Rooted in Family, Focused on the Future: Tammy Bartholomew Spotlight

Tammy Bartholomew, Region 4 representative and current Secretary of the Missouri Beef Industry Council, operates a small purebred Angus seedstock operation that she restarted in May of 2020. Her program is uniquely centered around family, as she partners with her grandchildren to build and grow the herd together. Utilizing embryo transfer to expand their cattle numbers, the operation also includes marketing herd bulls through private treaty and selling beef directly to consumers, all with a focus on producing high-quality cattle. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of Tammy’s operation has been watching her grandchildren become involved. A highlight for her was seeing her grandson show their first heifer this past summer and then express his excitement to show at the state fair next year. Moments like that, she says, are what make the hard work worthwhile and reinforce the importance of investing in the future of the industry.

Tammy’s connection to agriculture began early, growing up on a cow-calf operation in Oklahoma. Her passion for the Angus breed was further shaped through her experiences working for Dr. Curtis Long at Briarwood Angus Farms, as well as through her daughters’ involvement in showing Angus cattle and participating in the National Junior Angus program. Those experiences helped lay the foundation for the operation she runs today.

Her herd primarily calves in the fall, and her top priority is developing well-balanced cattle that perform at every stage. “We want cattle we are proud to have in the pasture, proud to sell, and that will perform through harvest,” Tammy says. That focus on quality drives both their breeding decisions and long-term goals for the operation. 

Tammy brings valuable experience to her role through her previous service on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, where she served for six years. That time gave her a strong understanding of the impact of the beef checkoff in keeping beef top of mind for consumers, both domestically and internationally, while also supporting research focused on nutrition and food safety. She believes the checkoff plays a vital role in consumer education, promotion, and funding research that improves both production efficiency and public trust in beef.  

She sees the Missouri Beef Industry Council as working diligently to invest producers’ dollars wisely while promoting beef and strengthening demand. At the same time, Tammy believes the industry must continue to view itself as a complete system rather than separate segments. From her perspective, decisions made at the cow-calf level should always consider the final product and overall beef quality, not just the next step in the chain. 

Looking ahead, Tammy sees both opportunity and challenge in maintaining beef’s position as a top protein choice. Continuing to build demand while meeting consumer expectations will require focus, innovation, and a unified effort across all segments of the industry

Beyond the ranch, Tammy is passionate about developing the next generation of agricultural leaders. She considers teaching young people and helping them see a future in the beef industry to be one of the most meaningful parts of her work. Her involvement in helping start the Show Me Youth Ag Academy is one of her proudest accomplishments, combining her passion for education with her dedication to agriculture. 

When it comes to enjoying beef with her family, Tammy says prime rib at Christmas is a favorite tradition, with steak always a welcome choice any time of year. But more than anything, her message to consumers reflects the heart behind her work. Producing beef, she says, is far more than a business. It is a way of life. The cattle are cared for with constant attention and priority, often ahead of everything else. From long nights watching the weather to ensuring proper nutrition and health, that level of care reflects the commitment producers have to both their animals and the families they help feed.

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About the Beef Checkoff

The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.