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By Laura L. Valenti
The Stevens family has been in the cattle business for decades, with hopes to continue in the future
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
Th Ba That
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Two and a Half Generations When he married his wife, Paige, We are in the forage business with the in 1989, Jay Stevens began his cattle and purchase our hay or hire it baled farming operation and has never off our own land. We literally market the hay through our cattle. We have never run looked back. Today, he and his son Haden run Stevens out of grass so in that way, tomorrow looks Cattle Company, a cow/calf operation pretty bright.” After 30 years, Jay is happy to be sharing with an average of 750 commercial cows on their own 800 acres in combination his love of farming as well as his business with another 1,200 acres they rent. They interests with his son Haden and perhaps also buy sale barn calves, group them to one day, with his 3-year-old grandson, Gramake loads and run a feeder calf market- ham. Haden and his wife Mariah also have ing operation alongside the cow-calf func- another child in the “production phase.” “Like Graham, Haden has been intion. They sell approximately 500 yearling volved in the cattle business one way or steers each year at the sale barn. “On our land, we raise cows and kids,” Jay another, since he was the size of a grasscommented at their barn in Polk County. hopper,” Jay chuckled. “I grew up in all of this, even if it was just “For us, it is a way of life not about fortune and fame. Both of those can be in short sup- watching from the pickup truck window ply at times in this business. I grew up here when I was really little,” Haden said. “After in Polk County. We only had 5 acres but high school, I went to Southwest Baptist my parents, Jack and especially my mother, University for a year but then, I realized Cora Stevens made certain we had all kinds I’d be coming back here to do cattle and I of two and four legged critters on the place didn’t need to spend the time or the money – bottle calves, hogs, chickens, horses and a at college to do that.” The goal of Stevens Cattle Company pony. I remember I got my first loan for five Holstein steers at age 12. I think we got 50 is to produce a large quantity of highcents a pound for them when we sold them quality cattle. “We buy our bulls at the Ozark Fall at the sale barn that year. I still have the sales receipt framed in my office,” he added Farm Fest, black Balancers,” Jay said. with a smile. “I really give the credit to my “We are looking to get as many crosses as parents and grandparents for my love of the we can for hybrid vigor while keeping it all local. We know what we have in our farm life and raising animals.” Jay Stevens always knew he wanted to cow herd already so now we are working farm but went on to get a college degree, on improving genetics on the bull side for which included some business courses. the best pasture-to-plate operation.” “We have looked into AI and the like Those have come in handy in recent years, as the Stevens family has also es- over the years but the truth is, that is our tablished a professional lawn care and busiest time of year with the mowing business so it’s not something we’ve really landscaping business, Sergotten into,” Haden said. vice Right Lawn Care. Both men agreed that to get started “We are definitely in the in the cattle business today ingrass farming business,” Jay said volves a great deal of networking. with a laugh. “The commercial “Visit with and get to know cattle business is all about growas many people as you can in ing enough grass to meet the Bolivar, Mo. this business,” Jay said. “That need and in the meantime, we includes cattle buyers, other are mowing grass for other folks.
Start the New Year with a Chisholm Tra
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Photo by Laura L. Valenti
LET US BE YOUR PEOPLE!
Haden Stevens, holding his son Graham, and his father Jay Stevens say they are working on the next generation of cattle producers at Stevens Cattle Company.
farmers, especially older farmers, and sale barn people as you build your brand. “The challenges in this business can be overwhelming and include the weather, the market swings and the rising cost of land. Still, we are living proof that it is possible but it is hard work. It truly gets in your blood and you can’t leave it alone. “The greatest rewards are watching something grow from the beginning, from the seeds, like the grass and keeping the family working together. That includes the people we do business with.” For the Stevens family, faith and family are the first priority. “In our outfit, church comes first, family a close second and all of this business, a distant third,” Jay said. “The secret to it all is to get around people who are smarter than you are and then just re-do it all, copying what they do. Truth is we are thriving here on what we love to do.”
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