GRILL CATTLE COMPANY by Doug Ward Doug@ABPmag.com
EDGEMONT, SOUTH DAKOTA
Growing up on a diversified farm in which dairy, hogs, beef and crops were a part of every stead in west central Iowa, Jeff Grill found his passion in raising beef cattle. That desire has led to the herd that he owns today in Edgemont, South Dakota. After years of hard work, Grill Cattle Co. now consists of top-quality Red Angus genetics built for the western range environment. Grill Cattle Co. Mission Statement We will provide the commercial cattle industry with genetics that excel in convenience traits and profitability in all levels of the beef business, while maintaining the highest degree of customer service. Jeff’s path to his success started many years ago when he was just a teenager. At the age of 16 he learned how to artificially inseminate cattle. Through A.I., his goal was to improve upon his herd 10
of Simmental cows. After graduation from high school, he was headed to South Dakota State University at Brookings to pursue a degree in Animal Science. This where his knowledge in beef cattle started to improve. His work study at school was supposed to be about working at the sheep unit. This was kind of a letdown to him when he was assigned to the unit. His goal was to learn about cattle and the industry. One day, he stopped into Dr. Pruitt’s office to visit and that’s where things changed. He was then switched from the sheep unit to what he really wanted, working at the cow/calf unit. There is where his hands on experience was gained in the day-to-day operation. Working at the beef unit was a good fit for him. With the ability to not only work but to learn at the same time. The amount of education gained by working with top notch people and quality cattle cannot be measured. This American Beef Producer
is a far better place to actually learn and make decisions than sitting in just a classroom situation. The cow/calf unit raised both Angus and Simmental cattle, not only for teaching purposes, but also to produce seedstock for the commercial industry. Jeff was not a part of the judging team, but part of his duties was to get classes to the judging team practices. So, while working with these cattle he would judge them and compare how he would place them to the official placing the coach would put on them. While in college, Jeff competed on the SDSU Rodeo Team entering the team roping and tie down events. While travelling to rodeos at other colleges, he met his wife, Diana. She was a native of Clear Lake, South Dakota where her family raised cattle. She represented North Dakota State University on their rodeo team in the breakaway roping and barrels. Consequently, they would compete at the April 2021
