Missouri Neighbors

When you hear the words ‘Texas Longhorn,’ an image of hundreds of cattle being driven across the plains by cowboys probably comes to mind. John Wyatt’s herd of Longhorn cross cattle in Protem, Mo., roam the Ozark hills instead of the open plains, but many of the cattle characteristics are still the same.

Entrepreneur Shawn Briggs, of Aurora, Mo., prefers to dabble in multiple types of business. He credits his work ethic to the example his parents set forth. The same example Shawn and his wife, Terri, hope to give to their three sons, Gavin, 14, Spencer, 12 and Larson, 8. “Farming is a great way to install work ethic and it is a really good experience for our boys,” said Shawn.

Buck Ridge Limousin, located near Rogersville, Mo., in Greene County, is owned by Mark Haden. He calls his son, Logan, the ranch manager and said he is an integral part of the operation. “Logan has enjoyed it ever since we started. He’s involved in every aspect,” Mark said.

Mark Gronniger grew up in Dallas County but went into farming with a plan, as he put it, while he was still serving with the Marines. Kim, originally a city girl from Iowa, stated she met her husband while living on an Iowa farm, when he was working as a Marine recruiter there. “He recruited me, too,” she laughed. Afterwards, Mark and Kim came home to Dallas County where they raised four children on their 420 acres, outside Long Lane, Mo. Today, all but one has left home. Mark and Kim are raising 110 momma cows, calves and Red Angus bulls.

Bob Redfearn, or “California Bob” as he is known around Polk County was raised on a farm around Ft. Scott, Kan. He enjoyed the farm, but didn’t give it much thought when he left the farm when he was 20 years old to move to California to pursue his career. Bob was a roofing contractor and owned a variety of businesses during the 50 years he was gone.

Show winners. Best of Breed. Texas Grand Champion… all right here in this area at Rooster Ridge Farm located in Texas County southeast of Houston, Mo. Dr. David Dale and his wife, Carol, raise Fox Trotter horses, Gaited Mules and Sicilian Miniature Donkeys. They have a medical practice in Houston, but when they come home it is boots and jeans.

What happens if the back part of your farm is covered in blackberries and poison ivy? And yes, you are allergic to poison ivy. One solution might be to buy some pygmy goats. That’s exactly what Hank and Michele Yoos, of Nashville, Mo., did over six years ago.

Most of the time when people say ‘you’re seeing red,’ it’s a bad thing. But at Reinert Family Farm, seeing red (and black and gold) means you are looking at John and Denise Reinert’s fine herd of Gelbvieh and Red Poll cattle near Billings, Mo.

With swiftness and agility, Heartquest Erin moves effortlessly within the show arena. His well-muscled body appears of mass and strength, but that is just a small part when compared to the ability he possesses due to his training and natural temperament. Hearthquest Erin gained first place in Reining at the World Champion Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City, Okla., in October of this year.

Dennis McCulloch of Laclede County is proof that author Thomas Wolfe’s oft quoted ‘you can’t go home again’ isn’t always right. Raised as one of eight siblings in Lebanon, Mo., like many a young man after high school, Dennis went west, looking for his own adventures.