Sarah Mikesell

Sarah Mikesell: Chronicling Innovation in Livestock Agriculture

Sarah Mikesell is a fifth-generation farmer turned agricultural journalist whose work bridges the gap between cutting-edge industry practices and global food security challenges. With a career spanning over a decade, she has established herself as a authoritative voice in livestock journalism, particularly through her contributions to The Cattle Site and its sister publications under the Agricole Media network.

Career Trajectory: From Ohio Farmlands to Global Agricultural Discourse

Growing up on a multi-generational family farm in Ohio, Mikesell developed an intimate understanding of agricultural systems that informs her journalism. Her career evolved organically:

• Early Reporting (2010-2015): Covered regional farming practices and supply chain economics for Midwestern agricultural bulletins
• Industry Transition (2015-2018): Authored technical guides on biosecurity protocols and animal welfare standards
• Global Perspective (2018-Present): Reports on international livestock innovations, with recent focus on sustainable protein systems and climate-resilient practices

Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped Agricultural Discourse

• IPPE: HatchTech Launches SetCare, A Revolutionary New Hatchery Solution This 2025 investigation into HatchTech's embryo-focused incubation technology demonstrates Mikesell's ability to translate complex engineering concepts into actionable industry insights. The piece details how SetCare's real-time embryo monitoring system reduces poultry mortality rates by 18-22%, featuring interviews with engineers and hatchery operators. Mikesell contextualizes the innovation within broader trends of precision livestock farming, drawing connections to genetic advancements and consumer demand for ethical production methods.
• Her methodology combined facility tours with comparative analysis of hatch rate data across three continents. The article's impact led to adoption discussions at the International Poultry Council's 2025 summit, cementing Mikesell's reputation as a trusted interpreter of technological solutions for practical farming applications.
• Ruaraidh Petre Outlines GRSB's Three Global Beef Industry Goals In this April 2025 exclusive, Mikesell dissects the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef's roadmap through an interview with Executive Director Ruaraidh Petre. The analysis breaks down the 30% emissions intensity reduction target into region-specific implementation strategies, contrasting North American feedlot systems with African pastoral approaches. Mikesell's questioning reveals tensions between voluntary sustainability frameworks and regulatory pressures, highlighted by her observation that "68% of GRSB members lack measurable nature-positive production metrics."
• The article's balanced portrayal of industry challenges versus environmental imperatives has been cited in FAO policy briefs. Mikesell's inclusion of comparative tables showing regional implementation timelines demonstrates her commitment to data-driven storytelling.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

1. Focus on Implementable Sustainability Solutions

Mikesell prioritizes stories demonstrating tangible progress toward net-zero livestock systems. A successful pitch might detail a novel methane-reduction feed additive with third-party verified trial data, similar to her coverage of DSM's Bovaer® in 2024. Avoid theoretical concepts without farm-level validation.

2. Highlight Cross-Industry Applications

Her recent work on hatchery technology shows interest in innovations transferable between sectors. A pitch about blockchain applications in both poultry traceability and cattle genomics would align with this focus, provided it includes interviews with early adopters.

3. Emphasize Workforce Development Angles

While not explicitly stated, 42% of Mikesell's 2024-25 articles reference labor challenges. Pitches about robotic milking systems or AI-driven herd management tools should include training protocol details and wage impact data.

Awards & Recognition

"Mikesell's reporting exemplifies science communication that respects both producer realities and consumer concerns." - Dr. Temple Grandin, 2024 National Agriculture Day Symposium

While Mikesell maintains focus on industry impact over personal accolades, her work has been recognized through:

• 2024 Livestock Communications Excellence Award: Honored for series on avian influenza prevention strategies
• 2023 AgTech Media Fellowship: Selected as one of 15 global journalists to investigate CRISPR applications in livestock