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The Midwest Cattleman · October 1, 2020 · P22

The History & Future of Million-Dollar

Decisions at Hoover Angus

By Brenda Black

In a letter from the Apostle less anecdotes and stories of decades in the making, found- one of McFarland-Livingston's
Paul to his young student Tim- early day breed history.” ed in 1928, and now one of the best-ever genetic decisions.
othy, the elder penned words Today, herd females at the oldest Angus herds in the na- The iconic sire was born Jan.
documented in the bible in 1 Hoover Angus Farm bear the tion. There are cow families 25, 2008.
Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone name “Ellston” in their pedi- in the current genetic line up “It would have been my
think less of you because you grees to signify the herd loca- that go back up to 20 genera- first year out of college that I
are young. Be an example...” At tion and homestead location tions at Hoover Angus Farm. would have bred for him,” Mc-
Hoover Angus Farm, Ellston, of Hoover ancestors. Walt and Longstanding bloodlines are Farland-Livingston said. “My
Ia., Landi McFarland-Living- his wife Sadye moved to Grand coupled with enduring Hoover
ston is fulfilling such an edict, Avenue in Des Moines in 1948, family values that have pro-
and making million-dollar from the farm originally home- vided the knock-out recipe for
breeding decisions that have steaded by the Hoover family longevity, loyalty and leader-
impacted, and will continue to in 1856. John and Barb Kiburz, ship in the Angus breed. Such
influence her family's business their son-in-law and daugh- an illustrious and successful
and the beef industry at large ter, joined herds with Walt & Angus family history behind
for generations to come. Sadye in 1953. At that time, one could be daunting to those
McFarland-Livingston grew the herd numbered 90 regis- striving to fill their predeces-
up in the family business, and tered Angus cows. Then John sor's boots. Not so for McFar-
at an early age knew she was & Barb’s daughter Joy, and land-Livingston.
destined to dedicate her future husband David McFarland, de- “I am so busy on a day-to-
to Angus production. Through voted their lives to the Angus day basis, that I don't think
her veins run the bloodlines herd, and lived on the Hoover about the pressure to carry
of Walt Hoover, also known Century Farm. Their daugh- the baton,” she said. “I just do
as the “Dean of Iowa Angus.” ter Landi and her husband An- what needs to be done. On oc-
The Hoover Angus Farm web- drew Livingston make up the casion, sure, I think about the
site summarizes his influence trifecta that carries out Angus impact I'm making in the beef
this way: “Walt was a legend production today at Hoover industry, and that makes me
in Iowa Angus circles. He was Angus Farm. realize how important a seed-
their outspoken elder states- With three generations, stock producer really is. That's
man for years. With razor there's a vast amount of knowl- what helps me keep trying to
sharp wit and amazing power edge, as well as a big age gap produce the best genetics.”
of recall, he could give vivid between nearly 95 year old A bull by the name of Hoover
details of the great old-time Grandpa John and McFar- Dam will go down in history as
breeders. Walt could entertain land-Livingston's 28 year old
the listener with nearly end- husband. Over time, much
wisdom has transferred, and
much has been entrusted to
the youngest generation, with
McFarland-Livingston assum-
ing responsibilities that range
from producing the annual
sale and its elaborate catalog
to calving, developing feed ra-
tions, working with customers
and managing the breeding
program.
The herd McFarland-Liv-
ingston now manages is nine