NCBA’s 2026 CattleCon Adds New Access to Cattlemen’s College
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is gearing up for CattleCon 2026, set for February 3rd through the 5th, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the most notable updates this year is a new feature tied to Cattlemen’s College, a long-standing educational component of the annual convention.
We caught up with Mikayla Clouser with NCBA, who shared more details about what attendees can expect during this year’s event.
“We’re really excited about the lineup that we have for Cattlemen’s College this year.
Primarily, what we’re the most excited about is that Cattlemen’s College is included in full registration, so all attendees can attend any Cattlemen’s College session without that additional fee. So Cattlemen’s College is included in registration.”
This change removes a financial barrier for attendees and expands access to educational programming designed to support cattle producers at every stage of their operation.
“So some of the sessions we have lined up for attendees this year are sessions focused on genetics, repro, nutrition, as well as some succession planning, looking towards the future and building up your workforce as an operator.”
These sessions aim to provide practical, science-based insights producers can apply directly to their operations, whether focused on herd performance, business continuity, or workforce development.
Clouser also highlighted research-focused sessions that address evolving industry challenges.
“Additionally, we have some research sessions, you know, focusing on, you know, those bigger cattle and those welfare implications when it comes to those larger cattle.”
Animal welfare, efficiency, and carcass quality remain important discussion points as genetics and management practices continue to evolve.
Another major highlight for 2026 is the opportunity for attendees to earn certification.
“And then additionally, we’re really excited about our Beef Quality Assurance certification session that we have on Thursday. So that will include a total quality management certification for attendees and really encourage everyone to attend as many sessions as they can.”
Including Beef Quality Assurance certification within Cattlemen’s College further enhances the value of attending CattleCon, offering professional development alongside networking and trade show opportunities.
“So for more information and to register for CattleCon, attendees can go to convention.ncba.org.”
With expanded educational access and a diverse session lineup, NCBA’s 2026 CattleCon is shaping up to be a key event for cattle producers looking ahead to the future of the industry.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.