October 30, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Holly Martin, director of communications

(816) 383-5143

hmartin@angus.org

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Alabama Farm Recognized as Historic Angus Herd

Richard M. Dyar’s farm in Crossville, Ala., has been home to Angus cattle for more than 50 years.

The American Angus Association^® honors Richard M. Dyar with a Historic Angus Herd Award. The Association’s Historic Angus Herd Award recognizes breeders and immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered-Angus cattle for 50 years or more.

Dyar established his farm in 1973 in Crossville, Alabama, under the name C & D Farms in honor of his then father-in-law George Croft, who helped him get started. Years later he transferred his membership to be listed under Richard M. Dyar.

Dyar’s first three registered Angus cows originated from the Auburn University Experiment Station System.

“As a member of the Auburn University livestock judging team, I was exposed to several breeds of cattle,” Dyar said. “I was impressed with the Angus breed and what it had to offer.”

In 1976, Dyar assisted Professor Robert Scarth’s daughter in purchasing a show heifer from the Dent Bass herd. Dyar later purchased that heifer himself, and she became the founding female for his Bass Blackbird cow family.

Next, he purchased a Black Bull Cattle Company female in 1977, under the recommendation of his mentor in the Angus business, Dave Pingrey. She became the founding female for the farm’s Enchantress cow line.

Dyar’s daughter Amy was a member of the National Angus Junior Association and primarily exhibited heifers bred and raised by his herd.

Since the early years, Dyar has been enrolled in the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^®) program and has used in-herd ratios as a guiding force when selecting replacements and making culling decisions.

Dyar was also a founding member of the Northeast Alabama Performance Breeders Annual Bull Sale, and he has consigned bulls for most of its 26-year history. He is also a strong supporter of the North Alabama Bull Test Station, where he has been a consignor for many years.

Dyar has won many awards over the years, including Alabama Family of the Year in 1990 and Progressive Breeder of the Year in 2008. He also received the Richard Deese Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Award and the Spirit of Alabama Award. He produced two class winners at the National Junior Angus Show and received the certificate for top consignments at several Alabama Angus Association Fall and Spring Sales.

Dyar served as president of the Alabama Angus Association in 2021, the Alabama BCIA in 2007 and the Alabama Purebred Breeders Council in 2000. He also worked as a regional manager for the American Angus Association for 36 years and served on its Board of Directors for two terms.

Dyar continues to manage his herd of 65 Angus cows and 30 yearling heifers for replacement and sale.

Visit www.angus.org for more information about the Historic Angus Herd Award or to view a list of awarded members since the program began in 1988.

— Written by Amber Wahlgren, Angus Communications

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association^® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.

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