In 2018 they were awarded the National Western Stock Show Industry Leader Award, in Denver Colorado. In 2015 together they were named American Angus Association’s Herdsman of the Year and in 2021 they received the Western States Herdsman of the Year award at the Western National Angus Futurity in Reno, Nevada. Both Chris and Sharee have served the association through state and national boards. Chris is a past member of the American Angus Association Board of Directors. Sharee is a past American Angus Auxiliary President where she worked endlessly to support the youth of the breed through scholarship programs. They both have served as the president, as well as, past junior advisors for the Kansas Angus Association. The Sankeys know that the Business Breed isn’t only about bulls, so they host an Annual Fall Female sale each September in Council Grove. Angus cattle, of course, aren’t the only reason Chris and Sharee keep the show barn rocking, the trailer rolling, and their work boots on at ages 65 and 64. Within them remains a strong dedication to the improvement and longevity of the Brangus breed. Sharee’s father, Bob Laflin (who needs no introduction) needed pasture for his small herd of Brangus cows, so the newlyweds obliged, sparking a fire that would go on burn brightly for decades. The strong use of AI helped expand and improve the Brangus herd, with a sharp focus on Brangus genetics that were more the type and kind of Angus cattle. Smooth underlines, and cleaner fronted Brangus were what the pair consistently bred towards. At that time, they were selecting cattle that were ahead of the times, as the
Chris & Sharee Sankey were named 1997-1998 IBBA Herdsman of the Year. Terri Barber, IBBA Association staff at that time, presenting the award.
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