Community Voices
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Looking Back: Grading Up Beef Cattle at Sni-A-Bar Farms by Marcia Napier Grain Valley Historical Society
Apparently, William Rockhill Nelson was a lover of good livestock who believed that systematic breeding with well-chosen purebred sires would quickly improve common herds of cattle and eliminate economic waste. In 1912, Mr. Nelson completed the purchase of 1,755 acres of land in Sni-ABar Township, Jackson County, MO. The tract comprised two farms, one devoted chiefly to the production of the purebred sires used in the work and the other to the operation of grading up the main herd. The following year 200 “common red cows” –as he called them—were purchased at the Kansas City Stockyards. These animals, shipped there from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska for slaughter, were the foundation female stock for the breeding operation. In order to have cows that would breed, cows were from 4 to 5 years old, fair to good quality, judged from a market standpoint, of good size and showing evidence of Shorthorn breeding and also of being reasonably good milkers. A few had calves at side but most of the cows were with calf and dry. These calves provided a reference point for judging the first cross.
Those calves showing unmistakable evidences of dairy breeding and those showing Hereford or Angus characteristics were discarded because Shorthorn bulls were used in the demonstration and it seemed desirable to work with only one breed. Because one of Mr. Nelson’s goals was to help the average farmer, the equipment and arrangement of the farm was typical of what the average farmer could provide and Nelson decided his stock should have no better feed or care than would be possible on any farm. Mr. Nelson had a definite purpose and plan. He was 71 years old when he acquired Sni-A-Bar Farms, and he completed the selection of the foundation stock only a few months before his death on March 7, 1915. Under the conditions of his will, the breeding operations were to continue for 30 years from the time of his death.
Next week learn about the Nelson Trust, and the Board of Trustees. Pictured at right: USDA Circular No. 14 dated September 1926, entitled Sni--A-Bar “Grading Up Beef Cattle at Sni Farms”.”. Photo credit: Grain Valley Farms Historical Society.
The Grain Valley Historical Society Museum, located at 510 Main Street, 10am— is open Wednesdays from 10am —3pm and by appointment. Society’’s website, www.grainvalleyhistory.com, and follow Visit the Historical Society the Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@grainvalleyhistory).
Community Profile: Paul Juarez Paul Juarez recently moved to Grain Valley from Oak Grove, and while the face not be familiar, you may know Juarez from his Real-Stick drawings he posts on the Valley News Facebook page. A book of his drawings is scheduled to be published this spring and will be sold in stores and online. Juarez has always drawn, and upon the urging of a friend a few years ago, began posting his drawings on social media. His Real-Stick drawings feature two stick figures who Juarez said are caricatures of Juarez and his wife. Juarez lives with his step-daughter and has 2 daughters and one son. His drawings are also a creative outlet to help deal with health issues. Juarez has been on dialysis for over 2 years and is trying to get on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. “It’s an uphill battle, and it seems that if you have money, you’re good. If you don’t, it’s more of a battle,” Juarez said. Medications that come after the transplant total $5,000 month, so Paul is working to save money for posttransplant medications and to meet the
requirements of getting on the transplant list. “I was working and was getting cramps all the time and couldn’t figure it out. It was winter time, and I thought maybe I was getting pneumonia because I was having a hard time catching my breath, so I finally broke down and went to see a doctor. I was at the store with my wife the next day and got a phone call from the doctor’s office telling me to drop everything and get to the hospital. They told me I was in renal failure and kept me in the hospital for 10 days,” Juarez said. “I didn’t believe them at first, because I just thought I was sore from lifting at work and over-tired. I got several opinions from other doctors, and they all agreed,” Juarez said. He is no longer able to work due to his condition, but is focused on improving his health and staying positive. Cooking is a passion and Juarez loves how sharing a meal is a way to connect with family and friends. By being mindful of the foods he eats, Juarez has lost 50 pounds and is very conscientious of ingredients and food
labels. Juarez said his experience. It really makes you appreciate life. “I stay up at night to prepare for dialysis and sometimes I get scared. I try not get depressed like I see other people do, but it is hard. It’s always in the back of your mind, the thought that ‘what if this doesn’t work?’. So, I am focused on trying to eat right and being appreciative. Even the Grain Valley resident Paul Juarez. Photo credit: Valley News staff snow that everyone complains about is beautiful if you choose to look at it that way,” Juarez said. A Go Fund Me account has been set Everyone has a story—we want to hear yours! up to assist Juarez with medical bills, and we will post this information to the To nominate yourself or someone else for our Valley News Facebook page. Community Profile section, email You can also view Juarez’s posts on our page and periodically in Valley news@grainvalleynews.com. News.
