Sidney Abbott
Canyon,TX
Summary
Innovative leader in cattle feeding, advancing the industry through science, technology, and applied research. Since being named Cowgirl Magazine Top 30 Under 30, Sidney has expanded her impact through research leadership, industry collaboration, and mentorship. She independently developed and launched a structured internship program at OT Feedyard, driven by a desire to pay forward the mentorship she received early in her career. During this time, she also welcomed her son, balancing motherhood with continued professional growth and leadership. As Director of Research and Head of Risk Management, she drives measurable outcomes in efficiency, performance, and animal welfare while managing large scale cattle assets. She is passionate about creating space for women in agriculture, redefining roles in a traditionally male dominated industry, and building a more connected, collaborative future for cattle feeding.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Research & Head of Risk Management
OT Feedyard and Research Center
01.2023 - Current
- Promoted within my organization, earning increased responsibility for research leadership, partnerships, and program development
- Lead research across 4,000+ head, testing technologies that improve efficiency, performance, and animal welfare
- Collaborate with pharmaceutical and technology partners, including artificial intelligence integration into cattle feeding systems
- Oversee hedging strategies for ~10,000 head annually; help manage ~$20M in cattle assets through futures and options
- Conduct large scale field trials and validate emerging technologies for operational efficiency
- Designed and Manage a summer internship program with West Texas A&M; University
Co-Founder (with fellow alumni Diane Hayes)
Yard Yaps
Yard Yaps is a national professional network "connecting women in every corner of cattle feeding", redefining access to knowledge, mentorship, and leadership opportunities in the industry. Founded to give all women "a seat a table"
- Elevated female voices in agriculture by connecting emerging leaders with established industry experts
- Stregthened national connectivity among cattle women by hosting social hours and virtual learning sessions that connect women across multiple states and sectors of the beef supply chain
- Organized speaker series featuring experts including topics such as risk managment, genetics, supply chain strategy, and ag technology
- Led discussions on topics including hedging strategies, mindset & leadership, habit-building and system optimization
- Built a judgement free platform for cowgirls in the industry to collaborate, ask questions and ultimately empower one other- breaking down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sector
Board Member (Appointed 2026)
Beef Cattle Roundtable - Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show
- Secure sponsorships supporting Working Ranch Cowboys Association Foundation and expand industry engagement
- Collaborate with industry leaders to shape educational initiatives addressing market volatility, animal health, and production efficiency
- Provide strategic direction for program development, speaker selection, and industry focused content- in this role I plan to platform fellow 30 under 30 Alumni Lauren Kimble and Diane Hayes at the event securing them as speakers
Discussion Panelist & Event Co-Developer (2025)
Beef Cattle Roundtable - Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show
- Co-developed and launched a new industry program at the Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show, delivering education and insight to 300+ cattle producers
- Selected as panelists alongside Temple Grandin, Texas Cattle Feeders Association President Ben Weinheimer, providing a feedyard focused perspective
- Raised over $20,000 for local 4-H programs, securing a recognition award from Texas AgriLife Extension.
Guest lecturer
West Texas A&M; University
- Serve as guest lecture for Advanced Farm & Ranch Management, bridging academic concepts with real-world cattle feeding and risk management practices
- Personally recruited and mentored female students with interest in my work, providing individualized guidance and industry exposure through job shadowing
- My mentorship of these women resulted in 2 full time job placements directly advancing the careers of women in agriculture
Skills
- Research leadership
- Data analysis
- Strategic partnerships
- Program development
- Team building
- Mentorship facilitation
- Leadership development
Mentorship Community Engagement
- Founded and Manage the student intership program at OT Feedyard and Research Center, the program is developed to provide college credit and real-world feedyard experience bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application
- Mentor and host college students on-site providing exposure to cattle performance, data analysis, and operational decision-making
- Facilitate networking opportunities by connecting interns with leading industry partners including, Merck, Zoetis, Breedr, and Select Sire
- Maintain active relationships with university professors and academic institutions, assessing student performance and aligning program outcomes with educational standards
- Mobilized rapid response to livestock support for wildfire affected producers as co-owner of Abbott hay deploying our personal resources and coordinating the delivery and donation of hay directly to affected livestock during the Smokehouse Creek Fire (TX, 2024) and Ashland area wildfires (KS 2026)
- Recognized by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension for fundraising efforts exceeding $20,000 to support local 4-H programs presented with an award in recognition to of efforts and service to our community
Timeline
Director of Research & Head of Risk Management
OT Feedyard and Research Center
01.2023 - Current
Co-Founder (with fellow alumni Diane Hayes)
Yard Yaps
Board Member (Appointed 2026)
Beef Cattle Roundtable - Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show
Discussion Panelist & Event Co-Developer (2025)
Beef Cattle Roundtable - Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show
Guest lecturer
West Texas A&M; University