Tony and Trica Yates both work demanding jobs, but still manage to run a quality, purebred Hereford cow-calf operation just northwest of Sallisaw, Okla.
Tony has been the Sequoyah County Extension Agent for 25 years, while Trica has served as the County Treasurer since her election in 2006.
“It is difficult,” said Tony. We both work during the day, so it’s important to have a semi-low maintenance breed, with low birth weights.”
The Yates family heritage with Herefords goes back at least 60 years, including Tony’s father Don Yates.
“We incorporate dad, and he just loves it,” said Tony. “He’d rather go watch a cattle show than eat.”
Tony and Trica run around 25 head on their own 100 acres, and also use Don’s 180 acres located on the Oklahoma-Kansas state line near Coffeyville, Kan.
Tony sees the breed characteristics of Herefords as key to the Yates’ ability to run a small, but high-quality operation while also working demanding jobs outside the ranch.
“They are sound cattle with low maintenance and adaptability,” said Tony. “We’ve seen an increase in demand for Hereford herd bulls for Angus cattle. With that first cross, you get a lot of hybrid vigor, increased production and performance. For our size, we’ve built up the quality to be comparable to a lot of bigger operations,” said Tony.
Tony and Trica’s children have moved on away from the ranch, but they are seeing the next generation of grandchildren develop interest in showing cattle.
“Our boys showed cattle and we used to go to shows a lot, to Denver and Kansas City,” said Trica. “Then we took a break, but it’s looking like our oldest grandchild, Lexie Vinson, is going to start showing soon.” Lexie, soon to turn 9, lives in Sequoyah County near Sallisaw, Okla.
Tony’s work as the County Extension Agent frequently involves him in the local 4-H scene and junior cattle shows.
“For the future of animal agriculture, it’s important that the next generation carries on,” said Tony.
Tony sees a big increase in area youth participating in 4-H due to the new shooting sports programs in Sequoyah County.
Currently, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma 4-H’ers specialize in archery, but hope to soon add air rifle. In April of this year, Sequoyah County archers claimed  nine of the top 10 spots in the Oklahoma state 4-H match held in Oklahoma City. And local enthusiasm is growing.
In addition to the archery team, the Yates also help with a local therapeutic riding group.
But like their jobs as extension agent and county treasurer, their involvement with the various 4-H programs adds to the workload at the ranch.
“How busy we get depends on the time of year,” said Tony. “We had four kids make nationals in archery, and consequently, I’m about a month and half behind with the weed spraying and other things I need to do,” he smiled.