Pictured is the 2025-26 AGA Board of Directors. Back row (l to r): David Larson, Clearbrook, Minn.; Zack Butler, Milton, Tenn.; Mark Stock, Waukon, Iowa; John Shearer, Canton, Kan.; Troy Forbes, De Smet, S.D.; Greg “Bubba” Anderson, Marion, N.C.; Gary Carlisle, Redmond, Utah; Justin Taubenheim, Amherst, Neb.; and Josh Phillips, Lathrop, Mo. Front Row (l to r): Brent Overmiller, Smith Center, Kan.; Gregg Hartman, Pueblo, Colo.; Harold Bertz, AGA executive director; Dan Warner, Arapahoe, Neb,; and Stuart Jarvis, Phillipsburg, Kan. Not pictured: Dalton Bennett, Red House, Va., and William McIntosh, Georgetown, Ky.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Members of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) elected five candidates to the board of directors at the AGA Annual Meeting held December 5, 2025, during the 55th Annual AGA National Convention at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

Newly elected board members are Dalton Bennett, Red House, Virginia; Gary Carlisle, Redmont, Utah; and Josh Phillips, Lathrop, Missouri. Re-elected to serve a second term were David Larson, Clearbrook, Minnesota, and Brent Overmiller, Smith Center, Kansas.

The AGA board of directors also elected individuals to serve in leadership positions on the executive committee for 2026. Dan Warner, Arapahoe, Nebraska, was re-elected president. Stuart Jarvis, Phillipsburg, Kansas, was re-elected vice president. Brent Overmiller was re-elected secretary. Gregg Hartman, Pueblo, Colorado, was elected treasurer.

Other members of the board include Greg “Bubba” Anderson, Marion, North Carolina; Zack Butler, Milton, Tennessee; Troy Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota; William McIntosh, Georgetown, Kentucky; John Shearer, Canton, Kansas; Mark Stock, Waukon, Iowa; and Justin Taubenheim, Amherst, Nebraska.

Retiring members of the 2025 AGA board of directors were Mark Covington, Montrose, Colorado; Tom Vehige, Billings, Missouri; and Cory Voss, Bruning, Nebraska.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system. 

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Charles Parks, Ekalaka, Montana, was recognized as the 2025 American Gelbvieh Association Commercial Producer of the Year. Pictured (l to r): Helen Jensen, Charles and Sandy Parks, Gabriel Hall.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Charles Parks of Ekalaka, Montana, was announced as the 2025 American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Commercial Producer of the Year at the 55th Annual National Convention on December 4, 2025, at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parks runs a ranch in eastern Montana that is home to more than 400 Gelbvieh-influenced mother cows. He runs exclusively Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls in the operation and raises his own replacement heifers. The cows are expected to work for a living in the rough country southwest of Ekalaka. Feet and leg structure are critical in his bull selection, as well as a combination of above breed average calving ease and weaning weight EPDs. Phenotype and EPDs are key in his decision-making process. He has been a long-time buyer at the Black Hills Stock Show Gelbvieh and Balancer Sale and private treaty markets his feeder calves. He individually tags, vaccinates, castrates, and brand calves at one to two days of age since it is difficult to find labor to handle the calves when they are older, as he runs the ranch with only his wife, Sandy.

“Charles is a strong believer in the maternal strength and reproductive efficiency of the Gelbvieh female. He needs a cow that will mother a calf right away and breed back efficiently without a lot of extra supplementation,” explained Lori Maude, CJ&L Livestock.

Parks actively serves on the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) board of directors and has leveraged those programs to put in more than 40 miles of pipeline that has improved the over forage use and helped distribute the cattle more efficiently over his property to improve pasture management.

Congratulations to Charles Parks on being named the 2025 AGA Commercial Producer of the Year!

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system. 

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LINCOLN, Neb. — The American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) awarded $6,250 in scholarships to American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) members during the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Awards Banquet during the 55^th Annual AGA National Convention at the Margaritaville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

The AGF’s mission is to secure, grow, and responsibly distribute assets for research, member education, and youth development to sustain and grow Gelbvieh genetics. Each year, the AGF awards scholarships to members of the AGJA, as well as funding youth programs to build the breed’s leaders of tomorrow.

Nowack honored with Earl Buss Memorial Scholarship
Cameron Nowack, Bland, Mo., was awarded the $1,000 Earl Buss Memorial Scholarship.

Nowack is a freshman at Rolla East Central College, majoring in nursing. In the future, she envisions running her family farm with a strong focus on Gelbvieh cattle. She is committed to breeding for characteristics that not only enhance productivity but also prioritize animal welfare. She plans to incorporate balanced nutrition, effective reproductive practices, and proactive disease prevention into her management strategies, to nurture a thriving ecosystem where both the cattle and land flourish.

“In essence, my involvement with Gelbvieh cattle has not only fueled my passion for agriculture but also become a defining aspect of my life. As I look ahead, I am excited about the possibilities of running our family farms, advocating for the Gelbvieh breed, and nurturing a new generation of agricultural enthusiasts. With each step I take, I am determined to create a lasting impact on my community and the world of agriculture, ensuring that my love for Gelbvieh cattle continues to thrive for years to come,” said Nowack.

Leness Hall Memorial Scholarship presented to Pope
The $1,000 Leness Hall Memorial Scholarship was presented to Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Neb.

Jaylea is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, double-majoring in animal science and agricultural communications and pursuing a minor in the Beef Industry Scholars program. She plans to pursue a professional career working with marketing and communications related to the beef industry while continuing to raise Gelbvieh cattle.

“What started as a birth announcement in the Gelbvieh World has transformed into a lifelong passion for the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breeds, said Pope. “My dad had not been raising Gelbvieh cattle for very long before I was born, but I am very grateful that I get a chance to be a part of this great organization and breed association.”

Dunn Receives Jacky Leonhardt Memorial Scholarship
Preston Dunn, St. John, Kan., received the $750 Jacky Leonhardt Memorial Scholarship.

Dunn is a senior at Kansas State University, double-majoring in animal science and agricultural economics. He plans to work in the economic, risk management or trade sector of the beef industry.

“Looking ahead, I’m committed to a future in the beef industry and plan to continue raising registered Gelbvieh cattle,” Dunn said. “I’m especially interested in exploring the intersection of economics, risk management, and genetics in the cattle sector. Where my career path takes me, I know I’ll always return home to continue building and improving my Gelbvieh and Balancer® herd.”

Two AGJA Scholarships presented to deserving juniors
Callie Derossett, Sulphur, Ky., and Gage Swindler, Braymer, Mo., each received a $750 AGJA scholarship.

Derossett is a freshman at the University of Kentucky, majoring in animal science with a career goal of being a large animal veterinarian to serve the food animal producers in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

“Looking ahead, I hope to expand my herd and continue improving genetics through selective breeding and performance tracking. I’m particularly interested in integrating Balancer genetics to enhance carcass quality while retaining maternal strengths,” said Derossett.

Swindler is a freshman at the University of Missouri, majoring in agribusiness management and plans to pursue a career in agriculture. He plans to continue raising Gelbvieh cattle and improving upon the genetics that he has built.

“I really don’t see a future for me that doesn’t involve the Gelbvieh breed in some way,” Swindler said.

Lowe honored with Mary Zillinger Cates Memorial Scholarship
Corbin Lowe, Winfield, Kan., was the recipient of the $500 Mary Zillinger Cates Memorial Scholarship.

Lowe is a freshman at Northern Oklahoma College, majoring in animal science with a pre-veterinary medicine option, and is a member of the livestock judging team. His ultimate goal is to become a bovine embryologist, specializing in improving genetic lines within the Gelbvieh breed.

“I’m proud to represent the Gelbvieh breed and to be a part of a community that values excellence, mentorship, and integrity. I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader, cattleman, and advocate – not just for Gelbvieh cattle, but for the agricultural industry as a whole. No matter where the future takes me, I know Gelbvieh cattle will always be at the center of my story,” said Lowe.

Rea Memorial Scholarship presented to Martin
Lincoln Martin, Bucklin, Kan., was presented the $500 Rea Memorial Scholarship.

Martin is a sophomore at Butler Community College, majoring in agribusiness. He plans to transfer to Kansas State University to double-major in animal science and agribusiness with a career goal to work in sales.

“Adaptability, strength, and the foundation of leadership…all three of these are important to the longevity of the beef industry and the Gelbvieh breed,” said Martin.

Murray receives Patti Kendrick Memorial Scholarship
Braxton Murray is the recipient of the $500 Patti Kendrick Memorial Scholarship.

Murray is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, majoring in finance with a minor in agribusiness. He plans to work in accounting or consulting servicing agricultural businesses in business analysis, accounting, and loan servicing while growing his seedstock operation.

“I plan to find employment off the family operation. Hopefully, helping farmers and ranchers reach their financial goals,” said Murray. “I also plan to maintain my cow herd and continue to be an active breeder and contributor of the AGA with plans of eventually returning to the family farm as a successor.”

AGJA Scholarship awarded to Butterfield
Teagan Butterfield, Atkinson, Neb., was awarded the $500 AGJA Scholarship.

Butterfield is a freshman at Fort Hays State University, majoring in Agricultural Business. Her career goal is to help ranchers be informed about livestock risk protection agencies.

“My future will definitely involve my dream of a Gelbvieh cow herd. This breed has supported me, shaped my goals, my work ethic, and my future. I’m proud to be a part of the Gelbvieh breed and very determined to help it grow. The herd is growing and so is the dream,” Butterfield said.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system. 

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