Local couple awarded 2012 Iowa Seedstock Producer of the Year

Agriculture

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Larry and Carol Drake of Centerville. Photo by Bailey Poolman/Daily Iowegian
Larry and Carol Drake’s cows in a pasture. Photo by Bailey Poolman/Daily Iowegian

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January 31, 2012

By Bailey Poolman - Correspondent Daily Iowegian The Daily Iowegian Tue Jan 31, 2012, 06:30 AM CST

CENTERVILLE — Carol and Larry Drake of Centerville have reason to celebrate. They have recently been honored as Iowa’s Seedstock Producer of the Year. The couple will receive the award from the Iowa Beef Breeds Council on Feb. 13 at the Iowa Beef Expo.

Larry Drake was born and raised down the road from where he and his wife currently live. He grew up farming and raising cattle before taking over the family business. Carol was born in Mystic and lived in Des Moines for a year and a half before moving back with her family. The two met in 1957 and were married two years later. They have five children together.

The Drakes began raising Polled Herefords on their farm. There was a boom in importing the Simmental cattle breed from Switzerland in the late 1960s and in 1970 the Drakes slowly switched to Simmentals. They are members of the American Simmental Association, as well as the Appanoose County Cattlemen’s Association.

“The cattle business has been our life. We love the cattle, working to improve them and the wonderful people in the cattle business. We always believed in and did anything we could to help young people in the cattle business,” says Carol.

February through June is the calving season at Drake Simmental.

“We’ve always raised cattle that fit our environment. They are never in a barn. They graze cornstalks in the fall and winter and consume much of their energy needs from feedstuff that would otherwise be wasted,” says Larry.

The bull calves are all raised by their mothers, called dams. They also look for replacement heifers based on the dams from their own herd. Characteristics Larry looks for in the females are a moderate frame, easy milking and breeding, and good carcass EPDs, which is the expected progeny difference and refers to the genetic worth of an animal as a parent in terms of the animal’s total retail product. When it comes to selecting a sire, or father, the API, or All Purpose Index, is focused on to evaluate bulls for use on the entire cow herd. Many other characteristics are taken into account.

“It’s kind of a nice honor for country folk,” says Larry of the award.

The different characteristics are also taken into account when it comes to the Seedstock Producer of the Year award. Every breed of cattle has a nominee, and the nominees are to fill out an application stating past accomplishments and personal philosophy, among other information.

The Drakes have produced 40 state fair grand and reserve champions, eight National Western Division reserves or champions, nine Regional Classics reserves or champions, 20 division reserves or champions at large shows like Louisville and Denver and 12 state-level expo or futurity grand or reserve champions.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” Larry quips.

Recently, Larry Drake became a member of the Exline Betterment Committee, maintaining the position of president from 2008-2011. From 2011 to present, he maintains the position of vice-president.

The Drakes have enjoyed travelling across the U.S. as well as a trip across several countries in Europe, including Switzerland. However, they love living near Centerville because of the people and the environment. They delight in spending time with their friends, keeping busy and being outdoors. Their most treasured time is with their family, including 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.