Kamryn Kreis @ Linde's Livestock Photos
decades, Sullivan Farms and the SULL prefix have set the curve in terms of genetic quality and championships. According to John, “You have to have a core of super talented guys. We have John and Josh Elder and Nate Tice that have been here for many, many years. They are great people with tremendous cattle skills.” The current climate of the cattle industry is extremely competitive. So many people can fit one and take care of one at an expert level. John attributes Sullivan Farm’s ability to stay a driving force is their ability to read the cattle from a young age. “What separates the great from the damn good is you have to know where the cattle are going when they are six months old. You have to be able to
project them. You have to see where their structure is going and where the animal is going quality wise. If you can’t see that, you are going to be stuck with everyone else. And that makes you a better cattle breeder too. You have to be able to mate cattle and put their strengths and weaknesses together. That’s really, in my opinion, where you can separate yourself in the Purebred livestock industry – genetic selection and when the animal is born, knowing where it is going.” Smucker’s wasn’t the only named synonymous for having to be good. John, Dede and the entire Sullivan family and crews have dedicated their existence to going all out to make the livestock show industry the best it can be. Not for personal gain, but because they know the importance of raising
your kids in Agriculture. “Working around livestock and in this industry is a steppingstone in life and carries with it so many learned lessons. These young people graduate from showing and fitting and then they go to vet school or work for an association or have a small cow herd.” John said, “It’s a progression. You should never downplay a young person doing it – there is no such thing as ‘just another fitter.” Sullivan Supply and Sullivan Farms are so much more than the National Champions, bright lights, and fancy paints. “Showing livestock is a vehicle to keep your kid involved in Agriculture while they figure out what area of Agriculture they want to get involved in for the rest of their life.” •
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