LINCOLN, Neb.(DTN) - McBee Farming Operations, the Missouri farm featured in the reality television series “The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys,” has defaulted on a $1.3 million loan as its owner, Steve A. McBee, prepares for sentencing on federal crop insurance fraud charges.The financial setback adds another layer of complexity to McBee’s legal situation and raises questions about the future of the family’s agricultural business.
The default, with rabo Agrifinance LLC, was formally documented in a judgment filed August 13, 2025, with the Circuit court of Daviess County, Missouri, following an initial default judgment entered in Iowa District Court in Black Hawk County on June 25, 2025.This comes as McBee awaits an October 16 sentencing after pleading guilty to a Class B felony of crop insurance fraud late in 2024, an offense carrying a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison with no possibility of parole.
According to the Missouri court filing, the outstanding principal on the loan totaled $1,171,000 as of June 23, 2025, with accrued interest reaching $133,995.98. Interest continues to accrue daily at a rate of $683.08,alongside any further collection expenses.
McBee operates the farm in northwest Missouri with his sons: Steve Jr., Brayden, Cole, and Jesse. The financial difficulties and pending legal outcome cast a shadow over the family and their public image cultivated through the reality television program.