The Showman - Myron Saathoff

Today we welcome another feature from our friend Brittni Drennan Communications Coordinator for the International Brangus Breeders Association. Meet Myron Saathoff a true showman! He began showing cattle in FFA and his career in the ring continues today.

Myron Saathoff enters the show ring grasping a lead rope in one hand and a show stick in the other trailing a line of perfectly fitted Brangus heifers. At the other end of the halter, Pearl glides alongside Saathoff following his directions. After getting set, Saathoff anxiously awaits the judge’s selection, knowing his heifer is bound to receive the prized purple banner.

Saathoff has stepped foot into many show rings over the last 40 years and is no stranger to the winner’s circle. He initially began showing heifers and steers in high school through FFA while growing up in Hondo, Texas. Now after two back surgeries, one hip replacement, and countless ribbons and awards won, Saathoff is unsure of how many more times he will be able to return to the show ring.

The earlier account was one of the most memorable moments of Saathoff’s show career. Pearl was the offspring of a champion that Saathoff bred and raised at JLS, Pearl’s dam, Tally, was awarded Show Heifer of the Year in 2003-2004, winning three of four major shows that year. Pearl was named International Champion and Show Heifer of the Year in 2009. The very next year, Tally had another daughter, Kelly, who was also an International Champion.

“I like being able to work with show cattle and demonstrate what you’re breeding and what you’re producing,” Saathoff explained. “It’s a way to advertise and showcase your operation to the public and showcase your best cattle.”

Upon graduating from high school, Saathoff attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas, on a baseball and football scholarship and finished at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He then began working at the local auction barn where his father worked before transitioning to the ranch management sector. He first worked for Larry Blackman of B2B Farms at 20 years old. He got involved in showing again this time in open shows. It was at B2B farms that Saathoff used Big Sir 75/6 and Justana 40/8 as clean up bulls, two of the Brangus foundation sires of today. Big Sir was the grand sire of Titan, who was the sire of Transformer, Big Sir also sired General, one of the maternal foundation sires of the breed. Justana was the foundation sire of Robert Vineyard’s 100 family. Both of these bulls can be found somewhere in most pedigrees popular today.

After working for B2B Farms, Saathoff managed several other operations including Escoba, T Diamond, Star J Ranch, and Star Creek Ranch owned by Curly Taylor where all the Brinks 392 progeny was developed. Saathoff tried his hand in sale management and consulting before settling in at JLS International owned by Jeff Smtih located near Devine, Texas. Now almost 13 years later, Smith and Saathoff together have more than 70 years of experience in the Brangus seedstock business.

Saathoff has built an outstanding reputation breeding numerous champion heifers and bulls. To date, JLS is the only operation to win the Futurity three times. JLS was also recognized as the IBBA Breeder of the Year in 2007, and Saathoff has been honored as Herdsman of the Year twice. However, Saathoff still has goals for the operation and feels like he still has more to learn.

“I’m still going. Nobody has produced a perfect animal yet, but we’re getting closer,” Saathoff said. “Show animals and breeding stock are becoming more similar and are looking more alike than they did several years ago.”

With approximately 550 head of cattle plus bulls and heifers, JLS is still expanding and trying new techniques. Having obtained the most desirable cattle and some of the best performance cattle in the industry, Saathoff’s primary goal now is to improve genetic consistency in the registered herd. In order to achieve that goal, JLS recently generated five cloned heifer calves from the original 915C cow. Saathoff said the only way to tell them apart is by their ear tag number, and they even came into heat within three days of each other without using synchronization. Saathoff attributes the 915C cow for contributing to the success JLS has experienced over the last 13 years with last year marking 115 descendants from the 915 family.

JLS is also expanding their operation to include red Brangus cattle and now have seven red Brangus females. Saathoff showcased their red Brangus program in the show ring last year and received Red Brangus Show Heifer of the Year. JLS has implemented a breeding up to Brangus program in order to introduce new genetics and avoid line breeding. When it comes to genetic selection, Saathoff knows what to look for, and the success JLS has had is a testament to the extensive knowledge and experience he has gained.

When selecting cattle and making breeding decisions, Saathoff’s number one priority is performance. He wants a bull that can work in the South Texas climate and tough, rugged environment, which is the ultimate reason why he likes the Brangus breed.

“I’ve had experience with Angus, Brangus, Braunvieh, and from experience, Brangus by far out did everything as far as adaptability,” Saathoff said. “Brangus were the most fertile and had the best performance and best milking ability across the board.”

Saathoff said infusing Brangus into a herd will improve milking ability and mothering ability, and he compliments the Brangus female for being the best in the industry. He believes Brangus can improve the beef industry with the breed’s tremendous adaptability qualities as long as purebred breeders produce bulls the commercial man needs and can use. The biggest challenge Brangus breeders face involves marketing.

“They need to believe in the product they are producing and market their own product,” Saathoff said. “If you believe in what you have and are knowledgeable about your program, you can sell it.”

Saathoff said it was important for the Brangus breed to obtain more accurate data and genetic markers in order to improve consistency within the breed, but also to improve the market and increase the demand for Brangus cattle. With the constant change in marketing trends, Saathoff is still trying to learn new tricks.

“I definitely still have room to learn more about marketing and how those trends have changed,” Saathoff said. “The Internet is one really good tool that I need to learn more about.”

Saathoff said he follows examples by others who were successful marketers like Glen Brinkman and Joe Reznicek, who were both very involved and knowledgeable about their respective programs, but the Internet is a marketing tool breeders can easily take advantage of. It is accessible to everyone from businessmen to cattlemen, and all it takes is getting the information out there to the people who are looking for it, and Saathoff is one who continually looks for opportunities to keep growing.

“If you’ve got the information in front of them, you’ve got a better chance of selling them something,” Saathoff said. “Like live Internet auctions are an area that we can grow in, and it’s beneficial because people can view and buy cattle without travelling.”

Saathoff’s new goal for JLS is simple- to keep improving by increasing consistency. Maybe Saathoff is slowing down, but he is not done yet. He and his wife, Neva, are supporters of the junior association, IJBBA, and Saathoff said he enjoys watching juniors show his cattle as much as he liked showing. He likes the opportunity to give youth the experience they might not otherwise have been able to enjoy. Having two children who grew up involved in the IJBBA, Tanessa Sawyer and Tate, Saathoff knows how beneficial the youth organization is.

After 41 years in the cattle industry, Saathoff knows how to seek out and take advantage of the opportunities before him. He has made a name in this business and created a reputation built on integrity, and his reputation alone is what markets his cattle, selling close to 200 bulls on the ranch each year.

“Honesty is what has made JLS successful,” Saathoff said, “and everyone is treated the same regardless of experience in the breed or business.”

Among a library full of memories made in the show ring, Saathoff recalls another memorable moment in 2004 when the National Western Show was first hosted in Phoenix, Ariz. That year, JLS brought back both big prizes of Grand Champion Heifer and Grand Champion Bull. Another outstanding memory was in 2003 when JLS won Grand Champion Heifer at the Futurity for the third time by the same breeder. This third win allowed Saathoff to be the first person to take home the Brangus Futurity trophy engraved with all the past Futurity winners. This trophy had previously been displayed at the IBBA office and is now proudly displayed at JLS.

Saathoff is a true cattleman and showman!

Thanks Brittni for bringing us this great feature! To meet more Brangus producers check out their webpage, blog and Facebook page.

How are you involved in agriculture? We want to hear your story! Contact us a foafeature@gmail.com for more info about being the next feature!

Midwest Farm Girl - Katlyn Rumbold

Welcome Katlyn Rumbold - farm girl, cattle & poultry producer, young professional and ag advocate. 

I often find myself repeating the phrase “my life could so easily be a country song!” So many of these songs capture exactly what it means to grow up in the country. I grew up on a diversified livestock farm in central Illinois in a tiny town called Wyanet. If it wasn’t for the faith, blood, sweat, tears, laughter, and friends I have encountered along the way I would not be the person I am today, advocating for agriculture. My absolute favorite part of growing up on the farm is the sense of pride you get when sitting down with the family to a dinner of homegrown, fresh produce and meat. There is just something about knowing all food on the table came straight from the backyard or the barn. And of course the wide-open spaces associated with country living are pretty cool too.

Katlyn with a show heifer

We raise poultry and beef cattle. What started out as a hobby quickly turned into a small, profitable business. It all started with an idea to raise enough chicken for my family of five to consume within one year. As we got going, people in the community approached us and wanted to purchase our chicken for their own consumption. Eventually, health food stores began carrying our product, and today we sell wholesale. Known as Famous T’s Chicken, we now raise 900 birds a summer compared to peak production when we raised 2000 birds. The chicks are delivered by mail, and then we teach them how to drink by dipping their beaks in water. After eight weeks, we load them on the trailer and head four hours south to the butchering plant. Waking up way before the sun comes up on butchering day is a downfall, but once they are at the plant, we get to enjoy the day eating, shopping, and napping in the park. I must say, chicken chores are my least favorite task on our farm, but they do make a tasty meal especially when cooked on the grill.

How the chicks arrive in the mail

Dipping the chicks beaks in water teaches them how to drink

A few years later we added beef cattle to the mix. This is where my passion truly lies. It is a lot of work, but very rewarding. Known as Green Acre Cattle Co, my family likes to joke that our summer vacations are all the cattle shows we attend where most people would find themselves vacationing on the beach instead. It truly is. We get so excited to see the hard work pay off in the show ring, and the people you meet in the barn quickly become life long friends. Even though my brother and I are too old to show in the junior shows, we still work with the show heifers and attend every show with our little sister. It has turned into a family affair as we all have our assigned jobs. Between the washing, grooming, training, and feeding, there is enough to do to keep all five of us busy. For me personally, I cannot think of a single activity that brings an entire family together like that of owning and operating a cattle business.

Katlyn's brother fitting a calf on show day

Katlyn's sister at the Illinois state fair

Everything I have learned on the farm has helped me get to where I am at today as a young professional. I was able to utilize my upbringing and spend a summer working as a farm radio broadcaster as well as spending some time in Colorado teaching horseback riding lessons. Currently, my job has taken me off the farm, although I am still connected as I write content for agricultural websites. I have learned that not everything goes according to plan, but sometimes it is when you think everything is falling apart that something awesome happens. It will be exciting to see how what I do today, both on and off the farm, will impact the rest of my life.

Thanks Katlyn for the great feature! You can follow along with Katlyn on her blog, facebook page, twitter account and on pinterest. 

If you or someone you know should be our next "Face of Agriculture", please contact us! We need your story today!

Cody of H&K Farms

Today we welcome back Kathy of H&K Farms. Kathy has shared her story on this blog before, but is returning today to tell the story of her son and his place in agriculture as a tribute to his 18th birthday. 

Hello, this is Kathy Hasekamp of H&K Farms and I posted our story on Faces of Agriculture back in July. But I was thinking that within ‘our’ story are many stories. The story that I wanted to focus on today is our oldest son, Cody’s story. On September 5th, his 18th birthday, by the worlds’ standard he will be a man. But this young man has filled that capacity for some time now. As a little boy, it was his utter delight to ride with Dad or Grandpa in the tractor, combine, truck, or the four wheeler - you get the idea. As he grew up, he couldn’t wait to do the driving. I remember many conversations on that how he was old enough or big enough to mow the grass or take a soda to dad on the four wheeler, or whatever else he was trying to sell me on him doing at the time. 

Summer 1995 - Planting with dad at 8-months-old

Like many rural kids, when Cody turned 8, he joined 4-H, which was 10 years ago this September. He went to his first 4-H meeting which was on his 8th birthday. How appropriate that the first meeting of his last year in 4-H also falls on his birthday. Through 4-H, Cody has learned many great life skills, from working with his cattle, to welding, working on a small engine, and in later years, running the meeting as president and supervising a cabin full of campers as counselor. He’s not 100% sure what he wants to major in, in college; but 4-H has given him so many great building blocks on which to start. 

Summer 1999 - Trying out dad's pedal tractor, age 5

As Cody got older, he began helping his Dad and Grandpa on the farm. Basic beginner jobs, like raking hay, picking up square bales and evening feeding were his jobs. In the last few years, he’s driven and dumped grain trucks, did some of the planting, and helps with silage chopping. We sell seed corn and Cody always helps his dad organize the varieties and plant the test plot, which is a tedious job. Cody’s attention to detail and making sure everything is lined up as it should be are a great help to his dad. 

Summer 2003 - Showing an angus steer, age 9

In the showing of cattle, Cody is growing his herd of registered Angus cows. Out of one of his first show heifers, he raised and sold a bull. He has saved a nice nest egg towards college through the sales of his steers and other 4-H projects over the years. He has also made a wonderful network of friends through showing cattle. Of course he didn’t realize it at the time, but those kids he played and hung out with over the years will be tomorrow’s business contacts. In fact he already works with some of those kids in his hay hauling business.

As is the natural progression of things, when Cody got to high school, he joined our local FFA chapter. Through FFA, he’s broadened his skills through contest teams, meeting more friends and has been able to share his story with many more people. The chapter sells fruit each fall to raise money to attend the National Convention. In meeting and doing business with the 60 or so people he sells to, he’s had the opportunity to share parts of his day to day life with people he would have never known before, and through him, several more people see the future of agriculture in that blue corduroy jacket. Through the chapter, he’s helped at the local food bank, done yard work for the local elderly and enjoyed exhibiting at local and state fairs. 

Fall 2010 - FFA Awards, Grandpa won Chapter Hall of Fame

After he turned 16, he decided that a ‘side job’ would be a great way to have that gas money throughout the school year. During the school year, outside of chores at the farm, it’s hard for him to have a ‘job’ as he plays two sports and is active in 4-H and FFA so there is not much time left to flip burgers or whatever else he might find. So my math minded kid, sat down and figured out that if he bought an older pickup, one that he could pay cash for and just needed the basic insurance and talked Dad into making a deal on a trailer, he could start a hay hauling crew. He has the perfect pool of guys to hire from, as he plays on the football team and has a coach who is more than happy to encourage the ‘town’ guys to go and get in some conditioning in the hay field. Through his business he’s learned to keep good books and be organized with his contacts. It’s been a good life experience dealing with other people, both the farmers hiring the crew and the guys on the crew. He’s had to be flexible; he’s taught other kids how to drive a manual transmission, he’s learned to pay attention to all else going on in the community. He found out the hard way that taking a job the week of the county fair, wrestling camp and 2 a day football is going on is tough - thankfully he found enough older and younger kids to get the job done. And that not everyone is willing to kill themselves in 100 degree heat in their off hours between practices. Some life lessons learned. 

Summer 2012 - Stacking hay, age 17

Like most farm kids, Cody has many responsibilities around the farm. This summer for example, his mornings started earlier than even his dad. He went into weightlifting with the football team at 5am, 5 days a week, most of the summer. When he got back home, he worked with his dad all day, somedays he had practice or 7 on 7 league that evening, so he ‘got’ to quit early. If he wasn’t working with his dad, he was in the barn, preparing our show cattle for the fair season. The kids did most of the work in leading the calves, washing and clipping. Then there was his hay hauling, which with this year’s drought was basically done by the end of June. So some of his days started at 5am and ended well after midnight. He did get a couple of breaks this summer; we didn’t ‘work’ him all summer. He was the head counselor at 4-H camp, something that he’s went to, I believe, about every year since he joined 4-H, having been a counselor the last few years. We also exhibit at the Missouri State Fair, which we did this year as well. He did make a trip back home and catch a football practice while we were there. 

He’s a dedicated young man. I know sometimes I even forget how many irons he’s got in the fire. He keeps it all going, some days I wonder how. Helps his dad on the farm, plays sports, keeps good grades in tough classes (he is taking many dual credit classes) and still manages to get enough downtime in that he stays pretty happy and satisfied and we do too. He may not realize it, but in keeping all this going, he’s learning a strong work ethic that will take him far in this world. His dad and I will be lucky and blessed if it takes him back home to farm, but we would be thrilled to watch him conquer the world, because we are pretty sure being raised a farm kid, he could do it!

Thanks for the fantastic feature Kathy! Seeing the future of agriculture in hard working young people like Cody is an inspiration to everyone. Be sure to check out Kathy's personal blog and Facebook page to learn more about her family. 

If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing your story on this blog - please contact us! We need your stories to keep this blog going - no need to have a blog or facebook page, we would love to share everyone's story!