Nominees — Seedstock Producer of the Year

Bieber Red Angus — Leola, South Dakota

Owners: Craig & Peggy Bieber Managers: Craig Bieber

Ron Bieber moved to South Dakota in 1961 and founded Bieber Red Angus as a diversified crop and commercial livestock venture. In 1966, Ron and Lois crossed Hereford/Shorthorn cows with a Red Angus bull and were convinced that Red Angus would be a leading breed in the industry. In 1968, Ron bought registered Red Angus females and officially started a Red Angus seedstock herd.

Biebers hosted their first sale in 1976. Early on, performance data, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and average daily gain were provided as selection tools for buyers.

Today, Bieber Red Angus is operated by Craig and Peggy Bieber. They sell over 500 bulls and 400 females every year and provide performance information including EPD traits on every animal. They calve more than 900 registered Red Angus females and wean additional ET calves. The cow herd runs under range conditions requiring 10+ acres per pair. The operation has a limited crop component producing mainly feed for bull and female development and herd maintenance during winter.

Over time, the Biebers have continued to operate as a family-owned business breeding South Devon, Angus, Simmental and hybrid seedstock into the operation. The Biebers current focus is solely on Red Angus. They remain consistent in their approach to breeding by using technology to improve performance and carcass traits. The operation utilizes EPDs, carcass ultrasound and DNA technology to improve the performance and quality of the genetics they produce. Bieber genetics are a common component to pedigrees in the Red Angus breed worldwide.

Bieber Red Angus was nominated by the Red Angus Association of America

Blythe Family Farms — White City, Kansas

Owners: The Blythe Family Managers: Duane Blythe, Debbie Lyons-Blythe and Trenton Blythe

Since 1890, Blythe Family Farms has been located near White City, KS, in the Kansas Flint Hills. Debbie and Duane began raising registered Angus cattle in 1989, and Debbie is a lifetime member of the American Angus Association, since 1977.

The cow herd consists of 175 registered Angus and 225 Angus-based crossbred cows and bred heifers. In addition, 350 replacement heifers are developed and bred for sale annually. The Blythes use artificial insemination extensively in their cow herd and heifer program.

Since 2005, more than 4,500 bred heifers have been marketed by private treaty and consignment sales to buyers across the nation. The Blythes have chosen to focus on seedstock from a female perspective, raising and offering herd-building genetics and well-managed females that provide a foundation to many herds. Sixty registered Angus bulls are raised from the herd annually, selecting for predictable calving ease and birth weight, as well as high-quality carcass and maternal traits. They are used in the Heifer Development Program and marketed by private treaty.

Debbie and Duane are working to add their three adult sons to daily labor and management of the ranch, as well as their two daughters to the legacy of Blythe Family Farms.

“Trying to do things better, always” is the motto at Blythe Family Farms. This is lived out through their dedication to the improvement of their cattle, land and resources; diligently working to meet customer needs; and their willingness to go beyond their own ranch gates to advocate for the cattle industry and its future.

Blythe Family Farms was nominated by the Kansas Livestock Association.

B.R. Cutrer, Inc. — Wharton, Texas

Owners: Brandon & Rachel Cutrer Family Managers: Keaton Dodd, Fransisco Garcia, Harley Wade Wharton, Texas

BRC Ranch is the USA’s most innovative Brahman ranch, while embracing their strong Texas ranching roots. When the Cutrer’s married in 2010, they owned 0 acres and 6 head of cattle. Without inheriting a single acre of land or a single head, BRC has shown the world that with great mentors, solid management practices, and a great team, first-generation land-owners and new seedstock brands can be a success.

Brandon and Rachel run 350 head of Brahman cattle and F-1s and stand at the very top of the upper echelon of Brahman breeders worldwide. They are the breeder of six International Champion Grey Brahman females of the last decade ( 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2013), the #1 Brahman AI sire in the USA for the last three years (Noble), and the #1 polled Grey Brahman bull and female of the breed. In 2020, they exported cattle and genetics to 17 countries and 5 continents, including over 30,000 units of semen on their Brahman AI sires.

BRC showcases the beef industry from pasture to plate, with an emphasis on values, work ethic, and entrepreneurship. They blaze a new trail including being the only Brahman breeders in the USA utilizing genomically-enhanced EPDs, and the founders of Brahman Country Beef and FitBeef, both 100% Brahman branded beef programs. BRC is also a strong advocate for climate smart ranching and the role that Brahman cattle will play in keeping beef on the table for future generations.

B.R. Cutrer, Inc. was nominated by the American Brahman Breeders Association.

Express Ranches — Yukon, Oklahoma

Owner: Bob Funk Manager: Jarold Callahan

Bob Funk was raised in Duvall, Washington, working on a family-owned dairy farm. After graduating high school, he tried to purchase the dairy as it ignited his love for farming and livestock, but his family encouraged him to attend college and pursue a career off the farm.

Following college, Funk went to work for ACME Personnel, a Washington-based staffing company, and was transferred to Oklahoma where he went on to purchase a portion of the company after it went bankrupt. Moving to Oklahoma, surrounded by cattle on pastures far and wide, rekindled his love for cattle. In 1989, he purchased a small group of Limousin cattle and never looked back.

Fast forward to 1996, Funk and Jarold Callahan, his newly hired herd manager, purchased their first Angus herd which immensely impacted the trajectory of Express Ranches. As more cattle were purchased, Funk needed more land, which led to purchasing more cattle – a cycle that continues today. Twenty-five years later, Funk has built one of the largest seedstock operations in the United States while simultaneously being involved in every facet of beef production. The ranch registers an average of 2,000 head of Angus and approximately 400 head of Hereford cattle per year. The operation has several facilities in Oklahoma, a commercial herd in New Mexico and owns one-third of a feedlot in Oklahoma. Additionally, the ranch hosts six production sales a year. Beyond the cattle business, Funk strongly believes in the future of agriculture and more importantly, the youth behind it.

Express Ranches was nominated by the American Angus Association and the American Hereford Association.

2021 Seedstock Producer of Year

Tennessee River Music Inc. — Fort Payne, Alabama

Owners: Randy & Kelly Owen, Randa Starnes Managers: John & Randa Starnes

Tennessee River Music, Inc. (TRM), located in Fort Payne, Alabama, is a diversified cattle operation centered on producing quality Hereford and Angus genetics. TRM began with a childhood dream of Randy Owen, whose family farming roots run deep, helping grow crops, raise cattle and being active in 4-H and FFA in northeast Alabama.

Tennessee River Music was formed where his family farmed for generations and was named after the first number one single for his country music band Alabama. The Hereford herd was established in 1981 with an Angus herd being developed in the late 1980s. This year, the 39th female production sale and 9th bull sale will be held. This diversified cattle operation consists of a custom bull collection facility, Lookout Mountain Genetics; the seedstock operation, Tennessee River Music; and an on-farm local meat market, The Market at TRM.

TRM cattle are bred with emphasis on value in all facets, from conception to consumption. With a base in balanced EPD values from proven pedigrees, TRM emphasizes function with moderate size, muscling, easy fleshing, solid maternal, docile, and soundness for longevity in southeastern pastures. Beef quality is also a primary focus for nutritious, high marbling, tender beef products to perform in the market.

TRM is a true family farm with each generation working side-by-side. Randy and Kelly Owen and Roland and Janet Starnes are actively involved in daily ranch duties. John and Randa Starnes serve as managers, with their children by their side, to lead TRM into a brighter future.

Tennessee River Music Inc. was nominated by the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

Cow Camp Ranch — 2021 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Pictured (l to r) are: Greg Henderson, Drovers, award sponsor; Kent and Jean Brunner, Cow Camp Ranch; and Joe Mushrush, 2020-21 BIF president.