Ralph Sydenstricker began his farm machinery business in 1944 with an International Harvester dealership in Paris, MO. One of his salesmen, Grant Dickson, came in one day in the summer of 1952 and told Ralph he believed he could sell the Super C Farmall tractor on the lot, if Ralph would take two registered Angus cows with heifer calves on the trade, and allow the customer $1,000 apiece for them. Ralph, Grant, and 12-year- old Eddie went to look at the cows and close the deal. Eddie and his sister, Betty Jo, became very active showing in 4-H and FFA. Eddie was involved in forming the very first junior Angus association in the U.S., when, in 1956, the Missouri Junior Angus Association was organized at Monroe City, MO. Eddie served as the first President, assisted by Ronnie Rodgers, vice-president; Fred Blades, secretary; and Liz (Moore) Coon, treasurer. Lyle Haring, regional manager for the American Angus Association, and Ed Stout, Missouri Angus Association fieldman, were instrumental in this project. Later, Eddie was selected by Dean Hurlbut, the newly appointed Director of Activities at the American Angus Association, to participate in “An Angus In Your Future,” a film produced by the Association to encourage youth to get involved with Angus cattle. Eddie continued his involvement in FFA, serving as State Secretary in 1957-58, and receiving the American Farmer degree in 1960. Ralph teamed up with Jim and Ray Blades in 1959 for their first production sale. Col. Roy G. Johnston was the auctioneer, and the ringmen were Lyle Haring, Mark Dempsey, Wes Hays, Veryl Jones, Ed Stout, and Nick Iman. Ralph continued to have production sales through the sixties. The top bull in his 1964 sale was a son of TA Ekonomist 7 that sold for $1,000. Ralph was elected President of the Missouri Angus Association in 1966. In 1960, the family moved the cattle to Mexico, MO, as Ralph purchased the John Deere dealership in Mexico. Eddie and Connie were married in 1961, and lived in Macon from 1965 to 1969, managing the International dealership they acquired in 1965. In the seventies, Ralph stepped up the pace a bit, and, looking for a little more growth, imported several heifers and bulls from Canada. Twenty females with a total price tag of $21,980 were brought to Mexico, MO, in December 1974. He found Happyvale Olympic 012H at the side of his dam in June, 1976, and returned later to Canada to make him the top-selling bull in the Happyvale sale at $20,000. While Ralph was expanding the cow herd, Eddie and a talented mechanic named Van Botkins designed and campaigned the Cajun Queen pulling tractor, winning every National Championship there was. Eventually, John Deere Engineering at Waterloo, IA, took the engine from this tractor to develop the 466 cubic inch engine that was used in all the 40 and 50 series tractors made by John Deere for nearly twenty years. Ralph decided he needed some help with the quality herd he was putting together, and, in search of a herdsman, scheduled Wayne Kestler to come to Mexico for an interview on January 6, 1977. Wayne Kestler did come to Mexico that day, as did
Marshall Pride 013G, known as “Mighty Marshall.” He was owned with Erdmann Angus, Wetonka, SD, and Jim Baldridge, North Platte, NE, and sired the Grand Champion Carload of Bulls at the 1978 National Western, along with the top selling pen of heifers at the 1978 Denver Foundation Female Sale. Although Ralph had had several sales over the years, Eddie began the Annual Production Sale in November of 1978. An early female who left a mark on the entire Angus breed was Schearbrook Wendy N023, purchased for $5,100 in June 1978. A son was grand champion and top selling bull at the 1981 Missouri State Sale, and she produced many other show ring champions. Through the seventies and early eighties, Eddie and Connie’s daughters, Kim and Lee Ann, showed extensively in junior shows throughout the country, perhaps highlighted by Lee Ann’s last show heifer becoming the farm’s first Missouri State Fair Grand Champion Female in 1984, with a descendant of Wendy. Kim and Lee Ann were both active in the Missouri Junior Angus Association their father helped start, and both served as officers. Eddie served as treasurer of the Missouri Angus Association for many years, and served three years on the American Angus Association Board of Directors. In 1995, Eddie received the Livestock Person of the Year Award from the University of Missouri Block and Bridle Club. The first Annual Production Sale was held in November 1978. The sale was managed by National Livestock Brokers, and the auctioneers were Jim Baldridge, Nick Iman, and Al Conover. The ring help that day were Veryl Jones, Tim Lackey, Paul Gibbs, Mark Dempsey, and John Barton, as 141 lots averaged $1,332. In 1978, Don Simpkins joined the crew until his retirement in 1991. One of the most talked-about bulls of his era was Cracker Jack Baros 2459, better known as “Prime Rate.” In the 1981 sale, the first Prime Rate calves were featured at the most successful sale held to that point. Col. Ray Sims and Col. Jim Baldridge cried the sale, with Veryl Jones, Dean Pike, Greg Garwood, Tim Lackey, Mark Dempsey, Lyle Eiten, John Barton, and “Doc” Smith working the ring. National Livestock Brokers managed the sale, and John Rudolph and John Ponticello served as consultants. Bill and Li Bowman were hired in 1981, staying through 1989, and had a significant impact on the program during the eighties, exhibiting 34 State Fair champions in 1987 alone. Ben Eggers joined the team in 1982. Many other good employees have come and gone through the years, including Charley Boyd, Lewis Moten, Dale Randolph, John Ripperger, Randy Graham, Bonnie DeYoung, Todd and Tracy Ragsdale, Ed and Mandy Raithel, Dan Sharp, Allen Robinson, Randy Ray, Ken Rhodes, John Schneider, Travis Sharon, Brent Schuering, Matt Gruber, Nelson Groves, Josh Lewis, Stacy Loyd, Pat McCarty, Nick Schafer, Dave Pickerell, Suzy Harrison, Aaron Ishmael, Anthony Carey, Chris Beedle, Matt Rouse, Tyler Allen, Eric Allen, Sammy Breid, Jennifer Russell, Brad Porter, Brittany White, Roger Cranmer, Ryan Meyers, Cole Bass, Cash Prestien, Joe Strauss, Kyle Tate, Brad Slavens and Cooper Ervin.
many other Angus friends, but it was not to discuss the position of herdsman, it was to attend the funeral of Ralph Sydenstricker. Eddie, busy with the dealership for many years, now had a decision to make, regarding the farm and the cattle. Obviously, he chose to continue the Angus operation, known as Sydenstricker Angus Farms, and to hire Wayne Kestler as herdsman. Eddie wasted no time. In March 1977, he acquired Eisa BAS 89 for $2,000. She produced the $33,000 SAF Windwalker and the $12,000 SAF Windjammer during her tenure here. On June 21, 1977, Eddie acquired an interest in Happyvale
EDDIE SYDENSTRICKER WITH HIS 1956 MISSOURI STATE FAIR FFA SHOW GRAND CHAMPION, VIOLA K.
MISSOURI STATE FFA OFFICERS, 1957-58. EDDIE SYDENSTRICKER, SECRETARY, SEATED FOURTH FROM LEFT. IN 1960, EDDIE RECEIVED THE AMERICAN FARMER DEGREE.
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