Denver – Honoring producers for their service, loyalty and dedication to superiority in the Red Angus breed has long been the tradition of the annual awards banquet held on the final evening of the National Red Angus Convention. The 2017 convention, “Reds in the Rockies,” held at the DoubleTree Hilton in Colorado Springs delivered upon the promise to recognize remarkable producers for excellence in their field. The awards banquet and meal, featuring steaks from Meyer Natural Angus, highlighted businesses, industry supporters and ranches that rise to the top of the Red Angus breed.
The John V. Robbins Distinguished Service Award is presented to Red Angus members who have contributed to the betterment of services offered by the Red Angus Association of America. The award was presented to Butch and Susan Schuler, Bridgeport, Nebraska, who are the first couple to jointly receive the award in more than 20 years. Butch and Susan have been innovators in the beef business for nearly 35 years, utilizing whole herd data collection, low-stress handling and heterosis solutions to help mold breed-improving selection tools. Together, their efforts to promote Red Angus have helped to establish a worldwide presence for the breed today.
Genna VanWye, Lancaster, Missouri, was awarded the Outstanding Junior Award as she heads into her third year of service. Genna is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying animal science and is president of the Junior Red Angus Association of America. Genna’s leadership skills set the bar high for her fellow junior members; her peers and mentors look forward to Genna’s future contributions to the beef industry.
The Advocate of the Year Award is presented to a special Red Angus member or commercial producer who exemplifies passion for the Red Angus breed to producers, industry stakeholders and consumers. Celeste Settrini, Salinas, California, was honored as the RAAA 2017 Advocate of the Year. Settrini manages the Settrini Ranch, a commercial operation in business for more than 100 years, with her brother and mother. She is extremely active on social media, promoting both the Red Angus breed and the beef industry as a whole to a consumer base removed from production agriculture. She represents the beef industry with pride and professionalism as she shares her passion for ranching and Red Angus with her peers, colleagues and the world. When not ranching or advocating for beef, Settrini spends time on her other passion, managing CS Connections, her graphic design and communications business.
Dr. Ken Odde, department head of animal sciences and industry at Kansas State University, received the Industry Service Award. Dr. Odde’s work in both academia and industry has greatly benefited the Red Angus and beef industries. Dr. Odde spearheaded the efforts to analyze data from Superior Livestock Auction that has shown the price advantages of Red Angus-sired calves and will continue leading the charge into the future.
The Melvin Leland Innovative Leadership Award is presented to recognize leadership in advancing the competitive position of Red Angus. Recipients should have served on a RAAA committee for at least five years and have preferably received the John V. Robbins Distinguished Service award. The late Darrell Schuler, who resided in Bridgeport, Nebraska, exemplified the qualifications set forth through his selfless dedication to preserving the Red Angus breed for future producers. The innovation, passion and commitment that Darrell Schuler, and the Schuler family, have shown to the RAAA is unmatchable and is to be praised beyond measure.
Steve and Shelly Newberry of Livingston, Montana, are the recipients of the inaugural Darrell and Mary Lou Schuler Memorial Award. The award was instituted to recognize members who have made an impact and undeniable difference to the betterment of Red Angus. The Newberrys have made immeasurable contributions to innovation, research and the culture of the Red Angus breed which will no doubt further the breed’s development for years to come. As presenter Butch Schuler noted, “The Newberrys believe in the people of Red Angus and want to see them succeed long term.”
The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the competitive advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with the most objectively described cattle in the industry by seeking and implementing new technologies based on sound, scientific principles that measure traits of economic importance. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.
