Ranchers support missions

More than 1,000 ranchers raise cattle to sell to benefit missions

HOYT, Kan. (AP)--Cattle rancher Jim Rickel is using his skills with livestock to support Christian missions around the world.

Through STEER Inc., Rickel and several other members of Hoyt Baptist Church are raising 25 head of cattle that generate nearly $15,000 a year for world missions. Several other residents of the Hoyt and Mayetta communities also are participating in STEER.

Across the nation, about 1,150 ranchers and farmers in nearly 40 states account for about $1 million a year to STEER, which channels the funds to approximately 90 mission organizations. Nearly 60 ranchers in Kansas take part in the program.

The beauty of the arrangement, Rickel said, is that STEER uses donations to purchase the calves that are placed with the ranchers, who in turn provide feed, medical care and labor.

"It lets us be involved in supporting missions," said the 67-year-old Rickel, "but it doesn't take money out of our operations."

With beef prices up, funds generated may be getting higher. Rickel said STEER tries to place a first-calf heifer, at a cost of about $1,200, with a rancher. Each heifer is capable of producing from seven to 10 calves on a one-per-year basis. Calves are commanding around $800 at sale barns these days. This means one cow is capable of producing around $8,000 in revenue--more than six times the return on the initial investment.

Many who donate to STEER share the organization's vision but don't have the land or expertise to raise livestock on their own.

"We have people in Topeka who don't have a place to put a cow," Rickel said. "They send the money to STEER Inc., and they purchase a cow for us."

Rickel's son, Jerry Rickel, 40, said the nice thing about the STEER program is that the cattle are mixed in with other existing livestock on a ranch or farm.

"We feed the calf and provide all the medical care and labor," he said. "Then, when the calf is sold at auction, the entire amount goes directly to STEER.

"It's a simple program. To me, it's one of the easiest ways to support missions and do God's work."

STEER livestock sales benefit a variety of world missions, including Trans World Radio, Youth for Christ and Mission Aviation Fellowship.

The cattle receive a yellow tag and a triangular-shaped brand, with a cross on top, for identification purposes. The three sides represent the rancher, donor and mission organization, with a cross on top indicating STEER's Christian emphasis.

Each rancher or farmer can select a mission agency that benefits from funds raised through STEER. About 90 percent of all proceeds goes directly to the mission agencies.

Other livestock that are used in STEER include hogs, sheep and goats.

Chuck Wilhelm, of Mayetta, said he isn't a farmer or rancher but does have access to a small pasture, which he uses in a feeder project for STEER.

"One unique concept of this ministry is that the money that the donor gives to buy the animals or put in a crop continues to be used over and over," Wilhelm said. "All of the animals and crops are insured by STEER Inc. I had a cow die a couple of years ago, and the insurance paid for it. They understand that when you are working with animals, about anything can happen.

"If you have a heart for missions, this is another way to give and be involved without financial risk."

STEER Inc. was founded in 1957 in Bismark, N.D. Despite the involvement of more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers across the nation, more money is available to ranchers willing to take on an additional few head of livestock.

"The cows are out there anyway," said Jess Ribelin, 69, another Hoyt Baptist Church member in the STEER program. "They eat with the rest of them.

"This makes it easier for me to give to the missions without taking something right out of my pocket."

Date: 6/22/06

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com