Convention Roundup: Convention Recap, Educational Content, Award Recipients, and More

Convention Recap

We are excited to announce that our 67th Annual Convention & Trade Show was a success! We had an educational and entertaining event with the opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with fellow producers, conduct ACA business, and recognize members.

Seven counties were recognized as 100% counties and 17 members were inducted into the Top Hand Club. Our educational programs included a market and New World ScrewWorm outlook, disaster proofing panel, beef cutout demo, ration balancing, forage management, and theft prevention. We also held the Quiz Bowl finals and presented awards to deserving individual and counties for their work on behalf of Arkansas Cattlemen's.

Thank you does not seem adequate, but it's a great place to start. We're grateful to every attendee, vendor, and sponsor for helping us make the ACA Convention a success! A full convention overview will be available in your September issue of the Arkansas Cattle Business magazine. Below is a spotlight of our award recipients.

Arkansas Cattlemen's Producer of the Year Recipient

The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has named Sam Tabler of Logan County as the 2025 Producer of the Year, recognizing his outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to the Arkansas cattle industry.

Tabler manages a 1,500-acre commercial cow/calf and hay operation in Scott County, overseeing 250 Red Angus-based cows. He emphasizes rotational grazing, data-driven breeding, and preconditioning practices to boost herd performance and marketability. His attention to soil health and forage production serves as a model for producers across the state.

With a career spanning 37 years as an Animal Scientist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Tabler has conducted impactful cattle and forage research, sharing findings through outreach and producer education. His service includes an international appointment as an Agriculture Advisor in Iraq, where he helped improve farming practices — earning recognition from both the U.S. Department of State and USDA.

Since retiring from federal service, Tabler continues to lead educational efforts through training videos, county meetings, and national conferences.

Producer Educator of the Year Recipient

The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has honored Chief Billy Black of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division as the 2025 Producer Educator of the Year.

Black was recognized for his exceptional contributions to cattle producer education across the state. Over the past year, he visited more than half of ACA’s county associations, providing practical, real-world education on preventing cattle theft, securing operations, and understanding the state’s agricultural law enforcement program. His talks, grounded in actual investigations, have helped recover stolen livestock, trailers, and equipment — returning $3.2 million in restitution to producers in the last fiscal year alone.

“Billy Black’s expertise, passion for outreach, and commitment to protecting Arkansas agriculture make him an invaluable resource to our producers,” said ACA Executive Vice President Michelle Bufkin Horton. “His work not only educates cattlemen and women but actively safeguards their livelihoods.”

In addition to in-person meetings, Black has reached producers through county extension programs, the Arkansas Cattle Business Podcast, and statewide events. Under his leadership, the Law Enforcement Division expanded its investigative capacity, adding a new special agent to better serve rural communities.

Aubrey Blackmon Lifetime Service Award Recipient

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.

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.

Legislator of the Year Recipient

The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has recognized Senator Ronald Caldwell of Wynne and District 10 as its 2025 Legislator of the Year, honoring his steadfast leadership and advocacy for Arkansas agriculture.

As Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee, Caldwell has been a strong champion for policies that strengthen farm viability, support agricultural research, and protect rural livelihoods. His legislative priorities have included securing stable funding for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, streamlining sales-tax exemptions for farm equipment and inputs, and working toward balanced solutions on field burning regulations.

In addition to his chairmanship, Caldwell serves on key committees including Revenue & Taxation, Legislative Council, Joint Budget, and numerous subcommittees. His decades-long service to Arkansas reflects a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within agriculture.

Scholarship Recipients

Arkansas Cattlemen's Scholarships

Benjamin DeSalvo

Cooper Plyler

Adam McClung/Farm Credit Leadership Scholarships

Taci Humphries

Elizabeth Johnson

Adam McClung Family & Friends Cattlemen's Legacy Scholarship

Lucas Miners

Arkansas CattleWomen's Scholarships

James Gossard

Lucas Miners

Jessica Ford

Arkansas Cattlemen Foundation Scholarships

Eva Berryhill

Lexus Hagood

Benjamin DeSalvo

Top Hand Awards

The ACA recognizes those members who have recruited 30 or more renewed members or 15 new members over the course of the membership drive. The honoring of our Top Hand members has become a time-honored tradition. This year’s top hand awards are sponsored by long-time ACA supporter Preferred Livestock Products. We appreciate their generosity.

•                   Ben DeSalvo

•                   Clark Burton

•                   Dale Logan

•                   Earl Crumpler

•                   Isaiah Dark

•                   Katherine Ann Teeter

•                   Kay Casey

•                   Mary Hamilton

•                   Matt Carter

•                   Max Nutt

•                   Maybelle Castera

•                   Michael Looper

•                   Michael Watkins

•                   Mike Bradshaw

•                   Ron Carter

•                   Taryn Childers

•                   Vicky Wright

County Award Winners

This year 7 counties reached their 100% goal thus qualifying for a percent of the $5,000 incentive award. Under the 100 program, counties that reach 100 % of the previous year’s membership number qualify. However, the county with the highest percentage of member renewals receives an extra $500. 

•                   Clay County

•                   Crawford County

•                   Desha/Drew Counties

•                   Ouachita County

•                   Sevier County

•                   Southern Arkansas University

•                   University of Arkansas at Monticello

Coming in with the highest percentage of renewed members and receiving an extra $500 is Southern Arkansas University.