NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Building a successful cattle operation rarely happens overnight. For Trey Wasserburger of TD Angus near North Platte, Nebraska, the journey has been shaped by mentorship, persistence and a willingness to learn from those who came before him.
Wasserburger recently joined Parker James of Your Ag Network’s “Greenhorn” program by phone for an interview recorded from his family’s Rishel Ranch south of North Platte. The conversation highlighted how TD Angus grew from a small beginning into a rapidly expanding seedstock program.
Wasserburger said his path into the cattle business began after leaving the University of Wyoming and returning to agriculture as the youngest member of his family involved in the industry.
“I was just trying to find my way as a young man in agriculture,” Wasserburger said. “I got in the middle of it doing the hard things — building fence, calving heifers and just learning.”
He credits the culture of mentorship within agriculture for helping him find direction early in his career.
“What’s great about this industry is it’s full of mentors that have been there and done that,” Wasserburger said. “In big corporations sometimes secrets stay inside the company. In agriculture, people are willing to help you if you show passion and are willing to work.”
One of those mentors was longtime Angus breeder Bill Rishel, a highly respected seedstock producer known for developing influential genetics. Wasserburger said working alongside Rishel helped shape the foundation of TD Angus.
Eventually, Rishel approached Wasserburger and his wife, Dayna, about taking over the operation. The transition began in 2017 and unfolded over a five-year period.
“We bought the scoop shovels, the herd bulls and started with about 110 bulls our first year,” Wasserburger said. “This year we’re going to sell 420. In seven years we’ve been very blessed.”
The growth reflects both rising demand for their genetics and the couple’s dedication to building the program step by step.
During the interview, James asked Wasserburger about the challenges young producers face when trying to establish themselves in the seedstock business, particularly when it comes to hosting an annual bull sale.
Wasserburger described reaching that milestone as only the beginning.
“We call that a false summit,” he said. “You get there and think you’ve made it, then you look around and realize there’s another mountain. Agriculture isn’t a destination — it’s a journey.”
He said the cattle business is constantly evolving, but many lessons remain consistent across generations.
“History repeats itself,” Wasserburger said. “The circumstances may change, but you can still pick up the phone and call people who have been through it.”
For young producers just getting started, Wasserburger offered simple but direct advice: focus on the decisions that truly matter.
“If I could talk to my younger self, I’d say don’t worry about what people say about you online or at the coffee shop,” he said. “Make decisions that are good for your family, good for your community and good for your business.”
When those priorities align, he said, purpose tends to follow.
“It’s hard to understand that when you’re young,” Wasserburger said. “But if you wash out the noise and stay focused, you’ll end up on the right path.”
TD Angus’ 2026 Bull sale is this Friday, March 20, 2026 at the ranch south of North Platte. It starts at 12:30pm with online bidding at LIVE AG.
The full interview with Wasserburger is featured on Your Ag Network’s “Greenhorn” program, which highlights agricultural entrepreneurs, ranchers and innovators across the Great Plains, heard on radio stations across the region, including Sirius XM’s Rural Radio channel.
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