Black Ink team gains a new member

Justin Sexten isn’t new to the beef cattle world, he’s just new to CAB and dare we admit we’re pretty partial to the fact that he’s joining the Black Ink team specifically.

Justin actually grew up in the town of Washington Court House, Ohio, a little more than two hours south of CAB’s headquarters in Wooster, but this new role means he and his family (wife, Julie, and daughters, Macie, Morgan and Millie) will be making a big transition from their current home in Missouri to the Buckeye State.

Justin brings with him years of experience in beef cattle nutrition, including his most recent post at University of Missouri Extension. There he coordinated the nutrition, reproduction, genetic and health management of 200 commercial spring- and fall-calving cows as well as the university’s 600-head feedyard.

All that experience, AND he has a PhD.

So if you haven’t already gotten to know Justin, I thought I’d give you the chance to learn a little bit about him. Who knows, you may even see him authoring some blog posts every now and then.

Q: Justin, tell us a little about why you chose to work in this industry? I know your dad remains very involved in the beef cattle business today.

A: As much as anything, Laura, to be quite honest, I enjoy the people involved in the cattle industry. It’s something that I grew up around and, if that’s what you know and you enjoy it, that made it an easy decision for me. If you look at what I do and what I’ve done, I’ve stayed involved in the people aspect of the business. Sure I’ve liked research, but I’ve always enjoyed the student training aspect and the producer interaction as much as anything. It’s the people in the cattle industry that makes it fun for me.

Q: You’re leaving what I imagine was a group of wonderful coworkers for another group of what I can tell you are wonderful coworkers. What are you most anticipating about your move to Ohio?

A: The thing I’m probably looking forward to the most is everybody working in the same direction for a common goal. That team mindset is pretty appealing to me.

Q: Speaking of the CAB team, what do you look forward to contributing? Where’s your niche?

A: I guess from my perspective, one of the strengths I bring is a background with the stocker side of the business. The young cattle management part of the industry is kind of an intermediary between the cow calf producer and the feedyard. Nutrition and management that occurs during that segment can greatly impact acceptance rates down the road. Targeting that group, that’s something I want to make a priority in my new role here.

Q: What are you most looking forward to when it comes to building on the experience you already bring?

A: I don’t see the audience or the type of people that I get to deal with on a daily basis changing a lot. I’m glad to continue to work with people involved in agriculture and food production. I am looking forward to a broader geographic diversity, though, whether from Florida to Montana, there are just very different management strategies in all of those different geographies. It will be challenging, but also exciting. That part I look forward to.

To find out more about Justin, check out this news release and help us in offering him a big ole’ CAB welcome!

Thanks for allowing me to tell your story,

Laura

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