Beef Industry Loses Long-Time Journalist Greg Henderson

August 21, 2024

Beef Industry Loses Long-Time Journalist Greg Henderson

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Drovers editorial director Greg Henderson on Aug. 16, 2024. Greg leaves behind a legacy in agricultural media and significant contributions to the advancement of beef production during his 40 years of dedication and service to the beef industry.

Lenexa, Kan. (Aug. 21, 2024) — It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Drovers editorial director Greg Henderson on Aug. 16, 2024. Greg leaves behind a legacy in agricultural media and significant contributions to the advancement of beef production during his 40 years of dedication and service to the beef industry.

An award-winning journalist and revered voice for the beef industry, Greg provided timely information and in-depth analysis on all segments of the business, including cattle feeding margins, market trends, genetic advancements, emerging technologies and the impacts of economic factors on beef prices and production. His years of knowledge and expertise allowed him to serve as a moderator and speaker on many local, regional and national stages representing the interests of U.S. cattle producers.

Greg was instrumental in starting the Agricultural Media Summit in 1999. He served as president of the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) from 2000 to 2001. In 2002, he was honored with the organization’s Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the LPC Hall of Fame in 2008. His writing was recognized for its excellence by LPC and other industry organizations. Greg was raised on a ranch in the southern Flint Hills of Kansas and attended Kansas State University.

“There has been no other voice in the beef industry that is more respected or more trusted than Greg Henderson,” said Charlene Finck, President, Industry Relations for Farm Journal. “I had the honor of working with him in a time that brought dramatic and positive change to the beef industry. Greg was a catalyst for that change and helped producers understand why it was needed through the content he created every day. I was lucky to call him a close friend. He will be missed by many.”

Greg worked as a writer and editor for Drovers for the better part of 40 years, providing in-depth industry analysis and covering all aspects of beef production. He was also an advocate for the industry by leading and participating in panel discussions with experts to address tough issues and helping farmers and ranchers understand current trends and challenges. An example of his leadership was the 2023 Drovers State of the Beef Industry Report, which Greg helped develop and shared with beef industry audiences.

“I loved working with Greg,” said Chip Flory, host of “AgriTalk” and long-time coworker and friend. “He loved what he did. He was passionate about beef and feedyards, about cow-calf ranches and backgrounders. He loved them all. He loved the business of producing beef and respected everyone in it. The industry is going to miss his reason and his curiosity.”

Despite the tremendous loss of his talents and leadership, Farm Journal’s content team will ensure Drovers magazine, Drovers daily newsletter and beef industry news and information on AgWeb and other Farm Journal platforms will continue to live up to the standards Greg set.

“Greg’s service to his colleagues, his dedication and the humility with which he carried himself were hallmarks of his career at Farm Journal and earlier at Vance,” shared CEO Prescott Shibles. “After 30 years, the absence of his steady leadership is felt throughout our organization.”

Greg is survived by his wife, Ruth, of the home in Olathe, Kan.; children Lisa (Greg) Suellentrop and Jared Henderson; grandchildren Charlie and Amelia Suellentrop; and brother Gary Henderson (Kathy) of Havana, Kan. Greg was preceded in death by his parents QC and Marie Henderson of Niotaze, Kan., and his sister Glenda (Henderson) McDonald. Memorial services will be held at a future date.

Share to your audience

There has been no other voice in the beef industry that is more respected or more trusted than Greg Henderson.

— Charlene Finck, President, Industry Relations for Farm Journal

Additional Resources

Digital Impact: Creating and Proving Bigger Results in a Changing Agriculture Market

Ag marketers are being asked tougher questions than they were just a few years ago. Budgets are tighter, finance teams want proof of impact, AI is accelerating campaign execution and the data infrastructure many marketers relied on is becoming less reliable. The result is a new reality: digital performance can no longer be judged by reach, clicks and impressions alone. Success increasingly depends on the quality of the signals behind every marketing decision.

Simple, Targeted Marketing Approach for Big Impact

When Mark Munger joined IPR Fresh as vice president of marketing and business development, the 23-year-old company had been engaged in marketing tactics but had never developed a formal marketing plan.

Holistic, Innovative Marketing Part of the Culture for CMI Orchards

The retail shelf is highly competitive, not just within one category, but throughout the whole produce department. As innovation explodes, consumers are seeing new varieties of grapes, berries and citrus, apples and more. And the innovation breeds highly competitive shelf space. But for companies like CMI Orchards, innovation isn’t just a way to protect shelf space; it’s simply part of their culture.