Long-time Delta County producers succeed with changes

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Hoyt Kennemer, 81, has farmed but now spends his time producing beef. He said he prefers the cattle to the crops. -- Staff photo by Kramer

Sept. 30, 2004 - In Delta County, farmland that stretches for miles is only made productive by those who have spent years adapting to the county's 120,000 acres.

Two men, Don Smith and Hoyt Kennemer, are execeptional examples of those who have endured and succeeded in the agricultural industry.

Don Smith, with his wife Shirley, raises cattle in the small community of Vasco. Like several of the small county communities, Vasco is quiet and simple. There is no gas station for miles, no hospital and no grocery store. Tucked away off the curves of Farm Road 895 in the eastern part of the triangular-shaped county, heritage and roots are evident.

The Smiths started their farm around 1960 when they purchased land that Don's parents had owned. Today, the pair has approximately 1,200 acres of land that is used for cattle and hay production. Some of the land they own today had once belonged to Smith's grandfather.

Just up the road, Hoyt Kennemer has a different story. Kennemer recalls farming for most of his 81 years. In 1949, Kennemer purchased 460 acres for him and his wife, Myrtie. Eventually, Kennemer had acquired a total of 610 aces of land. His primary livelihood over the years came from cattle.

"If anyone should ever say that I am a success, it's the cattle that have done it," said Kennemer.

The versatile land composition in Delta County has provided a backbone for several agricultural endeavors over the years. Both Kennemer and the Smith's built a foundation in cattle but had attempted to be successful in other production areas. Kennemer recalls growing cotton, corn, soybeans and alfalfa. The Smiths have produced cotton, soybeans, milo and wheat, but eventually withdrew from crop farming and focused on cattle production.

"I felt like I could take care of [cattle] better than row cropping," said Smith.

Don Smith said he also prefers raising beef cattle to the many years he farmed. Ranching is still a time-consuming job, which also includes hay production. -- Staff photo by Kramer

The Smith's cattle herd is a mix of Beefmaster, Simmental and Hereford. The have a few hundred females and a small inventory of bulls. They allow the animals to breed naturally, making sure that small bulls are kept near heifers. After the calves are born (there are usually a few hundred calves on site), they keep a few heifers for replacement stock, and sell the rest of the calves at area sale barns. The couple bales several hundred acres of hay each year, with minimal assistance from others.

"Seems like I stay busy all the time with hay and cattle," said Smith, who has recently been spending time building a small lake on his property.

Kennemer at one time had approximately 350 female cows, which were predominantly Charolais. He has sold most of his cattle to one of his sons, Ronal, who lives next to him. Ronal has also added some Brangus heifers to his father's original herd.

Kennemer said he feels very good about his son Ronald taking over operations.

"He's right here for me. Ronal has been a big part of my success. I'd just love to see him pretty-well follow in my footsteps," said Kennemer, who added that his wife has also been a source of support of the years.

Smith, 66, also acknowledged that his wife has always been willing to help, but joked that she taught school for over 40 years so that she would not have to be home doing farm work.

Mrs. Smith says that she has enjoyed their lifestyle.

"This is what I wanted, but I'm not a very good farmer," said Mrs. Smith, 65, who admitted that she had once run over a fence with the tractor when she was trying to help her husband.

Smith and Kennemer both believe they have been successful in the cattle business over the past years.

"My desire when I was growing up was to buy a farm and be a rancher," said Kennemer. He added, "I'm not satisfied though, if a person becomes satisfied, he'll cease to accomplish much."

Smith said he had no idea that he would become a cattle rancher, but after accomplishing so much in the industry, he has simple hopes for the future.

"I just want to be able to go and work. If you watch your P's and Q's, maybe you can survive," said Smith.