the breeder who has sold to both knows the difference. Where we can add value is on the other half of the calf crop: the steers and non-replacement heifers headed to the feedyard. Feedyards share their results with us, and that feedback tells us which growth and carcass traits actually lead them to pay more for feeder cattle because of genetic value. So what are our feeding customers telling us to focus on now versus last year? And how do we adjust without whiplashing the cow herd, making changes that are gradual and balanced enough to serve their needs for decades rather than a single marketing cycle? Here’s where we’ve landed.

Quality grade still pays

From an industry-wide perspective, quality grade remains the one carcass trait we continue to hold the line on. You might assume the marbling race is over now that cattle routinely spend more days on feed and Choice has become the norm. The numbers say otherwise. The ChoiceSelect spread continues to hover around $22/cwt. On an average 950-lb. carcass, that’s roughly $209 per head. As we’ve written before, nutrition sets the floor, but genetics set the ceiling. Longer days on feed only let cattle express the marbling potential they were born with. We aren’t lowering the bar here.

Carcass weight: The elephant in the room

There has been plenty of discussion

lately about how hard carcass weights should be pushed, and it’s a legitimate debate. But the reality for a feedyard is simple: they are paid first on how many pounds of product they sell. Every other attribute, whether grade, yield, or program premiums, is a reward or a discount layered on top of that base. Consistently, our feeders are asking for cattle that will finish heavier. In response, we have raised the requirement on this trait compared to years past. The push toward more red meat yield per head isn’t a passing phase. It’s here for the long haul.

Growth without the baggage

Here is where “which customer” gets tricky. The same bull that sires a heavyfinishing steer also sires the heifers that stay home. Push growth too hard with no guardrails and, a few years down the road, the commercial producer is running bigger cows that eat more, breed back slower, and cost more to maintain. That’s why precision matters more than raw numbers. We look for sires that deliver terminal growth and carcass pounds without dragging mature cow size along with them. The seedstock breeder and the commercial producer know their environment best, and we want our criteria to support their maternal decisions, not override them.

Pounds that fit the box

Heavier carcasses bring their own risks. Past a certain point, packers start discounting for Yield Grade 4 and 5s, oversized ribeyes, or cuts that don’t fit a standard box. More weight only pays if

it comes with acceptable yield and dressing percentages.

Why we move gradually

It would be easy to chase whatever the market paid for this year. But genetics are a long game. A bull purchased this fall will leave daughters in the herd for the next decade. If we swung our criteria hard every year, we’d leave commercial producers holding cows built for a market that had already moved on.

So we adjust in steps. We listen closely to what feedyards are telling us, confirm it with the data they share back, and then move the requirements in measured increments that both ends of the chain can absorb.

So, which customer?

The honest answer is all of them. But if we had to name one, it would be the calf. The calf is the product that connects the seedstock breeder, the commercial

producer, and the feedyard. When we set criteria that make that calf more valuable at every stop along the way, everyone we work with has a better shot at winning. That’s the goal behind every sire we verify this fall season, and it’s why we’ll keep asking our customers, all of them, what they need next.

Submit Spring ‘26 Birth & Weaning Data!

All calves are required to have full birth information reported, even if they are disposed of or computed (non-registered). The recommended due date is October 14th, 2026, which has passed. If your calves are not weaned by this date, you can submit your data once weaning information is recorded. There is no penalty if data was not submitted by the above date. If females do not have data submitted for the Spring 2026 calving season by March of 2027, they will be listed on your No Progeny report and subject to inactivation in May 2027. Once logged in to the REDSPro Database, follow the steps below: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Go to Data Entry > Online and select Manual Job. Enter a title and select Animal Data Reporting as the Job Type. From the Preload Animals box, select Spring Cow Inventory and choose to load them As Dams (below that box). Then click Start New Job. Enter calf data, reason codes or disposal codes as necessary, then Continue to Next Step, on Error Check page click Continue to Next Step and Final Submit to process the job.

Raising our best for your success.

Annual Production Sale

Online only @

February 15-17, 2027

Cody & Madison Berg

John & Sara Berg

Call, text, or email to be added to our mailing list. Emma Berg (701) 570-0730 lazydredangus@yahoo.com (701) 570-9788 lazydredangus.com Lazy D Red Angus Ranch Family owned ranch located in NW North Dakota.

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

MEMBER NEWS

MEMORY

ETHAN DICKERSON Ethan Wade Dickerson, 26, of Paradise, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 28, 2026, in an automobile accident south of Paradise. Ethan was born June 21, 2000, in Hays, Kansas, the son of David L. and Stephanie B. (Stielow) Dickerson. He grew up in the Paradise, Natoma, and Russell areas, where the land, livestock, and agricultural community around him shaped him into a great stockman and steward of the land. From an early age, Ethan had a natural ability with livestock, a fierce competitive drive, and the kind of determination that rarely let him do anything halfway. He was active in 4-H and FFA, earning the distinction of Kansas FFA State Star Farmer in 2019 and becoming a national finalist in Beef Production. Ethan helped his family win many national champion banners across multiple breeds and competed fiercely in junior cattle shows. He was a member of the National Junior Red Angus Association, National Junior Angus Association, and National Junior Charolais Association. Ethan was loved and respected by his fellow junior members and made many lifelong friends through the cattle industry. He had a gift for making people feel like they belonged. Whether someone was outgoing or hanging quietly at the edge of the crowd, Ethan pulled them in, made the introduction, and made sure no one was left standing on the outside. One of his greatest gifts was to notice the people who weren’t being noticed. Elected by his peers, he served on the National 80 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

Junior Red Angus Board and was elected President of the National Junior Red Angus Association. As an adult, he continued developing his leadership within agriculture as a member of the Evolving Ag Leaders Coalition. In 2019, Ethan graduated from Natoma High School and followed his ranching roots by pursuing an associate’s degree in animal agriculture at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. After college, Ethan returned to his family’s Bar S Ranch in Russell to do what he loved most—raise great Red Angus cattle. Ethan understood livestock, loved the work, and wasn’t afraid of anything that came with it. If a bull needed to be chased out of a pond, Ethan was the kind of man who would grab a kayak and go after him—whooping and hollering as he paddled. Gregarious and magnetic, Ethan could fill a room without trying. He was intelligent, driven, and a natural leader. He was also opinionated, sarcastic, and famously hard-headed—qualities those who loved him knew weren’t defects so much as his standard operating system. Ethan said what he thought, wasn’t particularly shy about telling you, and could usually make you laugh somewhere in the process. But beneath that fire was tremendous loyalty. When Ethan loved someone, he loved them fiercely. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter and was a member of Otterbein Church in Russell. On

September 27, 2025, Ethan married Alexx “Lexi” F. Starr in Kearney, Nebraska. Together they were preparing for Ethan’s newest and most important role: becoming a dad. Their baby, Renley Wade, is due in late October. He is survived by his wife, Lexi Dickerson, and their baby, Renley Wade, who is expected in late October; his parents, David L. and Stephanie B. Dickerson of Paradise; his brothers, Grady Dickerson and Jayce Dickerson, both of Paradise; his grandparents, Ken and Pat Stielow of Russell; along with extended family and a wide circle of friends, neighbors, and members of the agricultural community whose lives were changed by knowing him. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Chris Stielow. Ethan leaves behind a life far larger than the 26 years in which he lived it. He will be remembered for his work ethic and ambition, quick wit and sharp opinions, loyalty, leadership, and unmistakable presence. Somewhere in Heaven, there’s a pasture of Reds grazing quietly. They lift their heads as a stockman pulls up, puts his truck in park, and surveys the herd. They’re in good hands now—and they will be for eternity. Memorials may be given to the Ethan W. Dickerson Memorial Fund. PohlmanVarner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

BREEDER DIRECTORY

Show Reminders CATTLEMENS CONGRESS JANUARY 2 - 7, 2027 - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

(National Open, GGP/PGS & Pen Show) ( Junior Regional Show) Red Angus Bull & Female & Percentage Show For Both Open & Junior Shows New For 2027 Open Phenotype/Genotype Bull & Female Show Entry Deadline - November 25th // Junior Ownership - December 1st Late Deadline - December 5th Judge: Junior: Jeff Sargent, TX // Open: Chris Styles, SD // GGP/PGS: TBA Pens, Sammie Charriere, WA

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW JANUARY 10-13, 2027 - DENVER, CO

Entry Deadline - November 20th // Ownership Deadline - December 1st Open & Junior Judge: TBA

FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW JANUARY 27 - 31, 2027 - FORT WORTH, TX

COLOR

10 x

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10 x

Full Page 1/2 Page 1/3 Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page

995 745 630 550 450

920 685 600 525 440

870 645 580 505 430

Full Page 1/2 Page 1/3 Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page

650 400 285 205 105

575 340 255 180 95

525 300 235 160 85

B&W +1 color

10 x

B&W +2 color

10 x

Full Page 1/2 Page 1/3 Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page

795 545 430 350 250

720 485 400 325 220

770 445 380 305 230

Full Page 1/2 Page 1/3 Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page

895 645 530 450 350

820 585 500 425 340

770 545 480 405 330

Entry Deadline - November 15th @ 2:00pm CST // Ownership Deadline November 15th Judge: Open Willie Weis, IA

BREEDER DIRECTORY 1” deep 2.125” deep 3.25” deep

295/ year 445/ year 595/ year

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82 RED ANGUS MAGAZINE / NOVEMBER 2026

AREA 8 - SOUTHEAST John Langdon, Region Director

JEFF & MICHELLE PETTIT Sebree, Kentucky 270-836-2963 • www.diamondpcattle.com

Mercer Farms

Registered Red Angus Cattle since 1978 32237 Hwy 58 • Ten Mile, TN 37880 Sales: Steve Burnette – 865 804-8156 mercerfarms@gmail.com

JYJ RED ANGUS Jim & Jessica Yance • (334) 726-7342 1092 Davis St • Columbia, AL 36319 jim@jyjredangus.com jessica@jyjredangus.com jyjredangus.com

SERAA

Southeast Red Angus Association www.seraa.org

OFFICERS

Andy Camp - President 770-601-3308 • redangus@bellsouth.net Josh Pierce - Vice President 601-385-7575 • jbarsredangus@gmail.com Jessica Yance – Secretary/Treasurer 334-790-4953 • jessica@jyjredangus.com

DIRECTORS

Jed Dixon • Jim Yance • Johnnie Cundiff Danny Winchester • Tiffany Watkins • Brian Lance

NOVEMBER 2026 / RED ANGUS MAGAZINE

BREEDER DIRECTORY

” ous

am f “ e thopsrinted