Dennis grew up in central Missouri
on a diversified livestock farm where his family raised
beef cattle, pigs, sheep, horses and milked one dairy
cow. Like many rural kids, Dennis was active in
4-H and FFA.
Dennis
attended the
University of
Missouri - Columbia
and was active in Block and Bridle. He
participated on the poultry, meats, livestock, and
Aksarben judging
teams and was named the high individual at the
Southeastern Meats Contest in Bristol, VA.
While in college, Dennis
interned at
Jorgensen
Ranches in Ideal,
SD. This experience has led to a lifelong
friendship with the Jorgensen family.
Dennis has also completed the
Ranching for
Profit school under
instructor Dave Pratt in November 1999.
In June 2005, Dennis completed the
Graham School.
From August 2005 until July 2007, Dennis was an instructor at the
school.
As part of his continued
education, Dennis completed the
Bud Williams Marketing
in June 2007. The very energetic instructor, Ann
Barnhardt, did an outstanding job.
While at the Bud Williams
Marketing, Dennis got reacquainted with Bud's daughter,
Tina, whom Dennis had met several years earlier.
It turns out that Tina and her friend, Richard McConnell
are teaching the Stockmanship schools pioneered by Bud.
Their web site is
Hand N Hand Livestock Solutions.
Tina and Richard came to the Diamond O Feedyard in July
2007, where Dennis was the manager, to add video footage of Richard using his stockmanship skills in the feedyard.
Other work experience includes
selling semen for a major AI company which included
travel to seven countries in Central and South America. Dennis has also had the
opportunity to build and maintain management intensive
grazing systems for beef cattle and a 200 cow
grass-based dairy.
Dennis has worked
at a beef breed association where he administered the
marketing programs as well as increased the size and
effectiveness of the carcass
testing program. He informed and educated the
membership via articles and presentations.
Dennis
also helped create the Full Service Genetic Provider
program which matched seedstock producers to consultants
to help take their program to the next level of genetic
excellence and customer service.
Currently, Dennis teaches
Commercial Beef Marketing and Seedstock Marketing
classes at the University of Missouri-Columbia. On
weekends, you can often find him behind the computer as
a field rep for DVauction.