CattleCon News (Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show)

10 Cattle Health Advancements That Could Fit into Your Daily Practice

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:42:19 GMT

Walking the trade show floor at CattleCon 2026 , the pace of change was hard to ignore. New diagnostics, therapeutics and management tools lined the aisles, each promising sharper decision-making and stronger herd performance. For veterinarians, the challenge is not access to innovation. It is determining which tools will meaningfully improve outcomes and which are incremental updates wrapped in compelling marketing.

Several clear themes surfaced across product categories. Stress mitigation has an increased presence, with companies targeting both behavioral and physiologic responses tied to handling, transport and management changes. The focus is not simply on calmer cattle, but on stabilizing performance and reducing downstream setbacks. At the same time, diagnostics continue shifting closer to the point of care. More products are designed to deliver actionable information at the chute or pen, narrowing the gap between testing and intervention. Efficiency, both in labor and procedure, is increasingly part of the value proposition.

Products centered on rumen health and calf resilience lean into microbiome research and bioactive supplementation. The goal is targeted support during predictable risk periods such as scouring or transport, when animals are most vulnerable to performance losses.

Diagnostic platforms reflected a similar push toward earlier insight. Rapid pregnancy testing capable of producing results from two drops of blood at 28 days post-breeding drew attention from producers seeking tighter reproductive timelines. Expanded chute-side and ear notch options for BVD detection reinforce ongoing efforts to identify and manage infection quickly. Genomic testing for conditions such as bovine congestive heart failure signal broader investments in identifying risk before clinical signs emerge.

Conversations around treatment remained grounded in antimicrobial stewardship. Research examining first-treatment strategies for bovine respiratory disease following metaphylaxis highlighted continued industry focus on timing, drug selection and responsible use. The emphasis was not on introducing an entirely new class of drugs, but on refining how existing therapies are deployed.

Not all innovation centered on pharmaceuticals or biologics. Ergonomic ultrasound tools designed to reduce shoulder strain, along with battery-powered vaccination devices that support multiple routes of administration, reflect growing recognition that practitioner durability and injection accuracy influence herd-level outcomes.

For veterinarians who want a deeper look at how these products are positioned and what the companies behind them say about real-world application, the full conversations from the trade show floor are available in Episode 2 of The Bovine Vet Podcast . Listening offers additional context around development, intended use cases and how these tools may fit into day-to-day practice.

Featured in this episode of The Bovine Vet Podcast :

CattleZen from Solvet: A topical pheromone solution that helps calm down cattle for reduced stress and easier handling. (Guest: Steve Schram)
Bovacillus from Novonesis: A probiotic with two Bacillus strains to support rumen and lower gut health. (Guest: Greg Eckerle, PhD)
Early Pregnancy Rapid Test from Central States Testing: This gives results with only two drops of blood and has been shown to be 99.5% accurate at 28 days post-breeding. (Guest: Dustin Hessman)
Prozap from Neogen: This line up is for external parasites, including lice and flies. The company’s genomics testing for bovine congestive heart failure is also discussed. (Guest: Kenton Carlson)
FerAppease from FERA: This product is a synthetic analogue of the maternal bovine appeasing substance to help animals deal with management and physiological stressors. (Guest: Rodrigo Bicalho, DVM)
Reproarms from ReproScan: These extension arms reduce shoulder and arm strain and allow for safer and faster pregnancy diagnosis and fetal aging. (Guest: Elle Terhaar)
Replenish Ab+ and BovAlign from TechMix: Replenish Ab+ is an electrolyte with maternally derived bioactives to help support calves during scouring, while BovAlign is a nutrient-dense liquid designed to help combat the stresses associated with transport. (Guest: Nathan Upah)
BVD testing from Idexx: From chute-side blood testing to ear notch tests, there are multiple options for detection of the virus. (Guest: Mike Ray)
BRD research from Virbac: This investigates the use of tulathromycin for the first treatment of BRD following metaphylaxis treatment with the same drug. (Guest: Jessica Newberry, DVM)
Power-VACC from Henke-Sass Wolf: This battery-powered vaccination device supports intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular and nasal administration of fast and accurate injections. (Guest: Marius Leyhausen)

Drovers Beef Biz: Check Out These New Products Promoted During CattleCon

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:18:40 GMT

Akralos Animal Nutrition , a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations. Operating a network of more than 40 feed mills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers feeds, minerals and supplements through its brands.

Bimeda announces the launch of Eprimectin , a new generic eprinomectin pour-on. Eprimectin delivers the same broad-spectrum parasite control as the pioneer brand Eprinex (eprinomectin) from Boehringer Ingelheim. Eprimectin is the ideal solution for both beef and dairy operations, including lactating dairy cattle, thanks to its zero milk and meat withdrawal time. Producers can expect the same convenient, weatherproof formulation and proven efficacy they’ve come to trust from this molecule.

Breedr announced new features to make managing breeding stock and tracking calves easier. These features include: separate breeding stock from commercial cattle, create virtual animals before calves are born and view genetic and EPD information at the chute. It also introduced three new chute-side processing improvements: quick induction, genetic results in chute mode and reliable offline performance.

Solvet announces CattleZen, a new cattle stress management tool designed to help producers maintain calmer, healthier beef and dairy cattle. CattleZen is a proprietary blend of maternal bovine-appeasing substance and a calming pheromone that, when applied just above the muzzle, stimulates a calming effect.

Using a direct-to-satellite device, CERES GEN6 brings together livestock health, behavior, location and pasture feed intake intelligence with new reproduction algorithms. Producers can now identify cycling cows, monitor bull activity and receive calving alerts to improve reproductive efficiency, season after season.

Envu is making it easier for ranchers to make smarter decisions about their grazing management rotation through their innovative ranch management tool, RangeView . Now, ranchers can seamlessly integrate CERES TAG into their RangeView dashboard to track cattle across range and pasture, herd optimization and ROI.

Ever.Ag announces the launch of Feedlot IQ , an intelligent, connected feedlot management platform built for cattle feedlot operations. Designed to help feedyards improve consistency, support animal health and make earlier, more informed decisions, Feedlot IQ uses advanced artificial intelligence and connected data for a clearer understanding of what’s changing across the yard.

Golden Agri-Resources, ED&F Man and Westway Feed Products are partnering to expand sustainable palm-based animal feed through the GoNutri product line. This collaboration will strengthen the supply chain for sustainable animal feed, providing customers in North America direct access to high-quality, sustainable, palm-based animal feed supplements.

Built by a lifelong rancher and software founder, Herd Advisor combines practical experience with data to give producers a clearer view of the market ahead. Just say “Hey Siri, cattle record” then speak naturally. Records go to review — confirm, edit or delete. Nothing slips through the cracks.

FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for IVOMEC(ivermectin) 1% Injection to prevent infestations caused by New World screwworm in cattle. The over-the-counter product must be administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration or at the appearance of a wound.

John Deere’s V452M round baler headlines the updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features for heavy crop and silage conditions. The current 1 Series round balers remain and continue to serve customers with their baling needs.

Jones-Hamilton Co. announces the launch of SurpHace , a rebrand that brings together the company’s pH and ammonia control products for beef and dairy operations under a single product name. SurpHace replaces BeefUp and ParlorPal, delivering the same environmental control but positioned to serve the broader livestock market.

KEEN Utility announces the release of a new pull-on waterproof work boot — Flatland . Keen is known for out-of-the-box comfort, snug heels, wide toe boxes and asymmetrical carbon toes that are lightweight and unobtrusive.

Merck Animal Health’s EXZOLT CATTLE-CA1 (fluralaner topical solution) received FDA’s conditional approval for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus). Recently, FDA removed the “single use only” language from the product label.

MGK Insect Solutions launched Troika Farm and Livestock Aerosol , a synergized dual-active, broad-spectrum insecticide that delivers the quick kill needed for immediate relief and provides residual control. The aerosol kills more than 25 insects on contact with residual control up to four weeks.

New Holland expands its T7 tractor series with three redesigned models . A new front axle design cuts the turning radius by 20% versus previous models, and in-cab visibility has been improved in every direction.
Norbrook’s Defendazole (fenbendazole) is the first FDA-approved generic white drench dewormer. The product treats and controls many of the common profit-limiting internal parasites that reduce feed efficiency and threaten the health of your herd. With Defendazole, producers can expect the same safety, efficacy and performance advantages as Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) oral suspension.

Ritchie introduces an all-climate solution for cattle operations that need a flexible watering solution for use in various pen configurations. The new OmniMaster 4 puts the proven performance and producer-favorite features of the OmniMaster 8 in a smaller footprint to water up to 180 beef cattle.

Suther Feeds announces the launch of Sulutions CaliGuard Paste , a biologically active nutraceutical designed to support gut health, hydration and digestive stability in livestock. This ready-to-use paste is a tool for calves and young animals during periods of stress, transition or digestive challenge. CaliGuard Paste is formulated with a targeted blend of tannins, essential oils and probiotics.

Vermeer Corporation and alliance partner G.T. Bunning & Sons Ltd. announce a new milestone in their collaboration efforts: The first MS400 manure spreaders produced at Vermeer’s Griswold, Iowa, facility are now shipping to dealers and customers in North America. While Bunning remains the design and engineering lead, Vermeer is leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to better meet demand and expand future product availability.

Westway’s Synergy line delivers nutrition where it matters most — out on pasture. Available in a molasses base, Synergy products provide cattle a highly palatable source of vitamins and minerals through a consistent, self-regulated delivery system to eliminate waste and increase labor efficiency. This new product is a fit for cattle producers who feed cubes, a TMR, commodities or liquid feed.

Zoetis Inc. has announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in INHERIT Select for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.

Be sure to check out BoVet Editorial Director Andrea Bedford’s The Bovine Vet Podcast . She walked the trade show floor at CattleCon 2026 and visited with companies about new products. You can read more at: Beyond the Trade Show Floor: Translating CattleCon’s Top Tech Into Daily Practice

The Cattleman's Call That Never Fades: Scott Wolverton’s Journey From Farm to Fame

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:53:43 GMT

For Scott Wolverton , the path to Nashville didn’t begin under bright stage lights or inside a recording studio. It started on a cattle farm in southeast Nebraska — where early mornings, livestock chores and county fairs were simply part of everyday life.

Raised on a cow-calf operation in Seward, Neb., Wolverton grew up immersed in agriculture. He started taking guitar lessons when he was 10. He says music was always there, but it wasn’t always the priority.

“I grew up on a small cattle farm,” Wolverton says. “We have a cow-calf operation back home. I grew up playing music here and there, but it really took the back burner to football, baseball, wrestling, 4-H events, showing cattle and doing all that stuff.”

Agriculture wasn’t just something Wolverton participated in. It was embedded in his family.

“My dad’s a veterinarian back home in Seward. He has a small cow-calf operation, K.A.W. Red Angus, and that’s what we would show cattle through and do all that stuff, 4-H projects,” Wolverton says. “My mom works for 4-H Extension out of Seward County. She helps with after-school programs for kids. She helps the county fair set up, running this county fair, hiring judges, all the livestock shows. She does a lot of that.”

Wolverton, his older brother and twin sister were raised around livestock, showing both Red Angus cattle and horses. It was those experiences on the farm and showing livestock that prepared him for the challenges of building a career in Nashville.

“I feel like I learned a lot about responsibility and work ethic just through working with animals, working with my dad and my siblings on the farm and doing just everyday things out there,” Wolverton says.

(Provided by Scott Wolverton)

A Chance Introduction That Changed Everything

Growing up, Wolverton’s interests were split between 4-H and athletics. Baseball, in particular, became a major focus. In college, he majored in agronomy — a natural extension of his agricultural upbringing — while also pursuing baseball seriously enough that it eventually became his career. Wolverton coached at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, and during that time, he quietly began recording music on his own.

What he didn’t expect was that a casual connection would open a door he never saw coming. The coaches he worked with introduced him to a man who would eventually become his manager.

That manager, Zach, happened to be in Hutchinson one night when an opportunity surfaced almost out of nowhere — a chance for Wolverton to open for country artist Riley Green in Salt Lake City the very next day.

“I was like, ‘OK, that’s awesome. I don’t know if I’m going to get there. That’s about 21 hours away,’” Wolverton says. “And he said, ‘We’ll just fly you out, and then fly you back on Friday.’ And so I flew out Thursday morning, played the show Thursday night, and flew back on a Friday morning. And I’m back in time for practice that afternoon.”

The experience was fast, surreal and life-altering for a farm kid from Nebraska.

“It was kind of surreal in the moment. The Riley Green thing kind of came out of the blue,” Wolverton says. “And it was one of those things where you’re kind of like, it happened so quickly. In the moment I was kind of like, ‘Is this really where I’m at right now?’ Because it happened in less than 24 hours. I was on a plane and back in Kansas.”

That moment set Wolverton on a new path — one that eventually led him to Nashville and a full-time pursuit of country music. But even as his career shifted, his connection to agriculture never faded.

(Provided by Scott Wolverton)

His Inspiration

Wolverton says his main inspiration as a songwriter comes from home and how he was raised — the work, love and lifestyle he learned growing up around cattle.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from home,” Wolverton says. “It comes from where I grew up, what I grew up doing, that west country life, I guess. It’s very simple, but a lot of it has to do with work ethic, my faith, that kind of lifestyle.”

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A post shared by Scott Wolverton (@scottywolverton)

His Most Personal Song Yet

One of his most personal songs, “ Cattleman’s Call ,” draws directly from his upbringing and a sound that defined his childhood.

“My dad has always done that cow, the ‘come-boss,’ cattle call, and it’s always been such a fascinating thing to me because growing up as a little kid, you hear your dad scream and you’re like, ‘What was that?’” Wolverton explains. “And then you kind of learn about it, but it’s so amazing the cows always come right when he calls. They’ll perk their heads up and you can see them just start walking because they know they’re going to get taken care of.”

That cattle call became more than a memory. It became a metaphor and a message.

“My parents have been my rock throughout college baseball and just life in general,” he says. “My dad’s always called me and he’s always been very reassuring of, ‘Hey man, if anything ever happens, you fall flat on your face, you can always come home.’ And so, I tried really hard to relate that cattle call to that feeling, and that’s kind of where that inspiration really came from.”

Released last summer, “Cattleman’s Call” serves as both a tribute to his father and a reflection of the values Wolverton learned growing up in agriculture — values that continue to guide him in an industry that demands persistence and grit.

“Working in any branch of agriculture, a lot of it is hard work. It takes a lot of discipline, it takes a lot of hard work, it take a lot know-how or ‘figure it out,’” Wolverton says. “And the music industry is not a whole lot different from that. It’s really difficult. There’s a lot people doing it. You kind of got to find a way to stand out. And I feel very prepared in that way through the hard work and the dedication that I learned through working with animals, through working on the farm.”

From cattle country to country music, Scott Wolverton’s journey is rooted in the land and shaped by the lessons learned on a Nebraska farm. No matter how far the road takes him, the call of home is never far away.

Producer-to-Producer: That’s a Wrap on CattleCon 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:57:56 GMT

As beef producers pack up and leave Nashville, Tenn., they are returning home with new strategies, renewed optimism and memories from a memorable CattleCon 2026.

Thank you to the five producers who were our boots on the ground and shared their perspective this week:

Jenna Fitzsimmons, Cunningham, Kan.
Rachel Gray , Blackduck, Minn.
Ken Odde , Pollock, S.D.
Logan Pribbeno , Imperial, Neb.
Kim Rounds, Johnstown, Colo.

Here are their final thoughts about this year’s event:

Fitzsimmons: “My first CattleCon was a great experience! I really enjoyed the overall positive energy at CattleCon that could be felt from meetings, discussions, presentations and interactions I experienced.

“My biggest highlights were the region and policy meetings, Cattlemen’s College sessions and the [National Cattlemen’s Beef Association] State of the Industry Town Hall. These felt the most impactful to me because they allowed producers’ voices to be heard, covered industry issues, expanded my knowledge, inspired me to be a leader and challenged me to improve my operation.

“I love learning and will always be a lifelong learner. CattleCon offered many various learning opportunities for any topic a producer could want. I was able to attend a few sessions I was interested in and even a couple that surprised me by providing knowledge I didn’t realize I needed.

“It is important to go outside of your comfort zone when learning because you never know what you might pick up to improve yourself and your operation. Learning also comes from networking, producer-to-producer.

“I was able to visit with several producers from all across the U.S. and Canada! Everyone was so genuine and kindhearted! Now, you have to take the next step and apply what you have learned, even if it can be daunting. It is pertinent to keep learning and improving as a beef producer for the benefit of the cattle and the consumer. This allows the industry to pave the way and move forward into the future.

“The beef industry is excited, passionate and ready to support the world.”

Gray: “I finished Wednesday attending some Cattleman’s College events. I learned a lot from the ranchers who were part of the legacy panel. Both gentlemen suggested Ranching For Profit and other classes. I am glad to hear the focus on education.

“Thursday, I enjoyed hearing U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speak and getting his thoughts on dietary guidelines . I then headed to the plane to return home for bull sales and calving.”

Odde: The biggest highlight for me was the education and celebration associated with the change in dietary guidelines. I think the change in dietary guidelines has long-term support for demand.

Pribbeno: “The biggest highlight was having [Kennedy] speak at the afternoon general session. He was greeted with a standing ovation. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein said it was the most packed he has seen a convention setting.

“Kennedy says he eats beef twice a day, and his favorite cut was the strip. He also touched on how and why he and his team rebuilt the food pyramid and the science behind putting proteins at the base.

“The early morning CattleFax session is a perennial favorite. I had an associate tell me that the CattleFax session alone is worth the trip to Nashville. Randy [Blach] and the team presented on a theme that I would call cautious optimism.

“After the CattleFax session, we hit the trade show floor for some networking.”

Rounds: “My biggest takeaway was that I spent the majority of my day with emerging leaders and leadership, and I’m so excited and positive about the future of the beef industry and knowing that our futures are in these kids’ hands.

“They are so hungry, and they want it so bad. Every single conversation that I had yesterday blew me away, and I know that we have a lot of fun and exciting things on the horizon.

“And, of course, the networking. The beef industry is full of the best people, and when we all get together in a room like we did yesterday, you can’t help but have so much fun.”

Buckle Up: Cattle Market Structure Signals the Highs May Still Be Ahead

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:51:03 GMT

For cattle producers wondering whether today’s price levels are sustainable, or whether the market has already peaked, the underlying fundamentals suggest the industry may not be finished yet. Despite historically high cattle and beef prices, the U.S. cow herd continues to contract, herd rebuilding has yet to meaningfully begin and beef demand remains resilient even as prices climb. And when you combine those forces together, it’s a recipe that indicates tight supplies are likely to persist well into the second half of the decade, setting the stage for continued strength, and potentially even higher highs yet this year.

That outlook was reinforced during a U.S. Farm Report roundtable markets discussion at this year’s CattleCon in Nashville, with Oklahoma State University Extension livestock economist Derrell Peel, Don Close, senior protein analyst for Terrain, and Joe Vaclavik of Standard Grain.

Close has been in the business for 48 years, and he says he’s waited his whole career for this, as the dynamics in the cattle market continue to build a strong case for cattle prices. And while there is definite risk at these price levels, and volatility is certain, both Peel and Close are bullish on cattle this year.

Inventory Report Confirms the Industry is Still Shrinking

The latest USDA Cattle Inventory report released last week showed another year-over-year decline in beef cows, underscoring just how tight supplies have become. While the number itself was not shocking, the market’s reaction reflected the realization that contraction is not over.

“The fact that [the beef herd] was down some was not a particular surprise,” Peel says. “I thought it also could have been up slightly, so plus or minus unchanged. It came in a little smaller than that. But in general, the report from my standpoint was pretty much what I expected.”

What matters most, according to Peel, is not a single percentage point, but the trend line producers are still on.

“The net effect is we continue to get smaller in this industry, and we are not growing at this point,” he adds.

For producers hoping tighter numbers would soon give way to expansion, the report instead confirmed the industry is still digging deeper into contraction.

Replacement Heifers Signal Intention, Not Expansion

One of the few increases in the report came in beef replacement heifers, but Close cautions producers should not confuse that with meaningful herd growth.

“I think it’s an encouraging indication that they’re starting to think about it,” Close says. “If you look at the offset to the decline in count numbers to an increase of 42,000, 44,000 heifers, there’s no real offset there. We’re still in the infancy of any expansion, and it can, depending on weather, go either way.”

From Close’s perspective, the increase reflects mindset more than action. After several years of drought and forced liquidation, producers are beginning to consider rebuilding, but that process is slow, cautious and far from uniform.

“I think the anecdotal evidence we’re seeing when talking with producers is [they’re] starting to see some very modest expansion,” he says. “And I would conclude with the number of ads we’re seeing online of bred heifers for sale, we’re just starting.”

That “just starting” phase suggests calf supplies will remain tight for several more years, even if expansion intentions continue to grow.

Very Solid Technical Uptrend in Cattle

From a market structure standpoint, Vaclavik says cattle and feeder cattle futures continue to reflect the supply realities producers are seeing today.

“The cattle market and the feeder cattle market are two of the strongest and most orderly bull markets that we’ve seen in a long, long time,” he says.

Vaclavik points to the long-term chart as evidence the rally is not speculative, but fundamentally driven.

“You basically go back, and it’s very easy to see. You go back to when the lows were posted in 2020, like right around the COVID timeframe, and what we built out of that,” he says. “I know there’s been some volatility, but big picture, it’s a very, very solid technical uptrend.”

While he acknowledges the potential for short-term disruptions, Vaclavik says the underlying fundamentals remain firmly in control.

“I just, I don’t see anything fundamentally to set this thing back,” he says. “I do worry about things like headline risk. You know, you worry about ‘Is Trump going to go on another crusade against beef prices?’ ‘Is there going to be a screwworm headline?’ There’s a lot of things that, over the near term, could result in a setback.”

However, he emphasizes recent inventory data does little to change the bigger picture.

“I just, I don’t see it as being material. It’s not enough to reverse the course,” Vaclavik says.

Market Structure Suggests the Highs May Not Be In Yet

When asked whether cattle prices have already peaked, Close was clear in his assessment.

“We’re not convinced we’ve seen the highs,” he says.

Looking at supply constraints and demand strength, he sees room for additional gains in fed cattle prices.

“We’re thinking we could see fed cattle prices this year up an additional 8% to as much as 10% over the average prices we saw in 2025,” Close says.

He points out the market correction tied to political headlines last fall ultimately strengthened the rally prices are currently experiencing, rather than ending it.

“When we went through that period in October, we had the headlines and the involvement from the administration, and that really gave us a scare, but it also gave a correction in the market,” he explains. “So, when we take the fundamentals we think we’ve been working with, and that was confirmed in that cattle inventory report last Friday, I think the structure of the market to continue the rally is absolutely in place.”

Even with the resounding bullish sentiment headlining the discussion, Vaclavik has a clear and pointed message for producers.

“I love all this optimism, but it scares me a little bit. Remember to keep your business a business. Don’t gamble,” he says.

Herd Rebuilding Timeline Keeps Slipping

One of the most critical implications for producers is how far the industry has delayed rebuilding the cow herd.

“We keep pushing off the timeline,” Peel says. “Every year that we could have started some heifer retention, we haven’t. So, I think we’re still pushing off that timeline.”

Even if producers begin retaining heifers in 2026, Peel says the biological clock means supply relief will not arrive quickly.

“If we start saving heifers in 2026, then that’s the start, but time it out. If you save a heifer calf in ’26, breed her in ’27, it’s 2028 or the end of the decade before we change beef production,” he says.

Peel also notes replacement heifers will first be used just to hold the line.

“The small increase we saw in replacement heifers may signal that we’re thinking about it a little bit,” he says. “But the other thing you have to keep in mind is that the beef cow herd has gotten smaller, and we’ve been culling less, so we need to replace some of those cows going forward. It’s going to take some of these additional heifers just to maintain the herd we’ve got.”

Delayed Culling Could Push Slaughter Higher

Close adds that years of holding onto older cows could create another wrinkle in the supply picture.

“If you take the number of cows that probably should have gone to town, but were kept back in 2024 to get one more calf, the same thing repeated in 2025,” he says. “I actually think we could see a modest increase in cow slaughter in 2026 just because of those cows that we kept an extra year or two longer than they probably should have stayed.”

That dynamic could further slow the pace of true herd expansion, even as producers begin thinking about rebuilding.

Another Bullish Factor: Beef Demand Continues to Hold Firm

High prices have raised concerns about whether consumers will eventually push back, but Close says demand data continues to defy that narrative.

“Over the last two years at Terrain, we’ve spent more time trying to evaluate and study what we can about demand,” he says. “We’ve known what the supply is.”

By examining beef prices relative to income, inflation and competing proteins, Close said the results remain consistent.

“We’re looking at all-fresh beef prices against the consumer price index. We’re looking all fresh against average hourly wage. We’re now looking at beef in relationship to both pork and broilers,” he says. “And all those matrices that we’re looking at, we’re not seeing and have not yet seen any softening in beef demand. It’s still in place.”

Peel agrees consumer behavior continues to support higher prices, even if there is talk about bringing beef prices down.

“I don’t think we have a demand problem or a beef price problem. Consumers are still paying,” Close says. “If consumers didn’t want to pay high prices for beef, they don’t have to. There’s places they can go. They’re still paying it.”

Tighter supplies mean prices may need to rise further.

“We do have supply getting tighter, and it’s going to continue to get tighter, which probably means we’re going to use higher prices in the future to ration a tighter supply even compared to where we are now,” Peel says.

What it All Means for Cattle Producers

With herd rebuilding still largely on hold, cow numbers continuing to tighten and beef demand holding firm, their message to producers is consistent: the fundamentals that drove cattle prices to record levels are still in place. While volatility and headline risk remain, the supply-side realities suggest the market may not yet be finished rewarding cattle producers as the industry heads toward 2026.

Are Record Carcass Weights Pushing the Supply Chain to Its Limit?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:59:34 GMT

Has the beef industry hit the tipping point when the unintended consequences of animal size outweigh the benefits? Industry leaders say rising carcass weights have boosted beef supply and efficiency, but they have also increased bruising, mobility issues, heat stress and economic risk.

Kevin Good, CattleFax vice president of market analysis, says carcass weights the last two years have gone up by 52 lb., with carcasses now averaging 975-990 lb.

“That’s an offset of 2 million head harvested,” he explains.

While the added weight has helped fill the supply gap due to the reduced cow herd and fewer cattle on feed, Jessica Lancaster, NCBA senior director of product quality and safety research, says these huge incremental shifts in carcass weight can certainly cause challenges.

Lancaster was a guest on “AgriTalk” Thursday, discussing carcass size research as well as foreign object research results.

Shown is the “Bigger Cattle, Bigger Decisions: Managing Health and Welfare as Cattle Size Increases” panel including: Lily Edwards-Calloway, Colorado State University associate professor of animal science; Scott Pohlman, Cargill director of beef supply chain sustainability; and AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University Extension veterinarian.

(Angie Stump Denton)

Today’s Bigger Animals Are Testing Transport and Plant Limits

The Cattlemen’s College session “Bigger Cattle, Bigger Decisions: Managing Health and Welfare as Cattle Size Increases” featured industry experts Scott Pohlman, Cargill director of beef supply chain sustainability; Lily Edwards-Calloway, Colorado State University associate professor of animal science; and AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University Extension veterinarian.

From longer days on feed to tougher transport and processing, the panelists discussed how a more efficient, heavier animal can strain welfare, infrastructure and profitability. They all agree proactive management and research are critical to dealing with the rising carcass weights.

Here are some key takeaways from their conversation:

1. Structural Shift: Fewer Cows, Bigger Cattle

Pohlman says the U.S. cow herd is at its lowest level since the Roosevelt administration.

Feedlots have compensated by adding days on feed and pushing carcass weights sharply higher — approaching 975-990 lb. — resulting in similar total beef supply with fewer animals but much larger individuals.

2. Efficiency Gains Are Real, and So Are the Risks

According to Tarpoff, the larger, heavier cattle and longer feeding periods have improved overall efficiency: more beef with fewer animals, less total feed and water per pound of beef. This has helped “backfill” lost production from the smaller cow herd.

However, longer time in the system means:

Higher probability of adverse outcomes.
Rising death loss and greater economic risk per head, because each animal is more valuable.

3. Welfare: Tipping Point Concerns Around Size

Welfare is framed around biological functioning: growth, health and reproduction, the ability to express normal behavior and the freedom from discomfort, fear and distress.

Edwards-Calloway says there is a particular concern for animals at the extremes of the size bell curve, whose welfare can be “pretty compromised.”

The industry must proactively address welfare challenges associated with larger cattle to maintain consumer trust. Edwards-Calloway says if consumers think the industry knew about a welfare problem and didn’t act, that’s seen as worse than making an honest mistake and fixing it.

4. Transport and Packing Plants: Systems Not Built for Today’s Cattle

Edwards-Calloway explains transporting from feedlot to packing plant is still one of the most stressful phases, even with best practices.

Research has often controlled for size rather than explicitly asking how large size affects outcomes. She says evidence suggests larger‑frame cattle have more traumatic events and bruising on certain trailer types.

Not all fed cattle are fit for transport; there’s a call for mobility scoring at loading, not just at the plant, she adds.

Pohlman says the frequency of bruising in the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit was the highest on record, with major/critical bruises increasing. He stresses the economic impact is significant at about $110 million from loin bruises alone.

He also says mobility scores at arrival have worsened.

Processing facilities built decades ago are struggling to accommodate today’s larger cattle. Plants are having to modify pen densities, single-file alleyways, restrainer sizes, intervention cabinets and even re-engineer rail systems to handle the increased weight and size of modern cattle carcasses.

5. Heat Stress, Dark Cutting and Seasonal Losses

Heat stress represents a more than $650 million annual loss to the industry, with heavy, near-slaughter cattle at highest risk. Larger animals have increased difficulty with thermoregulation, making heat-stress management increasingly critical as cattle weights continue to rise.

Tarpoff says summer heat correlates with higher dark‑cutting rates, causing additional carcass‑value loss.

6. Call to Action: Upgrade Infrastructure and Management for a ‘Different Animal’

Today’s cattle are heavier, bigger‑framed and take up more space per head than 10 to 20 years ago. Now is the time to reinvest in infrastructure: pens, water systems, shade and heat‑stress mitigation, transport equipment and plant modifications.

Tarpoff says the industry needs to be nimble enough to make individual outcome decisions because every animal is a bigger financial and reputational stake.

He encourages the industry to consider welfare investments — comfort, health, mobility and heat mitigation — as economic investments with real returns in performance and risk reduction.

Tarpoff stresses that now is the time to adapt systems to the realities of larger cattle so the industry can keep delivering high‑quality, efficient beef without eroding welfare or consumer trust.

What About the Other AI?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:17:58 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t new to agriculture, but it has reached a point where it is no longer limited to research projects or niche tools. What’s driving its growing visibility in cattle health and production is pressure.

Cattle values are high, input costs are higher and small inefficiencies now carry outsized consequences. At the same time, cattle operations are managing more data than ever, often spread across disconnected systems that are difficult to interpret quickly.

AI is emerging as a way to manage that complexity. Not by automating care or decision-making outright, but by processing information continuously and surfacing patterns that would be impractical to track manually. Harold Birch of UnCommon Farms and Robert Terry of Folio3 spoke at CattleCon on how AI could be used to improve how we work on the farm and with animal health.

From Raw Data to Continuous Awareness

A central theme of the discussion was early awareness. AI systems are designed to absorb large volumes of information, learn what “normal” looks like over time and flag changes as they emerge.

“It gives us more insight quicker than we can see with our own eye,” Birch explains. “The AI agent learns from you and gathers information out of your systems and gives it back to you in real time.”

That capability applies broadly — across health signals, operational workflows and financial data.

Rather than relying on episodic review or fixed schedules, AI enables a more continuous view of what is changing within an operation or across herds. This represents a shift from reacting to visible problems toward noticing drift sooner with AI analysis.

Pattern Recognition at a Different Scale

Pattern recognition is one of AI’s core strengths. These systems improve through use, refining their outputs as more data flow through them. They are not static tools; they learn from repeated exposure to real-world conditions.

“AI is not one-and-done,” Terry says. “You put it in place, and it just keeps getting better. It learns from itself — when we put things in place that were 85% accurate and four to six weeks later it’s 99%-plus.”

This adaptation makes it easier to identify subtle trends that might otherwise blend into day-to-day variability. Instead of relying on predefined thresholds alone, AI can recognize deviations because it has learned what typical performance looks like across time, conditions and systems.

Why AI Keeps Coming Back to Economics

Most current AI applications on farms are tied to cost and operational efficiency rather than direct revenue gains. AI speeds up routine work, reduces friction in accessing information and helps identify inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over a season.

“The impacts that we can have in agriculture usually revolve around cost and daily operations,” Birch says. “Most of it has been around the cost components. Things like detecting weeds, detecting sick animals and finding where animals are located.”

For animal health, this economic context shapes how AI fits into advisory roles. Insights that support earlier intervention, better timing or avoided losses tend to resonate more strongly than tools positioned purely around novelty.

Ideas for Where to Start With AI

Birch and Terry emphasize that AI does not need to be adopted perfectly — or all at once — to be useful. Its value often becomes clear through trial, not theory. Practical starting points include:

Use AI to scan for change — Apply AI to monitor for deviations in health, performance or operations so attention is drawn to what looks different, not just what is scheduled to be checked.
Summarize before you analyze — Use AI tools to pull together and summarize information from multiple sources before reviews or discussions, reducing time spent searching for context.
Focus on early signals, not final answers — Treat AI outputs as indicators of where to look first rather than conclusions. Earlier awareness alone can be valuable.
Reduce repetitive manual work — Experiment with AI for organizing, importing or synthesizing routine information, such as records, reports or metrics, freeing time for higher-level evaluation.
Apply it where consistency is hardest — AI is especially useful where scale, distance or workload makes consistent monitoring difficult. It can help standardize awareness across people, sites or time.
Test one workflow at a time — Start small, evaluate whether it improves clarity or efficiency and move on if it doesn’t. Learning what doesn’t work is part of the process.

AI as a Capability, Not a Commitment

Above all, Terry recommends dipping your toe in and seeing what AI can do for you.

“It’s not a spectator sport. When I first got involved with AI, I thought I had to do it perfectly and know a lot. Actually, the best thing you can do is get in and start doing it,” Terry says.

Waiting to understand everything before engaging often means never engaging at all. At the same time, not every tool will be worth keeping, and applying the wrong one can add complexity without benefit.

Rather than a single investment decision, AI is better viewed as a capability to explore. Used thoughtfully, it changes how quickly patterns are noticed, how efficiently information is handled and how confidently decisions can be made. For cattle practice, that shift is what makes AI worth paying attention to.

CattleFax Provides Optimistic 2026 Price Outlook at CattleCon

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:14:30 GMT

2026 could be another record breaking year for cattle prices. That’s according to the CattleFax’s 2026 Outlook released during CattleCon in Nashville, Tenn.

CattleFax CEO Randy Blach says it is likely fed cattle futures prices will go back and test or exceed the all-time highs set in mid-October of 2025. With inventory at a 75-year low and the beef cows numbers down 285,000 that will mean tighter supplies ahead.

“The U.S. cattle and beef industry enters 2026 with strong but volatile market conditions, as historically tight cattle supplies, record-setting beef demand and elevated policy and weather uncertainty continue to support prices, even as markets appear to near cyclical highs,” says Mike Murphy, CattleFax chief operating officer. “Tight inventories and exceptional demand remain the dominant forces shaping the market; however, producer demographics, high input costs, and policy uncertainty point to a slow and measured expansion phase.”

Strong Fundamentals, Shifting Dynamics

Kevin Good, vice president of market analysis at CattleFax, reports the U.S. beef cow herd decreased 280,000 from a year ago in the latest USDA semi-annual cattle inventory report, while dairy cow inventories increased by 190,000 head.

Cattle availability will remain constrained in the first half of 2026 due to limited feeder cattle supplies. Fed slaughter is projected to decline by 600,000 head, primarily early in the year, and non-fed slaughter is expected to remain historically tight at 5.6 million head. Total commercial beef production is projected to decline again in 2026, albeit at a slower pace than in 2025. With imports up 5% and exports down 5%, U.S. per-capita beef supplies are forecast 0.2 lbs. larger in 2026 to 59.2 lbs., the largest since 2010.

(National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

Record Weights Making Up for Lost Slaughter

Total fed cattle slaughter was down last year by 1.4 million head in 2025 at 1.4 million head.

“That’s a big one-year decline,” Blach summarizes. “And this year, you know, fed slaughter could be down anywhere from 600,000 to 1 million more.”

(CattleFax )

However, has been offset by heavier carcass weights, which in essence created virtual cattle to temper the tight supplies according to Blach.

“In 2024, carcass weights were up 27 lb. That was the equivalent of harvesting another million head of fed cattle. Last year, carcass weights were up 25 lb., which is equivalent to harvesting another 900,000 head of cattle on an annual basis. This year, they’re off and running again. I mean, we could easily end up with weights up another 10 to 15 lb. this year.”

(CattleFax )

Beef Demand Also Key to Strong Prices in 2026

Retail beef demand remained historically strong in 2025, with record retail prices supported by steady consumption and exceptional product quality. Consumer preferences continue to favor high-protein, nutrient-dense foods, reinforcing demand even as higher prices move through the supply chain.

Good says consumer demand for beef is at a 40-year high, which is also adding to their cattle price outlook.

(National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

He also attributes that to a healthy economy, nearly full employment and rising wage levels that are beating inflation, so consumers have money to spend.

“We look at how many minutes it takes to buy a pound of beef and that number is back to the level we were back at the last cycle peak in 2014 to 2015,” Good says. “At first blush that looks like beef may be getting too pricey. At the same time, our consumers still consume about 59 lb. So this rally the last couple years, the bottom line is big part of it’s been demand driven. So, we really don’t see a push back yet.”

Plus, with an average consumer spending 14 minutes of work to buy a pound of beef, it is still a bargain.

“With 84% of fed cattle grading Choice or higher and 12% grading Prime, the industry is well positioned to sustain premium pricing,” Good notes. “Beef demand continues to be anchored by exceptional quality and strong consumer confidence in beef as a premium protein. Even as markets adjust and trade flows shift, the fundamentals supporting long-term beef demand remain solid.”

(CattleFax )

Fed Cattle Prices Steady to Slightly Higher in 2026

CattleFax forecast the average 2026 fed steer price at $224/cwt., nearly steady from the $225 average in 2025. Risk will increase later in the year as markets anticipate building supplies in 2027.

The range in prices may be narrower this year than in 2025 as well. “A year ago we had a big range in prices,” Blach summarizes. “Prices ranged from $195 at the lows in January at convention a year ago to $245. So, we had $50 range in fed cattle prices in 2025.”

All cattle classes are expected to trade higher, with 800-lb. steer prices expected to average $335/cwt., and 550-lb. steer prices averaging $440/cwt. Utility cows are expected to average $155/cwt., with bred cows at an average of $4,000/cwt.

Feeder Cattle Prices to Top Last Year

Cow-calf producers are expected to retain the strongest leverage as the cycle turns, supporting continued profitability for several more years.

“Cost of gains is as low as they are. We’re still putting a lot of gain on for around a $1 a pound,” Blach says. “So feeder cattle prices are stout. We’ve got a lot of cattle out here trading at $360, $370 right now, you know, with where the indexes are trading. So, we’re going to have very, very strong levels as we come through here.”

The additional tightness of supply in 2025 helped push prices to record levels, largely due to the closure of the Mexican border to feeder cattle imports due to New World screwworm (NWS). That took 1.2 million head out of the U.S. cattle feeding system.

However, Blach says the border will be re-opened at some point, which will have a negative impact on prices.

“We are at cycle highs based on everything that’s going on out here,” he summarizes. “So, when you’re typically there, you’ll get some correction off these levels. When we do see trade normalize, from maybe these tariffs, all the trade wars that we’ve got going on, all that stuff kind of normalize and we do see the Mexican border reopen and we get that flow of cattle, I suspect we’ll go through a correction in all these markets that we all just need to be prepared for.”

Risk Management Key

Both Good and Blach agree that the high prices outlook doesn’t mean profits will exceed 2025. Margins have gotten much tighter moving up the supply chains for backgrounders and feedlot operators. They also caution that the high prices and high volatility will make risk management even more important in 2026.

(National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)

Weather Outlook: Transition Brings Risk

La Niña continues to weaken and is expected to dissipate by March, with a transitional phase most likely through spring and early summer.

“We’re watching a classic transition year unfold,” says Matt Makens atmospheric scientist. “Even as the ocean changes, the atmosphere typically takes four to eight weeks to respond, so weather impacts will lag.”

In the near term, drought risks remain elevated across the Southern U.S. and Central Plains, with a 70% chance of intensification, especially south of I-70 and west of I-35. Spring’s neutral setup may help moisture distribute more evenly, though lingering La Niña effects could still limit precipitation west of I-35.

Summer outcomes hinge on how quickly a potential El Niño develops. A fast forming El Niño could deepen drought in corn growing regions while increasing precipitation in the West, whereas slower development may support more balanced moisture. By fall, El Niño becomes increasingly likely, though global climate factors could still alter its typical impacts.

“El Niño isn’t a guarantee of rain for everyone,” Makens summarizes. “Other global patterns can amplify or mute its influence, so close monitoring remains essential.”

Despite near-term volatility, the long-term outlook remains positive. Strong domestic demand, improving beef quality, and sufficient packing capacity are expected to continue supporting profitability for the cow-calf sector as the industry moves into the next phase of the cattle cycle.

CERES TAG: Launches CERES GEN6 at CattleCon 2026

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:33:39 GMT

Cattle producers make dozens of critical decisions every season around breeding, nutrition and culling. Too often, those decisions rely on observation, experience and best guesses rather than consistent, animal-level data. CERES GEN6 is designed to change that and is new to the market this week at CattleCon.

CERES GEN6 is not simply a cattle monitoring tag. It is a phenotype performance intelligence platform that translates day-to-day cattle behavior into clear, economically relevant insights producers can act on. By capturing accurate behavioral data at the individual animal level, CERES GEN6 helps producers make more informed decisions that improve reproductive efficiency, labor use and overall herd profitability.

One of the most significant advancements with CERES GEN6 is the introduction of three new reproduction algorithms. These include estrus detection in beef cattle, automated calving alerts and monitoring of mounting behavior. These additions build on CERES TAGS’ existing suite of insights, which already includes pasture feed intake indicators, location data and behavioral patterns tied to health and performance.

For producers, the impact is immediate. Earlier and more accurate heat detection allows for improved breeding timing, leading to better conception rates and tighter calving windows. Calving alerts reduce labor strain and help producers intervene when necessary. Monitoring mounting behavior provides deeper insight into breeding dynamics, confirming whether bulls are working as expected and identifying cows that may face reproductive challenges.

The cost of operating without this level of insight is significant. Missed heats extend calving intervals. Inefficient breeding timing wastes labor and bull power. Undetected health or welfare issues quietly reduce productivity. Without behavioral data, producers may feed, breed or retain animals that limit overall herd performance.

If producers are not using data to guide decisions on which animals to cull, which to retain, and which genetic selections to make going forward, they are relying on guesswork and assumptions about how efficiently their animals truly fit their operation.

A Lifetime as a Feedlot Cowboy: Rick Hibler’s Unwavering Dedication to Cattle Care

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:35:03 GMT

Having been around cattle all his life, Rick Hibler serves as assistant manager at Irsik & Doll Beefland Feedyard in Garden City, Kan.

Hibler was born and raised on his family’s ranch south of Garden City, where they raised 4-H calves.

“I have been around cattle all my life, and that’s what I wanted to do, was take care of them,” Hibler says. “When I was a kid, you were either a farmer, or you went to work in the feedyard — and I don’t like farming.”

With a career in the cattle feeding industry spanning since 1971, Hibler’s dedication was celebrated Feb. 4 when he received the 2026 Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually during the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet. Named for a long-time, devoted employee of Poky Feeders, the award recognizes feedyard employees who go above and beyond to improve the cattle-feeding industry and the beef feeders provide to American families.

A Feedyard Cowboy

Hibler started working as a vet’s helper at Masters Feeders, now Cobalt Cattle Co., in Garden City as a pen rider for five years.

He then took a brief detour going to Kansas State University for a year for wrestling. Following his time in Manhattan, he moved to Wichita for about a year, building airplanes for Cessna.

The cattle industry was his true calling, so he moved back to southwest Kansas and went to work at several feedyards (Sublette Feeders, S Bar Feedyard, Gigot Feeders, Gotcha and Sagebrush Feedyard) before finding his home at Beefland.

He began working for Irsik & Doll in 1995 as a pen rider and has worked his way up to assistant manager in his 30 years there.

Today, Hibler explains his role is to make sure no sick calves are missed.

Adam Peterson, Beefland Feedyard general manager, says Hibler’s exceptional cattle care, consistency and work ethic are what truly distinguish him.

“He cares about the cattle,” Peterson stresses how Hibler makes sure the cattle are handled in the way that they ought to be. “I think that sets him apart, because of the time and effort he puts into and works at it each and every day. He keeps everybody on their task.”

When he isn’t at the yard, Hibler spends his time with his wife of 39 years, Gwen, their five children and stepchildren, and their 17 grandchildren. But even in his free time, his passion for the outdoors and cattle remains clear.

“I don’t like working inside. I don’t like driving tractor,” Hibler summarizes “I like riding horses and taking care of cattle. I like keeping cattle alive.”

A Life Built on Cattle, Grounded on Family and Rooted in Service

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:33:01 GMT

From his earliest days in northeast Colorado, Kent Bamford has been rooted in cattle and agriculture. He built a life defined by cattle feeding, family and service to the beef industry.

“Kent has loved the cattle business and agriculture his entire life,” says his wife, Naida. “He dedicated a lot of his personal time to being on various state and local and even national committees to try to be sure that laws and policies were favorable to our industry.”

Bamford’s impact on the cattle-feeding industry was celebrated Feb. 4 when he was inducted into the 2026 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame during CattleCon in Nashville, Tenn.

Kent Bamford with Eric Farmer.

(Bamford family)

From 4-H to Feedyard Owner

His journey began with 4-H projects, where “the cattle industry got a hold of” him. That early interest led him to Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, where he earned a degree in agricultural business in 1974.

“The best thing that happened to me in college was meeting my wife, Naida,” Bamford says. “We’ve been married ever since.”

After college, the couple returned home to Haxtun, Colo. Kent and his brother bought their parents cattle and farming operation, expanding the business to include a feedyard in northeast Colorado.

Bamford Feedyard was started as a small yard, growing to 15,000-head capacity. Growth included utilizing additional feedyards, stocker operations in Colorado and Wyoming, a diversified farming and trucking operation and a feed additive company.

Over time, the brothers separated their interests, and he continued to build the Bamford operation into a family-run, diversified enterprise that includes a substantial farming component.

Kent and Naida Bamford

(Angus Journal)

Family is central to Bamford’s story. His wife has played an integral part of the business, serving as office manager. Their two sons, Chad and Cody, are both now involved in the family businesses.

A Servant Leader

Early in his feeding career, Bamford joined the board of the Colorado Cattle Feeders Association, where he realized the need to reach beyond the industry.

“Dad was very passionate about industry advocacy and leadership,” explains his son Chad. “He wanted people to understand the story of the cattle industry.”

That conviction and passion helped inspire the creation of the Colorado Livestock Association (CLA), bringing together all species. He eventually became president of CLA, using that platform to promote and protect livestock producers statewide. His vision for the CLA was ahead of its time, recognizing that a unified voice for all livestock species would be a more powerful tool for the industry.

He also served on the Colorado Beef Council and then the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, where he spent two terms “promoting beef on a national level.”

In 2012, he served as president of CattleFax. He is a longtime National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member, serving as a committee chairman and a participant in Young Cattlemen’s Conference.

He has served on several CSU committees and Colorado governor-appointed committees, being chairman of one. He is presently president of his local hospital board and scholarship chairman of the Haxtun Methodist Church.

He was a 4-H leader for years along with serving on the Phillips County Fair Board and eventually as president. In addition, he helped coach numerous FFA livestock and horse judging teams.

“Everybody talks about beef and agriculture in general, the need to advocate for what we do, but that’s all they do,” says son Cody. “They don’t actually do anything about it. And Dad, he did do something about it. And I think that this award is a huge testament to the fact that he did.”

After 47 years in the cattle-feeding business, Bamford sold the feedyard to slow down and enjoy his grandchildren. Even then, his passion never wavered.

“I love what I do, and I probably never will completely retire,” he says.

The family now operates two businesses — a farming operation managed by Chad and Inco Digestive, a feed company led by Cody.

Bamford’s legacy is a lifelong passion for cattle, a family-centered operation and decades of leadership and advocacy at the state and national levels.

Ambition, Vision and Grit: How Bob Foote Built a Cattle Feeding Legacy

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:31:22 GMT

Bob Foote loved cattle. He knew how to find a good one, but more importantly, he knew a bad one. He loved negotiation and was the best at it.

Foote began his marriage to the love of his life, Gail, as well as his cattle business journey, in 1975. He worked early on, and throughout his time, to perfect his craft and his passion — the cattle business. Countless cattle-deal negotiations helped Foote become comfortable with taking on significant risk.

“Dad grew up loving cattle and really enjoyed working with the dairy cattle on the dairy farm,” explains his oldest son, Scott. “He also realized that he wanted to explore his love for the cattle industry, and so Dad made the leap to jump into the cattle industry and start Foote Cattle Co. in 1985.”

He loved the game of business and negotiation. These traits proved to work well together and became the foundation for his business career.

“What he tried to team up was his love for cattle and also his love for dealmaking,” Scott recalls. “He was really a dealmaker at heart.”

In 1985, when the couple founded Foote Cattle Co., it encompassed farming, order buying and cattle feeding. Hoxie Feedyard became a part of Foote Cattle Co. in 1997 with an initial capacity of 10,000 head. Today, Foote Cattle Co. has grown to a multi-location family-owned cattle operation with a 285,000-head feeding capacity as well as land, farming, ranching, banking and other investments across Kansas and Nebraska.

Foote passed away in 2022, but his legacy lives on through his three sons – Scott, Brad and Greg.

Foote’s impact on the cattle feeding industry was celebrated Feb. 4 when he was inducted posthumously into the 2026 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame during CattleCon in Nashville, Tenn.

Bob Foote

(Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame)

Evolution of Foote Cattle

He started his cattle career trading dairy and beef cows and calves out of the back of a 2-ton truck with stock racks. As his business matured, Foote transitioned from cattle trading to cattle buying. He began buying country cattle and attending local auctions. He developed a customer base selling cattle to feeders in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

“He had a great eye for cattle,” Brad says. “He understood value … there might be days he didn’t buy a single hoof at a sale, and there’d be times he might buy three-quarters of them … he understood the value and he understood the market.”

Bob Foote and Wayne Tilly, a good friend and Bob’s original business partner when they bought Hoxie Feedyard.

(Foote Family)

In 1989 at the Kansas City Stockyards, Foote bought three loads of steers. He had developed a friendship with Wayne Tilly in the seats at the auction. After that purchase, Tilly asked him what he planned to do with those steers. Tilly convinced Bob they should partner on the set and send them to the feedyard and feed them. This was the beginning of a great partnership.

After a few years, they were feeding so many that they decided they should consider buying their own feedlot together. After a search that took a couple of years, they bought the Hoxie Feedyard in 1997.

Another key purchase was the ranch near Manhattan in 2003. Their late daughter, Coleen, loved the rolling hills and green grass on the ranch, and passed shortly after the purchase. Foote’s family says he loved buying a good farm and making it better; they bought several farms and ranches through the years.

Foote worked with his sons to grow the business. Buying Imperial Beef in 2007, followed by Lane County Feeders, Pioneer Feedyard and then Decatur County Beef. In 2019, the family purchased a bank. The Foote family has always stayed aggressive and bullish in business.

His family says he always loved corn planting, good equipment, hard-working truck drivers and driving through any of the feedyards to look at a good pen of fat cattle, simultaneously judging the feeder cattle buyer.

Above all, his family stresses, faith was the most important thing in his life and became the foundation for his teachings to his kids, then to his grandkids.

“He truly worked to do business with faith in his mind and held the strong belief that his God-given talent was doing business,” they say. “He knew that it was his duty as a good, Catholic man to fully use the talents that God gave him to the best of his ability each and every day.”

Bob Foote and his three sons — Scott, Brad and Greg.

(Foote Family)

A Family Man and Businessman

Foote had an aggressive business nature as well as an unassuming soft side that people who truly knew him had the opportunity to connect with. He conducted business, and his life, in his own way. He used the talents given to him by God to the best of his ability.

His family says he was most proud of his Catholic faith, his family and the Foote Cattle brand. Foote was respected by everyone who knew him and is quoted by many for the motto he lived by, “GET IT!”

Kansas Rep. Tracey Mann recognized Foote on the House floor following his passing.

“Our state has lost a tremendous Kansan,” Mann says. “Bob Foote passed away on March 25. He was a man of many talents and leaves behind a strong legacy in the Foote Cattle Co. for future generations of his family. I am hard-pressed to think of any ag producer who had such an impact on Kansas agriculture.”

For Gail, his impact is measured not just in cattle or acres, but in joy, faith and love.

“My life with Bob was never boring, ever … that laugh, that smile, his joy of life and everything he did, he did deeply and with passion,” she says. “God has given us more gifts and blessings than there are stars in the sky. All this would never have been possible without God, without our three sons… It’s a miracle.”

Through his work, his family and his faith, Foote created a legacy that continues to shape the cattle industry and the lives of those who knew him.

Greg Henderson's Lasting Legacy: A Champion of Information, People

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:01:28 GMT

From feedlots to board rooms, Greg Henderson devoted his life to listening to beef producers, elevating their stories and championing the people in the trenches every day. An award-winning journalist and revered voice for the beef industry, Henderson provided timely information and in-depth analysis on all segments of the business, including cattle-feeding margins, market trends, genetic advancements, emerging technologies and the impacts of economic factors on beef prices and production.

Only the fourth Drovers editor in history, he worked as a writer and editor for Drovers for nearly 40 years . He was also an advocate for the industry by leading and participating in panel discussions to address tough issues and helping farmers and ranchers understand current trends and challenges.

Henderson’s impact on the cattle feeding industry was celebrated Feb. 4 in Nashville, Tenn., when he was recognized with the 2026 Industry Leadership Award . The award is presented annually during the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet to a distinguished individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership, provides exemplary service and contributes to the advancement of the cattle-feeding industry.

Henderson unexpectedly passed away on Aug. 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy in agricultural media and significant contributions to the advancement of beef production. His years of knowledge and expertise allowed him to serve as a moderator and speaker on many local, regional and national stages, representing the interests of U.S. cattle producers.

More Than a Career

His work was never just a career — it was a calling. His wife, Ruth, remembers how naturally he fit into the world he covered.

“Greg was very passionate about the industry and going out and actually meeting the ranchers, and being in the feedlots and face-to-face with people was Greg’s deal,” Ruth says. “He loved it. He never met a stranger.”

His personal connection to people shaped everything he did. Henderson didn’t simply gather information; he worked to understand it and then translate it into meaningful insight for his readers.

“He loved to take the information he got, do some extra research with it and then turn it into information that other leaders in the industry would look at,” Ruth recalls.

Dan Thomson, veterinarian and managing partner of PAC, says Henderson’s focus was always the beef producer.

“It wasn’t about Greg. It wasn’t about his magazine,” Thomson explains. “It was always about what can he do for the producer? What can he do for the feedlot operator? What can he do for people that are in the trenches every day? And that’s what set him apart.”

Thomson describes Henderson as the definition of a servant leader — grounded, hardworking and motivated by a desire to help others succeed.

“Some people think it; some people talk it. Greg Henderson walked the walk, and Greg Henderson got it done for all of us that are out there every day,” Thomson summarizes.

Greg Henderson joins former LPC President Kathy LaScala to hang his plaque in the LPC Hall of Fame.

(LPC)

Recognized for Leadership and Service

Henderson’s influence extended far beyond his loyal Drovers readers. He immersed himself in organizations that shape the beef and livestock sectors. Ruth says he believed it was his responsibility to stay informed and involved.

His peers recognized that commitment. Over the years, Henderson received the Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award, was inducted into the Livestock Publications Council Hall of Fame and earned the prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award for business journalism — even being named a finalist the year he passed away.

Industry leaders saw Henderson not just as a reporter, but as a champion of knowledge. Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, Kan., credits Henderson for elevating the beef industry.

“That thirst and that quest to get better, to help others and to make it all better than it was before, is Greg Henderson. He was such a champion of information and knowledge for our industry,” Gardiner says.

(Henderson Family)

Passionate About Family and Telling the Story

For beef industry consultant and former Drovers writer Nevil Speer, Henderson stands among the last of a rare breed in agricultural journalism.

“To me, Greg is one of the last true great journalists in our industry,” Speer says. “He’s a man of great character, and one of the things that I appreciate about him and respect about him most is his No. 1 priority over everything was his family.”

Family was everything to Henderson. He and Ruth had two children, Lisa and Jared. Prior to his passing, if you had a chance to spend time with him, you knew one of his greatest loves and joys was spending time with his grandchildren, Charlie and Amelia Suellentrop.

In the corrals, at the conferences and across the pages of the publications he shaped, Henderson leaves a legacy of service, humility and enduring impact on the beef industry he loved.

Photos from awards ceremony

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