Growing up in agriculture, Joe Morgan developed an interest in cattle feeding when visiting an uncle who fed cattle in Texas.
He even started feeding some cattle when he was still in high school.
After graduating from lowa State University in 1973 with a degree in Animal Science, Morgan began farming, then the opportunity to manage a feedyard east of Omaha came in 1983.
In 1985 he moved to Garden City, Kan., to manage Poky Feeders, growing Poky from its original capacity of 17,000 head to the current 105,000.
Poky also partners on leased feedyards in Kansas and Nebraska and has extensive ranch holdings.
“I fed cattle as a farmer in Iowa, and my family had been in in the cattle business for a long time,” Morgan says.
“I was always fascinated with the cattle market and the cattle industry, so when the opportunity came up for me to manage a yard, I took that avenue.”
Morgan says the concentration of the industry both on the packing side and feedyard sector has been the biggest changes he’s seen in his years in the business.
“Our customers have grown their businesses too,” he adds.
“When we started, we had a lot of customers that had cattle, and today, those our customers handle a lot more cattle also.”
Poky Feeders averages about 95% customer cattle and 5% company-owned cattle.
We’ve been really blessed,” Morgan says.
“We have a large customer base that has grown through the years. We’ve got a great customer base with some that are third generation family customers.
”One of the largest challenges is labor, which Morgan points out everybody faces.
“I think more on the other side of the coin is we have strived really hard to help our customers be profitable and stay in the business, and that’s what’s allowed us to have the immense growth that we’ve had,” he says.
Making yard improvements and capital investments also help Poky Feeders be competitive.
“We’ve added on new facilities several times, including a brand-new mill in recent years,” Morgan says.
“It’s a state-of-the art mill with lots of technology and computer systems. We’re always trying to look at a better way to feed the cattle, at a more profitable deal for our customers, and less cost to us.”
Joe is a long-time member of the Kansas Livestock Association and NCBA, serving on several committees over the years.
Morgan says it’s important to be involved in cattle organizations.
“These organizations have relationships with members of Congress, and keep the industry abreast of all the laws and regulations with EPA and help us in production agriculture,” he says. “A unified voice is way better than individuals trying to accomplish all that on our own.”
Being in the custom feeding business, Morgan is a big believer in customer service.
“If you help your customer make money, he’ll be your customer for a long time,” is advice he offers others.
“That’s one of the things I have preached in my organization with my management people for years. At every meeting we have, we discuss how we’re going to help these guys make money, and if they make money, then we’re going to be successful.”
Morgan encourages young producers to find mentors and peers they can relate to and respect.
“Mentors can help them with their career and their own personal lives and make it a lot more enjoyable life,” Morgan says.
Watching the growth of Poky has been rewarding for Morgan.
“When I came in 1985 we had capacity for 17,000 and today we’re up 105,000,” Morgan says. “We’ve also diversified into other businesses.”
Morgan was instrumental in starting US Premium Beef and has served on the USPB board since 2007, currently serving as Vice Chairman.
In the late 1990s, Poky diversified into the pork business, with a sow unit on site and production in lowa and Minnesota.
Poky has also diversified into long-term health care and memory facilities across the Midwestand other business interests.
While Morgan currently serves as CEO of Poky, and his son, Grant, manages the company.
“It’s definitely rewarding to have family be able to be involved for another generation,” Morgan adds.
Get all Doc Talk episodes straight to your email inbox!
