The American Angus Association awarded its second annual Young Breeder of the Year award to fourth-generation Angus breeder Cody Quam of Lodi, Wis., on Nov. 3, during the 2024 Angus Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas.

Known as a humble, quiet man, Quam is not afraid to generously share his knowledge of the cattle industry. “I’ve made it a point to try and help anybody that will take the time and ask and are willing to put the work in,” says Quam when asked to reflect on why he was selected for the award. “I’ll share what we’ve done right and what we’ve done wrong to try and help people that are just getting started to maybe get there a little faster.” 

It’s a wealth of experience Quam and his family have spent more than 80 years gathering while building the reputation of Marda Angus Farm. Quam’s great-grandfather purchased the family’s first Angus heifers as 4-H projects for his son in 1942. That same year, he also purchased two Hereford heifers for his daughter. The Angus cattle stayed, the Herefords didn’t, so the family story is told by Quam. “It’s hard to deny the quality of the Angus cow.” 

Twelve years ago, Quam was able to come back to the farm full-time, bringing with him ideas gathered not only from his time working in sale barns and feed mills, but from his time volunteering. As part of two terms served on the Wisconsin Angus Association’s board, Quam helped run the state’s futurity sale. 

“That was the most interesting because you could help a wide diversity of Angus breeders across the state,” Quam says. “It is also probably the most educational thing I’ve done, that’s benefitted this farm.” 

Quam now leads Marda’s genetic selection and donor/ET (embryo transfer) program as well as sales and marketing. Under his stewardship, the operation has earned multiple top honors at the Midland Bull Test and hosted its 9th production female sale on Nov. 16. 

“What I truly believe about this breed is you can find your home in it — no matter what you want to raise, what you want to sell, what you want to have as your cow herd,” Quam says. “Do what you like, and if you’re persistent enough, you will find a place.” 

For Quam, that place is on the family farm where he works side-by-side with his 92-year-old grandmother, father and mother, and gets the joy of raising his two children with his wife on the ground that instilled in him a love of Angus cattle, a pension for hard work and the desire to give back.