When BEEF editors launched their annual Trailblazer Award back in 1992, we wanted to honor, first and foremost, producers. Our aim was to detail the amazing men and women who go out every day to get the job done in providing America with the highest-quality protein, but also venture ahead of the pack to show their industry a potentially better way.

The most appropriate name we could devise for this new award was the BEEF Trailblazer. In doing so, we pictured those fearless souls of old who braved the unknown, hacking their marks on trees to pioneer a trail of promise for those to follow.

2008
Mike Milicevic
Okeechobee, FL
Read more about Mike Milicevic
OR Learn about the 2008 Trailblazer in this special video.

2007
Carl Crabtree
Grangeville, ID
Read more about Carl Crabtree

2006
Bob and Nancy Montross
De Smet, SD
Read more about Bob and Nancy Montross

2005
Jackie Moore
Missouri
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2004
Jan Lyons
Kansas
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2003
Lucy Rechel
Nevada
Click here to read more about Lucy Rechel.

2002
Mike Byrne
California
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2001
Rob Brown
Texas
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2000
Dennis Swan
Minnesota
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1999
Mary Burke
Washington
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1998
John Harris
David Wood
California
Click here to read more about John Harris and David Wood.

1997
Wythe Willey
Iowa
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1996
Connie Greig
Estherville, IA
Read more about Connie Greig

1995
Roger Stuber
Bowman, ND
Read more about Roger Stuber

1994
Burke Healy
Davis, OK
Read more about Burke Healy