Ryan Breiner was raised on a purebred Angus and Hereford operation in the Flint Hills of Alma, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University in 2003 with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and Industry and is currently attaining his M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition.

Currently he serves as the herdsman of the Purebred Beef Teaching Unit, where he oversees 280 head of Angus, Hereford, and Simmental cattle and a staff of undergraduate employees. He is involved in teaching Livestock Sales Management and assists various professors with Animal Science lab classes.

Ryan has judged numerous local and state livestock shows in Kansas. His personal interests include many types of sporting events, attending state and national livestock events, and spending time with his wife Sharon Glaenzer.