The McBee family continues to adjust to life following the sentencing of Steve McBee Sr., patriarch of McBee Farm & Cattle Co., who is serving a two-year federal prison term in South Dakota after pleading guilty to crop insurance fraud. More than six months into Steve Sr.’s incarceration, his sons have stepped up to maintain the family ranch’s operations and provide leadership amid the challenges.
Cole McBee, one of Steve Sr.’s sons, said the family has rallied to fill the void left by their father’s absence. “With him being gone, there was a big void to fill with work, with life, with being the leader of the family,” Cole reflected. He emphasized the collective effort within the family to persevere through the difficult circumstances.
Despite the setback, the McBee brothers remain hopeful about Steve Sr.’s prison term potentially being reduced, with Cole expressing optimism that his father could be released by the end of the year, effectively serving half of his sentence. Cole visits his father every two weeks and mentioned plans to bring his 18-month-old daughter Blair, along with cousin Summer, to an event dubbed “Bring Your Grandchild to Jail Day.”
Amid these family challenges, Cole and his fiancée, Kacie Adkison, are preparing for significant personal milestones. Having become engaged in November 2025, the couple is expecting their second daughter and is planning a wedding for the fall of 2026. Unlike many couples, they intend to hold their ceremony on their own farm, eliminating the need for an outside venue. “We already have a spot picked out,” Cole said, noting the ceremony will take place behind their house in a pasture on their property.
The family dynamics have seen additional shifts, particularly involving Steven Jr., another of Steve Sr.’s sons. Steven Jr.’s recent breakup with Allie Eklund has attracted public attention, with Kacie noting that she had a positive impression of Eklund initially but now has limited contact. “Steven’s moving on. I think it’s best for both of them,” Kacie stated. Cole also acknowledged the split, emphasizing that Steven Jr. is focusing on self-improvement and is currently in a better mental space.
Cole admitted some surprise over reports that Allie Eklund and Calah Jackson have maintained contact following the breakup, given previous tensions. Nonetheless, he underscored the importance of Steven Jr.’s healing process. “He’s in the best mental headspace he’s ever been in and he’s at the most peace in life,” Cole said.
As the McBee family manages the repercussions of Steve Sr.’s conviction and incarceration, they are simultaneously navigating moments of joy and transition. Cole and Kacie, while expressing some apprehension about raising two young daughters close in age, remain optimistic about their growing family and future plans. “We are nervous because Blair is so busy,” Cole noted. “But it can’t be any harder than being eight months pregnant and chasing Blair around.”