Erin Dorsey, who has been involved with Cattlemen’s Congress since its very beginning in 2020, talked with Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays on New Year’s Eve as she worked on stalling assignments and other last minute preparation for the largest Beef Cattle Show in the country. She reflected on how far the show has come in just six years, telling Hays that she was hired in the early days to help launch the event, noting, “I have been here since the beginning, Jarold Callahan hired me for that first show… helped get everything put together that first year.” Here in 2026, she serves as the Director of Operations and Director for International Outreach. Looking back, Dorsey emphasized the steady growth and momentum of the show, adding that “here we are, six years later, going stronger than ever.”
A major source of excitement this year is the opening of the new O,G& E Coliseum, which Dorsey said has transformed the layout and flow of the event. She highlighted the functionality of the new facilities, explaining that the arena is “set up wonderfully” and includes a “super nice makeup ring area” along with expanded space that connects to the covered barns. According to Dorsey, these improvements are designed to make the exhibitor experience smoother and more efficient.
Dorsey also plays a key role in working with international guests, a group that continues to grow each year. She shared that visitors are coming from Mexico, Argentina, Scotland, and Ireland, and that her role extends well beyond the showgrounds. “What I do with that then is I also set up tours for them to go through and look at different cattle across the state of Oklahoma,” she said, adding that he helps with translation, logistics, and even the export of embryos, semen, or live cattle to other countries.
The international interest has translated into real business for Oklahoma and U.S. cattle producers. Dorsey explained that some buyers purchase large volumes of genetics, noting, “we got one guy that bought, you know, four or 500 straws of semen from one place last year.” Others are flushing donor cows in the U.S. and either exporting the offspring later or showing them at Cattlemen’s Congress. Her goal, she said, is “to bring more business to the state of Oklahoma and bring some of those buyers into the state.”
When asked why Cattlemen’s Congress has been so successful, Dorsey pointed to its exhibitor-focused approach and strong partnerships with breed associations. “This show works because we are a livestock show for exhibitors,” he said, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive experience for everyone from first-time youth exhibitors to seasoned breeders. With thousands of head on the grounds and cattle coming from coast to coast, Dorsey confidently stated, “People can say what they want, but Cattlemen’s Congress is here to stay.”
The 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress has opened the gates at OKC Fair Park and are accepting cattle Thursday and Friday. The first events of the Congress happen Saturday January third with Charolais and Braunvieh cattle being offered. The Braunvieh breed will also hold their annual national meeting that afternoon. The first shows in the OG&E Coliseum will be happening on Sunday, January 4th- Gelbvieh, Charolais, Texas Longhorns and Braunvieh will be the first breeds to show in the new Coliseum at Cattlemen’s Congress. The complete schedule of the 2026 show is available here.
