Cash Langford is the 2025 Angus Associations Herdsman of the Year
FAIR GROVE, MO. – Cash Langford wasn’t chosen as the 2025 American Angus Herdsman of the Year off pure luck; agriculture is in his blood.
He grew up in Breckenridge, Texas, where his family owned a commercial cow operation and his dad ran a custom fitting service. At the ripe age of four years old, Cash remembers participating in the Houston Livestock Show. He blossomed from there, showing steers as a 3rd grader with his two sisters.
He later realized what he truly enjoyed was the day-to-day humdrum of working the farm rather than showing livestock. He got his first job in the industry at age 14, working for the Doug Satree Family in Texas. Two years later, he had the opportunity to visit Louisville for the North American International Livestock Exposition. He’s only missed one Louisville trip since.
Throughout his career, he’s worked for numerous reputable operations: LaGrand in South Dakota, Turner Farms in Texas, Express Ranches in Oklahoma, Nowatzke Cattle in Indiana, Seldom Rest Farms in Michigan.
His family farm is still down in Texas, where his dad takes on the daily tasks of running the commercial cow/calf operation and their small herd of registered Angus. Cash designates time to go home to help and work cows as much as he’s able.
For the past six years, he’s worked as the herdsman for Hunter Angus in Fair Grove, Missouri. It’s the position he held while accepting the award for the 2025 American Angus Herdsman of the Year, one he deems an extreme honor.
“I have had many mentors in my life who have received this same honor before me, and to be classified in the same circle as them is quite humbling and still so surreal,” Cash said.
He’s even more honored knowing the winner was based on votes from peers.
Agriculture is an industry that brings community together like no other.
As a herdsman, Cash said he plays a key role in the farm’s daily operations – managing cattle, assisting with breeding decisions and mating strategies, and maintaining the farm’s donor and recipient cow battery.
He also has the opportunity to mentor customers, particularly junior members, helping them select heifers, offering feeding advice, and providing show guidance.
And just to ensure he’s not too bored, he assists in the picking out, breaking, prepping, clipping, and marketing of the sale offerings.
“Just like anything in life, some days are harder than others, but I truly enjoy what I have the opportunity to do daily working in agriculture and, specifically, the show cattle industry,” Cash said.
According to Cash, Hunter Angus has achieved considerable success in recent years; namely, the exhibition of the 2023-2024 Roll of Victory Show Bull of the Year.
Cash said the bull’s calves are beginning to hit the ground and it’s exciting to see how his line will not only make a mark on their herd but across the industry.
Looking to the future, Cash hopes each year proves better than the last – a dream passing through the mind’s of most farmers.
He’d like better cattle, less loss, more pay, and more sales each year than the year prior. And he’d also like to see the love of agriculture soar in the hearts of future farmers.
“The juniors and the junior programs are the lifeblood of this industry, and I hope to leave a lasting positive impression on each junior exhibitor I have the opportunity to work with.”
A love of this life can’t be taught but it can be cultivated.
“Sharing and showing hands-on advice, tips, and tricks with the juniors who are willing to learn and I can see have that same passion in their hearts that I had –and still do – at that same age keeps that fire in my heart alive,” Cash said.
The list is endless of people he’d like to thank for their impact on his life so far.
“Without a doubt, I need to thank my mom and dad, Pam & Jon Langford, for raising me in an industry that has had such a positive impact and created a career path that has shaped who I am.
My sisters, Lacey Kaylor and Hannah Udell, for falling in love with showing cattle, as that gave me the capability to grow my love of working on and prepping show cattle.
To the entire Hunter Angus family –thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your operation these past six years and looking forward to what the future holds.
Even though they are no longer with us, I hope Richard Stotts and Ed Richardson are proudly looking down over me because they helped mold and guide me to where I am today.”
