The University of Minnesota Extension beef systems management specialist thrives on listening to ranchers across Minnesota and supporting their work with helpful, timely education
Tell us about the Cow-Calf Days Seminar Tour and Trade Show.
2025 brought us the 52nd annual event. It is the leading information, technology and research outlet for cow-calf producers in the state of Minnesota, those who breed and raise calves until about the age of seven months, when they are weaned.
It is held in 10 locations around the state over the course of 10 days each January and February, with nearly 1,000 people attending every year. It’s my favorite thing in the world. This was my 12th year getting to connect and reconnect with the most amazing group of people.
What is your history with ranching?
In five generations of my family, four were beef ranchers and one (my grandfather) hated cows and was a row crop farmer. I grew up on the family ranch in Nebraska, and now our family is in Jacobsen, about 20 miles south of Grand Rapids. We have about 100 cows on 400 acres. With three kids, ages 13, 11 and 9, my wife Alaina and I hope that at least one of them will want to take the operation over someday.
Why are beef costs so high?
We are in a little bit of an unusual time. There was an extended drought in the South, and a lot of ranchers sold their cows and have been waiting for it to start raining again before they add cattle back into their operations. So there are not a lot of calves in the country, and that drives the prices up. In addition, there is the rising cost of doing business, from machinery to feed to basic supplies.
What is the latest research you are doing?
I work on research projects in all facets of beef systems management, getting research out to people who want it and need it. We just received funding through Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), looking at ways to reduce wolf-livestock interaction by composting cow carcasses. We have four sites already selected. By winter of 2026, we will have a full data set to work with.
Are you involved in showing cattle?
When I was growing up, showing cows was looked down upon in my family: ‘They aren’t pets, so why are you doing this with them?’ But my wife grew up in a cattle-showing culture, and now my kids are getting into it, too.
How many cowboy hats do you own?
I probably have a dozen cowboy hats in various stages of disrepair. Eleven of them are Stetson Silver Bellies, but I just got one that is a darker brown. Alaina thought it might look a little cleaner.
Extension offers extensive resources related to cow-calf health and comfort, including:
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