Minnesota Simmental Association

JB Farms Selected as MSA
Commercial Producer of the Year
The Minnesota Simmental Association announced the 2011
MSA Commercial Producer of the Year Award going to JB
Farms of Correll, MN owned and operated by Justin & Dr. Rachel
Bakeberg along with daughter Carolynn. This award was
presented at the annual banquet in Rochester, MN. The
mission statement that the award carries is to honor an
outstanding commercial producer who has utilized the
Simmental breed for powerful heterosis.
Val & Lori Eberspacher (left) pictured with Rachel & Justin Bakeberg
JB Farms consist of 175 black commercial cross cows with emphasize on low birth weights, high weaning weights and strong
maternal traits. The Bakeberg’s have been using Simmental bulls in the operation for over 15 years and that F1 cross allows
them to sell calves in late fall at the Hub City Livestock Auction in Aberdeen, SD. This firm consistently tops the market with
feeder steers and heifers that have ideal phenotype and the ability to gain built in.
Calving ease is especially important in any herd, Justin smiles and comments, “it is really important when you are the one
married to the vet!” Dr. Rachel operates her own Vet Practice in Appleton, MN. The couple says they will continue utilizing
Sim-genetics and wish to send a thank you to the MN Simmental Association for this prestigious award.
Breeders Spotlight
Kory Bigalk
4
Kory and wife Kareen,
with twins James & Lila
Kory’s parents, Earl and Arlene Bigalk, started Diamond K Farms in 1975, named after
their seven children whose names all start with the letter K. They purchased their first
Simmentals in 1977. The Simmental herd grew to about 50 purebred cows before
Earl and Arlene passed away in 1987. The farm and most of the cattle were sold in
1988.
A few of the better cows were sent to Dr. Lynn Aggens which allowed Kory to remain
involved with 4-H and Simmental cattle throughout his youth which included
serving as the MJSA President and also serving a term on the National Junior
Simmental Association’s Board of Directors.
Along with the Aggen crew, Kory did a great deal of showing from the county fair to
national classics which were highlighted by Kory and Matt’s heifer “Snickers” being
named Reserve Overall Female at their first AJSA National Classic in 1989 in Des
Moines, IA.
Kory has owned Simmental cattle with the Aggen family ever since and more recently has bought some cows with Bob Grass
of Grass-Lunning Simmentals. Between the two herds, Kory owns about 20 mostly purebred cows. Kory is able to graze
most of the cows at his place for the summer but they are sent back to Aggens’ and Grass’ for the winter. The cattle are
marketed through Grass’ Bulls Eye Bonanza sale, the MN State Simmental Sale and sold privately.
Kory’s youthful influences, experiences and desire to work in the cattle industry led him to the University of Minnesota in
1991 where he did his undergraduate studies and attended veterinary school. After graduating from veterinary school in
1998, he worked as a large animal veterinarian for 12 years before purchasing Future Genetics from Dr. Clair Sauer in March of
2010. Dr. Sauer’s business was combined with his current embryo transfer clientele to begin Diamond K Genetics, PLC.
Diamond K Genetics is a full service embryo transfer business that Kory operates out of his home in Zumbrota, MN. In
addition to traditional embryo transfer services, Kory also provides reproductive ultrasound services, in vitro fertilization
services and is in the process of building a donor housing facility in Leroy, MN in partnership with Grass-Lunning Simmentals.
Kory married Kareen Kurth on New Year’s Eve in 2007 and they welcomed twins, James and Lila, into the world on October 5,
2010. Kareen was very involved in 4-H although not with livestock(this was new to Kory because he didn’t know 4-H was
anything besides showing livestock). They are excited to continue the tradition of raising a family heavily involved in 4-H,
Simmental Cattle and animal agriculture. (However, there is some disagreement on whether the kids will be forced to
participate in Share the Fun).