Helgren purchased his first Angus heifer at the Interstate show and sale in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1952. Shortly after, he began to work with the Penney and James show herd. He also managed the Picket Fence Farm, Grayslake, Ill., until 1980. Helgren had a successful career showing, including the 1973 International Reserve Grand Champion Female.

He also played a significant role in expanding markets for Angus cattle abroad, in places such as Russia, Spain, Japan and Italy. With his wife, he created the Picket Fence Quarantine export station in 1983, shipping cattle to Australia for the first time in 1984.