Ballard Awarded the Christensen Elite Award

Ballard is pictured receiving his award from Naomi Christensen at Adventureland Inn

At the 45th annual Iowa Simmental Association Banquet, Sunday February 8, Bill Ballard of Lacona, former Oskaloosa resident, was awarded the Christensen Elite Award. The award is made each year to a member of the Iowa Simmental Association for outstanding service to Association.

Ballard bought his first Simmental heifer at the first Simmental production sale held in the state of Iowa by Goode Stock Farm of Lacona. This was years before the Iowa Simmental Association was formed. He’s see the breed evolve from yellow and white to red and white, to black and white, to solid black and solid red. He continues to be an advocate and member of the Iowa Simmental Association.

He has donated his services as a ring man at the Junior and Expo auctions for 40 years and shared the invocation at the Association Banquets for more than 30 years. He is a retired United Methodist Minister.