Doug Wheeler
In town: “I manage Gordon’s Feed and Pet in Marshfield, Mo. I’ve worked here for eight years and have managed it for the last nine months.”
In the Country: Doug and his wife, Cindy, and son, Tucker, live outside Marshfield. “I’ve got a little farm. It’s a cow/calf operation. I usually have between 20 and 25 momma cows.” He has Limousin based cows crossed with Angus. He has nothing against other breeds and said, “Limousin is just what I started out with.”
How does being a farmer help with your job?
“The farm is my relaxation; my stress reliever, most of the time.”
How long have you been farming?
“I’ve been raising cattle since I was 15 years old. We used to show Limousin cattle when I was in high school.”
Biggest Challenge: “Calving season. I calve in the wintertime. It is hard trying to be two places at one time. Also, when the time changes, it’s hard to get all the chores done at home. There is not enough daylight. I’m at the store until 5:30 in the evening. I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark.” He spends 45 minutes to an hour doing chores every morning and between one and a half to two hours every night. At night he unrolls the hay for the cattle. “It spreads them out and they’re not fighting for it. Also, since I calve in winter, it gives the calves something to lie on, plus it spreads the manure out.”
Future plans for the farm: “I’d like to expand, but real estate is too expensive.”
Story and Photo by Brenda Brinkley
