FEBRUARY 2025 | Vol . 41 , No . 4 | NCBA . org

Born and raised on a small farm in eastern Nebraska , 2025 NCBA President , Buck Wehrbein , was raised around cattle , hogs and chickens , with both sides of his family steeped in a strong agricultural tradition . Wehrbein credits these formative years with instilling in him a passion for cattle and a deep respect for the agricultural way of life .

However , like many young producers today , Wehrbein ’ s family farm didn ’ t have a clear path for full-time employment . He worked in construction for a short time before he and his wife , Sandy , moved to Amarillo , Texas , where he started working in feedyards , a path that would shape his future .

Now , more than four decades later , he is set to take the helm of NCBA as president of the association . Though he may have new responsibilities , his focus has never wavered from the importance of cattle care and its role in ensuring a high-quality product for the consumer and a deep appreciation for all the people he ’ s met along the way .

“ I can ’ t imagine having done anything but this for these last 45 years . I ’ ve enjoyed every day , and I think being part of the cattle business was a natural fit for me . These markets can tear your head off and these animals can make you drink your bath water but that ’ s just part of the deal ,” he said . “ Checking cattle has never gotten old for me . One of the cool things about working at a feedlot is , in a position like mine , I can always come out here and look at livestock and get away . Well , with cell phones you don ’ t get away , but kind of .”

His journey to leadership and advocacy began in 1992 as the Texas Cattle Feeders Association ’ s ( TCFA ) nominee to participate in NCBA ’ s Young Cattlemen ’ s Conference which led to a position

National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association

BUCK WEHRBEIN : A LIFE STEEPED IN CATTLE AND COMMUNITY

on TCFA ’ s board of directors . That opportunity , combined with mentorship from industry veterans , shaped Wehrbein ’ s understanding of association work and the importance of collaboration . He remains a passionate advocate for the cattle business , the role of associations , and opening doors for young producers interested in leadership .

Reflecting on his path , Wehrbein shared , “ Everybody needs someone to encourage them to get involved . For me , it was people like Jay O ’ Brien , Charlie Ball , Richard McDonald , Ross Wilson and others who saw the potential in me and guided me along the way .”

After moving back to Nebraska , Wehrbein took the reins at Mead Cattle Company , where he has overseen operations for

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VALUE OF A MENTOR | PG . 8

Cody Glenn and Kelley Sheiss had leaders who changed the course of their careers in the cattle industry .

ESAP REGION WINNERS | PG . 10

These regional winners exemplify outstanding stewardship practices and cattle care .

POLICY SCORECARD | PG . 14

Looking back at 2024 , reflect on the progress NCBA made in Washington , D . C ., to defend cattle producers .

The National Cattlemen is the official publication of NCBA and is distributed the first week of every month to all NCBA members . Each issue focuses on NCBA industry news as well as features on current topics that are relevant to the beef industry .

• Frequency : 11 issues per year , excluding October ( Directions )

• Circulation : 23,000 +

• Pass-through readership : 45,000

• Audience : NCBA producer members , corporate members , state affiliates , members of Congress , veterans and industry stakeholders

2025

2025 Production Schedule and Editorial Features

Edition Editorial Features Materials Deadline Print Date April Elevating Producers ’ Expertise 3-11 3-20

December Building & Preserving Legacy 11-11 11-20

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

2024 POLICY SCORECARD HOW DID WE DO ?

ADVANCE NCBA ’ S FARM BILL PRIORITIES Secure reauthorization of the animal health provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and advocate for expanded funding of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank ( NAVVCB ) to protect against Foot and Mouth Disease ( FMD ).

Expand access to risk management and disaster relief programs within the Farm Bill , to support financial stability for producers .

Protect and fund EQIP , CSP , and other voluntary conservation programs that incentivize science based , active management of our natural resources .

Defend against the addition of a livestock title .

DEFEND AGAINST POLICIES THAT HURT CATTLE PRODUCERS

Defend the U . S . cattle industry against radical animal activist groups that want to end cattle production , including the Beef Checkoff .

Preserve family farms and ranches for future generations by advocating for essential tax relief for cattle producers .

Ensure that all labeling requirements for fake meat products are fair and accurate .

Protect producers from burdensome emissions reporting requirements .

NATIONAL CATTLEMEN ’ S BEEF ASSOCIATION CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY

Preserve existing permitting standards for beef producers under the Clean Water Act .

Combat overly restrictive Packers & Stockyards rules to ensure producers have the freedom to market their cattle however they want without the fear of frivolous litigation .

Fight against misguided Endangered Species Act rules and any expansion of bureaucratic red tape under the National Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ).

Push for further hours-of-service flexibility and continue delaying ELD requirements for livestock haulers .

Work with USDA to implement reforms to the “ Product of the USA ” label that promotes voluntary , verified , and trade-compliant labeling that returns more value to producers .

Push to expand market access for U . S . beef exports and fight for equivalent animal health and food safety standards for imported beef . ( The Biden administration failed to expand market access for U . S . beef , while approving imports from Brazil and Paraguay .)

ACCOMPLISHED

IN PROGRESS

INCOMPLETE

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