IHA ANNUAL BANQUET
SECRETARY'S MINUTES | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 @ 7:50 P.M.
President Craig Crutcher called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. – 150 people were present, representing 52 memberships, constituting a quorum. The Secretary’s minutes from the 2025 meeting and the Treasurer’s Report for 2025 were circulated and opened for discussion. Luke Lemenager moved to approve the IHA’s minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting. Emily Perry seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Corey Perry moved to accept the IHA’s Treasurer’s report. Robbie Duis seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Tracie Sayre, president, gave the Illinois Hereford Women report, and introduced the IHW Board - Annette Crane, vice president, Melissa Bernard, secretary, and Lisa Edenburn, treasurer. The IHW had some silent auction items with all funds going to support the state queen and princess program along with other IJHA programs.
Kade Boatman, President of IJHA addressed the membership and updated on the recent activities of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association and National Junior Hereford Association. Preview Show 2025 is in Salem hosted by the Babbs Family, JNHE is in Madison, Wisconsin. Kade also discussed Rhett Lehman, an Illinois member who is attending the Bold conference. Also, updated information on the Fed Steer shootout and Faces of Leadership.
Noah Benedict updated the membership on plans for the 2026 Illinois Hereford Tour and announced that it will be August 29th in south central Illinois. Stops will be Eubank Farms, J. Lidy Herefords, Crutcher Livestock, Goldstein Farms and Second Creek Cattle. There will be associate displays at many of the stops.
Noah discussed the highlights of the 2025 Winter Classic. A total of 45 lots were sold averaging $5,620. The sale went well despite a snowstorm the morning of, which showed the strength of Hereford genetics. Anyone wishing to participate in the 2026 sale should contact Noah. The association is looking for high quality Hereford and Hereford influenced commercial females. Noah next discussed the updated website hosted by Ranch House Designs is up and running. This is a new look and provider. More changes and additions are coming. Members are encouraged to visit the new site to help search engines find the site.
Buddy Edenburn, committee chair for the Junior Scholarship committee, recapped the Junior Scholarships and Awards programs. Award programs available in 2026 will include the Wayne Sage Scholarship, Junior Prospect Award, and the Faces of Leadership Scholarship. Awards presented in 2025: 12 - $50 Prospect Awards, 11 - $150 Faces of Leadership Scholarships, Kade Boatman awarded $1000, Sam Taylor Scholarship and Addison Stollard awarded $1000 Wayne Sage Memorial Scholarship. AWARD PRESENTATIONS:
• Buddy Edenburn presented Noah Benedict, Decatur, with the Distinguished Service Award.
• Yale Young honored Prairie Rose Cattle Company, Sherman, as the IHA Breeder of the Year.
• Tammy Boatman honored Buddy and Lisa Edenburn, Penfield, as the IHA Hall of Fame Inductee.
• Travis Meteer recognized Craig Crutcher, Jimmy Bernard and Andrew Spinazola as outgoing IHA board members and officers. Travis Meteer presented the Director Nominating Report and recommended the following individuals to serve a three-year term: At Large – Gage Campbell, Windsor; At Large – Robbie Duis, Petersburg; At Large – Kyle Yoder, Edinburg. Tim Sayre moved to accept the nominations. Floyd Crane seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Seeing no further business, Yale Young moved to adjourn the meeting and Mark Stephens seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
HALL OF FAME AWARD - BUDDY AND LISA EDENBURN
Buddy and Lisa Edenburn’s interest in the cattle industry began with the purchase of a 4-H steer in 1998 when Bailey was 8 years old. Their Hereford story began in 2001 with the purchase of their first Hereford heifer from Steve Lorenzen. This decision was a step into a breed and an Association that would soon become a central part of their lives. Lorenzen genetics continued to form the heart of their cow herd and today Edenburn Family Farm currently runs about 50 head, selling the top end heifers, breds, and steers both privately and in various sales across the state along with a strong
private beef customer base that they sell fats to.
Their daughter Bailey, and her husband Cody, are highly involved with the day-to-day operations and daughter Miranda, and her husband Tyler, are always willing to help out when needed. In 2020, the Edenburn’s were awarded the Illinois Beef Association Farm Family of the Year and according to a quote from an article, Buddy says “It’s grown into what I call a 4-H project gone wild!”
When reaching out to Bailey for some information, I asked her what the highlight of the operation would be and she said her mom and dad would say that “the people are the best part of it.” Bailey also added that along with the multiple different champions at the Illinois State Fair, their partnership with Harvie Ranching in Canada on the World Champion Hereford Female, Firefly 35Z, will always stick out.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDNOAH BENEDICT
Buddy and Lisa not only raised their two daughters within the junior Association, they also served as advisors for 13 years, investing in the entire youth of this Association. I have lived in Illinois for 15 years now and Buddy and Lisa haven’t missed a preview show, junior national, or state fair that I know of. And I’m going to guess that with grandkids soon to start showing, they probably aren’t going to miss any in the future either! In 2019, Buddy and Lisa were awarded the Advisors of the Year at the Junior National, and a quote from an article I found, Buddy said “The kids are why we do what we do, and we just hope to provide them a helping hand along the way”
Buddy’s service hasn’t stopped there. As Treasurer of the Illinois Hereford Association — for so long that even he may have lost count (I couldn’t get an exact answer on this) — he has taken on one of the most important and often least visible roles in any organization. And Lisa’s involvement with the Illinois Hereford Women for at least 15 years speaks volumes.
Years of meetings, events, planning, volunteering, and showing up. These two have been a steady and supportive force, helping strengthen programs and build relationships that hold this Association together. This kind of quiet leadership is the backbone of any successful organization.
On behalf of the Illinois Hereford Association, we thank you for your commitment, your heart for youth, and your faithful service. Congratulations on this well-deserved Hall of Fame honor to Buddy and Lisa Edenburn.
BREEDER OF THE YEAR - PRAIRIE ROSE CATTLE COMPANY
Fred Nessler’s dedication to the Hereford breed is deeply rooted in family tradition. The Nessler family has raised Herefords since the 1950s, and through Prairie Rose Cattle Company of The Prairie Cross, Fred has carried that legacy forward with a clear vision for superior, functional genetics. With the steady support of his wife Elaine, Fred has developed a program that blends tradition with forwardthinking selection and disciplined breeding decisions.
Prairie Rose cattle are built to be program-makers. Fred’s breeding philosophy centers on integrity, power, structural correctness and performance. His cattle combine style and eye appeal with real-world function and maternal strength, making them competitive in the show ring while remaining practical for commercial operations. The program offers
both horned and polled genetics with a strong emphasis on breed-leading EPDs and cattle that are stout, functional and long-lasting.
Champions run in the blood at Prairie Rose. Between the Hereford and Maine-Anjou programs, Nessler-bred cattle have earned more than 40 championship and reserve championship titles at national shows. A cornerstone of the Hereford program was the great CHAC Mason 2214, named the 2015 Hereford Champion of the World. He went on to capture supreme champion, grand champion or reserve champion honors in Denver, Louisville, Kansas City and at the Junior National Hereford Expo and was recognized as North American Show Bull of the Year. His sons and daughters continue to build on that legacy with multiple national championships of their own.
That momentum continues today. Recent success of PRCC Freedom 437M ET further underscores the strength and progression of the Prairie Rose program. His performance and recognition in the show ring reflect Fred’s commitment to producing cattle that are not only competitive but genetically relevant and structurally sound for the long term.
In recent years, Prairie Rose genetics have continued to make their mark through successful youth exhibitors. Cattle shown by the Benedict, Young, Jones and Dryer families have earned notable breed and division championships at both the state and national level. These accomplishments reflect not only the consistency and competitiveness of Fred’s breeding program but also the confidence families place in his cattle year after year.
CATTLEMEN'S
CONGRESS HEREFORD SHOW | JANUARY 7-10 | OKLAHOMA
CITY, OKLA.
Open & Junior Show Grand Champion Horned Junior Yearling Female
HAWK Priya 11 MET
Owned by Ty Pezanoski
Open & Junior Show Horned Senior Calf Champion
BK Mirror Points 4045M ET
Owned by Lauren Jones
Open Show Reserve Grand Champion Polled Junior Yearling Female
HAWK Audrey 7M ET
Owned by Nolan Lee
Open Show Reserve Polled Spring Bull Calf
WILDCAT Landman 5053 ET
Owned by Wildcat Cattle Company
Open Show Champion Cow/ Calf Pair
MCM 173D Candi 004H ET
Owned by Shingle Oaks Polled Herefords
Open Show Reserve Polled Intermediate Bull
PRCC Freedom 437M ET
Owned by Prairie Rose Cattle Company
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW | JANUARY 10-25 | DENVER, COLO.
Open Show Champ. Horned
Intermediate Yearling, Junior Show Reserve
YB Bambi 711 2424 ET
Owned by Abagayle Britton
Open Show Reserve Polled Yearling Bull
Hoffman High Standard
Owned by Stumpf Land & Cattle
Open Show Reserve Polled
Senior Bull
PERKS PRCC 0039 Ghostwood 3016
Owned by Perks Ranch and Prairie Rose Cattle Company
Owned by Perks Ranch
Champion Pen of Three Spring Yearling Heifers Owned by Lorenzen Farms Reserve Champion Pen of Three Spring Bulls
FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW OPEN
ILLINOIS BEEF EXPO |
Champion Polled Intermediate Bull PRCC Freedom 437M ET Owned by Prairie Rose Cattle Company
FEBRUARY 19-21 |
Champion Hereford Steer Rings A & B
Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Heifer Rings A & B
Shown by Macy Michelini
Reserve Champion Horned Hereford Heifer Ring B
Shown by Addison Duis
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Reserve Champion Hereford Steer Rings A & B
Champion Horned Hereford Heifer Ring A
Shown by Nash Lowderman
Reserve Champion Division 2 Rings A&B
Shown by Morgan Richardson
Other winners (no photos available):
Reserve Champion Division 1 Polled Hereford Heifer Ring A: Tuck Lowderman
Reserve Champion Division 1 Polled Hereforde Heifer Ring B: Nolan Lee
Champion Division 3 Polled Hereford Heifer Rings A & B: Reese Holst
Reserve Champion Division 3 Polled Hereford Heifer Ring A: Brinley Antich
Champion Division Polled Hereford Heifer Rings A & B: Cooper Hattan
Reserve Champion Division 4 Polled Hereford Heifer Rings A & B: Henry Zieglowsky
Reserve Overall Polled Bull and Champion Yearling Purple Proud Boy 50M ET Owned by Purple Reign Cattle Company
Champion Polled Hereford Heifer Rings A & B
Champ. Horned Hereford Heifer Ring B, Res. Champion Ring A Shown by Coehen Kirchner
Reserve Champion Division 3 Ring B
Shown by Reese Entwistle
Shown by Nora Hoge
Shown by Kaylie Shelton
Shown by Faith Benedict
2026 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES
ADDRESS:
Marion County Fairgrounds 1800 Fairground Rd Salem, IL 62881
LODGING:
There is a block of rooms available at:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
(Group Code - JHA)
102 Holiday Ln
Salem, IL 62881
618-740-0913
Cutoff deadline 5/18/2026 for group rate $139.00
Other Hotels in Salem: Comfort Inn & Suites
1800 W Main St
Salem, II 62881
618-312-1055
Super 8 by Wyndham 118 Woods Lane Salem, IL 62881
618-740-4313
Camping spots available-$25/night
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY: 6:00 p m - Grounds open for set up
FRIDAY: 1:00-3:00pm - Check-in & Hereford Bowl Test
3:00 - 4:00pm - Fitting Demonstration 4:30pm - Fitting Contest
6:00-7:30pm - IJHA Fun Night
ENTRY PROCESS:
SHOWMAN.APP
Entries will open May 1 and close June 1--NO Late Entries
Kendall Boatman , Secretary:
Phone: (779) 774-5141
Email: ijha secretary@gmail com
Tom and Tammy Boatman, Advisors
Tom: 404-372-6754
Tammy: 770-354-4195
SATURDAY:
CHANGE: 8:00 a m - Opening Ceremonies 8:15 a m - Showmanship (youngest to oldest, Pre PeeWee at the end)
Bred and Owned Show begins at the conclusion of showmanship Show Order: Cow/Calf, Bulls, B&O Heifers, Steers (All Non-Fit)
Approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the show Scholarship Interviews Speeches
5:30 p m - Junior Meeting 7:00 p.m. - Banquet
SUNDAY: 7:45 a m - Group photo 8:00 a m - Owned Heifer Show (Non-Fit)
Craig and Brenda Crutcher, Advisors
Craig: (815) 712-5735
Brenda: (815) 289-6325
Jacob and Brittany Chapman, Advisors
Jacob: 815-587-4061
Brittany: 815-712-6578
UPCOMING JUNIOR EVENTS & DEADLINES
MARCH 26-29 | BOLD LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE | DESDEMONA, TEXAS
APRIL 15 | SPRING HYFA SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
APRIL 17-18 | SCOTT CITY, KAN. | NJHA FED STEER SHOOTOUT FIELD DAY
JULY 4-11 | MADISON, WIS. | JUNIOR NATIONAL HEREFORD EXPO
• EARLYBIRD DEADLINE: MAY 15
• FINAL DEADLINE: JUNE 1
JULY 29-AUGUST 1 | BOISE, IDAHO | FACES OF LEADERSHIP
• EARLYBIRD DEADLINE: JUNE 15
• FINAL DEADLINE: JULY 1
