Katie Cook

An Elanco VP finds sustainable answers to keep livestock healthier and reduce the livestock sector's carbon footprint.

- By Courtney Love

From a young age, Katie Cook had a passion for beef cattle. She grew up on her parents’ purebred cow-calf operation in Michigan.

With the daily tasks of fixing fences, preparing cattle for shows, and assisting with calving, Cook’s love for beef cattle and livestock led her to become a member of Elanco’s marketing team, where she gained an understanding of the industry’s need to be innovative with health and welfare. Today, she’s the company’s vice president of farm animal sustainability.

Cook’s team introduces solutions to help livestock farmers be profitable with animal health while supporting the planet’s overall health. Elanco works to keep livestock healthier with a portfolio of health management tools while reducing the sector's carbon footprint by 50%.

SF: What is the biggest challenge facing the U.S. livestock industry?