12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 PEOPLE Feeding the Future Nebraska’s Next Generation of Cattle Feeders KELSEY POPE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Across Nebraska, a new generation is stepping up to lead family operations while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. Whether returning home after careers away from agriculture, purchasing a feedyard at a young age or carrying on a multi-generational legacy, these young leaders share a common commitment to hard work, innovation and the future of beef production. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future Josh Alexander is a fourth-generation owner of Alexander Cattle & Farms in Pilger. Josh’s great-grandfather, Harold Chace, and grandfather, Richard Alexander, began feeding cattle in the 1930s, feeding primarily Hereford cattle. Josh’s dad, J.D., was always interested in coming back to the family operation and had a passion for cattle, but wanted to first pave his own path. He attended South Dakota State University (SDSU) and worked for an ag chemical company out of college before returning to the family operation in 1983 to help run the farm and expand the cattle operation. “I followed the same path as my father; however, it was never pushed on me to have to come back to the farm,” Josh attests. He also attended SDSU before working for a cooperative in northwest Iowa for four years and ultimately returned to the family operation in 2007. “The opportunity arose for me to come back,” Josh remembers. “I had a devotion to be a part of the legacy, and coming home was always something I looked forward to.” He’s been back now for almost 20 years, but it looks a little different today than when he was growing up. “As a family business, we decided we either needed to expand and stay in cattle, or we had to get out,” Josh says. They decided to keep going and expanded the yard from around 2,000 head to a one-time capacity of 5,000 head – all privately owned. From day one back on the farm and feedlot, Josh had to start from the beginning and learn. “It was trial by fire, but I grew and learned from the mistakes and changes in the industry,” he reveals. The farm has a small number of employees, but many had been with the family for 25 to 30 years, so Josh leaned on them as well as knowledge from his dad. Besides the feedyard, the farm includes 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans in which all of the corn goes right back into the cattle. Josh and his father still work hand-inhand at the feedlot with their employees; however, roles have changed over time. “It now takes someone full-time in the office with how volatile the markets are and how fast they move, and that’s J.D.’s forte,” Josh says. Josh does all of the cattle purchasing and manages the employees, who help operate the cattle and farming parts of the business. Today, Josh has two children in college and one in high school. His son, Jase, will attend SDSU in the fall studying ag systems technology. Josh is excited about the things his kids will learn in college and experience in the workforce and to see what kind of value-added information and Three generations of Alexanders at Alexander Cattle & Farms in Pilger – J.D., Jase and Josh.
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