Midwest Livestock Service

The Kooima family. Front: Sophia, Kensley and Isabella. Back row: Kurt, Megan, Ruth and Ken.

THE KOOIMA FAMILY

Sioux County, May 2022

Ken and Ruth Kooima farm and feed cattle just south of Rock Valley with their son, Kurt, and his wife, Megan. Kurt is also a partner in D&K Repair and Megan is the principal at Ireton Christian School. In addition, Kurt is a partner and one of the drivers of the Red Rock tractor pulling team, which has been the Super Farm Class points champion several times on the Outlaw circuit.

In addition to her 40-year nursing career, Ruth was always at Ken’s side working hogs and cattle. One time sorting cattle Ruth got kicked in the chest and was thrown several feet. According to Ken, “I said just the wrong thing: ‘Are you going to get up or are you just going to lay there?’” Ruth replied with some spitfire: “Boy, I got up and I went right to the house. That was the end of that!” “So I had to finish by myself,” Ken said.

CRAIG & NANCY ANDERSON

Plymouth County, April 2022

Craig and Nancy Anderson met while attending SDSU in the 1970s. He planned to go to law school. She had an animal science degree and was South Dakota’s first female county extension agent. There was no plan to feed cattle and farm.

Even when Craig came home to help plant corn, he was determined not to stay. Nonetheless, he did stay and a few years later the couple married. Their honeymoon was canceled when they got 1,000 head of cattle to custom-feed. The morning after their wedding, the couple went out to do chores together. Craig said, “I got Nancy a pair of overshoes and had her walk pens. I thought we’d put that animal science knowledge to good use.” She walked the pens every day until they stopped feeding 2 years ago.

“If we couldn’t pay for it, we didn’t build it or buy it,” he said. “We went without a lot that would have made our lives easier until we could pay for them.” Both are active in local civic activities. Craig is a 17-year country supervisor and Nancy is a 20-year SWCD commissioner.

Craig and Nancy Anderson

Providing Feed and Vet Supplies for over 30 years. We also provide consulting services for feedlot cattle and cow calf pairs.

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