Youth News
Meet Your 2018 Central Area Star Farmer, Kade Squires of the Lookeba-Sickles FFA Chapter
Wed, 25 Apr 2018 10:57:04 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. This week, we are spotlighting the five area stars in Agriculture Production, who will compete for the State Star Farmer Award during the Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up May 1-2, 2018 in Oklahoma City.
Today, we are featuring the Central Area Star Farmer, Kade Squires of the Lookeba-Sickles FFA Chapter. Residing about 30 miles north of the Wichita Mountains, Kade has successfully managed three different SAE projects in beef and vegetable production, including a cow-calf operation, a stocker program and growing an annual crop of sweet corn for local sale.
"In the fall of 2014, my father thought it would be a good idea to start a small cow herd," he said, reflecting on how he got his start in the beef business. "I purchased 20 angus heifers and bred them."
Since then, Kade has had two sets of calves off those cows, 35 head in total. In addition, over the past two seasons, Kade has ran almost 100 head of steers and heifer through his stocker program. Currently, he has 60 head of heifers at the feedlot in Scott City, Kan. and plans to market them later this year in September.
When it comes to his vegetable production, Kade says the availability of genetically enhanced sweet corn has allowed him to plant his crop alongside his family's corn in the field. Being genetically enhanced, he says it helps to keep pests at bay and tolerate the environment better as well. Kade irrigates his corn crop with up to 2 to 5 inches of water each week. In cooperation with a business partner, Kade picks the corn himself and delivers directly to customers. Over the past three years, Kade has sold more than 75,000 ears of corn. He says Facebook has been the most useful marketing tool in his toolbox.
Kade credits his ag teacher with equipping him with the knowledge of what qualities a good, productive beef animal should possess and how to properly handle and manage livestock to help them reach their full genetic potential. After graduation, Kade hopes to continue his education in agriculture with plans to join the judging team at Redlands Community College and then transfer to Oklahoma State University to finish his degree in agribusiness.
You can hear his entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
Our salute of the 2018 Area Stars of the Oklahoma FFA is brought to you by American Farmers & Ranchers and AFR Insurance, proud to support Oklahoma's youth. Visit the AFR website by clicking or tapping here to learn more on how AFR supports the young people of Oklahoma, and how AFR can provide you with quality insurance for your home, auto, farm, and life.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
