NORMAN – Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst has been named CattleWoman of the Year by the Oklahoma CattleWomen’s Association’s. DeVuyst received the honor at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Convention held July 19 at Norman’s Embassy Suites Hotel.
DeVuyst and her husband Eric own DeVuyst Ranch, a cow-calf and stocker operation near Morrison, Oklahoma. She has also been a professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University since 2008 and became the Ag Economics Department head in 2020.
DeVuyst is involved with Oklahoma Cattle-Women’s Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Pawnee County Cattle Women, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and American National Cattlewomen.
“I was extremely surprised [to be named CattleWoman of the Year], especially when I saw my family in the background, all of the students there, and my sisters who traveled from other states to be here,” she said. “It was great timing to look up and see all of them.”
Raised on an Indiana dairy farm, DeVuyst said she feels the honor to be part of the CattleWomen’s Association is greater. As an educator, working with the youth has been important to her.
“Sometimes people think about the term ‘youth’ only as our 4H-ers and FFA-ers, but we still have our college students who are building their careers, and figuring out where they want to be in the cattle industry,” she said.
“As one of the ad visors to the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen, it has truly been a blessing to be able to work with those young women who are now in professions across the country that are impacting cattle and helping to build beef demand.”
Oklahoma Farm Report Farm Director KC Sheperd was also honored by the Oklahoma CattleWomen’s Association as she was named Honorary CattleWoman of the Year for her continuing coverage of the organization’s events. Those endeavors including helping conduct youth interviews for the Beef Advocates contest as well as speaking and leading discussions. Sheperd has been involved with Oklahoma CattleWomen for approximately four years, she said.
“What an amazing surprise and honor,” Sheperd said regarding the honor.
“It’s so important to tell the story of our ag producers, and I’m fortunate to call this my job! I’m so happy that my family could join this event.”
Among those Sheperd shared her gratitude, she thanked U.S. Sen. James Lankford.
“Thank you so much to Sen. Lankford for the special recognition and video, she said. “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this! I’m honored and grateful!”
Founded in 1955, the Oklahoma Cattle-Women’s Association was established to inspire women of all ages. The Oklahoma CattleWoman of the Year award has been presented to Oklahoma’s top cattlewomen since 1976, according to the organization’s website.