2002 Continuing Service Award Winner
Galen Fink Receives BIF Continuing Service Award
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) honored Galen Fink, Manhattan, Kan., with the Continuing Service Award at the organization’s 34th annual meeting July 12, 2002, in Omaha, Neb.
Fink was raised on a small diversified farm in southeast Kansas. He realized early he would have to forge his own business if he wanted to remain involved in the beef industry. He began by managing the Kansas State University beef research herd after graduation.
In 1977 Galen and Lori Fink possessed one Angus cow and the determination to develop a respected source for quality beef cattle genetics. Through determination and hard work, their goals have been met and exceeded. Today Fink Beef Genetics is known world wide as a source of outstanding Angus, Charolais and F-1 genetics. Their business incorporates all segments of the beef industry, from conception to consumption, including a heifer development business and ownership of the Little Apple Brewing Co. The Manhattan, Kan., restaurant is a licensee of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).
The Finks have used high-accuracy, proven sires, exclusively through artificial insemination (AI) since 1977. They rely extensively on cooperator herds as recipients for more than 1,000 embryos implanted each year to produce offspring sold private treaty and through their annual production sale. A major component of the Fink program is customer service, including feeder calf sales for their genetics customers, commercial female sales and working relationships with various feedlots and alliances.
Service to the industry has been a priority to Galen. He has served the BIF as vice president and president and played a major role in hosting the 2000 BIF Convention in Wichita, Kan. He has chaired the Kansas Livestock Association Purebred Council and the Kansas Beef Expo and has served as president of the Kansas Angus Association. His industry knowledge and foresight make him a frequent speaker at cattlemen’s events across the country.
The Finks have received numerous honors for their achievements and dedication to the beef industry. They were named the 2000 BIF Outstanding Seedstock Producer. In 2001 they were honored as the Kansas State University Alumni Fellows for the College of Agriculture. And in 2002 they received the Intervet/National Cattlemen’s Foundation Vision Award for Region VII.