Cattle, construction, and commitment to farming
Dec 08, 2023
Story and photos by Claire Hill
Lawrence County farmer Ronnie Moore's life has revolved around cattle, a legacy that began as he followed in the footsteps of his uncle J.W. Moore, who was both a beef producer and owner of the now-closed Lawrence County Stockyards.
"I've been around cattle my entire life," Ronnie says with a smile. "My brother Ray (who is now employed by Lawrence Farmers Cooperative) and I spent countless hours in the auction barn, playing as young boys, with the sounds of the auctioneer in the background. It was a vibrant and exciting world for a kid."
This early exposure to the stockyards laid the foundation for a deep connection to the cattle business. As he got older, Ronnie's passion for cattle and farming only intensified.
Today, as a seasoned farmer and a proud member of Lawrence Farmers Cooperative, Ronnie has leveraged his childhood experiences and dedication to create a thriving cattle operation consisting of 140 cows and a backgrounding enterprise that encompasses 250 to 400 calves annually.
“The Co-op has been an integral part of the success we’ve had,” he says. “The employees provide product suggestions and offer operational advice, and I know I can trust their recommendations. I believe they truly have my best interests in mind.”
As an example of those types of recommendations, Ronnie mentions Pro-Lix Liquid Supplement, a molasses-based feed rich in protein and energy. Pro-Lix bridges the nutritional gap in forage, particularly in drought seasons, and helps cattle thrive on marginal forages.
“It’s become an important part of our operation,” says Ronnie, pointing into his pasture at the red and white Pro-Lix feeders. “Issac [Belew] said I should consider the supplement for my backgrounding calves, and he got me more information on the benefits.”
Ronnie says that he used Pro-Lix many years ago, but it has been improved recently with advancements in technology and science. He now utilizes two formulations of the liquid supplements on his farm.
“Pro-Lix helps maintain total body condition — that pretty well includes the hair, the color, and everything about the cow,” says Mark Bentley, ProTrition sales specialist. “It even aids in a cow’s milk production after calving.”
Pro-Lix has become an essential part of Ronnie's operation, with various formulations tailored to different needs.
Pro-Lix, when combined with roughage sources like pasture and a quality free choice mineral, ensures that essential nutrients, including protein, phosphorus, trace minerals, and vitamins, are provided for optimal livestock production. It offers precise consumption control to manage intake at the most nutritionally and economically desirable levels.
Pro-Lix's safe and convenient delivery system includes feed-out troughs and direct product delivery to pastures. It enhances cattle's ability to utilize fiber, corrects protein and mineral deficiencies, and includes "bonded urea" for safety and improved rumen microbe stimulation.
This supplement is rain-safe, eliminating concerns about adverse weather conditions. It also offers unique intake control by adjusting the ratio of "sweet" and "sour" blends.
“Not having to worry about rain causing issues was important when I made the investment in these feeders,” says Ronnie.
Contact your local cooperative livestock specialist for more information regarding how much of the product to feed for your operation.
Ronnie emphasizes the importance of treating a cattle operation as a serious business, with the goal of financial success, much like the decisions he made working closely with his in-laws O.A. and Dorothy (Dot) Richardson and family in their family-owned construction business.
Ronnie had a successful career as a contractor building homes and creating countless subdivisions in Lawrence County all while consistently maintaining a healthy cattle herd.
“I went into the construction business with my father-in-law,” says Ronnie. “I learned a lot from him and have worked hard for more than 40 years as a contractor, but the cattle have always been my passion.”
Ronnie says that his wife Patti loves being involved with the cattle business, too, and it was a blessing raising his family in a rural lifestyle.
“When we built this house, we had to have the cows in the pastures around the yard so she could see the calving and calves running around,” says Ronnie. “Calving is always a special time, and we are blessed to be able to see them out our windows.”
Ronnie and Patti have two children and four grandchildren.
“I hope more young people will get interested in farming, and I’m always helping young farmers in my community with advice to get them started and on the right track,” says Ronnie. “It’s hard sometimes when you start out, and I want to encourage as many people as I can to have careers in agriculture.”
He advises fellow farmers to seek guidance from their local Co-op, acknowledging that it's okay not to know everything. He says he is grateful for the expert advice he's received over the years. The Co-op employees help keep him informed about new technologies while keeping his herd healthy and happy.
His experience with Pro-Lix is a testament to his commitment to providing the best care and nutrition for his livestock, ensuring that they are thriving and delivering optimal results.
For more information about Pro-Lix Liquid Supplement, contact your livestock specialists at your local Co-op.
Lawrence County farmer Ronnie Moore's life has revolved around cattle, a legacy that began as he followed in the footsteps of his uncle J.W. Moore, who was both a beef producer and owner of the now-closed Lawrence County Stockyards.
"I've been around cattle my entire life," Ronnie says with a smile. "My brother Ray (who is now employed by Lawrence Farmers Cooperative) and I spent countless hours in the auction barn, playing as young boys, with the sounds of the auctioneer in the background. It was a vibrant and exciting world for a kid."
This early exposure to the stockyards laid the foundation for a deep connection to the cattle business. As he got older, Ronnie's passion for cattle and farming only intensified.
Today, as a seasoned farmer and a proud member of Lawrence Farmers Cooperative, Ronnie has leveraged his childhood experiences and dedication to create a thriving cattle operation consisting of 140 cows and a backgrounding enterprise that encompasses 250 to 400 calves annually.
“The Co-op has been an integral part of the success we’ve had,” he says. “The employees provide product suggestions and offer operational advice, and I know I can trust their recommendations. I believe they truly have my best interests in mind.”
As an example of those types of recommendations, Ronnie mentions Pro-Lix Liquid Supplement, a molasses-based feed rich in protein and energy. Pro-Lix bridges the nutritional gap in forage, particularly in drought seasons, and helps cattle thrive on marginal forages.
“It’s become an important part of our operation,” says Ronnie, pointing into his pasture at the red and white Pro-Lix feeders. “Issac [Belew] said I should consider the supplement for my backgrounding calves, and he got me more information on the benefits.”
Ronnie says that he used Pro-Lix many years ago, but it has been improved recently with advancements in technology and science. He now utilizes two formulations of the liquid supplements on his farm.
“Pro-Lix helps maintain total body condition — that pretty well includes the hair, the color, and everything about the cow,” says Mark Bentley, ProTrition sales specialist. “It even aids in a cow’s milk production after calving.”
Pro-Lix has become an essential part of Ronnie's operation, with various formulations tailored to different needs.
Pro-Lix, when combined with roughage sources like pasture and a quality free choice mineral, ensures that essential nutrients, including protein, phosphorus, trace minerals, and vitamins, are provided for optimal livestock production. It offers precise consumption control to manage intake at the most nutritionally and economically desirable levels.
Pro-Lix's safe and convenient delivery system includes feed-out troughs and direct product delivery to pastures. It enhances cattle's ability to utilize fiber, corrects protein and mineral deficiencies, and includes "bonded urea" for safety and improved rumen microbe stimulation.
This supplement is rain-safe, eliminating concerns about adverse weather conditions. It also offers unique intake control by adjusting the ratio of "sweet" and "sour" blends.
“Not having to worry about rain causing issues was important when I made the investment in these feeders,” says Ronnie.
Contact your local cooperative livestock specialist for more information regarding how much of the product to feed for your operation.
Ronnie emphasizes the importance of treating a cattle operation as a serious business, with the goal of financial success, much like the decisions he made working closely with his in-laws O.A. and Dorothy (Dot) Richardson and family in their family-owned construction business.
Ronnie had a successful career as a contractor building homes and creating countless subdivisions in Lawrence County all while consistently maintaining a healthy cattle herd.
“I went into the construction business with my father-in-law,” says Ronnie. “I learned a lot from him and have worked hard for more than 40 years as a contractor, but the cattle have always been my passion.”
Ronnie says that his wife Patti loves being involved with the cattle business, too, and it was a blessing raising his family in a rural lifestyle.
“When we built this house, we had to have the cows in the pastures around the yard so she could see the calving and calves running around,” says Ronnie. “Calving is always a special time, and we are blessed to be able to see them out our windows.”
Ronnie and Patti have two children and four grandchildren.
“I hope more young people will get interested in farming, and I’m always helping young farmers in my community with advice to get them started and on the right track,” says Ronnie. “It’s hard sometimes when you start out, and I want to encourage as many people as I can to have careers in agriculture.”
He advises fellow farmers to seek guidance from their local Co-op, acknowledging that it's okay not to know everything. He says he is grateful for the expert advice he's received over the years. The Co-op employees help keep him informed about new technologies while keeping his herd healthy and happy.
His experience with Pro-Lix is a testament to his commitment to providing the best care and nutrition for his livestock, ensuring that they are thriving and delivering optimal results.
For more information about Pro-Lix Liquid Supplement, contact your livestock specialists at your local Co-op.