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Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame
The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing and true price discovery. These men and women are the backbone of the cattle industry. Their efforts ensure a competitive marketplace, the foundation of the American Cattle Industry. Without price discovery we become price-takers and lose our way of life.
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Colonel Ralph Wade
Sulphur, Oklahoma
Ralph was born in a small farming community in Callaway County Missouri. Growing up around cattle and farming at a young age he grew a love for livestock. He attended school in New Bloomfield, a small country school with only 15 in his class. At the young age of 12 he realized he had a God given talent for the "gift of gab" which translated to an auctioneer chant. In those days, Lions Clubs and churches had mutton barbeques to raise money. After the bbq feed there was always plenty of mutton left over, it became known that Ralph was the one for the job of auctioning it off. They would feed him and he would auction. Next came the square dance clubs, they all found out that Ralph had picked up a rhythm that worked with calling square dancers.
Upon graduating from high school Ralph hauled hay for 2 cents a bale. He saved money to go to auctioneer school. That fall he boarded a Greyhound bus. On his first trip out of Missouri he landed in Mason City, Iowa. His first taste of success was when he was selected to sell first at the graduation auction of 227 students at the school.
Upon returning home to Missouri, he began selling at any type of auction he could get. Then, in 1965, a big break came his way. Ed Bruckner, the first World Champion Livestock Auctioneer, called and asked him to come work at Central Missouri Livestock Auction. The first three years found…
Raymond Mark Winter
Winter Livestock
Raymond Mark Winter was born on January 7th, 1934, into a cattle ranching family. Ray was the third generation of Winters to live on the homestead in Kalvesta Kansas. Karl Mark Winter and Gladys Brown Winter had three boys; Ross, Ralph and Raymond, who was the youngest. In 1936, due to his mother Gladys’ failing health, the Winters moved to Dodge City Kansas. Karl purchased the livestock auction facilities, and leased the adjoining Santa Fe Rail Company stockyards, which was the beginning of the Winter Livestock Commission Company. In 1939 Ray’s mother Gladys passed away. Three years later his father married Grace Bayless and in 1946 Ray’s younger sister Phyllis was born.
In middle school and high school, Ray spent his summers working at the Winter Ranch in Kalvesta. He spent long hours bucking hay, fixing fences, and farming in the cab-less Ford 8N tractor. After a long day at the ranch, Grace would wait for him to get home and cook him a big steak, reminding him that hard work pays off.
While attending high school at Dodge City High School he excelled in both football and basketball. He later earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver in Business Administration.
In 1957, Ray volunteered for active duty in the U.S. Navy where he was hand selected for Officer Training School…