75 YEARS OF
The ’60s were a great time of growth for both Forrest Byergo’s family and the cowherd. Byergo Angus would consign their first animals to consignment sales, including the Nodaway
Where it all began. In 1950, the late Forrest Byergo purchased “Elia of South Oaks” and her two daughters, thus beginning Byergo Angus Farms. From these three females, Byergo Angus would grow their herd. Over the last seven decades, tens of thousands of offspring around the globe trace back to “Elia of South Oaks.” ‘50s Forrest would always say, “Just got Lucky.” But I would venture to say it was a much more calculated vision. Up until 1950, Grandpa had Hereford cows; he was frustrated with their problems. This is when he got the opportunity to purchase “Elia of South Oaks.” She was 6 years old at the time, being born in 1944. She was the ideal, problem-free cow: Great mother, Fertile, Easy-Fleshing, and Powerful. The growing family would move back to the homeplace in 1952. Like many families, the “Great Depression” had taken almost everything from Emmet Byergo (Forrest’s father). A great aunt was able to hold on to the homeplace and Forrest was able to buy it back by saving up. While serving in the Navy and post war, he taught new farming practices through a GI program. Andy (Dad) was a week old at the time they moved back to the homeplace.
‘60s
County sale which was a booming event. Education was always a vital part of Forrest’s life, which he instilled in his family and cowherd. Forrest was an MU graduate and all eight of his children were college graduates with two sons being doctors of veterinary medicine.
BYERGO 36 PROPHET
The ’70’s would be the explosion of Byergo Angus on a national scene. At the urging of Andy, Forrest’s son, Byergo Angus would start participating in bull performance sales and test stations and they would also start showing their cattle. Andy Byergo would learn to A.I., which would take the program to a new level. 1975 - Byergo Angus would get the break they had been working for. Homer Milikan would stop by the farm to look at the show steers. During his visit he saw a bull in the pasture, “Byergos Black Revolution 36.” He told Forrest he would buy a steer if he could take the bull and show him. Later we would learn that he dropped the steer off and sold him at the local stockyards. The first show for “36” was a county show. Homer called with the results from the first show. “4th in his class,” Homer said. “Out of how many?” Forrest would ask. Homer replied, “4.” Forrest, at this time, said bring the bull home and we’ll turn him out. Homer asked Forrest to give him one more chance, to let him take him to the National Western in Denver. He said that the county judge just wasn’t ready for how much different 36 was. At the urging of his son, Andy, Forrest reluctantly gave in and said take him to Denver. Four short months later at the 1976 National Western Stock Show, judge Herman Purdy would choose Byergo Black Revolution 36 as a division champion. A major feat at the time. The next day, Loren Schlipf from Tree Lane Farms would show up at Forrest’s doorstep offering $17,000 for 2/3 interest ‘70s
in the bull, a price that was unthinkable to Forrest at the time. Only 10 short years before, Byergo Angus had sold their first $300 bull, a maternal brother to 36. My, how things had changed. Byergos Black Revolution 36 would go on to be the number 2 bull in the breed for registrations in 1980 and 1981. Along with number 9 in 1982 and number 11 in 1979, later Jim Gillooly and Herman Purdy would buy an interest for Stampede Farms in Canada. This would lay the framework for years to come. 1976- Byergo Angus held their first production sale on November 29, 1976. 1979- Byergo Angus and Wayview Farms would sell 1/3 interest in “Byergo Prophet” for $40,000. He would go on to have a stellar show career, including Grand Champion at the 1979 Louisville show.
FORREST BYERGO
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