Three livestock leaders, including Purdue's Ron Lemenager, inducted into ILBA Hall of Fame
Three leaders in Indiana’s livestock industry were inducted into the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame on Sunday during the 4-H grand drive at the Indiana State Fair.
Keith Lambright, Stanley Poe II and Ron Lemenager, Ph.D., were honored for their contributions and achievements in the livestock industry.
The Hall of Fame was started in the 1930's by the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association. It was made up of all state-wide breed associations for beef, dairy, horse, pleasure horse, sheep, swine and goat breeds.
Keith Lambright
Lambright of Shipshewana, Indiana, has spent decades leading and innovating in the livestock industry. In 1981, he and his family purchased Shipshewana Auction Inc., which he helped develop into a trusted regional marketplace.
Lambright has worked with cattle, swine and sheep. He co-managed Maple Lane Angus, a nationally recognized herd, and operated a top swine seedstock program with partners Jordan Leatherman and Tom Lambke. His sheep flock includes about 300 Hamp/cross ewes that produce competitive show lambs.
He recently purchased Cedar Creek Meats to add value to the local supply chain. A former 4-H member, Lambright continues to mentor youth and serves as swine superintendent at his county fair. He also supports Purdue’s Beef Quality Assurance Program by providing a site for livestock seller education. His children remain active in the family’s livestock auction.
Stanley Poe II
Poe took over management of Poe Hampshires after graduating from the University of Kentucky, where he was named Outstanding Senior in Agriculture and competed on the livestock judging team. Poe Hampshires has been a key player in the sheep industry for nearly 80 years.
Poe served on the American Hampshire Board from 2003 to 2012, including a term as president from 2009 to 2011, and helped found the All American Junior Sheep Show, a national event for youth from 30 states.
Today, Poe Hampshires manages about 350 registered Hampshire and black-faced crossbred ewes with a focus on sound structure and marketability. The farm uses a state-of-the-art breeding facility and hosts educational tours for roughly 1,000 FFA students annually.
Poe’s accolades include the 2017 Supreme Champion 4-H Ewe at the Indiana State Fair, the 2019 Hampshire Heritage Award and the Master Shepherd Award from the Indiana Sheep Association
Ron Lemenager, Ph.D.
Lemenager is a fourth-generation beef producer and longtime Purdue University faculty member known for his commitment to family and advancing the beef cattle industry.
He and his sons operate a herd of 45 Maine-Anjou-influenced cows, producing seedstock that has excelled in the show ring, pasture and on the rail. Their farm also serves as a teaching site for students, Extension educators and producers.
At Purdue, Lemenager holds a three-way appointment in research, teaching and Extension in the Department of Animal Sciences, specializing in beef cow nutrition and management. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 15 book chapters.
Lemenager has earned multiple honors, including Extension team and career awards, the Indiana Forage Council’s Outstanding Forage Producer Award and several accolades from the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, where he now serves as vice president.
In the classroom, “Dr. Ron” teaches Purdue’s senior-level beef management capstone course and has received university-wide awards for both teaching and counseling. He is also a member of the Purdue Book of Great Teachers.
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