HENRY RIFLE BREAKS RECORDS AT NCBA-PAC AUCTION AT CATTLECON
Every year, the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association Political Action Committee( NCBA-PAC) hosts a live auction at CattleCon to raise money to help elect pro-agriculture, pro-business, and pro-cattle industry candidates to Congress. With all the unpredictable activity happening in Washington, D. C., we need more well-informed candidates who will address the issues impacting the U. S. cattle industry; NCBA-PAC helps make that goal a reality.
The NCBA-PAC live auction is a memorable event at CattleCon, providing an opportunity for cattle producers to bid on a variety of hunting and fishing trips, jewelry, artwork, farm equipment, cattle industry memorabilia and more. Thanks to many generous donations, the 2026 NCBA-PAC live auction set a record with more than $ 155,000 raised in one night. The auction also set a record for the highest bid on a single item, and that honor goes to the limited-edition rifle donated by Henry Repeating Arms.
Based in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Henry Repeating Arms manufactures high-quality, lever-action rifles and shotguns and is known for beautiful, custom firearms. The company’ s official motto reflects their commitment to U. S. production:“ Made in America, or Not Made at All.”
The Henry Repeating Arms story begins in 1978 when Anthony Imperato started his career in the firearms industry by working in his family’ s gun shop in downtown Manhattan. In 1994, Imperato took out a home equity loan and launched the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company. Two years later, Anthony and his father, Louis, founded Henry and shipped their first rifles in 1997. Today, Henry Repeating Arms has grown to a company employing close to 700 workers in three facilities with more than 125 machining centers.
A supporter of numerous causes, Imperato has become a strong ally of the American cattle industry. He generously donated the very first produced American Cattleman Tribute Edition lever-action rifle to the NCBA-PAC live auction. Chambered in. 30-. 30 caliber, the American Cattleman rifle features a brass frame engraved with a cowboy on horseback, a longhorn, and the words“ long live the American cattleman.” The walnut buttstock also includes a hand-painted scene of an Angus cow-calf pair grazing. After intense bidding, the rifle sold for a record $ 31,500.
“ Henry Repeating Arms and Anthony Imperato are valued partners of the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall.“ We are extremely grateful for their support of NCBA-PAC and for their generous pledge to
www. NCBA. org donate a rifle to each incoming NCBA president. The American Cattleman Tribute Edition rifle is a fitting recognition of our nation’ s hardworking family farmers and ranchers.”
Shortly after the rifle broke auction records, Imperato issued a statement highlighting the importance of cattle production and their support of NCBA.“ America’ s cattle producers play a vital role in our economy, our food supply, and our way of life. Their continued success means success for our country as a whole, so we’ re proud to support NCBA-PAC and the important work they do on behalf of the beef industry.”
NCBA-PAC works to help elect more members of Congress who support the American cattle industry. The PAC is bipartisan, supporting both Republicans and Democrats as long as they support U. S. cattle producers. In the 2023-2024 election cycle, NCBA-PAC raised a record $ 1,225,500 from NCBA member contributions and 93 % of the candidates NCBA supported won their elections. NCBA-PAC is hard at work this election cycle to make sure pro-agriculture candidates win in November.
NCBA-PAC is led by a committee of grassroots volunteers. Indiana cattle producer Donnie Lawson serves as chairman of the committee with Oklahoma rancher Charlie Swanson serving as vice chairman. PAC Generals from around the country represent each of NCBA’ s seven regions and help raise money and awareness for the PAC. You will see the committee members at state affiliate meetings and at CattleCon selling raffle tickets, staffing the PAC booth, and supporting the live and silent auctions. It takes hard work to host live auctions and raise money for the PAC, and it is not possible without a legion of supporters.
After the record-setting PAC auction in Nashville, Lawson thanked everyone for making the event such a success.“ NCBA-PAC is the U. S. cattle industry’ s greatest tool for preserving our way of life for generations to come. To protect our farms and ranches, we need a Congress that works for cattle producers, not against them. NCBA-PAC helps elect candidates to Congress who will stand up in support of the cattle industry. I am incredibly thankful for the support NCBA members provided to the PAC at CattleCon. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support makes an incredible difference in Washington.”
NCBA-PAC’ s successful auction will go a long way in supporting elected officials who share that duty to protect cattle production and our values. NCBA-PAC thanks everyone who attended the live auction and hopes to see everyone in Nashville in 2027 for the next one.
First ever American Cattlemen Tribute Edition rifle.
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