Management Insights

Cattle and feedlots are something I have been passionate about for as long as I can remember. Beef Northwest Feeders has allowed me to take that passion and apply it directly to produce high quality beef to nourish people all over the world.

Work ethic and doing the best you can are very important attributes instilled in me early on from my parents. I am fortunate to say that my father and his family immigrated to the United States from Hungary to escape communism when he was young and so naturally hard work and striving to better oneself are skills that were held in high regard my entire life. Giving 100% at all times and self betterment describes the culture at Beef Northwest Feeders in many ways as well.

After having spent the majority of my upbringing in Idaho I attended the University of Idaho where I studied animal science and beef cattle nutrition. At school, I worked with the direction of Dr. Carl Hunt on lowering feed and production costs for cattle producers as well as helping to characterize potato by-products and high moisture corn in feedlot rations. I can honestly say that I utilize my education on a daily basis and believe that Beef Northwest Feeders and its consultants have been very instrumental in picking up where school left off to teach me how and when to apply my education in order to be successful. While at the University of Idaho I was able to intern at the Boardman feedlot during the summer of 2003. This experience was very pivotal for me in that it solidified my interest in feedyards, exposed me to many skills I have come to learn and use today and gave me the opportunity to build a career in the beef industry.

After finishing school in 2005, I began working at the Nyssa OR feedlot and from the ground up started doctoring cattle, learning about feeding potatoes, learning the ins and out of feedyard maintenance, nutrient management, employee management and how to feed and market cattle, all while keeping budgets in line (all things I was exposed to during my internship). Two and a half years later I moved to Boardman OR where I helped with potato by product quality and food safety /Age-source process verification programs. That same year I spent four months working for our Quincy WA feedlot helping out with operations and employee training.

Today I have been at the Boardman OR feedyard for two years. I feel extremely fortunate to have worked at all of the feedyards that Beef Northwest holds today and I have my internship opportunity to thank for that. The internship here at Boardman allows students to actually work side by side all of the employees on the feedyard learning skills each day. Along with daily exposure students receive specific projects, are involved in question and answer sessions, are taken along on specific trips and are included in trainings and meetings. Finally, the interning student is allowed to present his or her findings and their projects to the feedlot supervisors, consultants, customers, yard managers and owners/investors. This allows for a maximum level of challenge and growth for not only the interning student but for Beef Northwest Feeders. I feel honored that I am able to manage, direct and drive our internship program today.