The Red Angus Association of America recently announced that R.A. “Rob” Brown has been selected to receive the prestigious 2018 Saddle & Sirloin Club Portrait award. The award is the highest honor bestowed on an animal agriculture leader who has made major contributions to the livestock industry in the U.S. and abroad as judged by peers. An oil portrait of Brown is being painted by Richard Halstead, the renowned artist commissioned for the last 23 years.
During the North American International Livestock Exposition, the portrait was unveiled at a special banquet on Nov. 11, and will then hang in the Saddle and Sirloin Gallery in the Kentucky Exposition Center. The gallery commemorates a single industry honoring stockmen, leaders and pioneers who helped establish and advance modern animal agriculture. It pays tribute to one distinguished livestock industry leader per year. Brown will be the second Red Angus breeder chosen for the gallery, following Sal Forbes (2009).
The R.A. Brown Ranch is a multi-generation operation located near Throckmorton, Texas. Rob Brown built his operation into a substantial business in the country that encompasses seedstock herds, Quarter Horses, commercial cattle, stocker cattle, feeding and farming. His livestock have made a significant impact on the world’s genetics and his industry leadership has played a significant role during critical moments of many organizations. He has given his time freely, and his efforts have made a profound positive impact on the industry. Perhaps he and his wife Peggy’s single greatest accomplishment was the successful transfer of the ranch to the fifth generation of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were honored with the RAAA 2013 Pioneer Breeders of the Year award and have been supporters and advocates for Red Angus since purchasing Roy Beeby’s replacement heifers in 1987.
The Portrait Committee has set a goal of $45,000 for the portrait and induction ceremony. All expenses must come from private donations and any funds in excess of this amount will go to the Sal Forbes Research & Development Fund at the Red Angus Foundation, Inc. The family donated the “Pick of the Herd” from their operation that was auctioned off during the National Red Angus Convention this past September. The proceeds from half of that sale (the other half were directed to RAFI), along with donations received through RAFI, will help offset the costs of the portrait and the presentation during the unveiling ceremony. Rob and Peggy’s desire is to have all donations in excess of the goal be used in the Foundation to continue advancing the breed forward. Your donation is tax deductible and checks may be made to the Red Angus Foundation, Inc., 18335 E. 103rd Ave. Suite 202, Commerce City, CO 80022.
