Event Broadens Industry Understanding
Members of the Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association officer team and several seniors attended Cattle Con held in Nashville, TN, joining thousands of producers, researchers, students and industry leaders from around the country. For UW students Cassie Fenske, Emma Hamlin and Rose Wendel, the weeklong convention changed how they view their roles in agriculture.
Fenske said one of the most valuable sessions she attended was about genetic tools for breeding cattle suited to different regions. The presentation helped her see how producers can use modern genomic tools to create more efficient and resilient herds.
“It showed how producers can match cattle genetics to different climates across the U.S.,” Fenske wrote. “This knowledge will be extremely important for the future of the cattle industry and increasing herd numbers efficiently and effectively.”
Wendel said a presentation by Dr. Jared Decker changed how she thinks about environmental adaptation in cattle genetics. She explained that the session showed how moving genetics between regions has led to cattle that fit breed averages instead of being well-suited to their environment.
“With modern genomic tools and traits like fertility, stayability, and hair shedding, we can better understand environmental factors and select cattle that are resilient where they live,” Wendel wrote.
Hamlin wrote about an important personal lesson she learned at Cattle Con.
“The importance of speaking out and educating the outside world on the realities of the cattle industry really stood out to me,” she wrote. “If producers and industry leaders don’t tell the story, someone else will tell it for us.”
Hamlin and Fenske agreed that a highlight was listening to the keynote speaker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“His discussion about the new food pyramid was incredible because of how important it was to have beef on top,” Hamlin wrote.
Fenske said the session helped her see how agriculture connects with public health and nutrition.
“It connected agriculture directly to nutrition and public health,” she said. “It gave me a broader perspective on how agriculture impacts consumers every day.”
For Wendel, a live horsemanship and stockmanship demonstration in the trade show arena is what stood out.
“As someone who recently got her first horse to start working cattle with, it was practical and educational,” she wrote. “Seeing techniques demonstrated in real time helped connect the dots between what I’ve learned and what I’ll actually be doing at home.”
The networking at the convention served attendees well. As members of the WCCA officer team and senior class, they met producers, industry leaders and professionals from all over the country. They found that industry professionals were eager to talk with college students.
“As soon as people heard we were from the University of Wyoming, they were excited to start meaningful conversations,” Fenske wrote. “It was encouraging to see how supportive the industry is of the next generation.”
Hamlin said the event made it easy to have real conversations.
“CattleCon wasn’t just a place to hear new information,” she said. “It sparked conversations about our hopes for the future of the American beef industry.”
Wendel said the experience helped her step outside her comfort zone.
“It helped me see the value of intentionally building relationships as I get closer to graduating,” she wrote. “Even just introducing myself to people I recognized but had never talked to before made a difference.”
Each student said they came back to Laramie with new knowledge and fresh motivation. Fenske wrote that the connections she made could lead to internships. Hamlin said the event helped her see how classroom topics like policy and resource management apply in real life. Wendel said her biggest takeaway was the need to stay adaptable in a fast-changing industry.
“In a world where consumers want to know more about where their food comes from, being willing to learn, adjust and communicate effectively will be just as important as production knowledge,” Wendel wrote.
All three students agreed that if another UW student gets the chance to attend CattleCon, they should take it.
“It’s an incredible way to learn directly from industry leaders while building connections and confidence,” Fenske wrote.
“100% do it. The experience is eye‑opening and makes you feel part of something much bigger,” Hamlin said.
“CattleCon is a unique mix of education, networking and real‑world perspective that you don’t get in the classroom,” Wendel wrote.
For the WCCA officer team and University of Wyoming seniors, CattleCon 2026 was more than a professional development opportunity. It gave them a look at the future of the cattle industry and their role in it.
