The person or people selected each year for the Livestock Leader award are dedicated to the livestock industry, have demonstrated leadership and furthered their field. The Department of Animal Sciences recognizes each of the recipients for their work with the prestigious award and portrait, which are prominently displayed in the department.

Blach is CEO of CattleFAX, an organization focused on helping member cattle producers make more profitable marketing and management decisions. Blach came to CattleFAX in 1981 and served as director of market analysis for 15 years before accepting his current role in 2001. He has been a keynote speaker at hundreds of cattle and beef industry conventions, meetings and seminars.

A Colorado native, Blach and his family remain actively involved in cattle ranching with cow/calf, stocker and finished cattle operations. Blach was raised on his family’s ranch in Yuma, Colo., and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in animal science. Blach received the Honor Alumni award from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 2004. He and his family live in Centennial, Colo.

“Randy and the entire Blach family have been longtime friends of Colorado State University and the College of Agricultural Sciences,” said William Wailes, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at CSU. “He is a graduate, an honored alumni and charter member of the CSU Beef Club which supports the College. We are proud to present the Livestock Leader award to Randy.”

The Blach legacy at Colorado State was well established before Randy set foot in Fort Collins. Seven of his older brothers and sisters made CSU their school of choice, as did his father, Perry.

“We have given so very little compared to the way our lives have been enriched by our friendships and involvement with the Colorado State University family,” Blach said.

PHOTO: Randy Blach addresses a crowd at the National Angus Tour. 

Photo by David Cooper