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 who have won any of the following awards in the last 10 years are not eligible.
Nominations are closed.
Farm Family of the Year
This award recognizes an Illinois beef family that exemplifies industry involvement and leadership qualities. This family should have a strong commitment to producing high-quality beef within the state and demonstrate a desire to propagate their operation through generational involvement. 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
This award acknowledges an exceptional cattle breeder within the seedstock sector of our industry. This operation should prioritize raising breeding-quality progeny to be retained or marketed to other producers. Priority is given to operations that utilize innovative tools and technology to advance their herds. Purebred and commercial breeders are eligible.
Commercial Producer of the Year
This recognition honors an Illinois beef producer who is making a significant impact on the commercial sector of our industry. Qualities of relevance include operational savviness, integrity, and responsible cattle management. Operations may be involved in the acquisition, development, marketing, and or processing facets of the commercial beef cattle sector.
Environmental Steward of the Year
This award highlights an Illinois operation with exceptional resource stewardship practices. Thoughtful consideration is given to natural resource protection within their beef herd, and land use practices are regularly evaluated and improved. Herd management tools may include EQIP programming, rotational grazing, cover crop usage, manure management, and more.
Outstanding Junior of the Year
This award recognizes an actively involved member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association. The ideal candidate demonstrates commitment, leadership, and a passion for the Illinois beef industry. Juniors from the commercial, seedstock, and showstock sectors are eligible for award honors. Tenure of involvement is taken into consideration.
IBA Member of the Year
This award honors a member who continually goes above and beyond to support the efforts of the IBA. This person should be actively involved in the time leading up to their nomination, though a leadership position within IBA is not required. A demonstrated commitment to the Illinois cattle industry and its people is also taken into consideration.
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.
2026 Valued Industry Partner
joe meggison | fera diagnostics & biologicals
Past Award Winners
View an archive of our past award winners!
2025 | Moore Shorthorns, Hugh Moore Jr. Family | Jerseyville
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
2025 | Horsley Brothers | Galva
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
2025 | Lidy Family Farms | Mulberry Grove
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
2025 | Hanson Land and Cattle | Danforth
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