The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Continuing Service Awards during the group’s annual research symposium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to the BIF organization. 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 moves BIF forward.
Andra Nelson, Watkindsville Ga.
Nelson earned her master’s in animal breeding and genetics from the University of Georgia (UGA). After completing her master’s, she joined the UGA animal breeding group while continuing her postgraduate work. During this time, Nelson primarily worked with the National Cattle Evaluation, providing research and assisting with genetics evaluation for several breed association across the U.S. and South America. She finished her doctorate at UGA in 1996 and has continued to work with the animal breeding group.
Nelson has worked on projects surrounding cattle genetics that have benefited BIF. As computers and software used in the beef industry have evolved, she has focused on research and
software development that supports beef cattle associations and other collaborators. Her research has incorporated genomic data and includes beef cattle as well as other species. Most recently she has been working on a joint project between UGA and the American Wagyu Association to edit and research production and carcass traits by utilizing performance data, pedigrees and genotypes for implementing single-step genomic evaluation.
Tommy Clark, Culpeper, Va.
Clark attended his first BIF Symposium in the 1990s and has since immersed himself in the organization. He was elected to the BIF board in 2013 and served as president in 2019-2020.
Clark completed his formal education at Germanna Community College before starting a show and sale cattle fitting service. These experiences, combined with 30 years of managing two other purebred cattle operations, paved the way for his involvement and service within BIF.
With a sincere passion for the improvement of cattle, Clark is known to be a beef enthusiast to the bone. He owns a herd of about 200 cow-calf pairs that are primarily purebred Angus and Charolais, but also consists of some commercial cows. While on the BIF board he worked on numerous projects, including standardizing recommendations of policies on genetic defects and how they are handled by breed associations, redefining procedures on collecting feed efficiency data, and developing recommended guidelines on foot and leg scoring processes. Clark has continually dedicated himself to advancing the beef industry and has made several contributions to the BIF organization.
Todd Thrift, Gainesville, Fla.
Continuing Service Award winners have made major contributions to the BIF organization. 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 moves BIF forward.
Thrift has been a frequent attendee and speaker at numerous BIF symposiums. He also was heavily involved in the planning of the 2020 BIF Symposium that was going to be hosted by the University of Florida.
Thrift began his formal education at the University of Kentucky where he obtained a degree in animal science. He earned his master’s in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University and his doctorate in reproductive physiology from Texas A&M University. He now serves as an associate professor at the University of Florida, focusing on cow-calf management, beef cattle nutrition and stocker feedlot management.
Thrift is known for his ability to relate to beef producers of all types and has an exceptional talent for communicating with student and consumers. As a professor, he teaches classes on beef management practices, seedstock management and marketing, beef stocker and feedlot, and beef cow-calf management. He also is a regular speaker at conventions, symposiums and events on a variety of topics within the beef industry. His extension appointment has given him the opportunity to work with the national animal identification system and be a beef quality assurance coordinator. Thrift has dedicated his career to sharing his knowledge of beef cattle management, whether in the classroom or at a speaking event.
Justin Rhinehart from Columbia, Tenn.
Rhinehart has continually dedicated himself to improving cattle across the nation by sharing his knowledge of reproductive physiology. He has presented at the BIF Symposium and is always willing to educate others.
Earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at the University of Tennessee (UT), Rhinehart went on to receive his master’s and doctorate in reproductive physiology from the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University, respectively. He joined the UT Department of Animal Science in 2010 and become assistant dean of UT Extension, guiding agriculture and natural resources and community economic development in 2022. He is currently serving as interim dean of UT Extension.
Rhinehart has worked on various projects surrounding reproductive physiology that have benefited BIF. During his time as an extension specialist, he focused on training producers on applying reproductive management technologies to their operations. His work was critical in the development of the Tennessee Master Beef Producer program, which has since trained more than 16,000 producers. He also has trained hundreds of producers, students and industry professionals at his artificial insemination and ultrasound schools. Rhinehart is committed to helping producers improve their operation, whether big or small, and has continually dedicated himself to improving the cattle of Tennessee and the United States over the past decade.
Joe Mushrush of Strong City, Kan.
Mushrush Red Angus was awarded BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year in 2011. Receiving the award propelled Mushrush’s involvement in BIF. He was elected to the BIF board in 2014 and served as president in 2020-21.
Mushrush graduated from Kansas State University and now owns and operates Mushrush Ranches, an 800-head registered Red Angus operation, along with his family. Mushrush Ranches has placed an emphasis on data collection and utilizes an extensive artificial insemination program. They are committed to total herd reporting and submit data to the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA). They sell 250 bulls and 600 commercial heifers each year and strive to provide their customers with as much data as possible.
Mushrush has served in various positions across the country, from local positions such as the Kansas Livestock Association County Chair to serving as president of RAAA and BIF. He is known to put the same level of commitment into each task and always strives to do what is best for the beef industry as a whole.
Approximately 500 beef producers, academia and industry representatives attended the organization’s 56th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Knoxville. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.
For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFSymposium.com.
