Yon represents Angus on YCC tour

Drake Yon of Ridge Spring, S.C., represented Angus at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) 2026 Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) May 28-June 4. The Angus Foundation annually selects and sponsors a young Angus breeder to attend the conference.

YCC is an opportunity for cattlemen of different ag backgrounds and interests to come together to share experiences and dive deeper into aspects of the industry.

Yon and 70 others were selected to be part of the 2026 YCC class. The educational tour began in Denver, starting at the NCBA office, and concluded in Washington, D.C., with a stop at Capitol Hill. Stops in between included Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Empirical Foods, Tyson Foods beef plants and Certified Angus Beef LLC.

From ranch to retail

Twenty-three Angus producers gathered in Saint Joseph, Mo., to begin a five-day journey across the Midwest, gaining an understanding of the cattle industry from start to finish through the Beef Leaders Institute (BLI).

The trip, hosted annually by the American Angus Association, in collaboration with CAB and the Angus Foundation, gives producers a behind-the-scenes look at each sector of the beef industry.

“When you’re just on the ranch everyday breeding cattle and taking care of cattle, you aren’t necessarily thinking about what comes next, and that’s a very key point for the end consumer,” says Nolan Poss, 2026 BLI attendee. “To have a better understanding of everything that goes into that finished product broadens your perspective.”

Poss works alongside his family at Poss Angus, Scotia, Neb.

Participants began at the Association headquarters, touring the office and discussing commercial programs, genetics and marketing services. The following days included tours at Tyson Fresh Meats beef packing plant in Sioux City, Iowa; Weborg Feeding Co. LLC in Pender, Neb.; Buckhead Meat and Seafood in Northwood, Ohio; STgenetics in Tiffin, Ohio; and a Meijer retail store in Wooster, Ohio.

The class traveled to CAB headquarters in Wooster, Ohio, to spend time in the meat lab learning about beef fabrication and the 10 science-based specifications of the Certified Angus Beef ^® (CAB^®) brand.

Application for the 2027 BLI will open in late fall to Association members age 25-45.

Historic Angus Herd Award bestowed

The American Angus Association honors TEKO Angus Farm with a Historic Angus Herd Award, which recognizes breeders and immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered-Angus cattle for 50 years or more.

TEKO Angus Farm was founded in 1971 by Teddy Koontz at Butler, Mo. In 2003, the operation relocated to its current location in Sparta, Mo.

“When I started my herd, Angus cattle were and still are the carcass breed,” Koontz says. “I was selling processed beef through local processors, as I still do today, and have always adhered to the adage, ‘If you want to sell the best, you have to have the best.’”

In the beginning, Koontz purchased bulls from the University of Missouri Performance Tested Bull Sale. The foundation for his present herd was purchased from JD Taylor of Milan, Mo., in 2003. Since that time Koontz has made a few additions to the herd from Jack Baker of Butler; Valley View Angus, Republic, Mo.; and other area consignment sales.

Koontz says he has consistently used the latest advancements in genetics to improve his herd — first by selecting the best available artificial insemination (AI) sires, then through ultrasound scanning and DNA testing, including parentage verification, and now by flushing top cows and using embryo transfer (ET).

Today Koontz continues to manage his herd of registered Angus cows in addition to a few commercial recipients, carrying on his commitment to genetic improvement and herd quality.

Hospital signs healthier food pledge

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recognized Tampa General Hospital (TGH) July 16 for leading the way to improve patient nutrition and serve healthier food by signing the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge.

“By introducing patients to world-class, nutrient-dense, wholesome meals during their stay, we’re not only accelerating recovery, but we’re giving them the best possible chance at the best possible outcomes,” says TGH President and CEO John Couris. “And, we’re establishing a foundation for healthy eating long after discharge.”

The pledge is the latest step in Kennedy’s effort to put nutrition and real food at the center of President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again initiative. For a complete list of HHS actions to advance nutrition and improve Americans’ health, visit https://www.hhs.gov/nutrition.

Members, staff recognized at 2026 BIF Symposium

Faces familiar to The Business Breed were recognized at the 58th Annual Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium & Convention for their service to the industry. The event was convened June 1-4 in Boise, Idaho.

Among the award winners were 2026 BIF Pioneer Award recipients Bill Bowman and Sally Northcutt-Bowman, both of Saint Joseph, Mo., and former staff members of the American Angus Association. The Bowmans were each presented the Pioneer Award, which recognizes lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle and honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.

Seedstock Producer of the Year Colyer Cattle Co. of Bruneau, Idaho; Commercial Producer of the Year Autauga Farming Co. Inc. of Autaugaville, Ala.; and BIF Continuing Service Award recipient Gordon Jones of Lafayette, Tenn., are all active members of the American Angus Association and use registered Angus genetics as part of their production systems.

“Angus and its influence across the industry was well-represented at this year’s BIF convention, including the awards presentations,” says Mark McCully, CEO of the Association.

“This event brings about a great deal of collaboration between our breeders, other seedstock producers, fellow breed associations, researchers — all with a focus on genetic improvement — which helps keep us up to date on what the The Business Breed can do to serve members and maintain its relevance to the industry on into the future.”

Also during the symposium and convention, Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), was recognized for her six years of service on the BIF board of directors. McCully was elected to begin a three-year term on that board.