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Joe Reznicek dedicated his career to the production of high-quality genetics in Angus and Brangus cattle. Reznicek received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Reznicek joined Cow Creek Ranch in 1985, in 1994 he became managing partner, and in 1999 he purchased the operation in its entirety. Reznicek led Cow Creek Ranch to a nationally recognized producer of seedstock for the beef cattle industry. In 1999, Joe Reznicek was named “Brangus Breeder of the Year” by the International Brangus Breeders Association. He was active in local and civic activities and served two terms on the American Angus Association Board of Directors.
Joe served as an IJBBA Youth Advisor (now referred to as IBBA Youth Advisory Committee) for multiple terms. He had a deep passion for youth development and leadership and touched the lives of countless junior Brangus breeders. Joe was a supporter of, and mentor to, many young people in the cattle industry and beyond. In 1993 Cow Creek Ranch began developing and breeding Ultrablack® cattle (Brangus x Angus) and actively began marketing them in 1996. Cow Creek Ranch trademarked the Ultrablack name in 1998. In 2005, Cow Creek Ranch sold the Ultrablack trademark to the International Brangus Breeders Association. In January 2010, Cow Creek Ranch owner, Joe Reznicek, lost his life to lymphoma cancer. At the time of Joe’s passing, Cow Creek Ranch was the largest registrar of registered Brangus and Ultrablack in the U.S. and was recognized by the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA) as the country’s 22nd largest seedstock operation. |
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The Dean Family established this scholarship in 2013 after the passing of Terry Dean, a long time Brangus breeder. Terry was born September 10, 1957 in Wichita, Kansas to Virgil and JoAnn Dean. Terry spent his childhood in Beaver, Oklahoma where he spent a large amount of time on the Maple YL Ranch working cattle with his dad. He actually attended his first YL roundup on his Shetland pony. Terry married Jeri Lynn Mehler of Meade, Kansas in June of 1980. The couple welcomed son Tyler in 1983 and daughter Tessa in 1986. In 1983, Terry and his father began raising registered Brangus cattle. Terry traveled countless miles hauling Tyler and Tessa to regional, state and national Brangus shows. Whether it was showing cattle or basketball, Terry was devoted to whatever his children pursued. In May of 2003, Terry returned to Beaver County to pursue his lifelong dream, managing the Maple YL Ranch. The family moved back to the ranch where Terry managed the daily ranch operations. Terry thoroughly enjoyed every day he was able to saddle his horse and ride with friends and family to work on the ranch. When he wasn’t cowboying, Terry loved his time spent behind the wheel of his 1979 Ford pickup with his greyhounds chasing coyotes across Beaver County. Terry enjoyed working hard and PLAYING HARDER! This scholarship is awarded to a deserving individual who exhibits hard work and leadership, two traits which Terry believed were critical to anyone's success. Applicants must submit an IBA Scholarship application in order to be eligible.
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Ken Hughes was born on September 8, 1953 in Emporia, Kansas to Jerry Hughes and Donita Holmes Hughes. He grew up in Hamilton, Kansas and graduate from Hamilton High School in 1971. He attended Garden City Community College where he earned his Associates Degree in Feedlot Management. He worked for several feedlots in western Kansas and then on June 8, 1974, Ken married his high school sweetheart, Jeraldyn Butler. To this union, one child, Amy Elizabeth, was born. Spurred by his love for animal husbandry and the great outdoors, Ken followed his dream and his heart into the cattle industry. After his marriage he worked for 10 years on ranches in Kansas and Oklahoma. Then in 1984 Brinks Brangus moved to Eureka and that is when his love affair with the Brangus breed began. In 1993, Ken followed his beloved cows to Texas where he became Director of Genetics at Camp Cooley Ranch in Franklin. At Camp Cooley, Ken was instrumental in helping develop the Brangus breed into what it is today - a sentiment validated through his recognition as the 2019 IBBA Pioneer Award recipient. In 2012, Ken turned his expertise into his own business, Hughes Cattle Service, which enabled him to continue to consult with Brangus breeders across the country, and build his own herd with Mike Burtin in Eureka, Kansas. The Ken Hughes Memorial Scholarship was established by the Hughes family after his passing in 2019. Applicants must submit an IBA Scholarship application in order to be eligible.
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Back in 1977, the International Brangus Auxiliary was formed thanks to the efforts of 25 amazing women under the leadership of Suzy Graven. Graven attributed the formation of the IBA as starting with a coffee cup. Graven grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska but moved to Texas when her husband accepted a position with Brinks Brangus. Graven quickly fell in love the breed and the “Brangus Family”.
Noticing that there was not a collective effort to promote the breed and education, Ms. Graven went on a mission to begin an auxiliary. She organized an inaugural meeting with 25 women, a couple dozen donuts and a pot of coffee. Those women became the charter members of the International Brangus Auxiliary. Bylaws were adopted and a slate of officers were elected with Graven serving as President. Promotional coffee cups were ordered and the first scholarship drive was held raising $250,000 thanks to the efforts of many breeders including Brinks Brangus, Willow Springs Ranch, and Vineyard Cattle Company. Today, the IBA has distributed over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving Brangus Juniors and continues to lead the charge of promoting the Brangus breed. It is all thanks to Suzy Graven’s idea and a coffee cup. Applicants must complete an IBA Scholarship Application to be eligible. |
