It is with great pleasure that I write my first article for Livestock Plus, Inc. For those of you who I have not met at some point in my travels, I grew up on a Purebred Hereford operation in Rushville, IL. As the youngest of 3, my parents, Wayne and Kay Crum, started me in the Hereford business at an extremely young age, as my sister, Dawn (Ihry) and brother Curt were already traveling the show circuit. Throughout high school, I continued the family tradition of showing and raising Hereford cattle and had the opportunity to attend numerous Illinois Junior Hereford Preview Shows as well as Junior National Hereford Expos. After high school, I attended the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN where I majored in agri-business. Due to my intense study habits, I did not have much time for many activities outside of school work?*ahem*?but I did manage to find the time to play football and run track all four years of college. Now, for those of you who have met me and for those I have yet to meet, you might notice I am not the biggest and stoutest person on the block?but the Good Lord blessed me with two things in regards to athletic abilities: 1. Speed and 2. The ability to kick a football between two goal posts. I most definitely enjoyed my time in school and have some of life?s greatest memories and friends as a result of playing football for the Eagles.
Without a doubt, the greatest ?achievement? I have made in my life took place this past May when I married my best friend and the love of my life, Tamar (Adcock). Tamar also grew up showing Hereford cattle in Illinois and across the country. Even though she ALWAYS beat me throughout the years, we managed to become close friends and stay in touch throughout high school, college, and the years following. Despite (or maybe in spite of?ha!), many of our Hereford family?s ?advice?, we did not start dating until LONG after everyone thought we should have. As much as I hate to admit it, ?they? (?they? know who ?they? are) were right all along! Regardless, my wife and I are a true testament to God?s plan as there really is no other reason that after all these years we ended up on the same path. I am blessed with the greatest wife I could have asked for and we are both very excited for what He holds for our future.
We?ve got a tough road to hoe for the next couple years, as she is working on her Ph.D. in Beef Cattle Genomics under Dr. Jerry Taylor at the University of Missouri. This means, we ?get? to do the long distance thing for just a while longer, as she goes to school and works in Columbia, MO during the week and travels home to our farm in Rushville, IL on the weekends. Any prayers for her sanity as she tries to juggle school, two houses, cows, and me?I am sure would be greatly appreciated.
I am more than excited to get started on this new adventure with Livestock Plus, Inc. I feel so very humbled and honored that Mike sought me out for such a position and hope I can do him and my customers justice. One thing is for certain, some of my favorite things in this world are cattle, cattle people, and auctions, and this job allows me to put all those things together! I look forward to catching up with those I have met before and meeting those who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed sale season! Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way.
God Bless you all,
Cody