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Scarlett Hagins or Todd Domer (785) 273-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 28, 2007

LONG-TIME KLA MEMBERS TO BE RECOGNIZED

            ( WICHITA ) – A group of 30 Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) members will be honored November 30 for supporting the organization for 50 and 60 years. Each of these individuals, businesses or operations will be recognized during the KLA Convention in Wichita .

            The First National Bank of Scott City became a member of KLA in 1957. The bank is the 110th member to be recognized for half a century of membership. KLA members serving on the bank board include Skip Numrich, Stacy Hoeme, Jack Frick and Gene Hess.

            Twenty-nine KLA members have passed the 60-year mark. The longest-standing membership belongs to Jansonius Farms of Phillipsburg, which joined in 1918. Other long-time ranch and business memberships include Woodbury Farms, Quenemo, 1928; Leonhard Ranch, Berryton, 1934; Farm Credit of Western Kansas, Colby, 1938; St. Joseph Stock Yards, 1941; J-O Ranch, St. Paul, 1942; U.S. Bank (formerly Merchants National), Topeka, 1944; Exchange National Bank, Cottonwood Falls, 1946; Kirk Grain Company, Scott City, 1947; McCurry Brothers, Sedgwick, 1947; and Porter Farms, Reading, 1947.

            The longest membership held by an individual is that of 1971 KLA President Fred Germann, Junction City , who joined in 1940. The other individuals who have passed 60 years of membership include Harold Frasier, Sharon Springs, 1942; Ed Hawthorne, Eureka, 1942; Fred Pratt, Hoxie, 1942; Herb Rockhill, Eureka, 1942; Paul Conrardy, Kingman, 1943; L.D. Morgan, Goodland, 1943; Darrell Sutor, Zurich, 1943; J. Harold Carswell, Osborne, 1944; Andy Schuler, Jr., Chapman, 1944; John Blythe, Manhattan, 1946; Norman L. Giles, Spearville, 1946; Forrest Meyer, Sylvan Grove, 1946; Elmore Stout, Cottonwood Falls, 1946; W.M. Ferguson, Wellington, 1947; Past KLA President Bill House, Cedar Vale, 1947; George Maichel, Overbrook, 1947; and Pat Sauble, Cedar Point, 1947.

            “These members demonstrate the long-standing support that continues to make KLA a strong, effective voice for the Kansas livestock industry,” said KLA President Elect Tracy Brunner, a beef producer from Ramona.

            KLA is a trade organization protecting the business interests of independent ranchers and feeders. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep. The association's work is funded by voluntary dues dollars paid by its 5,900 members.

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