From the first days of January, the Angus Foundation hit the ground running, energized by the support of donors and bidders at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City and the National Western Stock Show in Denver. With these contributions driving education, youth and research forward, the year ahead is poised to deliver lasting impact. The enthusiasm and contributions in support of the Foundation’s mission, helped raised over $200,000 through “Join us in January” events like the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, Herdsman Social Auction and Fund the Future lots.
“These events help us encourage success for our Angus membership through leadership and educational development, advancement of the breed’s genetics and development of our next generation,” said Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation, executive director. “It is astonishing to have the unwavering support of our donors and supporters to keep advancing our Foundation’s mission.”The Foundation was also fortunate enough to have Fund the Future lots offered in the Bases Loaded and Denim and Diamonds sales hosted in conjunction with Cattlemen’s Congress and the Foundation Angus Female Sale at National Western Stock Show, to raise money for the Angus Fund, which provides unrestricted funding for Angus education, youth and research. The Angus Fund supports various initiatives, including educational programs like the Beef Leaders Institute, leadership conferences and cutting-edge research aimed at enhancing the breed’s future. To learn more about the Angus Foundation, visit www.angus.org/foundation.More about the donated lots:Bases Loaded Sale at Cattlemen’s Congress | Jan. 6Lot: Heifer Pregnancy
Sire: AAA TRUE BLOOD 3553
Dam: G3 BLACKBIRD 3051Donated by AAA Farms, Lavina, TNPurchased by Edisto Pines Farm of Leesville, SC. for $10,000, with all funds supporting the Fund the Future CampaignDenim and Diamonds at Cattlemen’s Congress | Jan. 7
Lot: Heifer Pick
Sire: EXAR Tomahawk 2836B
Dam: PAF RITA 5091Donated by Pfeiffer Angus Farm of Mulhall, OKPurchased by Heritage Farm of Shelbyville, KY, for $23,000, with all funds supporting the Fund the Future CampaignNational Angus Bull Sale at Cattlemen’s Congress | Jan. 9Lot: Donation Heifer PackageDonated Heifer: WILKS Rita 4728, Registration No. AAA +*21207190Sire: FF Rito Ambitious
Dam: Lylester Rita 786Donated by Wilks Ranch, Eastland, TexasPurchased by: Express Angus Ranches of Yukon, OK; Nowatzke Cattle/Maple Lane of Michigan City, IN; and Pollard Farms, LLC of Waukomis, OK for $150,000.The heifer package also includes an Advanced Reproductive Technology Package from Trans Ova Genetics; trucking to the buyer donated by Cliff R. Lathrop Livestock Transportation Inc.; and 30 days of mortality insurance donated by Jeanne Conover, Livestock Insurance Agent with Conover Auction Service.To learn more about the 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package, visit: bit.ly/FoundationHeiferPackageHerdsman Social | Jan. 9The Angus Foundation also auctioned items to support their mission during the annual Herdsman Social at Cattlemen’s Congress on Jan. 9. The event welcomed the Angus family for an evening of fellowship and featured refreshments, door prizes and the announcement of Craig Sand of Circle M Farms as 2026 Angus Herdsman of the Year.For the auction, past National Junior Angus Board Foundation Director Josh Jasper served as the auctioneer, and items sold included: a West Riley Children’s Rocker, a Concerned Mothers print by Brian Asher, and a custom Angus-branded cowhide from Terra Leather. A 2026 Kentucky Derby Trip package was also up for grabs.A complete list of auction items sold at the Herdsman Social, along with their donors and buyers, follows:Auction Items:Kentucky Derby TripDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Turner Meadow Ranch of Wills Point, TX, and Pollard Farms, LLC of Waukomis, OK“Concerned Mothers” Framed Print by Brian AsherDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Hickory House Restaurant LLC of Pulaski, TN3D Angus Butterfly Die Cut Wall DecorationDonated by: Schroeder Angus of Clarence, IAPurchased by: Deer Valley Farm of Fayetteville, TNWest Riley Children’s RockerDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Circle M Farms LLC of Rockwall, TXBranded Angus Yeti CoolerDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: John Dickinson of Wilder, IDAngus Themed Bar PackageDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Heritage Farm of Shelbyville, KYAngus Media Marketing PackageDonated by: Angus MediaPurchased by: Brumfield Angus Farms of Sawyer, MIAngus At Home Certified Angus Beef Dinner PackageDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Circle M Farms LLC of Rockwall, TXParty Hosting Package with Wine and BourbonDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Chuck and Ruth Grove or Forest, VACustom Metal BenchDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Nowatzke Cattle of Michigan City, INCustom Metal SignDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: Brumfield Angus Farms of Sawyer, MIAngus Hide ImprintDonated by: Angus FoundationPurchased by: R&L Angus of Westmoreland, KSDoor Prize Items:1 Box of Custom Gloves with Farm LogoDonated by: PlainJan’sWon by: Chuck and Ruth Grove of Forest, VACertified Angus Beef Toy Barn SetDonated by: Angus FoundationWon by: Gordon Stuckey of Kingman, KSCertified Angus Beef Grilling SetDonated by: Angus FoundationWon by: Tim Clark of Gretna, VAAngus Brand Swag PackageDonated by: Angus FoundationWon by: AnonymousFoundation Angus Female Sale at the National Western | Jan. 16The following week, the Angus family headed west to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. The Foundation Angus Sale featured a special Fund the Future lot through the sale of Sadler Rito Lady 5004. She is a maternal sister to Hoffman Thedford.Donated by Sadler Ranches of Perkins, OK, Sadler Rito Lady 5004, purchased by Spruce Mountain Ranch of Larkspur, CO; Ingram Angus of Pulaski, TN; and Stellpflug Cattle Company of Guernsey, WY for $40,000.This is the inaugural female to sell in support the newly established scholarship honoring Dr. Barry Pollard, past president and chairman of the board.Lot: Fund the Future Donation HeiferDonated Heifer: Sadler Rito Lady 5004Sire: Spring Cove Grant 200KDam: HA RITO Lady 3839Donated by Sadler Ranches, Perkins, OKPurchased by Spruce Mountain Ranch of Larkspur, CO; Ingram Angus of Pulaski, TN; and Stellpflug Cattle Company of Guernsey, WY, for $40,000. National Western Angus Social | Jan. 16
Following the Foundation Angus Sale attendees gathered for the first annual National Western Angus Social located in the Coleen and Fred Orr Western Lounge in the Legacy Center. The event celebrated Angus breeders and the history of the west, also with a select raffle of unique offerings.A complete list of raffle items won at the National Western Angus Social, along with their donors and buyers, follows:Auction Items:
Certified Angus Beef Home Knife Set and DrinkwareDonated by: Angus FoundationWon by: Casey Jentz of Saint Joseph, MOAngus Brand Swag PackageDonated by: Angus FoundationWon by: Ryan Cotton of Ponce Inlet, FLHoly Cow Couture Buckaroo Copp BagDonated by: Holy Cow Couture of Lincoln, CAWon by: Jason Hamann of Gladbrook, IAAbout the Angus Foundation Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth, and research. The organization has distributed more than $5.3 million in youth scholarships since 1998 and has also invested more than $1.5 million in beef cattle research in the past decade. For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100. |
