4 minute read
After more than 40 years, the Riley’s still enjoy the business
from OFN August 31, 2020
by Eric Tietze
Submitted photo
Start the New Year with a Chisholm Trail Haybed! meet yourneighbors Start the New Year with a Chisholm Trail Haybed! That Dumps!
Advertisement
Dale and Brenda Riley market bulls to commercial cattlemen, as well as heifers for show prospects to young exhibitors.
The Only Be Prepared for Winter Early! The Only Bale Bed Bale Bed That Dumps! That Dumps!
Enjoying the Business
By Laura L. Valenti Dale and Brenda Riley have been raising cattle for more than 40 years in Phelps County,Mo. Dale and Brenda Riley have Next year, Dale and Brenda’s 80-acre which they have found to be another profbeen in the cattle business outfarm will become a century farm and they itable market. side Rolla, Mo., in Phelps County are pleased to be able to pass along their In addition to the cattle, Dale has worked for more than 40 years and are love of agriculture to the next generation. for the St. James Wal-Mart distribution still enjoying what they do. Since 1987, they have been at the Missoucenter for the past 18 years and Brenda has
“I was born about a mile and a half up the ri State Fair, either as participants, showing served the Phelps County Sheriff’s Departroad,” Dale shared recently while reflecttheir own cattle or supporting their children ment in the billing division for several years. ing over his years in agriculture. and grandchildren as they do the same. Dale prefers quiet movement around cattle.
The Rileys started out with commercial “Trey is really into the cattle,” Dale con“I used to work cattle on horseback, using cows and then moved into raising Gelbviehs. tinued, the pride coming through in his Border Collies,” he continued with a wistful “For many years, we did the registered Gelbvoice. “With him, the cows come before tone to his voice. “And I still enjoy using viehs, which is originally a German breed. anything else. Caleb does his own thing, the Border Collies on occasion. I lost my faWe called them a triple threat because they raising Dorper sheep and crossbred sheep. ther Lloyd Riley back in February this year, were well-known in Europe as draft animals Brenda and I go to watch these days and so I am caring for his commercial Angus as well as for their milk and beef production.” still really enjoy the showing.” cattle as well as my own cows right now.”
In the US, Gelbviehs have become a maThe Rileys AI all of their cows at least Still, compared to most, Dale Riley conjor part of the American beef market. once, a herd that today includes 20 head of siders himself a fortunate man.
“They are a really docile breed and that Gelbvieh, as well as some Red Angus/Bal“I’ve moved twice in my life, from right up makes them ideal for 4-H and FFA projects. ancer bulls. “We decided to add something the road, and just a few miles away where I We were involved with showing with our new a couple of years ago,” he continued. grew up,” he said. “Right now, while others kids, Dale Jr., and Karen, when they were “I thought the Red Angus would fit well are struggling with the restrictions involved growing up and now we do the with the Gelbviehs.” with this CORONA virus, I can still get outsame with our grandsons, Trey Dale and Brenda direct market their side and move around with the cattle. It really (who is actually Dale Riley III, cattle and beef to their customers. helps to ease the tension with all that’s been which is where the nickname They sell bulls to commercial going on in our world. And of course, the best Trey comes from) and Caleb. Granddaughter Savannah is into Rolla, Mo. breeders and market heifers to FFA and 4-H youth. They part is watching my grandsons, the next generation, continue our family’s tradition of raishigh school marching band activhave also attended Springing livestock and showing them.” ities rather than agriculture,” he field’s Farm Fest each year in Dale Riley knows that’s no small thing in added with a chuckle. October for the past 20 years, today’s confused and complicated world.
Cattle Sale Every Saturday! 12 Noon, Selling All Classes of Cattle
Special
Stock Cow and Bull Sale 3rd Tuesday of Each
Month, 6:30 p.m.
Next Sale Dates
September 15th
Watch All Auctions Online at www.cattleusa.com
Sheep & Goat Sale 4th Tuesday of Each Month 6:00 p.m. Next Sale Dates September 22nd
Call Lyle or Leon or one of our fi eldmen to fi nd out what we can do for you: Bobby Cole 573/674-3131 John Sanwald 417/718-3317 • Danny Cross 417/576-5461 Lyle Caselman, Owner/Mgr. 417-345-7876, mobile: 417-533-2944 Leon Caselman, Owner/Sheep Sale Mgr. 417-345-4514, mobile: 417-588-6185 Howard Miller, Owner - 417-818-3914 Buffalo Livestock Market