About the Hurlbut Family
The Hurlbut Angus Farm, Raymond, South Dakota, was started in 1943 when Jim and Dean, sons of the late Lester Hurlbut, wanted to start Angus junior heifer projects. The first heifer purchased was Rosella A4, calved June 28, 1943. Soon after that Lester purchased cows and a herd bull to build from. In the spring of 1947 Lester, Walt Danekas, and Ed Kennealley purchased Prince Freedom of Gallowhill, an imported bull from Scotland. From that point it was a priority to build a strong Angus herd of elite genetics.
After finishing college, Dean left the family farm. He went to work for the American Angus Association in 1957 as the junior activities director. He moved positions after fifteen years of dedication and became the director of activities, where he retired in 2000. Jim stayed on the family farm, and continued raising Angus genetics. Both he and his father were president of the South Dakota Angus Association. Jim’s family have all been active in the SD Junior Angus Association, and currently are active members of the SDAA.
In 1996 the Lester Hurlbut family was awarded the Historic Angus Herd Award for 50 years of producing Angus cattle.
Today, Hurlbut Angus Farm is still going strong, being run by Jim (wife Janet), son Rodney (wife Mary) and grandson Dustin (wife Jeana). They currently run 225 head of registered Angus and Simmental cows. They do extensive AI’ing and embryo transfer work. It is their goal to raise profitable, sound and functional cattle, that have eye appeal and epds to boot.
The Hurlbuts have an annual fall show heifer online sale, and a spring bull sale. This year they will be offering 70 head of Angus, Simmental, and SimSolution bulls and replacement heifers on March 24th, 2016 in Watertown, SD.
Dustin and Jeana are actively showing and promoting Hurlbut genetics on a state, regional and national level. It is a passion for the both of them to raise and show cattle that will be successful. It is also their goal raise heifers for juniors and their families. Both being raised and strongly active in the National Junior Angus Association & National Junior Simmental Association, they want to give back to the breeds that have taught them so much. They are excited about raising their daughter Bayler in it, as well as helping their nephews and niece.
The Lester Hurlbut Angus Farm is truly a family operation, no hired hands and five generations deep, it is day in and day out, eat, sleep and breathe agriculture.
