Today, we learned more about the Nowatzke Cattle Company 7th Annual Fall Production Sale on October 18th, 2025, at 3:30 pm CST. I had a great time interviewing my guest, Barry Nowatzke, owner of The Nowatzke Cattle Company.
Barry started in the cattle industry, showing a shorthorn steer at his county fair for TWO YEARS in a row!! Barry stated, “That shows you the quality we didn’t have.” Though it may have been a slow start for the teenage Barry Nowatzke, the climb to the top was meteoric. Shortly after graduating high school, Barry traveled the country clipping cattle at production sales. Barry invested the money he earned in buying and selling show steers. In a few years, Barry went from exhibiting the same steer two years in a row at the county fair to working with partners to win grand champion honors at national steer shows.
Barry Nowatzke now operates Nowatzke Cattle with the help of his wife, Kristey, and their sons Austin and Kayden. Their Angus show and performance cattle operation is based at Barry’s childhood farm located at 9335 W 200 N, Michigan City, Indiana. Barry has been raising cattle for nearly four decades, always seeking the perfect animal, though he believes such an ideal bovine has never truly existed. He states, “It’s fun to try.” Barry hopes to continue this pursuit alongside his wife and sons for many years to come.
In the show ring, the Nowatzkes have achieved remarkable accomplishments that many consider unattainable. In 2014, Barry’s sons, Austin and Kayden, won the titles of Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion with their heifers at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville. Five years later, they repeated this success at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver. To add to their accolades, in 2023, Austin and Kayden secured the top two spots for bulls at the National Junior Angus Show. Many believe that such heights in the world of show cattle may never be reached again.
The Nowatzke family is equally passionate about producing performance cattle. Their commitment to developing bulls and females with industry-leading EPD profiles drives their operation as strongly as their focus on show cattle. The family takes pride in producing high-quality performance cattle that rank among the best in the industry. Barry credits much of their success in performance cattle to their joint venture with Keith Lambright of Maple Lane Farm. Together, these operations keep the performance cattle segment at the forefront of the industry.
Just a great discussion with another family living the lifestyle of an American Cattlemen!
Make sure to attend the Nowatzke Cattle Company 7th Annual Fall Production Sale on October 18th, 2025, at 3:30 pm CST.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
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