Donald and Dale Meek’s grandparents were the Lassiters and the Meek’s. They were ranchers and farmers in 1840. The grandfather on the Lassiter side was in the Civil War, when it was over he ran a cotton gin. Then in 1867 he became sheriff. However, they always had horses and cattle to make a living.
Donald and Dale ranched from the time they got big enough to ride and help around the place. When they became young men they broke horses for their dad and for the neighbors. Dale and Donald also participated in rodeos. They and their families have competed in rodeos here and around the country, winning buckles and saddles as they went.
Donald was sheriff of Johnson County, Ark., from 1973 until 1980. Then he went to work for Judge Patterson and the State of Arkansas until 1995. He and Elizabeth raised their three boys, Bobby, Chris and Fred on the ranch also.
Dale worked for Win Rock Farms when he was younger, and that is where he met Vedo, and got married. “We moved back home after that and stayed. I rodeod, trained horses and tended cattle for the Hurley’s from 1965 until they throw dirt over me I guess,” laughed Dale. Dale and his wife Vedo raised their son, Mike, and daughter, Machala, on the ranch. To this day, Dale still competes in team roping.
Donald and Elizabeth have a ranch that has been in the family since 1904. “My parents deeded some property to me, and we have acquired more throughout the years,” stated Donald. “We have about 55 cows and three bulls. We calve about twice a year. We brand and put the date on the brand so I know how old they are. I spray my pastures for weeds plus I have a lot of clover so my hay is good quality hay.” Donald said, “In the winter I creep feed my cows and include salt and minerals.” He also rotates his pastures.
While Dale and Vedo also ranch, however, they do not keep back their heifers or feed out the calves. Dale likes to buy cows with a little age on them or that have a calf on her already. They do not brand, instead they ear tag. He has six pastures, which he uses to rotate his cattle according to how the cattle have grazed. “If they have their heads hanging over the fence I know it’s time to move them,” he stated. They gather with a feed bucket and on horseback. The Meek brothers work as a partnership, the family fills in and helps when and wherever it’s needed, whether it’s working in the hay or gathering and working the cattle.
While Donald and Dale have gone their own ways in their ranching lives, they are still a close-knit family. The advice they had for young people wanting to get into ranching or farming, is keep within your means and don’t get in too deep or too quick.
