Alan and Nikki Starr both grew up in the Stilwell, Okla., area.
Alan, just south of town and Nikki was raised about 17 miles south of Stilwell in a little community called Bunch, Okla., where they now reside.
They both lived a country life and were raised to work hard to accomplish their goals. Alan raised cattle, slaughter pigs and show animals. He remembers his chores of feeding and watering the animals. Also, working cattle, baling and hauling hay at a young age.
Nikki remembers helping raise cattle, pigs, commercial broiler chickens and Quarter horses, which were bred for racing.
One of her first chores was to drive the hay truck in granny gear on her knees in the seat, while her dad threw square bales off the back at 3 years old.
“There were hills and hollers which made it all the more interesting,” Nikki said.
Alan and Nikki loved farm life so much that have kept their cattle operations going while pursuing other fields in hopes that they would someday come back home to the Stilwell, Okla., area.
Alan continued pursuing a military career, after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Systems Technology Management at the University of Arkansas. He has been in the Air National Guard for more than 21 years and has deployed on several active duty tours to places such as Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Alan still serves as an instructor navigator on a C-130 aircraft with the Arkansas Air National Guard one weekend a month.
Nikki advanced her career with a financial focus. She obtained her brokerage/insurance license for investment consulting, as well as mortgage broker, real estate and building contractor licenses. She has worked for the Dallas, Texas-based brokerage firm Fidelity Investments, Home Loan Corporation and Arvest Bank over the last 15 years. She has also built and remodeled houses and has grown her rental business over the years, which she still manages today. They both kept their farm operation going for many years now.
Their goal has been to continue to improve the quality of their herd by introducing better bull genetics as needed.
Their biggest blessing is their son, Stetson Starr, now 3 years old. He loves to help with the cattle and go for tractor rides to feed and take care of the animals.
In October 2015, the Starrs were given the opportunity to purchase Stilwell Livestock Auction in Stilwell, Okla. Alan and Nikki have been able to expand their love for people and the cattle industry with the purchase. It is their passion to continue to serve and help others with their cattle operations by staying on top of the market and providing as much information to help cattle raisers make the best informed decisions.
Stilwell Livestock Auction averages 1,200 to 1,500 head at its weekly sale, which is at 11 a.m. each Wednesday. The facility has the capacity to handle more than 3,000 head, with all animals being housed in covered pens. Sale days require about 50 employees.
Treating their customers well is a top priority for Alan and Nikki, who are both directly involved with the operation of the livestock auction.
“Customer service is critical in this business as is face-to-face contact with current and new customers,” Alan said. “We want to promote a small town atmosphere and personal service even though we also handle the bigger markets and strive to run a highly proficient and professional business enterprise.”
An annual pre-vaccination sale takes place the first Friday in December at Stilwell Livestock Auction. The most recent sale accommodated more than 3,500 animals. Calves in the sale are required to be weaned 45 days prior to the sale, have had two rounds of vaccination, and bulls must be castrated. All non-polled animals are required to be dehorned.
