From the first days of January, the Angus Foundation hit the ground running, energized by the support of donors and bidders at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, OK, and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO. With these contributions driving education, youth and research forward, the year ahead is poised to deliver lasting impact.
The enthusiasm and contributions in support of the Foundation’s mission helped raised over $200,000 through “Join us in January” events like the Angus Foundation Heifer Package, Herdsman Social Auction and Fund the Future lots.
“These events help us encourage success for our Angus membership through leadership and educational development, advancement of the breed’s genetics and development of our next generation,” said Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director. “It is astonishing to have the unwavering support of our donors and supporters to keep advancing our Foundation’s mission.”
The Foundation was also fortunate enough to have Fund the Future lots offered in the Bases Loaded and Denim and Diamonds sales hosted in conjunction with Cattlemen’s Congress and the Foundation Angus Female Sale at National Western Stock Show, to raise money for the Angus Fund, which provides unrestricted funding for Angus education, youth and research. The Angus Fund supports various initiatives, including educational programs like the Beef Leaders Institute, leadership conferences and cutting-edge research aimed at enhancing the breed’s future.
To learn more about the Angus Foundation, visit angus.org/foundation.
More about the donated lots
Bases Loaded Sale at Cattlemen’s Congress
• Lot: Heifer pregnancy
Sire: AAA TRUE BLOOD 3553.
Dam: G3 BLACKBIRD 3051.
Donated by: AAA Farms, Lavina, TN.
Purchased by: Edisto Pines Farm of Leesville, SC, for $10,000, with all funds supporting the Fund the Future Campaign.
Denim and Diamonds at Cattlemen’s Congress
• Lot: Heifer pick
Sire: EXAR Tomahawk 2836B.
Dam: PAF RITA 5091.
Donated by: Pfeiffer Angus Farm of Mulhall, OK.
Purchased by: Heritage Farm of Shelbyville, KY, for $23,000, with all funds supporting the Fund the Future Campaign.
National Angus Bull Sale at Cattlemen’s Congress
• Lot: Donation heifer package
Donated heifer: WILKS Rita 4728, Registration No. AAA +*21207190
Sire: FF Rito Ambitious.
Dam: Lylester Rita 786.
Donated by: Wilks Ranch, Eastland, TX.
Purchased by: Express Angus Ranches of Yukon, OK; Nowatzke Cattle/Maple Lane of Michigan City, IN; and Pollard Farms LLC of Waukomis, OK for $150,000.
The heifer package also includes an Advanced Reproductive Technology Package from Trans Ova Genetics; trucking to the buyer donated by Cliff R. Lathrop Livestock Transportation Inc.; and 30 days of mortality insurance donated by Jeanne Conover, livestock insurance agent with Conover Auction Service.
To learn more about the 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package, visit bit.ly/FoundationHeiferPackage.
Herdsman Social
The Angus Foundation also auctioned items to support their mission during the annual Herdsman Social at Cattlemen’s Congress on Jan. 9. The event welcomed the Angus family for an evening of fellowship and featured refreshments, door prizes and the announcement of Craig Sand of Circle M Farms as 2026 Angus Herdsman of the Year.
For the auction, past National Junior Angus Board Foundation Director Josh Jasper served as the auctioneer, and items sold included: a West Riley Children’s Rocker, a Concerned Mothers print by Brian Asher, and a custom Angus-branded cowhide from Terra Leather. A 2026 Kentucky Derby Trip package was also up for grabs.
A complete list of auction items sold at the Herdsman Social, along with their donors and buyers, follows:
• Kentucky Derby Trip
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Turner Meadow Ranch of Wills Point, TX, and Pollard Farms LLC of Waukomis, OK.
• “Concerned Mothers” Framed Print by Brian Asher
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Hickory House Restaurant LLC of Pulaski, TN.
• 3D Angus Butterfly Die Cut Wall Decoration
Donated by: Schroeder Angus of Clarence, IA.
Purchased by: Deer Valley Farm of Fayetteville, TN.
• West Riley Children’s Rocker
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Circle M Farms LLC of Rockwall, TX.
• Branded Angus Yeti Cooler
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: John Dickinson of Wilder, ID.
• Angus Themed Bar Package
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Heritage Farm of Shelbyville, KY.
• Angus Media Marketing Package
Donated by: Angus Media.
Purchased by: Brumfield Angus Farms of Sawyer, MI.
• Angus At Home Certified Angus Beef Dinner Package
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Circle M Farms LLC of Rockwall, TX.
• Party Hosting Package with Wine and Bourbon
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Chuck and Ruth Grove of Forest, VA.
• Custom Metal Bench
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Nowatzke Cattle of Michigan City, IN.
• Custom Metal Sign
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: Brumfield Angus Farms of Sawyer, MI.
• Angus Hide Imprint
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Purchased by: R&L Angus of Westmoreland, KS.
Door prize items
• 1 Box of Custom Gloves with Farm Logo
Donated by: PlainJan’s.
Won by: Chuck and Ruth Grove of Forest, VA.
• Certified Angus Beef Toy Barn Set
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Won by: Gordon Stuckey of Kingman, KS.
• Certified Angus Beef Grilling Set
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Won by: Tim Clark of Gretna, VA.
• Angus Brand Swag Package
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Won by: Anonymous.
Foundation Angus Female Sale at the National Western
The following week, the Angus family headed west to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. The Foundation Angus Sale featured a special Fund the Future lot through the sale of Sadler Rito Lady 5004. She is a maternal sister to Hoffman Thedford.
Donated by Sadler Ranches of Perkins, OK, Sadler Rito Lady 5004, purchased by Spruce Mountain Ranch of Larkspur, CO; Ingram Angus of Pulaski, TN; and Stellpflug Cattle Company of Guernsey, WY, for $40,000. This is the inaugural female to sell in support the newly established scholarship honoring Dr. Barry Pollard, past president and chairman of the board.
• Lot: Fund the Future Donation Heifer
Donated Heifer: Sadler Rito Lady 5004.
Sire: Spring Cove Grant 200K.
Dam: HA RITO Lady 3839.
Donated: by Sadler Ranches, Perkins, OK.
Purchased by: Spruce Mountain Ranch of Larkspur, CO; Ingram Angus of Pulaski, TN; and Stellpflug Cattle Company of Guernsey, WY, for $40,000.
National Western Angus Social
Following the Foundation Angus Sale, attendees gathered for the first annual National Western Angus Social located in the Coleen and Fred Orr Western Lounge in the Legacy Center. The event celebrated Angus breeders and the history of the west, also with a select raffle of unique offerings.
A complete list of raffle items won at the National Western Angus Social, along with their donors and buyers, follows.
Auction items
• Certified Angus Beef Home Knife Set and Drinkware
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Won by: Casey Jentz of Saint Joseph, MO.
• Angus Brand Swag Package
Donated by: Angus Foundation.
Won by: Ryan Cotton of Ponce Inlet, FL.
• Holy Cow Couture Buckaroo Copp Bag
Donated by: Holy Cow Couture of Lincoln, CA.
Won by: Jason Hamann of Gladbrook, IA. — Molly Biggs, American Angus Association communications specialist
