Russ Anderson

Russ and Cheryl Anderson of Hyannis were honored as Nebraska Farm Bureau's 2003 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Dec. 9 at the Nebraska Farm Bureau convention at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Omaha.
...
Russ and Cheryl Anderson of Hyannis were honored as Nebraska Farm Bureau's 2003 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award winners Dec. 9 at the Nebraska Farm Bureau convention at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Omaha.
...
Russ Anderson, 34, currently owns 28 percent of the Bonnifield Cattle Company, where he manages a 430-cow/calf operation on 7,800 leased acres in the Sandhills near Hyannis.The Andersons have a lifetime lease arraignment on the land.He also owns and operates a contract fencing and haying operation, which are operated during the not-so-busy times on the ranch.This brings income into the ranch year around.

To reduce other costs, Anderson has either built or modified equipment and buildings.He converted a 1949 Dodge Power Wagon into a fencing machine.Fifty percent of the corrals have been rebuilt with recycled guardrails; he lifted a calving shed and built a warming room in the barn to bring calves in from the cold.

Cattle management and nutrition is important on the Anderson operation.To keep his veterinary costs down, Anderson tries to care for as many cattle as he can on his own.The diet of each cow consists of 60 percent grazing and 40 percent feed, which is a supplemental protein cake fed from mid-December through mid-March.His cattle are of better quality at sale time, calves are healthier and fertility is better.He leases bulls and turns them out to let nature take its course.

Anderson cross-fences his pastures, which divides a large pasture into smaller ones, ensuring that all grass is eaten at an even course.The key to success is having a good water supply in those smaller pastures.The Andersons are fortunate to have a fresh water supply for cattle from artesian wells.Artesian wells are low-cost, maintenance-free and very efficient because they don't require a windmill or pump.

Russ and Cheryl Anderson are both graduates of Chadron State College.
...
Russ has a degree in aviation electronics and Cheryl earned a degree in accounting and business management.
...
Russ has served as a voting delegate representing Sheridan County Farm Bureau at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.He also serves on Farm Bureau's Western Issues Advisory Committee.