Joe Hopping
In Town: “I own and operate Hopping Auction Service – a full service auction company that does estate, farm and liquidation auctions throughout eastern Oklahoma. I also auctioneer at the Tahlequah Stockyards on Saturdays. My wife, Julie, works for the accounting firm of Sanders, Bledsoe and Hewett and we have two little boys – Eli and Nicksy.”
In the Country: “My brother, Hoss, and I are in the livestock business together. We run stocker cattle and we also market replacement cows and heifers at times. We also have a reputation flock of hair sheep. We added sheep to our operation 15 years ago and we raise them with a big emphasis on parasite tolerance and livability. Our sheep continue to be a bigger part of our operation and last year we sold replacement ewes and ram lambs from as far north as Lebanon, Mo., to as far south as Houston, Texas.”
Challenges: “Seems like there’s always a lot going on around here. Last year we did over 20 estate, farm and liquidation auctions and there’s always plenty to do with our livestock business. We rotational graze our livestock and we try to manage our pastures well. I’m very fortunate that several family members and a few loyal and dedicated employees help with the auctions and my brother, Hoss, is good at taking up the slack when I’m away and can’t be at the farms. With Julie and I having a young family there’s no way we could get everything done without their help.”
The Future: “I’m looking forward to the day when the boy are big enough to help at the auctions and enjoy the farm way of life. There’s going to be some big opportunities in ruminant agriculture and it will be nice to increase our land base and livestock numbers.”
Story and Photo by Ellen Benson
