While making plans for Red Angus' 50th Anniversary Celebration, it was only natural to reminisce about the people who had made major contributions to building the breed and the Association throughout the 50 years. A committee was formed to research the "50 most influential people", and letters were sent to the two remaining Charter Members, George Chiga and Sal Forbes, past and current RAAA Presidents, past and current Board of Director members, and past Red Angus Award Winners. These people were asked to compile a list of 25 names of people they felt were deserving of this recognition. Their suggestions were sent to the 50 - 50 Committee, and they finalized the top 50 people from the over 150 submitted names. They are presented here in alphabetical order, since all of these people, and many more who are unnamed, had a profound effect on the success of the Red Angus Association of America.
Linda Andersen grew up in a family that had raised Herefords for 45 years. But, vigor, hardiness, adaptability, calvability and red color enticed her family to try Red Angus. The advantage of hybrid vigor couldn't be overlooked, and in 1970 they began using Red Angus bulls on yearling heifers. In 1971 they got their first Red Angus Females. Keep in mind the importance of a red hide to a third generation cow woman.
Linda was a young woman with a passion for raising the best cattle possible. "Best" meaning biggest and heaviest. Now, in 2004, she is older and wiser but with the same passion for raising cattle. Now, she lets the environment dictate the optimum size and weight with more emphasis on disposition and soundness. But in the end, vigor, hardiness and adaptability are still the traits she appreciates most.
Linda served on several Red Angus committees, the RAAA Board of Directors, and was President for two years. She has also been a strong supporter of the Junior program. She, along with her daughter Kim and son-in-law Scott Ford, operate Panhandle Cattle Company, Lakeside, Neb.
Forrest Bassford is the retired publisher of Western Livestock Journal, but continues to be a friend to cattle producers. His calm manner causes people to seek his counsel and to respect his judgments which are made with obvious objectivity and willingness to hear out "both sides of the story." His respect for both change and tradition and his honesty about them have endeared him to cattlemen of this country.
Because of Forrest's involvement as a publisher, he has experienced many events that marked turning points in the industry. Some of these were: reporting the first Charolais cross steer to win a major show, the rejuvenation of the National Western Livestock Show, and the emergence of the Beef Improvement Federation. He was also the Master of Ceremonies at most of the Beckton Field Days. It was always one of the year's highlights because of the good programs and the fantastic crowds Sally Forbes would draw. Bassford has made numerous contributions to the nation's livestock industry, eloquently speaking through the written word.
Roy and Pat Beeby entered the registered Red Angus business in 1955 as member #25, with an eye on documented performance and an unwavering belief in cow power. They started with 28 Black Angus red carrier cows, 16 calves and a Red Angus herd sire purchased from Beckton Stock Farms. Beeby embraced the notion of performance proven genetics for the breed and for his own operation. Roy Beeby was a charter member and eventual president of PRI, which evolved into today's Beef Improvement Federation. He endorsed the value of looking beyond pedigree and phenotype to comparative performance. Roy served for 13 years on the RAAA Board, two as President. He received the Red Angus Distinguished Service award in 1983, the Personality of the Year award in 1984, the Breeder of the Year award in 1993 and he and his family were honored with the Pioneer Breeders of the Year award in 1996. His wife, Pat, and daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Ray Hicks continue his breeding philosophies at Prairie City Farms.
Bieber Ranch was established in 1961. In 1963 they started performance testing their commercial herd. In the fall of 1967 Ron and Lois took a trip to western S.D. and Mont., and the final stop was at the Beckton field day and sale. A few months later they decided to use Red Angus as their third cross on their Shorthorn-Hereford cross cows. Then they began to look for bulls and females. They purchased animals from Gene Cook, Idaho, from the 1969 RC Buckner dispersion and the entire heifer calf crop, one top cow and a herd bull prospect from Albert Erdmann. They picked Red Angus because there was a shortage of reliable pedigreed cattle and Red Angus were honest producing cattle that really worked.
The Bieber Family have been active members of the Red Angus Association. Ron served on the Board of Directors from 1977-1982. Son, Craig was a board member from 1993-1998 and President from 1998-2000. Ron and Lois were recipients of the Pioneer Breeders of the Year Award in 1994, and in 2003, Ron, Lois, Craig, and Peggy Bieber were honored as Breeders of the Year.
Howard and Charlotte Bobbitt bought their first Red Angus bull in 1983 from Henry Whitley for their commercial cows. Then, "Daddy" Bob Newman encouraged their youngest daughter to show Red Angus at their County Fair and that is how it all started. Since then, they have participated in shows and sales all over the United States, carrying Junior members with them.
They have had a National Champion and developed a market in South America for live cattle and semen sales. They have a production sale every other year. They stay busy helping Junior members by taking them to Red Angus events and sponsoring activities for them. They have had two Junior presidents from their area, Karen McGee and John Carter. They enjoy doing this and hope it will reap rewards for the breed in the future.
Howard served on the RAAA Board of Directors as Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President. Charlotte and Howard were presented with the Personality of the Year Award in 1995.
Dr. Jon Bonsma, of the University of South Africa, Pretoria was known as the world's foremost authority on visual appraisal of beef breeding stock for functional efficiency. His specialities, backed by a lifetime of virtually worldwide research and observation, were ecology and adaptability for domestic animals, especially beef cattle. Bonsma stressed, again and again, the connection between femininity in beef breeding females and their early conception and long productive life. He stressed the imperativeness of strong masculinity plus structural soundness in bulls.
Dr. Bonsma was a main attraction at the 1969 Beckton Field Day, explaining his concepts of how physiology and anatomy relate to functional efficiency. His concepts were frequently at odds with whatever style was currently in favor in the show ring. The "functional efficiency" concept fit well with Sally and the breed founders who agreed, "They wanted no over-fitted animals or doctored pictures to promote the breed." On certain subjects, Bonsma's controversial view resulted in lively debate.
Rick was born and raised in New England and didn't become involved with cattle until the 1970's. At that time, Rick and his wife, Lucie, owned and managed the Rapid Canyon Ranch at Sheridan, Wyo., with Rick's Mom. He entered his graduate studies in animal breeding at Colorado State Univ., in order to answer the question: What exactly comprises the optimum beef animal and how can you predict it?
Rick was on the RAAA Board of Directors from 1985-88 and encouraged the Association to pursue National Cattle Evaluation. He believes that the breed's adoption of Total Herd Reporting in 1995, which makes calculation of ERTs possible, serves as a key example of breeder commitment to performance ideals.
Rick wrote a number of articles about cattle breeding for the American Red Angus Magazine. He received the Red Angus Distinguished Service Award in 1986 and in 1999 was presented with the Industry Service Award for his work with Colorado State University and the Red Angus Association.
One of the things that is so impressive about Jim Brinks, Colorado State University, is that he is a first class human being first and a first class scientist second. He doesn't have to wear his professionalism, he just lives it.
Both Rick Bourdon and Bruce Golden had Brinks as their major professor at CSU, and he was a mentor to them. Jim was recognized as a world-class animal breeder before they started their Doctoral studies. He was practical and intuitive and part of a small, close-knit fraternity of animal breeders that would spawn modern genetic evaluations on the foundation laid by others. Jim understood the need for and potential of National Sire Evaluation and National Cattle Evaluation. Numerous foundation Red Angus breeders site Brinks as a major influence on their programs.
When anyone does a better job of breeding cattle, it will partly be because Jim Brinks has spent a professional lifetime unlocking the secrets from reams of livestock experiment station data.
R. C. Buckner was a man of small stature, but he stood tall among his many friends. He loved his Red Angus cattle and could talk for hours about their superior traits. He had a number of Red Angus, the largest herd in America at one time. He used Kansas Chief on a variety of blood lines.
Buckner's service record to the Red Angus Association is perhaps the longest in terms of years spent on the Board of Directors both as a director and an officer. He was first elected to the Board in 1956, two years after the formal organization of the RAAA. He was second V.P. in 1956-57,1964-65,and 1965-66. He served as first V.P. from 1957-1962; he then served as President from 1966-68. It was during his presidency that the building housing the National headquarters was built. Many breeders will unequivocally tell that without Mr. Buckner, there would not have been a permanent home built for the Red Angus Association. He received the Pioneer Breeds Award in 1980.
Dave Cawlfield was raised on a ranch in New Mexico. He went to college in Goodwell, Okla., where he met and married his wife Pearl. After graduation and several moves, they ended up in Bozeman, Mont., and in 1952 purchased a ranch where they raised milk cows and commercial beef cows. He retired in 1966 and decided to raise registered Red Angus.
Dave marketed his cattle via private treaty and started many current Red Angus breeders in raising Red Angus. He retired from raising cattle in 1986 and moved the herd to Helena where his son George had just acquired a ranch. Cawlfield Red Angus is currently owned by a partnership of George and Janet Cawlfield and their three children, Larry Cawlfield, Karen Raisland and Lori Harris. They received the Breeders of the Year Award in 1986. Current herd bulls are sons of Cherokee Canyon, LCC Proof Positive, Basin 79E, Chateau, and Heavenly which are co-owned with Raisland Red Angus.
Jack and Gini Chase own and operate Buffalo Creek Red Angus. Their first Red Angus bulls were purchased from Beckton Stock Farm, Wyo. One of these bulls was put in a single sire pasture with a group of Black cows. The next fall those calves outweighed everything else on the ranch, and the course was set for Buffalo Creek. Their purebred program began in 1972 with purchases from Morris Dixon, and later Landreys and Beckton. A good number of Chief bred cows were added soon after from Mid-America. Their management and philosophy is dictated by their commercial origins, and they consider the commercial cattleman their primary customer.
Jack and Gini are both active in the Association. Jack served on the RAAA Board of Directors and was President from 1984-86. Gini served on the Board from 1988-94 and is currently active on the Strategic Planning Committee.
They received the RAAA Breeders of the Year Award in 1988 and 2002, Distinguished Service in 1976 and the Pioneer Breeders of the Year Award in 1997.
George and Vernice Chiga started piecing their herd together in 1949. When they and other founders met to form the RAAA in 1954 they had 17 head. Before they were finished in the 80's the Chigas at one time managed upwards of 1,000 females. George is a firm believer in scientific animal breeding principles, and has championed linebreeding since beginning his career as a seedstock breeder. The no-excuses linebreeding approach is how the Chigas ended up producing Choctaw Chief 373, one of the most prepotent bulls of the breed.
One of the Chiga's deepest pride rests upon their efforts to help found and direct a breed organization that made individual, comprehensive, accurate performance records a mainstay at the very beginning. George served as the second Vice President and ultimately as one of the longest running Presidents of the RAAA. Vernice served as the RAAA's executive secretary at the same time. They were honored with numerous awards. Their goal was to make Red Angus go. Everything was done to improve the Red Angus breed.
Morris Dixon was a quiet, fun loving, giant of a man who lent his personality and physical talents to the early growth and development of Red Angus.
After working for Beckton Stock Farm, Morris located his ranch up the creek, where his cows were always fat and sassy. His neighbors included the Chase's Buffalo Creek Ranch, Pete Widner who brought the first Chief bull into this part of the west, and Bourdon's Rapid Canyon Ranch.
Dixon owned and operated the B.I.A.S. (Beef Improvement Association Station) in the late 1960's and into the '70s. Although a multi-breed test, BIAS was predominately Red Angus and became the "world series" test for Red Angus, a must event every spring for commercial and purebred Red Angus enthusiasts alike.
Morris Dixon's leadership, breeding program and central bull test was a catalyst to many of the breeders that sprang up around this early hot bed of Red Angus. His influence included the early Red Angus events at Denver and spread into the high plains, Northwest and Canada.
Al Enfinger started into the Red Angus seedstock business to make a family living in the country, for the pride and prestige of improving Red Angus for his Southeastern Region, and for the families, fellowship and social events associated with producing and merchandising Red Angus cattle. Al was an RAAA member for 34 years and served on the Board of Directors for six years.
His philosophy was to produce high quality, genetically short haired Red Angus that would excel in the hot and humid southeast. He managed and produced many Southeastern Red Angus Association sales from the late 1970's to 1990's. He produced many successful on farm auctions selling up to 140 registered animals. The 1977 sale had 89 Red Angus all halter broke. In 1984, he exported 80 head of Red Angus to South Africa.
He started his herd in 1969 by buying some cows bred to Alabama Boy 34 from the Harry Hill Farm Dispersal. When he retired in the 1990's, he sold the balance of his Red Angus to Jim and Alvina Meeks, Bull Hill Ranch, South Carolina.
Starting with an initial seven bulls and 19 heifers, Waldo and Sally Forbes were breeding Red Angus cattle nine years prior to the formation of the RAAA. They wanted to develop the genetics for a meaningful herd, not just another red breed. Waldo was the first president of the Association and Sally the first executive secretary. Waldo's untimely death left Sally to continue to goal of building a breed based on performance. The field days hosted by Beckton Stock Farm helped popularize the breed. Sally intended the field days to be open forums for all of the beef industry. After a few years they started having a sale in conjunction with the field days.
The Forbes family has had a tremendous impact on Red Angus. Sons, Spike and Cam have served as breed leaders. Each has been on the RAAA Board of Directors, and distinguished themselves on many committees and Association projects. In 1978, Sally received the Personality of the Year Award, the family was named Pioneer Breeders of the Year in 1993, Spike was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and in 1998 the family was named Breeders of the Year.
Kenneth began using Red Angus in 1972 by artificial breeding his commercial Hereford cross cows. The calves were incredible and set ADG records for his son Kyle at the County Fair. Impressed with the performance of Red Angus, Kenneth then bought Kyle and his sister Lora each a Red Angus heifer to begin showing at the county level. Kenneth then purchased 17 head of Pioneer Beef Cattle (PBC) cows and began producing bulls for Pioneer Beef Cattle Co., under their program. When PBC exited the cattle business in the mid'70s, the producing group stayed together as Mid America Cattle Co., until 1983 when they disbanded. Through the mid '80s and '90s, Kenneth and Kyle ran a herd of 100 registered Red Angus cattle as J Bar K Ranch, Inc., until 1998 when Kenneth retired and they held a complete dispersal.
Kyle and his wife Amy and son Clayton now operate Star G Ranch, Inc., and run abut 35 head consisting mainly of ET calves and a select group of donor cows. They also manage registered Red Angus auctions around the country. They received the Personality of the Year Award in 2000.
Joe Givhan was an extension worker, a plantation owner from Ala., and a true southern gentleman. He had been collecting Reds and was one of the original founders of the Red Angus Association in 1954. His interests included education, politics, business and international contacts.
Mr. Givhan was a superb organizer, promoter and a pioneer for the cattle industry. He traveled extensively across the South starting small herds of Red Angus along the way. He also started his own Good Neighbor Policy by giving Red Angus bulls to the Head of the Agriculture Departments of 12 different countries around the world including Russia, Peru, China and South Africa.
Mr. Givhan founded and was first president of both the Southeastern and Alabama Red Angus Associations. He served as President of the RAAA 1962-64. During his term the first Red Angus National Sale was held in San Antonio,Texas, averaging $800/head, and the ARA Magazine came out in a tabloid form. He received the Personality of the Year Award in 1976.
Bruce Golden has been an advisor to the Red Angus Association since the early 90's. His expertise in Animal Genetics, Genetic Prediction, Variance Components Estimation, and Livestock Information Management helped the Association to develop the first National Cattle Evaluation calculated using the full animal model.
Bruce worked with Colorado State's Center for the Genetic Evaluation of Livestock and produced EPDs for Red Angus. But, Red Angus helped CGEL by allowing their data set to be used to test new statistical models or new software. Bruce had the mathematical talent and insight necessary for not only developing algorithms, which made new steps in genetic evaluation possible, but he had a knack for writing software to apply the math.
Bruce was selected by the RAAA to receive the Industry Service Award in 1995. Bruce founded Optibrand, a livestock identification company employing the use of retinal scans, in 2004. But, he is still as excited about applying mathematics to produce tangible genetic progress as he was when he first began.
Betty started her employment with the Red Angus Association of America in June, 1968. She bears the title of the longest tenured employee of the RAAA. Her current title is Administrative Director. Her early years were spent in Livonia, Michigan until moving to Denton, Texas as a bride. She never dreamed she would end up in Texas, let alone a lover of Red Angus cattle and especially the RAAA members. Over the years Betty has been asked to serve as acting Executive Secretary many times during the periods between permanent Executive Secretaries. With a start as a bookkeeper, she has worn the caps of many positions - managing the office, traveling to meetings, trade shows, etc., coordinating RAAA conventions, working intently with the many RAAA board of directors, along with becoming the official RAAA historian and any and all other duties when asked. She was awarded a special Meritorious RAAA award in 1987 and the RAAA Distinguished Service in 1990.
Cliff and Audrey Haugen started performance testing at Boot Jack Ranch in 1956, with the weighing of their commercial calves in order to rate each cow on the merit of production. In the mid 60's, AI was added to improve the genetic base with the use of three breeds: Red Angus, Limousin and Simmental. Each breed had its advantages, but Red Angus quickly proved to be the top for efficiency with easy calving, gainability and the making of great cows. As the herd turned primarily Red in color, neighbors started purchasing bull calves at branding time. Boot Jack joined the Red Angus Association in 1974, and were honored with the Breeder of the Year Award in 1991. The RAAA had been set up with the very objectives that Boot Jack used on its commercial herd and propelled into its registered theories. Whole registered herds were purchased and culled much as the commercial herd, as a result, it built a very strong foundation for the future of Boot Jack. Founder, Cliff Haugen, passed away in 1998, but the Boot Jack operation continues on today through the management of son, Paul Haugen.
Harold Henry first got interested in Red Angus by reading ads in the Angus Journal from S. Taylor McDaniel wanting to buy Red Calves out of Black animals. In 1955, he was around 21 years old and establishing a herd of Reds, he remembers buying sight unseen two of the best Red Angus yearling heifers he ever had. He bought a new car in 1956, and while traveling from Ohio to Missouri he spotted a beautiful Red Angus calf and was determined to own it. He took out the car's back seat and put a large box in for the Red calf and took it home to his bride.
Harold was on the RA Board for nine years at a time when Board members paid all their own expenses. He remembers walking around the property where the National Office is now located. The Board members took the final vote by telephone conference and decided to use the RAAA savings to buy the land.
Harold had a second career as an auctioneer, and worked for a time with Gayle Ingram. He is now 70 years old, and still fondly looks at the #27 Red Angus Membership Certificate that hangs on his wall.`
Dr. "Bob" Hough was first hired by RAAA in 1994 as Marketing Coordinator, and in the fall of 1997, he assumed the role of Executive Secretary/Treasurer. Bob started RAAA's Commercial Marketing Program, developing the industry's first USDA approved and audited Feeder Calf Certification Program, which was also the first program to be designated as "USDA Process Verified." He also initiated Red Angus' carcass EPD program, and negotiated value based grids with two major packers. Bob was also involved in the design and implementation of THR.
Under his leadership and working with C.S.U., Red Angus started EPD development using the concept of Economically Relevant Traits. This resulted in the release of the industry's first reproductive sire summary. They also developed the first carcass EPDs to incorporate both ultrasound and carcass data; developed the first Mature Cow Maintenance EPD; and added sophisticated data filters used before each NCE.
This past year, Bob has been researching and writing The History of Red Angus.
He was inducted into the Maine Beef Industry's Hall of Fame, and in 1996, received the RAAA's Distinguished Service Award. Bob has served on the BIF Board, was co-founder of the Ultrasound Guidelines Committee, sits on the advisory council of the Consortium for Genetic Evaluation, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the National Pedigree Council. He has written over 125 scientific, extension and popular press articles.
Glacier Red Angus was started in 1973 by Harold and Pat Hughes, daughter Teri and sons Vince and Chris. All the family members are involved with Red Angus either at the ranch or with their own Red Angus Cattle. Daughter Teri and husband Amie Angelo have Mountain View Red Angus, son Vince and wife Michelle have Hughes Red Angus, Post Falls, Idaho, and Chris is back home working with Harold and Pat.
The Hughes have been members of the RAAA since the early 1970's. Harold and Pat were the recipients of the 1997 RAAA Breeder of the Year Award.
Before becoming involved in raising Red Angus, Harold taught High School math and coached football for 17 years. Harold started the Sal Forbes Traveling Female project with a female he won at the NILE, and has been instrumental in its success over the years.
He has served in various offices of the Montana Red Angus Association, and he was on the RAAA Board of Directors starting in 1994, and has been President the last two years.
Gayle Ingram met Joe Perry, RAAA charter member in 1959, and assisted him in working his cattle, and his interest in Red Angus cattle grew. A friend asked him to purchase a Black Angus bred cow for him. He did, and when she calved, her calf came out red. Gayle purchased the heifer calf which became I.Q. Ranch No. One. He attended the Red Angus National Convention in Brownwood, Texas, and met George Chiga and Joe Givhan. They were the Sale Committeemen, and Gayle was given the opportunity to auction the National Sale in San Antonio with Harold Henry.
Red Angus was now in their blood, and Ingram and Henry were determined to become the TOP RED ANGUS AUCTIONEERS. For the next 20 years they auctioned Red Angus cattle from California to North Carolina...from Wisconsin to Mexico, and all states in between.
He also developed his own herd of Red Angus - I.Q. Ranch. Rigid selection and management allowed him to develop defined characteristics of Line Bred Red Angus that were eye appealing and genetically sound. Due to failing health, the herd was dispersed in October, 2001.
Rex & Joann's acquaintance with Red Angus started when Rex's sister and her husband had a Red calf from their registered Black cow. First thought - whose bull jumped the fence? They researched and found a large herd of Red Angus in Missouri belonging to HRH Farms, Harold Henry. "We went to visit at the old J.C. Penney Farm and what a beautiful set of cows. That was enough to start our interest in the breed. It was slow at first. In Iowa, we started looking for Reds from the Blacks, only to find that they would sell," but -- don't tell any one where they came from. Or, we won't give you any papers to register the calves!
Forty years later, they are still raising Red Angus, and their friends who made fun of Red Angus have changed their thinking. They now admire the breed and what it's doing for the beef industry. They were named Breeders of the Year in 1990 and Pioneer Breeder of the Year in 2001.
Mackenzie Brothers Red Angus (Ted, Rod Jr., Mark, Don and Ken) was established in 1962. Their first purchase came from Beckton Stock Farm, Sheridan, Wyo., and consisted of one bull, one cow/calf pair and two bred heifers. Throughout the years, they added cattle from across Canada and the U. S. They were instrumental in getting Red Angus cattle into the Canadian Herdbook in 1968.
The Mackenzies started showing cattle as a way of advertising and promotion, and making people aware of Red Angus. They held their first production sale in 1972.
The Mackenzie brothers were honored as Pioneer Breeders in 1979, the first to be honored after the original charter members.
The original Mackenzie brothers are slowing down, but an enthusiastic second generation is taking over. The Mackenzie family believes very strongly in participating and working within the association. Don is presently the Canadian Angus Association president.
Mrs S. Taylor McDaniel was instrumental in calling together a small group of seven breeders to form the Red Angus Association of America in 1954. She advertised and wrote breeders for Reds for over two years, and was offered fourteen heifers and a bull. Vision, zeal and endurance, not to mention money and judgment were required to put together a herd of Reds in those days.
Mrs. Taylor kept eight head of Red Angus on the show circuit, lead by the bull Red Manley. Paraded under spotlights Manley brought an offer of $10,000. The Reds drew large crowds of interested observers, but often harassment, since " were these not the degraded, the untouchables from black herds?"
Mrs. McDaniel persevered in her quest to build a Red Angus herd, and put aside other pursuits in which she would have undoubtedly distinguished herself. Mrs. McDaniel maintained her Red Angus herd until 1965, when she dispersed because she could not find dependable help. Without her vision of joining together the breeders of the day, the RAAA as we know it might not exist.
McPhee Red Angus got started in 1971 when Roy purchased a Red Angus bull and eight Red Angus females. The herd has grown to about 500 mother cows. The McPhee family includes Roy, wife Nellie, and children Mike, Kurt, Mary, Rita and 11 grandchildren. There are three generations actively involved in the ranch.
The cattle run primarily in the foothills of the Sierra's and irrigated pasture near their home. Most of the foothill land is located 20 to 40 miles from home, so it is vital to select for trouble free cows that do it all on their own. The majority of their cows are bred natural service, but they do AI 25-30% to bulls that breed for economically important traits needed by commercial cattlemen. Almost all of the cows calve in the early fall, with a handful of spring calvers. They have a bull sale each fall and sell over 100 yearling bulls and about 75 females. About 70% of their cattle go to repeat buyers.
Roy served as president of the RAA and his daughter Rita currently sits on the Board. The McPhee's many awards include RA Breeder of the Year, RA Personality of the Year and RA Pioneer Breeder Award.
Tony and Karen Messmer own and operate Messmer Red Angus, a diversified operation in its third generation, situated near Richardton in the heart of the rolling planes of western N.D. The Red Angus herd was established in 1962 by Tony's father Ray, the first registered Red Angus breeder in N.D., and today consists of 200+ purebred Red Angus females. All facets of the cattle operation are managed at the ranch and a production sale is held each spring.
Having raised Red Angus for nearly 40 years, Messmer Red Angus feels fortunate to be involved in such a progressive, innovative breed that is responsive to the needs of the total beef industry. They feel it is critical that RAAA maintain and enhance their position of leadership in the industry.
Tony started his ranching career after five years as a Tax Auditor with the state of N.D. He has been active on many Boards throughout the years, and served on the RAAA Board of Directors 2000-2004. Karen and Tony were honored with the Breeders of the Year Award in 2000.
In 1952, Raymond Meyer and his father and mother, Otto and Vivian Meyer were in partnership in a farming and ranching operation at Sorum, S.D., near his dad's original 1909 homestead site. The cowherd consisted of commercial Hereford cattle. While searching for new genetics Raymond was advised to try crossbreeding with Angus. After experiencing the new demand for Red Angus baldie calves, they decided to use only Red Angus bulls and bought two new herd sires from Beckton Red Angus.
Because of the Red Angus breeds' progressive nature, Raymond decided to become a Red Angus seedstock producer. He purchased eight heifers that were the red offspring of the bull, JC Penny Eileenmere Lad, and they became the foundation of his purebred herd. The continuing challenge of improving the herd and the association with other progressive breeders have fulfilled his life long dreams. Ray received the Personality of the Year Award in 1982. His son, Vaughn, continues the family tradition with Sodak Red Angus, Reva, S.D.
Owen Kolle started out running crossbred cattle, but in January 1961, he started his Red Angus herd. He purchased 20 Red Angus yearling heifers from Henshaw Bros., San Antonio, Texas. He was convinced that the breed could find its place along with its more established black kin and various other popular breeds. in addition to striving for efficiency in his cattle, Owen gave the same attention to his land, knowing that a ranchman can't have one without the other. He actively promoted the breed in Texas and served on the RAAA Board of Directors from 1975-1977. He received the RAAA Pioneer Breeders of the Year Award in 1988.
Carrying on the tradition of Kolle and Sons Red Angus Ranch is Jim Kolle. Jim served on the RAAA Board of Directors from 1991-1998 and received the Personality of the Year Award in 1998. He is also active in the Texas Red Angus Association, and takes an active role in the yearly Texas Red Angus sale. He and his sons have participated in many heifer and steer shows, winning many honors throughout the years.
John and Betty Lambrecht, Custer, Mont., purchased their first Red Angus from Beckton Stock Farm, Wyo. After researching information on the red gene and studying his market, John bought more Red Angus, eventually dispersing his commercial herd in favor of Red Angus cattle.
John worked persistently to produce the type of Red Angus that would fit into the commercial crossbreeding scheme. Lambrecht Brothers used a controlled amount of AI in their operation and had success with embryo transplants. John felt that the emphasis should be on producing moderate, easy fleshing cattle that could take care of themselves whether in extreme cold or heat.
John and Betty were recipients of the 1989 Red Angus Breeders of the Year Award. At that time, John said,"Red Angus has made great strides in promoting the breed and cattle, this is evidenced by the tremendous enthusiasm shown by commercial cattlemen at the recent NILE in Billings, Mont." John went on to say, "The real strength of our breed is the people...they are all super quality folks."
By the time that Leachman Cattle Company dispersed in 2003, the operation that Jim began with his former wife, Corrine and their three boys, Lee, Seth and Justus, the Leachman Hairpin brand was known the world-over. For three decades LCC was a must see operation with genetics that ended up in virtually every Red Angus breeder's herd. Leachman's entered the RAAA in the early 1970's because they believed in the direction and the principles of the association and because they liked the cattle.
Jim served as RAAA President from 1978-80, during this time the category system was adopted, which allowed cattle to be bred-up and opened the registry to composites. Son, Lee also served as RAAA President from 1994-96. Son, Seth currently serves on the Red Angus Board of Directors. Jim was selected to receive RAAA's Personality of the Year Award in 1975 and the Breeders of the Year Award in 1983. In 1992, Jim and Corrine were honored with the Pioneer Breeders of the Year Award. Lee received the Personality of the Year Award in 1996 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1997.
Melvin and Luella Leland own Leland Red Angus Ranch located in the badlands of western N.D. near Sidney, Mont. Son Todd is a partner in the ranch operation, and they take pride in a traditional ranch life style that embraces family and spiritual values. Melvin began raising commercial Red Angus cattle on the family ranch after college graduation. This program evolved into a seedstock operation that now breeds over 400 registered Red Angus cows and hosts an annual production sale in March.
A strong advocate of the 1B registry, Melvin has always stressed breeding cattle for their economic and functional value for performance merit in a range environment.
Melvin has served both as President and Director of the Montana RAA. He has been on the RAAA Board of Directors, and was President from 1992-94. Initiated during his tenure as President were Total Herd Reporting, the Commercial Marketing Program, and the Denver Brain Trust Seminar. The Leland's were honored as Red Angus Breeders of the Year in 1995.
Lorenzen Ranches, Inc. is the oldest and largest Red Angus producer in the Pacific Northwest. The late Leonard Lorenzen and his wife, Ila, started breeding Red Angus in 1959 at their ranch near Pendleton, Ore. They selected Red Angus because it was the only breed requiring performance records for registration at that time. Leonard served on the board of the Red Angus Association of America, and in 1987 was named the Breeder of the Year by the RAAA.
This year marks the 45th anniversary in the breed for Lorenzen Ranches. The ranch operation now includes Ila, her son Larry, his wife, Liz, and their children Amy and Sam. By putting together alliances and working with their customers and cooperators to promote what works in today's marketplace, they are continuing on with the breed of choice that has come to the leading edge in the beef industry.
Lorenzen Ranches was presented with the Pioneer Breeders Award in 1998. The family continues to be active in the Red Angus breed, with Larry completing two terms on the board of directors in 2003.
C. T. and Sybil Parker played an important role in establishing a semi-permanent site for the Red Angus National Headquarters. President Henshaw and the Board decided C.T. Parker was the best person to become the first paid executive secretary. C.T. was interested in the job, but was reluctant to leave the security of his extension agent position in Runnels County, Texas. Instead, his wife, Sybil was hired and C. T. became an "unpaid" fieldman for promoting Red Angus. Effective March 1, 1961, Ballinger, Texas became the Red Angus headquarters location.
With the continued growth of the RAAA, the Ballinger Office became too small, and in 1967, was officially moved to Denton, Texas. Mrs. Parker transferred to Denton, and the office moved to the present site in 1968. When Mrs. Parker was hired, no one expected that she would remain Executive Secretary for eight years. As the Association's first full time employee, Mrs. Parker set a standard for class and even handedness. On June 1, 1969, Mrs. Parker resigned and returned with C.T. to their Ballinger home.
Garold Parks was the administrative director of the Pioneer Beef Cattle program based in Johnston, Iowa from the 1960's - 1976, which involved several breeds of cattle and marketed seedstock bulls. In 1976, Pioneer Beef Cattle (the same Pioneer corporation that sells seed corn) got out of the beef cattle business. But Garold Parks kept the seven Red Angus herds organized and producing bulls under the Mid America Cattle Co., label. These included: Kenneth Gilchrist, Iowa; Orville Long, Bethany, Mo.; Cornie Folkerts, Inwood, Iowa; Roy Folkerts, Inwood, Iowa; Garold Parks, Ames, Iowa; Harry Stine; and Dennis Lunsgaard, Cherokee, Iowa.
They held annual bull auctions in Inwood, Iowa and bull and female auctions in Colfax, Iowa. Red Angus was the only breed that Garold continued, and he acted as the executive director of Mid America until it disbanded in 1983. He was a strong supporter of performance testing and one of the early members to do so in volume through his work with Pioneer and Mid America.
Joe Perry, Red Angus Association of America charter member, died in 1977 at 74 years of age. He lived in Columbus, Texas most of his life. Perry served on the original RAAA Board of Directors and continued in that capacity during 1956-57. He was the owner of Bonnie MacTavish, Registry #8F, the first female registered in the RAAA herd book. When the RAAA was in its formative years, Joe insisted the new Association maintain a commercial focus, and this legacy remains after 50 years.
One of the items that always comes to light about Joe was his strong sense of humor. George Chiga notes that "Joe had a good eye for cattle and always picked the good ones.
Joe was always ready to be at any inspection you asked him to help with. In the early days, being an RAAA director or animal inspector meant you paid your own travel expenses, and this he did willingly.
Chiga also said that the three things Joe Perry always traveled with were a pistol, bible and a checkbook.
Kenda began her service to the RAAA as Registration Dept. Supervisor in 1998. She was given the responsibility of implementing a consistent THR reporting calender. She was also asked to assure that all RAAA Rules and Regulations, office policy, and computer programming were working in concert; no small challenge at the time. The RAAA is indebted to her for her excellence in meeting these goals. She states that "each year she has seen the Association, its members and office staff grow and adapt to many changes in reporting and registering animals. The concept of THR has been a driving force for the continued growth and success of the RAAA."
Through her motivation and the assistance of the Customer Service staff, the office now accepts multiple applications to transfer animals, revised all legal size forms to letter size and designed a more informative summary report of processed data. Vast improvements have been made in the accessibility and the amount of information available to members and their customers over the web site due to her insight into the needs of the membership.
She was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 2001.
Charles Pope started his Red Angus herd in 1976 when he imported six pregnant heifers from the Leachman Cattle company. His herd was known as Marsh Moor Red Angus and was the leading herd in South Africa for a long period, topping the National Bull Sale for many years and dominating the shows. All the cattle were performance tested from the start, and some exceptional results were achieved at the bull testing station.
He served on the South African Angus council for many years and was the first Red Angus breeder to become president of the South African Angus Society. He is a senior judge and has judged at a number of Regional Championship Shows as well as the National Championship show in 2002.
He sold his herd in 2001 and is retired in East London now. He helps out with inspections of the Angus breed and still does a lot of judging including Interbreed classes.
William E. "Pop" Powell Jr. purchased a small herd of reg. black Angus in 1949. The best producing cow of the bunch was a red carrier. In the summer of 1958 Pop and son Billy visited Joe Givhan's farm and purchased Springhill Lad 3F, who was the third animal recorded into the RAAA registry.
Springhill Lad's first calf crop was outstanding, so Pop bred him to the entire black Angus herd. In 1961, Billy purchased two registered Red Angus females from Joe Givhan and this effort became the nucleus for Powell Red Angus Farm. Over the next decade Red Angus were added to the Powell herd from Tenn., Texas, Ga., and Miss. The breeding program got a boost in 1970 when they purchased Buckner Larkabelang C68 - the 1965 National Performance bull from the McDaniel's Dispersal in Floresville, Texas.
Following Pop's untimely death in 1975, Billy and his family continued to expand the Red Angus herd. Billy served as president of the RAAA from 1974-75, and was named Personality of the Year in 1983.The Powell's dispersed the 300+ head Red Angus herd in 1983 when Billy became Executive V. P. of the Ala. Cattlemen's Assoc.
In 1961, Bob and Dorcas Revelli, Idaho, determined to convert a 20-year commercial cattle operation at their Triple R Ranch to a registered breeding herd program. They selected Red Angus based entirely on its objectively viewed and performance oriented philosophy. By 1963 the breeding herd had expanded to about 140 head.
Revelli insisted that the cow herd and female segment of performance had been overlooked, inadequately studied and improperly presented. They successfully pioneered a program to more adequately evaluate a cow herd and a sire battery with credibility and between herd comparisons. The Triple R Red Angus herd pioneered numerous performance tools that are now widely accepted. Their annual Field Days were very successful due to their boldness, imagination and the controversial subjects that were presented.
The Triple R Red Angus herd was sold to Leachman's, and it became the foundation of Leachman Cattle Company.
John and Sondra Robbins owned and operated the Double Fork Ranch along with son Kent. Building on eight years in a commercial cow/calf program, they entered the seedstock industry in the late 1970's. By running their herd as if they were commercial cattle, Double Fork Ranch was able to produce cattle that worked in the real world. Every registered animal that was born on the ranch was weighed, tested and reported; if they didn't measure up, they became history.
John was active in a number of leadership roles. He served on the Board of Directors for the Montana RAA, and was first vice president and two term President of the RAAA. He was the recipient of the Red Angus Personality of the Year Award in 1985 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1992. In 1994, John and Sondra received the Breeders of the Year Award, and in 2003, the Robbins Family was honored with the Pioneer Breeders of the Year Award. John was a very charitable man. In 1984, he held the winning ticket on a Toyota Pickup Truck, which he donated back to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Association. To honor John's memory, the RAAA Service Award has been renamed the John Robbins Service Award.
Jack and Martha Roberts made the decision in 1977 to go into the cow business to do something together. After looking at several different breeds they decided that Red Angus had the functional characteristics they were wanting. Their objective was to raise low to moderate birth weight cattle that would survive desert conditions, calve back and perform for their commercial customers. They bought their first cows from CSU at Hesperus, Colo., two were black red carriers and two were red, Beckton and Choctaw Chief breeding. Additional females were purchased from Folkerts in Iowa, Chases and Beckton in Wyo., and Halfmanns in Texas. Using these genetics they feel they have a herd of cattle that fit their objectives quite well.
Jack served on the RAAA Board of Directors in the 1980's. The most rewarding thing to them has been getting to know people like Vernice and George Chiga and Sal Forbes. There are many more breeders and customers who have made their experiences with the Red Angus cattle very enjoyable. It has been a wonderful life style for their entire family.
Darrell and Mary Lou Schuler started their cattle operation in western Neb., in 1960 with Herefords. They purchased six Red Angus bulls to use on their commercial replacement heifers. They were so impressed by the calves and subsequent females, they decided to raise their own bulls. In 1975, they selectively bought 26 Red Angus heifers and the best Red Angus bull they could find and officially became a registered seedstock outfit.
Son, Butch, currently manages most of the operations of the ranch. His wife, Susan is also involved in the program. Butch and his sister, Lori, started the AI program in 1979, and they inseminate over 1,000 females annually. Lori and her husband Frank Nerud, manage their own Red Angus seedstock herd and maintain a sizeable commercial herd.
Darrell served on the Board of Directors from 1981-1988, the last two years as President. Butch has served on the Marketing Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. Mary Lou has been a long time member of the Registration Committee. Darrell received the Distinguished Service Award in 1988, and the Schuler Red Angus was honored as Breeder of the Year in 1996
Jim Shirm started managing the Enid State School, Okla., in 1967. There were no beef cattle at the school at the time. He first brought in 50 commercial Hereford heifers. He was then given $10,000 to start a registered beef herd. After much research, and because he was performance and record oriented, he chose Red Angus. He bought ten females from local Okla., breeders including Roy Beeby, Glendora Hammer and George Chiga.
Jim made a deal for free semen from Roy Beeby and Glendora Hammer's bulls and he would give them carcass data on the calves. He purchased the bull Sandia Chief 626 from George Chiga in March,1968., who qualified as best Certified Meat Sire of any breed.
The "Family - Red Angus Picture" was taken at Enid State School. The photographer, Bruce Jackson was on the back of a pickup truck, and Jim moved the animals into position. Bull: ESS Tusgapride 809; Female: RP Miss Simon 335; and the calf was sired by Sandia Chief 626.
Dr. H. H. Stonaker joined the faculty at Colorado State Univ., and immediately put into place a performance testing program at the primary ranch for animal breeding research in Hesperus. After returning from World War II, he developed in-bred lines of Hereford cattle that would then be crossed when used by commercial cow-calf producers. Complete performance testing was also reinstated and the nation's first bull test was opened.
Dr. Stonaker addressed the 1955 RAAA meeting. His advice is just as sound today as it was 50 years ago. The subject of his talk was "New Opportunities in Beef Selection." "The objective of all beef breeds is to produce a maximum number of pounds of beef on a given acreage at the lowest cost. The cattle must be adaptable to climatic conditions, have a high reproductive rate and must grade high." Dr. Stonaker was at the forefront of objective selection, and stressed that further progress in beef cattle improvement would depend on performance testing. He was a valued advisor to many Red Angus breeders.
Ken Thatcher served in many capacities during his affiliation with the Red Angus breed: progressive breeder, gracious leader and competent arbiter. He was first elected to the RAAA Board of Directors in 1970, elevated to first vice-president in 1971 and president in 1972-73. He was returned to the board by mandate of the membership as president in 1976 and re-elected in 1977.
He lived on and managed a 500 acre farm in Iowa with his wife Marian and daughter Mary Kay. The Thatcher Red Angus herd produced many champions and was thoroughly committed to performance testing from the beginning.
Ken was awarded the Red Angus Personality of the Year Award in 1979 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1980. He was the author of The First Twenty-Five Years, a history of the Red Angus Association of America from 1954-1979. This history was truly a tribute to the man himself and to the breed he so strongly believed in. His leadership, counsel and participation in Association activities made him a model for others to follow.
Julius Todd served as RAAA Executive Secretary from 1969-1976. He was a graduate of Texas A& M and held both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Animal Science. He took over this position after Mrs. Sybil Parker retired to return to Ballinger, Texas.
Julius was not only an animal scientist and administrator but a "cowman", which the Board of Directors felt was important in the future of promoting cross-breeding cattle using Red Angus.
He referred to himself as "Mr. Red Angus" of the cattle industry. He felt he was a catalyst, and anytime he traveled or carried out correspondence this was the tone of thought he carried with him. Because of his experience in managing both seedstock and commercial herds and keeping all the records himself, he had insight into the beef cattle business at all levels.
During his tenure, the extensive record keeping system was computerized - first, with PRI, and then with an in-house computer system. RAAA also calculated its first EBVs and implemented a F-1 recordation program.
Henry and Jane Whitley first became interested in Red Angus in the spring of 1965. They read an article that appeared in Farm Journal Magazine titled "The Lady And The Breed" featuring Mrs. Sally Forbes with a picture of a beautiful Red Angus heifer.
Their operation involves the whole family. Henry, Jane, Jim, Kathy, Tim, Laura, and James Ray working together to have a better herd. They use performance data, embryo transfer, ultrasound and visual appraisal to accomplish these goals.
Both Henry and Jane served on the National Board of Directors, one of the few husband and wife teams to do so. They received the Pioneer Breeder Award in 1991 and the Personality of the Year award in 1997. They have been breeding Red Angus cattle since 1965.