By Lois Bachle, 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
With the Sunbelt Ag Expo bringing together agricultural professionals, students, and producers from across the Southeast, there is no shortage of things to look forward to. Among the many demonstrations scheduled throughout the week, the Stockmanship and Stewardship program featuring renowned cattleman Curt Pate stands out as an exciting opportunity to learn more about the beef cattle industry.
Curt Pate is a world-renowned stockmanship clinician who shares practical handling methods based on cattle’s natural behavior. Through his demonstrations, he emphasizes how proper handling techniques can improve animal welfare, increase efficiency, and create a safer environment for both cattle and handlers.
Stockman and Stewardship focuses on the importance of responsible cattle care and management. This program provides producers with practical knowledge and techniques that they can apply to their own operations. Instead of just simply discussing livestock management, demonstrations allow attendees to see how cattle respond to different handling methods and how small adjustments can make a huge difference.
For students and other young agricultural professionals, demonstrations like these are a great way to learn outside of the classroom. As an agricultural student, being able to watch someone like Pate share his knowledge and experience is something to look forward to. It is also a chance to see how hands-on demonstrations can help make agricultural practices easier to understand.
One of the best parts of the Expo is the opportunity to learn from people who have spent years working in the industry. Pate’s demonstrations are a great example of how sharing knowledge and experiences can help producers find new ways to improve their operations. Even those who don’t work with cattle every day can walk away having learned something new.
Stockmanship and Stewardship program demonstrations will take place at the Priefert Horse Arena beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Producers will learn how to use their horse effectively when working cattle while also understanding how cattle naturally think, react, and move. Stockman and Stewardship Confident Cattle Handling program demonstrations will take place at the Priefert Exhibit beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. There, producers will learn how to handle livestock safely, confidently, and efficiently through live demonstrations
With Expo week finally here, Stockman and Stewardship with Curt Pate is definitely one demonstration to keep on the list. Whether you’re a cattle producer, a student, or just someone interested in agriculture, there’s plenty to learn. It’s an exciting opportunity to see Pate in action and pick up a few tips and tricks along the way.
