Wade Rodgers

1. What is your background (growing up, family history, showing, sports, etc.)?

1. I'm just a rural Iowa farm boy who grew up in Liberty Center, Iowa.  I grew up helping with the 200 cow/calf, 1500 head feeder pig and 2000 acres of row crop operation that my father still operates.  I always loved showing cattle growing up even though I was never very successful; but I did have reserve at my county fair with a purebred angus steer that we raised. I always had the desire to win which most likely lead me to the business I'm in.

2. When did you get started in the bull business?

2.In March of 2008 I raised a bull called Walks Alone. He will always be my favorite I knew he was special at birth he had parts and pieces that were very unique.  I still think they make good fat steers and are awesome for cows. From there things just Progressed to what we have been blessed with to date.
3. What are your goals for the future?

3. The last 15 years of my life I've been focused on building my business. The next 15 I'm planning on focusing more on my faith and my wife and children.
4. What is the drive behind Rodger's Cattle Company?

4. Never had much success when I showed but always wanted to. I believe any goals are achievable if you’re willing to work for them. Defeat is inevitable but keeping the Want To after you've been beat is what has kept thriving to do better.
5. Are you looking forward to having your kids grow up and become more involved in the industry and business?

5. Only if that's what they want to do. I'm not by any means going to force them to show.  They will learn early that they will have to do the work, Kaylene and I will be there to support and help them but not do it all for them.  I still believe showing cattle is a great tool for life lessons if done properly. 
6. What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

6. Raising show calves. At the age of 20 I took out a loan and bought my first three cows from Kevin Newman. From there I've built them up to 100 head cow/calf operation. We've been fortunate enough to raise several promotion bulls, champion steers at Denver, Iowa state fair, Indiana State fair, and Kansas City.
7. Who are your biggest role models/people that have influenced who you are and what you have accomplished?

7. My mother and father growing up. My dad instilled a great work ethic in me. My mother showed me love for her children which now having them of my own I realize. Several people have influenced what I've accomplished mainly people I've worked for through the years and learning from the best of their qualities. Brad Hook, Tracy Goretska, Mark Copus, Kevin Newman and Bob May.
8. What makes Rodger's Bulls different than the rest?

8. I'm a huge believer in the cow that the bull is out of to me that's what makes the bull breed good.

I'm not a fan of publicly running someone else's bulls down to make mine look better. We try to focus on improving our sires every year no matter the breed or breeding in them. Semen quality is another thing we focus on having cows ourselves we realize how important it is

9. Anything else you would like to share/include.

9. John 3:16 The most important thing you can ever hear

Special Thank you to my wife Kaylene she is the tie that keeps everything together!!

Also, would like to thank everyone who has helped Rodgers Cattle Company over the years!!  Dustin Smith, JR Spear, Clint Thompson, Nolan Ferguson, Stretch, Colton Otto