Angus Foundation Heifer Package Sale
Each January, a gracious Angus breeder donates a heifer to the Angus Foundation to be auctioned during the National Bull Sale at Cattlemen's Congress.
Wilks Ranch to donate WILKS Rita 4728 as the 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package.
2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package | Wilks Rita 4728
Event Location:
National Angus Bull Sale
Cattlemen's Congress
3001 General Pershing Blvd
Oklahoma City, 73107
Event Dates: January 9, 2026
With the final bid cast and the last gavel dropped Express Angus Ranches, Nowatzke Cattle/Maple Lane and Pollard Farms was announced as the winning bidder for WILKS Rita 4728, the centerpiece of the Angus Foundation Heifer Package and a symbol of commitment to the Foundations pillars.
They purchased the 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package Jan. 9 for $150,000 to continue the legacy of the Angus breed. The package, donated by Wilks Ranch of Eastland, Texas, led off the National Angus Bull Sale during Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City.
“We are very grateful for our generous donors that continue to give unwavering support towards the foundation’s mission,” says Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director. “They want the very best for the Angus breed and its legacy. We cannot thank Wilks and the buyers enough for their continued support and dedication towards this mission.”
The leading lady in 2026’s sale, WILKS Rita 4728 (AAA +*21207190), is standout female from a maternal line that has proven themselves. Her maternal sister, WILKS Rita 4067, commanded $100,000 as Lot 6 in the 2024 Wilks Ranch Sale. The consistency of this cow family is a testament to the quality of female Wilks Ranch offered up as this year’s Foundation female.
About the Donor
2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package | Wilks Ranch
Rita 4728 ranks in the top 1% for both $Beef and $Combined indexes, offering a powerful growth spread, elite structural correctness and eye-catching phenotype. She’s the kind of female that blends performance with presence; built and bred right and backed by a story of success.
“She’s cowy. That’s what her mom is — she's just a good female,” said Aaron Kaiser, seedstock manager at Wilks Ranch. “I think this female’s going to be the same way but does it in a really neat number package and a neat pedigree.”
The heifer package also includes an Advanced Reproductive Technology Package from Trans Ova Genetics; trucking to the buyer donated by Lathrop Livestock Transportation; and 30 days of mortality insurance donated by Jeanne Conover, Livestock Insurance Agent with Conover Auction Service.
As a long-time supporter of the Angus Foundation, Wilks Ranch recognizes the value of contributing to initiatives that promote education, youth and research within the breed. Their donation of the 2026 Foundation Heifer highlights a continued commitment to supporting programs that strengthen the Foundation’s mission.
“It’s quite an honor,” says Kevin Reed, asset manager for Wilks Ranches. “What [the Angus Foundation] does for the youth to give them opportunities, tools and the finances to grow, to do what they love and build a foundation for their future. We’re proud to contribute.”
Since 1980, the heifer package has been sold to generate unrestricted funds to further the foundation’s mission of supporting education, youth and research, and this tradition continues in 2026. Academic scholarships, leadership conferences and cutting-edge research are among the many programs sustained by the Angus Fund.
The Angus Foundation Heifer Package has raised more than $3 million since the inception of the program.
Form, Function, Foundation
The blueprint behind Wilks Rita 4728, 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer.
Donor: Wilks Ranch - Eastland, TX
Buyer: Express Angus Ranches, Yukon, Okla; Nowatzke Cattle/Maple Lane, Michigan City, Ind.; and Pollard Farms, Waukomis, Okla.
Sale Price: $150,000
Additional Donations:
- Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
- Insurance: Conover Auction Service
- Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
Donor: Pollard Farms - Pollard Farms of Waukomis, Okla.,
Buyer: Lylester Ranch of Martell, Neb.
Sale Price: $75,500
Additional Donations:
- Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
- Insurance: Conover Auction Service
- Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
Donor: Yon Family Farms -Ridge Spring, SC
Buyer: Express Ranches - Yukon, OK
Sale Price: $52,500
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Insurance: Conover Auction Service
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics, - Sioux Center, IA
Donor: Coleman Angus - Charlo, MT
Buyer: Ingram Angus LLC - Pulaski, TN
Sale Price: $130,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Insurance: Liberty Special Markets
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics, - Sioux Center, IA
Donor: Tehama Angus Ranch - Gerber, CA
Buyer: Brumfield Angus - Sawyer, MI
Sale Price: $50,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
Donor: Benoit Angus - Esbon, KS
Buyer: Wilks Ranch - Eastland, TX
Sale Price: $35,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: Knoll Crest Farm - Red House, VA
Buyer: 44 Farms - Cameron, TX
Sale Price: $65,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: Krebs Ranch - Gordon, NE
Buyer: Lake View Angus - Mead, CO
Sale Price: $65,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: Vintage Angus Ranch - Modesto, California
Buyer: Lylester Ranch - Martell, Nebraska
Sale Price: $215,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics and its cloning division ViaGen - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: Basin Angus Ranch - Joliet, MT
Buyer: Herbster Angus Farms, Charles W. and Judy Herbster - Falls City, NE
Sale Price: $170,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics and its cloning division ViaGen - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: Schaff Angus Valley - Saint Anthony, N.D
Buyer: Herbster Angus Farms, Charles W. and Judy Herbster - Falls City, NE
Sale Price: $230,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics and its cloning division ViaGen - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
Donor: 44 Farms - Cameron, TX
Buyer: Herbster Angus Farms, Charles W. and Judy Herbster - Falls City, NE
Sale Price: $175,000
Additional Donations:
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Transportation: Lathrop Livestock Transportation - Dundee, IL
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Advanced Reproductive Technology Package: Trans Ova Genetics and its cloning division ViaGen - Sioux Center, IA
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Insurance: American Livestock Insurance Co. - Geneva, IL
View your impact
Your unwavering commitment to the breed ensures the Angus Foundation can carry out its mission.
