The
ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN
September/October 2026
CONTENTS September/October 2026
1 1 2 6 7 8 IBC
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE ILLINOISHEREFORD.COM JUNIOR NATIONAL HEREFORD EXPO FACES OF LEADERSHIP ILLINOIS STATE FAIR OPEN & JUNIOR SHOW FEEDER CALF SALE WINTER CLASSIC SALE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADVERTISERS INDEX
ON THE COVER
PRESIDENT Travis Meteer 217-430-7030
Baker Farms BC Ellis Farms BC Lorenzen Farms BC Lowderman Cattle Company BC Perks Ranch BC Torrance Herefords BC
Illinois Hereford exhibitors at the 2026 Junior National Hereford Exposition.
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
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
IHA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Scan the QR code with your phone camera for an online version of our directory.
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 Hereford Bulletin
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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 2
Illinois Hereford Bulletin - 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 Hereford Bulletin
3
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 4
Illinois Hereford Bulletin - 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 Hereford Bulletin
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O
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
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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
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INFORMATION MORE 123-456-7890
DCF 8022 BETTY 123J P44297113 BRED TO SHF HOUSTON D287 H086
6
JIMMY 779.771.4687
Illinois Hereford Bulletin - September/October 2026
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 Hereford Bulletin
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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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CARTHAGE LIVESTOCK INC. 1300 WABASH AVE CARTHAGE, IL 309-221-9621 I CLINC1@LIVE.COM Illinois Hereford Bulletin - 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
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
Baker Farms
1278 E. 20th Rd. Baker Farms Streator, IL 61364 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
Jack and Sherry Lowderman Monte, Carrie and Rhett Brent, Kris, Blake and Morgan Cody, Abby, Nash and Tuck P.O. Box 488 Macomb, IL 61455 Office: 309-833-5543
www.lowderman.com
Lorenzen Farms Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803