Jon and Patty Tebelius of Bowdon, North Dakota, were named the 2025 Red Angus Commercial Producer of the Year during the 72nd Annual National Red Angus Convention in Loveland, Colorado.
DENVER — Jon and Patty Tebelius of Bowdon, North Dakota, were recognized as the Red Angus Association of America’s 2025 Commercial Producer of the Year during the 72nd Annual National Red Angus Convention in Loveland, Colorado. The award honors cattle producers who successfully use Red Angus genetics to strengthen their herds and employ innovative marketing practices that add value to their calf crops.
The Tebelius herd has evolved from a mixed group of Simmental, Hereford, Charolais and Angus-cross cows into a high-quality, uniform Red Angus program. The couple said they were drawn to the breed for its Total Herd Reporting and traits that improve both quality and performance.
Raising Red Angus has not only improved their operation but also connected them with mentors and friends across the country.
“We have met so many dear friends by being involved with Red Angus over the years,” the Tebeliuses said. “These people have become more than friends, they are our mentors, our family and our rocks. We haven’t met a person in the Red Angus community who isn’t willing to help along the way.”
The couple credits family members, along with Clint Berry and Katie Martin, for shaping their program. Berry introduced them to the value of EPDs and third-party verification, while Martin guided them through Red Navigator. Both, they said, were instrumental in building a reputable herd and improving market opportunities.
They also recognized the RAAA commercial marketing team for expanding their reach and supporting their operation.
“The marketing team has been a tremendous help to us,” the Tebeliuses said. “They promoted not only our cattle, but also educated the public about them. The team opened doors we didn’t even know existed, made sure buyers knew when our calves were being marketed and stood behind our product.”
Receiving the Commercial Producer of the Year Award was humbling for the Tebeliuses, who emphasize that success begins with their seedstock partners.
“As cattle producers we are usually very critical of ourselves,” they said. “Others must have noticed our achievements before we did. We couldn’t have the cattle we do without the hard work and long hours of our seedstock producers.”
The Tebeliuses have seen Red Angus genetics deliver steady progress, from improved weaning weights to docility and feedlot performance. They retain cattle to finish at home and market beef directly to consumers, which allows them to see firsthand the quality of their product. Maternal strength also remains a cornerstone of their herd.
Looking to the future, the Tebeliuses see Red Angus playing a vital role in commercial beef production.
“It’s not the outside of the hide that the consumer eats – it’s the beef inside,” they said. “Red Angus cattle will continue to rise to the top, because the cream always separates itself from the milk.”
The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing new technologies and using scientifically sound principles that quantify traits of economic importance to beef producers in all segments of the beef industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.
