NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cattle producers, students and advocates were recognized as the “Best of Beef” through a variety of awards and scholarship programs during CattleCon 2026, held Feb. 3-5, in Nashville.
2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) National Winner
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers. Wine Glass Ranch in Imperial, Nebraska, was announced as the 2025 ESAP National winner. Jeff and Connie Pribbeno and their son and daughter-in-law Logan and Brianna Pribbeno own and operate Wine Glass Ranch, located in western Nebraska near the Colorado border. The Pribbenos believe long-term care for their operation’s ecology translates to profitability, which is why they have married together the values of ranching for profit and environmental stewardship to make a living.
The ESAP National winner was selected from the following 2025 Regional honorees:
- Region I: Whispering Hills Farm, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
- Region II: M&D Overstreet Ranch, Kathleen, Florida
- Region III: Smith Family Farms, Bankston, Iowa
- Region IV: McFaddin Ranch, Victoria, Texas
- Region V: G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company, Polson, Montana
- Region VII: Wine Glass Ranch, Imperial, Nebraska
ESAP is generously sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Sponsors including U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Corteva Agriscience, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Cattlemen’s Foundation partner with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain.
Beef Quality Assurance Awards
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill and Sam’s Club, annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers and educators. Winners not only demonstrate high-quality animal care and handling principles as part of their day-to-day operations but also express a strong desire to continually improve their operations through BQA. The 2026 honorees include:
- Cow-Calf Award: East Foundation Ranches, LLC, Hebbronville, Texas
- Dairy FARM Award: Singing Brook Farms, Imler, Pennsylvania
- Feedyard Award: Ordway Cattle Feeders, Ordway, Colorado
- Marketer Award: Sysco Corporation, Houston, Texas
- Educator Award: Jerry Yates, West Virginia University, Wardensville, West Virginia
Greg Henderson Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Award
This award recognizes agricultural journalists who exemplify the values Greg Henderson championed throughout his career. Greg was known for his courage in addressing challenging industry issues, his unwavering commitment to fairness, accuracy, and honesty, and his advocacy for positive change in agriculture. He built deep personal connections to the agricultural community, earning the respect of farmers, ranchers, and fellow media professionals alike. This award celebrates those who embody these principles and carry forward his legacy of impactful journalism in service to agriculture.
The 2026 recipient, Burt Rutherford, is a freelance writer focused on sharing stories important to the beef industry. He is the former senior editor of BEEF magazine and has spent his career helping producers become better and more efficient at what they do through his effective writing. Rutherford is a Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University. He has worked as communications director for the North American Limousin Foundation, editor of the Western Livestock Journal, and communications director for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Rutherford has also served as a board member and past president of the Texas Outdoor Writers Association.
W.D. Farr Scholarships
The W.D. Farr Scholarship, established in 2007, recognizes superior achievement in academics and leadership, and allows graduate students to further their study in fields that benefit the cattle and beef industry. Each $15,000 scholarship recognizes outstanding students who plan to pursue careers in furthering the beef industry. The 2025 recipients are:
- Shelley Curry of Kennard, Texas
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Sydney Bowman-Schnug of Fort Lupton, Colorado
Colorado State University
CME Group Beef Industry Scholarships
Ten students pursuing careers in the beef industry were awarded $1,500 scholarships by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program recognizes talented and thoughtful students emerging as industry leaders. The 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship recipients include:
- Grant Boyd of Leon, Iowa, Iowa State University
- Shay Burian of Manning, North Dakota, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Natalie Dietrich of Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University
- John Garcia of Baker City, Oregon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Olivia Hadrick of Faulkton, South Dakota, South Dakota State University
- William Kemp of Bishop, California, School to be determined
- Luke McCrea of Maysville, Missouri, Iowa State University
- Gavin Rhode of Stewartsville, Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia
- Nathan Rippe of Indianola, Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Emma Whitlock of Milan, Missouri, Kansas State University
Folds of Honor Scholarship
Folds of Honor provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. One of those scholarship recipients is Erica Wells-Kleman who is pursuing a degree in Animal Science at Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson School of Agriculture. Erica’s mother, United States Army Sergeant Joyce Wells-Kleman, served her country as a medical specialist for more than 11 years.
Beef Checkoff Visionary Award
The Beef Checkoff Visionary Award recognizes an individual in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision. The 2025 honoree is Anne Ilse Anderson of Austin, Texas. Anderson and her husband Jim own a cow-calf operation in the Texas Hill Country, combining a deep passion for agriculture with a global business perspective. Anderson began her career as a clinical dietitian and educator before fully transitioning into agricultural leadership. Since then, Anderson has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the beef industry through innovation and mentorship.
2025 National Golden Spur Award Honorees
The National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award are prestigious awards given by the ranching and livestock industries. Annually, the western community comes together to recognize the inspiring honorees of these accolades through the National Golden Spur Award Honors.
47th National Golden Spur Award
Jan Lyons, Lyons Ranch, Manhattan, Kansas
7th RHA Working Cowboy Award Western Division
Jeff Bilberry, Singleton Ranches, Kenna, New Mexico
7th RHA Working Cowboy Award Eastern Division
Tom Moorhouse, Moorhouse Ranch, Benjamin, Texas
2026 American National CattleWomen Awards
ANCW honors these distinguished women who demonstrate skills and devotion to reaching new audiences with creative and unique messages about beef. They have demonstrated that they’ve made an impact by telling their beef story.
Outstanding Cattlewoman of the Year
Leanna Spratling, Spring Creek, Nevada
Outstanding Educator
Laurie Munns, Hansel Valley, Utah
Outstanding Promoter
Connie Tabor, Agra, Oklahoma
ANCW Collegiate Beef Advocates
Shaping and supporting young beef advocates and emerging leaders for the beef cattle industry is the priority of ANCW’s Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program. This program provides resources and opportunities for students to use their unique strengths and passions to connect with consumers and peers as they promote beef.
- Natalie Dietrich, Texas Tech University
- Kara Tifft, Tarleton State University
- Rachel Wandell, University of Idaho
For more information, visit convention.ncba.org.
