Six E Cattle Co spans five generations in NE Oklahoma
VINITA, OKLA. – At the cusp of the 90s, the Enyart family purchased several head of cattle from the Frisby Farm Dispersal Sale. This purchase established the family in the cattle industry, and in 2007, their operation, Six E Cattle Co., shifted its focus from commercial cow/calf to show cattle.
The family patriarch, Charlie Enyart, 52, credits his son Dylan, 27, and wife, Lori, 54, with continuing the family tradition, which was started by Gary and Penny Enyart.
“Dylan has always had a passion for this life we live and the desire to make our program stand out,” Charlie said.
Over the years, Six E Cattle Co. has been a member of various breed associations. The operation has taken a special liking, however, to Red Angus and Herefords.
“They are second to none,” Charlie said, “and are both functional and highly sought after regardless of the buyer’s intentions.”
Six E Cattle Co. focuses on generating high-quality show heifers. Most of these cattle are products of the operation’s embryo transfer (ET) program, consisting of 13 donors and approximately 100 recipient cows. Cows that do not accept an egg are inseminated artificially or with natural cover.
“We are very strict about structural and maternal soundness,” Charlie said. “We also limit the amount of older cows we run in our program to help ensure our herd’s health and function.”
He mentioned the utilization of technology, referring to the efficacy of products like H-II Livestock Services in gathering livestock data.
The farm markets its sale cattle via an online forum called “Show Circuit Online Sales” and utilizes Facebook.
After birth, calves are tagged and monitored daily to identify potential risks, such as terminal illness and eye conditions. Once they reach 90 days, they are started on a creep ration to kickstart their development.
Once weaned, the top 30% of bulls are developed and sold to private treaty buyers. The bulls that are culled are castrated, vaccinated, and sold via public auction within two weeks.
Despite the number of cattle, Charlie said the physical size of Six E Cattle Co. is relatively small.
“Our operation isn’t a vast or a large scale program,” he said. “We are on fifth-generation family ground comprising about 200 acres of land.”
Charlie added that his family has an additional 100 acres of lease ground.
The Enyarts are well aware that herd health depends on diet and medical attention.
For feed, Charlie said his cattle are given a total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of locally harvested hay, alfalfa, and silage purchased from a neighboring farmer. Hay and pasture testing is conducted through Oklahoma State University.
Regarding health protocol, Charlie discussed the farm’s extensive vaccination program, developed by their veterinarian, Tyler Dillon, of Chetopa Veterinary Clinic in Chetopa, Kansas.
The Enyarts strive to be good stewards of the land. Charlie’s grandson, Emmett, marks the fifth generation of Enyarts, which Charlie hopes will continue the family’s tradition of sustainability.
Charlie said his operation is no stranger to mistakes–but is more than willing to learn from them.
“We learn and grow every day,” he said. “This industry is always evolving and if you are not willing to keep up and/or adapt, you will be left behind.
In addition to show cattle, the operation provides a custom cattle service for sales and preparation for major shows, such as the American Royal and Cattlmen’s Congress. The farm distributes a variety of mineral products and farm-raised beef to customers. Lane Enyart, 23, also breeds Australian Shepherds.
Charlie hopes that Six E Cattle Co. will continue to grow and improve over the next decade, but that can only happen with collaboration.
“We will collaborate with anyone that will visit us,” he said.
