The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
62 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 H istory runs deep in the cattle business. Today's nearly 25,000 American Angus Association members have their Angus predecessors to thank for the breed's well- earned reputation of success. To honor the breed's most long-standing operations, the Association presents Century Awards to recognize herds, their owners and families who have been in continuous production of registered Angus cattle for 100 years or more. This year's Century Awards were presented Nov. 6 during the Association's Awards Recognition Breakfast, hosted as part of the 2014 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show in Kansas City, Mo. Honored this year were Lafin Angus of Kansas and Nebraska and Dahl Angus of South Dakota. Lafin Angus Lafin Angus, residing in Kansas and Nebraska with their family operations, can trace their cattle roots back to 1799. However, their Angus heritage began in 1900, when Eugene B. (E.B.) Lafin purchased the family's frst Angus cattle. Today, the operation remains one of the oldest continuous Angus herds in the United States. Even at the turn of the century, E.B. stressed that his cattle be effcient, exceptional in size and have bred-in performance — a tradition that continues today. He was one of the frst breeders of registered-Angus cattle in Nebraska, and his early dedication to turn the West "black" set the stage for generations committed to the Angus breed. To his name were the following bulls: Louis of View Point 7; Glen Eyrie Black; and Eline's Marshall, son of Earl Marshall. E.B. served as the second president of the Nebraska Angus Association and on the American Angus Association Board of Directors in 1924. Succeeded by son Lewis E. Lafin, the Lafin Angus legacy continued to gain strength. A skilled manager, Lewis guided the herd through the depression-ravaged 1930s, even giving $500 of his own money to keep the Nebraska Angus Association afoat. When the drought-stricken state ran out of feed, Lewis decided to ship the cattle to the northern Flint Hills near Bigelow, Kan., for summer grazing. The cattle were shipped back to Nebraska for wintering; this system continued for nearly 30 years. Like his father, Lewis also served on the American Angus Association Board of Directors from 1935 to 1941. He also served @ E.B. Laflin's mission to turn the West "black" with Angus cattle became a family legacy, earning Laflin Angus, with locations in Kansas and Nebras- ka, the Century Award. Pictured receiving the award are (front row, from left) Ellie, Tate, Barb, Colt and Gus Laflin; (back row, from left) Chris Sankey; Karen Laflin; Sharee Sankey; Lindsay and Cody Sankey; Jeana Hurlbut, holding Bayler Hurlbut; R.D. and Shelie Laflin; Dustin Hurlbut; Allison Manches- ter; Clinton Laflin; Josh Laflin; and Guy Laflin. PHOTOS COURTESY AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION 100 Years & Laflin Angus, Dahl Angus celebrated for a century in the business. by Jena McRell, digital editor, & Paige Nelson, field editor