By Kellie Duke A soft southern drawl, a tall white hat, easy to talk to, a man of integrity concerned about the future of his fellow cattlemen, a grin as wide as Lake Okeechobee, and someone who loves the lifestyle of the Florida Cattleman, this is the current President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association…Wade Grigsby. Wade grew up in Plantation, Florida and graduated from Plantation High in 1971. He had a love for the land and working cows from an early age. He admits that when most of his friends were out playing baseball, he was on a horse working cows. When asked who his biggest hero in life was, he immediately replied, “My Dad.” Wade mentioned that his father, Bill Grigsby, was an attorney by trade, but his love of country came first. “He was a real patriot. He taught me that honesty was above and beyond anything else. My dad wouldn’t even speed,” said Wade. It was Wade’s love for the cattle industry that took him to the University of Florida to major in Animal Science. While at the University he took on as many jobs as he could, working in the UF Meats Lab, the Swine Unit, and in the UF Pure Bred Cattle Unit. It was also at the University that he met the love of his life, Carol. Wade and Carol actually met at a University Block and Bridle get together. Upon graduation from the University of Florida in 1976, Wade and Carol married. While Wade is very busy as President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and with his company, “Cattle Quest,” Carol is a science teacher at LaBelle High School. Wade and Carol have three children, Amber, Fawn, and Jeremy. They also have four grandchildren. Their daughter Amber, a teacher, is married to Van Whitehurst of Williston. Daughter Fawn is a pediatrician and is married to Matt Harrison of Arcadia. Jeremy, a University of Florida Animal Science Major, works alongside his dad in the company they started, “Cattle Quest.” Wade is quick to point out that he is very proud of his three “Gator Grads!” Wade got his start as a cattleman as he began to work for A. Duda and Sons at the Indianland Ranch on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation. Wade said, “Jackie Bass and Horace Fulford, from A. Duda and Sons, really inspired and guided me in my early years in the cattle business. I had to do all kinds of jobs at Duda, I had to be tested.” Just two years after he started, he was transferred to manage the newly acquired Goodno Ranch, where he remained for the next 11 years. The opportunity to manage the Alico Ranch, the state’s third largest, began for Wade in 1991. He remained with Alico for the next 16 years. His time with Alico provided him with experience in all sectors of the Beef Industry. As Alico retained ownership of its calves for more than 14 years, it enabled Wade to manage the cow herd, grazing operation, feeding operation, as well as the risk management activities. In 2007, Wade started his own company, “Cattle Quest.” The Cattle Quest Company trades cows for producers, brokers calves, and does consulting work for large and small ranches. Cattle Quest also has partners out west where they graze and feed cattle. While sitting down with Wade, I asked him what he would say to a young person considering going into the cattle business today. “You really have to love the lifestyle of a cattleman, it’s the lifestyle that brings you in. Many million dollar deals are based on one’s integrity in the cattle business. Your word and your handshake still means a lot in
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
MAY 2010
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