In a community where stockmen respect each other’s hard work and expertise, the Herdsman of the Year Award is a mark of excellence in the Angus breed. This award recognizes an Angus enthusiast who has dedicated themselves to the management, strategic choices and advancement of their cow herd. While the life of a herdsman may seem glamorous to many, few understand both the physical and mental demands of the job.  

Cash Langford of Hunter Angus in Fair Grove, Missouri, understands those demands and embraces his role fully, earning him the recognition as the 2025 Angus Herdsman of the Year.  

The award was presented by the American Angus Association^® on Jan. 10, at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. After the initial shock of the announcement passed, Langford credited his success to surrounding himself with good people, noting the first people to congratulate him were fellow nominees and good friends, Greg Van Zee, Michael Jones and Cole Kaufman.  

“I thought there’s no way, I mean, I really was not expecting to win this,” Langford said.  “I mean, it’s always been not necessarily a goal, but a dream. There are some people that mean so much to me and have taught me so much that have passed away in the last few years, that have won this award, and I’ve learned so much from those guys.” 

What means even more to Langford is that the award is voted on by his peers. “It’s pretty awesome that people think that I'm the one that needs to be chosen for that award.”  

Langford, a Texas native, grew up with a competitive spirit for showing cattle. His interest in the cattle industry was sparked at a young age as he exhibited Angus cattle nationally and steers at the Texas majors.  

Today he calls Fair Grove, Missouri, home serving as the herdsman at Hunter Angus. There he manages show and sale cattle and plays a key role in the daily operations of the farm. He works closely with the Hunter Angus team on breeding decisions, mating strategies and maintaining the farm’s donor and recipient cow battery.  

Under his management, Hunter Angus has achieved considerable success, including the exhibition of the 2023-2024 Roll of Victory (ROV) Show Bull of the Year, BNWZ Executive Decision 2219.  

At Hunter Angus, Langford serves as a mentor to junior members, helping them select heifers, offering advice on feeding and providing guidance on fitting and clipping for shows.  

“The Angus breed has given me so much, and I’m honored to be nominated for this award alongside three other deserving gentlemen as well as dear friends,” Langford said. “What keeps me motivated is the people I get to work with, especially the young people in the industry. Helping them grow and succeed is what it’s all about.”  

He adds, he hopes Richard Stotts and Ed Richardson are proudly looking down over him, because they helped mold and guide him to where he is today. 

The 2025 Herdsman of the Year nominees were slated by a committee of previous award winners, based on their devotion and skills spent improving a specific herd and the Angus breed. They were Michael Jones, Express Ranches; Cole Kaufman, Oakley Farms; and Greg Van Zee, Udell Cattle Company. 

Peers select the Herdsman of the Year award winner through voting, hosted by the Association. 

To be eligible to vote, exhibitors must have entered at least one of the following shows in 2024: Cattlemen’s Congress, National Western Stock Show, Western National Angus Futurity, Atlantic National, American Royal or North American International Livestock Exposition. 

To learn more about Langford or the other three 2025 Angus Herdsman of the Year candidates, visit https://bit.ly/2025HOTYCandidates.