As the new year begins, the Angus Foundation invites the Angus family to “Join Us in January” for a month filled with opportunities to give back, celebrate Angus and invest in the future of the breed. January kicks off with opportunities to support the Angus Foundation through several offerings available in conjunction with the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, and the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The month is set to inspire another year of generous support for the Foundation’s mission of education, youth and research in 2026. 

Angus Foundation Heifer Package 

Leading off the 87th National Angus Bull Sale on Friday, January 9, 2026, is the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, featuring WILKS Rita 4728, generously donated by Wilks Ranch of Eastland, Texas. 

Wilks Rita 4728 exemplifies the Wilks program’s commitment to form, function and balance. She hails from a maternal line known for consistency and performance. Her sister, WILKS Rita 4067, sold for $100,000 in the 2024 Wilks Ranch Sale, and was a headliner female of the 2025 fall production sale selling for half interest at $30,000. Rita 4728 ranks in the top 1% for both $Beef and $Combined indexes, offering elite structural correctness, powerful growth spread and eye-catching phenotype. 

“She’s cowy,” said Aaron Kaiser, seedstock manager at Wilks Ranch. “She’s got the numbers, the pedigree and the versatility to be a donor, a show heifer or a bull-producing female for a commercial operation.” 

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.  

The sale begins at 2 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, with proceeds benefiting the Angus Foundation and the Angus Fund, supporting programs like the Beef Leaders Institute, LEAD Conference and Angus University.  

Fund the Future Donation Lots

A special feature to the January events is the sale of Angus Foundation “Fund the Future” donation lots. The Fund the Future program allows breeders to donate proceeds from a designated sale lot to the Angus Fund, which provides unrestricted dollars to support the breed.   

Fund the Future Lots will be featured in the Bases Loaded Sale, held January 6 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City; the Denim and Diamonds sale held on January 7; and your last chance to help fund the future will come in the Angus at the Congress sale held on January 8 at 4:00 p.m. 

Angus Herdsman Social and Auction Highlights

The Angus Herdsman Social begins following the National Angus Bull Sale, on Friday, Jan. 9, at the Cattlemen’s Bar in Barn 3. The event celebrates the Angus breed and features the announcement of the 2026 Angus Herdsman of the Year, along with a lively auction and raffle.

Auction items include an Angus Yeti Cooler, Beverage Kit, a West Riley Children’s Rocking Chair, an Angus Media Marketing Package, a 2026 Kentucky Derby Trip and a "Concerned Mothers,” print by Brian Asher among other exciting experiences and goods.  

Foundation Angus Sale at the National Western Stock Show 

The following week, the Angus family heads to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. On Friday, January 16th, at the Foundation Angus Sale supporters can contribute to the Fund the Future campaign through the sale of Sadler Rito Lady 5004. She is a maternal sister to Hoffman Thedford.  

The Angus Foundation is excited to announce Sadler Rito Lady 5004 as the inaugural female to sell in support the newly established scholarship honoring Dr. Barry Pollard, past President & Chairman of the Board. 

National Western Angus Social and Auction  

Following the Foundation Angus Sale on Friday, January 16th, we invite the Angus family to join us at the first annual National Western Angus Social located in the Coleen and Fred Orr Western Lounge at 3:00 P.M. in the Legacy Center. The event aims to display and celebrate Angus breeders and the history of the west. The event will feature an auction and a raffle. 

Whether bidding on auction items, attending the social, or supporting donation lots, Angus breeders and supporters play a vital role in sustaining the Foundation’s mission. These January occasions not only raise funds, but build momentum to advance education, youth and research within the Angus breed.  

“The “Join us in January” events bring the Angus family together,” said Grant Solem, National Junior Angus Association Foundation Director. “It’s great to see breeders and supporters unite around the mission.” 

Those interested in any of the upcoming events and offerings supporting the Angus Foundation in January and beyond are encouraged to contact Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director, at JBoester@Angus.org, or their regional manager. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and its mission, visit angus.org/foundation.  

To download a photo, click here.  

Cutline: Sadler Rito Lady 5004 to sell as the Fund the Future lot during the Foundation Angus Sale held during the 2026 National Wester Stock Show. She is the inaugural female to sell in support the newly established scholarship honoring Dr. Barry Pollard, past President & Chairman of the Board.