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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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Gerald Don "Beef" Palmer
Martin, SD
Gerald Don "Beef" Palmer was born September 27, 1934 in Martin, SD to Vernald and Charlotte Palmer. Over the years he gained the nickname of "Beef" and basically all his friends and colleagues would address him by this name rather than his given name.
During his school years he enjoyed playing football and his hobbies included hunting and fishing and helping his dad on the farm. After graduation he attended and completed Auctioneer School in Mason City, Iowa. He then went on to auction at various sale barns within his home and surrounding areas.
On August 24, 1957 he married Carol Bettcher and they made their home on a farm East of Martin, SD where they ranched and raised 6 children (Tim, Patty, Susan, Sharla, Penny and Tracee). Of course over his life his family grew and he gained grandkids and great grandkids; all of whom he doted on and spoiled. He would ask them "want to go to the sale barn?" this is how he instilled all of the knowledge of cattle and livestock to his grandkids, by letting them tag along.
Over the years he ran Palmer Trucking where hauling cattle was the main endeavor, but his main occupation and joy was being a cattle order buyer, Buyer #5. From the minute he got up to when he went to bed he was on the phone talking to individuals about their…
John E. "Cowboy Jack" Steinmitz
Dodge City, KS
John E. "Cowboy Jack" Steinmitz was born in Hertha, KS to John E. and Anna Elizabeth (Torreyson) Steinmitz on October 21, 1920. At the age of 12 he began his career in the cattle industry. Jack started as a check-in boy after school at the Parsons auction market where he continued until 1945 when he moved to Kansas City. Jack began traveling the state with Walter Jarbo. Walter bought cows and bulls for a meat packing plant and some light cattle for himself or on order. Jack was attracted to Walter because he did "big business," Walter handled lots of cattle and that meant lots of money. Jack began buying killing cows and bulls for Walter and trading an occasional load of calves for himself.
Jack was convinced early in life that the auction market was the best way to sell cattle. Large numbers of cattle sorted into uniform bunches, and offered to many different buyers which would ensure the highest possible prices. Two of the auction markets he found most intriguing were those of Amarillo, Texas and Dodge City, Kansas.
By today's standards, $5,200 a year may not sound very appealing, but in 1947 things were different. You could by a three-bedroom home for under $7,000, a new Ford for $1,000, gas for that car at $0.23 a gallon and the average income was $3,031 a year. Since that day…