The biggest cattle industry event in the country kicked off today in San Antonio with thousands of cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders attending CattleCon 2025.
The day started with a issues update from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association team of policy experts. The opening general session featured the return of Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, as emcee and keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney.
Wednesday starts off with celebrating the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance Award winners, announcing the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program National winner and recognizing W.D. Farr Scholarship recipients. The Sustainability Forum will include a panel of industry experts discussing building operation resilience through adoption of written grazing management plans. Thursday will be the final day beginning with CattleFax conducting their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session.
Throughout CattleCon, the 32nd annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet and Environmental Stewardship Award Program reception will recognize leaders for their achievements, and there will be more than nine acres of displays, exhibitors and education in the NCBA Trade Show.
In addition, producers will be hard at work guiding both NCBA policy and Beef Checkoff programs. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also take place.
“We’re setting a blistering pace for attendance,” said NCBA president Mark Eisele of Wyoming. “People are doing good, feeling good about the market, feeling good about probably the new administration. They want to look at technology. Want to network with old friends and it’s going to be good. I have high optimistic hopes and from the smiles I’m seeing.”
Listen to this interview with Eisele about what cattlemen have on their plate this year.
Interview with Mark Eisele, NCBA President (4:49)
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