Jay Wolf
Jay Wolf is a 3rd generation cattleman from Albion, NE. Jay and his family own Wagonhammer Cattle Co. which celebrated its 100th year in 2010. Jay is a University of Nebraska Lincoln graduate. After spending four years as a banker in Denver, he returned home in 1984 to manage the family business. Jay is a Past President of the Nebraska Cattlemen, has served on the board of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. In 2016 Jay was inducted into the Nebraska Cattlemen Hall of Fame. He is a member of Ag Builders of Nebraska and the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement. Jay is active in supporting the University of Nebraska and was the 2008 Block and Bridle Club Honoree. He is also active in local community organizations. Jay and his wife, Susie, have been married for over 40 years and have 3 children. Mitchell is an occupational therapist in California. Alex joined Wagonhammer full-time in 2022 and is relieving Jay of most of his responsibilities. Hilary is a veterinarian in a small animal clinic. Hilary and her husband Ryan have two daughters, Willa and Madeline.
Alex Wolf
Alex joined Wagonhammer full-time in 2022. He graduated from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska in 2010 and then spent 3 years working for Scoular as a grain merchandiser. In 2013 Alex was accepted into Harvard Business School where he earned a Masters in Business Administration. From 2017 to 2022, he led Scoular’s organic grain business. Alex is leading Wagonhammer now, assuring our continued commitment to our customers, employees, and community. Alex married Ellie Clinch in May 2023 at the Wagonhammer Ranch. They had a son, Jack, in September 2024. Jack’s smile lights up every room he’s in! Jack is the 5th generation at Wagonhammer.
Arlyn Wilke
Arlyn Wilke is the Feedlot/Farm manager at Albion. His responsibilities include purchasing and marketing the feedlot cattle, managing rations and consumption, commodity purchasing, crop production, and overseeing the feedlot/farming crew. Arlyn has a great deal of industry experience. After graduating from South Dakota State, he farmed and fed cattle with his brother on the family operation near Columbus NE. Arlyn then joined Cargill, first working on the management team at the Schuyler processing plant, then at the Leoti KS yard where he was cattle manager. When long-time feedlot manager, Jim Brown, retired in 2009, we were fortunate to be able to convince Arlyn to return to NE and take up his present position. Arlyn and his wife, Theresa, have five children. Joni and husband Jesse Hegemann have three children. Eric and wife Chantelle have four children. Son Trenton and his wife Sarah and their son live in Seattle. Son Ethan is employed by Pokey Feeders. He and his wife Paige live near Scott City, KS. Daughter Lauren and husband Bryce, a Special Forces Marine, live in Yuma AZ with their twin boys.
Hadley Hill
Hadley Hill is the ranch manager. He was raised in southwest Nebraska on Maddux Cattle Company where he developed a passion for stockmanship and grazing. Hadley graduated from Chadron State College. He has worked for ranches across the Sandhills and mountain west, working with cattle, bison, and sheep. His love has always been for the Sandhills of Nebraska. He is excited to bring his wife Francesca and his 2 boys Henry and Harvey along to share his love for the Sandhills and the cattle industry with them.
Tedd Mayer
Tedd joined the East Ranch Wagonhammer crew in June of 2021. Tedd & Meghan are both originally from SW Iowa. They met in Nebraska and got married in August of 2018. He received his associate’s degree in ranch management from Colby Community College in Colby KS. He then studied animal science at Northwest Missouri State University, where he received my bachelor’s degree. Tedd & Meghan enjoy rodeo, cutting horses, and the ranching lifestyle in the sandhills. Tedd works at the East Ranch with the registered cattle.
Travis Patrick
Travis joined the crew in late 2023. He holds a wealth of experience managing cows in the Sandhills and is working mostly at the East Ranch with the registered herd.
Chris Kester
Chris began in 2022 with Wagonhammer. He is a graduate of Northeast Community College. He grew up near Clearwater working with feedlot and cow calf operations. Chris enjoys roping and hunting.
Mary Jo Lueken
Mary Jo became employed as the Office Manager in 2021. Throughout the past ten years, she has acquired extensive experience in office administration within the cattle industry. She and her husband David are Albion natives. They thoroughly enjoy golfing, dirt track racing, and spending time with their two sons, Harvey and Noah.
Chito Lopez
Chito and his family moved to Albion to join our feedlot crew in 2023. Chito and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Paola, and a son, Adrian.
Kevin Lopez
Kevin joined our Feed Yard crew in 2023. He and Chito are brothers.