Today, Wells is building a dominant Shorthorn herd in southern Ohio. She is focused first and foremost on high quality females and on building an operation that is synonymous with integrity. Although she grew up in the cattle industry, it has only been in the past decade that she has focused on the Shorthorn breed. Wells complements the breed's functionality, disposition and maternal traits and is confident that she has the right combination for Eastern Sky Farms.

Her honest, straightforward communication style and quick wit clearly reveal she is all about business. The business of enjoying the cattle industry, that is. A retired nurse and anesthetist, she is a true cattlewoman at heart and not at all intimidated to be a single woman building a solid farm in the competitive purebred industry.

Her secret to success is maintaining a clear focus on the basics and her goals. She is committed to focusing on functional traits and allowing the rest to fall into place. "If you buy cattle that are sound, not extreme and then happen to raise a good show steer or heifer, that is great. Let the show cattle take care of themselves. It is important to breed for good, sound, functional beef cattle," Wells explains.

Structure is of utmost importance in purchasing decisions. "When I look for cattle to buy, whether it is a show heifer or recipient, I start at the feet and work up," explains Wells. "She needs to keep in the field, get to the hay rack or track to pasture. She has to be able to walk to graze and get to water. If she can't walk, she can't graze and can't give milk, have a calf or make a profit."

Structure is also one of the first comments made when discussing a solid red, yearling bull sired by CF Trump X *x with a potential buyer. In a no nonsense way, she lays the facts on the line and confidently explains her commitment to stand behind the cattle she sells.

Not only did her father teach her the economics of the cattle industry, he instilled a sense of integrity that guides her every decision. Case in point, she sold a heifer for $1,500 only to realize as she kept her at the farm that she was not structurally sound. Wells called the buyer and would not sell the female. Instead she culled the heifer at the yards for $475. The thought of being out $1,000 did not cross her mind. That she did the right thing and earned a future customer because of her honesty was what she thought of.

Show Ring Value

Although she enjoys and understands the value of the show ring, she cautions that it is important to remember an animal's show career is short. "It should be about catching the best animal and taking it to the show to have fun. Only one person can win, but she (the show heifer) needs to be sound and something you are going to like when you have to look at her in the pasture," she explains as she reiterates the importance of structural correctness.

Brian Cates, Cates Farms, Modoc, Ind., compliments Wells' focus on functional cattle. "She is trying to maintain high quality cattle and breed for the show and club calf market, but also the purebred Shorthorn breeder. The show industry is important, but so is keeping in mind the practical aspects so the commercial cattleman is interested as well. She is conscious of EPD's and producing cattle that are still good to look at and have eye appeal," explains Cates.

Showing is an essential part of marketing your cattle. "You could have the best cattle in the world, but if no one knows you have them, what do you really have?" Wells questions. She identifies advertising as one of the main benefits of showing followed by a close second of the opportunity to learn from other breeders. Beyond the benefits, she simply admits "I've just never got it (showing cattle) out of my system, and I can't think of a better vacation that is tax deductible. What a great way to meet people and what's better than talking about cows?"

Wells owns part interest in CF King Kong X *x with Cates Farms. Both farms are excited about the CF Trump son's potential to impact the breed and excel in the show ring. "He will be a valuable part of both of our herd bull batteries. He is the Trump son that reminds me most of Trump *x. I think he can make a positive contribution for her (Eastern Sky Farms) and many others," says Cates.

Quality Not Quantity

In her herd of nearly 30 cows, Wells' focus is on quality not quantity. She believes this philosophy is essential for producers of any size, but particularly smaller producers.

"Why have 50 cows that are just another cow, when five could make you more money? Your basic $500 cow takes just as much management. Why not take advantage of quality?" challenges Wells.

She has focused on elite genetics in her herd by using embryo transfer and is currently flushing four cows. This philosophy is paramount in her expansion plans. Wells is not concerned about growing cow numbers, but is concerned about maintaining only the elite genetics and top performers in the herd. She has encouraged customers who have only a few cows to take advantage of the technology that is available with AI and embryo transfer. "As a small commercial producer, you may only sell one calf to someone for show. The rest are sold at the yards and you are at the mercy of the market. If you have show foundation stock, it simply gives you another marketing opportunity. Technology has allowed anyone to play the game," she explains adding that embryo transfer is one way a small producer can focus on the elite genetics of a single female.

"The marketing potential is tremendous. How much inventory do you have to carry? One female could make you more money than 30," Wells explains, adding that you still have to be able to market the cattle and the show ring provides that opportunity. At the same time, she is cautious of the extremes the industry has focused on to meet show ring trends, and realizes embryo transfer simply allows the faster propagation of extremes.

As the industry focuses on embryo transfer, it is still essential to focus on longevity. "Longevity is a word we don't use in the beef cattle industry enough. Longevity will pay off more than doing too much, too quick. Some people flush too hard. It's important to think of the longevity of the cow when she's 14 years

old," Wells explains adding that she thinks it is important to balance time for the cow to have a natural calf, too.

A key part of any embryo program is recipient females. The need to invest in a quality female to be the recipient to the elite embryo should not be overlooked.

Typically, recipient females at Eastern Sky Farms are purebred Shorthorns. Emphasis is placed on structure and functionality, with a high priority on udder quality and milk. Although it may seem cheaper to purchase a recipient female from the stockyards, Wells cautions that those females have been culled from another producer's herd.

Wells believes a mother cow, recipient or natural, needs to earn her keep. "You shouldn't know she's there until you get ready to breed her or ready to calve," she explains. As a small producer, she acknowledges she may have a different philosophy on calving management than larger producers. She even admits to fretting over cows during calving. "In an ideal world, I would like to sleep all night, but I have too much time invested in the cow," she explains as she laughs about lost sleep.

She realizes many large producers insist cows calve unassisted and without requiring calving checks. Because she is working with smaller numbers, she has a smaller margin of error. Losing two calves is nearly 10 percent of her calf crop.

Particularly with first calf heifers, Wells' priority is the cow because she has over two years invested already. "It's important to have a live calf and a healthy heifer as well," she explains adding that all of the calves have nursed within an hour. Wells has not lost sight of the fact that she is an active member in the beef industry. She proudly shares tales of a federal meat inspector who purchases freezer beef and receiving consistent comments from the local butcher on the quality of the cattle she produces. She challenges all producers to focus on delivering a successful beef product. Wells asks producers to consider the negative affects of tunnel vision that focuses only on the show ring and the effect it can have on the industry.

A True Passion

Wells typically feeds out a few steers or heifers each year. She follows the animals to the local packing plant and carefully evaluates each carcass to fully understand the product she is producing. Recently, four heifers were marketed under 13 months of age. The finished weights ranged from 1,230 to 1,245 pounds. The carcasses prove the cattle's uniformity and the average daily gain prove their performance ability. ÒPounds of gain per day and profitability, that's what it all boils down to," she remarks.

Cattle are not the only venture occupying Wells' time and she is not alone in her efforts. Her cousin, Fred Wells, is an active part of the farm and show cattle efforts when not enjoying the winter months in Florida. Although they grew up together and admit to solid cattle industry debates like brother and sister, they are cousins, not siblings. Wells thanks, Fred, for introducing her to the Shorthorn industry when he sold her a heifer that one of his daughters had shown. Several animals in the herd can be traced back to this foundation female. Fred, a long time fan of Shorthorn cattle values their contributions to the beef industry. "They are here to stay and have a lot to offer the beef industry and commercial producers. Shorthorns have made as much improvement as any breed. They are a functional breed and good momma's with a good temperament, "explains Fred.

Complimenting Wells' passion for the cattle industry, is her enjoyment of people. Her most recent venture of purchasing the Bainbridge Feed and Supply in Bainbridge, Ohio, has allowed her to combine both

interests. She's actively involved in the store's management and marketing strategies and enjoys the opportunity to work with other producers and youth that she meets through the store. This same desire inspired her investment in a newly formed business designed to deliver unique gifts to the cattle industry. Soon to be on-line at cattlemengifts.com, this new venture will make sure Shorthorn enthusiasts and other beef producers can find the unique items with their breed of choice.Wells continues to hold tight to the lessons she has learned and wisdom gained from her father. She has earned the reputation from her peers of a talented cattlewoman who is honest and has the sincere interest of the breed at heart. Eastern Sky Farms is proving function cattle can also perform in the show ring. A recent class winner at the Heifer Calf Futurity and a collection of purple banners from other shows tell the story. Her vision for her herd and the breed are clear - continue to focus on functional cattle and allow the rest to fall into place.