Updates Q&A from Tonights Chat w/John Sullivan
joemo: How did you get in the show supply business?
jsull: Joemo...started in 1989 in a 20 x 20 garage. I always wanted to be involved in the show cattle or purebred industry somehow. I didnt have the resources for land or cattle. so i was considering to get in the ET business as I was good friends w/ vet from Osceola Ia or the show supply bus. After being a herdsman for 2 different purebred operations it had become a goal to work for myself in the cattle industry. its something I very much enjoy and love. I have a lot of funny stories about starting up the business on such a shoestring budget. our first office was not heated and used refridgerator boxes to keep heat in. I borrowed brothers trucks to get to shows, etc.
RSC: New Products for Sullivans Supply? We just started using your new Shedding Brush and love it. If you can share, What new products for us cattle people will you be coming out with in the future?
jsull: RSC... We really enjoy working with new products. It's something one of my best friends from HS, Scott Kinzer, my brother DAn, our partner in TX store and myself are in charge of. Right now we are close to being done w/ a show day hair popper that we are very proud of...working on a new style of show box, a new cattle comb and a new blower system to be used at home in your barn, extra powerful. It's a never ending process to come up w/ new products. If anyone ever has a new idea for us we're always happy to listen, give me a call
John R: Mr. Sullivan, who would you consider to have been a great mentor and role model of yours throughout your experience in the cattle industry? -John Reasor
jsull: John R. Good Question. I have several people I looked up to when I was young and showing. My brothers help me get started in showing. My dad and mom were good role models but were more farming oriented and not much into cattle. If I had to name a couple, Tom Berglund was a tremendous fitter in the 80s and he helped me a lot. As I got older one that comes to mind was Gene Lively from TX who I learned good life lessons from. He managed a purebred operation that I managed the showbarn for. I had 6 older bros and one younger sister so my brothers gave me a lot of input.
forbes family farms: would breedomg a heat seeker cow to jacks proud jazz be a good match ? Could someone PM what John says i have to go
jsull: Forbes...I think that could work for the steer mkt. Could get a good colored, thick roan. ive had really good luck w/ Heatseeker cows. many of the black champions we have raised are from Heat Seeker dams.
STX108: How about supplements? Have you ever used Glu-coat, and if so, what was your opinion?
jsull: STX. Yes. I have successfully used GluCoat. Its an excellent product that I highly recommend. It's one of my favorite supplements to increase fat cover.
beattieclubcalves: john i bought 12 bred heifers from the sale barn in dunlap that they said were sold by you didnt know if there was a reason they didnt make it out in the show calf makin mama business
jsull: beatieclubcalves...I'm not familiar w/ the 12 you are referring to. Call me at 712 263 0263 to refresh my memory on which ones they are. Id be happy to answer your questions.
cowgirl864: what do you think of using Sull Sinister on purebred simmi's
jsull: cowgirl...the shorthorn simmental cross is an excellent combo phenotypically and production wise. However, pay close attention to your colors. It's easy to get a blochy color pattern. Sinister does a very good job of making them sound with good eye appeal. Good bone, average thickness, good completeness all the way around. An added bonus, his dam the Jane Mary cow is a phenomenal beast.
austinmitchell: I saw on sullivansupply.com that you have a new scholarship program, how did you come up with this great idea?
jsull: austinmitchell...2 reasons, we wanted to do something as a company to give back to the youth. We had been doing several donations and it was cumbersome trying to handle them all and be fair about it. so we decided to start this new scholarship program. we've been in business 20 yrs. so in celebration of that we decided to offer 20 this yr. In the future we are hoping to give 10 each year. the 2nd reason is because I graduated from HS in 1984 and the family farming was a tough business and the funds were not available to go to college at the time. so i realize the importance of kids needing help to go to college.
cotullaguy: actually iowa state fair I think on the charolais..
cotullaguy: John, did you have the carnac charolais heifer that was champion at the iowa beef expo? what are you doing with her?
jsull: cotullaguy...on the Carnac Charolais, she is in our club calf cow herd. my nephew, James owns half of her. I imagine after she has a couple calves, if she shows us that she can raise some quality, we will be flushing her for crossbred steer calves.
shortdawg: Hey John, Thanks for doing this ! My question is what is the best cow you have ever owned ? Chad
jsull: shortdawg....Tough question...I'm a big believer in genetics. The best Limousin cow was the Cookie cow. The best black club calf cow I ever owned is th 6651 cow, the dam of many state fair champion steers and grand-dam of many major show champion heifers including the supreme at Louisville this past year. After keeping several daughters out of her, I sold her to my brother, Dan when I expanded my Shorthorn operation. AS far as Shorthorn cows go, that is a stumper. There are so many good cows in that breed that I cant even name one.
