Reighards getting their start in beef industry

PACKWOOD – Cole and Samantha Reighard represent the next generation of cattle farmers.

The married couple are just a few years removed from their college graduation at Iowa State University, where they met while Cole was studying Agricultural Systems Technology and Samantha was studying Animal Science. Today, the couple reside in Packwood where they maintain a cow-calf operation consisting of 40 cows.

Cole is a native of southeast Iowa, hailing from Richland and attending Pekin High School. He showed animals in 4-H and FFA at the Greater Jefferson County Fair.

Upon his return to the area after graduating from college in 2019, he became involved in promoting the beef industry. He joined the Jefferson County Cattlemen as a board member, and took a Young Cattlemen’s Class through the Iowa Cattlemens. That gave him an opportunity to meet with beef producers around the state.

Samantha grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin, where her family milked 100 cows and also raised beef crosses. Today, she works for Standard Nutrition as a dairy and beef nutritionist, and helps Cole with his animals. The couple wed last August.

Cole farms with another man east of Richland, and the two do a crop share. His grandparents Wilma and Melvin Johnston raised feeders. Grandpa Melvin passed away in 2020, but Grandma Wilma still lives south of Packwood, where Cole and Samantha have continued the cattle operation.

“The last few years, we fed a lot of feeder steers, but with the price of corn and other inputs, we thought a cow-calf operation was safer,” Cole said.

A “feeder” refers to a steer or heifer about 400-500 pounds that has been weaned from its mother. Samantha said they sell their feeders when they’re 800-900 pounds to a feedlot where they are fed until slaughter.

Right after college, Samantha got a job working in the swine industry, but soon returned to dairy.

“It was fine, but I like cattle better,” Samantha said. “Just because I grew up with it, and that’s what I’m comfortable with.”

Cole and Samantha said the beef industry is doing well and that the price of beef is good for producers, but inputs are high, too.

“There’s a drought in the Dakotas, and a lot of people are buying cattle there and bringing them back this way,” Cole said. “I think the industry is trending up compared to the last five or 10 years, but we’re also feeding $7-$8 corn. It costs more to produce an acre of hay as well. Everything’s gone up.”

When asked what he enjoys most about his work in the beef industry, Cole said it was being part of what his ag teacher called the “four Fs.” Farmers, the teacher said, are responsible for food, fiber, fuel and feed.

“I grew up doing bucket-bottle calves and showing at the county fair. I like being around livestock,” Cole said.

Cole said he often works alone, but Samantha helps when they process calves because it’s too much for one person. Samantha said her favorite part of the job is having something to care for.

“I like to work alongside my husband in something that we are both passionate about,” she said. “It’s something that we can grow together on.”

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com