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Sizemore
said each animal is tattooed and tagged so he can keep up with weaning
weights and other pertinent information.
His
brood cows are allowed to graze and are fed fertilized hay and Crystalyx
BGF 30 tubs.
Sizemore
grows his own hay on the farm. He currently has a stand of Max Q fescue.
When
it comes time to sell calves, he takes them to the Northwest Alabama
Livestock Auction in Russellville.
His
herd is registered Angus, though it is treated as a commercial herd.
Sizemore only registers the heifers he keeps. He noted sometimes
customers request a calf be registered and he has all the paperwork to
accommodate them.
All In The
Family
Sizemore’s
farm has been in his family since the early 1800s. It has been farmed
continuously by his family since then, except for a short time when it
was leased to another farmer.
"We
leased the place to a local fellow from 1969 to 1979," said
Sizemore. "Except for that, my family has worked this land for
close to 200 years."
The
original farm contained 640 acres in one block. When Sizemore’s
great-grandfather died, the property was divided equally among the eight
children. Sizemore’s grandfather began buying out his siblings’
shares until he had restored the farm.
He
also added 40 acres from a neighboring farm.
Sizemore
runs his cattle and hay operation on the property and on his 10 acres in
Sulligent.
Now
the family property is jointly owned by Sizemore and his sister, Claire,
who lives in Birmingham. Together they have a timber operation, Sizemore
and Sizemore.
Their
operation won the W. Kelly Mosley Environment Award in 1993 for its
achievement in forestry, wildlife and related resources.
On
a hill in the woods stands a log cabin that at one time was the post
office for Sizemore, AL.
Family
Business
Besides
carrying on the family farm, Sizemore is continuing another family
tradition. Sizemore Insurance Agency, an independent agency in
Sulligent, has been in the family since 1913, when it was started by
Sizemore’s grandfather.
Information
Is Key
In
order to keep things running smoothly, Sizemore relies on help from many
organizations. This help usually comes in the form of information.
"It
never hurts to have all the information you need," said Sizemore.
"It certainly helps when it comes time to make a decision."
He
gets his information from his relations with various organizations and
associations.
Sizemore
is vice president of the Lamar County chapter of the Alabama Cattlemen’s
Association. He is also a past president and past regional vice
president of the organization.
He
sits on the state Soil and Water Committee and is the Lamar County chair
of the Soil and Water Conservation District.
He
is the president of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts as
well as the vice chair of the state Association of Resource,
Conservation and Development.
"Knowledge
is the reason for my involvement with these groups," said Sizemore.
"There is always somebody who has a little better idea than
me."
Sizemore
said his involvement also allows him to interact with people from all
over the United States.
Sizemore
does most of his trading at the Marion County Co-op in Hamilton. Manager
Steve Lann is always ready to help however he can, said Sizemore.
Lann
said Sizemore relies on the Co-op for gates, hay rings, Crystalyx and
Iono-lyx tubs as well as Ivomec.
Sizemore
and his wife, Beverly, have been married for 30 years. They have two
daughters, April, 18, and Autumn, 12.
Contact
Info
Persons
wishing to contact Sizemore may call him at his insurance office at
(205) 698-9821 or at the farm at (205) 698-8807. His home number is
(205) 698-8453.
Susie
Sims is a freelance writer from Haleyville. |
