September, 2003

Farm managers Jeanie and Earnie Cravens consider Rob Rudd, right, and his staff part of their team.

Raising Calves
Kentucky Style
Greenbriar Farms provides quality custom calf care with 100% service from Southern States.

When Rob Rudd serves a Southern States customer, he goes all out. "We try to give customers service they can't get anywhere else--or don't even expect," says Rudd, the assistant manager of the Southern States store in Owensboro, Ky.

That's the kind of service he and the Owensboro store staff provide for Greenbriar Farms, say farm managers Jeanie and Earnie Cravens. "We get everything from Southern States," says Jeanie. That includes virtually all the calf backgrounding operation needs, from feed, minerals and medication to fertilizer and fencing supplies.

"They treat us well, and they have competitive prices," she adds.

Those supplies are used to turn out fast-growing, healthy calves that are sold to buyers for finishing.

Greenbriar Farms is owned by Owensboro businessman Wayne Watts. The farm includes a 130-cow beef herd. Last year the farm began custom raising 450-pound calves.

Greenbriar's reputation for quality calf care draws customers from a wide area. Calves can stay in the program for up to 120 days of custom backgrounding. During their stay, the animals are handled with intensive care by Jeanie and Earnie. Many are sold as certified preconditioned animals, bringing a premium price.

Rob Rudd doesn't let distance limit the service his store provides. Although Greenbriar Farms lies 25 miles from the store, Rudd delivers orders. With that kind of service, Greenbriar Farms expects to remain a loyal Southern States customer.