THORNTON BELIEVES COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Mike Thornton has been a valued customer of Central Kentucky Ag Credit for seven years. Thornton began farming 42 years ago while in high school with his first tobacco crop. He started working with Ag Credit when he decided to purchase his first group of Angus females. Over the years he has grown his operation and now has about 330 head of cattle. Thornton grows and sells feeder cattle and hosts an annual bull sale at the Paris Stockyards. Along with running his farm, he owns Martin Sanitation which he started in 1995 with one truck and has now developed it into a large-scale business.

Thornton has never shied away from researching and improving efficiency in his business or on the farm. Working closely with Southern States Cooperative in Paris, he has been able to ensure that he is producing nutrient dense forages to harvest and feed his cattle. Thornton takes the time to find the most effective rations and determine what crops to grow. He believes that the nutrient value in cows is essential, which is a significant reason he has succeeded in increasing his cattle’s performance. Thornton works his cows twice a year. By following a vaccination protocol, they are weighed and prepped for breeding and then brought in again to preg check. Running the cattle through the chute twice a year has also helped him keep better track of the cows’ performance.

“If a cow has had less than 1.4 pounds of gain in six months, it’s culled. If it gains around 2.3 to 2.4 pounds, the cow will do well with accepting an embryo or breeding back,” Thornton said. Due to his precise nutrient diet and consistent care, Thornton calves 140 head of cattle in 42 days.

While Thornton was focusing on producing the best feed, he also realized running and operating with the equipment he had was becoming more challenging. Seeking a new way to put up feed, such as silage, he decided on a forage harvester, which uses a specailty header in front to cut the crop and then blow into the silage trailer behind. With this equipment and researching the best blend of forages, he has seen increased crop production per acre. Thornton has been able to improve performance in his cattle and be more efficient in production of his feed.

Like all Ag Credit loan officers, Caleb Sadler believes that building relationships between him and the customer is critical. Central Kentucky Ag Credit wants to see the farm succeed.

“I appreciate the open line of communication with Caleb and his genuine want for me to be successful,” said Thornton.

Sadler is frequently talking, visiting the farm and reviewing the reports that Thornton sends him. Thornton is progressive in his record keeping, allowing him to see where his profits and losses are. Every month, Thornton shares a report with Sadler that includes a spreadsheet of all the expenses and profit margins for each group of cattle. The report is beneficial for both men to know what to anticipate moving forward.

Ag Credit has been building relationships with our customers since 1934, and we value getting to know you. Our loan officers come from agricultural backgrounds, and most are still heavily involved with farming or cattle. “We understand what our customers are going through because we are experiencing the same things on our farms. I enjoy coming to work every day and having the opportunity to assist other producers with their operation,” Sadler said.

For more information on our loan options contact your local Ag Credit office or visit us online at: www.AgCreditOnline.com