2016 Ivan Rush

It is a distinct privilege to introduce co-recipients of the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Honoree Award for 2016, Dr. Ivan and Doris Rush. Ivan and Doris are dedicated, long-time leaders in Nebraska agriculture at local, state, national and international levels. Their commitment as passionate servants to the livestock industry runs very deep. The “Ivan and Doris Team” has had and continues to have great impact on Nebraska agriculture. Their list of commitments to agriculture, memberships, recognitions and accomplishments is considerable. We wish to acknowledge all of them but will be specifically recognizing only parts of them.

Ivan and Doris were raised on small grain, beef and dairy farms five miles apart in Southwest Missouri, were active in 4-H, and graduated from the University of Missouri. Subsequently, Ivan received his PhD in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University in 1972. Married in 1964, Ivan and Doris are the parents of two daughters. Their guests tonight are their daughters and spouses, Cynthia and Floyd Duncan of Scottsbluff and Angela and Royce Schaneman of Denton, Nebraska and grandsons, Payton Schaneman and Carson Schaneman.

Doris supports Ivan’s goals through being a strong advocate for agriculture, in particular the beef industry, including promotion of beef through leadership positions, education, leadership, planning and conducting numerous demonstrations, and also promotion of beef recipes. She has served directorships on the Nebraska Beef Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and the US Meat Export Federation. Doris was recognized as the Nebraska CattleWoman of the Year in 2001 as well as the Nebraska Women of Distinction Honoree from the Nebraska Commission on Status of Women in 2002. She was also a recipient of the Nebraska Young Mother of the Year award.

Ivan has devoted his life to beef research and extension education. He served as the Dawson County Associate Extension Agent from 1963-65 and internationally in Colombia as Beef and Sheep Specialist with the Agency for International Development from 1965-68. Ivan’s position as Beef Extension Specialist at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, where he served most of his career, provided him an excellent venue to serve agriculture and the beef industry. While at the Panhandle Center, he gained outstanding rapport and esteem with an ever-growing clientele. He is frequently introduced very respectfully at meetings using his first name only. He is revered by clientele for his highly relevant science-based, objective information as well as his outstanding critical thinking skills. His record shows he has presented at countless cattlemen’s events ranging from local, area and regional to national and international in their scope.

Ivan has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Extension Specialist from the American Society of Animal Science, The Beef Backer of the Year Award from the Nebraska Beef Council, the Industry Service Award from the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Oklahoma State University Graduate of Distinction Award in 2011. He has been active in a number of organizations including the American Society of Animal Science, Nebraska Cattlemen, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Nebraska Sheep and Goat Association.

Ivan was one of the original organizers of the Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS), which has become one of, if not the, most pre-eminent, most respected production level beef cow/calf educational meetings in the nation. Ivan was one of the first on the committee to organize the Symposium, serve on the planning committees, and continues to contribute through his retirement years. First held in Chadron, Nebraska in December, 1969 and held every other year as it is rotated to each of the participating four states, the RBCS has presented an array of relevant topics and outstanding speakers to its thousands of attendees over the years.

Integrated Resource Management (IRM), developed in the 1980s, assists ranchers to improve efficiency and profitability. Ivan was a member of the original committee that developed what would become IRM, served in national leadership of IRM, and has continued his commitment through his retirement. The IRM program brings together interdisciplinary teams. Ivan is a master at working in these environments. He realized the importance of these inputs for the success of many cattlemen and worked for many years to further the goals of IRM, a solid example of educational progress that sustains its benefits today. He has been recognized nationally and in Nebraska for his efforts.

Ivan has served as chair of the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska committee. The primary goal of the Cattlemen’s Ball is to raise funds for cancer research. Millions of dollars have been donated to the UNL Medical Center.

Supporting materials for Ivan and Doris’ nomination describe them as “icons” in the Nebraska Panhandle and in many parts of Nebraska. They are also described as “trailblazers for so many innovative changes in the ag industry.” Both Ivan and Doris are individual members of the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.

In recent years a sheep flock has become a focus for Ivan and Doris. This, of course, has spawned greater participation in the Nebraska sheep industry organization, including Ivan’s service on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Association. There is also high suspicion that their grandchildren’s participation in 4-H sheep projects and showing has invigorated this passion! Their personal involvement in production agriculture through cow/calf and sheep production, the involvement of their family in 4-H livestock projects, first through their children, serving as 4-H leaders for 4 decades, and now their grandchildren’s projects, no doubt has had and continues to provide motivation for their exemplary efforts.

This has been just a brief overview of their contributions and accomplishments. I cannot think of more deserving people that have had such tremendous impact on Nebraska agriculture as Ivan and Doris.

It is with great pleasure that I present to you, Dr. Ivan and Doris Rush, Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Honorees!