Louis M. “Mick” Colvin

2010 PLA Hall of Fame

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EARLY WINTER

2010

THE PUBLICATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION

Louis M. “Mick” Colvin 2010 PLA Hall of Fame

The 2010 Pennsylvania Livestock Association Hall of Fame winner is Mr. Louis M. “Mick” Colvin of West Salem, Ohio. Mick was born and raised on a Bedford County, Pa., dairy farm and later worked at his family’s feed mill. He led trail rides for his family’s riding stable and gave kids pony rides on his horse, Pet. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a 4-H member. Mick and his wife, Virginia, have two sons, Mike and Scott. The family established Colvin Angus Farm in 1969 on 300 acres in West Salem, Ohio. Their son Scott and granddaughter, Caitlyn, assist with operations there. In 1994, son Mike and his wife, Mary Ferguson, purchased breeding stock from the family herd to establish Wolf Creek Angus Ranch in Luray, Kansas.

Mick Colvin’s livestock industry leadership spans 55 years, beginning with his family’s dairy farm and management of Penn State’s hog barn. Mick is a 1960 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry. As a member of the PSU Livestock Judging Team, Mick placed first in three contests. He was an active member of the Block and Bridle Club and served as Little International show manager. While at Penn State his professor and judging team coach, Herman Purdy, led him to a career in the purebred Angus business. In just three years, Colvin was at the top of his game, earning the John B. Brown Herdsman of the Year award. He went on to become farm manager of Longleaf Plantation and Mole Hill Farm and then became a regional manager for the American Angus Association.

In 1977, Colvin was selected to lead the Association’s newly formed Certified Angus Beef Program. Colvin channeled his determination and tenacity into developing a brand to supply high-quality beef to the food industry and ultimately consumers. He set the first “certification” procedures with USDA; licensed packers, retailers, distributors and restaurants; then focused on growing sales. The first million pounds of Certified Angus Beef ® product were sold in 22 months. Exponential growth continued during Mick’s 22 years as executive director, reaching nearly 500 million pounds per year when he retired in 1999. In 2009, 663 million pounds were sold by more than 15,100 licensed businesses in the United States and 46 other countries. An estimated 3.5 billion (3 ounce) servings are consumed annually, generating more than $2.7 billion in consumer sales.

Mick’s honors and affiliations are truly too numerous to mention. In addition to membership in essentially all the major cattle organizations, an abbreviated listing includes: the 2009 Meat Industry Hall of Fame, Inductee, Inaugural Class; 2004 Beef Top 40 Inductee; 2001 Ladd Hitch Award Winner, Beef Today; 2000 Vision Award “Beef Innovator of the Year,” Regional Winner, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association ; 2000

(Continued on page 5)

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Tammy Weaver handed the role of PLA President over to

Brian.Kreider at the Annual meeting held following the Opening

Ceremony at the 2010 KILE. PLA owes a debt of gratitude to Tammy

for her three years of leadership. Although Tammy is no longer the

President, she will remain active in the organization and has as-

sumed the office of Treasurer.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello to everyone,

As your new president of PLA, this is going to be a new experience

for me and I will take any suggestions or comments you have to

offer. With that being said, I hope everyone had a wonderful

Thanksgiving. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for. We are

coming away from a pretty successful KILE show considering

everything that is going on with budgets and things. Thank you to

everyone who participated and volunteered their time. Also this

means we are coming to the end of another year. My sons turned

another year older. Where does the time go? I didn’t realize how

fast time goes until I had kids of my own but it sure is great. The

winter is coming upon us which means everyone is getting ready

for Christmas. After the holidays, think about Farm Show. It will

be here before we know it. Don’t forget to help out with

the food booth. I hope everyone has a great Holiday Season with

family and friends.

Thanks,

Brian

PLA OFFICERS

2010-11

President: Brian Kreider 14 Eastfield Drive Lebanon, PA 17402 717-274-9206

First Vice-President: Ronald C. Miller 612 Skyline Road Bernville, PA 19506 Secretary: Harold Harpster 324 Henning Building University Park, PA 16802 814-863-0734 Treasurer: Tammy Weaver 22 Camp Rogers Road Ephrata, PA 17522 717-721-3366

Executive Secretary: Lois Rankin 77 South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA 17362 717-225-5960 Email: lsrankin@comcast.net KILE Show Manager James Sharp Farm Show Complex 2300 N. Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-787-2905 KILE Promotions Manager Dave McElhaney 149 Pittsburgh Grade Rd. Hookstown, PA 15050 724-573-9043

PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW

January 8-15, 2011

(Food Booth Volunteers: Please bring a clean baseball

type cap with you to wear in the booth. We have a

limited supply and they are shared.)

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2010 KILE SCHOLARHIPS AWARDED

The Pennsylvania Livestock Association presented educational scholarships to two outstanding young individuals at the

Keystone Livestock Exposition on September 30, 2010. PLA President Tammy Weaver made the presentations at the

opening ceremony of the 54th anniversary of the show. Each of the recipients filled out a detailed application, including

academic transcripts and personal references as well as a narrative about their livestock involvement. They were

chosen on the basis of outstanding leadership skills, a keen interest in the livestock industry and an involvement in KILE

and support of PLA, among other traits.

JEREMY MOCK

The son of Jack and Peggy Mock, Jeremy Mock is a student at Butler Jr. College in Kansas and hails from Williamsburg

in Blair County. He was the recipient of the Outstanding 4-H Youth Award at the 2007 KILE. A graduate of Williamsburg

High School, Jeremy is pursuing a degree in Ag Business at a four year college. His career goal is to be a certified

Embryologist and H.I. Technician. Jeremy’s served on the Student Council in high school and was the recipient of the

Distinguished Graduate Award. At Butler he participates in Livestock Judging and as an Ag Ambassador. Jeremy is a

former Boy Scout achieving the Arrow of Light level and played Little League Baseball. As a 4-H member, Jeremy has

an outstanding resume showing goats, sheep, swine and beef locally, at KILE, the PA Farm Show, and National Shows

including the National Jr. Swine Association Show in Louisville and the North American International Expo. He had the

champion junior carcass swine at KILE in 2005 and 2007 and the Grand Champion goat at the 2009 Farm Show. He

also received the FFA Keystone Award that same year. Additionally, Jeremy used his leadership skills in the many

offices he held in his 4-H Clubs.

STEPHANIE STAHL

Stephanie Stahl, the daughter of Pamela Stahl of Rockwood in Somerset County is a freshman at the Fayette Campus of

Penn State University. She is pursuing a degree in Animal Sciences with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. Stephanie

has volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, at the Children’s Aide Home and at the Somerset County Relay 4

Life. Active in both 4-H and FFA, she has held offices and leadership positions in both. In school, she was a member of

the band, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and played softball and soccer. In addition to livestock

projects, Stephanie has shown dairy cows locally and at the PA Farm Show. In 2008, she was chosen as a PA delegate

for the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

(This is the first in what is hoped to be a series highlighting former youth who have been recognized by PLA. Continue to send your updates to lsrankin@comcast.net. This issue begins with the respondents from the earliest awards.)

Christiana Graver was the 2002 recipient of the KILE 4-H Youth Award. She is currently a Junior at Penn State majoring in Animal Sciences, Business Option, with a minor in Leadership & Development. At Penn State, Christi is established in many clubs and organizations on "Ag Hill" including: Block & Bridle, Collegiate Cattlewomen, Dairy Science Club, and Delta Theta Sigma, where she holds office positions in each club/organization. She also works at PSU's Swine Research

Center. This past summer Christi had an internship towards her minor as the Summer Assistant at Penn State's Cooperative Extension in Carbon County. In that position she held a Summer Recreation program for kids ("No Farming No Food, Know Farming Know Food"), assisted with poultry vaccination and blood testing, became a Certified Horse Measurer, and helped 4--H youth at the Carbon County Fair, to name a few. The photo is of Christiana and the Carbon County Extension staff.

(Continued on page 6)

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2010 KILE OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARDS

Youth Awards were presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 54rd Keystone International Livestock Exposition

held on September 30, 2010 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Selected from a field of candidates submitted by

county extension personnel and vocational agriculture teachers throughout the Commonwealth, awards are presented to

outstanding 4-H and FFA youth. This year’s 4-H winners are Rachael Kirkhoff and Freddy Frey. FFA winners are Emily

Benner and Benjamin Shughart.

RACHAEL KIRKHOFF

Rachael Kirkhoff of Bernville in Berks County, is the daughter of Dean and Audrey Kirkhoff. A 2010 graduate of

Tulpehocken High School, she is a student at Delaware Valley College where her plans are to attain a bachelor’s degree

in large animal science concentrating in the areas of animal nutrition and genetics and with a minor in agribusiness.

Rachael’s career path is to obtain a position working in the beef industry, and to own a small beef operation.

The Kirkhoff family raised a small herd of beef steers and from an early age, Rachael delighted in helping to feed

the calves anxiously awaiting her eighth birthday so that she could raise her own steers and be a member of a 4-H Beef

Club. Rachael was active in both the Berks County 4-H Beef and Dairy Beef Clubs where she served in various offices,

leadership and support positions. She has also been a member of the Berk’s County Livestock Judging and Stockman’s

Teams. 4-H community service activities have also been a big part of Rachael’s life.

Rachael was an active member of the Tulpehocken FFA chapter through high school holding the position of FFA

President for two years. Other school activities included concert and marching bands, National Honor Society and

lettering in tennis. She uses her musical talent in church by playing her flute for choir and special events. Active in her

church, she volunteers at the Food Pantry and servings meals to the needy.

In recommending Rachael for the Outstanding 4-H Youth Award, her Beef Club leader says that in her nine years in

4-H she demonstrated an outstanding drive in the exhibition of animals as well as a deep sense of commitment to

community service projects. She has a desire to pass these skills on to younger 4-Hers. Of her 4-H experience Rachael

says it has ignited a passion to learn and grow in the field of agriculture, more specifically, animal science.

FREDERICK “FREDDY” FREY II

A senior at Solanco High School, Freddy Frey is the son of Fritz and Nancy Frey of Quarryville in Lancaster County.

Following graduation, Freddy plans to become a diesel mechanic and have a big cattle ranch. He also sees a family in

his future. Freddy follows in the footsteps of his sister Katrina who was the 2007 4-H Youth Award winner.

From the two cows that started his 4-H career, Freddy has increased his herd to 15 cows. He started to sell some

of his calves and buy cattle to improve his herd. He plans to continue to improve his herd with the goal of having a

cattle ranch.

Freddy has been an active member of Lancaster County’s 4-H Livestock program for nine years holding offices in

the Red Rose 4-H Beef Club. He is also a member of the Woolies Club serving as the Social Chairman and the Solanco

Community Club. As a member of the Livestock Judging Team, Freddy proved himself to be a capable livestock judge

while enhancing his decision-making and speaking skills. He has shown his cattle at local, state, and regional shows as

well as at National Junior Angus Shows. Freddy’s participation in KILE began when he participated in the Pedal Tractor

pulls and from there, he went on to showing cattle at the show.

While at Solanco High, Freddy played basketball, baseball, football and wrestling, and was part of the school band.

As an FFA member, he received the Star Green Hand award, Chapter Farmer and Star Red Rose degrees. In addition to

his beef breeding, he also raised market goats as part of his FFA project.

In his community, Freddy is active in the Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethern helping to deliver food to the

needy. He has donated part of the money received from his steer projects to the local fire department, volunteers with

cleanup at the Solanco Fair and with stalling at the PA Farm Show.

Organization and responsibility are two of the traits that Freddy credits 4-H with instilling in him. Record keeping

helps him to keep track of what he has done and proper feeding of steers helps him to create a market for freezer beef.

(Continued on page 6)

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Headliner of the Year, Livestock Publications’ Council; 1999 Industry Influential, Meat Marketing & Technology; 1997 Trailblazer Award for innovative product or service, North Central Business Journal; 1994 Inductee, Angus Heritage Foundation; 1992 Ohio Department of Development Award for leading Ohio’s agri-business industry through CAB; the 1985 Distinguished Alumni Award for the Penn State University Department of Dairy and Animal Science; and recognition as a 2010 Outstanding Alumnus by Penn State’s College of Ag Sciences.

Last year Mick received what is widely considered as the ultimate recognition for a livestock person when he was inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1903, the tradition of honoring the significant, historical, and influential leaders of the livestock industry continues every November during the North American International Livestock Exposition. Each year during the show, another industry leader is selected by his peers to be inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Club portrait collection. The portrait is revealed and hung with a time-honored ceremony reflecting the traditions of artistic quality and great sentimental and historical value.

The Pennsylvania Livestock Association is proud to recognize Mr. Louis M. “Mick” Colvin for his many contributions to the Pennsylvania livestock industries.

(Due to a prior commitment, Mick was unable to attend KILE so the award was presented to him when he visited Penn State in November. See photo on page 1—Harold Harpster presents award to Mick Colvin.)

(Continued from page 1)

NOTES FROM KILE FARM CITY DAY—More than 800 elementary students in first through third grade from schools in Cumberland and Dalphin counties participated in the Ag City Day. Deputy Secretary of Ag, Doug Kilgore, welcomed the group. They then participated in educational events from thirty vendors and toured the exhibits at KILE.

KEYSTONE CLASSIC BBQ—Hawg’s Gone Smokin’ and 3 Dumb Dutchmen barbeque teams took home top honors in the Keystone Classic Barbeque Competition, held Friday, October 1. The “Hawgs” of Phoenixville, Chester County, won the 3rd annual PA Preferred Best Burger Cook-off with their cheddar bacon burger. The “Dutchmen” barbeque team of Reading, Berks County, took home top honors in the Seltzer Smokehouse Meats contest with a smoky bacon and bologna spread on bread. Each winning team received $200 and a trophy for their efforts. COLLEGIATE AND JR LIVESTOCK JUDGING CONTEST—The University of Missouri and the Kentucky 4-H teams swept the competition in the Intercollegiate and Junior Livestock Judging contests. Erin Mohler of the University of MO was high individual of the collegiate contest with a total of 932 points. Laura Elmore, from North Carolina, won the junior contest with a total of 823 points. Eighty-eight college students and 4-H and FFA members competed in the contest on Saturday. They placed 12 classes including five cattle, four swine and three sheep. ADM Alliance Nutrition joined PLA in sponsoring the contest. TONY DOBROSKY STOCKMAN’S CONTEST—For the eighth consecutive year, a North Carolina team took first place at the Stockman’s Contest held Friday. More Than 300 4-H and FFA members competed in the contest. North Carolina’s Taylor Joyner was named ‘Stockman of the Year’.

KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL

LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION

SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER23, 2011

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EMILY BENNER

Emily Benner is a graduate of Juniata High School where she was a member of the Juniata FFA, A daughter of Fred

and Kim Benner of Mifflintown in Juniata County, Emily is currently a student at Penn State University, Mont Alto

campus. Following graduating with a degree in Animal Science, Emily plans to attend vet school. Her career goal is to

work at a veterinarian office close to her home and own a farm, raising Simmental and Shorthorn cattle.

Emily’s FFA focus is on Beef production. Along with her parents, Emily has helped to increase their beef herd from

one Simmental heifer to over seventy cattle. Emily had an interest in showing cattle, but there wasn’t a 4-H livestock

club in her area. Not to be deterred, the Benners started a club. Starting out showing locally, Emily soon branched out

to state and national shows including KILE and the PA Farm Show. This past summer she went to her first Shorthorn

Junior National Show.

Emily’s leadership skills are evident in the offices she has held in 4-H and her many other activities including the

Dale Carnegie Class for Effective Speakers, and participation for many years in the local Farm City event. She has done

spots on the local radio station promoting the youth fair, attended National 4-H Days in Washington DC for two years

and attended 4-H camp as both a camper and as a counselor.

In addition to FFA, Emily was very active in her school, playing field hockey, participating in marching and concert

bands, Yearbook staff, National Honor Society, and class plays to name a few. She is a member of the PA and American

Junior Shorthorn Association, and PA and American Junior Simmental Association. She has sold her heifers throughout

the state including at the PA Beef Expo and KILE and has had bulls on the PA Bull Test.

Emily credits 4-H and FFA with steering her toward a career as a veterinarian. Following in her own vet’s footsteps,

she hopes to help young 4-Hers keep their animals as healthy as her vet did for her.

BENJAMIN SHUGHART

A son of Robert and Deborah Shughart of Carlisle in Cumberland County, Benjamin Shughart is deferring entering

college this year to serve as the State FFA Chaplain. A graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, Ben was a member

of the Cumberland Valley FFA. Following this year, he will be attending Ohio State University to major in animal science

with a minor in agronomy. Following college, Ben hopes to be a full time farmer, but knows this is difficult in today’s

economy so he plans to also work as a beef and sheep nutritionist. Through this work he will be able to interact with

others in the industry to share knowledge about keeping animals in top condition and also use that knowledge to

improve his personal flock of sheep.

On his way to becoming State FFA Chaplain, Ben held the offices of vice president, secretary and reporter of his

local FFA chapter. According to his FFA teacher, Ben is a traditional Agriculture student keeping a balance between

agriculture studies and FFA. In addition to his Shropshire breeding sheep, Ben is a staunch promoter of the Hog Island

sheep breed, a wool breed. He shows both his Shropshire and crossbred market lambs locally, at KILE and the PA Farm

Show. As a 4-H member, Ben has encouraged members of his club to diversify and find other rare breeds to raise. He

has participated in the Stockman’s contest at KILE and finished ninth individual last year. His record books for FFA have

earned him gold and silver awards at the state level.

Ben has relied almost entirely on himself for his sheep enterprise. He pastures his sheep on borrowed land, and

has had to buy equipment and other resources since his family doesn’t have a farm. His responsibility to the landowner

is to take care of and manage the land to the best of his ability. When there is a task that requires an extra hand, he

can count on his parents and other FFA members to help.

(Continued from page 4)

Nathan Tice earned the 4-H Youth Award in 2003. He is currently working for Sullivan Cattle Company in Dunlap, Iowa as show barn manager. His job involves breaking calves, rinsing and blowing calves daily, and doing all the prep work for shows, as well as the fitting for shows. He also does all the entries for the shows, and hires extra help as needed. Their show string includes about 30 head and they travel to major shows like Denver, NAILE, etc. Nathan’s mom says, “The bad part about his job (at least for mom) is that he rarely gets to PA. Nathan houses his Shorthorn cattle with long-time

friend Tim Schaeffer in Indiana, where they recently held their annual Pasture Sale.

(Continued from page 3)

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SPOTLIGHT ON HORSES

In 2010 the horse world across the country followed a trend of decreasing

enrollment in breed association memberships, breed association horse

registration and transfers, and a drop of participation in horse shows and

events (as reported at the Nov 13, 2010 PA Equine Council Issues Forum by

representatives of breed associations and equine industry representatives).

The decline was random and did not appear to be in one specific breed or in

one area of the country. It appears that those who can afford to exhibit and

purchase horses are still doing so, but the middle class horse owners have

had to adjust expenditures within their life style, affecting their ability to

continue as they previously did in participating at horse events. This

participation trend creates problems and challenges for organizations

conducting horse events. Many associations are attempting to provide more

localized shows and consolidate the number of shows per year that are

available for horse exhibitors to participate in.

The 2010 participation of horse exhibitors at KILE, followed the trend occurring across the nation. The horse

numbers were down in some breeds and remained somewhat stable in other breeds. Returning horse breeds

participating at KILE this year were the Belgian, Clydesdale, Haflinger, Paso Fino, Percheron and Shire. On the average

there were 16 less horses shown in each breed as compared to horses shown in the 2009 KILE. Therefore, the KILE did

experience a drop in horse entries per breed, but compared to other horse events across the nation the drop was not as

great.

In 2010 KILE welcomed the participation of the American Paint Horse Association Breed, replacing the American

Quarter Horse Breed Show. The representatives from the PA Paint Association provided support for the operation of

their show by providing a ringmaster and announcer along with ring crew. This breed association is anticipating and

excited about increasing participation in KILE 2011.

KILE accommodates seven different breed associations and the hitch classes all within a period of five days. This

requires careful planning for stalling and manure removal in existing stalls to open the stalling availability for the next

breed arriving. All of the volunteers who contribute in the planning and operations of the various horse breed shows

should be commended and appreciated. The hours are long and tedious, but the rewards are amazing. If you have not

had the chance to witness the versatility of the Haflingers, the dancing beats of the Paso Finos, the variety of the Paint

Horse’s colored coat or the astounding thunder of the draft horse then you are missing the chance of a lifetime. Place in

your plans a visit to the Horse Events during the 2011 KILE and witness some extraordinary equine.

“2010 Manure Expo: Balancing Production and Conservation” (Inadvertently missed from the Fall Edition of RR & KT)

2010 Manure Expo a Complete Success

The 2010 Manure Expo was held at the Penn State Ag Progress Days facilities on July 15, 2010. An estimated 1,250 people attended the Expo. These attendees were livestock producers and those in livestock support industries – particularly the manure and nutrient management sectors within these industries. The Expo combines educational opportunities with technology displays and demonstrations. Attendees visited with up to 58 exhibitors and viewed 22 different equipment demonstrations. A menu of 22 educational topics allowed people to choose topics that pertained to their business. Presenters came from nine different states and Washington DC. This national event has traditionally been held in the Midwest and came to the East and Mid-Atlantic areas for the first time. Next year the Expo moves to Nebraska and then to Wisconsin in 2012.

The Expo was preceded by the Chesapeake Manure Summit on July 14, 2010. By invitation, 60 decision-makers that help to shape agriculture’s environmental policies from state, regional and national agencies attended the Summit. It was a unique opportunity to bring people who may not normally communicate together to discuss the future of manure and nutrient management.

By all accounts the events were complete successes. To learn more visit the Expo website. http://das.psu.edu/manure-expo

Robb Meinen, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State Department of Dairy & Animal Science

Windermere Farms, Spring Mills, Pa., drove their Percheron team to the top of the 6-Horse Hitch at the 2010 KILE.

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Pennsylvania Livestock Assn C/o Lois Rankin 77 South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA 17362-8565

December 16: Winter meeting of PLA Board of Directors, Farm Show Complex

January 8-15, 2011: Pennsylvania Farm Show, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA

September 24– October 2, 2011: 2011 KILE, Farm Show Complex

(Send your information for inclusion in the Calendar of Events)

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS