Photo Gallery: Leader Of The Pack: J.D. Alexander To Lead U.S. Cattlemen In 2012

Jan. 12, 2012

J.D. Alexander, a third-generation farmer-feeder from Pilger, NE, says of his participation in industry organizations: “If you’re not at the table, you risk being on the menu.”
J.D. Alexander and his son Josh operate a 2,000-acre corn/alfalfa farm and market about 12,000 head of fed cattle annually.
J.D. Alexander and his wife Debra have two children: Joshua and Kesa. Like their parents, they are both graduates of South Dakota State University.
Son Josh, right, returned to the family operation in 2006 after graduating from SDSU and spending a few years working off the farm.
J.D. was a founding member of the Wisner-Pilger Community Schools Foundation, serving as president for 10 years. He currently serves as a bank director for both Midwest Banks in Pierce, NE, and United Republic Bank in Omaha.
Most of the 12,000 head of cattle finished annually at Alexander Cattle & Farms are owned by the operation
Alexander is a 1975 graduate of South Dakota State University. While at SDSU, he was a member of the Jackrabbit football team from 1971 to 1974, and served as Captain in 1974.
J.D. Alexander was raised in northeast Nebraska and says his first real trip away from the 378-population town was to attend college in Brookings, SD.
J.D. Alexander poses with his Harley and his daughter Kesa, a fashion retailer in Omaha.
Stanley J. Garbacz, Nebraska Department of Agriculture (back row, far right) accompanied a group of Hong Kong chefs during their September visit to Alexander Cattle & Farms.
Alexander Cattle & Farms is located in Pilger, a small rural community of 378 inhabitants in northeast Nebraska.
J.A. Alexander, his wife Debra (left) and mother Marjorie prepare steaks for 10 Far East chefs who visited the Pilger, NE, operation in September as part of a tour of the Midwest beef industry.
Alexander Cattle & Farms was among the stops made by 10 Hong Kong chefs during a September U.S. beef industry tour of the Midwest beef industry.
Alexander Cattle & Farms was started by J.D. Alexander’s father and grandfather. After graduating from South Dakota State University with a degree in ag economics, Alexander worked 10 years with FMC Corp., before returning to the family operation in 1984.

As NCBA president, J.D. Alexander will be the point man in leading the organization as it navigates through a number of challenges in the coming year.