Brookover Feed Yards is a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce because in 1951 it was the first commercial feed yard in the Midwest and remains an industry leader.

Earl Brookover pioneered the commercial cattle feeding industry with the establishment of the first commercial feed yard located in the High Plains region. The first yard was built in Garden City in 1951. He envisioned vast amounts of irrigated grain, ideal cattle feeding climates, and a demand for commercial cattle feeding.

Since 1951, many changes have occurred in the beef cattle industry. However, one thing has not changed - Brookover is still family-owned and remains a leader in commercial cattle feeding.

Brookover has two commercial feed yard operations with a combined capacity of 80,000 head: Brookover Feed Yard, located north of Garden City and Brookover Ranch Feed Yard, located south of Garden City.

The commercial cattle feeding process begins with the movement of cattle from the ranch, farm, or auction to the feed yard. Cattle are received 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When cattle arrive, they are weighed on the truck and then unloaded and moved to the receiving pen where fresh hay and water are available.

A program is designed based on type, origin, and previous history of the cattle. Normal processing includes implanting, assignment, and attachment of a permanent lot identification number, deworming, and vaccination.

After processing and sorting, cattle are moved to their permanent pen. A starter ration and fresh water await their arrival in a pen specifically designed for maximum cattle performance. Cattle are then fed a finish ration based on a schedule that includes a combination of nutritional science and cattle feeding expertise.

The bunk reader is critical to achieving maximum cattle performance. At Brookover, the bunk reader observes cattle and bunks several times daily to determine the amount to be fed to each pen each feeding. This is transmitted to the feed mill and feed truck driver who delivers the feed to the specific pens.

Rations fed are scientifically formulated and completely manufactured in our modern feed manufacturing plants.

The Brookover animal health program and system play an integral part in the cattle feeding program. Brookover is proud of the well trained cowboys at all of our feed yard operations. Pens are ridden daily to observe, pull, and treat sick cattle immediately.