CALF_News_April_May_2020

27 CALF News • April | May 2020 • www.calfnews.net University of Nebraska before heading to Texas. In 1980, he rented farmland in Her- eford, Texas, and grew food corn for Frito-Lay. Soon after that he bought a 15,000-head feedyard at Farwell, Texas, just across from New Mexico’s eastern border. His knowledge and expertise enabled the feedyard to excel. He fine-tuned his farming irrigation systems and integrated the crop and livestock production systems. In 1991, Oppliger acquired a 35,000-head feedyard in nearby Clovis, N.M., and added more irrigated farmland to supply its feed needs. With Nebraska still in his blood, he also purchased a farm in Lincoln County. There he built a 55,000-head feedyard that later grew to 70,000-head capacity. In the 2000s, his Oppliger Compa- nies acquired more ranches in western Nebraska and diversified farmland in Nebraska and Texas. Two more feed- yards were added, and ranch pastureland helped promote more grazing programs. Oppliger had a passion for flying and typically flew to and from the company’s network of farming and cattle opera- tions. Tragically, he died in a helicopter crash in the Texas Panhandle in June 2017. Oppliger was survived by his wife, Joi, and son, Ben. Another son, Grant, is deceased. Sam Jackson, part of the Oppliger Companies headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, paid tribute to his former boss during the CFHOF ceremonies. He noted that through the innovations and management practices instilled by Opp- liger, the Oppliger Companies remain committed to producing quality beef and grain. “Such practices continue to fuel the growth of the companies,” he said. Robert “Bob” Hummel, DVM Dr. Bob Hummel decided to retire at 78 a few years ago, but only after his expertise and savvy in animal health products helped him establish and grow Lextron, a product and distribu- tion business known worldwide. Hummel earned bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Ohio State University in the early 1960s. He also completed Harvard University’s owner/management course before starting his career as a techni- cal service veterinarian with American Cyanamid Co. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Hummel co-founded the Great Plains Chemical Co., in 1967 in Greeley, Colo. The name was later changed to Lextron, Inc., and became synonymous with animal health distribution with emphasis on the beef industry. Numerous Lextron innovations helped feedyards computerize their feeding systems, accounting and other management needs. The company’s services grew even larger when it merged withWalco International in 2011. Lextron then became Animal Health International. Duane Klein introduced Hummel during the CFHOF banquet. He noted that under Hummel’s leadership, the company provided feedyard technology to more than 65 percent of the nation’s cattle on feed. In 2015 the company was sold to Patterson Companies. Hummel and his wife, Carol, now spend much of their time with children and grandchildren. Jackson Hole,Wy., and Santa Barbara, Calif., are among their favorite spots. Dwight Doffin Dwight Doffin received the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes employees who are the heart and soul of feedyard operations. Doffin, himself, is the quintessential feedyard colleague who doesn’t head home until all cattle are cared for. He’s a part of management at Feller & Co. feedyard and went on the payroll just after the yard opened inWisner, Neb., in 1989. A graduate of Northeast Nebraska Community College, Doffin was heavy into the school’s livestock judging team. He is a member of the Mid-State Rodeo Association and has been Continued on page 31  LEFT: Duane “Chub” Klein, right, joins Dr. Robert Hummel’s son, Rob, and daughter, Jennifer Ostenson, to celebrate Hummel’s CFHOF Industry Leadership Award. RIGHT: Dwight Doffin, center, long-time part of the Feller & Co. feedyard team, is flanked by Tom Feller, right, and a representative of Greeley Hat Works, which provided a new cover for the Nebraska cowboy and winner of the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award.