National Cattlemen January 2026 | Page 12

1. Fostering a Culture of Growth for

Future Cattle Producers February 2025 In the ever-evolving landscape of the cattle industry, mentorship is a cornerstone for growth and innovation. As seasoned farmers and ranchers pass their knowledge and skills to the next generation, they not only help preserve valuable traditions but also foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. 2. Ingenuity in Genetics Leads to Producers’ Success

March 2025

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF GROWTH FOR FUTURE CATTLE PRODUCERS

In the ever-evolving landscape in high school where he found of the cattle industry, mentorship mentorship from his FFA adviser is a cornerstone for growth and and, later, from a professor at Jones innovation. As seasoned farmers College where he received his and ranchers pass their knowledge associate degree. Glenn graduated and skills to the next generation, from Mississippi State University they not only help preserve valuable( MSU) and began his career as the traditions but also foster a culture of beef unit manager for MSU. His time continuous learning and adaptation. at MSU and at Town Creek Farm has

“ When I was just starting out given Glenn the chance to teach and in this business, I was mentored advise students and interns. by some great people who were“ At Jones College, Dr. Tim Ishee knowledgeable and passionate invested into his students and was a about the cattle business. I know great communicator. He has been a what those relationships did part of many people’ s lives who’ ve for me and my family, and it’ s Kelley Sheiss raises show cattle in Indiana with her family. gone on to do big things. He had a important that we take time to small, personal Simmental operation open doors for people. Helping create career opportunities and and was well connected across the country, so I learned a lot from paths for leadership is something that ensures the viability of him about genetics and reproduction. Even after I went on to MSU, this industry, which is why NCBA invests time in development he called me up and took me along with him to Wyoming where programs like the Young Cattlemen’ s Conference and works so we spent a month artificially inseminating cows,” Glenn reflected. closely with our affiliate partners. I’ m excited about the future Lessons Learned of this industry and what we can do together,” said NCBA

Whether being mentored or mentoring others, growth occurs

President-Elect Buck Wehrbein. on both sides of the relationship. From leadership and soft

Mentors help new producers navigate the challenges of today’ s skills to hard skills like financial planning, genetics, nutrition and agricultural climate. Here are the perspectives of two producers much more, incoming cattle producers have a lot to gain from who gained knowledge and confidence from the people who experienced producers who have made mistakes, learned from mentored them. them, and can transfer that knowledge.

Kelley Sheiss didn’ t grow up with“ Dr. Cash taught me to never give an agricultural background. In fact, up and follow my aspirations. He her first connection to livestock taught me to connect with people was stumbling upon a 4-H show because the power of relationships with her father, which inspired her is important. To this day, he still to pursue an animal science degree reaches out to me, and he is still a at Pennsylvania State University. champion and supporter of mine,”

Now Sheiss, her husband, and her Sheiss said. son raise cattle in Indiana, and she For Sheiss, Dr. Cash impressed is the immediate past president of upon her the need to build bridges the Indiana Beef Cattle Association in the cattle industry because it’ s

( IBCA). Sheiss has had many a small, tight-knit community that mentors, but one of the first who wants to help each other succeed. shaped the direction of her career Sheiss has built many friendships was her college professor, adviser and mentorships that have helped and an Angus breeder, Dr. Erskine in her role today leading Indiana

Cash. cattlemen and women and caring

“ Dr. Cash saw something in me that for her own herd.

I didn’ t see, not being an agriculture Glenn believes the best way to or cattle person myself. I was Kelley Sheiss supports the future of the beef industry lead people is when they know you challenged with finding my way in through service with Indiana Beef Cattle Assocation. genuinely want to help them get the industry and figuring out where better. to go, so he put me on a path and

“ It can’ t just be for the sake of you helped me connect with my peers,” Sheiss reflected.“ Actually, one getting something done or what you can get out of a relationship. of those peers ended up being my husband!”

If they believe you’ re trying to help them, you can lead people very

Cody Glenn lives in West Point, Mississippi, where he manages effectively,” he added. Town Creek Farm, a seedstock Brangus operation breeding bulls Glenn has seen numerous students through MSU’ s beef unit and and females for commercial and purebred breeders around the interns at Town Creek Farm who are gaining hands-on experience world. Glenn grew up in Alabama amongst beef, dairy and horse to carry with them into potential careers. He has noticed the farms, but didn’ t have a direct connection to farm or ranch work biggest challenges young producers consistently face are capital as a career following his education. However, Glenn joined FFA and business sense.

8 FEBRUARY 2025 www. NCBA. org

Imagine a 1979, well-used motorhome and inside it every compartment of space is taken up by bull semen collection equipment. That’ s quite the sight. That was the beginning of Great Lakes Sire Service, owned and operated by Earl Souva in Bronson, Michigan. Today, Great Lakes Sire Service is a stateof-the-art semen collection, processing, storage and shipping company for the livestock and whitetail deer industries. 3. Cattle Producers Testify Before Congress April 2025“ The cattle industry is seeing better market conditions, strong consumer demand for beef, and optimism for the future of our industry yet challenges still remain,” Buck Wehrbein said.“ Congress must always remember that food security is national security, and the policy decisions they make will impact the hardworking cattlemen and women who produce our nation’ s food.” 4. Calves and Kids, Raising a Family on the Farm May 2025 It is a unique, uncommon opportunity for kids to be raised in agriculture. With less than 2 % of the current population living on a farm or ranch, multiple generations are removed from a lifestyle that includes growing crops or raising livestock to earn a living and feed their families. For the kids lucky enough to grow up on a farm or ranch today, values like hard work, generosity, patience, care and grit are woven into their characters and give them a strong foundation for success in any pursuit. Amanda Hall, from Lexington, Kentucky, and Mandy Atterholt, from Loudonville, Ohio, are both raising their families on multi-generational beef operations. 5. South Dakota Ranching Family Protected from Persecution June 2025 Since 1910, the Maude family of western South Dakota has raised cattle on land near the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

More than a year ago, their life was turned upside down. Last March, the U. S. Department of Agriculture( USDA) alleged that a hunter complained about a fence blocking access to a portion of the grassland. Immediately, Charles and Heather met with USDA and agreed to a land survey to settle the issue. Just days later, two armed U. S. Forest Service agents showed up to serve the Maudes with a federal indictment for“ theft of government property,” a trumped-up charge with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and $ 250,000 in fines. 6. Hidden Hazards: Protecting the Consumer Experience June 2025 Despite inflationary challenges, consumers continue to demand beef. At the grocery store, shoppers choose beef for its taste, versatility and nutritional value. The industry has worked

tirelessly in the last four decades to improve quality and eating experience, however, a hidden hazard has the potential to derail those efforts. Foreign objects, such as buckshot, birdshot, needles and darts are found embedded in muscles during processing at alarming rates, and some of those items are making it all the way to the meat case in retail outlets. 7. From NCBA President Buck Wehrbein: Investing in Our Young Producers July 2025 The NCBA Young Cattlemen’ s Conference( YCC) is one of my favorite events. I enjoyed it when I went back in the 1990s, and I had an even better time when I went last year as NCBA President-Elect. There is no shortage of stories that come out of YCC— things you learn about the industry, memories from the travel, and new people you meet— but by far the best aspect of this program is that it shows NCBA cares about investing in the future of our industry.

It’ s no secret farmers and ranchers are getting older, and it’ s a challenge across all of agriculture. Today, the average producer is 57 years old and younger producers under age 35 account for just 9 % of all farmers and ranchers. 8. Beef Takes Flight August 2025 In October 2025, the 53rd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lifted off, and a new balloon took flight. The New Mexico Beef Council( NMBC) launched the Beef. It’ s What’ s For Dinner. hot-air balloon, which serves as a beacon for beef.

The world’ s largest and premier international ballooning event draws balloonists and visitors from around the globe. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an ideal location for the Fiesta because its surrounding mountains, mesa and river create the perfect“ wind box” for balloon flight. According to the Fiesta website, Albuquerque’ s climate and combination of weather patterns and geographic landscape allow balloonists better control, providing the potential for teams to take off and land from the same location. 9. The Evolving Conversation Around Red Meat Yield September 2025 The 2021-2025 Beef Industry Long Range Plan uniquely calls out the need to use innovative methods and technologies to more accurately measure red meat yield. The Product Quality Research Program at the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association( NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is coordinating the Red Meat Yield Round Table with the aim to raise awareness of current carcass yield assessments and make advancements more accessible to producers to receive accurate recognition for true carcass yield. 10. Five Tips for Winter Grazing Management November 2025 Grazing management isn’ t a one-season endeavor, but rather a year-round effort. Be prepared for winter by implementing grazing strategies that optimize forage use, reduce feed costs, and support herd health. While winter grazing management may look a little different in Hawaii than it does in Minnesota, here are five tips to consider no matter where cattle are located.

To view these articles and other past issues of the National

Cattlemen, visit pub. ncba. org.

12 JANUARY 2026 www. NCBA. org