Kelly Schaff, a fourth-generation rancher from Saint Anthony, N.D., is a lifelong contributor to the Angus breed and the legacy of the world-renowned Schaff Angus Valley, along with his wife, Martie Jo, and daughters Kelsie and Kourtney. Growing up in the Angus business, Schaff’s unbridled passion and enthusiasm for Angus cattle started at a very young age, taking on significant responsibilities in the registered breeding program that was started by his grandfather, Paul Schaff, and carried forward by his father, Martin, and uncles, Joe and Paul Jr. Schaff eats, sleeps and breathes Angus cattle and is hands-on with every aspect of the operation — from genetic selection, breeding by artificial insemination (AI), vaccinations and feeding to even the clipping, photos and sale book preparation.

Schaff has bred, raised and marketed more than 100 sires that are active in major AI studs. The Schaffs hosted their 115th production sale of registered Angus cattle in February 2018. They market approximately 750 registered Angus bulls and females in that event annually, which has been the record-grossing sale in breed history for several years running. Schaff and his family are committed to the future of the Angus breed, donating the 2016 National Angus Foundation Heifer, which generated $230,000 toward Angus youth, development and research.