Page 18 - MWC 10-21-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · October 21, 2021 · P18
Kansas Shorthorn Farm Markets Beef

Lee Bigham was dressed The sons split the property 15 bulls each year. After said Lee. “Their docility and
in old jeans and a cowboy hat into two farms to manage Leonard passed away, Lee meat quality are some of the
as he saddled his daughter’s the Shorthorn herd. Erwin was left to manage the herd. factors that make Shorthorn
old pony to bring in his herd bought registered Shorthorn He was only 24 years old and cattle and beef the best. And
of Shorthorn cattle. As the bulls but didn’t register many had to learn how to write a these qualities go hand in
cows moseyed into the pas- animals. Leonard, Lee’s dad, pedigree. hand in my opinion.”
ture trailed by their calves, was aggressive in keeping With his strong family The Elbee Farms herd
he wiped the sweat from his up with registrations and re- background, Lee Bigham has eats mostly forages through-
face on the warm, Kansas cords of the herd. been part of the Shorthorn out the year with some sup-
summer day. When Leonard was run- breed since before he was plements. Lee doesn’t calve
The farmstead was orig- ning his half of the farm, born. The farm continues in confinement. He watches
inally founded in 1915 by they had an annual produc- to go strong with the third some heifers a little close,
Walter Bigham and left to his tion sale for more than 20 and fourth generations of but they have eliminated any
two sons, Erwin and Leonard. years and would sell about Bigham’s now living on the calving issues for the most
same land. part. The only time they lose
When he was many calves is to predators,
growing up, Lee mainly coyotes.
showed Short- “We don’t grow our own
horn cattle, corn, but we feed straight
mainly market corn with some molasses to
steers in 4-H our cattle we are feeding for
and FFA and beef,” Lee said. “We grind the
really enjoyed older cows into hamburger.
it. His oldest Even the older Shorthorn
daughter, Kayla, cows taste better than any-
has also showed thing you would find at a
some steers. mainstream grocery store.
“I have en- Just feed them corn and it is
joyed raising great.”
Shorthorn cattle In the past, Lee would fat-
my entire life,” ten up cattle for customers

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