Cardinal Cattle Company with Jeff Wisnefski

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of the American Cattlemen and he sits down with Jeff Wisnefski with Cardinal Cattle Company. In this episode, they will get into the Cardinal Cattle Company The Program Female Sale held on December 13, 2025. 

The Program Female Sale at Cardinal Cattle Company demonstrates the culmination of decades of careful breeding and deep industry knowledge. Located in Wyoming, Illinois, Cardinal Cattle Company has grown from humble beginnings as a 4-H family project into one of the nation’s elite seed stock operations. Over its more than thirty-year history, the company has embraced consistent expansion and innovation, transforming strip mine ground into productive pasture and building a reputation for producing cattle that combine longevity, maternal excellence, and genetic value.

Central to this success is Jeff Wisnefski, who has managed the operation for 37 years. Originally tasked with exhibiting junior livestock for the owner’s son, Jeff’s vision shifted the farm’s focus from buying show cattle to developing a self-sustaining breeding program. His background was further enriched by time spent at Black Champ, the nation's leading Key Indiana operation, where he gained an advanced understanding of breed genetics and practical herd management. This experience has played a pivotal role in shaping Cardinal’s breeding philosophy—a blend of tradition, innovation, and an unyielding commitment to quality. As a result, Cardinal’s cattle are recognized nationwide for their eye appeal, structural soundness, and resilience.

The upcoming sale highlights approximately 107 bred females from their elite lineup of Angus, Simmental, Key, and Maine-Anjou heifers. Each group is backed by generations of selective breeding: Simmentals feature standout “Revelation” daughters with a record of show success; Angus, Key, and Maine cattle are respected for their power, maternal traits, and adaptability. Buyers at the sale benefit from incentives such as discounts for purchasing multiple females and credits for future bull sales, reflecting Cardinal’s focus on customer success and satisfaction.

Held in the company’s new heated marketing center, the sale offers both in-person and online participation, with cattle presented live in the auction ring—a tradition maintained for its excitement and transparency. The event stands as a testament to the vision of Jeff Wisnefski and the legacy of Cardinal Cattle Company, offering cattle that are both profitable and dependable for herds across the nation.

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