Featuring the Future – Kathlyn Hauxwell
Kathlyn Hauxwell is a fiery young cattlewoman who is determined to improve the beef industry in multiple ways. Kathlyn graduates with her Bachelors in Animal Science and a minor in Nebraska Beef Indsutry Scholars from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2022. If you know Kathlyn, you are aware that she knows how to do it all and make an impact on every organization she is a part of. Kathlyn’s role in the beef industry falls into several different categories. First, she is a student and life long learner. She is rounding out her time as an undergraduate and is wasting no time when it comes to jumping into graduate at North Dakota State University to obtain her Master’s in ruminant nutrition. Kathlyn is also a rancher who takes pride in raising quality cattle and established her own cow herd in 2020. Kathlyn is highly involved in organizations outside of school and serves as a board member for the Young Nebraska Cattlemen.
Kathlyn has already done a lot in the industry and has many fond memories, however, she says seeing pairs turned out on fresh triticale tops the list of her favorite time of the year. It’s also hard to beat the day she bought her cows and took her own steps to continue her family’s legacy! Kathlyn recognizes that her generation is just beginning their journey in the beef industry and is excited for the future of the industry and to do her part in helping seedstock producers improve the quality of their herds and management strategies too! She looks forward to partnering with like-minded people to make this happen!
Mentorship is a common theme for those who are successful and Kathlyn has many in her life. She says, “I have to thank my parents for being mentors. Aside from them, the list is a mile long. All too often is it easy to forget the many names and faces who helped us in getting where we are today.” She chooses to stay in the industry in part due to the people within it. She admires the passion, work-ethic and support of others exhibited by many in the beef business. Whether you need a simple helping hand or are overcoming natural disasters, people in the beef industry are their to help and that’s admirable!
Her wish for the industry is this. “So many people more creative than I have spent countless hours and days sharing our message, defending why and what we are doing in this role. I can only hope that someday, the past is accepted and we quit playing defense. Too much is being invested in industry improvements across the board to continue such an aggressive campaign for much longer. In the future, I would love for the conversations had with those outside the industry to be much more open and flexible, instead of just a one-way broadcast.”
Thank you Kathlyn for all you are already doing for our industry and good luck on your future endeavors!
