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
January 2015 n ANGUSJournal n 63 35 Keys to Success Industry Involvement & Networking as the ffth president of the Nebraska Angus Association. In 1962, Lewis's sons, Bob and Lew, expanded the operation with Bob buying a ranch near Olsburg, Kan., and Lew staying on the home place near Crab Orchard, Neb. Lew served as president of the Nebraska Angus Association in 1981 and 1982. Today, Barbara Lafin, wife of the late Bob Lafin, still raises Angus cattle at Olsburg. All four of Bob and Barbara's children are active members of the American Angus Association. Lew and wife Virginia and sons raise Angus in Crab Orchard. The Lafin family's ffth generation is raising Angus cattle and the sixth generation has just arrived. They are spread throughout the United States and continue to share a passion for the Angus breed set forth by their ancestors more than 100 years ago. Dahl Angus After more than 100 years, the cow that started it all, Rindahl's Beauty, is still part of Dahl Angus. The cow meant so much to the family that when she died, James Dahl skinned and tanned her hide. Larry Dahl, Dahl Angus current owner and manager, confrms the family still has the hide today. The cattle operation began in 1897, when Peter Dahl purchased 20 bred Angus heifers and brought them home to the ranch in South Dakota. Records do not indicate these heifers were registered. Peter's son, James Dahl, purchased the family's frst registered-Angus cow in 1913, when Rindahl's Beauty — with a bull calf by her side — was hauled to the home place from Iowa by horse and wagon. To this day, her lineage can be traced in the Dahl Angus cow herd. In 1947, Lester Dahl, James' son, took over and continued to grow the operation. Lester was awarded the South Dakota Angus Association's Centennial Angus Herd Award in 1983 for operating an Angus herd 49 years or longer. At the time, Dahl Angus had 70 years in the business. Larry and Rita Dahl began managing the registered herd in 1972. Through the use of artifcial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET), they continued to build the herd using semen from bulls such as Big Bandy and Ankonian Dynamo. Spotting the potential this technology brought to their operation, Larry became an ABS Global representative. He also served as South Dakota Angus Association president in 1992-1993, and Rita served as the frst president of the South Dakota Angus Auxiliary in 1991-1992. Because of their interest in AI, Larry and Rita have had ownership in several top registered-Angus bulls, including Whitestone General Max and Bush's Absolute Power. They also exhibit cattle at the annual South Dakota Angus Breeders' Show and Sale. Larry and Rita's three sons — Shane, Jason and Allan — have all taken interest in the Angus cattle. They have seven grandchildren. With the recent addition of a great-grandson, there are now seven generations of Dahls involved in raising Angus cattle on the original Peter Dahl home place in South Dakota. PHOTO BY SHAUNA ROSE HERMEL @ Larry Dahl (center) of Dahl Angus, Estelline, S.D., accepted the Century Award on behalf of his family, which is now in its seventh generation raising Angus cattle. Presenting the award are American Angus Association CEO Bryce Schumann (left) and 2014 Miss American Angus Catherine Harward. Counting The Century Award recognizes herds and their owners and families who have been in continuous production of registered Angus cattle for 100 years or more.