Beef Improvement Federation
Hunt Limousin Ranch Named BIF Seedstock Producer of Year
The Beef Improvement Federation ( BIF ) presented Hunt Limousin Ranch , Oxford , Nebraska , the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Award June 2 during the group ’ s annual meeting and symposium in Athens , Georgia . This national award is presented annually to a producer to recognize their dedication to improving the beef industry at the seedstock level .
The Charles Hunt Family operation began in the 1960s after Charlie attended the University of Nebraska . Currently , the 6,500-acre diversified operation consists of dryland and irrigated corn , soybeans , alfalfa , wheat and grassland supporting 300 cows , private-treaty bulls and replacement females .
The goal at Hunt Limousin Ranch is to : “ Conserve the land for the future generations , keep current and knowledgeable on the leading cattle issues , provide high-quality cattle for a fair price , and treat people with honesty and integrity .”
Collecting and utilizing performance records form the backbone of their business . When they started in the purebred Limousin business , the family developed the “ Hunt Herd Manager ” computer program to track breeding data , calf data , cow and sire data , mailing lists , customer purchases and files where they can enter and track expected progeny differences ( EPDs ). The Hunt family believes strongly in total herd reporting and do this through the North American Limousin Foundation ’ s Limousin Inventory Management System ( LIMS ) program .
Through the years , the Hunt family has implemented programs to stay on the cutting-edge of seedstock production . In 1995 , they started a customer buy-back program . In 2000 , when their son Daniel graduated from the University of Nebraska and returned home to the ranch , they expanded their heifer development program , bull sales , embryo transfer work and row-crop farming ventures .
Hunt genetics have been used all over the globe , including Canada , Mexico , Australia and New Zealand . Bulls have been on display at the National Western Stock Show for the past 32 years .
Charlie and his wife , Nancy , have four children , David , Susan , Sally and Daniel ; and nine grandchildren .
More than 350 beef producers , academia and industry representatives were in attendance at the organization ’ s 49th annual convention . BIF ’ s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation . I
The Beef Improvement Federation ( BIF ) is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency , profitability and sustainability of beef production . The organization was initiated almost 70 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle . Continuing the tradition , BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits , from birth weights to carcass traits . Its three-leafclover logo symbolizes the link between industry , extension and research .
Hunt Limousin Ranch , Oxford , Nebraska , was named the 2017 Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year during an awards ceremony June 2 in Athens , Ga . Pictured are ( from left ) Marty Ropp , Normal , Ill ., 2016-2017 BIF president ; with recipients Charlie Hunt , Jenna Hunt and Daniel Hunt ; along with Jay Carlson , BEEF magazine , award sponsor .
12 | AUGUST 2017