Express Ranches to Donate 2014 Angus Foundation Heifer
—Katie Allen, Angus Foundation
Express Ranches of Yukon, Okla., will donate the 2014 Angus Foundation Heifer, to sell January 2014 at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. Proceeds from the sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer at the National Western Stock Show will benefit Angus youth, education and research programs.
The chosen female is EXAR Royal Lass 2068 (AAA Registration No. 17160657), born Jan. 8, 2012, and sired by EXAR Upshot 0562B. Royally bred, 2068 is the maternal granddaughter of the now deceased record-setting $263,000 in 2009 calving ease sire EXAR 263C and the dam of BR Midland, BR Royal Lass 7036-19.
Closely related to 2068 is her increasingly popular half-brother EXAR Denver 2002B, sired also by EXAR Upshot 0562B. Denver was the lead bull of Express Ranches’ 2013 Grand Champion Carload of Bulls. With Denver’s one-third semen interest selling for $340,000, a new record total evaluation of $1,020,000 was set for a yearling Angus bull. EXAR Denver’s dam is a EXAR 263C daughter out of a half sister to BR Midland.
The 2014 Angus Foundation Heifer is bred to Sitz Top Game 561X and is due to calve Feb. 13, 2014.
Express Ranches is America’s largest seedstock operation. It sells more than 4,800 head of registered cattle per year. Express Ranches Owner Bob Funk believes in the cattle industry and is an advocate for America’s youth. Funk has supported the Angus Foundation in many ways in the past, including hosting "That Old West Magic" gala and auction for the Angus Foundation in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 2008, which raised more than $345,000 in gross proceeds.
"We at Express Ranches feel it is a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to support Angus youth through the donation of the 2014 Angus Foundation scholarship heifer," Funk says.
Angus Foundation President Milford Jenkins says, as with all Angus Foundation Heifer donors since the inception of the successful fundraising activity in 1980, the Foundation is thankful to Express Ranches as the 2014 donor.
"It’s truly an honor for the Angus Foundation to receive this commitment of a very elite Angus bred-heifer gift from our wonderful friend and longtime supporter Bob Funk of Express Ranches," says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. "Bob’s generous gifts over the years to our organization have enabled us to make a difference in the lives of our Angus youth and members through investments and support of scholarships, education and research. As in years past, we’re very excited about this opportunity to raise money for these worthwhile endeavors for the benefit of our beloved Angus breed, and we will always owe Bob a huge debt of gratitude for making this gift possible."
The sale of the Angus Foundation Heifer supports the Angus Foundation, the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Angus Association® that funds and supports programs involving education, youth and research in the Angus breed and agricultural industry.
For more information about the Angus Foundation Heifer, contact Jenkins at 816-383-5100.
The Angus Foundation was established in 1980 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Angus education, youth and research. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and the programs it supports, call the American Angus Association at 816-383-5100 or go to www.angusfoundation.org.
