(Ages 4-21 as of 1.1.26) Top 5 in each species, breeding and market animals.
2 for each Breed/Division Cash Payouts
Top 2 Showman in each age division for each species.
ICLA (Ages 5-21 as of 9.1.25)
(Ages 5-21 as of 1.1.26)
(Ages 5-21 as of 1.1.26)
IJBA (Ages 8-21 as of 1 1 26)
IJBA (A 8 21 f 1 1 26)
PRESIDENT
Travis Meteer
217-430-7030
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 - 217-5856-3275
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE
The week of the Illinois Beef Expo is always a busy one for me, but I was re-energized as I sat with my family at the Illinois Hereford Association banquet with over 150 other attendees. What a crowd of people that have a passion for Hereford cattle. From catching up with old friends, to association updates, fundraising, and a really good meal, the annual meeting is a must-attend event. If you are not attending the annual meeting and banquet, please put it on your calendar for next year. A full recap of the annual meeting was in the March/April issue.
Thank you to Craig Crutcher for this past year of service as the IHA president and thank you to Tammy Boatman for signing on as our vice-president this year. We have a great group on the board and even better folks serving in our member services and treasurer roles. The IHA is very active, and we continue to extend the invitation to join IHA. See the benefits of belonging to a vibrant association that is working to help its members market their cattle.
If you are a commercial producer, have you looked at the opportunities a Hereford bull can bring to your herd? From vigorous calves that get up and nurse, to better calf health, heavier weaning weights, to stronger fertility in the females… the list goes on. Remember when buying replacements, there is good reason that the black baldy cow is still the standard at which all commercial beef cows are measured.
I hope your summer is filled with satisfied cows grazing plentiful pastures. Good luck to all the juniors in their show season endeavors and my praise for their parents for giving youth an opportunity to engage in animal agriculture and all the life skills it teaches.
-Travis Meteer
Travis Meteer, Illinois Hereford Association President
FROM THE FIELD
Since I last wrote you all, record-setting sales have taken place, rain is becoming more prevalent in the forecast, grass is starting to bounce back, and we are in full swing of breeding season. It’s a time of excitement, anticipation, and quite honestly a lot to consider as we keep trying to move our operations forward.
If you’re like me when making breeding decisions, you want to evaluate all available information: look at available pictures of the bulls and relatives, contact the breeders/owners to discuss their background and cow families they come from, and study the data presented on their genomic tabulations. The good news for Hereford breeders is we have a resource catered to exactly this. I invite you all to take a look at the 2026 AHA AI Sire Book. The AI Book contains a powerful set of bulls from breeders across the country featuring some of the best their programs have to offer.
Another major highlight of the impending months ahead will be the inaugural Best of the Midwest sale on Memorial Day weekend. Benedict Marketing and Consulting has put a monumental amount of thought and effort into putting this set of breeders together and offering. This will be an event any Hereford enthusiast will not want to miss. Special thanks to the Perks Ranch crew for being willing to host this sale. Mark your calendars and plan to join us in Rockford on May 23!
Before long, the IJHA will gather in Salem, Illinois, on Father’s Day weekend for the annual Illinois Herford Preview Show. It’s a given that this weekend always brings about good camaraderie, great cattle, and an unforgettable experience. I look forward to seeing everyone and getting to visit with all as we recap the last 365 days while also getting ready for another great JNHE in Madison, Wisconsin, in July.
If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. All the best,
-Corbin Cowles
JUNIOR EVENTS
BOLD CONFERENCE BUILDS NEXT GENERATION OF HEREFORD LEADERS
CMT Artist of the Year, Cody Johnson, helped pave the motivational foundation for Hereford youth attending the fifth annual Building on Leadership Development conference in Desdemona, Texas, March 26-29.
“Pray for roadblocks and be comfortable with them coming,” Johnson encouraged the 26 BOLD participants. “Don’t ever let your vision get blurry by fame and success.”
National Junior Hereford Association members from across the country forged foundational leadership skills and industry connections during the leadership event hosted by Gary and Kathy Buchholz of GKB Cattle at their Hi Point Ranch. Tyson Durfey, world champion rodeo athlete; Shane Bedwell, American Hereford Association director of breed improvement and chief operating officer; and Tyler Norvell, president of Norvell Consulting and CEO of Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress, provided participants with valuable insights and expertise.
“Your mind will give you the power to do anything that you want to do, even if there’s no money, even if it’s hard, even if it’s difficult, even if in the moment it looks like you can’t do it, you just take one step.” Durfey said. “You don’t have to think about the million steps after, but just the one step, and then the next step.”
Along the way, BOLD participants had plenty of opportunities to explore career opportunities and learn how to better position themselves for their future careers.
Lauren Perez, of LEP Associates, led a session focused on resume writing and mock job interviews. Participants received advice from industry mentors based on their personal experiences during career roundtables. These roundtable discussions included: Gary Buchholz, GKB Cattle; Bruce Everhart, Everhart Herefords and Hereford Youth Foundation of America board member; Dr. Remy Wyatt, Ph.D., BioZyme Inc.; and Cody Mahan, Merck Animal Health.
“You are a product of the people you place around you. You elevate each other,” Johnson reminded attendees. “You’ve been gifted with an opportunity to be on a different level than others and that comes with pressure, but pressure can make a diamond.”
Corbin Cowles, American Hereford Association Territory 5 Field Staff
Rhett Lehman (center), an Illinois junior member from Sullivan, was able to attend the BOLD conference.
2026
SATURDAY, JULY 4
2 p.m. Gates open for tack trailers to arrive and set up in barns - New Holland Pavilions
6 p.m. Cattle may arrive into tie-outs through the night
SUNDAY, JULY 5
7 a.m. NJHA Board and Candidate Orientation Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Hereford Bowl Check-In & Written Test - W3 & W4
6-8 p.m. Bridging the Gap College & Career Fair - Exhibition Hall Atrium
TUESDAY, JULY 7
8a.m. State Group of 3 & 5 Classes - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9a.m. Sullivan Supply National Showmanship Contest - Veterans Memorial Coliseum Senior, Intermediate and Senior Finals - Ring 1 Junior and Peewee - Ring 2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
7 a.m. NJHA Membership Update, Breakfast & New Board Election
9 a.m. Bred-and-Owned Show - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Cow-Calf Pairs, Bred-and-Owned Females, Produce of Dam Group - Ring 1
Steer Show followed by Bred-and-Owned Bulls - Ring 2
*Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring CHB Cooking Challenge, Photo & Poster, prior to selection of the Bred-and-Owned Top Five Females
THURSDAY, JULY 9
7:30 a.m. Owned Female Show - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
*Buckle and Awards Ceremony honoring Future Professionals, Speech and Judging Contests, will follow the selection of the Division 3 Polled Females
7:30 a.m. Conclusion of Owned Female Show - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
*Buckle and Awards Ceremony recognizing Herdsman of the Year, Walter and Joe Lewis High Point Senior, GKB Super States, Golden Pitchfork and the Bob Norton Excellence Award will be held prior to the champion drives
2026 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES
ENTRY DEADLINE JUNE 1--NO LATE Entries
“GET Wicked FOR HEREFORDS”
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
ENTRY PROCESS:
SHOWMAN APP
Entries will open May 1 and close June 1--NO Late Entries
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY: June 18
6:00 p.m. - Grounds open for set up.
FRIDAY: June 19
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
SATURDAY: June 20
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: June 21
7:45 a m - Group photo
8:00 a.m. - Owned Heifer Show (Non-Fit)
2026 PREVIEW SHOW UPDATES
Additional Opportunities: Due June 1, 2026
See more details on Showman.app
Scholarships
Harr y & George T jardes Memorial Scholarship
Wayne Sage Memorial Scholarship
Faces of Leadership Travel Scholarship
Junior Prospect Award
IJHA Board of Director Application (4 Spots Open)
Speech Contest
sponsored by the IL Hereford Women
Illustrated Speech
Advanced Speech
Queen & Princess Contest sponsored by the IL Hereford Women
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
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
Illinois Hereford Association 20 26 Tour
August 29th, 20 26 - South Central IL
Eubank Farms 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Breakfast stop
Additional Hosts: Newbold Farms
Address: 13521 N 2175th St - Willow Hill, IL 62480
J. Lidy Herefords 11:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch Stop
Address: 6750 E 2200th Ave - Jewett, IL 62436
Crutcher Livestock 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Additional Hosts: Dobbs Cattle Company and Warfel Family Farms
Address: 1523 E 2160th Ave - Montrose, IL 62445
Goldstein Farms 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Additional Hosts: Siemer Livestock
Address: 18092 N 1400th St - Effingham, IL 62401
Second Creek Cattle 4:30 pm
Dinner Stop
Update from the American Hereford Association
Address: 9595 N 650th St - Altamont, IL 62411
* Anyone who attends all 5 tour stops will be entered for the chance to win a $250 sale credit for the 2026 IHA Winter Classic Sale *
Speakers to include Iowa State Extension Field Specialist, Joseph Lensing; Doug Hanson of ProHarvest Seeds; NCBA Chief Executive Officer, Colin Woodall; Dr. Dan Shike of University of Illinois; Laura Fidler of the Livestock Marketing Association and many more!
