Hometown: Magazine, Ark.
Family: Wife Connie, daughters Stephanie and Amy, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild
Town Life: “I have been a city building inspector for Fort Smith, Ark., for 26 years. My background was in carpentry and working construction for a gas company which required heat and air certification. I learned of a job opening as a building inspector and applied. I really enjoy working with contractors to help them meet code and have an excellent relationship with them.”
Country Life: “Originally, Connie and I bought 5 acres from her dad Bill Staton and now have a total of 150 acres. We raise cattle, goats and horses. We started with registered Angus heifers bred by two Angus bulls and sell commercial Angus calves. I change my bulls every three years and take them to market even though they are still good breeding bulls because I don’t want to take a chance that one of them would get out at his new home and create unhappy neighbors for the buyer. I prefer a spring breeding season because I believe in calving when grass is coming, because birthing is easier when they don’t have to fight the winter with new calves. In order to help them be ready for their new calves, I feed them grain in the winter so they are ready to provide sufficient milk for the babies when they start coming in February and March. Not providing sufficient milk is the major reason for culling and I retain heifers to replace the culls. Because I work full time, I wean the calves when the time is convenient, typically from September through October. At that time, I work them in order to provide stress recovery time before cold sets in. They receive a six-way vaccination plus one for black leg. I use an injectable wormer in the fall and spring and an all-purpose pour on to help with fly control. I sell my calves at not less than 500 pounds. That means I sell calves in groups of 10 at various locations and times because selling in small groups balances market fluctuation. I had horses as a kid and still do. We have 23 Quarter Horses and two Halflingers. The Halflingers will be bred by a Quarter horse stud. I also buy colts. I enjoy breaking and training horses so that when customers purchase from me, the horses are ready to go. Finally, my grandchildren are interested in showing so I also raise goats which are easier for them to handle.”
Future: “By the time you have great-grandchildren, it’s time to start looking ahead on how to remain in the cattle industry more easily. I am considering selling out all of my cattle and beginning a stocker operation, perhaps as soon as this coming fall and then again perhaps not. All I know is, none of this would be possible without the invaluable help of family and friends.”
