Leah Meinders of Milan, Indiana was the winner of the IBCA Cattleman of the Year Award for 2026. Leah and her husband Jeff operate Clear Water Simmentals in Ripley County. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association.
It was a big day for the Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA), as the organization held it’s Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 17 at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville.
Congratulations to the following award winners who were recognized by their fellow producers for their dedication to Indiana’s beef industry.
IBCA Cattleman of the Year: Leah Meinders of Milan, Indiana.
Leah and her husband Jeff operate Clear Water Simmentals, a purebred Simmental operation recognized for performance, quality, and practical beef production. Leah’s dedication, innovation, and leadership extend beyond the farm through her involvement in multiple cattle organizations, hosting sales, and creating meaningful connections within the beef community.
Outstanding Young Cattleman Award: Chris Muegge
With a background in ruminant nutrition, Chris has built a progressive beef operation focused on efficiency, sustainability, and education. His commitment to innovation, seedstock production, and industry education along with his service to youth and agricultural organizations continues to move Indiana’s beef industry forward.
Friend of the Beef Industry Award: Greg Beavers
Greg began serving Indiana’s beef industry in August of 1980 with Select Sires and dedicated 43 years to supporting cattlemen and cattlewomen across the state. Known for his honest guidance, deep knowledge of beef production, and genuine passion for the industry, Greg helped improve countless beef herds throughout his career. His leadership and service extend beyond his professional work through decades of involvement with the Indiana Beef Evaluation Program, where he continues to serve in leadership roles even in retirement. Greg’s lifelong commitment to doing what is right for the beef industry and the people within it has made a lasting impact.
Robert C. Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award: Loran Wilson of Orleans, Indiana.
Alongside his wife Kathy, Loran operates Wilson Angus, a family owned operation built on generations of dedication to agriculture. Known for producing high quality freezer beef and breeding stock, Loran’s leadership and service both on the farm and through numerous agricultural organizations have left a lasting legacy rooted in integrity, quality, and family values.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the IBCA membership elected officers for 2026-2027 year.
The new officers selected by the membership included:
President- Dr. David Dixon of Rensselaer
President-Elect- Dr. Ron Lemenager of Lafayette
Vice President- JD Faulk of Worthington
Treasurer- Andrew Stewart of Greensburg,
Immediate Past President- Keegan Poe of Franklin
Prior to the Annual Meeting and Convention, IBCA hosted Area Meetings around the state and one of those meetings included elections for Area Directors to represent that Area on the IBCA/IBC Board of Directors. The Beef producer elected to represent their respective Area include:
Area 5 Director – JD Faulk
Area 7 Director – Dan Chesnut
Area 11 Director – Jacob Pettigrew
Additionally, President Poe announced a number of additional Board Members who would be filling two year long presidential appointed positions on the IBCA/IBC Board, representing different IBCA standing committees or industry segment representatives.
Those presidential appointments include:
Promotions Chair – Lindsay Sankey
HBC Chair – John Blake
IJBCA Rep – Sidney Stinson
Marketing Rep – Gordon Lowry
Service Rep – Andon Boocher
Dairy Rep – Jeff Carter
NCBA Director – Chad Lanum
These newly elected and appointed Directors will join the returning Directors to make up the 2026-2027 IBCA/IBC Board of Directors. The IBCA Board of Directors is made up of a total of 32 volunteer producers who oversee the activities of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association and the Indiana Beef Council.
The board includes 5 elected officers, 10 elected Area Directors, 6 appointed committee chair positions, 8 appointed industry segment representatives as well as 4 additional representatives serving in leadership roles with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the national Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
