Pioneer Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Angie Stump Denton, Beef Improvement Federation Communication Coordinator, angiedenton@ksu.edu or 785-562-6197

June 3, 2017

Lemmon Presented BIF Pioneer Award

ATHENS, Ga. – The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized Harvey Lemmon posthumously with a BIF Pioneer Award June 1 during the group’s annual meeting and symposium in Athens, Georgia. The award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle, honoring those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.

Harvey Lemmon was recognized posthumously with the Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award June 1 at the organization’s 49th annual convention in Athens, Georgia. Pictured accepting the award are Harvey’s wife, Nina, Woodbury, Ga.; and David Gazda, American Angus Association regional manager, who presented the award.

Lemmon’s love of livestock began as a youngster growing up in southwest Virginia. When he was 9 years old he purchased his first bred, registered Angus heifer. That heifer went on to have a daughter that was named the 1957 Virginia State Fair Junior Show grand champion and, as Lemmon recalled years later, ignited his fire for the Angus business.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Virginia Tech, he began his career at Millarden Farms as a cattle manager. In 1971, he established his own cattle farm, Lemmon Cattle Enterprises, in Woodbury, Georgia. He was the owner and operator of Lemmon Cattle Enterprises for 46 years until he passed away in January 2017. He is known for producing top-quality cattle that have been sold all over the United States.

“From the beginning, performance testing and the use of performance records to track genetic progress were instrumental in the development of the Lemmon program,” said David Gazda, American Angus Association regional manager. “Over the years, Lemmon consignments would top Georgia bull test stations, while others found their way into many of the major AI (artificial insemination) organizations. As techniques and technology advanced, Harvey recognized the value of artificial insemination and, later, embryo transfer, allowing him the access to the top genetics in the breed and the ability to quickly grow his cow herd by replicating its most productive cows. Carcass ultrasound and, most recently, genomic testing were other tools incorporated by Harvey to ensure his customers were supplied with the most progressive and predictable genetics available in the breed.”

Lemmon served on the American Angus Association board, including a term as president. He was president of the Georgia Angus Association, the Beef Improvement Federation and the Georgia Cattleman’s Association. He also served on the Cattleman’s Beef Board, Georgia Angus Association, AgSouth Farm Credit, Georgia Bull Test Committee and Georgia Beef Board. He served on the board and was chairman of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) and West Georgia Farm Credit. He was a member of the national and Georgia Cattleman’s beef associations and Georgia Farm Bureau.

More than 350 beef producers, academia and industry representatives were in attendance at the BIF’s 49th annual convention. The organization’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.

For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit Beefimprovement.org.

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-leaf-clover logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.

Cutline:
Harvey Lemmon was recognized posthumously with the Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award June 1 at the organization’s 49th annual convention in Athens, Georgia. Pictured accepting the award are Harvey’s wife, Nina, Woodbury, Ga.; and David Gazda, American Angus Association regional manager, who presented the award.