Featured Breeder

Q & A with Kirk Sterzick, Sterzick Angus

I recently received a call from Kirk Sterzick telling me a heifer that he had sold to a junior Angus member had just won Grand Champion Angus Female at the Barry County Fair. Kirk was ecstatic.  “It’s the first time in my life that I’ve ever had a grand champion!  It makes me feel good.  I’m doing something right,” said Sterzick.  Kirk, like many Angus breeders, truly enjoys when someone else has success with cattle that he has produced.

What’s special about your farm?
The farm has been in the Sterzick family for 102 years.  I noticed the centennial sign as I pulled in the drive.  His family purchased the farm back 1909.  The Angus flag is flown on the weekends right below the American flag.  In 1953, his family undertook the daunting task of moving their big wooden-pegged barn over 300 feet to allow for a basement to be added.  Kirk and Adrian have dedicated a lot of themselves into keeping their centennial farm going.  Sterzick has about 30 acres he pastures his cattle on, and an additional 45 that he puts up in hay.  At present he has about 20 cows which he checks daily with the help of his dog.  Sterzick shared, “The farm life is simple and rewarding. A lot of that is how I was raised.”

 

What role has your dad played in your centennial farm and its history?
Kirk credits his father, Adrian, for a lot of the success that Sterzick Angus has seen.  Adrian took an early discharge from the military and headed back to the family farm to help.  They farmed 80 plus acres on shares.  Kirks parent’s, Adrian and Joyce, married in 1958 after Adrian had returned from the service.  The farm began with the dairy cattle operation in 1909 and Kirks parent's continued milking cows until late 1960’s. At which point they purchased 4 Angus heifers to start their beef herd. Adrian has always been Kirk’s right hand man helping in various roles from checking and filling water tanks, driving tractor or the manure spreader and other tasks.  More recently as Adrian has aged, Kirk has made it a point to bring his father to the farm to supervise while he cuts and bales hay.  “It helps having him here.  I’ve learned a lot from my dad,” said Sterzick. 

 

Where does your passion for the cattle come from?
“My passion comes from both my mom and dad,” Sterzick said.  Because Kirk’s dad worked full time, his mom, Joyce, would check cows morning and night. She was very knowledgeable and dedicated to the cattle.  This passion and enthusiasm carried over to Kirk.  As a young boy, Kirk didn’t enjoy the cattle, but over the years that changed.  He is the only son to continue with his mom and dad’s love of raising and producing livestock.  Kirk shared a story about a deal he made with his parents.  If he passed algebra, he could have a Simmental heifer.  Kirk passed and got the heifer. 

 

Why Angus?
Kirk fell in love with the cows as much as he did the people.  “Every farm I went to, the people were so proud of their cattle,” he said.  Kirk mentioned that Darwin Canfield was a big influence on his involvement in the Angus industry.  “He was a good friend.”  They would take pasture walks and enjoy a cup of coffee while talking cattle. Kirk and his family have had many different breeds on their farm; everything from dairy cattle, Simmentals, Belted Galloways, and Herefords (as Adrian muttered and rolls his eyes in silent protest.)  All joking aside, Kirk found a family and great friends in the Angus breed.  “I have always enjoyed and loved the Angus cattle,” he said.

How are you involved in Michigan Angus?
In a few short years, Kirk has become active in the Michigan Angus association.  He is on the state board as a director of the Association and is the Vice President of the West Michigan Angus Association.  He admits this is one of the only organizations he’s been involved with since being an FFA member in high school and serving as a volunteer fire fighter.  He enjoys being part of such a valued organization.  He feels that with the younger generation coming up, “we have to improve it and we can have a heck of an organization.”  “This organization is something to treasure,” he said.  “I wouldn’t get to know people if I wasn’t involved.”  Sterzick has some goals for himself and how he can be more of an asset to the organization. He wants to learn more about how to continue to make the organization stronger.  “I’ve got a lot to learn yet,” stated Kirk.

 

What is your favorite Angus event?
One of Kirk’s favorite Angus events is the annual banquet.  Sterzick said, “I like seeing the awards for the kids and the auctions.”  He enjoys watching the kids and Angus members celebrate their achievements and their connection with the cattle.  In addition to the shows and annual sales, Kirk always looks forward to the Angus Field Days.  “We come together as a big family to have fun,” he said.  Kirk has a goal of attending the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky and the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. 

 

Is it true you have more cows in your house than you do in your barn?
“It’s true.  I have more Angus in my house than out in my barn,” said Kirk.  “I could have 1,000 outside and would still have Angus cattle in my house.”  Kirk collects all things Angus.  These include Angus figurines, posters, stamps and artwork.  His most prized of these are his paintings by C.J. Brown.  Kirk discovers these treasures on-line, at flea markets and in antique stores.  When I asked him why he collects Angus, he explained that he enjoys all that Angus represents. 

 

What are your goals for your herd? 
Kirk, like many, pays attention to what others are using for herd sires and who’s currently the hot topic in the reference guides, the show ring, and pastures.  He said, “The Angus Journal is like the Bible.”  Sterzick pays attention to Genex and Select Sires and follows the popular bulls.  He studies pedigrees, but most importantly, he looks for what will fit in with his herd. He likes to experiment, but wouldn’t elaborate, as no breeder likes to reveal all their secrets in their breeding program. 

Sterzick Farm
Kirk Sterzick
5772 Alden Nash (M-50)
Lowell, MI 49331
616-262-9509