Family pastimes and hobbies are important for all Beef Northwest employees, and Misty McClay proves to be no exception. Misty, the office manager at the Beef Northwest Nyssa, OR location, has remained passionate to carry on her family’s tradition of showing their registered Brown Swiss cattle, which was established by her father over fifty years ago. Every year since 1964, her family has participated at the Western Idaho State Fair in Boise, Idaho where they show a string of 20 cattle, proving successful, more often than not.
Misty and her siblings grew up participating in both 4-H and FFA where they obtained a love for raising and showing animals. Their family operation, Al-Lane Farms located in New Plymouth, ID, has acquired many awards while attending shows all over the country, Misty acclaims. “In 2004 I showed a cow at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. That same cow was awarded Grand Champion Cow at both the Western Idaho State fair in Boise, and the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, Idaho”. She states that time and hard work are the main ingredients for their success, “It’s a lot of hard work breaking the cattle to lead, along with clipping, washing, and getting them ready to show.” Misty and her family have received numerous honorable rewards over the years, such as ribbons for Grand and Reserve Champion Cow, Heifer, and Bull, along with trophies for Best Female Bred and Owned, and banners for Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor. Misty’s success continues dominant as she has won Supreme Champion Cow for the last two years at the Western Idaho Fair. The title of Supreme Champion Cow is the most sought after accolade, as it honors the top overall cow for all of the dairy cow breeds.
Misty has worked for Beef Northwest since 2001. She started weighing trucks during harvest at the Nyssa feedlot, before transitioning into the office manager position five years ago. Her hard work remains consistent in and out of the office proclaims Kirk Jacobson, the HR director for Beef Northwest, “We are fortunate to have an employee of Misty’s caliber as a member of our team. She is a great person we all enjoy working with, and exemplifies the tremendous work ethic we strive to obtain at Beef Northwest”. Misty and her husband Thomas live in Fruitland, Idaho, along with their daughter, Brianna. Their family’s tradition continues, as the next generation has already begun participating in showing cattle at the Western Idaho State Fair.