Awards
Association of Distinction
- 2023 - Utah Elk Breeders Association
- 2021 - Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
- 2019 - Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
- 2018 - Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
- 2017 - Indiana Deer & Elk Farmers Association
- 2016 - Exotic Wildlife Association
- 2015 - Canadian Cervid Alliance
- 2014 - Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
- 2013 - Iowa Elk Breeders Association & Iowa Whitetail Deer Association
- 2012 - Kansas Cervid Breeders Association
- 2011 - North American Deer Farmers Association
- 2010 - North Dakota Elk Growers Association
- 2009 - Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
Rush Johnson Memorial Award (formerly President's Award)
- 2023 - Brenda Hartkopf (MN)
- 2022 - Mark Luedtke (MN)
- 2021 - Bill Mayes (MO)
- 2020 - Harvey Petracek (SK)
- 2019 - Jim Byrne (MN)
- 2018 - Scott Downing (OH) & Mark Luedtke (MN)
- 2017 - Connie Suetter (AB)
- 2016 - Rich Forrest (CO) & Harvey Petracek (SK)
- 2015 - Rulon Jones (UT)
- 2014 - Brenda Hartkopf (MN)
- 2013 - Travis Lowe (KS) & Henry Bohlen (IA)
- 2012 - Charly Seale (TX) & Laurie Seale (WI)
- 2011 - Leo Windschitl (MN)
Member of the Year
- 2023 - Mike Ford (UT)
- 2022 - Neal Melton (TX)
- 2021 - Eric Mohlman (NE)
- 2020 - Andy Azcarraga (CO)
- 2019 - Dale Taylor (OK)
- 2018 - Bill Mayes (MO)
- 2017 - Perry Olson (MN) and Rich Forrest (CO)
- 2016 - Karen Knutson (WI) & Tom Smith (NC)
- 2015 - Barry Chernuka (AB)
- 2014 - Kevin Hinkebein (MO)
- 2013 - Michael Coleman (TX)
- 2012 - Lance Hartkopf (MN) & Tom Watts (NM)
- 2011 - Travis Lowe (KS)
- 2010 - Dan Lonneman (IA) & Joel Espe (WI)
Premier Typical Breeder
- 2023 - Mark Luedtke, Lucky Land Elk (MN)
- 2022 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2021 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2019 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2018 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2017 - John Kooistra, Frisia Farm (MI)
- 2016 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2015 - Mike Coleman, Coleman Ranches (TX)
- 2014 - John Kooistra, Frisia Farm (MI)
- 2013 - John Kooistra, Frisia Farm (MI)
- 2012 - Jon Kooistra, Frisia Farm (MI)
Premier Non-Typical Breeder
- 2023 - Dave & Pam Flory, Quiet Harmony Ranch (OH)
- 2022 - Dave & Pam Flory, Quiet Harmony Ranch (OH)
- 2021 - Dave & Pam Flory, Quiet Harmony Ranch (OH)
- 2019 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2018 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2017 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2016 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2015 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2014 - Andy Azcarraga, Plateau Valley Elk Ranch (CO)
- 2013 - Michael Coleman, Coleman Ranches (TX)
- 2012 - Tom Peryea, Tom's Elk Ranch (NY)
Premier Velvet Breeder
- 2021 - Bill & Karen Knutson, Spring Coulee Elk Farm (WI)
- 2019 - Perry Olson, Minnesota Elk Company (MN)
- 2018 - Bill & Karen Knutson, Spring Coulee Elk Farm (WI)
- 2017 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2016 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2015 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2014 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2013 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
- 2012 - Eric Mohlman, Mohlman Elk Farm (NE)
NAEBA Hall of Fame
- Eric Mohlman
- Ray Favero, PhD
- Sharrie Doshier
- Pat Cooper (OH)
- Ken Anderson (KS)
- Brian Wagner (MN)
- John Kooistra (MI)
- Michael Coleman (TX)
- Dudley Coleman (TX)
- Sam Withiam
- Dr. Mike Bringans
- Dr. Glen Zebarth
- Rush Johnson
- Jan Ellsworth
- Rich Forrest
Friend of the Industry
- 2023 - Dr. Paul Anderson (WI)
- 2022 - Dr. Scott Leibsle (ID)
- 2021 - Dr. Daryl Ragland (IN)
- 2020 - Wayne East (CO)
NAEBA Meat Contest Winners
2023
- Elk Snack Sticks - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Jerky - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Sausage - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Deli Meat - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Best of Show - Everett & Rodney Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch (KS)
2022
- Elk Snack Sticks - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Jerky - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Sausage - Rick & Kathy Ewert, Hemlock Hills Elk Ranch (MO)
- Elk Deli Meat - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Best of Show - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
2021
- Elk Snack Sticks - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Jerky - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Sausage - Rick & Kathy Ewert, Hemlock Hills Elk Ranch (MO)
- Elk Deli Meat - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Best of Show - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
2019
- Elk Snack Sticks - Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky - Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
- Elk Sausage - Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk (IA)
- Elk Deli Meat - Everett & Rodney Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch (KS)
- Best of Show - Everett & Rodney Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch (KS)
2018
- Elk Snack Sticks — Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky — Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
- Elk Sausage — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Deli Meat — Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
- Best of Show — Leonard & Diane Witscheber, River Birch Ranch (WI)
2017
- Elk Snack Sticks — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Sausage — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Deli Meat — Chris & Emily Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk Ranch (IA)
- Best of Show — Chris & Emily Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk Ranch (IA)
2016
- Elk Snack Sticks — Karen & Chris Thuerauf, Antler Ridge Elk Ranch (IA)
- Elk Jerky — Everett, Rodney & Josh Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch Inc. (KS)
- Elk Sausage — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Elk Deli Meat — Everett, Rodney & Josh Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch Inc. (KS)
- Best of Show — Elk Jerky - Everett, Rodney & Josh Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch Inc. (KS)
2015
- Elk Snack Sticks — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Elk Jerky — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Elk Sausage — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Deli Meat — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Best of Show — Elk Jerky & Sausage (tie) - Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
2015
- Elk Snack Sticks — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Sausage — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Elk Deli Meat — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Best of Show — Elk Snack Sticks - Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
2013
- Elk Snack Sticks — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky — Everett, Rodney & Josh Miller, Valley View Elk Ranch Inc. (KS)
- Elk Sausage — Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
- Elk Deli Meat — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Best of Show — Elk Sausage - Bruce Krueger, K-K Ranch (WI)
2012
- Elk Snack Sticks — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Elk Jerky — & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Elk Sausage — Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)
- Elk Deli Meat — Joel & Cheri Espe, Hawks Hill Elk Ranch (WI)
- Best of Show — Elk Sausage - Ken, Sandy & Shawn Branine, Branine Farms (SD)