FarmHers & RancHers: Meet the Female Faces Shaping the Illinois Cattle Industry

by Betty Haynes

On March 8th, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. Media outlets across the world shared stories of influential women leaders from different sectors who are shaping the world in 2022.

The cattle industry is no different.

There is a long-standing tradition of family involvement on farms and ranches. Many have grown up watching their mothers work alongside their fathers humbly proclaiming the title of “farm wife”, although their role is much more than that. These cattlewomen have shaped the generations that follow - the generations of leaders, partners, farmers, spokeswomen and advocates who work hard every day to make the beef industry stronger.

Jamie Martz

Jamie Martz, Larson Farms Partnership

Jamie Martz lives in Maple Park, Ill. with her husband Justin and their three children Jaxson, Jaedyn and Justis. Jamie and Justin are third generation partners of Larson Farms Partnership, where they raise corn, soybeans and wheat while operating a custom feedlot.

“I would say the first thing our kids have learned from living on a farm is work ethic,” explains Martz. “There are no days off with livestock. Our cattle need to be cared for every day.”

Martz is from a hog farm in Lanark, Ill. where her family had a small Angus herd and a feedlot. She grew up showing cattle and tending to 4-H calves, which started her love of the industry as a child.

Jamie Martz

“Growing up on the farm I never really noticed that women were treated any different than men,” says Martz. “My mom would get up and work right alongside with my dad in the hog buildings. She also played an integral part in performing different office tasks.” Martz adds that it’s important to have female voices in the business because a diverse set of ideas creates a stronger beef industry.

Today she works in crop insurance, helps around the farm, and serves on the IBA checkoff board. Living just outside of the Chicago suburbs, Martz offers a unique perspective on driving beef demand to urban consumers.

“We need to continually work harder to show that we are providing a safe, healthy and environmentally-friendly protein,” Martz adds. “There will always be products in the marketplace to try and replace beef. It is up to us to communicate beef ’s importance.”

Jamie Martz

Betsy Pech, Pech Herefords

Betsy Pech is originally from a multi-generational grain and livestock farm outside of New Berlin, Ill. where her summers were spent exhibiting cattle at fairs.

“Ever since I can remember I had a love for cattle and hogs,” says Pech. “Every spare moment I had was spent helping with the livestock.”

Pech married grain farmer, Randy, and they started their own herd of Hereford cattle outside of Lincoln, Ill.

“I love raising cattle for the challenges,” explains Pech, as she prepares to for chores in 10 inches of snow. The most rewarding part, she says, is watching baby calves bond with their mothers during calving season.

Barb (sister) and Betsy Pech

The cattle herd kept Pech’s daughters and now grandchildren involved with the family farm. Some of her best memories have been spent at cattle shows with the next generation of cattlewomen.

“As with most kids growing up on the farm, my daughters came away with a good work ethic and my stubborn attitude,” laughs Pech. Those who know Pech, can agree that her work ethic, passion for the industry and wit are all traits to be admired.

Pech’s other passion was teaching the bright young minds of Logan County. She spent 35 years as agriculture teacher at Hartsburg-Emden school district.

Betsy Pech

“When I decided to become an ag teacher, I had no idea there were not any female ag teachers,” reflects Pech. “I jumped onto this all-male ship and never thought about jumping overboard.”

Pech recalls the parallels between teaching and raising cattle. Her students got a taste of everything from breed identification, genetics, biosecurity, and regulation. Each topic has come full circle for Pech on the IBA board of governors.

“My career allowed me to educate young people about agriculture while pursuing my passion with cattle,” says Pech. “This may sound silly but when I was teaching, cattle gave me a reprieve from the hustles and bustles of teaching. Cattle were my therapy; I could talk to them without them talking back.”

Rep. Tim Butler and Betsy Pech

Dr. Annie Ryan, Timbercrest Veterinary Services

Dr. Annie Ryan grew up in Dallas City, Ill., where her love for animals was sparked at an early age. Ryan began working at her local vet practice at age 10 and “hasn’t looked back”.

After graduating from vet school at the University of Illinois in 2019, Ryan became the large animal vet at Timbercrest Veterinary Service. She and husband, Guthrie Wyss, live on his family’s grain farm where they feed out a few steers each year.

Dr. Annie Ryan

“I love working with the people and animals that make up the cattle industry,” says Ryan. “Spending each day with people who want the best for their animals while providing the globe with a quality and delicious protein source is priceless.”

Ryan explains that practicing large animal medicine provides many challenges that can make for long and sometimes-frustrating days.

“When I can overcome a difficult challenge by putting in that extra bit of hard work, or by coming up with an innovative solution for a producer, there is truly no better feeling. Challenges push me to learn and share that knowledge with producers. Plus, delivering live, and cute, calves isn’t too bad either,” Ryan says with a smile.

Bob Ryan (father) and Dr. Annie Ryan

The next generation of female leaders in the animal agriculture industry have been able to watch Dr. Ryan in action. From pulling calves to administering vaccinations, there really isn’t anything she can’t do. Ryan says producers should be ready to raise profitable and high-quality beef while meeting consumer demands in the coming years. In her opinion, this will likely include antibiotic regulation, environmental sustainability and consumer education on animal welfare.

“It’s definitely important for children, and especially girls, to have positive female role models in this male-dominated industry,” Ryan explains. “Seeing women in agricultural roles provides real-life representation for career paths, an attitude needed to be successful, and overall, an inspiration for ambition.”

Dr. Annie Ryan

Larisa Willrett, J. Wilrett Farms

Larisa Willrett hails from south central Montana. Her parents were journalists by trade and her mother’s family ranched. She attended Colorado State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in agriculture. Although Willrett intended to pursue a career as a veterinarian, she later determined production ag was a better fit.

“Agriculture is more than a career path,” says Willrett. “It’s truly a culture based on family, community, hard work, faith and common goals. That’s what drew me in.”

After graduate school, Willrett worked in membership for what was then the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), where she gained a unique perspective on the inner workings of grassroots organizations.

“My boss at NCA was former IBA executive, John Butler, and he was a great teacher in terms of conveying what our purpose was,” explains Willrett. “Any truly grassroots organization is driven and guided expressly by its member leaders. That’s why I’m so honored to be able to help guide IBA as a member volunteer.”

Larisa Willrett

While working at NCA, she met her husband, Jamie. They now are partners in J. Willrett Farms, a sixth-generation diversified cattle-feeding and farming operation in northern Illinois, and feedyard ultrasound business, Beef Performance Technology. Willrett is also employed with BluePrint Media, a woman-owned company specializing in media and marketing management for agriculture businesses and associations.

Their three children Justis, Olivia and Sawyer have followed in their parents’ footsteps. Each are pursuing careers in the agriculture industry and oldest, Justis, has returned to the family farm.

“I’d like to think that, through my involvement, they see that running this type of operation is a partnership,” says Willrett. “We endeavored to raise all three of our kids, regardless of their gender, with the same expectations. Work hard, be honest, live with integrity and chase your dreams.”

Willrett’s daughter, Olivia, recently graduated from Colorado State with dual majors in animal science and ag business. After holding internships with AgriBeef and Five Rivers, she has decided to pursue feedyard business and market analysis.

“I’d like to think that raising her to believe she can do anything she sets her mind to has helped her confidence,” comments Willrett. “I have to say, I have never experienced discrimination among any of the men I’ve worked with in agriculture. Outside of agriculture – yes. And Olivia has had the same positive, supportive experience.”

Willrett’s advice to the next generation is to get an education in a field of interest, get involved and give back.

“The world is run by those who show up,” says Willrett. “Our children have been able to see the value of participating in associations like IBA and NCBA, and the long-term relationships you develop through them.”

Larisa Willrett

Meet Sheryl Hopkins, IBA’s First Female President

Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself? I was raised as a city girl with some farm background. After high school, I married a dairyman. Within the next several years, we began our family, sold the milk cows and bought beef cows. The rest is history.

How did you get involved in the cattle industry? The more my husband, Lyle, became involved, the more I did too. Promoting beef was important to our industry so I began grocery store promotions and other checkoff events. Our involvement led us to different leadership roles over the years.

How has the industry changed in your lifetime? It began as a simple life raising cattle. Today, nutrition, marketing and new technology are at the forefront of most operations.

Why did you want to be IBA President? I had been President of the Illinois Beef Auxiliary during the period when we dissolved and became part of IBA. We spent hours discussing the benefits of having female IBA members after the merger. From that point on, I became very involved. I served as a Checkoff Director, then President with hopes of improving the organization, membership and addressing industry issues. Having so many friendships, connections and a great staff made my job run smoothly.

Do you feel like it is important to have women represented in the beef industry? Women have a lot to offer the industry and often see things from a different perspective. It’s always good to have different voices working together for the same goal – a successful and sustainable beef industry.