Cattlemen celebrate 50 years

MT. PLEASANT — During their annual banquet, Henry County Cattlemen celebrated 50 years as an organization, named the Cattle Person of the Year, recognized student accomplishments, donated to local schools, and received words of gratitude from scholarship recipients.

The Cattlemen awarded the Cattle Person of the Year Award to Keith Zihlman.

“Our 2023 Cattle person of the year is from Henry County,” Cattleman Craig Grothe began as he presented the award.

“Tells you a lot doesn’t it?” he said as those in the room chuckled. “He has actually lived his entire life in Henry County.”

According to Grothe, Zihlman’s beef career started with 16 heifers hauled home from the old sale barn in an old horse trailer.

“After making multiple trips to and from the sale barn and home, the heifers were happily in their new home around midnight,” Grothe said. “The last trip, as he pulled into the drive way, he was greeted by the sheriff as someone was suspicious of cattle rustling with all the trips with the trailer coming and going and reported to the law our honorary cattleman, who of course, was doing no wrong.”

Grothe continued to tell Zihlman’s journey as a cattleman including details like Zihlman naming his first bull George.

“He, like many of our members, is always ready to help with grilling when we need extra help,” Grothe said. “Helping people is a part of his life.”

According to Grothe, Zihlman actively participates in his church.

Grothe told of Zihlman’s love for farming from a young age.

Zihlman graduated in 1969 from WACO High School. While in school, “he often lobbied his parents to skip school and plant corn,” Grothe said. “And was often successful.”

“He now has a whole lot more cows than when he was 16 and a much nicer truck and trailer than when he started,” Grothe said as he introduced Zihlman “But now, the same as back then, he holds a sincere love for his family, friends, and all of God’s creation, our Cattleman of the year, Keith Zihlman.”

Zihlman wore a large smile as he accept his award. He thanked the Cattlemen then declined to give a speech.

While the Cattlemen honored this lifelong farmer, they also recognized youth that have excelled as cattlemen.

They presented certificates to Kalayna Durr and Kylie Loyd for showing and raising the County Raised Champion Steer. Ethan Graber also received a certificate for raising and showing his Champion Breeding Heifer.

Because Cattlemen believe supporting the next generation is incredibly important, they consistently donate locally to support these up-and-coming young cattlemen.

The Cattlemen donated $400 to each Family and Consumer Science Department in Henry County high schools thanks to the funds raised through their Cattlemen’s grill-out trailer sales.

These funds also support local scholarships awarded by the Cattlemen.

Through letters, two scholarship recipients, Lilly Clark and Lars Smith, their gratitude.

Following graduation from WACO High School, Clark embarked on her journey to study Agriculture Education at Muscatine Community College and Smith began studying Agriculture Production at Blackhawk Community College.

As they have for the last 50 years, Henry County Cattlemen’s Association plans to continue to proudly support beef producers and consumers in this county.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com