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Opening night for the 2005 PRCA Rodeo kicked off with the announcement of Billy Mann as the 2004 Cattleman of the Year. Mann has been a cattle producer since 1962 and runs cattle in Markham, Wadsworth, south of Bay City and near the airport. He has served on the board of Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District for more than 15 years and currently serves on the Coastal Plains Groundwater Conservation District board of directors. Mann also is on the Matagorda County Farm Bureau board of directors and the Matagorda County Cattlemen Association. Mann served on the Commercial Heifer Judging and Interview committees this year, and he and his wife have been buyers at the Heifer Sale and the Junior Livestock Auction for many years. Mann says agriculture and what it means to this county is important to him, and he is passionate about teaching the youth in our county through the "Ag in the Classroom" annual event. Mann and his wife Linda are active members of First Baptist Church and have been married for 49 years.
Bay City Tribune, March 6, 2005 |
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Matagorda County rancher Joe Birkner was named the 2005 "Cattleman of the Year" by the Agriculture/Aquaculture Committee of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce along with the Matagorda County Cattleman's Association. The award was presented during the opening night pre-rodeo ceremonies before the Matagorda County Livestock Show and Rodeo, Wednesday, March 1. Birkner has been a part of agriculture in Matagorda County for over 65 years. He grew up on a dairy farm, and, as the oldest of eight children, he learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility at an early age. His parents made sure he kept up with his chores and from them he learned about integrity, accountability and family values. He attended Bay City High School, where he played football and was selected all district guard in his senior year. He also was senior class vice-president. In 1940, agriculture was added to the BCHS curriculum and the first Bay City FFA Chapter was organized. He was elected the first president of the first chapter. During that time he and two of his brothers entered the state dairy judging contest and placed first in the state. The award included a trip to Kansas to the national finals where they placed seventh overall. His goal for the future was to ranch, but not dairy cattle. Two days after high school graduation in 1942, he entered Texas A & M University and completed three semesters before he volunteered for the U.S. Army Aviation Engineers. During basic training in Riverside, Calif., he proposed to his sweetheart, Miss Dorthy, and they were married in Riverside Sept. 11, 1943, in a private ceremony attended by two of his army friends and their wives. He spent 23 months in the Pacific Theater on Guam and Okinawa and came home with two Bronze Stars. After his discharge, he worked a few months and, with the GI Bill and the money he had earned, he returned to A&M, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural administration. His first job was with the Texas Extension Service as assistant county agent in Wharton County, working primarily with Boys 4-H clubs. After a year, he returned to Bay City and formed his own construction and lumber business, specializing in pole barns and corrals for farm and ranch operations. He became involved in community activities, serving on the Bay City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was Lions Club president and joined the Matagorda County Fair Association, which was formed in 1944 while he was in the Pacific. In 1965, he was elected to the fair board and later served one term as vice-president and two terms as president. During the 1960s after buying some land he went into the cattle business and since then has used cross-breeding methods to maximize breed efficiency and herd rotation to prevent over-grazing of pasture land. He also routinely mows and sprays his pastures to increase rangeland quality. His family includes his wife Dorthy, daughter Mary Anne Harrison, three granddaughters Stephanie, Stacie and Savannah and one great grandchild, Malori.
Bay City Tribune, March 19, 2006 |
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Matagorda County rancher Mack McLeod was awarded the honor of being named 2007 cattleman of the year at the opening performance of the Matagorda County Rodeo, Thursday, March 6. Each year, the agriculture/aquaculture committee of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and Matagorda County Cattleman's Association presents the award to a local cattle rancher. McLeod is a full-time employee of E-Cross Cattle Company while maintaining his own crossbred and longhorn cattle herds. "(McLeod) is a progressive rancher who follows good animal health practices and takes good care of his pastures by spraying, fertilizing and rotating pastures," according to a news release from the award committee. McLeod also spends spare time working for other ranches that rely on his expertise to keep their herds in good shape. Active in his field, McLeod has held various offices in the Matagorda County Cattlemans' Association and served on the board of directors. He also participates in team penning and ranch rodeo competitions with his family where he has won many awards for his ranch hand skills. McLeod has taken part in "Ag in the Classroom Day" for Matagorda County schools and has worked with the commercial heifer and steer show at the Matagorda County Fair for a number of years. McLeod and wife Amy have been ranching in Matagorda County since 1979. The McLeod's have two children - Michelle and Jake - and one grandchild - Grady.
Bay City Tribune, March 9, 2008 |
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The Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture also awarded their 2009 Cattlewoman of the Year title to Dr. Maxine Kubecka, DVM, during pre-show ceremonies of the rodeo opener.
Bay City Tribune, March 9, 2009 |
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Brent Batchelor, Matagorda County Agrilife Extension agent, introduced the Franksons as "exemplary cattle producers" who are known to have good management practices. The Franksons began their cattle business in the 1950s and have been in the business as a family all of their lives. "They also set a high goal of volunteerism in the community," said Batchelor. They are members of the Palacios Youth Supporters that donate money towards youth exhibitors in the Matagorda County Fair. They have also been involved as volunteers at the Palacios Recreation Center. Patty has served many terms as a trustee on the Palacios ISD board of directors and both have been involved as club managers for Matagorda County 4-H.
Bay City Tribune, March 7, 2010 |
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Brent Batchelor, Matagorda County Agri-life Extension agent, introduced Franzen before the rodeo audience. Franzen has been involved in production agriculture since childhood. He began rice farming while still a student at Palacios High School and in 1983 he married his wife, Samantha, and together they purchased their first set of commercial cattle. “He prides himself on providing a nutritious feeding program and maintaining herd health,” said Batchelor. “He believes that providing his livestock with proper care, handling and nutrition they deserve is an obligation, not an option.” Franzen partners with the Nature Conservancy to combine his rice and cattle operations: producing rice the first year, flooding fields for migratory birds the second and grazing cattle the third. He runs cattle on improved pastures throughout Matagorda and Jackson Counties. As an active community servant, he is a director o the Matagorda County Cattlemen’s Association, trustee of the Collegeport Area Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He also volunteers for the Matagorda County Fair calf scramble, steer show and senior citizens day. “He is admired by many for his love and respect for the land,” said Batchelor. “His greatest accomplishment is passing on his heritage and values to his daughters, who are both now involved in the family farming and ranching operations.”
Bay City Tribune, March 6, 2011 |
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John Ashcraft was awarded the prestigious title of Cattleman of the Year by the Matagorda County Cattlemen’s Association. Ashcraft has been involved in the cattle industry since he bought his first milk cow at the age of eight. At age 12, with the guidance of his father Clyde, John purchased 12 head of cattle and began learning the business. Throughout his young years, he exhibited steers and baked goods for the Matagorda County Fair and was active in 4-H and FFA. Ashcraft caught a calf in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo calf scramble giving him the opportunity to show a heifer in the same livestock exhibition the following year. He graduated from Van Vleck High School in 1981 and then from Sam Houston State University with a degree in business administration in 1985. Throughout his college years, he used his fully developed livestock handling skills to work in various livestock auctions around the state. In 1997, he stopped rice farming to take up cattle ranching fulltime and currently runs crossbred cattle on places in several counties. Not only a leader in the local cattle industry and longtime member of the Matagorda County Cattleman’s Association, Ashcraft is also active in the community serving on the Matagorda County Fair Board, Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Bay City. John and his wife Fara have three sons, Matt, Taylor and Ryan.
Bay City Tribune, March 4, 2012 |
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Our Cattleman of the Year runs a cow/calf operation which is headquartered in Van Vleck Texas. He also grows and bails his own hay to ensure quality. He runs excellent bulls, mostly Charolais on his crossbred cows. He prides himself on selection on any replacements that they have a gentle disposition. He holds high standards for his cattle and how they are maintained. He culls them regularly to continue his improvement of his herd. He has an excellent health program for his cattle. He is an outstanding steward of the land and rotates pastures often to insure the best quality of grasses for his herd. He keep his fences in good condition. His stock pens are well maintain for the safety of his cattle and for anyone helping him work his cattle. He implements best practices for his pastures that includes regular spraying with herbicides and mowing. He keep his place (ranch) and barns immaculate – everything has its place. He does all maintenance, construction and repairs himself, only getting assistance when absolutely needed. He has served on the board of directors of the Matagorda County Farm Bureau and the Matagorda County Farmers Cooperative. He has been recognized as the Outstanding Rice Farmer and the Region III (Matagorda County) Soil & Water Conservation Rancher and received the MFLA Volunteer award three times. He is respected and well-liked by our community. He is married to Dottie and they have two children that are married, three granddaughters and one more granddaughter arriving soon. He is always one you can count on. He always goes the extra mile in all areas of support for the Matagorda County Cattlemen’s Association and the County Fair. He has worked and supported the youth of this County for many years in the many programs offered by the Fair. Please help me recognize our 2016 Cattleman of the Year- Worth Lucas Jr.
Bay City Tribune, March 12, 2017 |
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Andel Named Cattleman of Year Danny Andel began his career as a cowboy at the age of seven helping his father on Nielsen Ranch near Cedar Lane. Since then his love of working cattle has afforded him the chance to ride horseback more days than not. Danny was a member of 4-H and Van Vleck FFA and showed animals at the Matagorda County Fair receiving two Grand Champions in the Brahman Crossbred division. After high school he worked a period of time at A/P Ranch before moving to Dayton, Texas where he worked for the largest landholder in Harris County, Seaberg Ranch, a Registered Brahman and Commercial cattle operation. While in Dayton, Danny met and married his wife Lois. He returned to Matagorda County in the mid 1980s and began to work for Ashcraft Cattle where he remains today. During this time, he started his own crossbred cattle operation, leasing pastures throughout the area. He runs excellent bulls, mostly brangus and charolais on his crossbred cows. He prides himself on selection, has an excellent health program for cattle and is a true steward of the land. He implements best practices for his pastures including regular spraying and mowing for weed control and improving forage. Danny begins his day before the sun rises every morning and in his spare time, he works and supports other local ranchers by working and caring for their cattle (many of whom he has assisted for 30+ years). Quite a few of these ranchers rely on Danny's expertise and advice on their health programs, bull selections and ranch raised heifer selections If youngsters are present he is patient and encouraging in teaching them the ropes--he loves to see kids involved in the cattle industry. He is respected and well-liked by our community and is one you can always count on. Danny is married to Lois and they have one daughter, Heather, son-in-law Cory and two grandchildren Olivia and Pearce Reed.
Bay City Tribune, March 15, 2020 |
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Barrett Franz Wins 2020 Cattleman of Year Award
Photos by Anna Hernandez
Matagorda County rice
farmer and cattle rancher Barrett Franz is the 2020 Matagorda
County Cattlemen of the Year. Their daughter, Saundie Franz, will graduate from Texas A&M in May and their youngest daughter, Jaycie Franz, will graduate from Van Vleck High School in May and begin her college career at Baylor University.
Barrett is an established farmer and rancher in Matagorda County and is involved in the future of farming and agriculture.
He has served on many
committees and boards including Texas Farm Bureau, Matagorda
County Cattlemen’s Association, and Texas Rice Council.
Bay City Sentinel,
May 13, 2021 |
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Charles Baker named Cattleman of Year by Cattlemen’s Association EDITOR’S NOTE: The following narrative was given when Charles “Chuck” Baker received the Cattleman of the Year Award from the Matagorda County Cattlemen’s Association. Charles “Chuck” Baker recently was named 2021 Matagorda County Cattlemen of the Year. Baker was born in Gulf, Texas, and raised on their family ranch, located north of the town of Matagorda, Texas. He learned about the ranching business from his grandfather William McNabb, his Great Uncle Albert Wadsworth McNabb and Cousin Roy Traylor. After graduating from Bay City High School, he attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, then joined the United States Navy. After serving his country in the Pacific during the Cold War, he began his career in the oil field industry. In 2001, he purchased the herd of cattle from his mother and cousin on McNabb Ranch. Thus, McNabb Cattle Company was formed. Chuck’s lifetime dream of ranching had finally become a reality. Mr. Charles “Chuck” Baker is the fourth generation of the McNabb family to ranch in Matagorda County. His cattle carry the brand of the 4 Half Circle dating back to1850s. The McNabb Ranch was recognized in 2000 by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage program that honors families who have owned and operated a continuous agricultural operation for 100 years or more. Present day, McNabb Cattle Company consists of 160 mother cows on 1,800 acres. Beefmaster Bulls are bred to Brahman Cross cows for heifer retention and Charolais Bulls are used for their terminal cattle. Charolais calves are currently sold out of the pasture to independent buyers to maximize calf prices. Other calves and cull cattle are sold at local sale barns. Chuck works his cattle twice a year, where they are wormed, given mineral injections, vaccinated against reproductive and respiratory diseases. His calves are castrated, and given the recommended vaccinations and boosters, wormers, and mineral shots for this area. Cows are pregnancy checked every year to only retain productive cows. His cattle have access to liquid minerals year-round. McNabb bulls are fertility and Trich tested annually; and are separated from the herd during the fall and winter months to help promote a uniform calf crop. To ensure pasture improvement and to prevent over grazing, he implements a variety of practices including cross fencing, rotational grazing, weed and brush control by herbicide applications, as well as prescribed burning. At the age of 85, Mr. Baker still oversees his herd on horseback. Horses are used in every phase of the cattle work…gathering, sorting, rotating pastures, and riding fences. All horses have been bred, born, raised, and trained on McNabb Ranch to work for McNabb Cattle Company. Charles Baker, Jr. has been named Matagorda County Conservation Rancher of the year. He also often attends TSCRA yearly conventions as part of his continuous learning. He supports continuing agriculture education by purchasing heifers raised and sold at the Youth Commercial Heifer sales, not only in Matagorda County, but surrounding counties as well. He supports this program because these projects teach our youth skills that are the most realistic to those in operating a cattle ranch. He supports the Matagorda County Fair & Livestock Association, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Bay City & Matagorda County. A devoted husband to Mary Frances Baker “Fran) for 60 years,” a father of two sons, grandfather to four and now great-grandfather to three, and emulates every characteristic befitting this prestigious award. Bay City Sentinel, March 10, 2022
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