Paul F. Engler and William D. Farr named as first two inductees
into newly formed organization

In recognition of their vision, inspiration and leadership that has helped shape today’s cattle feeding industry, Paul F. Engler and the late William D. “W.D.” Farr were honored as the inaugural inductees into the newly established Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.

While both inductees have a list of accomplishments that span the decades, Engler, 79, is most recognized as founder and chairman of Cactus Feeders, the largest, privately owned fed-cattle producer in the United States.

Farr, who passed away in 2007 at age 97, was considered among many as the pioneer of Colorado agriculture through his innovative work in cattle-feeding business management and environmental stewardship.

“Engler and Farr exemplify why the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame was established: to celebrate the rich traditions of the cattle-feeding industry and recognize those who have devoted their careers to preserving its mission and improving production practices,” says Betty Jo Gigot, nominating committee chairman. “It’s a privilege to give the very first Hall of Fame awards to two gentlemen whose leadership and vision have fueled inspiration and innovation that are still being carried out today.”

Engler and Farr were chosen by fellow cattle feeders for the honor. They were among a group of 12 distinguished individuals nominated by members of the cattle-feeding industry.

Paul F. Engler
Born in 1929 in Stuart, Neb., Paul Engler took an early jump out of the starting gate and has never looked back. He bought and managed his first 100 cattle by the time he was 14. By age 15, he had started college and, seven semesters later, graduated with a degree in agriculture.

It was in 1960 that Engler demonstrated the economic viability of large-scale cattle-feeding operations by becoming the founder, owner and operator of Hereford Feedyard, the first large-scale commercial feedyard in Hereford, Texas.

In 1972, Engler joined the Iowa Beef Producers (IBP) as the head of the carcass division. During his tenure, he initiated the establishment and design of the IBP Beef Slaughter Plant at Amarillo, Texas, which at that time, was the largest beef harvesting plant in the United States.

One of Engler’s most notable accomplishments began in 1975 when he founded Cactus Feeders. The company now employs more than 500 people in 11 locations across Texas and Kansas. He is credited as the creator of formula pricing, a method that provides incentives to feeders to consistently produce beef that meets consumer health and quality standards. Formula pricing also is credited with indirectly increasing consumer sales of beef.

“Throughout his career in the livestock business, Paul Engler has been dedicated to being a low cost producer while maintaining the highest level of quality,” says Robert Peterson, former chairman and CEO of IBP. “Nothing more actively demonstrates this than the many innovations and efficiencies that he and Cactus Feeders have helped bring to the cattle-feeding industry. I am proud to know Paul and do business with his organization.”

During his time at Cactus Feeders, Engler established the first Employee Stock Ownership Plan in the fed-cattle industry. He also expanded fed-cattle operations internationally. Since its beginning, the company has been an early adaptor of innovations and new developments ranging from operation efficiencies to safety programs to research and environmental stewardship. Cactus Feeders is among the 50 largest companies in Texas and is on the Forbes list for top 500 private companies in the United States.

“I never seem to run out of goals and objectives because there’s still a lot that needs to be done in the cattle industry,” Engler says. “I’m honored by this award and am grateful that I found my passion early in life and was able to make a difference in an industry that I truly treasure.”

William D. “W.D.” Farr
Born in 1910, Farr spent his childhood days in Greeley, Colo. Following high school, he left Greeley and his father’s sheep operation in 1928 to attend the University of Wisconsin. Family illness and the Great Depression forced him to return to the farm sooner than expected. Shortly after, Farr became vocal about adding finishing cattle to the family operation. The idea took shape and Farr Farms entered the cattle business.

In addition to farming, Farr had an interest and a knack for business and banking, which led him to form an informal group called the Greeley T-Bone Club during the 1930s. The group met regularly to share ideas for optimizing cattle-feeding efficiencies and profitability. One of the first developments was the installation of fenceline feedbunks. The Colorado Cattle Feeders Association was born from within this group.

“Before the feedbunks, workers would have to haul feed wagons into each pen manually,” says Dick Farr, W.D.’s son. “The ability to feed from outside the pens greatly improved efficiency and reduced feed waste.”

During the mid-to-late 1940s, Farr collaborated with fellow cattle feeder Warren Monfort. Both mechanically inclined and interested in automation, the two modified trucks to deliver feed, which reduced the need to shovel rations into the bunks. They also developed ways to use tractor PTO drives to operate feed wagons with augers and adapt tractor-mounted loaders to fill the wagons.

Fueling his interest in accounting, Farr recognized early on the value of bookkeeping and records. In the 1960s, shortly after banks became computerized, he contracted with a bank to generate daily printed reports that included readouts on feed pricing, ingredients and total pounds of feed for each pen. His innate ability in accounting and computing led to the opening of a separate company that provided computing services to other cattle feeders.

Farr was keenly aware of environmental and animal health issues. “My father was usually about 25 years ahead of everyone else in his thinking,” Dick Farr remembers.

Several examples of his vision include the building of state-of-the art pens, designed with enough slope to allow water drainage without eroding manure solids from the floor. During the 1950s and ‘60s, the livestock industry was lacking adequate and effective vaccines and treatment. Farr worked closely with veterinary researchers and students at Colorado State University, and tested products for animal-health companies.

Farr was also a strong leader for a minority of producers in favor of a uniform grading system. The new grading system was eventually adopted, which resulted in an extensive expansion of beef choices for consumers.

From animal health and business management to environmental and government policies, Farr valued relationships. His belief that anyone in the cattle business was his partner earned him much respect and long lasting friendships throughout his career.

About the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame
The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame was established to honor the exceptional visionary men and women who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry.

The nominating committee is comprised of five industry leaders: Betty Jo Gigot, editor and publisher of CALF News; Richard McDonald, former CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association; Dr. Del Miles, veterinarian and industry consultant; Terry Stokes, former CEO of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association; and Topper Thorpe, former CEO of Cattle-Fax.

In addition to the induction of members, a virtual museum is currently under development for the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame that will showcase the history of the U.S. cattle-feeding industry and recognize those entrepreneurs and visionaries who contributed to its success. It also will provide a place for the cattle-feeding community to connect.