Wyoming rancher named 2016 U.S. Livestock Industry Leader of the Year
Jim Jensen, a fourth generation Wyoming cattleman and owner of Lucky 7 Angus, was named U.S. Industry Livestock Leader of the Year during this year’s National Western Stock Show. Jensen/Lucky 7 Angus was presented the honor on Friday, January 15th during the rodeo. This award is jointly sponsored by the National Western and the Green Family Foundation, who has been continuously recognizing livestock industry leaders since 1946, among the first awarded was Warren Monfort.
Jim Jensen is the head of a family operation that dates back to 1895. The ranch began when Jim’s great-grandfather immigrated from Denmark to the Boulder, Wyoming area in 1895. That first winter proved to be a struggle in a region known for snow and persistent bitter cold. James would clear snow with a shovel to provide access to grass for his 3 horses and 7 head of cows. He was a cowman that strived to put others before himself and to be the best at what he did. That goal remains the driving force of his great-grandson to this day.
On the wall of the main office at Lucky 7 headquarters hangs a plaque that reads: ‘Our Goal is to have the Most Profitable Customers in the Livestock Industry’. Jensen has taken great strides in achieving this goal, and certainly his accomplishments prove that. To protect their high elevation breeders, he was the first to create minimum standards in PAP Testing, which set a benchmark of 90 percent of the bulls tested at 7200’ having a PAP score of 44mmHg or below. He was the first Angus only seed stock producer to purchase and implement the GrowSafe Feed Efficiency Test System, leading the way to profitability through feed efficient genetics. He was the first and only Angus seed stock producer to offer a 4 year guarantee on bulls. His leadership in profitability has propelled the family ranch to grow from a 350 cow operation 21 years ago, to a 2300 cow operation today. Jim’s commitment to the livestock industry is honored by this award. When asked for a comment, Jim simply said “We have a great team at Lucky 7 Angus and I am honored to have been chosen to receive such a prestigious award.”
