Page 16 - MWC 8-25-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 25, 2022 · P16
Work Ethic and Cows with a Wow Factor Shape Sigmon Simmental

by Brenda Black
Mike and Lisa Sigmon Mike grew up on a dairy badge of ded-
came into the Simmental farm, then experimented ication when
breed the same year they en- with beef cattle when his she took over
tered into marriage. Mr. & dad's health began to fail and their hog far-
Mrs. Sigmon founded Sigmon the father-son team stood at rowing to fin-
Simmental in 1994, in Ber- a crossroads. ish program.
ryville, Ark., when they were “From the time I was a kid, “I raised
gifted a Simmental heifer as up until about age 24 or 25, hogs for
a wedding present. Dad had a dairy farm,” Mike seven years
“The summer before our said. “I before I went
wedding,” Mike said, “we didn't mind milking once a to college,”
were up at Lisa's parents in day, but I had no interest in Lisa said.
Indiana. I was out with my being there 'round the clock. “I was the
future father-in-law, look- So when Dad got sick, we de- youngest of
ing over his cattle. I saw cided to get out. At least with six kids, and
this heifer that looked a lit- beef cattle, as long as you're the stated
tle different from all of his not in heavy calving season, rule was that
Angus. So I pointed her out you can get away once in a we had to pay
and asked him about her. He while.” for our own
told me she was a purebred Lisa's experience with school. My
Simmental. I said, 'I'd like to farming included having a parents sur- selves,” he said.
have that Simmental heifer, veterinarian as a father, who prised me when I graduated Lisa's position in the com-
if you'd part with her.'” also ran cattle and hogs. His high school by paying for my pany has her working from
Nothing more was said “getting away” came via cus- college tuition. I never got the corporate office in food
about the black beauty, but tomer farm calls and vet clin- paid while I worked with the safety quality assurance with
Lisa's dad got her A.I. bred, ic duties. The farm work was hogs, but Mom and Dad had national accounts of well-
and the next spring after the left up to the kids. After two been saving my wages all known retailers. Her exper-
wedding, he delivered that older brothers moved away, those years for when I went tise translates to the cattle
bred heifer to the newlyweds. Lisa earned her farmer's to college.” side by putting emphasis on
Work ethic runs deep in crucial traits that perpetuate
the Sigmons, who each jug- quality and safety.
gle full-time careers with “Building our Simmen-
Tyson® Foods, in addition to tal herd had less to do with
running a nearly 100-head knowing what we wanted
seedstock operation. As a and more to do with what my
plant manager for Tyson®, wife didn't want at the time,”
Mike understands the impor- Mike said. “Before we got
tance of a crew that will do married, I bought some Lim-
the work, even when you are ousin, and we had worked the
not supervising. He expects herd together while engaged.
the same from his cow herd Lisa made it clear how she
at home. felt about those cows when
“The cattle really need to she said, 'Get something
be able to take care of them- else!' Let me put it this way:

• Animals instinctively open our aps
• Our aps will not freeze like ball closures do
• We have less water contamination from animal wastes
• Ten Models - For a few animals or for the largest feedyards

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