From Pasture to Policy: Colorado’s Brandon Beiger attends the 2025 Young Cattlemen’s Conference

The 2025 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) was held in early June. Over 60 beef producers spent 8 days learning about the cattle industry from gate to plate. Brandon Beiger, Wickstrom Feedyard, Orchard, Colo. attended the 2025 YCC as CLA’s candidate.

The NCBA’s YCC program aims to give these young leaders an understanding of all aspects of the beef industry from grass to plate, and showcase issues management, research, education, and marketing.

Through behind-the-scenes access, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire beef supply chain while also engaging in the powerful grassroots advocacy process.

Attendees toured Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Kuner Feedyard in Greeley, Colorado, visited a meatpacking plant in Sioux City, Iowa, learned about beef retail sales in Wooster, Ohio, and concluded the trip in Washington, D.C., where they spent a day meeting with their elected officials to advocate for the cattle industry. A highlight of the program is the opportunity to engage directly with elected leaders on Capitol Hill and advocate for policies that impact America’s cattle and beef producers. 

“The Young Cattleman’s Conference was an incredible experience for me. It made me so grateful and proud to be a part of this ever changing industry. Capitol Hill was a highlight for me. It was shocking and encouraging to see the people going to bat for us as producers in Washington DC. The networking and relationships created with other industry leaders will last for a lifetime after this conference. People love eating BEEF, and for that I am grateful. As an industry we will continue to produce a safe, affordable, and satisfying product. I would like to thank NCBA for all of the effort put into this conference. Also would like to thank Colorado Livestock Association and Wickstrom feedyard for giving me the opportunity to attend,” stated Beiger.

Since 1980, the Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) has been a premier leadership development program, shaping the next generation of beef industry leaders. With more than 1,000 graduates, YCC alumni have gone on to serve on industry committees, councils, and boards, many have risen to national leadership positions at NCBA, breed associations and other industry organizations. YCC is the cornerstone of leadership training in the cattle industry.