Carrie Veselka
Progressive Cattleman Writer

My favorite article by Progressive Cattleman is one of Paul Marchant's blogs, "Self-medication and Grandma." Growing up in cow country and being subjected to several impromptu "campfire stories" during meetings I ended up attending with my dad, Paul's sense of humor strikes a chord with me in a familiar cowboy way, and you can't beat the material. He's got a way of telling a story that encapsulates the soul of your average self-deprecating, dumb-as-a-post-but-surprisingly-clever cowboy. This particular blog is a perfect example of that.

Alan Leavitt
Progressive Cattleman Publisher

I could likely have found this in any issue, or something like it – but I randomly went to the August issue and went through it page by page electronically. I really liked “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” by freelancer Kellie Gregorich.

This feature highlights a young family’s determination to succeed as the second generation in the family’s custom feeding operation. Their struggles, the challenges of family succession, their gratitude for loving parents who sacrificed to let them in — are real and inspirational: “We’re living the dream. We have the best job in the world. There is no better life. We are fortunate for what we have. My dad sacrificed a lot to give me a shot. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Cassidy Woolsey
Progressive Cattleman Editor

Maybe it’s the way blogger Marci Whitehurst so candidly explains working with a cowboy, or maybe it’s because I have seen and heard my fair share of cowboy grunts and gestures – making this blog an instant favorite.

I too have been on the back of a horse puzzled as my dad flailed his arms and spit out a sentence that was carried off in the wind. Or, have tried to decipher a hand signal from a backhoe, only to have taken the load to the wrong pasture.

All in all, as Marci so cleverly puts, “Maybe I’ll master the art of cowboy lingo and he’ll understand my emotions. Well, then again. …”

Corey Lewis
Progressive Publishing Production Designer

I always find the photos we use for Progressive Cattleman to be compelling, vibrant and professional. They complete the story, and I find them refreshing to look at. Some of my favorites include the Mojave Desert scene on page 20 of issue 4, the cover image of issue 10 and the drone photo on page 20 of issue 11, to name a few. I don’t think the magazines would be at the level they are without the images.

I would say the cover image for issue 10 is my favorite for the year. The small depth of field really focuses you in on one cow, and it’s an interesting point of view.

Fredric Ridenour
Progressive Cattleman Production Editor

As a comic book geek, I was super excited to be given the assignment to create a superhero cover for the March 2016 Progressive Cattleman issue. The entire process, from initial sketches to finished product, was an absolute blast. And our extremely talented production team leader, Kevin Brown, provided the fantastic coloring.

Lynn Jaynes
Progressive Cattleman Editor

Paul Marchant’s columns often make me chuckle. In his “Just say no” column, I found validation – someone else is a chump in this world besides me. Regrettably, I have fed more than one stray dog. At least now I know I’m not regretting it alone.

David Cooper
Progressive Cattleman Managing Editor

Call me a sentimental. But to me, there’s nothing that compares to good old shoe-leather reporting – the kind that takes a little extra mileage and effort to get to the real story. That’s precisely what came from Cassidy Woolsey’s investigation in the June Progressive Cattleman Extra enewsletter, asking what happened to the brand “Trump Steaks.”

While the national media did a rush job on this question, many cattlemen and ranchers have a better understanding of how beef marketing works. So the story offered a revealing and forthright look into how Donald Trump buys steaks and who produces them.

Paul Marchant
Progressive Cattleman Staff

Billy Whitehurst’s article on cattle flow designs and proper handling techniques concisely and adequately addresses some pertinent issues, on which everyone and his cow dog seems to have an opinion these days. Without pontification, Whitehurst demonstrates, with simple prose and simple pictures, the good, the bad and the ugly about different types of cattle handling facilities. If you’re working cattle, heeding Billy’s advice will make for happier and healthier critters and cow folk.  

PHOTO 1: Dan and Abby Martin with their three children, Maci, Myles and Merritt, in front of their feedlot. Photo by Kellie Gregorich.

PHOTO 2: The Whitehurst girls learning a cowboy's lingo on horseback. Photo by Marci Whitehurst.

PHOTO 3: October 2016 issue of Progressive Cattleman cover photo. Staff photo.

PHOTO 4: March 2016 issue of Progressive Cattleman cover photo. Staff photo.

PHOTO 5: As long as Trump doesn't claim to have raised the cattle, he can call the steaks sold at his properties whatever he wants. The meat is generic. Photo by Kristen Phillips. [Note: The steak is not a Trump Steak.]

PHOTO 6: Photo by Billy and Marci Whitehurst.