Hometown: Hindsville, Ark.
Family: Wife, Hope; and son Steve
In Town: After retiring as a farrier, Steve Bercher decided to delve into real estate. He’s been in the business for about three and a half years and is currently with United Country Real Estate.
“I shod horses from the time I was 14 until I was 45-years-old. Real estate is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I should have done it sooner. I enjoy showing people property and helping them find their dream place. I also like visiting with people.”
Steve is also a driver for Square One Truss, Inc., and does some auctioneering.
In the Country: Steve has about 40 Beefmaster and Beefmaster-cross cattle on his 125-acre farm, which be bought in 1994.
There was a time when he and his wife, Hope, sold out their cattle, which were also Beefmaster and Beefmaster-crosses, and became over-the-road truck drivers (from 2014-2018), but decided to return to the cattle industry once they got off the road. They initially restarted their herd with black-hided cattle, but found they liked the Beefmaster breed better.
“We couldn’t be happier with them,” Steve said. “I think my calves are worth more now than when they were black.”
In addition to the cattle operation, the Berchers also maintains a mixed, 50-head flock of hair and wool sheep.
“Hope likes the sheep because they are smaller, easy to handle and don’t beat you up,” Steve said of the flock.
Steve’s involvement in the equine industry goes beyond being a farrier. He began working with and breaking colts at a very young age. He currently has three horses and one mule.
“I’ve rode unbroke horses since I was 4 or 5,” Steve said. “I started getting paid to train horses when I was 12 or 13.”
Steve is also a U.S. Army veteran, serving four years in the Army 82nd Airborne Division, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
