We all know the age-old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Philosophers and scientists have long debated this circular causality dilemma, where cause and effect are so intertwined that no clear starting point exists. 

Our Angus heritage invites a similar reflection. When George Grant introduced the first Angus bulls to the Kansas Plains in 1873, he set the stage for a breed that would forever change American beef production. Yet I often find myself thinking about the cows behind those bulls — the foundation females whose quiet influence shaped the Angus breed we know today. 

This month, we honor those matriarchs. The Angus cow has always been and continues to be the true heart of the herd. That same spirit is reflected in the Angus Foundation’s annual Heart of the Herd Heifer Package, offered each year at the Cattlemen’s Congress. 

A strong start to the new year

The Angus Foundation began the year with tremendous momentum at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. Our 2026 Foundation Heifer Package — featuring an elite female representing the highest standards of the Angus phenotype and genotype excellence — sold for an impressive $150,000. This remarkable achievement speaks to the strength, consistency and future promise of the Angus breed. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to Wilks Ranch for the generous donation of this outstanding female. A special thank you also goes to the buyers, Express Ranches, Nowatzke Cattle/Maple Lane Farms and Pollard Farms, whose investment strengthens not only their own programs but the future of the entire Angus community. Your support fuels the Angus Foundation’s mission and ensures that the next generation of Angus breeders continues to thrive. 

Investing in the future

Just as the foundational cows of the past shaped today’s breed, the Angus Foundation is shaping tomorrow’s. Through education, leadership development and research, we are preparing the next generation of Angus breeders, young people who will carry forward a legacy more than 150 years in the making. 

To all the donors, buyers and supporters: thank you! Your generosity keeps the Angus Foundation strong, vibrant and focused on its mission. 

Together, we honor the past, invest in the future and celebrate the true heart of the herd.