Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Wendell and Edna Bryant, Pierceton, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kosciusko County Cattlemen's Association Tuesday during the group's annual meeting.
The family of Jay and Linda Haughee received the Cattleman of the Year award. The Haughees and their children, Jalyn and Jared, operate Triple J Farms near Leesburg.
Both award winners raise Herefords.
The association met in Center Lake Pavilion and used the event to recognize volunteers, students, beef promoters and projects and to select new board members.
In a special presentation, Limousin producer Leon Tucker, Milford, received recognition by the Indiana Limousin Association.
Food and Consumer Science Department teachers Carol Plew of Warsaw Community High School, Amy Richards of Whitko Middle School, Sue Price of Milford Middle School and Rebecca Snyder of Lakeview Middle School were recognized for their 2003-2004 Beef In The Classroom projects.
The Beef Promoter/Supporter Award went to five members of the Kosciusko County Pork Producers Association. During the 2003 Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair, the beef and pork producers joined together for the first time and operated a profitable food stand.
Also recognized were: County Bred and Born winners - Jayln Haughee, Grand Champion Heifer Overall, and James Leeper, Reserve Champion Heifer; Brent Lamb, Reserve Grand Champion Steer Overall; and Jackie Amiss, Reserve Grand Champion; Ultrasound Beef Carcass winners - Trent Boganwright, Champion, and Ethan Rhoades, Reserve Champion; and Ultrasound Beef Carcass winners 4-H Consumer Beef Project overall winner Shelby May.
Outgoing president Bob Bishop discussed association activities. The Bull Reproductive Soundness Exam is offered at the Milford Large Animal Clinic. Over the last seven years, 133 bulls have been examined.
The Cattlemen assisted a November Red Cross blood drive during the fourth "Beef Up the Blood Supply" by providing refreshments to donors and workers.
The 4-H Consumer Beef Project is for 4-H club members.
During Ag Day for all county fourth-graders, members distributed literature about beef production. During the Taste of Ag, the association members served sloppy joes to 1,500 members of the public.
The seventh annual Beef Twilight Tour was hosted by Nelson Farms, where 100 people enjoyed a farm visit, judging contests and educational presentations on animal well being.
The 4-H Beef Carcass Ultrasound Contest, in its second year, offers 4-H'ers market animals to be scanned. Jeff Arseneau of Purdue University scanned the cattle and stayed an extra day to explain the results.
The livestock judging and skill-a-thon teams at Warsaw Community, Wawasee and Whitko high schools were honored for their participation at the state and national levels.
The Ribeye Award for work at the fair food stand was presented to siblings Janet and Rush Yeiter.
Bob Stiffler and Kelly Easterday were recognized for their support during the year.
Retiring directors Mike Nelson, Bob Bishop and Dennis Darr were recognized along with "unofficial directors" Waneta Bishop and Leslie Darr.
Jim Amsden, Jay Haughee and Leon Tucker were elected to the association's board.
