Monday, August 5th 2019, 7:07 pm
For over a century, men have served as the general manager of the Oklahoma National Stockyards. This year, that came to an end.
Kelli Payne, 43, became the Stockyards’ first female general manager in its 109-year history. Payne took leadership in April.
“They’ve known me since I was a little kid and they know I am not afraid to work,” said Payne. “You clean a lot of tanks, you scrape a lot of manure out of the pens, it all just pays off.”
“It is very humbling and truly a privilege to represent the Oklahoma National Stockyards in this capacity,” said Payne.
The change in management represents a trend overall in agriculture, more female farmers and ranchers entering the industry.
It's a title Payne doesn't take lightly.
“It is a challenge to get some things fixed, all the pens are wooden, and we are coming back in with some pipe,” said Payne. “We've updated with some paint, just some things to make it a little more presentable. It is still a stockyard, but we are still proud of it.”
The Oklahoma National Stockyards has now hired six general managers. It is the longest running auction house in the state of Oklahoma.
The stockyard is made up on 100 total acres, 40 acres consists of pens.
There is a passion burning inside the hard-working men and women of the stockyard. A passion at the state's longest running auction house, to keep it that way.
“We’re on track to sell well over 400,000 head of cattle this year,” said Payne. “With steady and efficient service, we are going to get to half a million hopefully within the next few years.”
Ranchers can drop off cattle at the Oklahoma Stockyards at any time.
Sales take place on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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