Contact:           Roxanne Johnson         303-850-3388       rjohnson@beef.org

                        Joe Schuele                303-850-3360       jschuele@beef.org

NOTE: A photo of the Vision Award winner is available upon request.

Ohio Cattleman Wins Beef Industry Vision Award

DENVER (February 8, 2007) – The 2007 Beef Industry Vision Award, presented by the National Cattlemen's Foundation (NCF), was announced Saturday at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville. Fred H. Johnson of Summitcrest Farms of Summitville, Ohio, is the winner of this prestigious award.

The Vision Award, sponsored by Micro Beef Technologies, recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations in the cattle industry that have incorporated innovation into their operation in an effort to enhance not only their business, but also the industry as a whole.  Nominees were evaluated on the basis of effective use of technology, impact on production costs, ingenuity of implementation, innovative marketing, impact on the industry and optimum resource management.

Nominated by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Summitcrest Farms is one of the largest cattle operations in the country with three locations: Summitville, Ohio, Fremont, Iowa, and Broken Bow, Neb. The total operation includes 17,000 acres with 1,500 Angus cows and 1,200 commercial beef animals. Summitcrest Farms focuses on carcass quality in its breeding program, utilizing cutting-edge technology. This focus was the driving force behind Johnson’s belief that the beef industry must deliver a consistent, high-quality eating experience for consumers. His leadership and vision helped to establish the Certified Angus Beef program. Johnson has served in numerous state, regional and national industry leadership positions. His work with the Cattleman’s Beef Board was just as powerful, serving as its first treasurer and third chairman. Fred and his wife, Betty, have driven innovation while serving as role models in the cattle industry. 

When presenting the Vision Award (a commissioned piece from Western artist Harold Holden of Enid, Okla.), NCF Chairman Bob Josserand said, “Fred Johnson’s leadership has had a profound impact on all segments of our industry. We were very impressed with the finalists for this award and are honored to work beside them. They truly represent the spirit of innovation in our industry.”

The four other finalists for the Vision Award were Thomas P. Gibson, Eastern Livestock Company of New Albany, Ind., Safeway Inc. of Pleasanton, Calif., Myron Williams of Wall, S.D., and the Wyoming CattleWomen, Inc. Each finalist received a plaque and a $1,000 cash award.   

###

The National Cattlemen's Foundation advances the future of the beef industry with passion and urgency for the benefit of consumers and cattlemen.

Micro Beef Technologies is a cutting edge, research and development based, innovator of patented computerized management systems for comprehensive individual animal information collection and management decision-making and has over 35 years experience pioneering information, marketing, health and nutrition systems.