Name: Bradon Dunker
Family: Don and Michele Dunker, sister, Morgan
High School: Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School
4-H Club: Diamond Renegades
How are you involved in agriculture?
Bradon Dunker has been around cattle most of his life. His parents run about 40 head of commercial cattle on their 100 acre ranch near Diamond, Mo. They also run a small herd on land behind the family business, Dunker Heating and Air near Joplin, Mo. Bradon got hooked on Red Angus 4 years ago when he helped a friend show her cattle at a fair. After that, he liked the breed so much, he got one of his own, and began showing the next year. They currently have 10 Registered Red Angus, and he’s been showing for 3 years.
What is your favorite part of raising cattle?
“I really enjoy showing,” Bradon said. This summer, he and his younger sister Morgan took seven head to the Ozark Empire Fair and had eight head at the Newton County fair. Morgan’s cattle beat out her brothers for top honors at the Newton County Fair, and she also took home two Reserve Grand Champion awards from Ozark Empire Fair. When asked about other shows, the family mentioned showing at the Tulsa State Fair, and Bradon interjected, “The more shows, the better!” When they are at cattle shows, it is Bradon and Morgan’s job to make sure the cattle get washed, watered and fed their specific rations.
Why Red Angus?
“They are calm and gentle. I like the way they look, the way they grow on just grass in the summer and in the winter,” Bradon answered. He appreciates Red Angus so much, he was able to convince his parents to start using them in their commercial herd. They recently purchased another Registered Red Angus to use as their herd sire.
By Adam Stratton
