Buying and selling cattle can be a full-time job

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Devon Perkins, left, a cattle rancher from Irene, Texas, bids on 200 head of cattle at the West Auction, held each Thursday.   -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Sept. 8, 2005 - Devon Perkins of Irene is an enterprising businessman in the cattle industry who spends much of his time attending cattle auctions.

The 49-year-old Perkins, who has worked with cattle his entire life, runs a cow/calf stocker and feeder business, called Perkins Cattle Company. 

"It's a family business that I was born into," Perkins said. "I work with my Dad, my son and my nephew. "

Perkins raises different kinds of cattle, totaling around 10,000 head of cattle. And, to help him care for the cattle and run his business, Perkins has seven people working for him.

"I buy lots of cattle, turn 'em out and send them to the feedyards," Perkins explained.

Perkins attends auctions and utilizes all units of the auctions, selling and buying cattle. In fact, Perkins is a well-known, important buyer at the cattle auctions across Texas.

"Me and my nephew are the ones who buy cattle," Perkins said. "I usually bring in my older cull cows to sell. I also buy cattle for other people. They call me and tell me the weight and what kind they want and I buy it for them."

At a recent auction at the West Auction in West, Perkins sold 80 head of cattle and bought 200 head of cattle.

"Last night Devon Perkins was up here until midnight unloading his cattle. He brought 80 cattle to sell, which is one of the biggest loads a person has sold here," said owner of West Auction, Ted Uptmore. "He didn't even eat dinner until 10:30. Devon is a very busy man."

Perkins explained what a typical day is like for him.

"Today I woke up at 5 a.m. and loaded the cattle in the truck. Then I checked and penned the cattle. I came to the auction at 11:30," Perkins said. "I'll go home and process some of the cattle I bought today, so I will probably finish around 10 p.m."

Perkins attends auctions five days a week.

"On Monday, I go to Hubbard. On Tuesday, I go to Meridian. I stay home on Wednesday. Thursday, I go to West. On Friday I go to Athens and I go to Buffalo on Saturday," Perkins explained. "I normally attend the auctions by myself."

Although Perkins stays busy running his business and buying cattle, he enjoys his job.

"I don' t know if I have a favorite part to my job," he said. "My least favorite part is when the market is bad, it's not as fun. I guess my favorite part would be visiting with the people I meet."