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When you think of the beef industry, you might picture sprawling ranches and cattle grazing under wide Texas skies. But behind the scenes, people like Leslie Callahan are ensuring that those ranchers have a way to market for their cattle and that consumers enjoy high-quality beef on their plates. A Texas native, proud Aggie, and lifelong beef enthusiast, Leslie Callahan is the co-founder of Crossroads Cattle Company. His business buys and sells over 300,000 cattle annually, making him a vital link between ranchers and beef lovers across the nation.
Journey to ‘Market Maker’
Leslie’s journey into the beef industry began at an early age. Growing up in Austin and the youngest of 11 children, he worked in his family’s business, Callahan’s General Store. Here, he sold chickens, took on essential store tasks, and learned the value of hard work. By age 13, with the help of his father, he took out a loan to lease 120 acres of land and purchased his first cows. Though he didn’t participate in traditional ag youth programming, like 4-H, Leslie was no stranger to responsibility and getting his hands dirty, even while still finding time to excel in sports like baseball, football, and basketball.
After earning his degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University in 1990, Leslie dove headfirst into the beef business, gaining hands-on experience in beef processing at Harris Ranch Beef Company in California. Over the years, his career took him from managing cattle at Capitol Land & Livestock to helping take a company public as Vice President of Livestock Procurement at Emerge Interactive. In 2002, along with Jennings Steen, Leslie co-founded Crossroads Cattle Company, where the two continue to innovate and build relationships in the industry.
Typical Day at Crossroads Cattle Company
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Jennings Steen and Leslie Callahan, Crossroad Cattle Co.
At Crossroads, Leslie describes himself as a “market maker.” His role is to connect ranchers selling cattle with buyers looking to purchase them. With the help of the relationships developed and maintained, largely by his roster of 20 cattle buyers, the company makes in excess of 300,000 cattle transactions per year. But he’s not the stereotypical middleman just taking cattle orders for a commission. Instead, Leslie assumes financial ownership of the cattle, ultimately taking on all the risk and reward. This approach allows him to make strategic decisions about when, where, and to whom to sell.
“A typical day starts at 7:30 a.m.,” Leslie says. “Some days are slow, with minimal transactions, while others are extremely hectic. Thankfully, 90 percent of our trading now happens between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., aligning with the cattle futures market instead of earlier days when it was around the clock.”
They also use some of the day to manage their other business interests, including Cross R Ranches (185,000 acres combined across New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma), where they run a herd of approximately 4,000 cows depending upon the range conditions. Whatever pace the day holds, Leslie thrives on interacting with ranchers, buyers, and other beef industry professionals who share his passion for providing a quality protein source for today’s consumer.
Leslie is proud of the high standards the beef industry upholds today. “We are stewards of these animals. It’s how we make a living, support our families, and provide for future generations. We do everything we can to ensure our cattle are well-fed and humanely treated, upholding the high standards we believe in.”
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Family and Life Beyond the Ranch
Leslie and his wife Debra, whom he married in 1992, have triplets—Ben, John, and Eliza—who will be 27 this year. Leslie and Debra now reside in Dripping Springs, Texas, but their love for adventure has taken them around the globe. At one point, they even owned a home and ranch in Kauai, Hawaii. Leslie is also an avid fisherman, often traveling to exotic locations like the Amazon River.
When it comes to beef, Leslie’s favorite cut is the New York Strip and also mentions that his wife makes great chili. “But honestly,” he laughs, “as long as it’s beef, I’m good.” He fondly recalls coming home from church to enjoy his mother’s pot roast—a tradition that only added to his lifelong appreciation for high-quality beef.
All Cattle, No Hat
Despite his deep roots in the beef industry, Leslie doesn’t fit the stereotype of a cowboy. In fact, he doesn’t even wear a cowboy hat—until recently, when his daughter gifted him one as an endearing joke, quipping, “Some guys are all hat, no cattle. But, Dad, you’ve always been all cattle, no hat.”
Leslie Callahan’s story is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and relationships that sustain the beef industry. His work at Crossroads Cattle Company, and among the various board and volunteer positions he allocates spare time to, helps ensure that beef remains a centerpiece of Texan tables—and tables across the country—for generations to come.