All-Women Cattle Crew Keeps Herd Moving in Nebraska

Lori Roberson Yelken and her trusted team of women handle 300 head of cattle without horses, relying on four-wheelers and Border Collies instead.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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In rural Nebraska, a small group of women come together each spring to work a cattle herd of around 300 head, handling cows and calves, doctoring when needed, and moving pairs out to grass. Led by Lori Roberson Yelken, the all-female crew uses four-wheelers and Border Collies instead of horses to get the job done efficiently and dependably, without any official business name or sign on the gate.

Why it matters

This story highlights the resilience and skill of an all-women cattle crew operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Their approach, focused on trust, experience, and teamwork, challenges gender norms and showcases how women can thrive in agricultural roles.

The details

Yelken's crew includes two local women who work together year-round, plus a friend who makes the trip from Nebraska each May to lend a hand. They rotate pastures weekly through the summer, using their Border Collies to help gather the Angus and black Baldy cows. Yelken has been building her own herd for over 20 years, selling bred heifers, heifer pairs, and replacement yearlings at the local livestock market.

  • The crew comes together each spring, before the grass is ready and the dust settles.
  • They work the cattle herd for about one week in May every year.

The players

Lori Roberson Yelken

A rural Burr Oak resident who leads the all-women cattle crew and has been building her own herd for over 20 years.

Beryl Roberson

Yelken's father, who got her started in the cattle business and taught her the fundamentals.

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What they’re saying

“There's no sign on the gate and no business name - just trust, experience and cattle to move.”

— Lori Roberson Yelken (The Superior Express)

The takeaway

This all-women cattle crew demonstrates that traditional agricultural roles can be successfully filled by skilled, experienced women who rely on teamwork, trust, and innovative methods to get the job done effectively, even without formal business structures or male counterparts.