Matthew and Lacey Brent

Matthew and Lacey Brent operate Brent Cattle Company, a first-generation seedstock operation near Maywood, Nebraska. Their two boys are also active in the industry, showing their own heifers at the county fair.

Matthew was raised on a commercial cattle operation in Colorado. However, the opportunity to raise registered Black Angus piqued his interest. 

“We want to produce good mothers and sell at a premium on the rail,” says Matthew. “This narrows the playing field on what we use for bulls and females both. So far, we have been successful in meeting our goals.”

The Brents have evolved their approach to cattle management over the years. They’re not afraid to cut out what doesn’t work and focus on what’s working for them. 

They started using Performance Beef when they lived in Colorado and helped on Matthew’s family operation. A good friend who worked at a cattle company told them it was a must-have and questioned why they weren’t using it already. 

“We got signed up right away after hearing about it. And we’ve been able to design and tailor our use as we’ve gone along,” explains Matthew. “We have made it work whether it’s bull development or tracking supplements with females while they’re grazing.” 

It is the reports and billing portion of Performance Beef that really make the Brents’ life much easier. 

“One of the biggest things we like is checking reports to see what each bull group has cost us,” says Matthew. “We know the sires. We know the profit targets. Being able at a moment's notice to pull it up makes it so easy and useful.” 

From a billing perspective, Performance Beef pulls in every cost. It takes a few taps to create invoices for specific groups, customers or the entire herd. Every captured input is included so users can produce accurate invoices that fit their operation. Invoices based on actuals ensure they’re not shortchanging themselves or the customer. 

Now Matthew asks other cattlemen why they haven’t gotten started yet. “I have sold multiple people on the program. That’s how much I believe in it,” he says.