Freddie Keaton

Freddie Keaton is a cow/calf producer based in Salem, Missouri, where he and his wife of over 20 years, Renee, operate a ranch running approximately 500 cows and 300 to 400 stocker cattle annually. Together, they have two children, Kaleb (2002–2022) and Kinley.

Keaton considers himself a first-generation rancher. His parents had a small operation of about 30 cows, where his passion for cattle began. After graduating high school in 1997, he started building his own operation from the ground up, working off the farm for many years before transitioning to ranching full time in 2012. Keaton says he feels blessed to be able to raise cattle every day.

He became more actively engaged in industry issues following the 2019 packing plant fire in Holcomb, Kansas, which directly impacted the market for his calf crop. That experience led him to begin researching the challenges facing producers and ultimately to R-CALF USA. After attending his first convention, he said he “felt at home,” and has remained an active and committed member ever since. He now serves as the Region VI director representing members in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.