Sue Waltrip: Lifetime Learner In Agriculture

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“When I found out about the Pearls of Production Conference, I attended four years in a row. I am glad to help women learn about the conference. It is well worth it, or I wouldn’t have attended so many times!” said Sue Waltrip, a cattlewoman who loves her rural lifestyle on her farm near Hams Prairie in Callaway County. Sue looks forward to attending Pearls of Production 2024 this month. Pearls of Production is an educational program for women involved in livestock production. The Conference’s leadership, classroom and hands-on settings focus on animal production topics presented by female industry leaders and is hosted by University of Missouri Extension. “I appreciate how the conference speakers have been able to make the ‘most boring’ topics engaging. I find myself having fun while I am learning something at the same time,” Sue shared. “The conference is a great way to meet other women involved in agriculture. I enjoy returning year after year to see familiar faces and ask what they have accomplished during the past year.” 

Pearls of Production 2024

The 2024 Pearls of Production event will be held on Tuesday, October 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom featuring breakout sessions and a keynote presentation from Janeal Yancey, Meat Scientist from the University of Arkansas. The conference continues in person on Saturday, November 2nd beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia, Mo. Saturday’s content will feature three hands-on breakout sessions as well as fun-filled, hands-on activities for registered children. Secure your attendance for these learning experiences by registering here.

“I think the best part of the conference is the hands-on portion. One year I learned how to castrate a steer and was able to work with a group of cattle another year. I have learned techniques at Pearls of Production that I have been able to take home to my farm and incorporate into caring for my cattle,” Sue said.

Raising Beef in Mid-Missouri

Sue manages a small herd of Murray Grey beef cattle. “When I started my farm, I began with commercial cattle and then got into the Gelbvieh breed—which were the biggest and meanest animals I ever had!” Sue chuckled. “I discovered the Murray Grey breed because I have always liked Australia and reading about it. The Murray breed originated in Australia. It was developed by a lady breeder who had land near the Murray River. And she had grey calves.” Murray Grey cattle are known for being maternal milkers, good producers, and docile. The breed is well-known in Australia for finishing well on grass. “I wanted a breed of cattle that I could work by myself and not have to hide behind trees to try and catch calves!” Sue laughed. “The Murray Grey has definitely been that breed for me since I started my herd in 1991. Sometimes they weigh just as much as other breeds, but they are not as tall. They are kind of like hippos,” she shared with a smile. Sue has met many friends in agriculture over the years while selling her Murray Grey seedstock. “I think raising them is very rewarding. I love to see baby calves naturally go to their mothers. I enjoy spending my spare time taking care of them,” Sue said. Sue’s experience as a 4-H youth made her want to give back to the organization; she has allowed local 4-H members to borrow her Murray Greys so they could participate in cattle shows.

Growing Up in New England

Sue was born and raised in New Jersey. “In New Jersey, you couldn’t tell when you changed towns, they all ran together. We drove on a four-lane highway for half a mile to get to a grocery store from our suburban home which was located between New York City and Newark,” Sue remembered. “We had a quarter acre lot which was an immense amount of property for that area, even 60 years ago.” 

A Love for Horses

As a young girl, Sue was given an opportunity to care for a horse and she became hooked on horses. Her fellow 4-Hers all chipped in and bought her a pony which they delivered to her suburban New Jersey home in the back of the 4-H leader’s station wagon. “Horses were not allowed in our neighborhood, so we named the pony ‘Puppy’ and Mom and Dad let him live in my old playhouse. He used to chase our mailman,” Sue laughed. When Sue was 14, she came up with a plan to experience a real horse farm. “I sent out 15 letters to horse farms around the area asking for a summer job and I got two responses. Only one came from a real training and showing stable that invited me to come to Massachusetts for an interview,” Sue recalled, continuing her adventurous memory. 

“I panicked when I found out it was a Western stable and I only rode English. But my 4-H friends gave me a crash course in Western riding and my parents took me for the interview. I was met by a trainer who looked just like the Marlboro man. The job was to muck stalls and groom horses in exchange for the room and board of my horse and me. Before the trainer would allow me to unload my belongings, he had me attempt to ride a young stallion that wasn’t trained. By grace I managed not to come out of the saddle and off the horse, so he let me stay. It turned into a five-year summer job. During college I spent summers training horses. I showed horses all over New England and was even chosen to be the Yankee Appaloosa Queen one year.”

Experiencing Rural Missouri

Sue had no intention of attending college, but her parents were college professors, so she researched a solution that would satisfy everyone in the family. Sue made her first trip to Missouri when she chose to attend William Woods University because it was the only institution that offered a four-year Equestrian Science degree. Sue earned that degree as well as a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. Following college, her trip home to New Jersey didn’t last long and Sue put down roots in mid-Missouri more than 40 years ago.

Sue has retired from her career as an accountant. She enjoys her beef herd and dabbles with arts and crafts projects. She likes to care for her houseplants and flower beds while her husband works in their vegetable garden and cans produce. They love their rural lifestyle near Hams Prairie. “It is quiet in the country and when the sun goes down it gets dark. There are different sounds in the country at night and we love the outdoors,” Sue shared.