A Business Built On Trust By Debra Davis ive cattlemen, who are fierce competitors and friends, collectively claim over 250 years of experience in buying and selling cattle throughout the Southeast. Each cattle baron lives within minutes of Montgomery but has Fmanaged to individually brand his business based on the belief that trust matters most.
Lowell Custard, David Garrett, Ned Lee, Dean Parkman and Waylon Price are legends among cattlemen throughout Alabama and across the country. Stockyard owners speak their names with reverence, and feedlot owners thousands of miles away call them friends. They have no doubt brokered the sale of millions of cows during their careers as order buyers who purchase cattle on behalf of customers wanting groups of similar animals. Years of late nights, early mornings, sorrows and celebrations carved distinct but similar paths for each. Although their businesses remain separate and successful, time has changed their profession in many ways. These esteemed men shared their philosophy on work, wisdom and weathering the demanding occupation they love.
Lowell
Custard Custard is known for telling tall tales and buying Lwhenowell good cattle. A spry 82, he doesn’t buy as many cows as he started almost 60 years ago.
“When my wife Jackie and I graduated from Colorado State in 1961, I took a job with Swift & Co., and we moved to Kansas City where I started buying cattle,” said the native of Pueblo, Colorado. “Swift transferred me to Montgomery where we stayed for a couple years before they transferred me to Iowa. I had all the cold I could stand, and we moved back here in 1973.” After working for other cattle buyers, Custard started his
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own business. “I didn’t start my own operation by choice; it was really out of necessity,” he said. “In 1973 and 1974, the U.S. cattle business almost went bust. It was hard to make it, but we stuck it out. “There were a lot more cattle sold back then. I can remember there being a sale five — sometimes six — days a week. There are fewer cattle now, but they are better and bigger. We’ve increased the pounds of beef through better management and genetics.” Most cattle 50 years ago were little Herefords before trends turned to Brahmans, Charolais, Angus and SimAngus. There are more breed varieties now, and each offers something different, he added. Many farms have been replaced with subdivisions, especially in areas near Pike Road where the Custards raised their four children. Jay raises cattle with his dad, and Sean is a large-animal veterinarian based in east Montgomery County. Daughter Lea Rae and her family live in Madison, while daughter Jodie and her husband live at Lake Martin. Despite the challenges in an often volatile industry, Custard said he wouldn’t change jobs with anyone. “I’ve had a great career and dealt with some of the best people you’ll ever want to meet,” he said with a smile. “I’ve slowed down a lot, but a good day is getting some orders, buying what a customer wants and getting their cattle shipped out.” alfafarmers.org
