Kansas hosted the National Angus Tour on Oct. 31, 2025
National Angus Tour
Cattle, Technology and Camels
by Anne Lampe
The sun had not risen when three buses departed the American Angus Convention headquarters in Kansas City and headed west into the Flint Hills for the National Angus Tour. Bus hosts Lynne Hinrichsen, Clinton Laflin and Anne Lampe welcomed about 150 Angus breeders and enthusiasts from across the US and abroad for a day of a perfect mix of education, viewing Angus cattle and networking.
Barb Downey and Joe Carpenter owners of Downey Ranch (DR), Wamego along members of the Crenshaw family greeted tour guests with hot coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches from Alma Bakery sponsored by Halter HQ and 701X. Barb and Joe gave an overview of their ranch practices which integrate traditional ranching and progressive technology including virtual fencing, GPS tagging and bale grazing. Demonstrations of the technology along with time to view DR sale bulls and ask questions made stop 1 a highlight.
As the tour guests boarded the buses to depart Downey Ranch, Barb and ranch staff joined them. Along the way to stop 2, guests were able to view DR pastures, bale grazing and cattle utilizing virtual fencing. Questions were plentiful from participants, questions were answered on DR, local wildlife, grasses, prescribed burning and more.
Shamrock Farms, Manhattan provided a unique and picturesque for stop 2. As guests left the buses, they were treated to a walk down the quaintly landscaped farmstead that has been home to the Crenshaw family’s Shamrock Farms Angus since 1948 and for the last twenty years … camels.
Siblings Roy and Christy Crenshaw along with Coye Kleve-Culver greeted participants with an invitation to sample camel milk and view camel hair scarves and blankets. While some were eager the sample the milk others chose to take “camel selfies”. From the steps of the barn, Christy gave an in-depth history of Shamrock Farms and the legacy of is founders George and June and shared farm memorabilia. She also spoke about the surrounding grasslands, the preservation of the Flint Hills, prescribed burning and the control of invasive weeds and trees. Roy shared the story of how his daughter Valerie’s passion for camels developed during their travels to the Sahara Desert led to camels on the farm. He explained how the camels help control brush and weed such as Musk Thistle and Locust.
Conversions were lively as the buses headed to the final stop, Fink Beef Genetics, Randolph. Galen Lori Fink along with Megan (Fink) and Chad Larson were hosts of stop 3. Upon arrival a lunch sponsored by Vytelle was enjoyed by all.
After lunch Galen welcomed guests and told the story of Fink Beef Genetics, sharing that they started with one cow and rented ground in 1977 and how they grew their extensive embryo and cooperator herd program. He encouraged new breeders to find mentors and don’t be afraid to start small and do things differently.
Anne Lampe, Kansas Angus Association Manager introduced special guests and those displaying cattle allowing time for each one to speak about the cattle they brought and their farm or ranch. Tour guests enjoyed the opportunity to view display cattle, visit with the Fink family, network and enjoy ice cream treats from Galen’s large freezer.
Display herds included: AK Genetics, Netawaka; Alcove Cattle Co, Blue Rapids; Barrett Cattle, Grantville; Cline Cattle, Havensville; Mill Brae Ranch, Maple Hill; Ohlde Cattle Co, Palmer; Trademark Genetics, Manhattan and W3 Angus, Whiting.
On the ride back to Kansas City the conversations continued, and new friends were made. Some enjoyed a word search custom made for the tour and other engaged in a Kansas Angus trivia game while some napped.
TOUR GUIDE-VIEW IN PDF - EASY TO READ FORMAT HERE
