Photo caption: The American Gelbvieh Association named Blackhawk Cattle Company, Oregon, Illinois, the AGA Breeder of the year for 2019. Skyler (middle) and Annette Martin (left) were presented the award by Stuart Jarvis, Phillipsburg, Kansas, (right).

Skyler and Annette Martin of Blackhawk Cattle Company, Oregon, Illinois, were honored as the American Gelbvieh Association's (AGA) Breeder of the Year for 2019 during the awards banquet held at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana. Skyler and Annette were present at the AGA awards banquet to accept the award. Stuart Jarvis, Bar Arrow Cattle Co., Phillipsburg, Kansas, presented the Martin couple with the award.  

Blackhawk Cattle Company has been a member of the AGA since 1985. Currently, the operation consists of 130 registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cows and extensively utilizes artificial insemination and embryo transfer. With a focus on quality seedstock and an eye toward the commercial beef industry and the feedyard sector, Blackhawk Cattle Company understands the profit drivers throughout the beef supply chain. 

Skyler's goals for the seedstock operation have always centered on performance and quality from conception to consumption. In fact, Blackhawk Cattle Company has a bid/buy back program to purchase local bull customers' feeder calves. The family's connectivity to the beef industry stretches beyond the seedstock sector. The Martins are also involved in Nordman Feedlots, which is a family business from Annette's side of the family.The Martins, their seven children included, have also seen success at major shows across the country. Showing was their way to get the next generation further involved in the Gelbvieh business.Skyler is a former AGA Board of Directors member and is currently active on the American Gelbvieh Foundation Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail contest committee. He is also a past board member of the Gelbvieh Breeders of Iowa organization.

 The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,000 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.