DENVER — The Red Angus Association of America annually recognizes an individual, company, beef industry association or academic community with the Industry Service Award. Recipients have helped RAAA achieve excellence in the beef cattle industry during the past year or more. The 2023 winner, Harold Bertz, Mayview, Missouri, spent nearly a decade helping Red Angus breeders add value to their cattle and genetics.

Bertz joined the RAAA staff in 2014 as the director of business development, serving as an instrumental member of the commercial marketing department before becoming director of commercial marketing in early 2018. During his tenure on the marketing team, RAAA’s value-added options expanded significantly to include Premium Red Baldy, American Red and Red Choice. He accomplished much in terms of strengthening the Feeder Calf Certification Program and Allied Access programs and building a strong team in the field.

Under his leadership, the commercial marketing team grew to its largest staff in history as Bertz was intuitive and keen at spotting talent. He was a highly adaptable team player, willing to step up to the plate when the need arose. A strong proponent of creating greater pull-through demand for Red Angus cattle, he spent significant time communicating with feeders and packers to open doors for Red Angus cattle to be accepted into more branded beef programs. He worked diligently on the important change to the Red Angus Live Animal Specification with the USDA, which allowed Red Angus cattle to be included in Angus-labeled branded beef programs at the brand owner’s request.

“Harold earned the respect of all of those he worked with,” said Tom Brink, RAAA CEO. “The Red Angus breed is stronger today and better positioned in the beef industry because of Harold's tireless work.”

Bertz’s experience as an agriculture education instructor made him a strong mentor for his colleagues. He continuously studied agriculture market trends and industry news and encouraged his team to do the same. He knew no stranger, and quickly became a trusted confidant for Red Angus seedstock and commercial producers across the country. His deep knowledge of the cattle industry and all things agriculture made him a trusted source of information to all who knew him.

Don and Cindy Sitz of Sitz Ranch, Drewsey, Oregon, appreciated working with Bertz. “Harold’s support and encouragement has been very valuable to us,” they said. "We always enjoyed visiting with him about the cattle market.”

For more information about the Red Angus Association of America or marketing programs for Red Angus-influenced cattle, visit RedAngus.org.

The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and using scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

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Suggested cutline: The Red Angus Association of America recognized Harold Bertz, Mayview, Missouri, with the RAAA Industry Service Award at the 2023 National Red Angus Convention Awards Banquet on Sept. 15.