Riding Shotgun
A Cattleman Retires
As we travel the highways and by-ways of the Limousin family and breed we often cuss and discuss the cattle business , sports , politics , great cheeseburgers and most of the time , the promotion and marketing of Limousin cattle .
Through “ Riding Shotgun ” we invite you to join us in the righthand seat , so that we can let you in on what we find to be our marketing pet peeves , shortcuts and some of the favorite habits of top-flight professional producers . Grab a cup of coffee and take the ‘ shotgun seat ’— we are pleased to have you riding along .
Years ago , in 1976 , I took a job preparing cattle for sale and show
during my Christmas vacation from the University of Missouri . While working my skinny little rear off , I had the great opportunity to add to my salary with a New Years Eve poker game with the
Bullish On
The Business
For more than 34 years , Hayhook has been one of the largest and most reputable sources for black , polled Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle . Our cattle have been bred and developed to meet the demands of registered and commercial cattlemen alike .
Lim-Flex and Limousin Bulls and Females for Sale at all times .
Call today !
Judy Bugher • 405 / 306-1315 • Edna Manning • 405 / 306-1316 9700 Slaughterville Rd . • Lexington , OK 73051 Ranch Office : 405 / 527-7648 • email : hayhooklimousin @ gmail . com
Call or come by our central Oklahoma ranch to see the large selection of bulls and females we have available private treaty . neighbors and of course my employer and host , David Smith . Late into the evening , in a round of Three Card Guts ( I was dealing ), I found myself with a guaranteed winner , two kings with an Ace kicker . The pot was $ 1,250 , the same amount as my paycheck for one month of fighting yearling bulls and frozen ponds . As we rounded the table , two of us thought we had winning hands , it turned out that Dave ( my employer ) had 3 of a kind , an unheard of situation in Three Card Guts . But a bet made is a bet played and I worked that month for nothing . Turned out it was worth every minute .
Sometime this fall , David Smith is going to retire from Grassroots Genetics and the registered cattle business . The dates are a little foggy , but the end result is the same . It ’ s not very often you get to work with your hero , but around 1996 , I found myself in need of a dependable and knowledgeable cattleman , and Dave found himself in need of a job that allowed him to follow an up-and-coming high school defensive end that put his feet under Dave ’ s kitchen table . Now , 25 years later , we find ourselves facing a new future and new business plan . David and Ginger are going to enjoy their grandchildren , the oldest of them also works on the defensive side of the ball . They are going to travel to their favorite countries , cook their favorite gourmet meals , and enjoy the taste of vineyards from here to there .
We all learn and need mentors in our lives . David Smith is mine . We ’ re cousins by birth and brothers by circumstance . We have cussed , discussed and dissected bulls and females from four different breeds and still had time for pro football , chef-style cooking techniques and the properly executed pitching wedge . His and Ginger ’ s influence on my life and business sense is immeasurable and I can ’ t thank them enough for all they have done for me beginning with the year we all went to the New Bloomfield County Fair with five Polled Herefords , eight sheep and David ’ s brand new driver ’ s license .
Thank you , Dave and Ginger for all you have done for De and I and for the Limousin breed . Here ’ s to hoping you never have to talk to UPS customer tracking again and that we will , down the road , tip back a Busch or maybe a Cabernet and talk about bulls with heart , guts and big feet . Real cattlemen are hard to find , I was lucky enough to have one three miles away . See you down the road .
CONTACT THE AUTHOR Mark A . Smith email : grgenetics @ aol . com phone : 515-229-5227
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• OCTOBER 2020