Brian F. Plank, Noted Cattleman, Dies at 50
Published: Friday, November 19, 2021
The Michigan beef industry is mourning the loss of a well-known cattleman, who died last week in a tractor rollover accident in central Michigan.
Brian F. Plank, who was a former president of the Michigan Cattlemen's Assn., was driving along a roadway last Tuesday evening near Crystal. According to Montcalm County Sheriff Michael Williams, the tractor got too close to the road edge, causing it to slide down an embankment. Plank, 50, was pinned under the tractor when it rolled over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death is a tragedy, said George Quackenbush, executive vice president of MCA.
"It's shocking," Quackenbush told Michigan Farm News. "In the industry, and particularly in the MCA, Brian (Plank) was a friend to all of us. He was so critically involved with so many things; it's a huge loss. Our board of directors is meeting and putting together some contingency plans."
Plank served as the station manager of the MCA/MSU Bull Evaluation Program, providing care for 100 bulls. In 2014, he produced its highest-indexing and selling Simmental bull.
A cooperative between MCA, Michigan State University and the Plank farm, the MCA/MSU Bull Program is the region's central bull appraisal outlet.
Plank is survived by many family and friends.
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