2008 National Stocker Award Winners

View the 2007 National Stocker Award Winners

View the 2006 National Stocker Award Winners

The 2008 National Stocker Award operations chosen are experts in creating their own success, whether implementing new management techniques or managing diverse grasses for summertime grazing.

National Stocker Award Winner and Backgrounding Division Winner:

John Frank and John Paul Pendergrass
Pendergrass Cattle Company
Charleston, Arkansas

The Pendergrasses, father and son, who run the operation together, have a specific plan for each set of calves they purchase. That plan starts with the calves they purchase — all that have good genetic backgrounds and are in healthy condition. They believe good management techniques are key in order to expand as they have integrated their operation. Read the full article on Pendergrass Cattle Company.

“We have good relationships with the people we work with — you have to trust each other,” says John Frank Pendergrass. “We have also learned to be flexible with our cattle placements.”

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Fall/Winter Division Winner:

Steve and Jim Howard
Howard Ranches
Waurika, Oklahoma

First place in the fall/winter program category went to Steve and Jim Howard, Howard Ranches, Okla., fifth-generation cattlemen who run a stocker-feeder operation and have mastered being flexible with high-input costs. The brothers make each decision based on their long-term strategy and what will benefit their children and the future of the ranch. Read the full article on Howard Ranches.

Summer Division Winner:

Shad, Kelly, Linda and Jerry Sullivan
S&M Cattle Company
Ordway, Colorado

The top summer program award was earned by Jerry, Linda, Shad and Kelly Sullivan, S&M Cattle Company, Ordway, Colo., who specialize in lightweight calves and own them all the way to the yearling phase. They have learned to adapt to changes due to weather, market conditions, etc. Read the full article on S&M Cattle Company.