The Angus Foundation is proud to announce WILKS Rita 4728 as the 2026 Foundation Heifer Package, generously donated by Wilks Ranch of Eastland, Texas. This female represents the kind of progressive, phenotypically correct genetics that define the Wilks program. Their offering showcases a breeding program built on form, function and balance and a commitment to the future of Angus. 

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,” said 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.” 

WILKS Rita 4728 is a 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. Her dam will headline the upcoming fall production sale, and a maternal brother is slated to be a highlight in the 2025 Wilks Ranch Bull Sale. The consistency of this cow family is a testament to the quality of female Wilks Ranch are offering as this year’s Foundation female.  

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.” 

Rita 4728 is correct in her confirmation, and she’s got the numbers to back it up. Kaiser believes she has the versatility to be a donor, a show heifer or a female to produce bulls for a commercial producer. 

Kaiser joined the Wilks Ranch team 13 years ago, bringing with him an understanding of Angus genetics and a passion for youth. Raised in West Texas, he showed Angus steers as a kid and converted his family’s commercial herd to Angus in junior high. Today, he’s raising his own children in agriculture.  

“Agriculture teaches you how to work hard and how to be responsible,” Kaiser said. “Agriculture is the way of life. The neat thing about ag is - I love the way I was raised, and I wanted my kids to have the same experience as I did.” 

That commitment to youth is part of what makes the Foundation Heifer Package so meaningful to the Wilks team. They’ve hosted interns, mentored students and supported scholarships, all with the goal of shaping the next generation. 

The 2026 Foundation Heifer Package will sell Friday, January 9, 2026, at the 87th National Angus Bull Sale during Cattlemen’s Congress. The sale will start at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Angus Foundation and its vision to provide limitless opportunities to enhance excellence and innovation within 
the Angus breed. 

The package supports the Angus Fund, which provides unrestricted funding for a variety of programs supported by the Angus Foundation including Beef Leaders Institute, the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference and Angus University. 

For more information about the package, contact Boester at JBoester@Angus.org or visit the Angus Foundation website.