IBA Member Awards

Your nominations for the Illinois Beef Association member awards are critical to recognize those individuals who "give their all" to make our industry the best it can be. Nominations can be made for your operation or on behalf of another producer. The winners will be recognized at the IBA Annual Meeting. We are very proud of the contributions made by the producers in our industry. This is an opportunity to recognize them both personally and professionally. 

*Producers that have won any of the following awards in the last 10 years are not eligible.

Nominations are closed for 2025

Farm Family of the Year

To recognize a beef producer family in Illinois who has done an outstanding job in the production and promotion of beef and exemplified leadership skills on the county and state levels. Farm Family of the Year will be awarded at the IBA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony and presented at the Illinois State Fair.

Seedstock Breeder of the Year

To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the purebred cattle industry.

Commercial Producer of the Year

To recognize a beef producer in Illinois who exemplifies integrity, leadership and success in the production and promotion of the commercial cattle industry.

Environmental Steward of the Year

To recognize a beef producer in Illinois whose natural resource stewardship practices protect the environment and contribute to productivity and profitability.

Outstanding Junior of the Year

To recognize a member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association who exemplifies integrity, leadership and commitment to being active in Illinois' beef cattle industry.

IBA Member of the Year 

(New in 2022) To recognize a member of the Illinois Beef Association that continually goes above and beyond to support the efforts of the Association, and demonstrates a commitment to the Illinois cattle industry, and its people. 

Valued Industry Partner

To recognize an affiliated industry stakeholder for their career investment in the Illinois Beef Association and the statewide cattle industry. This award is given to an individual whose leadership and contributions have significantly benefited the Association and/or the beef industry through their professional contributions and volunteerism.

 


2025 IBA Member Award Winner Highlight

Check out the Individual Award Winner Videos Below:

2025 Valued Industry Partner 

Sara Benson | Merck Animal Health 

Sara has a legacy of service to the cattle industry. She’s a graduate of Iowa State University’s animal science program and has been an integral part of Merck Animal Health’s midwestern beef team for nearly 15 years.  

From her post in southeastern Iowa, Sara serves a territory that ties Illinois’ beef industry together with farmers and ranchers she serves in neighboring states, as well. She’s known for tearing up the highway, logging thousands of miles each year as a dedicated presence at so many of our Illinois Beef Association programs, along with events on behalf of cattlemen’s associations throughout the Midwest. Her leadership in promoting and encouraging farmer participation in the “Cash for Cartridges” program is second-to-none. Since 2020, Merck’s support to the national beef industry has been more than $150,000. Illinois is just one of the many states where the program exists, but Sara’s work has averaged more than $8,000 per year to our Foundation, which is a significant portion of the total funds, benefiting our cattle kids across Illinois. 

 We are truly thankful to have Sara’s support and engagement in the Illinois beef industry and are pleased to recognize her as the 2025 Valued Industry Partner. 

2025 VIP Award
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2025 Farm Family of the Year 

Moore Shorthorns | Jerseyville, Illinois 

The Hugh Moore Junior family owns and operates a multi-generation farm in West-Central Illinois. The operation consists of a 150-head shorthorn cow herd, hay acreage, as well as corn and soybeans. Moore Shorthorns, as the farm is known today, focuses on producing high-quality shorthorn breeding stock and elite genetics, just as they have since 1951. The operation has grown and expanded in the last seventy-five years, and today the family hosts multiple sales throughout the year, including spring and fall female sales, as well as a bull sale in the winter. Oftentimes, four generations of the Moore family can be found working on the farm. It truly takes a village to accomplish everything they do within their operation, and family is always at the forefront of the business. 

2025 Seedstock Breeder of the Year

Horsley Brothers | Galva 

Horsley Brothers is a third-generation family operation located in Henry County. Brothers Bob and Jim started showing, breeding, and selling cattle in the 1970s. Over the past 40-plus years, there have been many fads and trends, but their focus has always been to breed the "Cowman's Kind." In 2014, Bob's son, Chad, returned to the farm full-time, bringing an added vision to the operation. Today, Horsley Brothers consists of 180 purebred Angus cows. Each year, they strive to offer their best bulls, bred heifers, and cows at their annual sale. Focusing on developing cattle for cattlemen has allowed them to build a solid foundation of superior genetics that highlights a history of success in the show ring, not only at a local and state level, but also on a national level.

2025 Commercial Producer of the Year

Lidy Family Farms | Mulberry Grove

Lidy Family Farms is a dynamic, 2,500-head cattle feeding operation owned and operated by Dave Lidy and his son Matt. The farm brings a unique business model to the cattle feeding sector, acquiring Holstein and Holstein-Cross calves, which they finish into high-quality beef products. With multiple locations, the most notable is a converted milking dairy facility, which still capitalizes on some existing infrastructure, like the barn flush system. That facility is named Holly Hills Cattle Company, in remembrance of Dave's late daughter, Holly, who was taken from the family in a tragic car accident. The Lidy family honors Holly's memory daily within the cattle operation, and through Holly's Mountain, a daily devotional, which you can learn more about on their Facebook page. 

2025 Environmental Steward of the Year 

Hanson Land & Cattle | Danforth 

Hanson Land and Cattle, nestled in Iroquois County, is owned and operated by Doug Hanson and family. The farming enterprise consists of nearly 1,000 row crop acres and an intensive 65-head beef cattle grazing program on just seventy-five acres. Several conservation practices are being carried out at Hanson Land & Cattle to maximize the available acreage. These stewardship practices include a rotational system of planted warm and cool season grasses, forages, and cover crops. Through the EQUIP Program, the farm is outfitted with sixteen individual paddocks, each with watering systems, over 27,000 feet of fencing, a winter feeding station, and a comprehensive nutrient management plan. A true commitment to conservation lies at the heart of the family and operation.

2025 Member of the Year

Joan Harrison | Minier

Joan Harrison is no stranger to the beef industry. She grew up with predominantly Limousin cattle, and continues that passion today on her farm near Minier. Outside of the family’s operation, Joan was one of the state’s first female agricultural educators and FFA advisors. She still volunteers her time to help with the local FFA chapter. In recent years, Joan has become an integral part of the Illinois Beef Association. She is currently serving on the IBA Board of Governors, having had seats within the Policy and Checkoff divisions. Joan can always be found with a smiling face and contagious laugh at events like Chili-Cookoffs, Ribeye Corral, Ag Legislative Day, and the Illinois Beef Expo. Her go-getter attitude and servant's heart are invaluable to the Association, her family, and community.  

2025 Outstanding Junior of the Year 

Emma Taylor | Murrayville

Emma has always had a passion for the beef industry, 4-H, and exhibiting cattle. She has received several honors like the “Clean Stall Award,” “Caught Being a Role Model,” and the first ever “Chris Smith Award.” Her willingness to step up and lead follows through with her involvement as a director within the Illinois Junior Beef Association. She is always eager to lend a helping hand, whether it is at the Illinois State Fair, Beef Expo, or EDGE Conference. Emma just recently finished a successful livestock judging career at John Wood Community College and plans to continue her education and judging career at Iowa State University. Emma is a hard worker who takes tremendous pride in showing cattle with her sisters and stepping into leadership roles. 

Past Award Winners

View an archive of our past award winners!

2024 | Kramer Farms | Farina

2023 | Andras Stock Farm | Manchester 

2022 | J. Willrett Farms, Jamie & Larisa Willrett | Malta

2021 | Frost Family | Tallula

2020 | Edenburn Family | Penfield

2019 | Graff Land & Livestock | Middletown

2018 | Pfundstein Family | Sterling

2017 | Adams Farms | Sandwich

2016 | Kendall Tarr Family | Newton

2015 | Prescott Family | Sherman

2014 | Curt Rincker Family | Shelbyville

2013 | Mike McClelland Family | Bowen

2012 | Larson/ Martz Family | Maple Park

2011 | Kocher Family | Henry

2010 | Roger Nordman Family | Oregon

2009 | J. Willrett Family | Malta

2008 | Pfundstein Family | Sterling

2007 | Bliler Family | Mechanicsburg

2006 | Vern & Jean Schiller Family | McHenry

2024 | Moore Land & Cattle- Denis Moore | Jerseyville

2023 | Cardinal Cattle Company | Wyoming 

2022 | C-Mor Beef Farm | Seymour

2021 | Lorenzen Farms | Chrisman

2020 | Double Diamond Angus | Chrisman

2019 | Adcock Land & Livestock | Moweaqua

2018 | Curtin Land & Cattle | Blue Mound

2017 | Tree Lane Farms | El Paso

2016 | Diamond A Farms | Altamont

2015 | Dameron Angus | Lexington

2014 | Prairie View Farms/Alan Miller | Gridley

2013 | Lowderman Cattle Company | Macomb

2012 | Wildberry Farms | Hanover

2011 | Murphy's Angus | Illiopolis

2010 | Perks Ranch | Rockford

2009 | Panther Creek Ranch | Bowen

2008 | Rincker Simmentals | Shelbyville

2007 | Musgrave Angus | Griggsville

2006 | Andras Stock Farm | Manchester

2005 | Tomlinson Farms | West Frankfort

2004 | Sauk Valley Angus | Rock Falls

2003 | Sunnyhill Angus Farm | Fairview

2002 | J. Ben Curtin | Taylorville

2001 | Max West | Omaha

2000 | Ellis Farms | Chrisman

1999 | Brecher Angus Farm | Groveland

1998 | John & Fred Curtain | Blue Mound

1997 | Kramer Farms | Farina

1996 | DeKap Angus | Lanark

1995 | Jim & JoAnn Enos | Stockton

1994 | Gerald & Lois Neher | Anna

1993 | Bill Eiten | Huntsville

1992 | Bud Hobbs | Good Hope

1991 | Norman Bruce & Les Mathers | Mason City

1990 | Lester & Tom Saxe | Thompsonviile

1989 | Bill & Steve Florshuetz | Sublette

1988 | Rincker Brothers | Strasburg

1987 | Jim Hall | Eddyville

1986 | Jay Book | Sterling

1985 | Ivan & Frank Rincker | Strasburg

1984 | Clifford & Bruce Betzold | Nokomis

1983 | Fred Killam | Jacksonville

1982 | Lawrence Meyer | Topeka

1981 | Stanley Nesemeier | Lanark

1980 | W.B. Williams | Plymouth

1979 | Herman Schaefer | Morris

1978 | Rock River Farms | Byron

1977 | Gibb Angus Farms | Piper City

1976 | Loren Schlipf | El Paso

2024 | MAC Cattle Company | Payson

2023 | Jakobs Bros. Farms | Sterling 

2022 | Cramer Family Farms | Macomb

2021 | O'Hern Stock Farms | Vermont

2020 | Weber Beef Inc. | Geneseo

2019 | Dean Beef & Bacon | Le Roy

2018 | ODK Wagenknecht Farms | Milledgeville

2017 | Kassing Farms | Mount Sterling

2016 | Bob Fidler Family | Fairview

2015 | Head Cattle/Dipper Farms | Blue Mound

2014 | Black Gold Ranch/Steve Foglesong | Astoria

2013 | Bill Bass | Cobden

2012 | Quarter B Farms | Pleasant Plains

2011 | Hadden Farms | Jacksonville

2010 | Slykhuis Farms | Raleigh

2009 | Gehrke Farms | Delavan

2008 | Stan & Lisa Buzzard | Beecher City

2007 | Freedom Hills Ranch | Mt. Carroll

2006 | Trevor & Jane Toland | Macomb

2005 | Larry & Barry Dowell | Stronghurst

2004 | Ken & Sara Nimrick | Stronghurst

2003 | David & Steven Krupps | Mt. Sterling

2002 | Cliff Schuette | Breese

2001 | Mark Kern | Mt. Vernon

2000 | Indian Knoll Cattle Company | Taylorville

1999 | Mike & Tom Endress | Tremont

1998 | Unsicker Farms | Peoria

1997 | Bill Boston | Roodhouse

1996 | Mike Kitley | Flora

1995 | Bill Hesler | Salem

1994 | David C. Howard | Hanover

1993 | Charles Postel | Rockbridge

1992 | Midland Coal Company | Farmington

1991 | Art Farley |Mahomet

1990 | Carl Hartweg | Carthage

1989 | Walt JoAn Mary & Mark Bollman | Ava

1988 | Ray Peugh | Sterling

1987 | Ed Whitaker | Forest City

1986 | Mike & Dave McGee | Catlin

1985 | Olin & Larry Kennedy | Forest City

1984 | Ransom Tompkins | Fairview

1983 | Delmar & Joyce Nelson | Elizabethtown

1982 | Jim Neumann | Milan

1981 | Harry & Rick Kline | LeRoy

1980 | William Romersberger | Eureka

1979 | G. W. Campbell | Villa Grove

1978 | Rober & Lloyd Simon | Princeton

1977 | Doug Vandermyde | Morrison

1976 | John Jameson | Canton

2024 | Green's Diamond G Acres | Atlanta 

2023 | The McManaway Family | Altamont

2022 | Head Bros. Land & Cattle | Blue Mound

2021 | Wildberry Farms | Scales Mound

2020 | The Sanderson Family | Clare

2019 | Hillstown Farms | Marissa

2018 | Lamoreux Farms | Lanark

2017 | Isermann Farms | Streator

2014 | Trevor Toland | Macomb

2013 | Ted Krauskopf | Highland

2012 | Larson Farms Partnership | Maple Park

2011 | Pfundstein Farms | Sterling

2010 | Funk Farms Trust | Shirley

2009 | Irl Rincker Family | Shelbyville

2008 | Ron & Jeanne Helm | Oreana

2007 | Zane & Connie Schneider | Trenton

2006 | Jim & Mary Burrus | Jacksonville

2005 | Terry & Michele Rush | Pittsfield

2004 | Bill Rudow Family | Pana

2003 | Cliff Schuette Family | Breeze

2002 | Tom & Mike Endress | Tremont

2001 | Riddell Polled Herefords | Sparland

2000 | Clarence & David Allbritten | Belknap

1999 | Otis & Otto Rincker | Strasburg

1998 | Jim Doane | Barry

1997 | Alan Adams | Sandwich

1996 | Dean Larson | Prophetstown