2023 Lifetime Promoter Award

by Lilly Platts

Pearl Walthall has been a livestock photographer and member of the Simmental community for decades, traveling across the country to capture images at shows, events, and more. ASA is recognizing her dedication to the breed and industry with the Lifetime Promoter award.

Started in 2019, the Lifetime Promoter Award recognizes those who make significant contributions to the Simmental breed. Recipients of this distinguished award are selected based on major contributions to the promotion and advancement of SimGenetics and the American Simmental Association.

Walthall makes her home in Windsor, Missouri, with her husband, Greg. They run a Simmental, SimAngus, and Angus cow herd. She grew up in northeastern Ohio on a crop farm where her parents had a feedlot and predominantly Hereford cattle. Walthall’s grandfather passed his love for showing cattle on to her. At the age of nine she enrolled in 4-H, becoming skilled in showmanship. She also joined FFA, and started showing professionally for several large Hereford operations. While attending Ohio State University, she interned for Glenkirk Farms, a Hereford and Simmental operation in Maysville, Missouri, helping them show a large string of cattle.

The Walthalls owned WW Cattle Company — a fitting service — for over 20 years. They had many successes in the show ring, including over 23 national champions, all with cattle they bred themselves.

the photos for WW Cattle Company clients, and soon word spread about her skills. This led to her being hired for on-site livestock photography.

She has photographed many national cattle events, including AJSA Classics and other ASA events. Walthall’s eye for cattle, and understanding of how each animal should be positioned to look its best have made her a leader in the industry.

Walthall has also judged shows, which she started doing in Ohio in the 1970s. She and Greg have judged shows at the National Western Stock Show, Fort Worth Stock Show, the American Royal, the North American International Livestock Exposition, state fairs, district shows, and beef expos. She takes the responsibility of judging seriously, focusing on choosing sound, functional cattle.

Pearl’s Pics has expanded beyond the show ring, and includes weddings, senior pictures, and more. She still predominantly works with those in agriculture, understanding the style and settings these clients like.

Supporting youth has long been a priority for Walthall, and she is known for her willingness to share her knowledge about cattle and photography. She also dedicates extra time during shows to ensure that every youth — not just the winners — have the opportunity to have their animals photographed.

Walthall’s business, Pearl’s Pics, was born out of a desire to combine her passion for the beef industry with her love for photography. She began packing a camera as a child, and took photos for the high school yearbook. The fitting business opened the door for her to take photos of show cattle since customers often needed promotional photographs of their animals. She had observed other major livestock photographers, and understood the elements of a good photograph. Walthall began taking all of

Previous Award Recipients

2019 Ron Miller, Plattsmouth, Nebraska

2020 Carlos and Sister Guerra, La Muñeca Cattle Company, Linn, Texas

2021 Larry Martin, Clinton, Illinois

2021 Keith “Sundance” Ruff, Pleasant Hill, Illinois

2022 Kansas State University Department of Animal Science and Industry n