Thomas (Tom) Basabe

Thomas (Tom) John Basabe, president of Simplot Livestock Co. and Simplot Land and Livestock Group, has dedicated his life to advancing the cattle industry. Beginning his career in 1968 as a pen rider during high school, Tom worked his way through nearly every role in the company—from farmer, feed truck driver and equipment operator to feeder cattle buyer, fat cattle sales, risk management and cattle manager—before assuming leadership from his father, John Basabe, in 1988. 

Under his guidance, Simplot Land and Livestock transformed from an already successful operation into a powerhouse, expanding its cattle feeding capacity to 230,000 head; acquiring several more ranches, bringing the total to 16 ranches with 32,000 mother cows; partnering in a state-of-the-art beef processing facility in Idaho (CS Beef Packers); and creating a proprietary line of Charolais genetics. Tom also oversees Simplot Western Stockmen’s animal health and feed distribution business and manages over 100,000 acres of irrigated farmland. 

Today, Simplot Land and Livestock is the largest cattle feeding and ranching operation in the Pacific Northwest, the seventh-largest cattle feeder in the nation and the second-largest ranching operation nationwide, holding more than 4 million acres of federal grazing permits. Simplot has just launched their own branded beef product to the food service space—Lot 29 and Three Creek Ranch—thus creating a vertically integrated beef production business.

With 58 years on the Simplot payroll, Tom has given back to the industry by being involved in several different aspects. He was chairman of the Idaho State Brand Board for 20 years and served on the Idaho Cattle Association board in various capacities. He has also been awarded several honors, including Idaho Cattle Feeder of the year. In 2024, he was presented with the Idaho Cattleman Association’s Industry Leader Award.  

Tom’s vision and dedication continue to shape the future of sustainable cattle production in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Tom says, “It’s all about good people showing up to make a difference!”