MANHATTAN Richard Dick Janssen of Ellsworth was named the 2017 Kansas Stockman of the Year during the 47th annual Stockmens Dinner in Manhattan.

Industry friends recognized Janssen for his contributions to the beef industry, and speakers described him as a visionary and an accomplished cattleman.

He is one of the most courageous and daring genetic engineers on the planet, said fellow Angus breeder Mary Ferguson.

Dan Moser, president of Angus Genetics Inc., said Janssen is making the investment in new technology and seeing the benefits and costs with his own eyes, with his own cattle and his own checkbook. Dick has positioned his business and those of his customers to take maximum benefit of these new tools.

Janssen started raising and showing his own Angus cattle in 4-H when he was 11, and hes been involved in the registered Angus business ever since. A 1964 graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in animal science, Janssen returned home and joined in a partnership with his brother, Arlo.

They farmed 1,200 acres of wheat, milo and alfalfa and managed their Angus herd. They also custom-fit and showed cattle nationwide. In 1969, Arlo transitioned to fitting and showing cattle full-time while Richard stayed in Kansas to manage his division of Green Garden Angus and farming.

In 1974, he married Shelly and they continued to expand their cattle operation, which now has 350 head. The couple had two children, Ben and Elizabeth.

In 1989, John Brethour, beef cattle scientist at K-States Ag Research Center-Hays, used the Green Garden herd to perfect ultrasound measurements of cattle.

In 2000, they were one of the first herds to use GeneStar DNA mapping and today they are using 50K DNA testing for yearling bulls and heifers.

In 2010, the Janssens sent their bulls to Hays Development Center in Diagonal, Iowa, to be evaluated for average daily gain, dry-matter intake, feed-to-gain and residual feed intake.

They used the testing station for three years and in 2013 they installed their own GrowSafe feed intake system so they can test all of their yearling bulls and heifers at home.

Janssen also served as Kansas Angus Association president in 1980, served two terms as an American Angus Association director and was the 1989-90 president. He also was chairman of the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) board of directors from 1988-89.

In 2000, Richard, Shelly, Ben and Elizabeth formed a limited family partnership, and since 2010 Ben, Elizabeth and their spouses have been running the operation, with Richard and Shelly acting as advisers.

The Stockman of the Year Award is presented annually by the Livestock and Meat Industry Council.

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Genetic Engineering - Hutchinson News