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2001Virginia BCIA Superior Service Award
Presented to W.C. "Buster" Hounshell
Livestock Update, March 2001
Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech
Virginia BCIA is pleased to present the 2001 Superior Service Award to W.C. "Buster" Hounshell. Through leadership positions and by example in his own operation, Buster has been dedicated to promoting the purpose of BCIA- to foster genetic improvement of beef cattle in Virginia.
Buster has served two terms on the VA BCIA Board of Directors, and was President of the organization in 1993 and 1998, and Secretary/Treasurer in 1992 and 1997. Additionally, he has been a member of the Southwest Bull Test Station committee for the past 14 years, and also served as chairman for this committee for four years. This dedication of service is a tribute to Buster's commitment to the betterment of the beef industry. His input and leadership in regards to policy, procedure, and vision for the future have been instrumental to the success of BCIA over the years.
The hosting of the 1999 Beef Improvement Federation's Annual Meeting held in Roanoke was a proud moment for Virginia BCIA. Buster served as an important member of the steering committee for this event, which was received as one of the best BIF meetings in recent history.
BCIA's commitment to education has been of great personal interest to Buster. He has been involved in the planning and implementation of various programs to promote the importance and application of performance testing and genetic improvement. Of particular interest has been youth education.
Buster's involvement in BCIA began a number of years ago, when he and his father began evaluating their bulls through the state test station program. A century-old farm consisting of 500 acres in Wythe County is home to Hounshell Farms- which is operated by Buster and his wife Barbara, Buster's father, and his son Jason. The Hounshell's currently run 120 registered Simmental cows on their farm outside Wytheville. Top bulls are developed and marketed through the VA BCIA Test Station at Wytheville. Hounshell Farms consigned some of the first black Simmental bulls at BCIA sponsored test stations in Virginia. Additionally, they have participated in the Virginia Retained Ownership Program and are very much involved in evaluating their genetics for end product merit.
For his time, dedication, and leadership, Virginia BCIA is glad to present this year's Superior Service Award to Buster Hounshell.