Robert “Bob” Gottsch Inducted into Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame

By: Brandi Bain and Lisa Taylor, Production Animal Consultation

On July 12th, in Denver, Colorado, the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame recognized Robert (Bob) Gottsch, Sr., founder of Gottsch Cattle Company, as one of their 2016 Hall of Fame inductees. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame, established in 2009, is dedicated to recognizing individuals who have committed their lives and careers to producing affordable and safe quality beef. Bob’s son Brett Gottsch was honored to accept the award on behalf of his late father.

Bob Gottsch learned the value of hard work early on from his father. He was born near Kennard, Nebraska in 1926 and spent his early years on his father’s hog and cattle farm. After losing the farm during the Great Depression, his family moved to Elkhorn, Nebraska. Bob volunteered in the United States military after high school graduation, serving in the military police in Germany during World War II. After his time in Germany, he returned home and started working with his brother. Together they bought a service station business named Gottsch Brothers Transfer and Oil Company and managed a grain shelling business.

At the same time, Bob started feeding a few of his own cattle on the side. In 1956, he leased a lot where he fed cattle for other producers and approximately 2,000 head of his own cattle. A year later, he bought the lot and increased his head to 8,000 over time. He began a lifelong partnership with Ken Morrison in 1975, buying into a 42,000-head feedyard in Juniata, Nebraska.

As the company continued to expand, Bob’s sons and others came on board and they added locations in Deerfield, Kansas, and Red Cloud, Nebraska. They also partnered with Gerald Timmerman to operate the Peter Kiwi’s Foundation’s Pawnee Springs Ranch.

Today Bob’s sons continue the hard-working legacy of their father, who passed in 2002. Gottsch Cattle Company currently operates feedyards in Juniata, North Platte, and Red Cloud, Nebraska with total capacity of 195,500 head. In addition to their feedyards, Gottsch Cattle Company operates ranching, trucking, commodity trading, and other related businesses.