In the Know About Dorpers
A Unique Feeding Operation
Room to Grow
Renovations Lead to New Operation
After more than two decades in the broiler chicken business, the Schnake family sold their flock and closed its poultry barns.
Raising Better Cattle
Some cattlemen raise cattle with the consumer in mind, while others focus on the feedlot operator, and still others have their own family in mind. Lonnie McWilliams is a little of everything. Lonnie’s ranch, KD Gelbvieh, is located just west of Sheldon, Mo. KD used to stand for Katie and Dad, and it still does, although “Dad” is the main operator now. When she was in 4-H and FFA, Katie had a lot of success showing their cattle and crossbred hogs. Now, Katie’s kids have their own calves to show. Lonnie and his wife Lora run about 70 cows on their 270-acre farm. Their herd is mostly Registered Red Gelbvieh, though they have a few Charolais and some balancers.
Building on Exotic Herds
Growing up in Lockwood, Mo., about a mile from his current farmstead, Charles Obert was deeply frustrated by his father’s refusal to buy exotic animals. Instead his father ran a dairy and raised chickens and hogs for personal use.
Double the Lamb
Tim Bartkoski has learned a lot. He had some sheep when he was younger, and years later when his daughters wanted animals to show in 4-H, he knew from experience how much easier sheep are to care for and show than a larger animal, so he got back into the sheep business. That was 30 years ago.
A Better, Calmer Approach
Anyone who has ever tried to keep up with kids in baseball and softball leagues, scouts and church activities knows the meaning of the word challenge. Now double that and throw in 840 acres of grassland, 100 head of Limousin and Limousin-cross momma cows, a few Brangus bulls and a full time 40-hour-a-week job in town, and that describes the challenges of Greg and Jennifer Fry. Located between Stoutland and Montreal, Mo., the Frys calve their cows in March, wean them in December and feed a 15 percent ration until the grass pastures are ready. "We keep them on grass until they are 700-800 pounds,” Greg explained. Greg works his cattle on his own land and another 500 acres belonging to his brother.
On the Cutting Edge
Being Sustainable
After 34 years of teaching, Bill Roberts hung up his hat and retired at the end of the 2010 school year. He spent the last 25 years teaching Agriculture Education at Marshfield High School.