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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

table of CONTENTS 31

Beef Production for Family and Community For Chad and Stacy Schutz of Roodhouse, humble beginnings became the foundation for a new cattle operation and a way to give back to the community they have been a part of for years.

Beef Quality Showcase The Illinois Beef Showcase 2026 winners were recognized in Peoria this summer. See who had the best beef this year.

Illinois State Fair Beef Highlights The Illinois Beef Association serves delicious beef and shares its message across the fairgrounds at the 2026 Illinois State Fair. Show and program highlights can be found here.

For the Love of Cows and Kids Dedication to improving both their farm and family earned John and Holly Spangler the honor of being named the 2026 Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

COLUMNS

6 8 10 12 14 16

EDGE Conference A large group of Illinois Junior Beef Association members attended the annual EDGE conference at Blackhawk East to grow their knowledge and beef industry relationships.

District Show Series We once again hosted the Illinois District Show Series this August. Turn here for results.

Association Focus VP Thoughts Executive Edge Extension Update Gate Cuts Perspectives

DEPARTMENTS 4 18 20 26 30 56 57 61 77 89 92 94 96

Board of Governors Affiliate News In the Know 2026 BLA Class New World Screwworm Checkoff Investment Form Checking in with the Checkoff Illinois Angus News Illinois Hereford Bulletin Illinois Simmental News Shorthorn Show Results Marketplace Advertisers Index

ON THE COVER: IBA junior member, Brecke Barnard, with her 2026 Illinois State Fair Junior Show Champion Charolais and Champion Bred & Owned Overall Female.

Illinois Beef Magazine

Illinois Beef Association 2501 N 8th Street Springfield, IL 62702 www.illinoisbeef.com Phone: 217-787-4280 Fax: 217-793-3605

Girls Who Grill This June, Illinois Beef partnered with the Indiana and Missouri Beef Checkoff programs to host Girls Who Grill events, exclusive opportunities for increasing confidence in grilling among women.

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Beef, the official publication of the Illinois Beef Association, is published bi-monthly by the Illinois Beef Association, 2501 N 8th Street, Springfield, IL 62702. Subscription is free to Illinois Beef Association members. Illinois Beef is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of the beef industry by representing all of its segments. Illinois Beef Association retains all editorial rights to the content of the magazine. Member of Livestock Publications Council.

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Shannon Welsh, Blandinsville President IBA Board of Governors Email: cowdynasty@yahoo.com

Larisa Willrett, Malta Vice President IBA Board of Governors Email: lwillrett1313@gmail.com

Policy Division Checkoff Division Directors Chair: Joan Harrison Vice Chair: Ted Prehn Secretary/Treasurer: Justin Rahn District 1 Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, justinrahn@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028 District 2 Scott Wetzell, Tampico, sdwetz@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029 District 3 Doug Hanson, Danforth, dough@proharvestseeds.com 1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029 District 4 Cody Lowderman, Macomb, codylowderman@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 District 5 Joan Harrison, Minier, joan.harrison16@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2027 | 2nd term expires: 2030 District 6 Lisa Nafziger, Stanford, craig.lisa.nafziger@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 District 7 Kevin Rose, Salem, krr1998@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 At Large Directors Trevor Maiers, Payson, tmaiers98@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Ben Lehman, Hanover, lehmancattle@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Dr. Cal Schafer, Galena, cal.schafer1952@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Rick Dean, Le Roy, deanfarm4@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 Ted Prehn, Jerseyville, tedprehn@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029 Bradley Wolter, Aviston, windyhillmeadows@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Thad Tharp, Monmouth, tthaddeus88@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032

Directors Chair: Buzz Iliff Vice Chair: Garrett Mattox Secretary/Treasurer: Jamie Martz District 1 Anna Flikkema, Lanark, flikkema.anna@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028 Elmer Rahn, Mt. Carroll, arahnholycow@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032 District 2 Dr. Buzz Iliff, Wyoming, buzzwithcow@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Rod Derrer, Milan, rjderrer@aol.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032 District 3 Jamie Martz, Maple Park, jamiemartz85@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 Kip Harms, Cullom, harms2@frontiernet.com 1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029 District 4 Carol Lock, Avon, clock7857@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028 Laura Fidler, Fairview, laurafidler22@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032 District 5 Betsy Pech, Lincoln, bpech55@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2027 | 2nd term expires: 2030 Dan Haynes, Oakford, hrequip@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032 District 6 Matt Witte, Heyworth, matthewcwitte@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2028 | 2nd term expires: 2031 Joel York, Palestine, yorkfarms@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2029 | 2nd term expires: 2032 District 7 Garrett Mattox, Anna, bigmcattle@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2025 | 2nd term expires: 2028 Ryan DeWitt, Cobden, rdewitt93@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2026 | 2nd term expires: 2029

IBA Staff

Executive Vice President Director of Business Operations Director of Advocacy & Education Membership & Marketing Communications Manager Public Relations Manager Programs Manager

Josh St. Peters, josh@illinoisbeef.com Dan Loos, dan@illinoisbeef.com Cori Malone, cori@illinoisbeef.com Devin Bollman, devin@illinoisbeef.com Olivia Hoots, olivia@illinoisbeef.com Paige Berkmeyer, paige@illinoisbeef.com

Ex Officio Members

Dave Duzan Travis Meteer Dr. Teresa Steckler

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Past President U of I Extension U of I Extension

www.illinoisbeef.com

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Association Focus Shannon Welsh, Illinois Beef Association President The Illinois State Fair has always been about more than 11 days in Springfield. For Illinois agriculture, it is one of the few times each year when producers, consumers, agricultural organizations and policymakers come together in one place. For the Illinois Beef Association, that makes the fair an important opportunity to represent our members and tell the story of Illinois beef. The fair is personal for me, too. Long before serving as IBA President, I spent many August days at the State Fair with my three children. This year, my youngest was still showing, which meant plenty of trips back and forth between the cattle barns and IBA activities. As busy as those days can be, they are also a good reminder of why the work of this association matters. The families raising cattle in barns across the fairgrounds are the same people IBA is working to represent in conversations happening throughout Springfield. That representation takes many forms. At the Ribeye Corral, thousands of fairgoers had the opportunity to enjoy beef while IBA promoted our product directly to consumers. This year's menu included several new offerings alongside longtime favorites such as ribeye sandwiches and brisket. Our junior programs and beef cattle shows provided another opportunity to showcase the quality of Illinois cattle and support the next generation of producers. Just as important are the conversations taking place beyond the show ring and Commodity Pavilion. Throughout the fair, IBA met with elected officials, agricultural leaders and industry partners to strengthen relationships and ensure the perspectives of Illinois cattle producers are part of important discussions affecting agriculture. On Agriculture Day, IBA participated in the Ag Media event and connected with legislators and agricultural stakeholders from across the state. We also hosted an event with Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Doris Turner,

bringing together commodity leaders and agricultural advocates for conversation about issues affecting our members. Later in the fair, IBA hosted an educational discussion with members of the Illinois Latino Caucus. In addition, we welcomed Senator Hastings, Senate Agriculture Committee member, and other governmental and agricultural leaders to the IBA office for conversation. Those relationships are especially important when our industry faces challenges that require a coordinated response. News surrounding the Tyson beef plant in Joslin became a significant concern for cattle producers during the fair and has continued to develop in the weeks since. IBA has remained engaged with producers, industry partners and state and federal leaders as we work to understand the impacts and advocate for Illinois cattlemen and women. Our partnership with Illinois Farm Bureau on a producer call to action is one part of that continued effort. The State Fair provides a unique opportunity to see nearly every part of our industry come together- from junior exhibitors preparing cattle early in the morning to consumers enjoying Illinois beef and agricultural leaders discussing issues that could shape our industry's future. For me, moving between the show barn with my daughter and IBA responsibilities throughout the fair was a fitting picture of what our association is here to do: stay connected to the producers we represent while making sure their voices are heard beyond the farm gate. I am grateful to everyone who helped represent Illinois beef throughout the 2026 Illinois State Fair, and I am proud of the presence our association continues to build on behalf of cattle producers across the state.

Larisa Willrett is interviewed near Ribeye Corral by ag media on Ag Day, Friday, August 14.

USDA FSA Director Bill Graff visits Ribeye Corral and chats with IBA leaders on Republican Day.

IBA leaders Welsh and Willrett visit with Representative Norrine Hammond on Republican Day.

IBA Board Members experience the Illinois State Fair.

IBA hosted members of the Latino Caucus at the IBA office during the Illinois State Fair.

St. Peters, talks about the Tyson Joslin plant closure with Farm Broadcaster, Steve Bridge.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

VP Thoughts Larisa Willrett, Illinois Beef Association Vice President One of the things I appreciate most about the Illinois State Fair is the opportunity it gives the Illinois Beef Association to reach people in so many different ways. For 11 days, we have the chance to promote beef not only through the Ribeye Corral, but through food vendors, junior programs, special events and partnerships that introduce Illinois beef to new audiences. While Shannon shared some of IBA’s government affairs work at the fair on the previous page, I want to highlight another important part of our presence: connecting consumers with beef and with the people who produce it.

Illinois Beef Across the Fairgrounds

For the third consecutive year, IBA worked with State Fair food vendors to feature Illinois beef in dishes served beyond the Ribeye Corral. Expanding those partnerships allows us to place Illinois beef in front of consumers throughout the fairgrounds and showcase its versatility in a wide variety of menu items. This year, fairgoers could find Illinois beef in dishes including beef nachos at Prairieview Grill, dishes at both the Korean and African food stations in the Village of Cultures, the all-beef “Slaw Dog” at 17th Street BBQ and an all-beef corn dog at Snak Shack. Each of those menu items gave us another opportunity to connect a great eating experience with Illinois beef and the farm families behind it.

Investing in the Next Generation

Our Illinois Junior Beef Association members are another important part of IBA’s State Fair presence. The week began with the IJBA Annual Meeting, where junior members gathered for fellowship, elected new board members and prepared for another year of leadership and activities. 8

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Later in the fair, more than 100 females were exhibited in the IJBA Jackpot Show. Events like these give young beef producers opportunities to compete, build friendships and develop leadership skills while remaining connected to Illinois’ beef community. Full results from the Jackpot Show and Junior Beef Show can be found in the Illinois State Fair section of this issue.

2026-2027 IJBA board members help at the Jackpot Show on Sunday, August 16.

Bringing Illinois Beef to New Audiences

One of our most visible consumer partnerships this summer was with Judy’s Family Cafe and its owner, Judy Wang, who has developed a loyal social media following through the funny and relatable videos she shares from her restaurant. Throughout the summer, IBA partnered with Judy on a series of four social media videos highlighting Illinois beef and beef dishes served at Judy’s Family Cafe. The campaign gave us a chance to reach consumers in a different waythrough a familiar local personality, a little humor and, of course, great beef. That partnership culminated on the final day of the State Fair following Abe’s Amble 5K. Judy joined staff from IBA and the Illinois Pork Producers Association to serve pancakes and sausage to more than 1,000 runners and fair attendees. Team Beef participants were also among those crossing the finish line, making the event a natural fit for celebrating agriculture, activity and a hearty post-race breakfast. From meals served across the fairgrounds to junior activities and creative consumer partnerships, Illinois beef had a strong presence throughout the 2026 Illinois State Fair. None of that happens without the members, volunteers, affiliates and agricultural partners who support IBA’s work. Thank you for helping us continue to put Illinois beef, and the people who raise it, in front of consumers across the state. IBA EVP, Josh St. Peters, and Judy of Judy's Family Cafe prep the grills for a full morning of pancake flipping.

www.illinoisbeef.com

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Executive Edge Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President

When a Plant Closes, the Heart of Rural Illinois Feels It There are some announcements you read and move on from. Then there are announcements that make you stop, reread the words and wonder what they mean for your family, your neighbors and the future of the community you call home. For thousands of people connected to Illinois agriculture, August 13, 2026, was one of those days. When Tyson Foods announced the closure of its beef processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, it wasn’t simply the closing of another manufacturing facility. It was a blow to the people who work there, the cattle producers who depended on it, the businesses that supported it and the rural communities that have spent generations building an agricultural economy around a dependable livestock industry. For those of us involved in agriculture, we understand that a cattle plant is about much more than concrete, steel and processing lines. It is part of a chain that begins on a family farm and ends on someone’s dinner table. In between are cattle feeders, veterinarians, nutritionists, truck drivers, equipment dealers, feed suppliers, employees and countless other people whose livelihoods depend on that chain working. When one of those links disappears, everyone feels it. The Joslin plant could process up to 3,000 cattle a day and employed roughly 2,500 people. It was a major outlet for cattle raised in Illinois and Iowa. Its closure immediately forced cattle producers to reconsider where they would market animals that, in many cases, had been purchased, fed and tended for months. And the timing could hardly have been worse. American cattle numbers are at historic lows. Years of drought, high costs and challenging economic conditions have forced cattlemen and women to reduce their herds. The result is a cattle shortage that has created serious financial problems for both producers and packers. Tyson’s decision was driven in large part by their own economic realities. The company has struggled with losses and has been restructuring under new leadership with a goal of turning around profitability for their shareholders. From a corporate balance sheet, closing a plant may be a difficult but undeniable business decision. But agriculture isn’t just a balance sheet. For the farmer standing beside a feedlot pen, looking at cattle that need to be marketed, the decision feels very different. The biggest concern isn’t just that the nearest buyer is gone. It is what happens when there are fewer buyers competing for your cattle. 10

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Competition matters. When a producer has several potential markets, there is at least some confidence that the value of an animal will be determined by supply, demand and quality. When processing capacity disappears, the number of buyers shrinks. Suddenly, a farmer may have to haul cattle farther, pay more for transportation and accept a weaker bid simply because there aren’t enough alternatives. That isn’t an academic economic theory. It is money coming directly out of a farm family’s pocket. And those dollars add up quickly. A few dollars per hundredweight can make a meaningful difference on a load of cattle. Multiply that across hundreds or thousands of head, and the financial consequences become enormous. Add additional trucking costs, additional shrink and stress on cattle, scheduling difficulties and the possibility of having animals remain on feed longer than planned, and the impact becomes even greater. But there is another cost that doesn’t appear in a market report. It’s the emotional cost. Farm families already carry an enormous amount of uncertainty. Weather can change a year’s income overnight. Interest rates affect the ability to purchase land and livestock. Input costs continue to fluctuate. Commodity markets can move hundreds of miles away from what it costs to produce a bushel of corn or raise a calf. Farmers live with those risks because they believe in what they do. They believe that if they work hard, make responsible decisions and take care of their land and livestock, there will be an opportunity to continue farming. Announcements like the Joslin closure challenge that belief. What happens to the family that has spent decades building a cattle operation? What happens to the son or daughter who came home to farm because they wanted to continue the family business? What happens when a young producer looks at the numbers and wonders whether the next generation can afford to do what the previous generation did? Those questions are much harder to measure than the number of cattle processed each day, but they may ultimately be more important. Rural Illinois is built on relationships. The cattle producer www.illinoisbeef.com

knows the local feed supplier. The trucker knows the farmer. The veterinarian knows the cattle. The equipment dealer knows the operation. The local bank knows the family. When agricultural businesses struggle, those relationships are affected. And when a major employer like the Joslin plant closes, the impact extends well beyond the farm. Thousands of workers and their families are suddenly facing uncertainty. Local restaurants, retailers and service businesses lose customers. Communities worry about tax revenue and economic activity. That is why the response to the closure cannot be limited to helping displaced Tyson employees find new jobs. We have to talk about the future of the entire beef industry.

It is easy in Washington, Springfield or a corporate boardroom to talk about cattle numbers, processing capacity, margins and market share. But behind every one of those numbers is a person. There is a farmer getting up before daylight to feed cattle. There is a husband and wife trying to make the farm payment. There is a father wondering whether his children will want to come home. There is a fourth-generation cattle producer who doesn’t want to be the generation that ends the family operation. That is what makes the Joslin closure hurt.

To their credit, industry leaders and government officials are having that conversation. The Illinois Beef Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other agricultural organizations are working to make sure the concerns of cattle producers are heard. State officials are working with lawmakers, agricultural organizations and economic development agencies to respond to the immediate consequences of the closure. Federal officials are also looking at ways to strengthen the nation’s beef processing infrastructure and encourage investment in additional processing capacity. Those efforts are important. But we should be careful about thinking there is a quick government solution to this problem. There isn’t. You cannot rebuild a cow herd in a year. You cannot replace a major processing plant overnight. And you cannot restore confidence among farmers with a press release or a short-term program. This will require a long-term commitment. We need policies that encourage producers to rebuild the American cattle herd. We need processing capacity that gives farmers more choices. We need to make it easier for independent and smaller processors to compete. We need infrastructure and transportation systems that allow livestock to move efficiently. And we need an agricultural economy where a young person can look at a cattle operation and see a future rather than simply a mountain of debt and risk.

www.illinoisbeef.com

Most importantly, we need to remember why these conversations matter.

It isn’t simply the loss of a plant. It is the loss of certainty. And certainty is something farmers have very little to begin with. Illinois agriculture has survived difficult times before. Our cattle producers are resilient. They have endured droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, market crashes and years when the numbers simply didn’t work. They will continue to adapt because that’s what farmers do. But resilience should never be confused with unlimited capacity to absorb losses. If we want a strong American food system, we must make sure the families producing that food have a fighting chance to remain in business. The closure of the Tyson plant should be a wake-up call— not just for Illinois, but for the entire country. We should use this moment to ask difficult questions about the structure of the American beef industry and what it will take to make it more competitive, more resilient and more supportive of family agriculture. The goal shouldn’t simply be to survive the Joslin closure. The goal should be to build an Illinois beef industry where the next generation has a reason to stay. Because when a cattle producer closes the gate on the last load of cattle, it isn’t just another business closing its doors. It may be the end of a family story that began generations ago. And that’s a loss all rural Illinois should care about.

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Extension Update Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist

How much feed do I need this winter?

Taking inventory of feed and budgeting feed needs for the winter is an important task. I have provided some numbers to help you figure out feed needs and hopefully create a plan for winter feeding. We have several resources pertaining to extending the grazing season, winter feeding, and feeding hay on our website (https://extension.illinois.edu/beef-cattle).

Hay

A cow will eat 2.5% of her body weight in hay. That means a 1400 lb. cow will eat 35 lbs. of hay. When offered free choice waste occurs. That means she will use ~40 lbs. of hay per day. A month of hay for that cow would be very close to 1200 lbs... Thus, the old rule of thumb is one big round bale per cow per month.

Supplement

The amount of supplement required is directly linked to the quality of the forage. If you have stockpiled fescue to graze or good quality hay, then supplement needs may be fairly small. However, the wet spring and early summer forced many farmers to bale hay late, and often after being rained on. This will result in poor quality and the need for supplement. Obviously, you need to sample your hay and have it tested for a nutrient analysis. Table 1 and 2 show the amount of corn or Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) needed to supply energy at maintenance requirement for a 1400 lb. cow with average milk production. It is assumed she is calving in the middle of the 150 day feeding period, eating 2% of her body weight in hay, and not in need of increased diet energy for cold stress, increased mud, or long distance to travel to water or feed. If your cows are thin, heavier in weight, do not have shelter or wind breaks then you will need to allocate more supplement for added energy requirements. Very poor quality hay

may cause lower intakes, which would result in more supplement needed. For example, if hay TDN is 46% and the cow only eats 1.5% of her BW, then the budget for DDGS needs to increase to 1384 lbs. per cow for the 150 day feeding period. Remember, it is recommended that corn not be fed over 0.5% of a cow’s body weight to avoid acidosis and negative associative effects. If hay is of such poor quality that cows will require over 0.5% of their body weight in supplement, a coproduct or blend of fiber-based supplements should be used. Corn gluten feed, soybean hulls, distiller’s grains, and wheat midds are likely candidates for a mix.

Timing

After you have a feed inventory, it is important to identify what feeds fit different stages of production. For instance, baled cornstalks will fit best with the nutrient requirements of a mid-gestation cow. (March calving cows in Sept., Oct., and Nov.) Baled cornstalks would be far from meeting requirements of a lactating cow. Utilize poor quality forages like cornstalks and rainedon hay when cows are at their lowest nutrient requirements (mid-gestation, dry). By simply matching your feeds with the nutrient requirements of the cow you can avoid paying for high priced supplement. At the same time, save your good quality forages like your better hay and corn silage for when the cow has higher requirements approaching calving and during lactation. These higher quality forages will offer more nutrition. They are also more palatable and thus higher intakes help achieve proper nutrient requirements.

Summary

All in all, cow/calf producers need to be aware of their stored feed needs. As always, extending the time a cow spends grazing and harvesting her own feed will reduce costs. However, when the time comes to supply harvested feeds to meet the cow’s nutrition requirements… producers need to be prepared. Take a look at your inventory of stored feed and make sure you have enough for the winter feeding period.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Charolais Association Officers

President: Tim Grusy - 309-275-0012 Vice President: Marla Todd, 217-840-5949 Secretary/Treasurer: Sharlene Bullard 815-343-9381, Troy Bertsche - 815-674-1244 Members: BE Cattle, Flanagan Tom Engel - 815-674-5140 Trent and Miranda Bertsche, Flanagan Trent - 815-992-0282 Bertsche Farms (Troy & Katie), Flanagan Troy - 815-674-1244

Creasey Charolais (Robb & Susan), Macomb Robb - 309-255-7799

Parish Klawitter, Mulberry Grove Ronald Krahl, Milan - 309-737-8353

Grove Charolais, Metamora Keith - 309-360-9325 Grusy Bros (Frank & Irma), Gridley Frank - 309-747-2696 Hinshaw Show Cattle (Dan & Judy), Secor Dan - 309-824-5771, Jacob - 309-824-1007 Steve Hoag, Illinois City - 563-506-0467 K&D Cattle, Elizabeth Devin - 815-990-6780, Karen - 815-275-3083

Link Livestock, Rio Nathan - nate8608@gmail.com LaFraise Farms, Flanagan Dale Bertsche - 815-674-4419 Steve Bertsche - 815-674-2395 Dan Naughton, Atlanta - 217-304-6502 Kelly Parks, Milledgeville - 815-275-8904 Jerry Renken, Streator - 815-257-5330

Bewely Farms, Yates City Beau - 309-208-0786

KB Farms, Lena Jay Kempel - 815-541-4461

Royal Oaks Cattle Company, Stanford Craig Nafziger - 309-824-6237

Bullard Cattle Company, Cornell Paul - 815-343-9380, Sharlene - 815-343-9381

KK Charolais (Kreig & Tammy), Basco Kreig Koehler - 309-224-6113

Marvin Schnitzler, Elizabeth

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Gate Cuts Paul Walker, Professor Emeritus, DI Walker Consulting But first a little bit about the Illinois State Fair. A shout-out to our juniors!! Yes, the ISF Junior Heifer Show is the most competitive and most challenging State Fair Junior Heifer Show in the nation. I back that statement up with a couple of facts. This year at the National Junior Heifer Shows across all breeds, Illinois Junior Exhibitors showed 67 Division Champions/Reserve Division Champions and 14 National Champions/Reserve National Champions, far more than any other state. This year in the ISF Jill Walker Memorial Drive both the Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion were each national Champions in the Simmental and Angus breeds, respectively. If you showed a really good heifer in the ISF Junior Heifer Show and did not win, do not be disappointed, the competition was really strong. In fact, 542 heifers strong, the number of junior heifers shown at the ISF. Congratulations to all! It is my perspective that the beef cattle industry will not rebuild the cow herd substantially from where it is now at 27.6 million cows. Historically, the peak in cow numbers following the low of each cycle since the peak in 1975 around 50 million cows has been lower than the previous peak. With

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

that stated, opportunity is knocking and now is the time to expand or start a beef cow-calf herd. About 15 years ago I wrote a couple of articles published in the IBA Magazine regarding

building a monoslope confinement system for either a feedlot finishing operation or a cow-calf confinement operation. Long story short, both penciled then and both pencil now. This article highlights using a monoslope confinement system for year-round cow-calf production. In this scenario I have used Midwest Plan Service, Beef Housing and Equipment handbook for bunk space; indoor and outdoor housing and holding area square feet requirements; manure storage and settling basin requirements; and a mortality composting area. Costs for the monoslope were obtained from Longhorn Cattle and Swine Confinement Systems® at $38.30 per square foot that includes building, construction and automatic waterers. Costs for cattle panels, chutes, crowding tub, metal posts and gates were estimates from Riverode Sales. The floor design is mine and is similar to the cow-calf building we built at Illinois State University that worked well for the 33 years of my tenure. The cow diet is a corn silage-modified wet distillers grains with solubles based formulation blended in a vertical grinder/ mixer. The creep diet is a mixture of corn gluten pelletssoyhull pellets and a rumensin based pre-mix. The creep is offered beginning on day 90 and is fed for approximately100 days – calves are weaned at an average 200 days of age. Cows

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are maintained in confinement year around (365 days). Cows are programmed for a 60-day calving window; one synchronized, pre-determined AI followed by a 60-day natural breeding period; cows are vaccinated, poured and dewormed once annually and calves are vaccinated twice pre-weaning; and, male calves are banded at birth. Combined with a 50% timed insemination AI program, it is estimated that 4 bulls will be required. All breeding will be accomplished in the confinement building but real-world experience (at ISU) has found that natural mating should occur on earth, to prevent bull injury during mating, therefore, a 3 to 5-acre earth lot should be available for the cows during the 60d breeding period (not accounted for in this scenario). All calves are sold at weaning; replacements are purchased as bred, two-year olds; cows have up to 7 years production and are sold as 9-yr. olds. Bulls are used for 4-years. Twenty-eight cows are culled per year (14% cull rate). A 95% calf weaning rate is assumed (190 calves:year). Several tables accompany this narrative, and you should find them informational and interesting. The data presented in this article are for one calf crop: year and year-round confinement of one cow herd. If the cows were confined for only six months and pastured the rest of the year, two calving herds (spring and fall) could utilize the facility, and building, bull and machinery cost could be spread over 400 cows instead of 200 cows. Utilizing the facility for 400 cows over two calving seasons lowers the break even sale price of the calves to $2.43:lb.= $1458. One caveat for this scenario, a $1.7 million loan may be difficult to obtain. With many producers choosing to retire from the cow-calf business, a historically small national cow herd and little indication of substantial rebuilding to date, now may be an opportune time for some producers to enter or expand a cow-calf operation. If a son or daughter wants to return to the farm, a confinement cow herd may offer one avenue to create additional income and bring the next generation into the operation, particularly at current market prices. Remember, the future belongs to those who show up. Of course, access to capital remains one of the greatest challenges. In the scenario outlined here, obtaining financing for a $1.7 million investment could be difficult for many producers, particularly those just entering the business. That makes continued work on agricultural lending and beginning-producer programs especially important. Organizations such as IBA and NCBA play an important role in advocating for policies that improve access to capital, strengthen beginning-farmer loan programs and create opportunities for cattle producers to invest in their operations. NCBA already supports greater flexibility in beginning-farmer lending, including longer loan terms, lower down payments and lower interest rates. There is still plenty of work to be done, but continued industry engagement on these issues can help ensure that producers who are ready to invest in the future of the beef business have a better opportunity to do so. Doc

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Perspectives Olivia Hoots, Editor, Illinois Beef

Producer, You Rule

People are what has made the world what it is, we do something no other living thing can do - subdue the earth by taking care of plants and animals, ruling everything else for the good of our neighbors. For you that may look like being an excellent cattle raiser, fixing meals for your kids and teaching them how to love others, or taking care of the gifts God has given you such as your farmland. This July, I had the opportunity to visit Corteva headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, for a media event. All day was spent learning how scientists have developed the various crops sold to be grown and we were given details on the various pesticides and herbicides designed to be used with them.Each and every year the company produces something new, something that makes farmers greater stewards of the land and what comes forth from it. An example of this is that in coming years Corteva's brand, Pioneer, will release new variants of corn to be more yield stable, include better insect traits and have improved stability to withstand our Midwest winds. It was fascinating to see where corn has come from and where the crop is headed in the future during my trip in Johnston. For farmers and cattle producers, even amidst current trials like rain and wind and ailments, farmers still hold responsibility over their land and livestock. I am in awe of how companies like Corteva use innovation to help farmers and ranchers be stewards of their land even in the midst of various setbacks.

Corteva Range & Pasture

During the media event, Corteva did a great job pointing me toward topics most beneficial for beef producers, and connected me with Range & Pasture (R&P) brand representatives. I did assure them I was excited to see all Corteva has to offer and grow in knowledge of all their brands and products offered to farmers. Our members are, after all, within the journey of row crops anyway, whether they are a diversified operation or simply feeding grain to

their livestock. R&P is Corteva Agriscience's branch of products for managing weeds and brush in land used primarily as pasture/grazing ground. There are currently about eight herbicide treatments offered, and they also have a brand new one on the way. I had the opportunity to sit down with R&P Field Scientist, Jodie Crose, Ph.D., before her presentation. We chatted one-on-one before her session about pasture products and their benefits for Illinois producers before she expanded on them in her session. At the beginning of Crose's presentation on drought and how cattle producers can manage following its inevitable challenges by using R&P products, she quoted Mike Weeks, a producer from Oklahoma. His testimony to the usability of R&P products is, "cattle are our harvesters out there turning grass into the best source of protein that we can put on the market, so being able to utilize those forages and help them survive through drought is instrumental to the bottom line of our business." I appreciate his and Crose's sentiments toward cattle being a product grown and harvested just like other crops. Plus, in 2026 we certainly need more stability in the midst of drought conditions if we want herd expansion. Multi-year drought has caused persistent difficulties for cattle producers attempting to grow grass, including, but not limited to, grass you want to grow not growing while hardy weeds survive. These conditions affect rate of gain, weaning times and cull numbers, according to Crose. UltiGraz is the first, and newest, product Crose highlighted. This product combines either liquid or dry fertilizer with DuraCor, a broad spectrum, broadleaf herbicide with residual control. This product is being introduced in Illinois as retailers are trained. Two current R&P products ideal for drought and weed management are the following. Grazon PD3 is an herbicide offering residual control, low odor and low volatility. Crose recommends this product for pastures near crops. NovaGraz, the final product recommended, is a non-residual product ideal for short plant back situations. "Drought is inevitable, and also persisting," Crose expresses. "We need to be as prepared as possible, having as many tools in our toolbox as we can to combat drought and help our ranchers make it out on the other side." Crose wants producers to know the Corteva tools mentioned can help reduce weed competition and increase forage yield amidst current drought conditions. Thanks for having me, Corteva!

Corteva Range & Pasture Field Scientist, Jodie Crose, Ph.D., presents on how Corteva products can help recover pastures following drought.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Affiliate News Woodford County Beef Improvement Association once again

hosted a freezer beef raffle at their county 4-H fair, held July 21-23, and also provided a free burger dinner to all fair exhibitors.

Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association offered $2 coupons to attendees of the

Stephenson County Fair towards a beef sandwich at their Beef Corral who participated in Beef Jeopardy. They also did a drawing at their fair; everyone who bought a ribeye sandwich was entered to win a quarter beef. Community businesses such as Foresight Bank, Pearl City Elevator, Inc., Stephenson Service Company, Nutrien Ag Solutions and Citizens State Bank, all volunteered at the Beef Corral.

Union County Cattlemen's Association

awarded $100 to the Overall Champion Female and Steer and $50 to the Reserve Champion Female and Steer at the Union County Fair Junior Livestock Show held on Wednesday, August 26. Layne Murray's cattle were awarded Champion Female, and Champion and Reserve Champion Steer, and Emory Dunn had the Reserve Champion Female. Below you will find photos of the Champion and Reserve females.

Submitting Affiliate News We know you are doing cool things in your affiliates! Submit recaps or upcoming event information to paige@illinoisbeef.com or call 217-787-4280. Please notify us with changes to affiliate officer teams, or call us if you need any assistance too.

Paige Berkmeyer Programs Manager

h s e Fr ! s e c Fa Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

aige Berkmeyer joined the Illinois Beef Association as Programs and Services Manager, bringing with her a background in animal science, ruminant nutrition and collegiate athletics. Originally from Wadsworth, Ohio, Paige came to the University of Illinois as a member of the Fighting Illini softball team. While athletics first brought her to Champaign-Urbana, she quickly found a home in the Department of Animal Sciences, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science. Paige remained at the University of Illinois to pursue a master’s www.illinoisbeef.com

degree in animal science with an emphasis in ruminant nutrition, further developing her knowledge of cattle production, nutrition and performance. During that time, Paige also became involved with the Illinois Beef Association through the Illinois Beef Quality Showcase. She assisted with data tracking, producer communication and other components of the program, giving her an opportunity to work directly with both IBA staff and Illinois cattle producers. That experience ultimately helped lead Paige to her current role as Programs and Services Manager, where she will focus on producer outreach and program development. Her responsibilities include programs such as the Illinois Beef Quality Showcase, Beef Quality Assurance and Team Beef, each of which reaches a different segment of the beef industry through production, education, nutrition and consumer engagement.

“My role hits a lot of different sections of the industry,” Paige says. “We all have different roles, but we all are working toward the same goal of helping producers and promoting beef.” Although Paige did not grow up directly involved in production agriculture, she believes that background gives her a valuable perspective when communicating with consumers while her education and experience allow her to connect with producers. She looks forward to using both perspectives in her work at IBA- helping producers access useful programs and resources while also strengthening connections between the beef industry and the consumers it serves. “Growth, grit, grounded- the traits that marked Paige as a student, athlete and team captain at the University of Illinois will now be the calling card of her professional career,” said Sara Hurst, Paige’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes mentor.

Cori Malone Director of Advocacy & Education

or Cori Malone, joining the Illinois Beef Association as Director of Advocacy and Education brings together several pieces of a career—and a life—that have always centered on agriculture. A fifth-generation cattle producer, Malone grew up in central Illinois surrounded by the beef industry. Her family’s involvement in cattle stretches back generations, and today she continues that legacy alongside her husband, Ryan, daughter, Ada, and her parents on their family’s 75-head cow-calf operation near Mackinaw. “I really don’t remember a time when cattle weren’t part of my life,” Malone says. “Some of my earliest memories are in the barn, at cattle shows or helping my family in the field. The beef industry has shaped both my career and who I am.” Growing up in the cattle industry also gave Malone early opportunities in leadership and agricultural advocacy. Through junior livestock programs and years spent showing cattle, she earned scholarships that helped support her education while also developing the leadership skills that eventually led her to serve on the National Junior Limousin Association Board of Directors and as its president. Her mother, Joan, was another important influence. “My mom showed me very early that there was absolutely a place for women in agriculture,” Malone says. “She was actively involved in our cattle operation while also building a career in agricultural education. Watching her helped shape both my interest in education and the way I viewed my own opportunities in this industry.” After graduating from Olympia High School, Malone earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and agricultural communication from Oklahoma State University and later a master’s degree in agricultural education and leadership from Illinois State University. Malone’s graduate work at Illinois State University opened the door to an 11-year career in the university’s Department of Agriculture, where she served as an animal science instructor, academic advisor and internship program www.illinoisbeef.com

coordinator. Her work in teaching, advising and experiential learning strengthened her passion for agricultural education while building relationships with students and industry partners across the state. “Education has always been a large part of what I enjoy,” Malone says. “At IBA, I now have the opportunity to apply that passion by working directly with producers, industry partners and decision-makers.” Malone was familiar with IBA long before joining the staff. Her industry involvement has included serving as Illinois’ representative to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference, participating in IBA’s Beef Leadership Academy, coordinating the Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show and serving as Beef Superintendent for the Illinois State Fair. In her new role, Malone will lead IBA’s advocacy and education initiatives. That work includes expanding the Association’s advocacy presence in Springfield, strengthening relationships with agricultural organizations and industry stakeholders, and helping members become more engaged in advocating for beef production and Illinois agriculture. She will also oversee producer education and training efforts, working to develop programs and resources that provide practical value to cattle producers across the state. “One of the things that excites me most about this position is the opportunity to help connect the realities of raising cattle with the conversations happening beyond the farm,” Malone says. “Whether I’m talking with an industry partner or someone involved in developing public policy, I want to clearly explain what cattle producers do, why they do it and how decisions can affect their operations.” For Malone, the transition to IBA is an opportunity to combine her background in beef production, agricultural education, communication and industry leadership in service to Illinois beef producers. “I’ve been fortunate to build my career in an industry I genuinely believe in,” she says. “Now I have the opportunity to help make sure Illinois cattle producers have a strong voice and access to meaningful education and resources. Being able to do that work on behalf of Illinois cattle producers is something I’m incredibly excited about.” September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

In the Know Illinois Beef Leaders attend NCBA Summer Business Meeting Illinois beef leaders joined producers from across the country July 12–14 in Aurora, Colorado, for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Summer Business Meeting. Nearly 700 producers and industry representatives attended the meeting, participating in NCBA policy discussions, Beef Checkoff committee meetings and regional sessions focused on issues affecting producers across the country. Representing Illinois were IBA President Shannon Welsh, Vice President Larisa Willrett, staff member Dan Loos, Policy Board member Trevor Maiers, Checkoff committee member Jamie Martz and Cattlemen’s Beef Board member Mike Martz. “We conduct a lot of business during this meeting, but we also benefit by gathering together and learning from each other,” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver. “I appreciate the time producers take away from their families to make our industry better for future generations and the commitment our state partners have to helping advance the business of the industry.”

IBA Board Members, Shannon Welsh, Trevor Maiers, Jamie Martz and Larisa Willrett, at the NCBA Board of Directors meeting.

Throughout the meeting, producers evaluated emerging issues, continued initiatives introduced at CattleCon and established priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Regional meetings also gave state cattle organizations an opportunity to share concerns and perspectives from producers in their respective areas. Grassroots policy development remained a major focus of the meeting. State cattlemen’s associations brought forward recommendations on issues including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Livestock Risk Protection and Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a disease transmitted by Asian longhorned ticks. Those discussions help shape policy recommendations that move through NCBA’s producer-led process.

IBA's, Shannon Welsh, shares comments on CRP policy at the meeting.

IBA delegates worked alongside farmer leaders from Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to co-sponsor policy resolutions carving out grazing exceptions on federal CRP acres this year. The policy draft, which IBA President Shannon Welsh supported in discussion on the business meeting floor, came out of months of work between Iowa and Illinois board leaders. The measure now becomes record in NCBA policy, as the national organization works with state affiliates in support of CRP reform in the federal Farm Bill package pending in Washington, D.C. The meeting also highlighted the work of the Federation of State Beef Councils and the collaborative efforts underway nationwide to promote beef, support research, expand education and strengthen consumer trust. For Illinois representatives, the Summer Business Meeting provided an opportunity to contribute to national conversations while bringing back information and ideas that can support producers at home.

Beef Leadership Academy travels to Chicago on final excursion for after-rail industry experiences The 2025–2026 Illinois Beef Association Beef Leadership Academy concluded June 22–24 with a three-day trip through central and northern Illinois, giving participants an inside look at several segments of the beef industry- from cattle production and procurement to processing, foodservice and marketing. The class began its final experience in Lexington at the cattle backgrounding operation of former IBA President Dave Duzan. Participants toured the operation and discussed its overall setup, feeding program and cattle health protocols. The stop provided an opportunity to learn more about the management decisions involved in preparing cattle for the next stage of production. 20

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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From Lexington, the group traveled to Chicago for a visit with Fulton Marketing Group. Participants met with senior members of the company’s buying and procurement team, who provided an overview of the business and discussed both the challenges and opportunities they encounter when sourcing beef for foodservice customers. The conversation gave the class a closer look at the considerations that influence beef purchasing decisions beyond the farm and feedlot. The group then visited McDonald’s U.S. headquarters, where participants received an inside look at the company’s research, product development and marketing efforts. The experience also included the opportunity to sample menu items offered by McDonald’s restaurants in other countries, illustrating how consumer preferences and product offerings vary across global markets. Later, the class visited OSI Group, a longtime supplier to McDonald’s and a producer of hamburger patties for the restaurant system. Participants learned more about the company’s role in beef processing and food production before taking an inside tour of the facility to see the patty-making process firsthand. The final stop of the trip was Larson Farms in DeKalb, where Mike and Lynn Martz welcomed the class to their large-scale feedlot operation. Participants toured the facilities and discussed cattle nutrition, health management and day-to-day feedlot operations. The visit also gave the group an opportunity to observe cattle being ultrasounded and learn more about how the technology can be used to evaluate carcass characteristics. The trip served as a fitting conclusion to the 2025–2026 Beef Leadership Academy by connecting many of the topics participants explored throughout the year. From backgrounding and feedlot management to procurement, processing and consumer marketing, the final experience demonstrated how each segment of the beef industry is connected and how decisions made at one stage can influence the next.

IBA Staff network, knowledge build and win big at Ag Media Summit

Bollman's winning photo "Coliseum Judgement" taken in the Illinois State Fair Coliseum at the 2026 Illinois Beef Expo.

The Illinois Beef Association produces countless pieces of content to be shared through different mediums. Staff produce print products for education, a bimonthly publication for producers, graphics for social media, and last but not least, staff member Devin Bollman always has a camera in her hand shooting fabulous photos to share every event and happening with producers. In an effort to grow communication skills and continue to produce better content for both producers and consumers who see what our organization puts out, staff is part of Ag Communicators Network, the main organization for communicators across all kinds of ag media. Each year, ACN hosts Ag Media Summit, the largest annual conference for agricultural communicators to network and develop more skill in the industry. The event boasts talented speakers from all IBA staff Olivia Hoots and Devin Bollman attend the AMS opening night event dressed to the areas of the ag communications industry theme of superheros. and many awards, of which this year IBA entered to challenge their skills and compete against the best of the best. This July, Bollman received ACN Portrait of the Year with a gorgeous judge photo taken at the 2026 Illinois Beef Expo (see below). This was a huge win for our organization, producers should be proud. www.illinoisbeef.com

Bollman smiles with delight with her 2026 Ag Communicators Network Photo Award for best portrait.

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

IBA staff travel across the state to share the message of beef with teachers IBA staff completed their yearly summer travels around the state for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Ag Institutes to provide lessons to public school teachers on the basics of beef and various beef resources that are available for their classrooms. The map reflects seven separate institutes IBA staff were able to travel to, reaching teachers with basics of beef presentations and Beef. It's What's for Dinner. resources. Counties visited include Jackson, Union, McLean, Warren, Christian, Sangamon and Marion. Additional packets containing these resources were sent to SAIs that staff were unable to attend. This reach means individual educators have beef resources in their hands and, therefore, the opportunity to use beef educational resources in their classrooms. New this year, teachers were offered beef bulletin boards (see below) for their classrooms with the hope that beef lessons will play a part in their upcoming lessons. If you know a teacher who would be interested, please reach out!

I “HERD” SOMEONE WAS IN THE MOOOD FOR LEARNING

Mike Stephens: (217) 825-7914

stephenstrailers@yahoo.com www.stephenstrailers.com

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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make plans Now.

BE THE STATE’S UNDISPUTED BEST BEEF.

Start planning your 2026-2027 entries for the Illinois Beef Quality Showcase, presented by Illinois Beef Association. We’re looking for steers born in 2026 to be donated for the feeding contest which kicks off in November. We target a starting weight around 750 pounds, if possible. Last year’s contestants split more than $15,000 in prize money, along with bragging rights for the best beef production in the state! Awards are given for Top 5 Steers Overall, Top On-Feed Performance, and Top Carcass Performance. Cattle are placed on-feed in a program designed to gather real-time data, showcasing efficiency of the animals. The reporting analyzes how steers convert feed, including daily intake and rate-of-gain for days on feed. At the end of the cattle feeding period, all steers are harvested at a regional packer where carcass data is collected by the research staff and USDA inspectors. The steers are graded, evaluated for premium programs, and marketed on the grid to maximize performance data analysis. Producers have the opportunity to receive comprehensive on-feed performance and carcass data on their entry following the conclusion of the IBQS program. There is no cost to enter the contest, but cattle are a donation to the program with proceeds benefiting the IBA outreach and advocacy programs on behalf of producers in the state. Ask about our Illinois Corn partnership to help subsidize your calf donation for the contest. Contact the IBA office with questions: Paige Berkmeyer | (217) 787-4280 | paige@illinoisbeef.com | www.illinoisbeef.com IBQS Contest Chairman: Thad Tharp | (309) 333-8814 | tthaddeus88@gmail.com www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Recognition

urkey Ridge Cattle Company, owners Ted and Julie Prehn, located in Jersey County, earned Top Steer Overall when their steer entry was named the 2026 Illinois Beef Quality Showcase Overall Champion at this year's IBQS Recognition Ceremony. The winning steer, entered by Prehn and sponsored by Pike Feeds and Fritz Meat and Processing, delivered a strong combination of feed efficiency, carcass quality, value and total pounds. After entering the program in November, the steer rose to the top of the competition, finishing at 1,683 pounds and produced a 1,084-pound Prime, Yield Grade 4 carcass. Second place overall was awarded to Entry #24 from Cody Hadden and Jake Hlas. Their steer entered the program at a heavier weight than the group average but remained among the top-performing cattle in the contest. The steer gained approximately five pounds per day, reaching a finished weight of 1,738 pounds for a Choice, Yield Grade 3 carcass. The same entry earned the title of Top Performer Onthe-Rail, recognizing the steer that demonstrates the greatest carcass profitability. The 1,083-pound carcass generated a gross value of $4,339, or approximately $4 per pound of hanging weight. Third place overall was awarded to Entry #11 from Thad Tharp of Tharp Auction Service in Warren County, and raised by Adam Robinson, also of Warren County. Tharp’s steer entered the contest as a middle-weight steer, finished

at 1,525 pounds and produced a Prime, Yield Grade 3 carcass weighing just under 1,000 pounds. Adam Robinson and Marc Hanson of Robinson Beef in Warren County earned fourth place overall with Entry #3. The steer entered the program as one of the greener cattle in the group but gained slightly more than five pounds per day to finish at just over 1,600 pounds. It recorded a feed-to-gain ratio of 5.6 pounds of feed for each pound of gain and produced a Prime, Yield Grade 4 carcass weighing over 1,000 pounds. Fifth place overall was awarded to Entry #32, Cody Hill of Hills Corner Beef in Dixon, and was sponsored by Northern Illinois Veterinary, Wildberry Farms and PADO Farms. The steer entered the feeding period at 850 pounds and gained approximately 4.5 pounds per day before shipping at 1,670 pounds. This steer produced a Choice, Yield Grade 4 carcass. The 2026 Top Performer on Feed award went to Entry #2, exhibited by Nate and Lou Lamoreux from Carroll County. The steer entered the contest on the lighter side of the group and recorded a feed-to-gain ratio of 4.9-to-1 and produced a Choice, Yield Grade 2 carcass. The Illinois Beef Quality Showcase included 37 cattle and collected 178 days of individual feed-intake and performance data under the supervision of the University of Illinois beef program in Urbana. The 2026 contest began in November 2025 and concluded in June 2026 at the awards ceremony held at Raber's Packing Co in Peoria. See photos below.

Top Steer Overall

Third Place Overall

Fourth Place Overall

Second Place Overall, Top Performer On-the-Rail

Fifth Place Overall

Top Performer On-Feed

Turkey Ridge Cattle Co., Ted & Julie Prehn

Cody Hadden & Jake Hlas

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Thad Tharp, Tharp Auction Service

Cody Hill

Adam Robinson & Marc Hanson

Nate Lamoreux

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THANK THANK YOU! YOU!! THANK YOU Donors & Sponsors

Donors Sponsors Donors & Sponsors Jarad JaradCarroll Carroll Dean Beef & Bacon — Dean Beef & Bacon —Rick Rick&&Derek DerekDean Dean Rockin’ Rockin’DD——Royce RoyceDeJaynes DeJaynes Dr. Dr.Logan LoganDouglas Douglas Dave Dave&&Jessica JessicaDuzan Duzan Fritz FritzMeat Meat&&Processing Processing Rolling Oaks——Laura LauraGriffin Griffin&&Kylie KylieWieczorek Wieczorek Rolling Oaks Circle Farms&&Feedlots Feedlots——Groenhagen Groenhagen Family Family Circle GG Farms PaulHabeck Habeck Paul CodyHadden Hadden Cody MarcHanson Hanson Marc Lorenzen Farms——Steve SteveLorenzen Lorenzen&&Adam Adam Harms Harms Lorenzen Farms KipHarms Harms Kip Dan&&Betty BettyHaynes Haynes Dan Head Bros.Land Land&&Cattle Cattle——Rollin Rollin & & Malcom MalcolmHead Head Head Bros. Cody Hill Cody Hill Merck – Jake Hlas Merck – Jake Hlas Moss Rock Ranch — Cody Holst Moss Rock Ranch — Cody Holst Jakobs Bros. Farms — Alex & Nik Jakobs Jakobs Bros. Farms — Alex & Nik Jakobs Kelly Kruse Kelly Kruse Nate & Lou Lamoreux Nate & Lou Lamoreux Wildberry Farms — Ben Lehman Wildberry Lehman BlackhawkFarms Cattle——Ben Skyler Martin Blackhawk Cattle — Skyler Martin Larson Farms — Mike Martz Larson Farms — Mike Martz Pat McCabe Pat McCabe www.illinoisbeef.com

PantherCreek Creek——Mike MikeMcClelland McClelland Panther CedardaleFarm Farm——Tom TomMoser Moser Cedardale NorthernIL ILVeterinary Veterinary––Dr. Dr.Chelsey ChelseyRamirez Ramirez Northern O’HernStock StockFarm Farm——Larry LarryJoe JoeO’Hern O’Hern O’Hern Phil&&Deb DebOhlwine Ohlwine Phil PADOFarms Farms PADO Pike PikeFeeds Feeds Turkey Prehn Turkey Ridge RidgeCattle CattleCo. Co.——Ted Ted&&Julie Julie Prehn Justin & Ellen Rahn Justin & Ellen Rahn Ed EdRobinson Robinson Adam AdamRobinson Robinson Logan Sarginson Logan Sarginson Matt MattTaylor Taylor Tharp Auction Tharp Auction——Thad ThadTharp Tharp Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association — Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association — Jon Haney, Tyler Schleich, and Gayle Baker Jon Haney, Tyler Schleich, and Gayle Baker Triple B Angus Triple B Angus TWG Ranch TWG Ranch Welsh Cattle Co. — Shannon & Carson Welsh Welsh Cattle Co. — Shannon & Carson Welsh Rolling Oaks — Laura Griffin & Kylie Rolling Oaks — Laura Griffin & Kylie Wieczorek Wieczorek J Willrett Farms — Larisa Willrett Willrett Farms——Bradley Larisa Willrett WindyJ Hill Meadows & Kimberly Windy Hill Meadows — Bradley & Kimberly Wolter Zoetis –Wolter Barney Gehl Zoetis – Barney Gehl September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Beef Leadership Academy Class of 2026-2027

CHANDLER & CARA BANE Arrowsmith

COLTEN COLLIER Anna

KYLE & MORGAN EATHINGTON

ERIC SCHAFER Owaneco

EMILY SKELTON McLeansboro

JAKE WENTE Sigel

Avon

SAWYER WILLRETT Malta

GINA WIX Morris

DANIEL & SAMANTHA WUEST Murphysboro

KYLIE WIECZOREK Stockton

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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For the Love of Cows and Kids Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year is the Spangler family of Fulton County.

Story By Meagan Davis, 2026 IBA Summer Intern; Photos by Devin Bollman

he goal of many farm families is to build a legacy not only for themselves, but for the generations who will follow. That is exactly what John and Holly Spangler have done for themselves and their three children, Jenna, Nathan and Caroline. Raising cattle and raising children were never separate callings for the Spanglers. Both were shaped by faith, hard work and a willingness to keep growing. Located in Fulton County, the Spanglers’ grain and cow-calf operation has grown steadily over the years

and so has the family behind it. From freezing nights spent pulling calves to long summer days hauling grain, the farm became a classroom where their children learned responsibility, perseverance and a love for agriculture through firsthand experience. Today, they manage a 150-head cowcalf herd, growing it from the 30-head herd that existed when John graduated from college and joined the operation. For decades, they backgrounded calves and sold them through a Certified Angus Beef sale at the Fairview Sale Barn. Last year, they began finishing cattle. They also raise corn and soybeans on 2,500 acres. In many ways, the farm helped shape the Spanglers, but it is the family’s commitment to one another that has left the greatest mark on the operation. That dedication to improving both their farm and family earned John and Holly Spangler the honor of being named the 2026 Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year.

The Beginning

Long before the Spanglers were recognized by IBA, they were a young couple learning how to grow a farm while building a life. John and Holly both grew up on farms, raising and showing cattle. Those experiences gave them a deep appreciation for livestock and for the values learned on a family farm. They met while attending the University of Illinois and checking cows on the university farm. After graduation, they returned to Fulton County and joined John’s family farm, a third-generation cattle operation. John began making

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improvements to expand the herd and strengthen the operation. That drive to improve and grow never left. Today, it continues as the entire family works together to change and evolve the farm. It was an essential part of family life to give their children the knowledge, experience and life skills that come with growing up on a farm. From a young age, the children tagged along for daily chores, cared for bottle calves, and eventually began showing cattle and taking on more individual responsibilities. “We really believe there is no better place to raise a family than on a farm and with livestock,” Holly says. Their children experienced the ups and downs of agriculture firsthand, right alongside their parents. Jenna, 23, Nathan, 21, and Caroline, 18, can recall countless days spent with their parents on the farm. From small chores to larger tasks, they were always involved in whatever was happening around them. Spending time in the tractor with their dad or caring for calves in the barn became more than a chore. It became something to look forward to every day. “And as soon as I got home from school, I just wanted to be out on the farm,” says Nathan, who plans to return to the farm following graduation from the University of Illinois next spring. At first, the farm served as a place where the children could learn essential life skills and develop a strong work ethic. As they grew older, however, their role began to change. While there is always something new to learn when farming or running a cattle operation, the children could contribute more to the farm and demonstrate how much they had learned over the years.

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Raising More Than Just Cattle

Work ethic, initiative and perseverance are just some of the lifelong skills developed by the Spangler children. They were rooted in long days on the farm, countless hours preparing shows and seeing firsthand the difference that can be made when someone is willing to step up and put in the work. But over the last 25 years, it was not only the Spangler children who learned valuable life lessons. Learning how to run a farm while juggling the chaos of everyday life takes time, patience and plenty of trial and error. While their children were learning responsibility on the farm, John and Holly continued to learn as producers themselves. Every year brought new lessons, from herd management to genetics, reinforcing the belief that no cattle operation is ever truly finished improving. Three years ago, they added a 250-foot hoop building for calving and finishing. “The cool thing about cattle, even if you are at the top of your game, you can find something to improve on and to do better,” John says. One of the biggest things John has learned throughout his time as a cattle producer is the importance of good genetics within the herd. “Good genetics are valuable no matter what your end goal, whether it's raising a replacement female, show heifer or a feedlot steer. Having the right genetics makes a huge difference,” John says. Alongside good cows, John and Holly have also learned that surrounding yourself with good people can make all the difference. That lesson began during their college years at the University of Illinois, where they learned from Dr. Tom Carr and Dr. Doug Parrott. Their influence continues to educate the next generation of livestock producers and stockmen. The Illinois Simmental Association has also been a source of friendships and long-lasting relationships—not only for John and Holly, but for their children as well. Holly has seen firsthand how people within the agricultural industry can work together to help one another, both personally and professionally through

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

her work as a farm journalist and editor. “One of the greatest things in agriculture is that people are so willing to share,” Holly explains. Over the last 29 years, Holly has heard farmers from all aspects of the industry share their stories as Prairie Farmer editor. “I’m telling stories about farmers who found a better way to do something. When they're willing to share, it benefits everybody.” For the Spanglers, that willingness to learn from others, and to share what they have learned in return has been another important part of building their operation.

Legacy

When you look across the Spanglers’ pastures, one of the first things you’ll notice is the colorful ear tags scattered throughout the herd. A sea of blue, purple, yellow, red and green, the tags tell a story that goes far beyond simple identification numbers. The tradition began years ago when Jenna received her first show heifer, and John wanted to make her cattle easily identifiable in the herd. “Dad sat me down in the office and he was like, ‘All right, well, which one do you want? What color do you want?’” Jenna recalls. What started as a simple way for each child to identify their show heifer gradually became a family tradition. Jenna chose purple, Nathan chose green and Caroline went with blue. Before long, the pastures were dotted with calves wearing tags that represented each child’s own little piece of the herd. Coming home from college meant scanning the pasture to find their calves first. “Whenever I came home, I’d walk out to see the little calves with the purple tags,” Jenna says. Those colorful tags have become more than a management tool. They are a reminder that the Spanglers’ greatest investment is not in their cattle. It is in giving the next generation a place in the family’s long story.

Faith and Family

Looking back over more than two decades of their family and farm, at times they were unsure of how things www.illinoisbeef.com

would play out. John recalls a time when the idea of raising a family and cows seemed almost impossible. One night, the two of them were out in the barn pulling a calf. After calling for a veterinarian to come out, they found themselves with some time to reflect on the demands of raising cattle while also raising a family. “We kind of looked at each other like, ‘What are we doing?’” John recalls. Today, in looking at what they have built, those nights seem distant, yet somehow just like yesterday. “At this point, I think how much time’s passed and how so much of that has really worked out very much the way we hoped it would,” John says. What John and Holly are most proud of is not only that they raised their children with a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility, but that they kept their faith at the center of their lives. “We have been able to raise our kids with their faith. That's a big part of who we are,” Holly says. While much of Spangler life revolves around the farm, they still believe in putting family first and keeping their relationship with the Lord at the center. “Family is first, and our relationship with our Lord,” John says. “I think our kids have got that right.” Today, the Spanglers’ operation looks different than it did 30 years ago. The herd has grown, the children have become adults, and the family continues to find new ways to build upon what was started generations ago. Yet the values that built the farm remain unchanged. Faith still comes first. Family still works side by side. And every calf born, every field planted and every colored ear tag serves as a reminder that the greatest legacy isn’t measured in numbers — it’s measured in the people who carry it forward. For John and Holly Spangler, being named the 2026 Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year is not the culmination of their work. It’s simply another chapter in a story built on a love for cows, kids, and the life they have created together.

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

New World Screwworm

Products and Emerging Technology for Prevention

hen New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in southern Mexico in 2024, NCBA quickly made response and preparedness a top priority. On June 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed a case of NWS in a calf in South Texas, signifying the first case of the pest in the U.S. in decades. NCBA has worked with the USDA, Food and Drug Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency to ensure these agencies recognize the serious animal health threat NWS poses and the economic implications on the supply chain. NCBA pushed these agencies to take action to provide resources livestock producers can access to mitigate the threat of NWS. As a result, these federal agencies moved quickly to expand prevention and treatment options that producers and veterinarians can use to protect cattle. To date, the best defense against New World screwworm is still the sterile insect technique (SIT), which was discussed in the June National Cattlemen. This method uses gamma radiation to irradiate NWS pupae and create sterile male flies. When the sterile males are produced and released, they mate with female flies to lay unfertilized eggs, therefore reducing the population over time and eradicating the pest. SIT has been successfully used in the past to eradicate NWS in the 1960s and is the cornerstone of the U.S.’s response plan. In addition to SIT, agencies are fast-tracking approvals for additional tools producers can use at the animal level. Several products are now available under emergency or conditional approval that can help prevent infestation, treat future active cases, or protect wounds that attract screwworm flies. This list is not comprehensive, and information is being updated frequently by USDA. Because these products are under emergency authorization or conditional use, it is important to work closely with your herd veterinarian, review all product labels carefully, and keep accurate records of inspection and treatment. Through accurate documentation,

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

*When treating anything on an animal’s hide other than injection sites and/ or tag wounds, the withdrawal period for Tanidil is 28 days. However, the EPA has placed additional restrictions on the use of this product to protect human safety. Read the full restrictions here: https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent. com/e4748d51-2c24-00f7-fc54-65f3864ee8b1/7fbaa3ce-39ff-47ff-a5091a382d259f5f/Tanidil%20New%20World%20Screwworm%20EUA%20Section%2018_Apr-29-2026.pdf

producers can protect animal and food safety and support broader response efforts. As national response efforts continue to be strengthened, it is important to maintain sound biosecurity practices on your operation. Find tools to improve biosecurity practices here: https://www.ncba.org/ education-resources/industry-updates-resources/biosecurityresources. NCBA will continue working with USDA, FDA and the EPA to communicate updates, secure additional resources, and support U.S. cattle producers to help manage the spread of NWS.

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Beef Production for Family and Community By Peri Andras

Schutz Livestock, LLC was a new beginning for this year’s Commercial Producers of the Year, Chad and Stacy Schutz. Their operation is focused on raising quality beef for their family and community that has been a support system to them for many years.

ot every operation starts with inherited land, an established herd or clear directions for the future. Often it starts with a family trying to decide what is the best next step for their family, resulting in the start of a feeder operation. For Chad and Stacy Schutz of Roodhouse, those humble beginnings became the foundation for a new cattle operation, a growing local beef business and a way to give back to the community they have been a part of for years.

Buying Cattle

For Chad and Stacy, the cattle industry has been an essential piece of their story for decades, but it didn’t start out that way. Both grew up in the Greene County area, Chad growing up in White Hall on a farm and Stacy in Roodhouse. Stacy got involved with livestock when she and Chad began dating at the age of 15; she had always been an “outdoor girl,” after all. After getting married in 1998, they continued farming with Chad’s family in White Hall. Chad knew he wanted to find a way to return to the family farm. Since his family had never owned cattle, the two saw an opportunity to start something of their own and began building their herd just

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before they were married. In the years following, they were involved in running a cow-calf operation and finishing cattle. However, when 2018 came around, succession for the cattle operation did not work out as they had hoped. Even so, they refused to walk away from the cattle industry and instead decided to start over. “There is just something on the inside of your heart that yearns for livestock,” Chad says. “We knew whenever we moved out here that we still wanted to raise cattle.” That decision led to the beginning of Schutz Livestock. Beginning a new operation meant figuring out what would work for their family, which required Chad to spend a significant amount of time trucking. They would soon find their new path in backgrounding and finishing cattle. In November 2019, they purchased a few calves and started their new journey. Today, they buy calves from the local sale barn and add value to them through backgrounding and finishing. They sell some cattle to other producers but are well known in their county for providing quality freezer beef.

Selling Beef

The freezer beef side of the operation grew out of a serious need they saw in their community. While there used to be two grocery stores in the area, now the only resemblance of September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

beef availability is a small freezer at Dollar General. Chad and Stacy saw this as an opportunity to provide people with local beef while also creating another area of growth for their operation and family business. In the beginning, the Schutzes wanted to finish cattle for their own family but began talking to their community about the importance and benefits of local beef. This led to repeat customers, even families who keep returning to purchase quarters and halves each year. As demand for Schutz Livestock beef grows, they continue to make it more accessible too. Chad’s sister and her husband opened Brantzel’s in White Hall, known for sweet coffees. A Schutz Livestock beef freezer along the wall provides an offering of ground beef, steaks and roasts. More recently a freezer was added at their daughter Bridget’s greenhouse located in Roodhouse, which she and her fiancé recently purchased and named “The Greenhouse on Grand,” just another way the Schutz family is planting itself in their community for its betterment. Bridget grew up surrounded by cattle, chores and the dayto-day lessons that can only be learned from life on a farm. She even remembers friends coming over to play yet first helping her out with chores. “Growing up on a farm was truly a blessing,” Bridget says. “All of my happiest memories are there.” Those lessons, memories and the blessings of farm life shaped the way she approaches her own business too. She credits her parents for her work ethic and appreciation for family, a well-earned livelihood and solid relationships. Bridget is now putting those lessons into practice at her greenhouse. When the previous business owner prepared to retire, she saw an opportunity to bring new life to her hometown, like the way her parents did with their local beef. In high school and college, Bridget became passionate about the challenges facing rural communities like her own such as rural poverty, specifically food deserts. She decided her version of the greenhouse would have offerings beyond plants and vegetables. It was a great location to offer Schutz beef in Roodhouse. “There is a lack of nutritional quality

beef in our area. And I have my parents right here growing wonderful beef for our community,” Bridget says. “We’re bringing you vegetables, and now we are bringing you beef and trying to fill a need for quality food in rural areas.” The greenhouse became the second retail location for Schutz beef, the first being Brantzel’s White Hall. Within the first month, community members were coming into the greenhouse asking for it. While many of them would typically drive 30 minutes to a grocery store, the combination of locally grown produce and locally raised beef provides another option close to home. Bridget believes the greenhouse would never have worked without her parents. Chad and Stacy continue to help with the day-to-day work at the greenhouse. “I would describe my parents as resilient, strong and motivated,” Bridget says. “They are the hardest working people I know.”

Serving the Community

Providing beef in Greene County is just the beginning of the Schutz family’s involvement in the area. Both Chad and Stacy have found ways to involve themselves in their community. Stacy is in her third term of service on the local school board. Education and the North Greene community are important to her; the farm even provides beef to their local schools. She has had students thank her for the quality of the beef they get to enjoy for weekday lunches. For Chad, involvement began on his home farm. His dad and uncle told him to get involved, to help him grow both personally and professionally. He has been involved with Farm Bureau, serving as a district director for ten years across six counties. These efforts allowed Chad to build relationships with other producers and gain perspectives that shape the efforts of his own operation. “The relationships that we have made, the people that we can call and ask

Schutz Livestock has expanded to two locations in Greene County, one being their daughter Bridget's recently acquired greenhouse in Roodhouse, Greenhouse on Grand. Pictured left, Stacy and Bridget check out a beef customer. Chad, Stacy, Bridget and her fiance, Noah, are pictured above.

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

questions, the different perspectives,” Chad says. “That’s all been a big part of it.”

All for Faith and Family

Chad and Stacy’s desire for strong roots in their community and ability to further their impact through their beef operation earned them recognition as the IBA Commercial Producer of the Year. When Stacy first received the call about their nomination, she was not certain they were the right people for the award. Compared to the size of some commercial operations across the state, they did not feel they were the obvious choice, even attempting to decline the award. Their nominator would not accept that reaction and encouraged them to accept. Chad and Stacy now understand it is not about the size of the operation, but the quality of the beef and the people who are raising it. Their peers believe they deserve recognition for their commitment to the livestock and farming industry in Illinois, strong local and quality beef sales and the part they play in the betterment of their community, and even more so their thriving operation. Both Chad and Stacy say the award was an honor and left them humbled. “We are small, but we are trying to grow and start over from scratch and get back into the beef industry,” Stacy says. The Schutz family’s definition of success has changed since they started over. Before 2018, life on the family farm meant working sunrise to sunset. Starting over required www.illinoisbeef.com

them to step back to evaluate how they were spending their time. They decided a while back to prioritize time with their daughters and also time with God. “I couldn’t think of a better way to raise kids than this,” Chad said. The Schutzes are focused on growth while finding new opportunities to serve their community. Chad recently began partnering with his brother, Brock, who has returned to the cattle industry, and the family continues to look for cattle they can add value to and turn around into beef for their customers. Stacy hopes to extend their beef sales to other small businesses and do more with their local school. Faith remains an important part of how the Schutz family views both their operation and their responsibility to others. In Matthew 25 Jesus tells the parable of the talents - the idea of making good use of what has been entrusted to you by God. For Chad and Stacy, that means using their cattle operation, local beef business and time to serve the people around them. What began as an uncertain new start has grown into an operation that supports their family, creates opportunities for their children and makes a meaningful contribution to their community. From a small herd and new beginnings to a thriving operation, the Schutz family has built something successful for their family, provided local beef for their neighbors and given back to their community. The accomplishments of Chad and Stacy of Schutz Livestock provide a template for future IBA Commercial Producer of the Year winners. September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Get

BQA Certified ONline Now!

What is BQA? Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and consumers of how common-sense husbandry and transportation techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum conditions.

Why get BQA Certified? Voluntary certification to show consumers that cattle from your operation entering the food supply is safe, wholesome and quality beef.

Get BQA Certified Online at www.bqa.org. *Certifications are good for three years

If you have questions or would like to check the status of your certification, contact paige@illinoisbeef.com or call the IBA office (217-787-4280).

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Illinois State Fair Ribeye Corral

THANKS TO ALL OUR RIBEYE CORRAL VOLUNTEERS, THE FAIR WAS A SUCCESS!

Ashley Deal, Kayla Gallagher and Lindsay Croke from Illinois Corn.

Mahomet FFA Advisor and students.

IBA Members and Farm Family of the Year Holly and John Spangler.

Whiteside County Cattlemen's members and Illinois FFA State Officers.

Bank of Springfield staff and Paul Walker.

IBA members Denise and Paul Rice and Trevor Maiers.

Sherrod family and Nichole Ring.

Auburn FFA students and advisor.

Gary, Lauren, Cody and Annie Hadden, Dan Haynes and Joan Harrison.

Other volunteers not pictured include Doug Hanson, Malcolm Head, Rick Dean, Shannon Welsh, Cody Lowderman, John Brubaker, Renee Lock, Knox County Cattlemen's, Kurt Schaffnit, Peyton Richey, Lisa & Craig Nafziger, Mike & Lynn Martz, Carol Lock, Ashley & Wyatt Stierwalt, Jamie Martz, Illinois State Farm Service Agency, Adam Fritz, Logan Honegger, Dalton Johnston, Barb Lindsey, Jessica Freeman, Paul Walker, Margaret Allen and Schuyler-Brown Cattlemen's.

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Jackpot

Springfield | August 16 Judge: Scott & Bradon Burks, Ky.

Backdrop photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Female Champion Angus Shown by Logan Suits

rn FFA students and advisor.

Reserve Grand Champion Female Champion Commercial Shown by Bronson Dorsey

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Show Results Third Overall

Fourth Overall

Fifth Overall

Shown by Callie Longlett

Shown by Macy Michellini

Shown by Haley Miracle

Champion % Simmental

Champion Shorthorn

Res. Champion % Simmental

Champion Hereford

Champion Polled Hereford

Champion Red Angus

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Champion AOB

Champion Cow-calf Pair

Shown by Case Isringhausen Reserve Champion: Reed Naughton

Shown by Maddox Reedy Reserve Champion: Jalen Starman

Shown by Ella Bane Reserve Champion: Case Isringhausen

Shown by Megan Mollett Reserve Champion: Shay Powell

Shown by Madalynn Adams Reserve Champion: Mara Turner

Shown by Jordan Heimann Reserve Champion: Porter Schwantz

Other Winners - Reserve Champion Angus: Ella Bane, Reserve Champion Commercial: Brooke Allen, Reserve Champion Shorthorn: Alexa Turner, Champion Simmental: Claire Dorsey, Reserve Champion Simmental: Adlee Haefner, Champion Mainetainer: Brayden Goodbred, Reserve Champion Mainetainer: Gretchen Hilburn

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Candid photos by IBA Marketing & Communications Manager, Devin Bollman.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Heifer

Springfield | August 13-15 Judge: Nick Fitzsimmons

Backdrop photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Heifer Champion Simmental Shown by Breckyn Bloomberg

Reserve Champion Heifer Champion Land of Lincoln Champion Angus Shown by Ashton Dillow

3rd Overall Heifer

Champion Mainetainer Shown by Kade Roeder Reserve Champion Land of Lincoln

4th Overall Heifer

Reserve Champion Angus Shown by Lilian Unger

5th Overall Heifer

Champion Shorthorn Shown by Addison Fidler

Other Winners: Champion Maine Anjou - McKlay Gensini, Reserve Champion Simmental - Gracie Lashmett, Fifth Overall Land of Lincoln & Reserve Champion Maine Anjou - Weston Lampe, Reserve Champion Bred & Owned, Champion Bred & Owned Angus - Coehen Kirchner, Reserve Champion Shorthorn - Ivy Goodbred 40

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Show Results Champion Bred & Owned

Champion AOB

Champion Charolais

Shown by Alyssa Fidler Reserve Champion: Avery Seys

Shown by Brecke Barnard Reserve Champion: Nora Hoge

Champion Horned Heifer

Champion Polled Hereford

Champion Chianina

Champion Limousin/Lim-Flex

Champion Shorthorn Plus

Champion % Simmental

Champion Red Angus

Shown by Lauren Wolter Reserve Champion: Madalynn Adams 3rd overall Land of Lincoln

Shown by Macy Michellini Reserve Champion:

Shown by Hattie Fosdick Reserve Champion: Brenna Bartlow

Shown by Faith Benedict Reserve Champion: Myah Little

Shown by Maddox Reedy Reserve Champion: Parker Twait

Champion Young Cow/Calf

Shown by Addison Young Reserve Champion: Jordan Heimann www.illinoisbeef.com

Shown by Riley Rhodes Reserve Champion: Jenna Setchell

Shown by Ella Behymer Reserve Champion: Mabrey Schick

Champion Aged Cow/Calf

Shown by Eli Musgrave Reserve Champion: Reece Entwistle September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Candid photos by IBA Marketing & Communications Manager, Devin Bollman.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Steer

Springfield | August 15 Judge: Dr. Ryan Rathmann

Backdrop photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Steer Champion Crossbred Shown by McKlay Gensini

Reserve Grand Champion Steer

Reserve Champion Crossbred Shown by Keegan Murphy

3rd Overall Steer

4th Overall Steer

Other Winners: Champion Shorthorn Plus Myah Little Reserve Champion Shorthorn Plus - Waylon Paulek Champion Chianina - McKlay Gensini Reserve Champion Chianina Johnathan Nightingale

Champion Simmental Champion AOB Shown by Addysen Link Shown by Blake Hanke Reserve Simmental: Chet Gillespie Reserve AOB: Parker Lewis 44

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Show Results 5th Overall Steer Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer Champion Hereford Shown by Brenna Dryer

Land of Lincoln Reserve Champion Steer

Champion Land of Lincoln Maine Shown by Sadie Emge

3rd Overall Land of Lincoln

4th Overall Land of Lincoln

5th Overall Land of Lincoln

Champion Composite Char

Champion Maine/Mainetainer

Champion Shorthorn

Champion Angus Shown by Connor Suits

Shown by Alex Barnard Reserve Champion: Chace Riley www.illinoisbeef.com

Reserve Champion Hereford Shown by Nolan Hoge

Shown by Aliana Hankes Reserve Champion: Morgan Huls

Reserve Champion Angus Shown by Blakely Riley

Shown by Levi Paulek Reserve Champion: Caleb Funk

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Junior

Showmanship Springfield | August 12 Judges: Riley & Camryn Smith, Reid Suddeth & Lauryn Mool Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Senior Division Top Ten

Champion Claire Dorsey was followed by Lauren Wolter, Kade Boatman, Caden Crain, Nolan Lee, Kendall Boatman, Macie Carroll, Brooke Allen, Myah Little and Dagan Cordes.

Junior Division Top 5

Advanced Division Top 5

Intermediate Division Top 5

Novice Division Top 5

Champion Ella Bane was followed by Brode Bergman, Logan Suits, Macie Bartlow and Ella Behymer.

Champion Hattie Young was followed by Nash Lowderman, Tuck Lowderman, Mattie Melendrez and Elsie Bertsche.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Champion Payton May was followed by Maci Beckman, Gracie Lashmett, Blakely Storey and Jade Range.

Champion Weston Lampe was followed by Declan Johnson, Olivia Young, Delaney Condon and Amelia Clemens.

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E D G E Conference

nother successful Illinois Junior Beef Association EDGE Conference was held this summer at Blackhawk College East Campus. Dr. Buzz Iliff was the featured speaker for the day. He focused on the basics of beef reproduction. One activity helped attendees put EPDs into practice by doing match ups and bull matings on group heifers. After lunch, Juniors did a hands-on activity to examine the female reproductive tract. They learned where the uterus and ovaries are, then practiced using an AI rod. Juniors also did a mock pedigree tree, and studied anatomy terms and reproductive drugs and tools like CIDRs and IVF terms. The day concluded with a practice quiz and ice cream sundaes. IBA interns played a large part of the planning and execution of this year's conference. Stay tuned for next year's program!

CALLING ALL RUNNERS Applications are open October 1 through November 20 for Illinois TEAM BEEF!

For more information and to apply, visit illinoisbeef.com

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

DuQuoin | September 5-6 Judge: Lucas Johnson, Ill. CVA Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Female

Champion Angus Shown by Ashton Dillow

Reserve Grand Champion Female Champion Simmental Shown by Jemma Dorsey

3rd Overall Female Reserve Champion Simmental Shown by Adlee Haefner

4th Overall Female Champion AOB Shown by Maddox Robb

5th Overall Female Reserve Champion AOB Shown by Kaolin Lewis

$500 awarded by Illinois Beef Association

Grand Champion Steer

Reserve Grand Champion Steer

Champion AOB Shown by Blake Hanke

3rd Overall Steer AOB Shown by Sadie Emge 48

Reserve Champion AOB Shown by Myah Little

4th Overall Steer AOB Shown by Myah Little

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

5th Overall Steer Champion Simmental Shown by Lily Emge www.illinoisbeef.com

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois District Show series managed by Illinois Beef Association

Northern District Champions | Ottawa Grand Champion Heifer Angus shown by Carly Wiggim

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Angus shown by Beau Cassady

Third Overall Heifer

High-Maine shown by Jenna Setchell

Fourth Overall Heifer

Fifth Overall Heifer

Angus shown by Macie Carroll

Lim-Flex shown by Macy Hoag

Grand Champion Market Animal Crossbred shown by Blake Peterson

Reserve Champion Market Animal Chianina shown by Nolan Lukach

Third Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Jacey Johnson 50

Fourth Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Wyatt Peterson

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Fifth Overall Market Animal

Maine Anjou shown by Cowhen Kolodziej www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois District Show series

managed by Illinois Beef Association

Southern District Champions | Salem Grand Champion Heifer

Mainetainer shown by Maddox Robb

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Simmental shown by Emory Dunn

Third Overall Heifer

% Simmental shown by Parker Lewis

Fourth Overall Heifer

% Simmental shown by Jemma Dorsey

Fifth Overall Heifer

Angus shown by Harper Hamilton

Grand Champion Market Animal AOB shown by Blake Hanke

Reserve Champion Market Animal Crossbred shown by Lane Mollett

Third Overall Market Animal Maine Anjou shown by Sadie Emge www.illinoisbeef.com

Fourth Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Lily Emge

Fifth Overall Market Animal Simmental shown by Callie Rohlfing

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois District Show series managed by Illinois Beef Association

Eastern District Champions | Taylorville Grand Champion Heifer Angus shown by Logan Suits

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

% Simmental shown by Berwick Bloomberg

Third Overall Heifer

Simmental shown by Adlee Haefner

Fourth Overall Heifer

Fifth Overall Heifer

Commercial shown by Wyatt DeAth

Simmental shown by Braxton Williamson

Grand Champion Market Animal Maine Anjou shown by Morgan Huls

Reserve Champion Market Animal Crossbred shown by Raegan Head

Third Overall Market Animal Chianina shown by Kinley Stole 52

Fourth Overall Market Animal Maine Anjou shown by Kaden Entwistle

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Fifth Overall Market Animal

Chianina shown by Kempton DeOrnellas www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois District Show series

managed by Illinois Beef Association

Western District Champions | MACOMB Grand Champion Heifer Angus shown by Remi Dorsey

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Charolais shown by Alyssa Fidler

Third Overall Heifer

Charolais Comp. shown by Shay Powell

Fourth Overall Heifer

% Simmental shown by Callie Longlett

Fifth Overall Heifer

Maine Anjou shown by Weston Lampe

Grand Champion Market Animal Maine Anjou shown by Myah Little

Reserve Champion Market Animal Shorthorn Plus shown by Reagan Shike

Third Overall Market Animal Mainetainer shown by Cale Main www.illinoisbeef.com

Fourth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Masyn Riggins

Fifth Overall Market Animal Crossbred shown by Samuel Todd

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois District show series all state finale Champions

Grand Champion Heifer

Angus shown by Remi Dorsey

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Angus shown by Carly Wiggim

Fourth Overall Heifer

Mainetainer shown by Maddox Robb

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Third Overall Heifer

Charolais shown by Alyssa Fidler

Fifth Overall Heifer

Simmental shown by Adlee Haefner

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois District show series all state finale Champions

Grand Champion Market Animal AOB shown by Blake Hanke

Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal

Third Overall Market Animal

Fourth Overall Market Animal

Fifth Overall Market Animal

Maine Anjou shown by Morgan Huls

Maine Anjou shown by Sadie Emge

Maine Anjou shown by Myah Little

Crossbred shown by Blake Peterson

All State Finale | August 23 Taylorville

Finale and Western District photos by Cindy's Livestock Photos, Southern District photos by Double D Photography, Eastern District by Devin Bollman of IBA, and Northern District by MW Creative. Judges: Chad Holtkamp, Jeff Paulsen, Ty Webster (finale panel), Adam Dryer (Western). Tucker Schlipf (Southern), Reid Suddeth (Eastern), and Ty Knodle (Northern).

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois Beef Association

PRIVATE TREATY SALES CHECKOFF INVESTMENT FORM

State and National Beef Promotion and Research Programs Information is required by 7 CFR 1260.201. Failure to report can result in a fine. Information is held confidential per 7 CFR 1260.203.

Today’s Date

ID Number (if known)________________________

Seller’s Name

Buyer ’s Name

Address

City

State

Zip

City

Seller’s Signature

State

Zip

Buyer ’s Signature Both the seller & the buyer are responsible for making sure that the $1.50 per head assessment is collected and remitted to the Illinois Beef Association. *State of Origin

Date of Sale

Total Number of Cattle Sold:

Person remitting form :

Seller

$1.00 per Head Federal Checkoff

$0.50 per Head State Checkoff

Buyer

Total Checkoff Payment for Federal and State

Phone Number:

*If the cattle purchased came from another state within the last 30 days, indicate from which state the cattle were purchased.

Send Report and Remittance to:

For additional information:

call 217 -787 -4280

Illinois Beef Association PO Box 19214 Springfield, IL 62794 or

email dan@illinoisbeef.com

The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) collects the Illinois Beef Checkoff in accordance with the Illinois Beef Market Development Act. IBA also collects the national beef checkoff fulfilling its role as the Qualified State Beef Council for Illinois as designated by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Checking in with the Checkoff. Your Dollar Does

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois Beef partners with Indiana and Missouri Beef Councils to grow grilling confidence in women This June gave the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand countless days to remember for select sets of women who attended Girls Who Grill events, exclusive opportunities for increasing confidence in grilling. These events, hosted by Beef Checkoff programs across the country, presented grilling knowledge in an entertaining way. Illinois Beef hosted two of these events, each alongside two other state beef councils, one in Indiana and one in Missouri. The Indiana event, hosted with Indiana Beef Council, was held at an Angus cattle operation near Lafayette, Indiana, and paired grilling knowledge building with a fun fiesta theme. The theme was incorporated through mock margaritas, zesty decorations and mouthwatering side dishes like Nacho Beef Dip – a dip that proved to be a great party-starter. Not only did the Indiana event include a meat cutting demonstration from University of Illinois meat scientists Bailey Harsh and Millie Moore, and a grilling demonstration by Chef Susanne Grier, but it also brought together a variety of women from different walks of life. Spheres of life include athletics, classrooms, homemaking and beef operations. It 58

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

was an opportunity for each of them to interact with one another and find common connections through beef. After all, it brings people together! To make your own fajitas use the Beef. It's What's for Dinner. Fajita Cut Guide. The Missouri event did the same, connecting influencers to producers and teachers to nutritionists. One highlight there was a special wine tasting demonstration from Missouri Wine, paired with Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. appetizers of course, so attendees could match their favorite wine with the steak they would grill later in the day. Some of the appetizers presented that day included Spicy Korean Beef & Cucumbers and beef Bruschetta with Roasted Garlic-Feta Spread. After the wine tasting, attendees chose either a ribeye or skirt steak cut, learned to grill it on a charcoal grill and then paired it with yummy chimichurri, grilled veggies, and a lettuce salad. Discussion around the grills, and later around the table, was fruitful in relationship building. “I appreciate entities like the Illinois Beef Association prioritizing getting people across the industry in the same room to connect, learn and grow,” says influencer Lindsay Stockhecke, who attended the event held in Missouri. Here are a few ways the event will continue to impact Illinois, Indiana and Missouri beef consumers. Social media is an essential medium for sharing the message of beef. Videos from attendees like Lindsay that appeared on social media after each event maximized the impact beef has on women and even beyond that, their families. The nutrients beef offers give parents energy and keep kids growing. Protein from beef keeps athletes going too, and that is just one of the top ten essential nutrients it offers. One Purdue athlete, Kaia Podlin, was able to attend the Indiana Girls Who Grill event and gain insight into grilling, which will hopefully be shared with fellow athletes. Illinois Beef offers a variety of classroom education resources too, including a Grilling 101 in-person course like the demonstration given at each Girls Who Grill event. Hopefully, these single-day events will continue to influence where the message of beef is going throughout the coming year. Most importantly, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri Beef Council board members had the opportunity to witness the event and talk with the various attendees there, an example of putting real consumers in front of real producers. Women from different walks of life experienced either a Girls Who Grill fiesta in Indiana, or a classy afternoon of wine and steak pairings in Missouri in June. Each lady took home goodies to use in their kitchen, including a Beef. It's What's for Dinner. spatula and a brand-new apron to commemorate their experience. If you have interest in growing your own grilling knowledge, visit illinoisbeef.com. For all recipes mentioned and used at the events, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Beef up your spaghetti with Beef Meat Sauce.

Promoting Beef Through a Recognized Brand The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is a proud contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The work NCBA conducts on behalf of U.S. farming and ranching families is focused on the areas of Consumer Information, Promotion, Research and Industry Information. Programs from Promotion are highlighted here. The Promotion Authorization Request delivers content directly to consumers on behalf of the Beef Checkoff through the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. Launched in 1992, the brand remains the cornerstone of the beef industry’s consumer marketing efforts. As a widely recognized and trusted resource, it inspires and educates consumers on all things beef. Marketing efforts focus on four strategic cornerstones — trust, ease, taste, and well-being — each aligned with the primary drivers of consumer demand. Marketing and advertising efforts must break through the clutter and reach consumers with a surround sound approach. To do this, the two core components of the Authorization Request (AR) — Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. marketing content and consumer advertising and social media — must work together hand-in-hand to ensure each Checkoff dollar is optimized. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. marketing content includes the development of messaging, campaigns and creative assets such as video, audio, photography, recipes and website content. All Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. content is designed to give consumers the confidence to choose beef whether it’s knowing what cut to select, how to prepare it, its nutritional benefits or how it’s produced. This content is deployed across all consumer-facing channels and platforms, including the flagship website, BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, which currently attracts millions of site visits each year. New this year, to support the overall brand effort the team rolled out a campaign to celebrate beef and the people who raise it, the bold flavor it creates, the ease it brings to everyday meals, 60

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

and the nutrition it provides. The new campaign launched in April 2026. State Beef Council Extension - Assets and campaign development and guidance are available for state beef councils through campaign toolkits. Toolkits provide states with everything they need to support their local marketing efforts from large always-on brand campaigns to moments in time, like the holidays and summer grilling. During the first 8 months of FY26, 257 pieces of content have been created to be used for national and state advertising efforts. Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. consumer advertising and social media employ a wide variety of efficient media outlets to get the beef messages and content directly to targeted consumers where they spend their time. From connected TV to paid search, social media, event activations, partnerships and online advertising, this omnichannel approach enables beef messages to reach more consumers, more frequently. NCBA-led advertising, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, reaches consumers more than 700 million times annually through a variety of platforms helping keep beef top of mind. State Beef Council Extension - In addition to amplifying the national Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. message, the media team supports state beef councils in their local marketing and social media efforts. By acting as a digital agency, providing custom media plans, quarterly social media toolkits, recommendations for local media buys and full support in executing online advertising, this tactic helps state beef councils be more cost-effective and innovative in reaching local consumers with relevant content. In FY26, the team placed media on behalf of 34 state beef council partners, saving them dollars that they would otherwise spend on agency fees. This cost-saving not only stretches Checkoff resources further but also ensures consistency of beef messaging and content assets across the U.S. www.illinoisbeef.com

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

IN THIS ISSUE: September/October 2026 63 63 64 64 65 66 67 68 72 74

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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

Message from your President AAA Beef Leadership Institute All-American Angus Shows Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show Northern Illinois Preview Show Wisconsin State Fair Angus Show Raised by the Angus Community National Junior Angus Show Dillow Claims National Showmanship Illinois State Fair Junior & Open Shows

ADVERTISERS INDEX Ascent Angus 73 Kiesewetter Angus 75 Kramer Angus 75 Lemenager Cattle 75 Lorenzen Farms 75 Panther Creek Ranch 75 Rhodes Angus 75 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 75 York Farms 75

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

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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

Anne Dameron smiles at the 2026 National Junior Angus Show.

www.illinoisbeef.com

Message from your President

ith the state fair in the rearview mirror and the fall calving process in full swing, we look back and hope everyone had an enjoyable experience again this year, it's always nice to catch up with fellow producers in attendance from throughout the state. With the junior show entries hovering right around 100 head we still struggle to retain but just a third of these females for the open show competition but realize it isn't just the Angus numbers that continue to fade overall, other breeds are experiencing the same circumstances. Yes, we understand many families have other priorities to address with school and work obligations, and we all know it’s a fact that there are just less cattle out in the country which is certainly reflected in the size of the U.S. cow herd. We have once again begun discussions on ways to potentially improve show attendance with the current leadership and look forward to solutions that could impact participation from a breeder's perspective as well as give those already in attendance additional options to showcase their animals. As was mentioned before the Illinois Angus Association intends to host a Female Sale later this year with details to follow, please reach out to sale management or any director with questions concerning this upcoming event. ILLINOIS ANGUS FEMALE SALE December 12th, 2026 11:00 AM CST | Fairview Livestock Market Selling Cow/Calf Pairs, Bred Cows, Bred & Open Heifers | Entries Due by 10/17/2026 SALE MANAGER - Jordan Hunter, JDH Auction Enterprises, 417-224-6296, coljdhsold@gmail.com

ILLINOIS ANGUS SALE COMMITTEE CHAIR - TJ Curtin, 217-825-3005

Your President, Dave Mool

In the News

dmool@icloud.com | (309) 275-0614

From Ranch to Retail: Continued Education Expands Perspective for Angus Producers Twenty-three Angus producers gathered in St. Joseph, Missouri, to begin a five-day journey across the Midwest, gaining an understanding of the cattle industry from start to finish through the Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). The trip, hosted by the American Angus Association® in collaboration with Certified Angus Beef and the Angus Foundation, gives producers a behind-the-scenes look at each The 2026 Beef Leaders Institute Class gathers outside of the American Angus sector of the beef industry. Participants began at Association’s headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri, during one of their educational stops. the Association’s headquarters, touring the office Curtin pictured far left, Handsaker pictured third from left. and discussing commercial programs, genetics, and marketing services. The following days included tours at Tyson Fresh Meats beef packing plant in Sioux City, Iowa; Weborg Feeding Co. LLC in Pender, Nebraska; Buckhead Meat and Seafood in Northwood, Ohio; STgenetics in Tiffin, Ohio; and a Meijer retail store in Wooster, Ohio. The class also traveled to Certified Angus Beef headquarters in Wooster, Ohio, to spend time in the meat lab learning about beef fabrication and the ten science-based specifications of the Certified Angus Beef® brand. Participants cut and grilled their own Certified Angus Beef steak. Conversation flowed between newfound friends as they reflected on a full week. The group was diverse in operation type, size, and location, with participants from 14 states, two Canadian provinces, and Mexico. As the week ended, participants boarded their flights home with greater knowledge, new connections, and a renewed commitment to improving their herds and the Angus breed, all with the end consumer in mind. Beef Leaders Institute Class of 2026 Illinois participants included Joe Curtin of Stonington, Illinois, and Garrett Handsaker of Pearl City, Illinois. Applications for the 2027 Beef Leaders Institute will open in late fall to American Angus Association members between the ages of 25 and 45. www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

All-American Angus Breeders Futurity Roll of Victory & Junior Shows Louisville, Ky. | June 14 | Judge: Jack Oattes, Ontario, Canada Photos by Next Level Images

Fourth Place Overall ROV Female

Fourth Place Overall Bred & Owned Female

Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair

Third Place Overall Owned Female

Grand Champion PGS Female

Show Dedication & Pioneer Breeder Award

Bred & Owned Senior Heifer Calf Champion

Premier Exhibitor

Core Annie Lu 575N Owned by Lauren Wolter

WHM Blackbird 5146 Owned by Lauren Wolter

Henning BCII Sandy 5004 Owned by Macie Carroll

WHM FCF Phyllis 570 Owned by Lauren Wolter

WHM Lady 5115 Owned by Lauren Wolter

Lauren Wolter

JC Blackcap 420 Owned by Macie Carroll

Jerome "Jerry" Theodore Helgren, formerly from Pekin, was posthumously honored, the award was accepted by his family.

PGS Heifer Division 1 Kramers Primrose 542 Owned by Benton Yandell

Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show

Hamburg, N.Y. | June 19-21 Judges: Shane Meier, Texas (B&O Heifers & Bulls, Cow-calf Pairs, Steers) & Charlie Boyd, Ky. (PGS Females) Photos by Next Level Images

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female PVF SFA Missie 5096 Owned by Ashton Dillow 64

Grand Champion Owned Female SCC Heart N Soul 528 Owned by Ella Brooks

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Bred & Owned Senior Champion Female BNF Saras Dream 2411 Owned by Claire Kuipers

www.illinoisbeef.com

Bred & Owned Senior Heifer Calf Champion PVF SFA Missie 5133 Owned by Ashton Dillow

Owned Junior Division 1 Champion Heifer Dameron Primrose 553 Owned by Claire Kuipers

Champion PGS Heifer Division 1 BRMLV BCA Lady 599 Owned by Claire Kuipers

Northern Illinois Junior Angus Association Preview Show Milledgeville, Ill. | June 28 | Judge: Ty Drach, Okla. Photos by Brodie Abney Photography

Junior Showmanship Champion: Beau Cassady Reserve Champion: Tyson Tessendorf

Intermediate Showmanship

Senior Showmanship

Champion: Jocelyn Ruppart Reserve Champion: Eli Faber

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

Grand Champion Owned Female

CK3 Hawk Sandy 7N Owned by Coehen Kirchner

Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female EA Believer N485 Owned by Eli Egan

www.illinoisbeef.com

Champion: Allissa Martin Reserve Champion: Cylee Kirchner

Dameron Sandy 5119 Owned by Beau Cassady

Reserve Grand Champion Owned Female CK3 Phyliss N11 Owned by Allissa Martin

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Bull Faber Bulletproof Arthur Owned by Ava Faber

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Grand Champion Steer

Reserve Grand Champion Steer

Grand Champion Commercial Steer

Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Steer

CK3 Major A1 544 Owned by Coehen Kirchner

Owned by Ailissa Martin

Wisconsin State Fair Angus Show

West Allis, Wis. | August 15 | Judge: Justin Vehege, Mo. Photos by Next Level Images

EA Trump N59 Owned by Aden Egan

Owned by Jolee Meade

YOUR ADVANTAGE POWERED BY ANGUS

CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL MANAGER TO LOCATE ANGUS GENETICS SELECT MARKETING OPTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS ACCESS AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION® PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female CK3 Hawk Sandy 7N Owned by Coehen Kirchner

BUY THE ADVANTAGE. BUY THE POWER.

BUY REGISTERED ANGUS GENETICS. angus.org/angus-advantage

Tyler Murray, Regional Manager 515-341-3260 tmurray@angus.org Illinois | Indiana | Michigan |Wisconsin

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Raised by the Angus Community Illinois cattlewoman wins Junior Herdsman of the Year. By Jordan Lamb, Angus Communications Intern The familiar sight of a green coat, blonde hair and a welcoming smile has become part of the junior Angus experience for many exhibitors across the country. For Anne Dameron, those moments spent helping fellow juniors, caring for cattle and building relationships within the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) culminated in being named the 2026 Tom Wells Junior Herdsman of the Year. Presented during the 2026 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), the Tom Wells Junior Herdsman of the Year Award recognizes an NJAA member in their final year of eligibility who demonstrates exceptional dedication to cattle care and preparation while serving as a positive leader among their peers. Established in 2023 by the Wells family through the Angus Foundation, the award honors the legacy of Tom Wells, a passionate junior Angus member and Voted on by her peers, Anne Damersupporter of the NJAA. on, of Towanda, Illinois, was selected as the 2026 Junior Herdsman of the For Dameron, a Year, during the 2026 National Junior fourth-generation Angus Angus Show in Louisville, Kentucky. breeder and agricultural communications student at University of Illinois, the recognition reflects the people and the program that have helped shape her through her junior career. “The Angus community and the junior program mean everything,” Dameron said. “It’s really what raised me.” Long before she competed for banners of her own, Dameron was following family members through the cattle barns and learning the responsibilities of raising livestock.

Anne performs her NJAA Board duties during the 2026 NJAS.

While cattle first introduced her to the Angus breed, it was the people who made the experience meaningful. “Coming to the National Junior Angus Show and seeing everyone from across the country all together in one place is when it really clicked for me,” she shared. “It’s a feeling that you can’t experience any other time of year.” The annual gathering became more than a cattle show. It became a reunion of friends and a place where lifelong relationships were built. When NJAA members selected Dameron as the 2026 Tom www.illinoisbeef.com

Wells Junior Herdsman of the Year, the recognition carried special significance because it came from her peers. “Growing up in the NJAA, I’ve always been surrounded by incredibly hard workers, giving their all each and every day without ever needing any praise or recognition in return,” Dameron acknowledged. “To think that those equally dedicated and hardworking individuals considered me for this award is both humbling and a tremendous privilege.” The award includes a $500 Tom Wells Junior Herdsman Scholarship and a custom belt buckle to commemorate the achievement, but Dameron says the greatest rewards from her junior career cannot be measured by prizes or accolades. Like many NJAA members, her fondest memories revolved around the friendships forged during the countless summers spent at junior Angus events. “I know that I have lifelong friends coming out of this and people that I can always count on,” Dameron said. That sense of belonging has become one of the defining characteristics of the Angus community. While competitors may spend time battling for a banner in the ring, they spend just as much time cheering each other on behind the scenes. For Dameron, that balance between competition and camaraderie is what makes the Association special. As she prepares for her senior year of college and the next chapter beyond the junior program, Dameron says the lessons learned through the NJAA will continue to guide her future. When asked to describe her experience as a junior Angus member in a single word, her answer came without hesitation. “Invaluable. - I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. “I've met the best people through this association, had the greatest experiences and it's developed me into a person I wouldn't be without the opportunities this association gave me.” For a young woman who has spent her entire life in the Angus business, the greatest take away is not a title or a banner. It’s the community that helped raise her, supported her and provided a place to belong. And that, she shared, is truly something invaluable.

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Judges: Hannah Tolbert, Ken., Chance Myers, Mich., Wravenna Bloomberg, Ill., and Chuck Grove, Vir., judged the National Showmanship Contest. Kirk Stierwalt, Okla., judged the steers. JanLee Rowlett, Okla., and Hannah Rowlett McCall, Kan., judged Intermediate Showmanship. Cole Kaufman, Tenn., and Shirley Kaufman, Vir., judged Novice and Junior Showmanship. Donnie Robertson, Okla., and Barry Nowatzke, Ind., judged the Bred & Owned Show. Jack & Carter Ward, Mo., judged the Owned Females Show.

Supreme Bred & Owned Female, Robert & Marilyn Schultz and John & Lucille Patton Memorial Scholarships

Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Female

Dameron Sandy 5116 Owned by Anne Dameron

Senior Heifer Calf Champion Division 1 Dameron Sandy 5127 Owned by Lydia Leake

Bred & Owned Young Cow-calf Pair Champion

Grand Champion Steer TEF King Pin Owned by Connor Suits

PVF SFA Missie 5096 Owned by Ashton Dillow

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

JC Blackcap 420 Owned by Macie Carroll

Premier Breeder Amelia Miller Prairie View Farm

Reserve Grand Champion PGS Bull WHM Captain Morgan 5164 Owned by Lauren Wolter

www.illinoisbeef.com

Grand Champion Owned Female

Sweepstakes 30 Head or More

PVF Blackbird 5012 Owned by Ashton Dillow

Senior Champion Female Division 1 CK3 Hawk Sandy M85 Owned by Colton Kies

Owned Junior Champion Heifer Division 5

Core Annie Lu 575N Owned by Lauren Wolter

Reserve Senior Champion Female Division 1

FCF Proven Queen 484 Owned by Brylie Roberts

Owned Junior Champion Heifer Division 4

PVF Proven Queen 5043 Owned by Caden Crain

Reserve Intermediate Champion Female Division 2

Lemenager Proven Queen N45

Owned by Logan Suits

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Junior Angus Association

Junior Champion Heifer Division 7

UDE Queen Ruth 5005 Owned by Kesler Collins

Owned Junior Champion Heifer Division 1

PVF Proven Queen 5087 Owned by Ashton Dillow

PGS Reserve Heifer Division 3 WHM Lady 5115 Owned by Lauren Wolter

Reserve Junior Champion Heifer Division 6

Core Miss Queen 539N Owned by Kesler Collins

Reserve Intermediate Champion Female Division 3

UDE Queen Ruth 5036 Owned by Breckyn Bloomberg

Reserve Bred & Owned PGS Heifer Champion Division 3 Parr Bardolia 5P17 Owned by Anna Parr

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Intermediate A Judging Contest Second - Macie Carroll

Miss AA Contestant

Ella Eathington - to compete in November

Intermediate A Showmanship Sixth Place, Curtner Bergman, Ninth Place, Connor Suits

Gary Brost LEAD Award Reese Anderson, Macie Carroll, Ella Eathington

Intermediate Graphic Design First Luke Short

Angus/Talon Graduate Scholarship Amelia Miller

Angus/Talon Undergraduate Scholarship Ella Eathington, Lauren Wolter, Drew Mickey not pictured

First Senior Angus Intermediate Quiz Bowl Team Foundation Creative Macie Carroll, Audrey Undergrad Writing Curtin, Claire Kuipers, Scholarship First Adam Stuckmeyer Claire Kuipers

Adam Miller

CAB First Place Intermediate Steak Team

CAB First Place Intermediate Roast Team

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

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Richard L. Spader $5,000 Scholarship Anne Dameron

Stan J. Prox LEAD Award Anna Parr

Woodlawn Farms $1,500 Scholarship Audrey Curtin

Mike McCravy/ MM Cattle Scholarship Reese Anderson

Gold Award Recipients

Illinois Recipients - Ella Brooks, Anne Dameron, Ashton Dillow, Reese Anderson, Adam Miller, Lauren Wolter

www.illinoisbeef.com

Iowa Junior Angus National Scholarship Audrey Curtin

Intermediate Photography Third Claire Kuipers

Third Team Sales

Pat Grote Cookoff Award

Intermediate Extemporaneous Speaking

Intermediate Career Dev.

Ben Musgrave, Claire Kuipers, Anna Parr, Luke Sellmeyer

Third - Claire Kuipers

Ella Eathington, Claire Kuipers, Addison Tebbe

First - Luke Short, Second - Claire Kuipers

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Dillow Claims National Showmanship Title in Louisville Illinois junior earns prestigious honors at 2026 National Junior Angus Show. By Kyra Holt, Angus Editorial Intern representatives to compete nationally each year, and members Fifteen junior showmen from across the country stood have just one opportunity to participate during their junior in the center of Broadbent Arena. Filled with anticipation, they would soon learn who would earn the prestigious title of career. With limited spots and a one-time eligibility rule, the champion showman of the 2026 National Junior Angus Show. contest carries significant prestige and is considered one of the most competitive events in the industry. For Ashton Dillow of Villa Ridge, years of dedication to Contestants were evaluated by Wravenna Bloomberg of the show ring paid off in a single unforgettable moment. Secor, Illinois; Chance Myers of Niles, Michigan; and Hannah With junior members eagerly awaiting the results, her name Tolbert of Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Chuck Grove of Forest, was called as champion of the 2026 National Junior Angus Virginia, served as surrogate judge for Showmanship Contest. the contest. "This win is special to me because These industry leaders faced the I went to my first junior nationals in challenging responsibility of evaluating 2018, and I can remember sitting there an exceptionally talented group of watching the showmanship contest and junior members throughout the contest’s I was like, ‘This is something I want multiple rounds. Judges assess each to do,’” Dillow said. “Now it’s finally participant's proficiency in show ring here, and I’m so glad that over the etiquette and sportsmanship, animal years I’ve learned what I have from this handling, proper equipment use and association. I’m just thankful.” ability to follow directions. After being announced the winner, Following the initial four heats, 15 Dillow was immediately greeted with showmen earn a spot in the final round, hugs and tears from her grandparents, where judges determine the top five cousins and other supporters. overall winners. “The first people that I saw after Joining Dillow in the top five was they announced my name were my Brenna Bartlow (left) and Ashton Dillow (right) second place winner, Brenna Bartlow, grandparents,” Dillow said. “They’ve were the Illinois representatives at this year's also of Illinois. raised me to be who I am, and I’m showmanship contest. Dillow took home first place honors, and Bartlow second place. Each year the champion showman just so thankful for them. They do at NJAS is presented the Dean Hurlbut everything for me, and I wouldn’t be Award, named after the man who organized the first here without them.” National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest in 1967. Reflecting on her win, Dillow noted the achievement is Hurlbut coordinated the contest until his retirement from exciting, but the people are the most valuable part of the the American Angus Association in July 2000, Through experience. “It’s not about the wins and the banners,” Dillow said. “Yes, support from his family and memorial contributions, the award continues to honor his legacy with a $500 scholarship they mean a lot, but at the end of the day, it’s the people who presented to the Champion Senior Showman and a $400 are with you.” scholarship awarded to the Reserve Senior Showman. The NJAS showmanship contest requires participants to first qualify at the state level. Each state sends only two junior 72

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

The Six Essentials: Disposition, Fertility, Weight, Conformation, Udder Quality, Hardiness

For sale! Fall bred heifers, show heifers, herd bulls, jr herd sires

Call, text, OR just stop by!

ASCENT ANGUS: 3326 ECR 1960N, Oakland, IL 619843 Chris & Mary Miller (217) 276-2542, millerchrisandmary@gmail.com Max JC Miller (217) 276-0778

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois State Fair Junior Angus Show | Springfield | August 14 -15 Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Reserve Champion Heifer, Champion Land of Lincoln Champion Angus Owned by Ashton Dillow

4th Overall Heifer

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Heifer

Reserve Champion Angus Owned by Lilian Unger

Third Overall Land of Lincoln Champion Angus Steer Owned by Connor Suits

Champion Bred & Owned Angus Owned by Coehen Kirchner

5th Overall Land of Lincoln Reserve Champion Angus Owned by Blakely Riley

Illinois State Fair Open Angus Show | Springfield | August 17 Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Heifer

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

Champion Cow/Calf

UDE SARAS DREAM 5035 Owned by Brode Bergman

MUSGRAVE Forever Lady 233 Owned by Eli Musgrave

Grand Champion Land of Lincoln

Reserve Champion Division 3

Champion Division 2

APBxALL Phyllis 515 N Owned by Addison Bartlow

LEMENAGER Proven Queen Owned by Logan Suits

DAMERON Primrose 553 Owned by Claire Kuipers

Reserve Grand Champion Bull

KL Big Yeti K515 Owned by Patrick Kelly 74

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

ALL Phyllis 576N Owned by Lucy Boes

Senior Champion Bull PLUM CREEK Perspective 41 Owned by Matthew Ewing

Reserve Champion Cow/Calf

PVF Proven Queen 2122 Owned by Steven Rawlings

Grand Champion Bull RHODE High Roller 34 Owned by Preston Rhode

Herdsman Award Parr Family

www.illinoisbeef.com

Angus Breeders

Lorenzen Farms

LEMENAGER

CATTLE

Chuck, Tori, Curt & Grace Luke, Stacy & Paige 10098 N. 2200E 703 Hinshaw Rd. Fairbury, IL 61739 Hudson, IL 61748 Chuck Cell 815-867-7011 Luke Cell 309-261-0752 www.lemenagercattle.com

Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803

LARRY RHODES 217-473-5868 cell 217-854-5200 office

rhodesangus@royell.org

9350 Rte 108, Carlinville, IL 62626 | www.RhodesAngus.com

B:8.75" T:8.5"

BULL & FEMALE SALE: FEBRUARY 20, 2027

S:8"

Every bottle comes with a lot more than what’s inside.

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September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

B:5.75"

S:5"

www.illinoisbeef.com

T:5.5"

ILLINOIS HEREFORD ASSOCIATION

WINTE WINT ER CLASSIC SALE Dec. 12, 2026 • 11:30 a.m. • Carthage, Illinois

Bred Heifers l Cow/Calf Pairs l Bulls Illinois Hereford Association 76

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

The

ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN

September/October 2026 www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

CONTENTS September/October 2026

79 79 80 84 85 86

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE ILLINOISHEREFORD.COM JUNIOR NATIONAL HEREFORD EXPO FACES OF LEADERSHIP ILLINOIS STATE FAIR OPEN & JUNIOR SHOW FEEDER CALF SALE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVERTISERS INDEX

PRESIDENT Travis Meteer 217-430-7030

Baker Farms Ellis Farms Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company Perks Ranch Torrance Herefords

VICE PRESIDENT Tammy Boatman 770-354-4195 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Noah Benedict 217-372-8009 nojo1132@gmail.com TREASURER Buddy Edenburn 217-649-0108 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chad Crane - 815-712-5739 Yale Young - 815-867-7333 Lucas Stumpf - 618-830-0971 Mark Stephens - 217-825-7913 Matt McCaskill - 217-779-0775 Corey Perry - 217-294-2934 Robbie Duis - 815-858-4129 Gage Campbell - 217-259-1986 Kyle Yoder - 217-565-3275

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

ON THE COVER 87 87 87 87 87 87

CONTACT To place advertisements or your latest Hereford news contact: Olivia Hoots Illinois Beef Association 2501 N 8th Street Springfield, IL 62702 217-787-4280 olivia@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Hereford exhibitors at the 2026 Junior National Hereford Exposition.

IHA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Scan the QR code with your phone camera for an online version of our directory.

www.illinoisbeef.com

PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE F

all is the season I tend to enjoy the most. On the farm, it’s a season of reaping what you have sown. As you harvest your crop this year, take a little time to reflect on the planning, the hard work, and the relationships that have helped you navigate challenges to make it all possible. I will continue to write about the great crop that the Illinois Hereford Association is helping produce. The cattle, kids, and community that the IHA and its members are building is impressive. First, the Illinois State Fair provided a great display of Hereford cattle. The quality was deep and the youth exhibiting the cattle were even more extraordinary. It was good to see and chat with so many Hereford breeders in Springfield. Next, fall is also sale season. An impressive lineup is already in place. Please make special note of the work the Illinois Hereford Association is doing to serve its members by hosting the Winter Classic Sale in Carthage, Illinois. Noah Benedict is doing a tremendous job managing the sale and screening cattle to ensure the best is brought to offer for sale. Brent and Kris Travis Meteer, Illinois Lowderman continue to be incredible hosts and we are all putting requests in for the weather Hereford Association to cooperate. Be sure to hold the date of December 12th to attend the IHA’s Winter Classic President sale. Finally, thank you to Illinois Hereford breeders for being a welcoming community that truly loves the breed, and the people committed to making it better. I wish you all a bountiful and safe harvest.

-Travis Meteer

IllinoisHereford.com is

BRAND NEW!

ON OUR NEWLY RE-VAMPED WEBSITE YOU WILL FIND: MEMBERSHIP SERVICES PAST PUBLICATIONS EVENT INFORMATION IHA & IJHA BOARD CONTACTS & MORE

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

July 4-11

Judges: Tyler Cates, Ind., & Kyle Gillooly, Ga., judged the Owned Female Show; Randy Mullinix, Ill., & Jake Bohnsack, Iowa, judged the Bred & Owned Female Show; Montie Soules, Mo., judged the Bred & Owned Bull & Steer Show; Matt & Taryn Johnson judged PeeWee & Junior Showmanship; Kirk & Ky Stierwalt, Okla., judged Intermediate & Senior Showmanship; Breck Debman, Ga., judged Team Fitting, State Group classes, and Top 10 Senior Showmanship Photos by Next Level Images

Hereford Herdsman Scholarship Kendall Boatman, Ill., and T.R. Putz, Iowa.

Golden Bull Achievement Award

Faces of Leadership Scholarship

Elayna Aue, Wis.; Jayda Cant, Ore.; Cora Belle Chapman, Ill.; Gabe Crutcher, Ill.; Emily Hass, Minn.; Aubrey Lockhart, Texas; Corbin Perry, Ill.; Dax Putz, Iowa; Blayklee Stelzer, Okla.; and Annabelle Wright, Ga.

Illinois juniors Rhett Lehman and Kendall Boatman are a part of the 2026-2027 NJHA Board of Directors.

Maddie Weaber, Kan.; Sam Birdsall, Wyo.; and Kade Boatman, Ill.

Livestock Marketeers Scholarship Kade Boatman 80

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Reserve Senior Livestock Judging Team

Simon Shepard (Third Overall Individual Senior), Reed Naughton, Tyler Cole, Kade Boatman www.illinoisbeef.com

Third Place Intermediate Advanced Speech

Reserve Peewee Livestock Judging team

Third Intermediate Livestock Judging Team

Third Intermediate Photo People Division

First Intermediate Photo Cattle Division

Third Place Fitting Team

Third Senior Photo Cattle Division

Champion Junior Hereford Bowl Team

Faith Benedict

Addison Young, Tripp Reiker, Lily DeAth, Faith Benedict

Nolan Lee (left)

Nolan Lee (right)

Simon Shepard, Olivia Young, Peyton Sidles

Kendall Boatman (right)

www.illinoisbeef.com

Olivia Young, Mattie Melendrez, Jake Kenady, Hudson Humphrey

Owen Crutcher, Ryan Garnhart, Kade Swigart, Corbin Swigart

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Bred & Owned

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Female Division 3 Champion, Class 34 Winner L2 LCC K001 Fancy Pants 49N ET Owned by Tuck & Nash Lowderman

Division 1 Champion Bull

Class 17 Winner 2TK GKB Larry Bird 6002 ET Owned by Kendall & Kade Boatman

Polled Owned

Division 2 Champion

Class 67 Winner L2 LCC K001 Fancy Pants 49N ET Owned by Tuck & Nash Lowderman 82

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

Division 5 Champion

Class 81 Winner LEMENAGER Harley N37 ET Owned by Faith Benedict www.illinoisbeef.com

Horned Owned

Fourth Place PeeWee Showmen Mattie Melendrez

Seventh Place Intermediate Showmen

Reserve Champion Division 5 Class 89 Winner KJ DCC 181H Angel 972N ET Owned by Tuck & Nash Lowderman

Nolan Lee

Bred & Owned Class 36 Winner STOREY MS Holly 503N ET Owned by Blakely Storey

Horned Polled Class 90 Winner HAWK Ridley 10N ET Owned by Macy Michellini

Owned Polled Class 82 Winner HAWK Aura 29N ET Owned by Nolan Lee

Owned Polled Class 99 Winner BR GKB Noelle N100 ET Owned by Connor Rhoads

Division 2 Reserve Champion Class 111 Winner LCC J16 First Lady 15N ET LCC Owned by Tuck & Nash Lowderman www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

FACES OF LEADERSHIP

ne hundred National Junior Hereford Association members from 25 states gathered in Boise, Idaho, July 29–August 1, for the "Leaders on the Rise" Faces of Leadership conference. Throughout the week, the young people strengthened their communication skills, collaborated on team projects, explored career opportunities with industry professionals and gained valuable insight from business and agricultural leaders. From whitewater rafting and leadership development to behind-the-scenes industry tours and networking, participants left with lasting connections and a renewed passion for the future of the Hereford and beef industry. One such presenter, Logan Ipsen, former president of the Western Livestock Journal, and owner of Stock Point Media, emphasized the importance of networking. "Relationships are going to be the key to everything you’ve got," the New Plymouth, Idaho, native noted. Ipsen’s message about his journey in agriculture, from growing up in the commercial cattle industry to working with WLJ for 14 years, emphasized the importance of creating the conversation and the network he built along the way. Attendees also enjoyed: • Presentations led by the NJHA board of directors. • Exploring innovation and career opportunities at the J.R. Simplot Company Headquarters, while learning about animal science, food production, marketing and business

AA HRD VIOLET 162 P4428484 BRED TO NJW 79Z Z311 ENDURE 173D

operations. • Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair, featuring 17 different agricultural companies. • Touring Colyer Herefords and Angus in Illinois attendees Bruneau, Idaho, to learn more about their operation and the family’s long history with the bald-faced breed. • Strengthening friendships and relationships with Hereford youth from across the country through team activities, an evening social and the conference dance. Faces of Leadership prepares the next generation of Hereford leaders by equipping young people with the confidence, knowledge and connections they need to make a lasting impact. Made possible by the Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America, this conference is a pivotal stepping-stone to building the pipeline of future leaders for the Hereford breed.

SELLING AT PERKS RANCH & Friends FALL CELEBRATION OCTOBER 10, 2026

BSC 6002 GOLDEN GLORY 909N 44690902 BRED TO KJ 746D TIMELINE 976L

INFORMATION MORE 123-456-7890

DCF 8022 BETTY 123J P44297113 BRED TO SHF HOUSTON D287 H086

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

JIMMY 779.771.4687

EMILY

RF 3E CHARLENE 7K P44385521 BRED TO KJ 746D TIMELINE 976L

815.992.8233

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois State Fair Junior Show | Springfield | August 13-15 Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Champion Polled Heifer

Shown by Faith Benedict

Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Shown by Myah Little

Champion Land of Lincoln, Fifth Overall Steer Champion Hereford Shown by Brenna Dryer

Third Overall Land of Lincoln

Fourth Overall Land of Lincoln Steer Reserve Champion Hereford Shown by Nolan Hoge

Reserve Champion Hereford

Champion Horned Hereford Shown by Ella Brooks Shown by Macy Michellini

Illinois State Fair Open Hereford Show | Springfield | August 15 Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Champion Polled Heifer

Reserve Champion Polled Heifer

Champion Polled Bull

Champion Polled Cow/Calf

Reserve Champion Polled Cow/Calf

Premiere Herdsman

Reserve Champion Horned Heifer

Champion Horned Bull

Reserve Champion Horned Bull

Shown by Tuck Lowderman

Shown by Addison Young

Shown by Madison Bauer www.illinoisbeef.com

Shown by The Prairie Cross

Shown by Kade Boatman

Shown by Brent Behrends

Young Cattle Company

Shown by Kent Lehman

Shown by Maggie Shepard

Reserve Champion Polled Bull

Grand Champion Horned Heifer

Shown by Tuck Lowderman

Shown by Konnor Campbell

Champion Horned Cow/Calf

Shown by Reece Entwistle

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

20TH ANNUAL GREATER MIDWEST HEREFORD INFLUENCED FEEDER CALF SALE

12:00 PM | MONDAY | JANUARY 4, 2027 1,500 HEAD, ALL HEREFORD INFLUENCE! FOR QUESTIONS OR TO CONSIGN CALL BRENT LOWDERMAN 309-221-9621

ATTENTION!!

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cl: 86

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CARTHAGE LIVESTOCK INC. 1300 WABASH AVE CARTHAGE, IL 309-221-9621 I CLINC1@LIVE.COM Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

If selling on January 4, 2027 does not work in your operation and you want a competitive price on your Herefords contact Mark Stephens at 217-825-7913 www.illinoisbeef.com

Hereford Breeders Baker Farms

Jack and Sherry Lowderman Monte, Carrie and Rhett Brent, Kris, Blake and Morgan Cody, Abby, Nash and Tuck

1278 E. 20th Rd. Baker Farms Streator, IL 61364

P.O. Box 488 Macomb, IL 61455 Oﬃce: 309-833-5543

1278 E. 20th Rd. Fred• Debby Streator, IL 61364 SarahFred• • Susan Debby • John

Sarah • Susan • John 815-672-3491 815-672-3491 Cell: 815-257-3491 Cell: 815-257-3491

www.lowderman.com

Lorenzen Farms Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoissimmental.com www.illinoisbeef.com

Webel’s Wanderings

t seems like the summer flew by and here we are nosing into harvest season, fall calving, and Friday night football games! It has been a whirlwind of a summer for our association and our junior members with state and national highlights all around! The 2026 National Classic in Grand Island was beyond memorable for our family in a variety of ways – it started with a blown transmission on my truck in Western Iowa, resulting in having to rent a giant U-Haul truck to finish pulling our camper the rest of the way to Grand Island. A lot of pictures of the Webel Carney Wagon were taken by amused friends. That led to the purchase of a new-to-me pickup while in Nebraska that I wasn’t really planning on. It got better from there…. We had the greatest success we’d ever achieved with Anna’s Bred and Owned Heifer in the show ring and at the end of the week, Anna was elected the President of the American Junior Simmental Association, the fifth Illinois Junior in history to achieve that post. From a personal standpoint, I’m beyond proud of that accomplishment that was set as a dream and goal 10 years ago, but as an Association, we would, and do, share that same pride for all our Illinois junior members! Our junior members went on to accomplish major successes in both the show ring and in the contest portions – check out the next edition of The Register to see those listed – but to me, some of the greatest accomplishments come from the faces of the first-time kids who try a new contest, make a friend from out of state, or have a new appreciation for the work that goes into getting ready for such an event! The Illinois State Fair once again featured the success of Simmental Genetics, which you will see in the pages in this magazine; congratulations to Breckyn Bloomberg on exhibiting the Grand Champion Overall Heifer in the prestigious Junior Show with her purebred Simmental! So many awesome females in the drive, and our breed was represented extremely well. We continue to push for the rule change to allow all bred and owned cattle to compete for bred and owned champion, and we hope that next year is the year we are finally able to get that done. Congratulations to Cori Malone and her team on a successful first year as Superintendent – the work that goes into making everything happen is immense, and we always want to mention our appreciation for their efforts! 2027 Dates to Remember February 19- Illinois Simmental Association Annual meeting and Banquet, IBE June 11-14- North Central Regional Classic- Huron, SD July 17-23- AJSA National Classic- Louisville, KY

Thanks for your time,

- Joe

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

997 N 2050 East Road . Shelbyville, IL 62565

Curt and Pam Rincker 217.871.5741 curt@rincker.com

Brent Rincker Cari Rincker 217.246.3550 217.531.2179 rincker@gmail.com rinckercattle@gmail.com

Sale cattle throughout the year may be viewed at:

www.illinoisbeef.com

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Simmental Show Results Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show Springfield | August 13-15

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Overall Heifer

Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer

Champion % Simmental Heifer

Third Overall Steer

Champion Simmental Shown by Breckyn Bloomberg

Shown by Ella Behymer

Reserve Champion % Simmental Heifer

Shown by Gracie Lashmett

Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Addysen Link

Shown by Mabrey Schick

Reserve Champion Simmental Steer Shown by Chet Gillespie

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois State Fair Open Simmental Show Springfield | August 16

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Simmental Heifer Tl Rita 58N Owned by Ella Behymer

Grand Champion Simmental Bull

LEMENAGER Johnnnyda Owned by Curt Lemenager

Reserve Champ. Simmental Heifer WEIS Raya 2222N Owned by Gracie Lashmett

Reserve Champion Simmental Bull

Simmental Premiere Herdsman

DI Can Do M6 Owned by Leslie Walker

Ella Behymer

Champion % Simmental Heifer

GUYER TL NORA 50N Owned by Ella Behymer

Reserve Champion % Simmental Heifer OAKP RJ Cardi 532N Owned by Reese Holst

Champion % Simmental Bull

Reserve Champion % Simmental Bull

SGW Cardinal Caretaker 11 Owned by Curt Lemenager www.illinoisbeef.com

YF Leaps N Bounds Owned by Cody York

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

Shorthorn Show Results Illinois State Fair Junior Beef Show Springfield | August 13-15

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Fifth Overall & Res. Champ. Land of Lincoln Champion Shorthorn Heifer Shown by Addison Fidler

Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer Shown by Maddox Reedy

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer

Shown by Ivy Goodbred

Shown by Parker Twait

Champion Shorthorn Steer Shown by Levi Paulek

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer

Shown by Caleb Funk

Illinois State Fair Open Beef Show Springfield | August 17

Photos by Cindy’s Livestock Photography

Grand Champion Shorthorn Heifer MFS Rewarding Do 64N ET Owned by Kane Komnick

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Heifer

GCC Revival's Finest 710 E Owned by Alexa Turner 92

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Champion Overall Land of Lincoln Shorthorn NF Sull Foolish Red Mistr Owned by Macy Michellini

Grand Champion Shorthorn Bull T2 Hells Bells Owned by Toby Behrends

Reserve Champion Bull

Owned by Don Cagwin

Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer MFS Dazzling BO 83M E Owned by Ellen Klein

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer DRY Miss Milley Owned by Wyatt Dryer

Champion Shorthorn Steer Owned by Carter Keller

Reserve Champion Shorthorn Steer

Owned by Tessa Chappell

Champion Shorthorn Plus Bull B4 Rain Dancer SUC 2562 Owned by Riley Brown

Shorthorn Herdsman Luke Turner

www.illinoisbeef.com

Shorthorn Plus Herdsman Gary & Kurt Starman Family

September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef

ABS Call for

Semen Needs!

Craig Crutcher Sales Representative 815-289-2855 Shawn Crutcher

Sales Representative (217) 500-0782

Arthur’s Repair Shop The longest operating Kuhn Knight dealership in Illinois!

Wayne & Justin Arthur 2000 E CR 450N • Hindsboro, IL 61930

217-346-2737 Wayne: 217-273-2896 • Justin: 217-273-2096

D & S Brown

DART HAY SERVICE

Top Of The State Hay & Straw 8962 N Davis Road Davis, IL 61019

Ron Tombaugh, President

Donald E. Brown, Jr. (815) 238-8372 don.brownjr708@gmail.com

573 - 324 - 2295

2075 E IL RT 18 Streator, IL 61364

309-531-4229 | darthay@yahoo.com

SHUCKLAGE FOR SALE D E A N

B A C O N

B E E F

LEROY, IL HIGH VALUE SILAGE COW FEED OR GROWER DIETS deanfarm4@gmail.com

Derek: 309-275-0712 Rick: 309-838-9300

CURTIN T.J. Curtin: (217) 825-3005

Tasha Bunting 309-557-2993

tbunting@ilfb.org

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Jack and Sherry Lowderman Monte, Carrie and Rhett Brent, Kris, Blake and Morgan Cody, Abby, Nash and Tuck

LEMENAGER

CATTLE

Chuck, Tori, Curt & Grace Luke, Stacy & Paige 10098 N. 2200E 703 Hinshaw Rd. Fairbury, IL 61739 Hudson, IL 61748 Chuck Cell 815-867-7011 Luke Cell 309-261-0752 www.lemenagercattle.com

217-285-6379

Jonathon Ruzich: jruzich.longhorn@gmail.com Stan Edge: edgekimstan@gmail.com

P.O. Box 488 Macomb, IL 61455 Oﬃce: 309-833-5543

www.lowderman.com

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

618-349-6446 WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK 1209 E. Third Street

St. Peter, Illinois 62880 stpetervetclinic@gmail.com

We are partnering with the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources to refine our magazine and improve our communication efforts with you. Learn more about the project and take the survey at piecenter.com/cattlemag or scan this QR Code with your phone.

www.illinoisbeef.com

We are partnering with the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural September/October 2026 - Illinois Beef Resources to refine our magazine and improve our

Purebred Breeders Shorthorns

Leveldale Farms Mason City, IL 62664 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com

Dr. L.E. Mathers III mathers@leveldale.com Rob Bruce, Herdsman 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com We are also on Facebook!

Advertiser’s Index ABS 94 American Angus Association 66 American International Charolais Association 13 Andras Stock Farm 9 Arthur's Repair Shop 94 Ascent Angus 73 Aurora Packing Company 94 Baker Farms 87 Bergman Farm Supply 30 Bernard Show Cattle 84 Biopryn 94 Boehringer Ingelheim 94 Buchheit 87 Bullard Cattle Co. 96 D & S Brown Hay & Straw 94 Dart Hay Service 94 Dean Bacon and Beef 94 Eastern Missouri Commission Company 94 Ellis Farms 75, 87 Fairview Sale Barn 94 Farm Credit Illinois 94 Frank & West Environmental Engineers 94 German Bliss Equipment BC Hadden Farms, Inc. 14 Henry USA 1 Hiel Trailer Sales 89 Hopedale Agri Center 5, 94 Hueber, Robert 94 Illinois Charolais Association 13 Illinois Corn Marketing Board 16 Illinois Farm Bureau 94 Illinois Simmental Association 88 Illinois Soybean Association 94, IBC

Iowa Premium Kiesewetter Angus Kramer Farms Land O’ Lakes Inc. Lemenager Cattle Leveldale Farms Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinements Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company Maurer-Stutz Merck Animal Health Midwest Grass and Forage Midwest Livestock Structures Nord Farms Panther Creek Ranch Perks Ranch Pike Feeds Pilot Construction Company ProHarvest R + H Seed Solutions Rabo AgriFinance Rhodes Angus Rincker Simmentals Riverode Select Sires Stephens Trailer Sales St. Peter VET Clinic Sunnyhill Angus Farm Torrance Herefords United Producers, Inc. York Farms Zoetis

94 75 75 94 75, 95 96 95 75, 87 87, 95 95 95 9, 95 7 96 75 87 95 95 49, 95 95 95 75 89 22 95 22 95 75 87 IFC 75 75, 95

Illinois Beef, printed bi-monthly, is the official publication of the IBA. It serves as the voice of Illinois’ 12,000 beef producers. ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING RATES Black & White Full Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $540 2/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $420 1/2 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $310 1/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235 1/4 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180 Inside Front Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Inside Back Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,140 Business Card Ads . . . . . . . . $180 Color 4-color: $400 + B&W page price Discounts 10% for six time insertion ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING DEADLINES Jan./Feb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 10 March/Apr. . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 15 May/June......... . . . . . . . . . Apr. 15 July/Aug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June 15 Sept./Oct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 15 Nov./Dec. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Oct. 15 Olivia Hoots 2501 N 8th Street Springfield, IL 62702 217-787-4280 olivia@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com

Illinois Beef - September/October 2026

www.illinoisbeef.com

Your return on investment for your 0.5% checkoff contribution?

Transportation Efficiency.

ILLINOIS SOYBEANS, MOVING FARTHER, FASTER; YOUR CHECKOFF STRENGTHENING EVERY MILE.

$4.97 in benefits for every $1 invested in Illinois bridge maintenance

Source: WSP study

Illinois soybean farmers have a competitive edge thanks to our state’s robust transportation network. To ensure continued success in the global market, the Illinois Soybean Association invests checkoff dollars in solutions that strengthen Illinois’ aging infrastructure.

Learn more at ilsoy.org Funded by the Illinois Soybean Association Checkoff Program

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE.

ILLINOIS’ HOME FOR KUBOTA

BLOOMINGTON (309) 663 - 5151

EAST PEORIA (309) 694 - 3700

PRINCEVILLE (309) 385 - 4316