Gary Simpkins grew up in Central Ohio on a family operated truck farm, where they raised and sold fruit and vegetables as well as having a farrow to finish hog operation, and a cattle feedlot, where they marketed their crops - hay, corn, oats, and soybeans thru the cattle. In 1959, Gary’s family moved to Michigan to expand its hog and cattle programs. The size of the cattle feedlot numbers increased to a 1000 head per year and a cow herd was established. Next, Gary joined the Polled Hereford Association. At this time he began showing cattle he had raised. Through his experience, Gary realized he needed to raise cattle that would convert feed, and gain well, because of the tight margins of the business. At this time performance testing was put to use. While competing at the MSU Polled Hereford Show and Sale, Gary met the Reader family. After that, the Reader herd was purchased, and Gary met his “wife to be”. In 1968, Gary and Janette Reader were married and Clay Knoll Farms was established, (A Man and His Dream is in the making). Their first production sale was followed by a farm purchase in Gladwin and eventually two sons – Duane and Darin. They worked with Polled Hereford cattle at the state and local levels (County Fairs) through the early years of raising their family. Their oldest son, Duane, became interested in Maine Anjou cattle, while attending MSU and serving on the Livestock and Meat Judging Teams. He also worked in the meat laboratory. Realizing the potential of the Maine Anjou breed, they dispersed their Polled Hereford herd and introduced a Maine Anjou herd in 1991. We have found that the Maine Anjou female is revered for her maternal qualities including her milking ability, docility, longevity, and productivity. We like the options we have in the market place. Today, we focus on balanced trait cattle that “bend the curve”by possessing qualities such as low birth weights and rapid gains, while maintaining good feed conversion ratios as well as being structurally correct and eye appealing. Our cows must be easy fleshing have a strong milking status, and possess quiet dispositions. We are now on a fourth generation of raising performance cattle through our grandchildren, Cole and Keenan. We are able to create a shortcut to our goal with Maines through our partnership and strong friendship with Ben and Pat Mellor of Nebraska. The Mellors have been mentors to us, and over the past several years we have purchased their entire donor fleet from the Mellor Maines Operation. Then, through E.T., A.I., and the purchase of some of the most powerful bulls we could find, we have developed this herd into a consistent source of good-looking, high performance, low maintenance cattle that make money for our customers. Their show ring success dates back to the history of the Maine Anjou breed in the U.S.A. Their credible performance has been documented in areas such as the North American Maine Anjou Steer Feeding Trial where Clay Knoll Farms’ pen of steers won both the individual as well as pen titles. We at Clay Knoll Farms are very proud of how our cattle perform, and we’re very confident our clients will be too. We hope that you will soon visit the farm to view the cattle. National Maine Anjou Association Marketing Director, Dave Steen’s quote – “Clay Knoll Farms is one of the best kept secrets east of the Mississippi.”

Gary and Janette Simpkins • 2476 Nickless Rd. • Gladwin, MI 48624 Home: 989-426-8185 • Cell: 989-329-4668 Duane and lisa Simpkins & Sons • 1873 Wagarville Rd. • Gladwin, MI 48624 Cell: 989-329-6141 • Email: clayknollfarms@yahoo.com