Cattlemen’s Association names Producer of the year

AMES — Iowa Cattlemen’s Association named its 2025 Producer of the Year and 2025 Hall of Fame award winner at its annual convention in mid-December.

Dennis Clarahan, from Keokuk County, was named Producer of the Year, and Beth Doran, retired beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in northwest Iowa, was inducted into ICA’s Hall of Fame.

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Producer of the Year

Dennis Clarahan is the fifth-generation of Clarahans to raise cattle in Keokuk County. Clarahan Farms is located in Harper and is run by Dennis and his wife, Sheryl, along with their two sons, Ryan and Neil.

The operation consists of both cattle and crops. Clarahan Farms earned its Century Farm title in 2023.

Dennis’s family says that he got his start like most rural children, showing cattle in 4-H and FFA. Dennis has fed cattle since he was seven years old, proudly telling anyone who will listen that he has been in the business for over 60 years.

The cattle operation is focused on carcass quality, as apparent by Dennis’s dedication and participation in the ICA annual Carcass Challenge. Starting with an Angus cow base, they use Chianina genetics on the bull side, which has led to high-yielding, high-quality carcass characteristics.

In the application, his family shared that Dennis’s herd has shown continuous improvement over the last several decades in key performance indicators, thanks to sustained selection pressure, careful management, and data-driven decision-making.

These improvements have contributed directly to an increase in the total pounds of beef produced per acre for the operation. By tracking individual performance, monitoring herd health, and maintaining detailed enterprise records, Clarahan Farms has been able to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and continue building a more productive and efficient cow herd.

Dennis is a leader not only within the operation, but within the industry and his community. He served two terms as a district director on the ICA board. He also served two terms with the American Chianina Association and has hosted several tours of the farm as well as freeze branding clinics for local 4-H clubs.

Dennis was recognized as the 2024 Commercial Cattlemen of the Year through the American Chianina Association. Last year, he and Sheryl were recognized for being 40-year members of that association.

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The ICA Producer of the Year nomination must come from another ICA producer member. This year, Bob Noble submitted the nomination and worked with Ryan Clarahan to complete the official nomination form.

They said Dennis is noted for quality bulls and hospitality at his sales. Noble said Dennis has quite the operation and welcomes you right in. Other board members recognize him as a friendly face.

In the nomination form, his family said that Dennis has instilled a love of cattle in his sons and all seven of his grandchildren.

At the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention in December, his granddaughter Reagan shared a few words and spoke of Dennis’ dedication to their family farm.

“Beyond the cattle and the land, my grandpa has also been a teacher and a role model. He has taught our family the value of hard work, perseverance, and how to take pride in what you do. He leads by example, showing us that success isn’t just measured by awards, but by the legacy you leave behind and the people you impact along the way,” said Reagan.

“Grandpa, we are incredibly proud of you. Thank you for everything you’ve taught us, for the lessons you may not even realize you’ve given, and for showing us what it truly means to be a producer.”

Hall of Fame

Beth Doran’s passion for the cattle industry stemmed from 4-H, where she spent nine years as a youth exhibitor at a young age. This is where she began her passion for showing livestock and custom fitting.

According to her brother, Gene Doran, Beth was one of the best showmen.

Beth was also scholastically talented. She has a bachelor’s degree in home economics and one in animal science. She earned her master's degree and doctorate from Oklahoma State in feedlot nutrition.

Beth then took an extension livestock position with Michigan State University where, she says, she learned a lot, particularly about water quality and the impacts of environmental pressures.

Beth attributes much of her success to the numerous mentors she was exposed to throughout her education journey and during the early years of her career.

In 1993, Beth joined ISU Extension and Outreach in a new position — a beef specialist in northwestern Iowa. Originally the position was meant to have a focus on feedlots, Beth said, but having her background of showing and raising cattle on her family’s cow-calf operation, she covered both.

In this role, she served 17 counties and worked directly with beef producers in the industry, supporting them with problem-solving, information, and resources.

Beth not only worked with producers but with the strong ag business industry in the area. She said that Northwest Iowa has a tremendous infrastructure in terms of all the goods and services that support the robust cattle industry in that part of Iowa.

One of Beth’s main contributions in this role revolved around continuous education, and some of her larger accomplishments included planning and executing Iowa’s Feedlot Forum, which is held each winter in the northwest part of the state. She has put on and delivered numerous other courses and learning events for cattle enthusiasts of all ages.

Beth said it was the people with whom she had the opportunity to work with that kept her so passionate about her job. The producer's passion is contagious, she said, and her producers were committed to what they do and how they can keep on the cutting edge.

Beth recently retired after nearly 27 years of serving producers. She is currently working on getting moved back to central Iowa to be closer to Gene and the family farm. She said she’ll remain involved in the industry but in a different way that she’ll need to figure out.

Beth was inducted into the ICA’s Hall of Fame in mid-December. The nomination comes from peers, and for Beth, it came from a group of cattle producers from Northwest Iowa.