Kansas Simmental Association

The KSA was established in 1968. The original board members were (President) Ancel Armstrong, Chriss Sanky, John Teagarden, Vice President John Russell, Kermit Karnes, Bill Amstein and (Sec Treasure for 20 years) Karl Fry. Ancel Armstrong went on the national board in 1975 and became the ASA President in 1977 and Bob Dickinson was elected ASA president in 1981 with John Teagarden following on the national board in 1982. There have been numerous KSA members to be elected to the ASA board with Ancel Armstrong, Bob Schalles, Bob Dickenson and Harry Moser becoming president.

In 1971 John Teagarden managed the first Female Sale in Salina. Other female sales were held over the years in Topeka, Alma and Lawrence. The first KSA bull sale was held in 1973. The Kansas Junior Simmental Association was established in 1974. Using the Kansas Junior Simmental Association as a model, John Teagarden along with Rob Brown and Miles Davies met at Miles home in Colorado to set up the American Junior Simmental Association. Kansas was the first state association to have a junior association and a lady’s auxiliary (established in 1975). Numerous KJSA members have served on the national board with several becoming President.

Kansas has hosted many regional and national shows over the years. In 1978 Ancel Armstrong started a sale at the Kansas Beef Expo in Wichita. In the parade of breeds, he had a Swiss dressed lady, a yodeler and an accordion player, it was a big hit. Karl Fry was very instrumental in Simmental being promoted as the Performance breed. In 1984 a female sale was held inside the Halidome in Manhattan KS, it was a big hit, averaging close to $10,000 each. The Kansas Simmental Association was very instrumental in the establishment of the ASA and is still considered to be one of the strongest state associations in the country.