National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association
JUNE 2026 | Vol. 42, No. 8 | NCBA. org
BE THE LEADER SOMEONE NEEDS: SHAPING LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE AND CONFIDENCE
To lead in the beef industry today requires honoring legacy while having the courage to create change, connect with others, and pursue opportunity. The future is being shaped by those who understand where the industry has been and who aren’ t afraid to guide it forward— people like Kelli Payne, Leoma Donsbach and Kirsten Nickles.
These women represent a wide range of backgrounds and operations. Payne is a fifth-generation Oklahoma producer in cowcalf, stocker, backgrounding and agritourism; Donsbach and her husband are firstgeneration cow-calf producers in Montana and own a cattle genetic data company; and Nickles works for Certified Angus Beef as their sustainability and animal care specialist while running a small cow-calf farm in Ohio.
For those seeking to lead and contribute to the beef community, these women shared candid advice that is both realistic and reassuring for young producers and professionals navigating tradition, expectation and opportunity. No More“ Because We’ ve Always Done It This Way” While there are always going to be challenges facing young leaders, Donsbach believes one hurdle rises above the rest— mindset. Old habits and inherited beliefs can be both a strength and a barrier, whether one was raised in the cattle business or not.
As Donsbach put it,“ The most expensive words in the beef industry are‘ because we have always done it this way.’” That statement resonated with Payne and Nickles because it acknowledges a difficult truth: relying solely on tradition can limit progress.
That does not mean folks should dismiss the wisdom of past generations. Instead, it should be built upon. New tools, data and production techniques give beef producers an edge to approach today’ s challenges more efficiently and profitably. Producers who are willing to evaluate decisions, try new approaches, and adapt to changing conditions are better positioned to competitively add value to their business. Knowing People Vs. Knowing Everything Part of changing one’ s mindset is dispelling the belief that you must know everything before taking a step. Many young leaders feel pressure to prove themselves by having all the answers.
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HOBBY FARM OR BUSINESS OPERATION? | PG. 9
Clear documentation is key to demonstrating that your operation should be classified as a business, rather than a hobby.
NEW WORLD SCREWWORM | PG. 10
Cattle producers can take these simple steps to prepare for New World Screwworm.
FEDERATION | PG. 15
State beef councils connect with consumers and share information through a variety of impactful programs.