Galen and Lori Fink named 2024 Stockman of the Year
Galen and Lori Fink will be recognized Feb. 29 as the 2024 Stockman of the Year. The award is presented annually by the Livestock & Meat Industry Council at the annual Stockmen’s Dinner that kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Stanley Stout Center, Manhattan, Kansas. Registration deadline is Feb. 22.
Galen and Lori (Hagenbuch) grew up on eastern Kansas farms, learning the importance of sound decisions in cattle judging, business and leadership. The couple met at Kansas State University and married in 1975. Galen spent 14 years managing the K-State Purebred Beef Unit while Lori served as secretary-fieldman of the Kansas Angus Association from 1979 to 1990.
In 1990, after having their daughter, Megan, they took a leap of faith and left their day jobs to put all their effort into the program that was creating cattle that worked for a growing base of commercial customers.
The couple, driven by a passion for innovation, utilized technology, including embryo transfer and artificial insemination, to build the Fink Beef Genetics program in a non-traditional manner.
In 1999, Charolais was introduced to the program, providing customers with additional breeding options. In 2017, Fink Beef Genetics expanded their offerings by introducing Copperhead bulls —a blend of Charolais and Red Angus —aiming to provide even more choices for their customers.
The cost to attend is $50 a person. Registration is available online at asi.ksu.edu/stockmensdinner or by contacting 785-532-1267.
