ACA Honors Bill McLehaney with Lifetime Service Award

Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Presents 2025 Aubrey Blackmon Lifetime Service Award to Bill McLehaney

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has presented the 2025 Aubrey Blackmon Lifetime Service Award to Bill McLehaney of McLehaney Equipment, honoring his decades of service to Arkansas cattle producers and the ACA.

A longtime ACA member and advocate, McLehaney began his career in the dairy industry before transitioning to beef cattle production. His firsthand knowledge of livestock management, forage systems, and the challenges producers face has shaped his approach as a business owner and community supporter.

For years, McLehaney has faithfully attended ACA county meetings in his region — not as a salesman, but as a supporter. Through McLehaney Equipment in Haskell, he has provided critical service, parts, and solutions to keep producers’ operations running, specializing in Vermeer hay equipment. His impact reaches far beyond sales, often including after-hours phone calls, on-site troubleshooting, and genuine mentorship.

“Bill McLehaney’s consistency, character, and commitment to the people of our industry make him a true embodiment of the Lifetime Service Award,” said ACA Executive Vice President Michelle Bufkin Horton. “His support for Arkansas cattle producers has been steadfast for decades, and his legacy will continue to shape our industry for years to come.”

The award, renamed in 2023 to honor past ACA President Aubrey Blackmon, recognizes individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving cattle producers in Arkansas.

More information about ACA’s 2025 award winners can be found at www.arbeef.org.