The American Angus Association^® is calling for applicants for the 2026 Angus Ambassador of the Year and Young Breeder of the Year awards. The awards, established in 2023, highlight impactful individuals helping to drive the breed forward. This year’s recipients will be recognized at Angus Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 13-16.

Angus Ambassador of the Year Award

The Angus Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes someone who goes above and beyond to promote or aid Angus efforts and broadens the influence of Angus cattle in the beef industry.

Applicants for this award can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Nominees do not need to be members of the Association and can be businesses or allied industry members. 

Nominate an Angus Ambassador of the Year by March 1.

Young Breeder of the Year Award  

The Young Breeder of the Year Award recognizes a young, registered Angus breeder for their leadership within the Angus breed, participation in Angus programs and innovation within their herd.

Applicants for this award can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Applicants must be between 25 and 45-years-old and an active member of the Association.

Couples or business partners can be nominated if they meet age requirements. Herd ownership and/or management responsibility is required of each individual applicant.

Nominate a Young Breeder of the Year by March 1.

Our 2025 Award Recipients

Don Denny, Slate Group | 2025 Angus Ambassador of the Year

As owner of Slate Group, a national printing company based in Lubbock, Texas, Don Denny has built a reputation for excellence by helping Angus breeders and the American Angus Association put their best foot forward, especially on sale day.  

Denny’s “do the right thing” approach to business has earned Slate Group a trusted reputation for marketing Angus cattle. Even when they send more than 80 Angus sale books to print in one month, he and his team ensure every detail is right. He has also helped to create standout marketing materials for breeders and award-winning Association annual reports that keep Angus front and center. Denny’s responsiveness and integrity, whether answering emails or hand-delivering reprints overnight, reflect his unwavering dedication to the breed and its people.  

Since becoming members in 2015, Denny and his family have hosted the largest Raising the Bar Conference to date in 2022 and offered junior members a behind-the-scenes look at marketing and print production while encouraging them to think creatively.  
Listen to Denny reflect on his time in the breed in this award video or read more about his contributions in the Angus Journal.

Josh Worthington, Missouri | 2025 Young Breeder of the Year

As a first-generation registered Angus breeder, Josh Worthington of Dadeville, Missouri, practices a disciplined approach to breeding, valuing proven genetics and using data to guide decisions. In 2004, at the start of his 11-year stint as general manager of the Missouri Angus Association, Worthington and his wife Corry purchased their first four Angus cows. They’ve since expanded their operation (and their family with three sons) as their business has grown. He says they have been able to grow their herd by utilizing an ET program and sexed semen. He desires success for his customers and goes the extra mile, helping them market their cattle and showing them how to capture added value from Worthington Angus bulls by targeting high-quality beef production.

Listen to Worthington reflect on the opportunity of the breed in this award video or read more about his involvement in the Angus Journal. 

View past recipients, learn more about the awards, and access the nomination forms for 2026 here.