[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 31 (Monday, March 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. JOHN HOLTORF, JR.

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                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 13, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John 
Holtorf, Jr., for his impressive contributions to Colorado agriculture. 
John is a successful producer who is a leader in the use of innovative 
agricultural practices. He has compassion for the land and has been 
able to consistently demonstrate good stewardship. Additionally, John's 
willingness to involve local area youth in the daily ranch activities 
has had an extensive impact on numerous young lives.
  John attended a one-room schoolhouse as a young person, and then went 
on to attend Colorado A&M College, now Colorado State University. He 
joined the U.S. Army and served from 1956-1957. Following his service, 
he returned home to the family ranch 14 miles north of Akron. In 1961, 
John became secretary-treasurer of Holtorf Incorporated and manager of 
the 8,000 acre Buffalo Springs Ranch. Under his management, pastures 
were reseeded and fenced to prevent overgrazing and the Hereford cow 
operation was converted to a crossbred Angus cows/Hereford bull 
operation. In 1994, John built a 3,000-head custom feedlot.
  John tested and incorporated many innovative management practices, 
including artificial insemination, estrus synchronization and 
rotational grazing. He has worked with the Colorado Division of 
Wildlife to reintroduce antelope to the area, and to select a suitable 
location for prairie chickens. He offered the spring-fed ponds at 
Buffalo Springs for local public fishing and established a trophy bass 
breeding and Canada Goose reserve. John and his brother Tom became the 
first U.S. certified natural and organic beef producers and feeders in 
the region.
  John has been a positive influence on many young lives in the area by 
opening his home to the area youth by sharing his time and knowledge. 
He has taken young people under his wing and taught them 
responsibility, respect for the land, the value of hard work, and the 
ability to embrace new challenges with enthusiasm. He has helped them 
select, train, and prepare beef cattle for shows. He shared with them 
all the joy of living, learning and working in agriculture. He and his 
wife Lea raised 3 boys; Vincent, a Lieutenant Colonel serving in the 
U.S. Army; Victor, who owns his own consulting firm and Richard, a 
Lieutenant Colonel in the Colorado National Guard.
  John's lifelong contributions to agriculture have earned him 
induction into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in February of 
2006. He has helped sustain a way of life that honors the land while 
helping feed the world. I am proud to honor John Holtorf, Jr., for his 
devotion to Colorado agriculture.
    

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