CALF_News_Feb_March_2019

26 CALF News • February | March 2019 • www.calfnews.net 2020 INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINEES The 2020 nominees for the Industry Leadership Award have contributed to the cattle-feeding industry through outstanding advocacy and leadership. Their efforts embody our core beliefs and help us communicate our message within the industry and to American families. Please vote at www.cattlefeeders.org . Dr. Robert C. Hummel Robert (“Bob”) Hummel, DVM, began his career in 1961 as a technical service veterinarian with American Cyanamid Company. In 1967, he co-founded Great Plains Chemical Company, Inc., in Greeley, Colo., later changing the name to Lextron, Inc., which become one of the larger animal health distributors in the United States, supplying animal health products and technology to the cattle-feeding industry. In June 2011, after a merger withWalco International, the name was changed to Animal Health International, Inc. In June 2015, Animal Health International was sold to Patterson Companies but continues to operate under the Animal Health Interna- tional name. At the time of the sale, Dr. Hummel retired at the youthful age of 78. John K. Matsushima, Ph.D. John K. Matsushima, Ph.D., was born to immigrant parents from Japan who began farming in Colorado. After receiving his doctorate in animal science, he began his long career of teach- ing and research in beef nutrition. Matsushima was awarded the Japanese Emperor Citation, or Tenno Hosho, in 2009, and was named Citizen of the West by the National Western Stock Show in 2013. Gary Smith, Ph.D. Gary Smith, Ph.D., is a nationally and internationally recog- nized expert in meat science and food safety. Throughout his career, Smith conducted applied research and solved problems related to meat science and food safety on behalf of state and federal associations across the country. Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award Often, it’s the feedyard employees who are the heart and soul of feedyard operations and the driving force for implement- ing innovative ideas. To recognize the outstanding efforts of these individuals, the Hall of Fame has established the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award in honor of the late Kansas resident and long-time employee at Poky Feeders. If you know a feedyard employee deserving of the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award, submit your nomi- nation at www.cattlefeeders.org/nominate by March 31, 2019.  DON OPPLIGER | Oppliger Companies A native of Nebraska, Don Oppliger of Amarillo, Texas, farmed and owned feedlots in New Mexico, Texas and Nebraska. His cattle feeding operations eventually totaled a capacity of 230,000 across six feedyards. An avid Nebraska football fan and pilot, Oppliger was known for his hands-on management style. His integrated and diversified holdings included a dairy and a trucking company. DR. JACK REEVE | Reeve Cattle Company A fifth-generation cattleman, Jack Reeve, DVM, received his veterinary degree from Kansas State University and served in the U.S. Army before setting up a practice in Garden City, Kan. Always an entrepreneur, Reeve started feeding cattle, developing farmland and eventually building a large ethanol plant. Today, Reeve Cattle Co. continues with a capacity of 46,000 head. CARL STEVENSON | Red Rock Feeding Co. Carl Stevenson moved to Continental, Ariz., in 1951 at the request of Farmers Investment Company to begin a cattle-feed- ing operation. Under his reign, two feedyards were built with a capacity totaling 18,000 head. In 1964, Stevenson went out on his own to purchase corrals in Red Rock, Ariz., which would hold 1,000 head. Today’s operation includes a 30,000-head capacity yard and farm ground in Red Rock and a leased yard in Willcox, Ariz. JOHNNY TROTTER | Bar-G Feedyards In 1983, after operating a grower yard and wheat pasture operation through the late 1970s, Johnny Trotter and SL Garrison brought together a group of cattlemen to purchase the 40,000-head United Beef Feedyard, which became Bar-G Feedyards. Currently, Trotter serves as Bar G’s chief executive officer, overseeing the 125,000-head capacity operation. Trot- ter owns and manages farms and ranches across the Southwest, serves on many boards and committees, and is active in several cattle and horse associations. ED BARRETT | Barrett-Crofoot Feedyards Ed Barrett started in the cattle business in 1952 in Kansas. He sold his first set of fed cattle for 23¢ per pound and never looked back. In 1975, he partnered with the Crofoot family, creating Barrett-Crofoot Feedyards. The Crofoots sold their interest to Barrett in 1995. Through the years, Barrett has been involved with feeding more than 8.5 million head of cattle and is still known to say,“I just love to feed cattle,” as he continues to share his knowledge around the feedyards. Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame The 2020 nominees for the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame exemplify the values we share and admire as an industry. Cast your vote now for our 2020 inductees. Please vote at www.cattlefeeders.org .