The cattle industry’s finest producers, students, and advocates were recognized at CattleCon 2025, held Feb. 4-6, as part of the annual “Best of Beef” awards. These prestigious honors celebrate excellence in environmental stewardship, beef quality assurance, academic achievement, and advocacy.
2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Winners
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) honored outstanding cattle producers demonstrating superior land conservation and environmental responsibility. The 2024 regional winners include:
- Region I: Angus Glen Farms, LLC, Watkins Glen, New York
- Region II: Kempfer Cattle Company, Deer Park, Florida
- Region III: Little Timber Farms, Blackduck, Minnesota
- Region IV: Blue Ranch, Moore County, Texas
- Region V: LeValley Ranch, Hotchkiss, Colorado
- Region VI: Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, Nevada
- Region VII: Downey Ranch, Wamego, Kansas (National Winner)
Downey Ranch was also named the 2024 ESAP National Winner for its commitment to environmental stewardship. The program highlights sustainability practices within the beef industry.
Beef Quality Assurance Award Recipients
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, recognize industry leaders who prioritize high-quality animal care and handling. The 2025 honorees are:
- Cow-Calf Award: Parker Ranch, Hawaii
- Dairy FARM Award: VanBedaf Dairy, North Dakota
- Feedyard Award: Grimmius Feeder, California
- Marketer Award: Producers Livestock Market, Utah
- Educator Award: Dr. Keith Belk, Colorado
Academic Excellence Recognized with Scholarships
The W.D. Farr Scholarship, a $15,000 award supporting graduate students committed to advancing the beef industry, was awarded to:
- Conrad Schelkopf – Geneva, Nebraska, Kansas State University
- Tyler Thomas – Baker City, Oregon, Colorado State University
Additionally, ten students received the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship, a $1,500 award recognizing leadership potential in the beef sector:
- Mattie Flohr – Danville, Indiana, Oklahoma State University
- Bennett Gordon – Whitewood, South Dakota, Oklahoma State University
- Mia Jess – Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University
- Ty Jones – Scottsville, Kentucky, Oklahoma State University
- Taylor Lacek – Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University
- Chase Litton – Boonville, Missouri, Oklahoma State University
- Whitney Peck – Fredonia, Kentucky, University of Kentucky
- Hailey Rydberg – Essex, Iowa, University of Northern Iowa
- Wyatt Stowell – Fox Lake, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin River Falls
- Spencer Walahoski – Overton, Nebraska, West Texas A&M University
Honoring Excellence in Agricultural Journalism
The inaugural Greg Henderson Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award was presented to Ron Hays of the Oklahoma Farm Report. With over four decades in agricultural reporting, Hays has earned a reputation for his dedication to accuracy, fairness, and advocacy in the industry.
Beef Advocacy Champion Named
The Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) Advocate of the Year award, was presented to Emma Coffman, a Texas rancher and owner of Double E Ranch Advocacy LLC. Coffman is committed to educating consumers and bridging the gap between urban and rural communities through storytelling and outreach.
Recognizing Industry Leaders
CattleCon 2025 celebrated those who embody the values of sustainability, education, and innovation in the beef industry. As the industry continues to evolve, these individuals and organizations are leading the way in advancing responsible cattle production and consumer engagement.
