Join top professionals in the cattle industry as they bring the up to date information on today's hottest topics.

Joey Aguilar

Session: Safeguards On and Off the Ranch
Saturday, April 12 | 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Joey Aguilar began his public service career in 1997 as a firefighter. During his time, Aguilar rose to the rank of Captain and served as the training officer, fire investigator and fire inspector.

Joey then attended a regional police academy becoming a police officer for the City of Mission Police Department. He served the City of Mission for over 16 years where he began as a uniformed patrol officer. While there he served in the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective tasked with investigating crimes against persons and crimes against property; and also the Major Crimes Unit, a unit responsible for investigating violent crimes, homicides, narcotics, money laundering, and organized crime. In his final years with the department, he was assigned to the DEA, traveling nationally investigating transnational criminal organizations.

In 2018, Joey joined Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association as a Special Ranger for District 29, and now as Region 4 Supervisor overseeing 42 counties in Texas. As a Special Ranger, he has investigated hundreds of cases involving crimes affecting the agriculture industry.

Joey received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce in criminal justice, cum laude and his master’s degree in criminal justice from Lamar University.

Tyler Ayres

Session: The Next Generation of Texans: Estate and Retirement Planning for Generational Wealth
Friday, April 11 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Room 204: Cow-Calf Track

As a certified financial planner for WP Wealth, Tyler Ayres works with his clients in a variety of ways including assembling cash flow plans for retirement income, investment management, and comprehensive financial planning for all generations. His vast experience has helped him build strong client relationships and discover the excitement of working with families in building their unique financial plan, particularly by making the complex simpler.

A native of Wichita Falls, Tyler attended the University of Texas at Arlington and earned his degree in finance. Outside of the office, Tyler enjoys cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, traveling with family, and spending time with his wife, Heather. He also volunteers with the Junior Achievement of the Chisolm Trail, an organization that teaches children financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Randy Blach

Session: General Session: CattleFax Market Outlook
Friday, April 11 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Ballroom AB

Randy Blach came to CattleFax in 1981 and served as director of market analysis for 15 years. He was promoted to CEO in January of 2001, a role that he continues to serve in today. During his tenure, the company has enjoyed significant growth and continues to lead the industry with timely market information, in-depth analysis and forecasts on cattle, protein and grain markets in the United States and globally. Blach has been a keynote speaker at thousands of cattle, beef and related business meetings, seminars and conventions.

A Colorado native, Randy Blach and his family remain actively involved in the cattle business and farming. He was raised on his family’s ranch in Yuma, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in animal science.

Randy and his wife Karen have two children, Ty and Haylee. Randy and his family enjoy spending time together at sporting events and at the ranch in eastern Colorado.

Brian Bledsoe

Session: Opening Session: Weather Outlook
Friday, April 11 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Ballroom AB

Brian Bledsoe is the founder and chief meteorologist/climatologist for Brian Bledsoe Weather. His private weather consulting business has been serving farmers, ranchers and many other businesses for the past 25 years. Recently retired from television, Brian had been a broadcast meteorologist for the past 28 years. Brian’s goal is to help farmers and ranchers make their businesses more successful by equipping them with actionable forecast information, both short term and long term.

His strong background in agriculture is important, as he can directly relate to the producer and their specific needs. Brian has several clients in the Great Plains and across the United States. He is regularly featured by many media outlets, speaks at many agriculture conferences and is constantly advocating for farmers and ranchers.

Laura Bowen

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer
Friday, April 11 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Laura Bowen is a fifth-generation Texas cattle rancher turned attorney from Winkler County. Seeing a need to bridge gaps between attorneys and the rural landowners they represent, Laura strives to help landowners understand all contracts touching and concerning land as well as negotiating to secure the best compensation and protections for future generations. Having worked alongside her family for many years, Laura is uniquely suited to understand landowner’s needs.

Jim Bradbury

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer 
Friday, April 11 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Jim Bradbury is an attorney whose firm has offices in Fort Worth, Austin and Bozeman. His practice has included many areas but has focused on business as well as land, environmental, water, energy and regulatory matters.

Jim’s practice over three decades has provided him with a rich experience of working with talented lawyers in large firms, corporate executives as well as individual clients with a single problem. Jim enjoys following the legal and policy issues facing landowners, working with statewide associations and policy organizations on legislative and regulatory matters. He has served as outside General Counsel to various privately held corporations, including a large accounting and financial services firm.

Jim is an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, teaching ag law, and natural resources and eminent domain policy. He is a recognized authority in agricultural law, property rights, conservation and water policy and regularly speaks upon these issues. Jim has been substantially involved in land conservation efforts in Texas representing individual landowners and land trusts. He serves on the board of the Texas Land Trust Council and the Devil’s River Conservancy working to conserve some of the last, best places in Texas.

Zach Brady

Session: Here We Go Again: The Next Texas Electric Transmission Build-out
Friday, April 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Room 203: Land & Wildlife Track

Zach Brady primarily practices commercial and agricultural law with a focus on real property litigation, including eminent domain, controversies related to nuisance law, and water rights. He has handled over 200 eminent domain cases in his career and has an active Public Utility Commission practice. Further, he has first-chaired complex jury trials and hotly contested administrative hearings and has successfully argued an appeal centering around Texas’ Right to Farm Act as lead counsel before the Texas Supreme Court. Zach holds the Pre-Eminent Rating of “A.V.” from Martindale-Hubbell and was named a distinguished alumnus of the Texas Tech College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Zach founded ZS Brady & Co. in May 2006. In 2013, Zach partnered with Brent Hamilton to form Brady & Hamilton, LLP. The firm’s attorneys focus on serving clients in agriculture, real estate, energy and related fields.

Zach has provided legal services to the Texas cotton industry since the beginning of his law practice. He has been active in boll weevil eradication efforts in Texas, first as a staffer to Sen. Robert Duncan from 1997-1999 and as an attorney for the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation since 1999. He has also represented the Texas Cotton Ginners Association and Plains Cotton Growers for many years.

In the water law arena, Zach developed statutory language, adopted by the Texas Legislature, later cited by the Texas Supreme Court in its Day decision, establishing landowner ownership of groundwater in place. He has also served on the board of the Brazos River Authority and is a member of the Lubbock Water Advisory Board.

Tucker Brown

Session: Direct to Consumer Panel
Friday, April 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Tucker Brown, a member of the R.A. Brown Ranch’s six-generation legacy in Throckmorton, Texas, embodies a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and ranching. He graduated from Lubbock Christian University and further honed his skills at TCU Ranch Management School. He has since returned home and joined the family ranch in raising and selling 800 registered bulls a year.

Recognized as a recipient of the NCBA Beef Advocate of the Year Award, Tucker Brown has made a significant impact on the agricultural landscape. His presence on various social media platforms has been instrumental in illuminating the truth about American farmers and ranchers. Through his dedicated efforts, he has garnered a substantial and engaged following that is over half a million followers, all while striving to “bridge the gap” between consumers and producers.

Currently, Tucker and his wife Karley are living their dream on the family ranch, where they are actively raising the seventh generation of the R.A. Brown Ranch, with the goal of keeping the ranch in the family, and the family in the ranch.

Dr. Clay Burson

Session: Scoring for Success: Mastering Frame & Body Condition Evaluation
Friday, April 11 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.| Live Demonstration Arena

Dr. Clay Burson joined Zinpro in the fall of 2024 as a beef cattle technical consultant. Dr. Burson provides technical support for Zinpro’s cattle business both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Zinpro, he worked as a consulting nutritionist in the Southwestern United States.

Dr. Burson received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition from Texas Tech University. His master’s program focused on the use of growth promoting technologies during the finishing phase. Dr. Burson’s doctoral research involved the evaluation of confined cow-calf production systems and calf health.

Alan Cain

Session: Understanding CWD: Implications for Livestock and Ecosystems
Friday, April 11 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Alan Cain is an avid hunter and angler who developed a true passion for the outdoors, hunting, and wildlife management from a young age. Alan holds a bachelor of science degree in wildlife management from Texas Tech University and a master of science in range and wildlife sciences from Texas A&M-Kingsville. After completing his master’s degree, Alan started his career with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as a private lands assistance biologist in Fort Bend County. There, he provided technical assistance regarding wildlife and habitat management to private landowners in the Oak Prairies region of Texas. He then moved into a district biologist position in South Texas where he served covering Atascosa, Bexar, Karnes, Medina and Wilson counties for nearly eight years. He worked with over 300 landowners representing 250,000+ acres, including responsibilities for regulatory work regarding game species in South Texas.

In 2008, Alan assumed the role as district leader for the South Texas Wildlife District where he was responsible for managing 10 district wildlife biologists and the daily operations in the district. In 2010, Alan was selected as the TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader. As the program lead, he was responsible for the oversight and management of white-tailed deer programs for the state of Texas, including the popular Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP). Alan was also intimately involved in the department’s Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, response and detection policy development and CWD disease management efforts.

In July 2023, Alan was promoted into the big game program director role and continued to play an integral role in the agencies response to CWD, as well as disease issues facing bighorn sheep in the Trans Pecos. Most recently, Alan was promoted to the TPWD wildlife division director.

Dr. Drew Cassens

Session: Meat Cutting Demo
Friday, April 11 | 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Dr. Drew Cassens is an assistant professor and AgriLife extension meat specialist in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. Drew earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Texas A&M University and his doctorate in animal and food science from Oklahoma State University.

As an extension meat specialist, Dr. Cassens works with county extension agents, youth and industry personnel by developing educational programs relating to carcass composition, quality and tenderness attributes. His primary focus is the livestock to meat interface working to achieve wholesome, high quality meat products for producers and the consumer. Dr. Cassens also works with AgriLife & A&M faculty to conduct industry applicable research in areas of meat quality, tenderness and retail display.

Professional memberships include the American Meat Science Association and American Society of Animal Science.

Andrew Coppin

Session: The Evolution of Agritech: Enabling the Ranch of the Future
Saturday, April 12 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Ballroom AB

Andrew Coppin is the co-founder and CEO of Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions, located in Fort Worth.

Andrew is a passionate advocate for the use of technology on ranches to improve productivity, profitability, and the management of natural capital. After an extensive executive career in capital markets and funds management he has spent the last eight years in the agritech sector mentoring emerging technology companies as an investor, advisor and company director.

Garrett Couts

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer
Friday, April 11 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Garrett Couts grew up in Pampa, Texas, raising and showing livestock, participating in various agriculture-related organizations and events such as Gray County 4–H and Texas FFA, and playing tennis for the Pampa Harvesters. Today, Garrett is an attorney at Brady & Hamilton in Lubbock, practicing primarily in estate planning, probate, real estate, energy, business formations and transactions, and agricultural law.

While at Texas Tech University, Garrett studied agricultural communications with minors in agribusiness and political science and served in numerous organizations, including the College of Agriculture Agri–Techsans and Texas Tech Student Government. Garrett graduated as the top student in his degree program and with magna cum laude honors.

Garrett worked in Washington, D.C., for Congressman Mike Conaway on the 2013 FARM Bill. While attending Texas Tech University School of Law, Garrett participated in numerous organizations, including the Texas Tech University Supreme Court (Justice), Delta Theta Phi, Academy for Leadership in the Legal Profession, and various others. During his undergraduate studies, Garrett began his legal pursuit by working for Saleh Law in Lubbock and Lamesa. During law school, Garrett worked for McCleskey, Harriger, Brazill & Graf, and McWhorter, Cobb, & Johnson and clerked for the statutory Probate Court No 2 of Dallas County for the Honorable Ingrid M. Warren. After law school, Garrett became an attorney with McCleskey, Harriger, Brazill & Graf, where he practiced extensively in probate and estates, energy law, real estate, agricultural issues, commercial and personal litigation, and various other areas. Garrett then joined the Brady & Hamilton team in 2019.

Roy Cox

Session: Cattle Dog Demo
Friday, April 11 | Noon. – 12:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena
Saturday, April 20 | Noon. – 12:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Roy Cox was born and raised in South Wales, Australia. He later moved to the United States to Oklahoma where he began to work for a cutting horse trainer.

While working there, Roy got his first dog, which was half Blue Heeler, half Border Collie. He used this dog to pin the cutting cattle and his dog training began. After working in Oklahoma for six years, Roy moved to North Texas to train horses for EE Ranches.

During this time, Roy also began to import Kelpies from Australia. After working for EE Ranches for six years, Roy bought a place in Thackerville, Oklahoma and began to train dogs full time.

Roy then began the process of starting the Red River Cattle Dog Association where he served as the original president and continues to hold a position on the board of directors. Competing in the competitions held by the Red River Cattle Dog Association, Roy won the award “Reserve Dog of the Year” four times. Roy also competed in the “World Cattle Dog Challenge” in Alturas, California, and won reserve dog two years in a row.

Roy currently lives in Oklahoma where he works dogs and travels to conduct clinics.

Natalie Koehler Denbow

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer
Saturday, April 12 | Noon. – 1 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Natalie Koehler Denbow is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a graduate of South Texas College of Law. She is a past elected county attorney in Bosque County, prosecuting all misdemeanors, Child Protective Services cases and Protective Orders for victims of domestic violence, an office she held from 2009-2024.

While in law school, Natalie was an active member of the South Texas Law Review and a participant in the school’s nationally recognized moot court program. She was also named the Top Female Graduate of the Class of 2002 and was honored to receive the award for Young Alumni of the Year in 2012.

In 2011-12, Natalie served as the President of the Texas Young Lawyer’s Association and has served as a member of the board of directors for the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association, the Texas Association of Counties and the State Bar of Texas. She is a current member of the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees and was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Farm and Ranchlands Conservation Council in 2018.

In addition to her statewide involvement, Natalie is very active in her local community. Natalie is the founder and creator of “Spirit: Christian Girls’ Retreat”, a non-profit, two day conference, that helps teens develop leadership skills, self-confidence and battle online bullying. She and her husband, Blake, reside on the family ranch in Cranfills Gap and are members of the First Baptist Church where they lead classes for junior high boys and girls at Gap Youth Connection on Wednesday nights.

Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges

Session: Screwworm Prevention: Protecting Livestock and Wildlife
Friday, April 11 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Dr. Bud Dinges grew up in Fort Bend County, Texas. He earned both a bachelor’s in animal science and doctor of veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Dinges’ work tenure includes employment in mixed animal practices in Fort Bend County for six years, and as a clinical assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences for 17 years.

In 2018-2019, he worked as a beef cattle professional services veterinarian (Southern Region) for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. In 2019, Dinges began working for the Texas Animal Health Commission as a field veterinarian in the Rockdale Region. Dr. Dinges served as the region director for the TAHC’s Rockdale and Giddings Regions, until being named the state veterinarian and executive director in October 2023.

In the beef cattle industry, he continues to participate in numerous industry and veterinary medical groups/associations, such as: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, United States Animal Health Association, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. His roles include membership and leadership on cattle health and well-being committees.

Kaylee Greiner

Session: Meat Cutting Demo
Friday, April 11 | 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Kaylee Greiner is the manager of retail and foodservice engagement at Texas Beef Council. Kaylee brings her passion for the beef industry and extensive experience to her role of engaging and educating those contributing to the sales of beef products, ensuring collaboration and advancement within the sector.

With a background rooted in agriculture, Kaylee grew up heavily involved in 4-H where she showed livestock and competed in various leadership events. Her interest in the industry led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in meat science at Texas A&M University, where she also coached the meat judging team to winning their first national championship in 16 years.

Kaylee is actively involved in the American Meat Science Association and resides in Cedar Park.

Caitlyn Grudzinski

Session: Risk Management: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity
Saturday, April 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Room 204: Cow-Calf Track

Caitlyn Grudzinski is an account executive and project manager for Commodity & Ingredient Hedging, or CIH in Chicago. Caitlyn serves on CIH’s beef margin management team, helping clients in the cattle market manage their price risk.

Prior to joining CIH, Caitlyn worked at Goldman Sachs in their risk department with experience in currencies and credit. Originally from Texas, she earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. At Wesleyan University she earned a bachelor’s in economics and pitched for their DIII softball program. She also holds a Series 3 National Commodities Futures Examination License.

Dr. Dan Hale

Session: Meat Cutting Demo
Friday, April 11 | 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Dr. Dan Hale received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Kansas State University and his doctorate in food, nutrition and institutional sciences from Oklahoma State University. He is currently associate director for ag and natural resources and the Path to the Plate Coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Before this he served as professor and extension meat specialist for 35 years.

Dr. Hale has worked with the National Consumer Retail Beef Study, the National Market Basket Survey and the Beef Tenderness Survey, which examined supplies of beef offered at the retail meat case and determined what consumers want in meat products. Hale was a certified animal welfare auditor for over 10 years. He was the coordinator of the RanchTV virtual video library which now houses over 1,000 videos on Beef Cattle management. This YouTube site has over 10 million views.

Brent Hamilton

Session: Surface Use Issues and Agreements – Oil and Gas Development on the Ranch
Saturday, April 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Room 203: Land & Wildlife Track

Brent Hamilton received his bachelor’s degree in petroleum land management from Texas Tech University and returned there for law school after working in the oil and gas industry. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1996 and is licensed to practice in all Texas and New Mexico State Courts and the Federal Courts of Texas, Colorado and New Mexico.

Brent has a civil litigation and energy practice that focuses on serving business and landowners’ needs. Brent has years of experience dealing with issues of eminent domain, business and energy transactions in representing business owners, landowners and royalty owners. He is a litigator and has successfully served as lead trial counsel in numerous cases that have been cited by the State and Federal Courts of Appeal, as well as the Texas Supreme Court.

Brent is a member of the Austin and Lubbock County Bar Associations, Texas and New Mexico State Bars, and the American Board of Trial Advocates and has been appointed to serve on committees for the Seventh Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas. He has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV” rating, the highest level of professionalism and ethical standards as rated by his peers.

Melissa Hamilton

Session: View from the Capitol: Austin Legislative Update
Saturday, April 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Melissa Hamilton is the executive director of government relations for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, based in Austin. Melissa oversees legislative and regulatory efforts for TSCRA in Austin and Washington D.C. and directs the TSCRA policy committees and PAC.

Melissa previously served as public counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel since being appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2017 and later confirmed by the Texas Senate. She also served as staff counsel for then Texas State Senator, now Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, and later as director of government relations for the Texas Department of Insurance.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She was raised in her family’s ranching operation in Goliad and DeWitt counties.

Dr. Burke Healey

Session: New World Screwworm: The Threat Returns 
Friday, April 11 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Dr. Burke Healey is the senior leader for policy and operations at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services and the former Veterinary Services Deputy Administrator. He began his USDA career in 2004 as the area veterinarian in charge for Oklahoma. Dr. Healey then served as the executive director for the surveillance, preparedness, and response unit in the veterinary services division and the National Incident Commander for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak of 2014 and 2015, mobilizing thousands of personnel.

He is an Oklahoma native from a cattle ranching background, a graduate of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the former State Veterinarian of Oklahoma.

Anson Howard

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer Panel
Saturday, April 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Anson Howard attended Southern Methodist University and later Texas Tech School of Law and now serves as a partner at Uhl Fitzsimons in San Antonio. Anson is a member of the State Bar of Texas (Oil, Gas, & Energy Resources Law Section).

Following Anson’s service as Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, Anson returned to Texas to practice law and take over the operation of his family’s Head of the River Ranch in Tom Green County.

Anson and his wife Meredith live with their son and daughter in San Antonio. Anson’s legal practice focuses on representing landowners for all issues concerning real property. Anson is actively involved in rangeland conservation and education through his ranching operations, as well as service as a director of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Texas Wildlife Association.

Cody Hyde

Session: Safeguards On and Off the Ranch
Saturday, April 12 | 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Cody Hyde serves as a Special Ranger for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association District 3, and has been a full-time certified peace officer for the state of Oklahoma since 1999.

After graduating from the 51st Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 1999, Cody was assigned to the Sequoyah County detachment of Troop C as a Trooper and later became a member of the Emergency Response Team.

In 2003, he was assigned to the Special Operations Division as a K-9 handler / criminal interdictor assigned to the I-40 corridor where he remained for the next 19 years.

While assigned to the Special Operations division, he worked alongside the DEA, ATF, and FBI initiating numerous federal investigations. These investigations involved conducting controlled deliveries of narcotics, weapons, and drug currency throughout Oklahoma and the U.S. resulting in the apprehension and prosecution of hundreds of felons.

Some notable events of recognition as a trooper include receiving numerous Chiefs Awards, Governor’s Citations and 11 Criminal Interdictor of the Year Awards. In 2003, he was recognized as Trooper of the Year and awarded the Medal of Honor. He was again recognized again as Trooper of the Year in 2012.

Dr. Mark Johnson

Session: Cow-Calf Cash Flow: Unlocking Your Profit Potential
Friday, April 11 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Room 204: Cow-Calf Track

Dr. Mark Johnson is a professor of animal & food sciences at Oklahoma State University where he has worked since 1992. During this time he has held the Totusek Endowed Chair, served as supervisor of the OSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center, conducted youth and beef cattle Extension programming, and coached the livestock judging team. He coached seven teams that won the American Royal, four National Championship teams, earned the National Coach of the Year award seven times, and has judged cattle shows across the US.

He authors a weekly article for OSU’s Cow-calf Corner Newsletter and appears weekly on the Cow-calf Corner segment of OSU’s Sunup TV show. He teaches courses in animal breeding, cow-calf management and purebred beef seedstock and sales.

Dr. Johnson is a life-long cattleman who currently serves on the American Angus Association Board of Directors. He and his wife Brenda, along with daughters Sydney and Charley, live on a ranch near Orlando, Oklahoma where they operate J&J Beef Genetics, LLC.

Emily Lochner

Session: Cattle Selection Basics
Saturday, April 12 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Emily Lochner grew up on a dairy and beef cattle operation in central Texas. She attended Butler Community College and Texas Tech University to compete on their livestock judging teams and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in animal science. While there, she was named to the 2011 Junior College All-American Academic Team and the 2013 Senior College All-American Livestock Judging Team. She’s also received a certificate through the Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leaders (TALL) program, cohort 17.

Emily has previously served as the director of public relations at the Ohio Beef Council, and as director of youth and foundations at the American Simmental Association.

Emily is currently the executive director of events, education and leadership development at Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Emily’s husband, Garrett, alongside her parents, David and Jodi Jackson, run a dairy, backgrounder, Brangus seedstock operation and coastal grass, hay and corn business in Waco. Emily and Garrett welcomed their first daughter, June, in October 2024.

Kaleb McLaurin

Session: Direct to Consumer Panel
Friday, April 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Kaleb McLaurin is a sixth-generation Texan from the Piney Woods of East Texas, where he and his family raised beef cattle and hay near the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation.

Upon graduating as Valedictorian from Big Sandy High School, Kaleb deferred his college enrollment to travel across the state as the 2009-2010 Texas FFA State 1st Vice President. Afterward, Kaleb attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in agricultural leadership & development and a minor in agricultural economics.

In 2014, Kaleb accepted the position of director of government affairs with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Kaleb then served as the executive director of government relations from 2018 until 2022.

Kaleb then joined Texas Beef Council as the senior manager of industry relations, where he is fortunate to work with hardworking cattle producers and industry members daily.

Kaleb currently resides in Dripping Springs, with his wife, Raynie, and two young daughters, Reese Taylor and Kate Delaney.

Terrell Miller

Session: The Evolution of Agritech: Enabling the Ranch of the Future
Saturday, April 12 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Ballroom AB

Terrell Miller is a co-founder of CattleMax, North America’s leading cattle management software, and AgriCommerce, operating CattleTags.com, CattleScales.com, and CattleDNA.com. He also publishes Ranching.com, a weekly newsletter reaching over 90,000 cattle ranchers.

Based in College Station, Texas, Terrell leads a 100% work-from-ranch team of cattle producers who rely on the software daily – ensuring true rancher-to-rancher support. A proud Texas A&M University graduate, he brings over 25 years of experience bridging agriculture and technology and remains committed to empowering ranchers through innovative solutions.

Todd Miller

Session: Intro to Guest Workers Program
Saturday, April 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Room 204: Cow-Calf Track

Todd Miller is the founder and owner of Head Honchos LLC, based in San Antonio, a highly respected provider and processor of H-2A and H-2B work visas, as well as the H-4 “Mi Familia” visa.

Over the last 24 years, Todd has become a seasoned expert in immigration regulations, labor laws, and compliance requirements, helping both agricultural and non-agricultural employers across the country. His expertise extends to the full range of H-2A and H-2B visa needs, from petition preparation to recruitment, ensuring that employers can find reliable, qualified workers to meet their seasonal staffing needs. Todd’s deep understanding of the legal and logistical aspects of these visa programs has made him an invaluable resource to countless employers who rely on his services for smooth and efficient processing.

At the helm of Head Honchos, Todd continues to manage day-to-day operations alongside a small, dedicated team that ensures a personalized, family-business-style approach. Despite the growth of the company, Todd remains deeply committed to maintaining the same level of trust, care, and security that he initially built his business upon. His client-centered approach, focusing on both workers’ rights and employer needs, has helped Head Honchos grow into one of the most trusted program providers in the field.

Tim Niedecken

Session: Dealer Trust
Friday, April 11 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Tim Niedecken serves as the CEO of the American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association and the executive director of the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas. In these roles, he represents livestock markets, dealers, order buyers, and other livestock marketers, providing advocacy and business services nationally and across Texas.

Evon Onusic

Session: The Evolution of Agritech: Enabling the Ranch of the Future
Saturday, April 12 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Ballroom AB

Evon Onusic is a technology executive and entrepreneur with a decade of experience connecting emerging technologies with frontier markets. He is a co-founder of Frontiers Market, which uses artificial intelligence to measure, track and assess livestock using a single mobile phone photo.

Onusic also co-founded the AI-driven news analytics app Algo – acquired by Meltwater in 2017 – and the data-focused marketing agency DeltaSift, whose clients included Curative and Hint Water. An active investor in early-stage AI, health, robotics, and other ventures, Onusic’s background in product innovation and venture growth gives him a unique perspective on using data and AI to drive efficiency, transparency and growth in agriculture.

Joe Will Ross

Session: Ask an Ag Lawyer Panel
Saturday, April 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Room 201: Panel Track

Bio coming soon!

Peyton Schumann

Session: View from the Capitol: Austin Legislative Update
Saturday, April 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Room 202: Policy Track

Peyton Schumann grew up on a ranch in Novice, Texas where his father trained cutting horses and managed a cow-calf operation. Today, his family operates a successful stocker operation. A proud graduate of Coleman High School and Texas Tech University, Peyton began his career in Austin, working for the Texas Senate as an assistant committee clerk. He served as public and digital engagement coordinator for Texans for Greg Abbott, then later the director of government relations for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He left TSCRA to serve as government relations specialist at the Texas General Land Office under Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

He has since returned to TSCRA as the senior director of government relations. Peyton and his wife, Jordan, welcomed their son, Emmett, in July 2024. The Schumann’s love escaping the city to spend time at the ranch, where they enjoy the outdoors with their family and dogs.

Jack Scott

Keynote Session: The Business of Sustainability: Strengthening Beef’s Future Through Industry Partnerships
Saturday, April 12 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Ballroom AB

Jack Scott serves as Nestlé Purina’s vice president of sustainable sourcing where his team is focused on ensuring the sustainable and responsible sourcing of meat, poultry, seafood, and plant agricultural ingredients used in Purina’s portfolio of brands.

Jack joined the Nestle family in 2003. He began his Nestle career leading product marketing and brand management efforts for several brands in Purina U.S. and Nestle China Ltd. In 2013, Jack began leading sustainable sourcing efforts for numerous ingredient categories at Nestle and Purina working within domestic and international supply chains, including managing teams in the U.S., China, and Thailand. Jack’s end-to-end experience of ingredient supply chains from the origin of materials to branded products brings a highly unique perspective of value chain creation.

Importantly, Jack is a vocal advocate and champion for farmers and ranchers recognizing their pivotal role in leading sustainable change. He is highly engaged across multiple collaborations with farmers, supply chain partners, NGOs, and other stakeholder organizations and sits on multiple Board of Directors including the American Farm Bureau Foundation and Field to Market.

Douglas Simmerman

Session: Ranch Prevention & Injuries
Friday, April 11 | 3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Live Demonstration Arena

Douglas Simmerman has dedicated his life to agriculture and education. Growing up, he gained hands-on experience at Three Sides Farm, operating heavy equipment and working with various crops and livestock. In college, he expanded his skills at the university farm, working in poultry, beef, and dairy operations before joining Dr. A.C. Buck Hughes’ cattle operation. This foundation led him to a 36-year career in agricultural education, where he taught all aspects of the program and served as an elementary school principal. He also trained students in shop safety as an OSHA Outreach Instructor and led the Texas Hunter Education Safety Program.

A leader in agricultural safety, Douglas became a National Safe Tractor and Equipment Operation Master Trainer in 2008, certifying agriculture teachers and students in equipment safety.

Austin Tucker

Austin Tucker was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He’s a graduate of St. Edwards University where he received his bachelor’s degree in economics. Austin currently resides in Auburn, Alabama with his wife Melissa and son William.

He’s not only a hay farmer himself, but a partner and agent for Specialized Crop Insurance, specializing in Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance. Alongside his business partner, they write PRF, Livestock Risk Protection and multi-peril crop insurance in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Bill Weston

Session: The Next Generation of Texans: Estate and Retirement Planning for Generational Wealth
Friday, April 11 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Room 204: Cow-Calf Track

Bill Weston is a partner at WPWealth, where he manages his practice and helps clients optimize their investment, insurance, tax, retirement and estate plans. He also heads the investments committee and leads the firm’s quarterly market updates.

Bill’s investment approach is rooted in a thorough analysis of market trends and a commitment to risk management. He emphasizes a diversified portfolio tailored to each client’s unique financial goals and risk tolerance. By staying informed on global economic developments and leveraging a mix of asset classes, Bill aims to maximize returns while mitigating potential risks.

Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Bill serves on the University of Texas at Austin Economic Alumni Committee and is a member of Leadership Fort Worth’s Class of 2024. He resides in Fort Worth with his wife and three children and enjoys staying active with family activities.

Eric Yates

Session: The Evolution of Agritech: Enabling the Ranch of the Future
Saturday, April 12 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Ballroom AB

Eric Yates is a senior territory manager for Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health. Eric joined Merck Animal Health in December of 2017 and has been a part of the animal health industry since 2012 when he started with Merial.

Eric was raised in Carthage, Texas and was introduced to the importance of animal health while working in his father’s veterinary clinic throughout high school. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of animal science.

Being raised around the animal health industry and his involvement in cattle at an early age gave him his passion for the cattle industry that drives him now. He stays connected to the needs of the cattle industry by owning a personal commercial cow-calf herd, grazing stockers and owning a branded beef farm to table retail operation, Yates Family Farms.

Eric resides in Longview, with his wife, Kelsey, and their children, Colleen and Owen.