‘Let’s Do This:’ The Cattlemen’s Congress Story

As COVID-19-related cancellations mounted in 2020, it was clear exhibitors wanted a place to show and cattlemen needed a place to sell. In the state of Oklahoma, breeders got busy working their connections, and soon Cattlemen’s Congress was born. Now in its fourth year, the event featured record numbers and record-high sale averages this January. It has become a place of camaraderie, celebration, commerce and competition.  

This episode gathers three individuals who were there for the beginning and have been involved ever since, as they talk about its influence on the state and plans for the future.  

HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully 

GUESTS: Mark Johnson, Tyler Norvell, Donnie Robertson 

Mark Johnson, along with his wife, Brenda, and two daughters, operates J&J Beef Genetics, LLC.  Johnson grew up in Deerfield, Mo., and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college and later Oklahoma State University (OSU) before completing his doctorate at Kansas State University in 1992.  

Since then, Johnson has been a professor of animal and food sciences at OSU and has served as supervisor of the OSU Purebred Beef operation for 32 years. At OSU, Johnson has held the Totusek Endowed Chair, been recognized with awards for teaching and advising, conducted youth and beef cattle extension programming, and coached the livestock judging team. He's been very involved in the Oklahoma Angus Association, and in 2024 he and his wife were inducted into the OAA Hall of Fame. 

Tyler Norvell, president of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and board chairman for Cattlemen’s Congress, has deep roots in Oklahoma agriculture. He grew up on his family’s farm and ranch, judged livestock for OSU, and served as vice president of public policy at Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Since 2012, Tyler has worked for the Oklahoma Youth Expo, where he leads in strategy development and fundraising. In addition, he owns a lobbying firm.  

Donnie Robertson was born and raised in Lexington, Ky., and had experience at purebred Angus operations across the country before coming to Express Ranches, Yukon, Okla., 31 years ago. He’s currently the vice president of marketing at Express Ranches, where he travels extensively and attends many purebred Angus sales. He is also responsible for selecting the sale cattle for Express’ six sales held at the ranch each year.  

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