Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2014

For more information contact:
Joe Cassady, executive director, Beef Improvement Federation, South Dakota State University; 605-688-5165; www.BIFconference.com; www.beefimprovement.org

For a high-resolution photo of the winner, click here.

Susan Willmon Awarded BIF Continuing Service Award

LINCOLN, Neb. (June 19, 2014) — The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) honored Susan Willmon with the Continuing Service Award during the organization’s 46^th annual meeting and research symposium in Lincoln, Neb., June 18-21, 2014.

Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to BIF efforts. This includes serving on the board of directors, speaking at BIF conventions, working on BIF guidelines, and other behind-the-scenes activities. As BIF is a volunteer organization, it is this contribution of time and passion for the beef cattle industry that keeps BIF moving forward.

Willmon is a native of Northbrook, Ill. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University and a master’s degree in animal breeding at the University of Illinois, studying with Dr. Jim Gibb and Dr. Dan Gianola. 

Willmon spent the early part of her career in the human health software business, but her passion for animal science brought her back to the beef industry. In 2002 she joined Genetic Solutions as manager of customer service. Three years later, Willmon joined the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) as director of breed improvement, where she currently remains. 

During Willmon’s time at the AGA, she has guided the transitions to whole-herd reporting and to genome-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs). More recently she has facilitated the development of a multi-breed stayability EPD and the AGA maternal index.

After two years with AGA, Willmon took on IT management at AGA and has overseen two registry system conversions.

Willmon has played an integral role in BIF, serving on the committee that developed guidelines for teat and udder scoring. For the 2007 annual meeting she served on the organizing committee and co-developed the 2007 BIF video, “A History of Gaining Value from Genetics” that celebrated the 40th anniversary of BIF. She served two terms on the board of directors as a breed association representative, during which time she was part of the BIF strategic-planning team that set the direction for BIF. 

Willmon was presented the BIF Continuing Service Award at a luncheon Thursday, June 19. Also receiving Continuing Service Awards were Larry Kuehn and Warren Snelling, both of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Neb.; and Wade Shafer of the American Simmental Association, Bozeman, Mont.

For more information about the symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of the meeting and tours, visit www.BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit www.beefimprovement.org

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About BIF:

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.

About www.BIFconference.com:

The www.BIFconference.com website is an event coverage site compiled by the Angus Journal staff as a service to its subscribers and the beef industry at large. The Angus Journal’s coverage of this event is made possible through the collaboration of BIF; host organizations including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, and the Nebraska Cattlemen; and LiveAuctions.tv, which provided live-streaming video during the event and video for archival purposes. The Angus Journal encourages reprinting of the articles by those who adhere to the reprint guidelines available on the site.

About Angus Journal:

The Angus Journal is the flagship publication of the American Angus Association and a primary means of communication with its membership. Published 12 times each year, the magazine communicates important information about Association programs and services; reports news from shows, events and sales; and provides production, marketing and management information that seedstock breeders need to be successful. The publication also serves an effective vehicle for producers to use in marketing their herds to other members around the country. Advertisements are offered in a variety of sizes at rates to match most budgets, and a creative staff is available to help design an eye-catching layout.