The Annual Beef Improvement Federation Symposium will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 10-13. Each year during the event, elite seedstock and commercial beef cattle operations are recognized for their efforts to embrace cutting-edge beef industry technologies, raise exceptional beef cattle and demonstrate innovative industry leadership. The Beef Improvement Federation has announced finalists for its 2024 Seedstock and Commercial Producer awards, among which are two Red Angus operations.

Red Hill Farms, a seventh generation, diversified family farm located in Lafayette, Tennessee, has been selected as a finalist for the Seedstock Producer of the Year award.

The Red Hill Farms herd consists of 500 mature cows equally divided between spring and fall calving seasons. The cattle operation uses artificial insemination, embryo transfer, extensive performance records and DNA analysis to produce bulls and females for three annual cattle sales hosted in March, May and October. The mission at Red Hill Farms is to be good stewards of the land, promote excellent animal husbandry practices, give back to the community and provide superior genetic products to increase customer profitability and enhance consumer appeal of U.S. beef and pork.

Paxton Ranch of Stapleton, Nebraska, has been selected as a finalist for Commercial Producer of the Year. Owned and operated by John and Jessica Warren, along with their son, Joel, Paxton Ranch was established in 1933 by Jessica’s father, Chester Paxton. The operation now consists of 40,000 deeded acres and a 10,000-acre grazing permit in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, Nebraska. Originally a Hereford operation, they began using Red Angus genetics in the early 1970s. The 2,000-head commercial Red Angus herd has a strong maternal focus, especially important in the operation’s heifer development program. The Warren’s primary focus is to sustain a profitable ranching operation and make it possible for the next generation to carry forward.

The winners of each award category will be announced during the BIF Awards Luncheons on June 11 and 12. We wish each of the Red Angus finalists the best of luck!