Illinois Angus News - March/April 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

March/April 2026

President: David Mool

Vice President: Brad Evans

Secretary: Clay Sellmeyer

Business Manager: Doug Turner

Past President: Carla Jurgenson

Auxiliary Pres.: Cindy Anderson

Junior Advisor: Stacy Lemenager

Bureau County: Vaughn Kiner

Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager

Logan County : Carla Jurgenson

Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll

Wabash Valley: Open

Directors at Large:

Eric McClure

Aaron Schafer

Travis Fruhling

T J Curtin

Chris Cassady

Bodee Schlipf

Brad Evans

Tracey Rawlings

Chad Horsley

Sam Brumleve

Scott Anderson

Dan Naughton

CONTACT

To place advertisements or your latest Angus news contact: Olivia Hoots Illinois Beef Editor Illinois Beef Association 217-787-4280 olivia@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

ON THE COVER

Mabrey Schick receives Fourth Overall Heifer in Ring A at the 2026 Illinois Beef Expo in Springfield on Sunday, February 22. Photo by Devin Bollman.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit

for a list of other

and Angus sales this spring.

AAA Regional Manager Message

Greetings everyone,

As winter finally winds down and we jump headfirst into the spring bull sale season, I wanted to share a quick update on how our region wrapped up the first quarter in the 2026 fiscal year. Bull sales saw a huge jump this year, with averages moving from $11,405 to $25,706 per head. Female averages were up as well, climbing from $13,330 to $16,265—almost a 20% increase. The market has stayed strong through the first of March, and I’m optimistic that momentum will carry through the rest of the spring sales.

The Illinois Beef Expo wrapped up this past month, and the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale drew a great crowd. Angus bulls brought in $12,300 more overall this year, averaging $7,392 per head compared to $6,807 in 2025. Congratulations to all the sellers on a strong sale, and a special shout-out to Evans Angus for having the top two high-selling Angus bulls. The Junior Show was also impressive—every class was deep with quality. Hats off to all the juniors for bringing such outstanding cattle.

The Illinois Angus Association held its annual meeting and banquet on Friday during the Expo, and it was a great evening of conversation, connection, and looking ahead to the future of Illinois Angus. The fundraising efforts for the Illinois Junior Angus Association were especially exciting. Both the NJAS T-shirt fundraiser and the Seeds of the Future auction brought in significant support for the juniors. It was inspiring to see so many people investing in the next generation of our industry.

If you ever have questions or if there’s anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

All the best,

Tyler Murray

In the News

Angus Foundation Scholarship Applications Open Youth Encouraged to apply for educational Scholarships through May 1

The Angus Foundation has opened the application period for its 2026 scholarship program. Now through May 1, students can apply for the Foundation’s broad suite of undergraduate, graduate, vocational or technical, and commercial cattlemen's scholarship programs.

For more than 27 years, the Angus Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation through education. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded over $5 million in scholarships to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, science, business, communications, veterinary medicine, trade programs and other fields. These scholarships do more than provide financial assistance; they aim to celebrate dedication, leadership and education for students to give back to the beef industry.

Each year students recognize the impact these scholarships have on their lives and education. These young leaders represent the future of the Angus breed. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $393,000 in scholarships to 142 students with majors ranging from agricultural communications to pharmaceuticals to graduate degrees in meat science and technical certificates. The Angus Foundation offers multiple scholarship categories, ensuring a pathway for students from different operations and educational goals.

Undergraduate and Graduate Angus Foundation Scholarships

One application. More than $190,000 awarded annually. The Angus Foundation Scholarship Application is available to all Junior Angus members. One completed application creates eligibility for all listed scholarships. NJAA members can apply via AAA Login through May 1, 2026.

Submission: Through AAA login

Deadline: May 1, 2026

Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship

The Foundation will award five $1,500 scholarships to undergraduate students who use Angus genetics in a commercial cattle operation. The applicant or their parent/ guardian must have transferred/been transferred an Angus registration paper in the last 36 months (on/after May 1, 2023) and must be considered commercial, not seedstock, in their operation. The scholarship applies to any field of study.

Access to Application: Download application at www. angus.org/foundation/apply-for-scholarships/commercialscholarships

Submission: Email to scholarships@angus.org

Deadline: May 1, 2026

Vo Tech Scholarship

New in 2026, the Angus Foundation will award scholarships to support students pursuing vocational or technical education related to the beef industry. The Vo Tech Scholarship is designed for individuals seeking specialized training at accredited technical schools, community colleges or certification programs that prepare them for hands on careers in agriculture and allied industries.

Access to Application: Download application at www.angus. org/foundation/apply-for-scholarships

Submission: Email completed materials to scholarships@ angus.org

Deadline: May 1, 2026

The Angus Foundation encourages all eligible youth to apply for this year’s scholarship opportunities and take the next step toward building their future. Applications for programs including undergraduate, graduate, VoTech and Commercial Cattlemen’s scholarships are due May 1, 2026.

Application links and full details are available at www.angus. org/foundation/apply-for-scholarship. View additional opportunities here: www.angus.org/foundation/apply-forscholarships/external-scholarships.

Show Results

Cattlemen's Congress Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show

Oklahoma City, Okla. | January 7-10 | Judge: Jirl Buck, Okla. and Garrett Cloud, Okla. (bulls, females, cow-calf pairs); Chuck Brost, Colo. (phenotype and genotype bulls and females)

Photos by Next Level Images

Grand Champion Bull

CMFM Solid Gold M066

Owned by Cross Creek Farms, Ill., and Circle M Farms, Texas

Senior Bull Calf Champion

Rhode High Roller 34

Owned by Preston Rhode

Champion Bull HB Expectation 3012 Owned by Horsley Bros.

PGS Reserve Heifer Division 3

WHM SCF Blackbird 5088

Owned by Addison Tebbe

Cattlemen's Congress Junior Angus Show

Oklahoma City, Okla. | Jan. 8 | Judge: Macey Scotten, Mo.

Photos by Next Level Images

Senior Champion Female

PVF Missie 3184

Owned by Chloe Boitnott

Reserve Summer Heifer Calf Champion Seldom Rest Sandy 98N

Owned by Anne Dameron

Junior Heifer Calf Champ. Division 3

PVF Blackbird 5012

Owned by Ashton Dillow

Bred & Owned Res.

Senior Heifer Calf Div. 1

BNF Saras Dream 2411

Owned by Claire Kuipers

Bred & Owned Reserve

Junior Heifer Calf Div. 1

Allstar Barbara 523

Owned by Luke Zimmerman

National Western Stock Show Junior Angus Show & Super Point ROV Angus Show

Denver, Co. | January 16 & 17 | Judge: Chris Cassady, Ill. (Juniors) & Alan Miller, Ill. (ROV)

Photos by Legacy Livestock Imaging

Reserve Junior Heifer Calf

Champion

SCC Phyllis 547

Owned by Brenna Bartlow

Bred & Owned Junior Heifer

Calf Champion

BLB SCC Phyllis 532

Owned by Brenna Bartlow

Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show's Roll of Victory Angus Show

Fort Worth, Texas | Jan. 31 | Judge: Garrett Lampe, Ill.

Photos by Fields Fotos

Grand Champion Female

PVF Proven Queen 4087

Owned by Ashton Dillow

Third Overall Heifer Ring A, Fifth Overall Ring B

Champion Maine-Angus Rings A&B

Super Points ROV Show

Intermediate Champion Bull

BLB SCC Special AGENT470

Owned by Brenna Bartlow

Illinois Beef Expo

Springfield, Ill. | February 21 & 22 | Judges: Jerrod Arthur, Okla. & Krisha Geffert, Wis.

Photos by Cindy's Livestock Photos

Champion Angus Steer Rings A & B

Reserve Champion Angus Steer Ring B

Fourth Overall Heifer Ring A

Champion Angus Ring A, Reserve Champion Ring B

Shown by Mabrey Schick

Reserve Champion Angus Heifer Ring A

Champion Division 1 Angus

Heifer Rings A & B

Shown by Brode Bergman

Fourth Overall Heifer Ring B

Angus Ring B

Reserve Champion Division 1

Angus Heifer Rings A & B

Shown by Beau Cassady

Other winners (no photos available):

Reserve Champion Maine-Angus Heifer Ring B: Corbin Curoe

Reserve Champion Division 2 Angus Heifer Ring A: Ryne Allen

Reserve Champion Division 2 Angus Heifer Ring B: Brenna Bartlow

Reserve Champion Division 3 Angus Heifer Ring A: Nora Hoge

Reserve Champion Division 4 Angus Heifer Rings A & B: Colton Kies

Division 4 Angus

Heifer Rings A & B

Shown by Ella Bane

2026 Illinois Angus Annual Banquet

February 20 | Springfield