Jim Thomas of O Lazy Y Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma, was inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame for 2020. The induction took place during the awards banquet at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana.

Jim was present at the awards ceremony to accept the award along with his daughter Hiedi LaBrue, and Virginia Potter. Vernon and Eileen Davidson, Pontiex, Saskatchewan, Canada, presented the award.

The AGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. Hall of fame inductee selection criterion includes contributions to breed promotion efforts, leadership provided to the association, and the breeding of superior genetics that are of great influence within the Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle population.

Jim was one of the first Gelbvieh breeders to display and exhibit Gelbvieh cattle at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in the '70s. Later, he went on to show his cattle at nearly every state fair in the Central US. Black Feature, purchased from Valhalla Ranch, won Jim champion ribbons at nearly every fair he was exhibited. Today many qualities of the breed can be traced back to Black Feature and O Lazy Y breeding.

Jim has been very active within the association and remains so today, attending a Gelbvieh event whenever he can. He has held many committee leadership positions and has attended AGA conventions, American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) events and the NWSS. He has also taken a leading role as historian for the American Gelbvieh Foundation's Gelbvieh History Book.

 His undying commitment to the Gelbvieh breed makes Jim Thomas a notable figure in the breed's history. A lifetime of preserving, improving and promoting the breed, all while encouraging fellow breeders to do the same, speaks to Jim's infallible dedication and integrity. The endeavors and contributions have not only impacted the breed, but also the AGA and the AGJA.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.

Source: American Gelbvieh Association