Buddy Jeffers had an enormous impact on the livestock marketing industry. He played a big part in changing the process in which cattle are marketed today. Buddy realized his success was achieved by the hard work and dedication of the "Superior Livestock Family" that surrounded him.

Buddy Jeffers was born to parents who made their living off the land in North Central Texas. He embraced this lifestyle and an early interest in cattle, which he showed with success all over the state from an early age. Buddy Jeffers was a trailblazer who personified the American West and what it means to the agricultural industry. Buddy believed in himself and took seriously the role he was born into; that belief created the ability to attract others to believe in him making it possible for Buddy to make his mark in the industry. Buddy had a strong work ethic, spirit of competitiveness, and a passion for the agricultural world. This, partnered with being a driven, creative man who thought outside the box, paved the way for his success in raising crops, feeding and selling cattle, becoming the owner of the largest privately owned livestock auction barn in the country, serving on the Board of Directors of numerous companies and having co-created and partner of Superior Livestock Auction, a company that forever changed the face of the marketing of cattle in the United States. Buddy Jeffers was a man who lived his life to the fullest each and every day, loving both his work and home until the very moment he parted from this world.

The family and friends of Buddy Jeffers have established this scholarship to honor his memory and his contributions to the field of agriculture.

This Year's Topic:
Over the past decade the export markets have become an important factor in U.S. beef demand and overall price. Many developing countries in areas such as Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America rarely consumed beef in the past. The demand for beef increases every year as their economies continue to grow and citizens have an opportunity to purchase it. How can we, as producers, keep U.S. beef the most desired protein and standard for quality and flavor in the world protein markets? What factors would make our product more appealing? What are the prominent potential obstacles to the beef export market and how can those obstacles be addressed/overcome?