A conversation with everyday Stockmen,
Featuring Steve Neil, Neil Farms of Northfield, Minn.
About the Stockman.
"My cow herd is best described as a 4-H project that has gotten out of control. My parents gifted me a Hereford heifer and steer for my first 4-H project. My older brothers convinced our parents to take a family vacation to Ft. Worth to see the National Polled Hereford Show when I was in first grade. The following summer my brothers showed at the first ever Polled Hereford Junior National in Nashville, TN. After attending those events I knew I always wanted to raise Hereford cattle.
Today with the help of my wife, Keely, and our grown children, Jackson and Hannah, we run 100 brood cows. Jackson lives in Sioux Falls, S.D., but does make it home frequently and Hannah moved back after being away for a few years. Each member of the family brings their own unique contribution to our operation. When both kids started in 4-H, just as my parents did, we gifted them a heifer and steer, which was the start of their own herd and helped spark a love for Hereford cattle. Over the years, they purchased heifers to show, in return bringing different genetics into our herd which has improved and grown our family’s operation. We are blessed that both Jackson and Hannah express an interest in the operation. Hannah is involved with much of the day-to-day happenings, while Jackson living in South Dakota has taken a strong interest in sire selection and does most of the mating."
What about the beef cattle industry excites you the most?
"It excites me to see the next generation be so excited about the cattle industry. They are willing to put in the time and seek out the resources to help them be successful and excel."
What is your least favorite job on the farm?
"I really do not like getting out of bed in the middle of the night and checking cows during calving. Thanks to barn cameras and everybody but myself having access to the cameras I leave that up to the rest of the family."
What is the most used tool on your farm? How old is it?
"Even though I didn’t think we needed a 4-wheeler 9 years ago, it has become a game changer on the farm. It makes chasing and checking on cows a lot easier, there isn’t a day that it does not get used. Our 2015 Polaris Sportsman 550 is nothing fancy but gets the job done."
Which animal (any species) has left the greatest impact on you?
"Jackson and Hannah purchased a heifer calf from Kevin and Sheila Jensen in 2011. Her first calf was reserve champion at AK-SAR-BEN and her first granddaughter was champion at the Minnesota State Fair in 2016. The kids have done very well with this cow family, they have had the opportunity to sell both bulls and females over the years, which helped get them through college. Unfortunately, “Brenda” left the farm this spring and I can honestly say I did shed some tears on my way home from the sale barn. However, her legacy still lives on, my favorite cow on the farm today is a granddaughter."
Describe your best and worst day.
"I always say the best day of the year is when the cows go to pasture, and we quit feeding hay. The worst day is taking one of those special cows to the sale barn."
What is your go-to sorting apparatus?
"I’ve become a big fan of my sorting sticks."
Your favorite non-farm activity to do in your free time?
"I enjoy going to high school sporting events."
The most important lesson you’ve learned in this business?
"The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be honest and have integrity. Reputations are hard to rebuild."
Upcoming Sale:
Monday, October 7, 2024
Sale on Smart Auctions
*Open House October 5-6, 2024
Photos courtesy Steve Neil
learn more www.facebook.com - Neil Farms Hereford Cattle
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