JUDY PATTON
Union Co. Correspondent
STATE COLLEGE (Centre
Co.) From the turnout and
events at the ninth annual
Pennsylvania Beef Exposition
here recently, it appears that the
state’s beef industry is alive and
well.
The Expo, sponsored by the
Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s
Association (PCA), the
Pennsylvania Beef Council and
Penn State, includes the annual
PCA banquet and meeting, the
Performance Test Bull Sale, and
the junior steer and heifer show.
At the 25th Cattlemen’s
Banquet at Celebration Hall,
the PCA presented awards to its
members and elected new direc
tors. Also, Tammy Weaver of the
Pennsylvania Beef Council pre
sented the 1999 Pennsylvania
Cattlemen’s Queen and announced
scholarship award winners.
Seedstock Producer of the Year went to
Ken Foust of Adams County. In addition to a
purebred Simmental herd in Adams County
started in 1986, he and his family operate the
2,400-acre Beefmaster Ranch in New Mexico.
Foust has consigned the top indexing
Simmental bull at the Pennsylvania Bull Test
Sale for several years. He recently donated
part of his land to the National Park Service
to preserve the Gettysburg battlefields.
Jeff and Don Byerly of Union County were
the Commercial Cattlemen of the Year The
Byerly brothers and their family run a 50-
head cow-calf operation on a rotational graz
ing system as well as two retail outlets from
which they market both their own and other
producers’ beef. They share carcass data infor
mation, which they collect for making selec
tions, with state and national breed associa
tions and other producers. Several of their
bulls qualified for the National Chianina Sire
Summary. They are supportive of 4-H and FFA
programs and are active in several industry
organizations.
Winning Cattle Feeder of the Year honors
were Wayne and Jean Hoffman of York coun
ty. In partnership with their son Joshua, the
Hoffmans raise 800-900 beef heifers from 400-
450 pounds to market weight (about, 1050
pounds) and 1,300 acres of corn and soybeans.
Wayne Hoffman has served on his local school
board and been a township supervisor, as well
as having been chairman of the board of the
Pennsylvania Beef Council.
Jesse Leister of Adams County will
be this year’s Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s
Queen, while Tammi Grubb of York
County will be the princess.
For his conservation efforts
Charlie Sherman of KC Acres in
Adams County received the
Environmental Stewardship
Award. On his farm Sherman
installed 3,500 feet of tile, two
waterways, 300 feet of diversion
ditches, and stream bank fenc
ing.
Dr. Lowell Wilson, who
retired last fall from his position
of beef extension specialist and
animal science professor at Penn
State, won the Industry Service
Award. During his 38-year
career, he worked hard to
improve the beef industry
through educational and promo
tional activities. He played a key
role in establishing the Penn
State University Haller Livestock/
Forage Farm, the Pennsylvania
Beef Expo, Pennsylvania
Cattlemen’s Association, the
Pennsylvania Beef Council, and
the Pennsylvanians for the
■w afejvv* M®!
Responsible Use of Animals
organization. He is recognized
nationally and internationally
as a beef industry leader.
A Special Appreciation Award
went to Joan Potter for her work
as managing secretary of PCA
for the last six years. As a liaison
between PCA and National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association,
she helped increase the PCA
membership base and stature in
the agricultural community.
The Pennsylvania Simmental
Association also presented tj?e
following awards at the PCA
Banquet: Breeder of the Year -
Bob McQuiston, Stoneboro;
Senior Member of the Year -
Wayne Stough, York County 4-H
leader; Junior Member of the
Year - Valerie Blauch, Jonestown;
and Young Family of the Year -
Tammy and Troy Gelsinger,
Berks County.
For the first time the
Pennsylvania Beef Council pre-
(Turn to Pago A 23)
Justin Conner of Franklin County and Alissa Cowell
of Green County, who are high school students intend
ing to go to college, won $5OO scholarships presented
at the RCA Banquet.
■T A If®?®
* » t-f .-Tfi >/
I
tv : :.*&r
'L&.jJ#:,.-'
T ■