Community Highlights: Meet Byron Wheeler of Wheeler Livestock Auction

Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Wheeler.

Hi Byron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Byron Wheeler, and I own Wheeler Livestock Auction in Osceola, Missouri. I grew up in the cattle business. My parents had a cattle buying station, and we owned and operated cattle; my whole family was involved as I grew up working from horseback. I learned the business on the job, going to auctioneer school when I was 16; I knew this business was what I wanted from a very young age. My parents opened the sale barn 35 years ago, and after working for big area cattle producers and auctioneering out of state, I went to work for them. Five years ago, my wife, my sister, and her husband bought the business from our parents. We have worked hard to continue building the business, adding more holding pens, shades, and employees to handle more cattle while keeping our customers’ needs in mind. We treat everyone’s cattle as if they were our own. We take the best care by providing fresh water, good hay and clean lots.

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any other business, it has its struggles, but it remains fun. I enjoy cattle men and women who share the challenges of raising cattle. The ever-changing market, mother nature, feed prices, and the evolving nature of the business keep us busy. I have been blessed to work with Colonels in the auctioneering business, who have shared their knowledge as I developed my own. The same goes with cattle producers. Missouri has some of the finest cattlemen in the country. These people need an auction market that understands the hard work put into their calves and breeding stock. They want a place to bring their cattle that will work to get them what they deserve and more. That is the reputation that I and the employees work for daily. Come see us on the highway, south of Osceola MO at the junction of 13/TT Hwy.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wheeler Livestock Auction LLC is in the business of selling cattle. Every Thursday, we sell all classes of cattle and have Special Stock Cow sales on the last Saturday night of every month. We enjoy helping our new and old customers get the most out of their hard work. I enjoy meeting new people, seeing their cattle operations, and working to make their programs successful. Wheeler’s brand stands for integrity, honesty, and knowledge. Everyone who works here understands that and works toward that daily. There are good cattle raised in this country, no matter the breed. We appreciate all of our customers. We want the seller with just a few head to know he or she is just as important to us as the ones with 500 head. We know their cattle are important to them and they are not going to get lost in the fray. We offer trucking, feed, water, and shade pens available, and friendly staff willing to help in any way we can.

We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
In the cattle industry, risks are taken daily. The market can change in an instant, as can Mother Nature. With over 100 auction barns in Missouri, competition is tough. We must constantly prove to our customers that their hard work raising cattle drives us to work harder for them as they sell. Being in the cattle business, I understand the daily challenges of producers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wheelerlivestock.com
• Instagram: wheeler_livestock_auction
• Facebook: Wheeler Livestock Auction