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IN THIS ISSUE:

May/June 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

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit the Events page at www. illinoisangus.com for a list of other upcoming events and Angus sales this season.

CONTACT

ON THE COVER

Photo taken at Horsley Brothers operation, the 2025 Illinois Beef Association Seedstock Producer of the Year. Photo by Devin Bollman.

EDITORS NOTE

In the March/April issue of Illinois Angus News the Board of Directors list in the Annual Banquet section was incomplete. Below is the finished version.

2026 IAA Board of Directors. Back row (left to right): Sam Brumleve, Vaughn Kiner, Chris Cassady, Doug Turner, Jarad Carroll, Chad Horsley, Travis Fruhling, Tracy Rawlings, Garrett Handsaker, Luke Lemenager. Front row (left to right): Carla Jurgenson, Clay Sellmeyer, Dave Mool, Brad Evans.

JUNE 4 - 6 |

TWO SHOWS, ONE GREAT ANGUS EVENT

ENTRIES OPEN NOW NO EXHIBITOR FEES

EXHIBITOR GIFTS

THURSDAY: PIZZA & GAMES HOSTED BY IJAA

FRIDAY: BRISKET MEAL SPONSORED BY CIAA

GRAND & RESERVE STEERS, BULLS, HEIFERS & COW/CALF PAIRS

TOP 5 FEMALES (CIAA)

TOP 5 OWNED FEMALES (IJAA)

TOP 5 BRED & OWNED FEMALES (IJAA) PLUS! SHOWMANSHIP, TEAM FITTING & QUIZ BOWL

In the News

Penny Wars with Purpose

NJAA Announces 2026 Angus Impact Project in Support of Colon Cancer Research

By Molly Biggs, Angus Communications

The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) has announced the 2026 Angus Impact Project, a service initiative supporting the Colon Cancer Foundation through a fundraising competition known as Penny Wars. Led by NJAA Vice Chairman Anne Dameron, this year’s effort carries personal significance as it honors her late mother, Jennifer, who passed away from colon cancer.

The Angus Impact Project serves as the NJAA’s official service outreach, engaging junior members in meaningful acts of community support at state and national levels. Past efforts have included school supply drives and assembling care kits for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The program inspires service and camaraderie among juniors, often strengthened by friendly competition among state associations. “In the past, the competitive element has really brought states together,” said Anne Dameron, National Junior Angus Association Vice Chairman and leader of this year's Angus Impact Project.

Ambitious teamwork was evident during the 2024 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), when juniors delivered the largest donation received by the Ronald McDonald House of Madison, Wisconsin. The 2026 project focuses on raising funds and awareness for colon cancer research, early detection and advocacy, with the hope of capturing the same driven spirit of members in honor of one of their own.

“A little over a year ago, my mom passed away from the disease,” she said. “Cancer is something so many people unfortunately deal with or know someone who has battled.”

Anne emphasizes the importance of the mission behind it. She recalls the support she received from the Angus family following her mother’s passing, including junior board members wearing blue colon cancer awareness ribbons in Louisville during the 2024 North American. “That meant so much to me and my family,” she said. “It shows how the Angus family shows up for each other. This year’s Angus Impact mission brings that full circle.”

Colon cancer remains one of the deadliest but most preventable cancers in the United States. Early screenings dramatically improve survival, and awareness plays a critical role in encouraging individuals to seek preventive care. “My family has tried to stay positive and do what we can, so others don’t have to face the same situation,” Anne said. “This project’s goal is to help advocate for screenings or bring awareness to someone who needs it.”

In preparation for the July event, junior members are encouraged to collect spare change from barns, vehicles and their homes. At the show, Penny Wars will take center stage as jars labeled with the names of well known Angus staff, regional managers and National Junior Angus Association Board members such as Casey Jentz, Ty Murray, Blake Pillars and Caitlyn Brandt, invite contributions throughout the week. The individual whose jar collects the greatest amount will be recognized during closing ceremonies and receive a pie to the face on stage.

As juniors prepare for NJAS, Anne hopes everyone recognizes the impact their participation can make.

“Angus Impact is bigger than one person or one board,” she said. “It’s about coming together for something larger than ourselves.” For more information about the 2026 Angus Impact Project or NJAA programs, visit www.njaa.info

Jack, Anne, Max and Jeff Dameron of Dameron Angus in Towanda.

Henry C. Gardiner Scholarship Award Winners Announced, two of Illinois

Ella Eathington earns Junior Bronze and Silver Awards

Ella Eathington, Avon, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s Bronze and Silver awards. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Kevin and Patricia Eathington and attends Spoon River Valley High School. Ella is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association, where she has served as director and secretary, and has participated in state, regional, and national Angus shows.

Eathington has submitted weight data to the Angus Herd Improvement Records and submitted DNA samples for Genomic Profile Testing through Angus Genetics Inc. The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.

Henry C. Gardiner scholarships have been awarded to elite undergraduates since 2012. This year, 29 applicants competed for six scholarships. The applicants represent diverse interests throughout animal science and industry, production agriculture and the beef industry, and are academically elite undergraduates enrolled at K-State planning to continue careers in agriculture. In addition to a written essay, applicants compete in a rigorous, in-person interview with a panel of K-State faculty and industry leaders. Academic excellence, work ethic, community service, written and verbal communication skills and future goals are considered. Dr. Dave Nichols, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Animal Sciences and Industry stated, “The Henry Gardiner Scholarships are the largest scholarships we give in the department. Students that have received the scholarships are the who’s-who in their collegiate endeavors and have gone on to become young industry leaders."

When asked to comment on the Henry C. Gardiner scholarship winners, Mark Gardiner said, “As agriculture is challenged to provide viable options for the next generation of decision makers, these students are embracing the challenge by taking advantage of every opportunity. Their curiosity, critical thinking, community service and extensive resumes, even before they launch their careers, is remarkable. Henry Gardiner believed in hard work. But he also believed in curiosity, lifetime learning and using those skills to improve, leaving his sphere better than he found it. The 2025-2026 Henry Gardiner scholars are examples of his perpetual pursuit for excellence.”

The Henry C. Gardiner Scholarship is made possible through the generous contributions of Gardiner customers, friends and family continuing the legacy of Henry Gardiner. Two Illinois juniors were selected as 2026-2027 Henry C. Gardiner Scholars, Drew Mickey of Taylorville and Anna Webel of Farmington.

Gardiner Angus Ranch is a family-owned ranching operation that produces registered and commercial Angus cattle. The original ranch was homesteaded near Ashland, Kansas, in 1885 by Henry Gardiner’s grandfather. Today, the ranch encompasses more than 48,000 acres. The Gardiner operation sells approximately 2,500 bulls and 2,000 registered and commercial females each year. One hundred percent of the sale offering each year is the result of artificial insemination or embryo transfer. The ranch is also a founding member of U.S. Premium Beef, the producer-owned limited liability corporation with minority ownership in National Beef, the nation’s fourth largest beef processing company. More information can be found at www.gardinerangus.com.

Illinois Angus juniors attend NJAA Raising the Bar Conference

The 2026 National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) Raising the Bar conference was held April 9–12, 2026, at Iowa State University in Des Moines, Iowa. The three-day leadership event, designed for high school-aged members and older, featured campus tours, industry visits, and networking workshops focused on animal science and agriculture. Five Illinois Junior Angus members were represented at the event.

Region 4 attendees: Blake Pillars, *Anne Dameron (NJAA Board Member), *Anna Parr, *Macie Carroll, *Claire Kuipers, Tucker Bayer, *Mady Bergmann, *Dani Alberts, Maggie Mindemann, Ava Leibfried, Gabe Mindemann. *denotes Illinois Junior Angus members”