Block and Bridle News

Award Winners are (clockwise from top left): John Miller, Collette Schultz Kaster, Joeli Walrath, and Bryan Buss.
Department of Animal Science To Recognize Block and Bridle, Alumni Awards Winners at Annual Honors Banquet Friday, March 8, 2024

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science will honor four individuals with awards at its 2024 Honors Banquet. The event is sponsored by Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and will be held on April 20, 2024 at the AKRS Champions Club in Lincoln, Nebraska.

John Miller will be the 2024 Block and Bridle Club honoree, while Joeli Walrath, Dr. Bryan Buss, and Collette Schultz Kaster will be honored with awards for their outstanding accomplishments as undergraduate or graduate animal science alumni.

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Bill Ahlschwede was a graduate of the Department of Animal Science and served as a Nebraska Swine Extension Specialist
Bill Ahlschwede, former Nebraska State Swine Specialist, Passes Away Thursday, February 29, 2024

William T. “Bill” Ahlschwede, a graduate of the department of animal science and former Nebraska swine extension specialist, passed away on February 27th, 2024 at the age of 82.

Following his graduation from Nebraska, Bill earned an MS and PhD at North Carolina State and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin.

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Faculty member Benny Mote helps prepare steaks at the 2022 Block and Bridle Steak Fry
Block & Bridle Club Set to Host Its Annual Steak Fry on September 15 Monday, August 28, 2023

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block & Bridle Club will be hosting its annual Steak Fry on September 15 from 5-7pm at the Animal Science Complex on East Campus.

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Dr. Ronnie and Jane Green
Dr. Ronnie and Jane Green Headline Honorees at Annual Department of Animal Science Block and Bridle Club and Alumni and Friends Reunion Thursday, March 30, 2023

Lincoln, Neb. - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science will honor five individuals with awards at its annual Block and Bridle Club and Alumni and Friends Reunion at the Nebraska East Union Great Plains Room on April 22. Dr. Ronnie and Jane Green will be recognized as the 2023 Block and Bridle Club honorees, while Dr. Cayla Beebe-Iske, Dr. Deb Hamernik, and Dr. Rebecca Bott-Knutson will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments as undergraduate and graduate alumni.

Read Dr. Ronnie and Jane Green Headline Honorees at Annual Department of Animal Science Block and Bridle Club and Alumni and Friends Reunion


photo of John Klosterman
John Klosterman, a 1989 Block and Bridle Honoree, Passes Away Tuesday, January 10, 2023

John Klosterman, a 1989 Block and Bridle honoree and longtime supporter of the Department of Animal Science, passed away on Saturday, January 7.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held in the near future. Arrangements are with Kracl Funeral Chapel in David City, Neb., and memorials are suggested to the Butler County Healthcare Foundation or University of Nebraska Foundation in Honor of John Klosterman.

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2022 Little AKSARBEN participants/organizers
Nebraska hosts 94th Annual Little AKSARBEN Thursday, October 27, 2022

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block and Bridle Club hosted its 94th Annual Little AKSARBEN livestock showmanship contest on Oct. 21 at the R.B. Warren Arena in the Animal Science Complex.

The event had 30 individuals entered in the contest, competing in both novice and experienced classes in cattle, sheep, goat and swine divisions. Each division and class named top three placers, along with a round robin champion in both the experienced and novice classes.

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Ernie Weyeneth Receiving Distinguished Service Award
Ernest Weyeneth, 2022 Animal Science Distinguished Service Award Winner, Passes Away Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Ernest (Ernie) Weyeneth, a longtime supporter of the Department of Animal Science and 2022 award winner, passed away on Thursday, September 30 at the age of 75.

He is survived by his sons: Leonard (Len) and his wife, Sara; Phillip; grandchildren Benjamin, Samuel, Maxim, Charla Ann, and Thomas; brother Dennis; sister Marilyn Klem and her husband, Ron; uncle Alfred (Butch) Jolly and his wife Barbara; aunt June Jolly; nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

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photo of Lavon Sumption
Lavon Sumption, Emeritus Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Passes Away Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Lavon Sumption, an emeritus professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022, beginning at 3:00 PM at the Holmes Park Golf Course, 3701 South 70th, Lincoln, NE. Memorials are suggested to the Food Bank of Lincoln, or the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Ag Lab Endowment Fund.

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photo of Max Kimmerling
Max Kimmerling, a 2003 Block and Bridle Honoree, Passes Away Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Max Kimmerling, a 2003 Block and Bridle honoree and dairyman from Beatrice, Neb., passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

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