meet your neighbors
Managing Cattle and the Land By Terry Ropp
Daniel Potter says his mission with the George family is to help feed the world Daniel Potter was raised on a small horse farm in Bentonville, Ark., with generations of farmers and ranchers on both sides of his family. Though professionally a food safety scientist, Daniel’s father, Dr. Bill Potter, loved training horses and roping calves competitively. His mother, Kathy and his uncle, David Kruckemeyer, were raised around generational Texas hill country ranches.” Daniel attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., for both his undergraduate and masters degrees. While there, he was a member of the ranch horse team and traveled extensively with the successful team. He also served an internship on a 20,000-acre ranch in remote northern Colorado. “I still help them out seasonally when I can,” Daniel said. Daniel’s first position out of grad school
14
was managing a bull AI facility in Stillwa- once or twice a week to learn the hands-on ter, Okla., before being hired by the Uni- part of the cattle industry which includes versity of Arkansas as the ranch horse fencing, cleaning pens, vaccinating cows, team coach and instructor for the hands- pulling calves, gathering cattle horseback on horse and cattle classes. In his first year or whatever else is on the agenda for the at U of A, the team was the D-II reserve day. national champions and then repeated Daniel is a believer in using horses and D-II national championships in 2017 and other low-stress cattle handling tech2018. While Daniel loved his time at U of niques, techniques he enjoys teaching to A, he wanted to ranch fulltime and went the boys. to manage a cattle and horse operation for In my opinion, life doesn’t get any betthe two years. In the fall of 2020, he was ter than handling cattle with good horses offered the position of cattle operations and a good dog. Adaptation to every setup manager for George’s Inc. and situation is essential, and Asher and “Our goal is to raise quality cattle and Garrick get to see it and help firsthand,” take care of the land, all of which is part he said. of our mission to help feed the world with The George operation runs 600 grassquality food,” Daniel explained. and hay-fed cows and young heifers. ProDaniel appreciates being trusted to make duction calves are sold to mostly regional operational decisions and refeedlots or stockers, depending ceives outstanding support upon size, with cattle and hay from the executive leadership. Bentonville, Ark. grounds located on more than Fifth-generation George twins, 20 locations throughout NorthAsher and Garrick, are typical west Arkansas. examples of the family’s work The mixed Angus and Brangus ethic and dedication. The herd is mostly naturally bred. Dan12-year-old boys help Daniel iel says even though Brangus handle Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
Photo by Terry Ropp
Arkansas’s summer climate well because of their heat tolerance and insect resistance, more Angus genetics are being reintroduced to increase docility and carcass characteristics. George’s has two calving seasons with the spring calving herd being larger. Daniel is currently considering moving toward all spring calving because weaning calves before winter decreases annual hay and supplement requirements since cows are not lactating. Another savings is less human labor, and wear on trucks and equipment because fewer trips are needed to the pastures for feeding. Daniel readily admits that calving in two seasons earns two checks per year instead of one and requires less extensive weaning and shipping facilities. The George’s Cattle Department runs on a three-man crew with support from other departments, including the company truck maintenance shop, CDL haulers and maintenance teams. Daniel attributes being able to run the operation with only a three-man crew to his team’s expertise, wisdom and willingAUGUST 9, 2021
