ASA and IGS Represented at the Annual BIF Symposium
by Lilly Platts
More than 400 beef producers, academics, and industry representatives attended the Beef Improvement Federation’s 57th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Amarillo, Texas.
BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation. The American Simmental Association and SimGenetics were well represented at the 2025 event, with highlights including the Seedstock Producer of the Year and the Pioneer Award.
Editor’s note: Honoree bios courtesy of BIF.
River Creek Farms Named BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized River Creek Farms, Manhattan, Kansas, as the 2025 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year on June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Amarillo, Texas. This national award recognizes a producer’s dedication to improving the beef industry at the seedstock level.
River Creek Farms is a family-owned seedstock business in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Established in 1890, the farm has deep agricultural roots spanning multiple generations and a reputation for producing highquality SimAngus genetics built to work in real-world conditions. The registered cow herd was founded in 1970 by Joe Mertz and utilizes some of the first Simmental genetics imported into the US. Soon after, River Creek Farms became an early member of the American Simmental Association (ASA). Today, the operation is managed by Joe and his son, Abram.
The current cow herd consists of 800 cow-calf pairs, including 500 registered Simmental and SimAngus cows and 300 commercial recipients dedicated to the embryo transfer (ET) program. Crossbreeding is a key focus to enhance hybrid vigor while complementing the predominantly Angus-based cow herds of their customers. Advanced reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination (AI) and ET, play a crucial role in accelerating genetic progress, with hundreds of embryos transferred annually. Each year, River Creek Farms markets 200 Simmental and SimAngus bulls, with most selling at the annual spring bull sale the second Wednesday in February.
The Mertz family was in attendance to accept their award. “BIF aligns so directly with the type of cattle and the impact we want to have as seedstock producers on the industry. To be recognized by that group of breeders, scientists and industry leaders was neat,” Abram shared. “We were very honored, and humbled,” Joe added.
Angie Denton (left) of Drovers (sponsor) presents the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year award. Accepting the award are (L–R) Dani, Abram, Joe, and Kim Mertz. At right is Dr. Gordon Jones, BIF President.
River Creek Farms operates in an area that has historically been dominated by Angus genetics. This environment can present challenges, but the Mertz family has viewed this as an opportunity to create and expand upon an entirely new market. Abraham shared, “Around Manhattan, Kansas, you have one of the more dense populations of Angus cattle in the country. There was a lot of interest in Angus genetics and not a lot in SimAngus, so back around 2005 we started working to produce a more palatable cross for this Angus cow base. We’ve seen a lot of success with that.”
Joe explained that by studying the needs of their commercial customers, they have identified the traits that can be improved upon by adding Simmental genetics. “We’ve used Angus genetics to create a product that is very similar to a purebred Angus bull, but has all of the hybrid vigor and crossbreeding our commercial customers need,” he said.
Throughout the creation of the River Creek program, the Mertz family has maintained a focus on essential traits like calving ease and disposition, while also working to improve carcass and other performance traits.
In addition to the seedstock program, the Mertz family farms 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and select cover crops. Abram and Dani Mertz own and operate LivestockDirect, a seedstock marketing business that helps more than 400 seedstock producers market their bull sales annually. Brand visibility and increased communication have been a core focus at River Creek Farms — their website, sale catalog, and other materials include helpful information about the numbers and science behind SimAngus cattle.
The family’s 36th bull sale will be held in February of 2026.
Dr. Wade Shafer Receives BIF Pioneer Award
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Wade Shafer, PhD, of Bozeman, Montana, the BIF Pioneer Award June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Amarillo, Texas. The Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle and honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.
Shafer joined the American Simmental Association in 2003 and brought with him a PhD from Colorado State University and practical experience building economic selection indexes for his own herd. He led the development of two whole-life-cycle indexes, launched a wholeherd reporting system, and transitioned ASA’s genetic evaluation into the genomic era. In 2010, Shafer cofounded International Genetic Solutions, which now includes more than 23 million animals from 23 breed organizations — the largest genetic evaluation system in the world.
Dr. Wade Shafer receiving the 2025 BIF Pioneer Award. Pictured with Dr. Shafer is Dr. Gordon Jones, BIF President.
Throughout his career, Shafer’s focus has always been on improving genetics across the entire beef industry. He served as Executive Vice President of ASA beginning in 2013 and guided significant growth while prioritizing service to commercial cattle producers. He defended independent genetic evaluation during a patent challenge and maintained the integrity of expected progeny differences (EPD) and indexes. Shafer’s leadership and vision have been widely praised by industry peers, who describe him as humble, principled, and driven by service to the beef industry.
BIF President, Outgoing President, and Industry Collaborators
Dr. Gordon Jones completed his term as BIF President. His family’s Red Hill Farms raises Simmental, SimAngus, Red Angus, Charolais, and Angus cattle, in addition to purebred sows and row crops. The Jones family was recognized as the 2024 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year. Longtime Simmental breeder and promoter Gordon Hodges became BIF President. Hodges has served on the American Simmental Association Board of Trustees, and spent many years working in the SimGenetics seedstock business.
The Association is also well-represented on the BIF Board of Directors. Dr. Ryan Boldt, International Genetic Solutions lead geneticist; Dr. Ken Odde, Director of ASA’s SimSpecialist and Feeder Profit Calculator Programs Director; and Jon Irvine, Irvine Ranch, will be representing the Simmental breed over the next year. Bruce Holmquist, General Manager of the Canadian Simmental Association, will also serve on the BIF Board.
The 2025–2026 Beef Improvement Federation Board of Directors.
