Ronnie Lewis was born and raised in the business
Tommy Hooten
and followed in the footsteps of his father. He buys for himself and a few customers he’s had for over 40 years. When he buys, he looks for different characteristics depending on whom he’s buying for but mainly “an animal with good health and without afflictions. You have a few seconds to see this during the auction and then decide where you need to be.”
Steve Marchant became a cattle buyer out of a
love for animals, which became a way of life. He is an Order Buyer that makes a living out of the sale barns. He fills his orders, groups the animals after they are bought and then ships them out west.
John Stanley began his career at age sixteen following
the footsteps of his father. Even through his college days he sold cattle as a job on the side. He buys for Foy Reynolds and Mike Gaines – two large operations. What he looks for when he’s buying is, “a good honest steer with no blemishes in it, and anything from 150 to 1,000 pounds.” Not mentioned in this article are Bob Herrington and Tommy Hooten who currently buy regularly at the sale barns. Bob Herrington
In memory of the late great buyers: Jack Knight, Norman Mansfield, Willard Durrance, Lunis Hendricks, Richard Stafford, and Hal Bevis. ¢
Heartland LIVING
Above (L-R): Steve Marchant and Will Bellamy (Left) Kelly Baker
December 2014 January 2015
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