On the Road to Better Beef: The 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Beef Tour Heads to Texas

By Anna Holmes

Louisiana Farm Bureau News

The beef industry is evolving, and the producers who stay ahead are the ones willing to see what’s possible beyond their fence line.  

The 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Beef Tour is quickly approaching, offering an eye-opening experience for not only cattle farmers, but those eager to learn more and network in Central and Eastern Texas.  

Texas operations are vast, with cattle ranches, research facilities and industry leaders. This Beef Tour offers insight and opportunity to learn from those who are innovators.  

Mitch Marsalis, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Livestock Advisory Committee Chair, shared why Central Texas is the destination for this year’s Beef Tour. 

“A lot of Central Texas is laid out like Louisiana, just cross the line and see how our neighbors are doing things,” Marsalis said. “There are things we can pick up and bring home to utilize on our operations and enhance them.” 

The stops on this Beef Tour are diverse, encouraging visitors to learn how different operations are managed. 

“We’re going to be seeing a lot of different aspects of the cattle industry. We will see some order buying stations, registered ranches, commercial ranches, quite a few research stations, and some equine activity as well,” Marsalis said. 

On a recent episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Madison DeKeyzer, a Louisiana Farm Bureau Commodity and Public Policy Coordinator, explained the importance of the Beef Tour.  

“Going to these places and seeing them do things completely different, you see there’s so many ways to succeed,” DeKeyzer said. “Picking up pieces from each successful place can help get you to where you want to be.” 

Attending the Beef Tour is an experience where farmers and ranchers can open their doors to others and go beyond the operations to create a community with one another.  

“It’s a really great experience. The Beef Tour isn’t just about visiting these top caliber ranches. We offer a lot of educational opportunities as well as networking,” DeKeyzer said. 

Macy Rushing, a first-generation cattle farmer, shares her excitement for this year’s Beef Tour and the chance to learn from others, how they operate their farms and how it can impact her farm. 

“You can be on a bus with strangers and want to hear how they do everything. You could take something from me, and I could take 10 things from you,” Rushing said. “At the end of the day, we’re bettering our farm, our operation, and our knowledge.” 

This experience offers not only networking, but a reliable community for attendees.  

“We’ll bounce ideas off of each other, and ask what are you using and how does it work for you and the community around it has been very great.” Rushing said.  

The Beef Tour is a great way to meet other cattle ranchers, producers and potential friends. Creating meaningful relationships with those that can grow not only your farm, but your knowledge. 

“One of my favorite things about the Beef Tour is the chance to connect with people that you haven’t met before,” DeKeyzer said. “You’re not just learning at all the stops. You’re learning on the bus rides to and from.” 

The Beef Tour will begin on Sunday, March 22 through Friday, March 27, and include a bus-only journey through Eastern and Central Texas to peak behind-the-scenes of elite cattle operations. Spots are limited and early sign-up is encouraged to experience this opportunity, the sign-up deadline is March 11.