Feature are done on sale cattle so they are able to enter other states. An irrigated field has been a great asset in growing their own feedstuffs and insuring against drought conditions. The lower ground on the ranch is used for raising prairie hay, while the higher ground is more suitable for pasture. They also utilize wet distillers products from a local ethanol plant. Marketing is an important part of the success at Green Valley Cattle. By hiring a sale manager, Garwood has been able to concentrate on the cattle more while the sale manager helps with developing advertising and promotion, including getting pictures and videos for the sales. The past three years they have taken videos of all the sale cattle, which are then available on the ranch website: www.greenvalleycattle.com prior to the sale. Garwood says this has expanded their buyer’s list because it allows people to “see” the cattle who cannot make it to the sale. Then, on sale day, instead of bringing all the cattle through the sale ring, three big screen televisions are set up and the videos are played as each lot sells. The cattle are available to be viewed in the pens around the sale facility, but this system reduces the stress on the animals. Garwood has shown cattle at several shows through the years, but now only exhibits and displays cattle at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. This year his pen of bulls was selected as the People’s Choice winner. When the three Garwood children were younger, they each showed successfully throughout their show careers, highlighted by each exhibiting either the champion or reserve overall feeder heifer at the AkSar-Ben Livestock Show in Omaha, Neb. as well as many other shows. Garwood is always pleased when GVC purchased cattle are successful in the showring for their new owners. He believes true and accurate record keeping is paramount and a part of “the big picture” that adds credibility and integrity to a breeding program but at the same time realizes cattle born at GVC may have a disadvantage in the showring. That is why when they do have success he is even more thankful. Another thing that Garwood is thankful for is
Pictured from left: Grant, Tyson, Sarah, Sandra, Zade, Dennis, Stella, Ellie and Vance.
his family. Dennis and his wife, Sandra, have three children. Son Vance and wife, Ellie live in Wichita, Kan. with their daughter, Stella. Daughter Sarah and her husband, Tyson, live in Central City, Neb. with their son, Zade and are expecting another child in July. The youngest, Grant, is a sophomore at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla. GVC is located on third generation Garwood land. The ranch is located in Green Valley Township, which is where they acquired the name, Green Valley Cattle. “I can say with experience and confidence that where we live is a great place to grow up and then raise a family of our own. I am so thankful for having been born into a hard working, generous family that continues to pass on a rich spiritual heritage,” says Garwood. Sandra helps on the ranch, especially at sale time, by making sure all the help is taken care of properly. Dennis’ sister, Linda, helps with record keeping on the CowSense herd management program. Full-time employees, Corey Pacha and Merlyn Williams are a big part of the every day activities of running the ranch. Garwood continues to deal with challenges that all of today’s cattlemen face, but with hard work and surrounding himself with those who can help him be successful; Green Valley Cattle continues to produce cattle that meet the “big picture” for both themselves and their customers.
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