MAKING THE SWITCH

OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCKYARDS

Making The

The entrance to the Oklahoma National Stockyards is home to a plaque that reads: "You are approaching the gate of the Oklahoma National Stockyards, the world's largest stocker-feeder cattle market. Having always served as the anchor tenant in Stockyards City, the inception of business inside the gate resulted in the rapid growth of a district required to accommodate customers of the stockyards. Provision of goods and services to meet the needs of the working cowboy and cowgirl became the focus of Oklahoma County's only western heritage specialty district. Always a driving force in the cattle industry, the yards are a reminder of the impact of the cowboy culture on our state's history." Stockyards City which functions as self sufficient city complete with zip code, was founded on October 3rd, 1910, only three years after Oklahoma became a state. It was built to serve the nation as a primary source for meat processing and packing. By 1915, Morris, Wilson and Armour established huge packing facilities to slaughter cattle, hogs and sheep that were transported there, first by cattle drive, and later by railroad and truck. The area’s nickname for a time was “Packingtown.” By 1961 the Stockyards were faced with complete overhaul and updating of equipment, the packing plants decided to close. Today, the Oklahoma National Stockyards still retain profitable cattle trading and related businesses, a lot of which can be contributed in part by the Stockyards President, Rob Fisher. Fisher has been working with GP's outside salesman, Ernie Sikes since before Sikes even started with Great Plains Kubota. The business relationship Fisher has with Sikes, is much like the ones he has with his tenants, customers, and vendors. It is one based on honesty, integrity, and lots of hard work. Because of this relationship, Fisher has made the switch to Kubota! Just like any other city, the Stockyards require equipment to maintain the grounds, facilities, and roadways, and Fisher dedicates both employees and equipment to these types of tasks. At any given day, a visitor to Stockyard City could see one of four Kubota

Above: Oklahoma National Stockyards President poses at the entrance of Stockyard City with his fleet of Kubota equipment, and crew. Photo Submitted By: Ernie Sikes

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Switch...

machines at work within the city limits. Fisher has gradually switched from other equipment manufactures to Kubota. He's going orange and will eventually be operating with 100% Kubota machines. Currently the Stockyards utilize these machines: a Kubota SSV65 skid “We made the switch to Kubota because steer, a Kubota RTV500 we had a great relationship with Ernie utility vehicle, and a Kubota L-Series and Kubota B-Series tracSikes, and now that we are with Great Plains Kubota we appreciate how helpful tor, all of which get used they are with all of our needs.”

Rob Fisher - President, Oklahoma National Stockyards

frequently but probably none more than the versatile SSV-65. They use the Kubota skid steer to routinely clean the stalls and pens. It's compact size and durability make it ideal for this task, but it's used for many different things around the Stockyards. When asked what was the initial factor in making the decision to switch to Kubota Fisher commented that, "We made the switch to Kubota because we had a great relationship with Ernie Sikes, and now that we are with Great Plains Kubota we appreciate how helpful they are with all of our needs." Since forming, Stockyards City has been the place for cattlemen, horsemen, farmers, ranchers and real cowboys to come for apparel, equipment, supplies, a good meal, and the opportunity to catch up with fellow cattlemen. For over 80 years, Stockyards City has continually offered the kind of quality products and services which are synonymous with the heritage of the West. It's home to the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world. Since beginning over 100 year,s ago over 102,000,000 head of livestock have passed through the iron gates leading to the Stockyard's operation. Learn more about the Oklahoma National Stockyards, and their cattle auctions held every Monday and Tuesday by visiting their website, www. onsy.com or give them a call at (405) 235-8675.

GPL summer 2018

Above: This old photograph displays a typical day of business and an older structure of the Stockyards. Photo Submitted By: Rebekah Ward

Pictured: Vast amounts of cattle are stocked and ready to sale in this dated photo of the Stockyards. Photo Submitted By: Rebekah Ward