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Back Creek is Committed
to Better Beef
The end product being a thick, juicy,
tender steak on the plate of a consumer is never far from the minds of
Joe and Robin Hampton of Back Creek. They never forget that their
registered Angus herd consists of BEEF cattle and they are constantly
working to produce cattle that will efficiently and consistently produce
the best product, whether that product is a bull for a
 commercial
or purebred cattle producer, a replacement female or freezer beef for
the average consumer. Producing better beef is what Back Creek is all
about.
Back
Creek is owned by Joe and Robin Hampton of Mt. Ulla, North Carolina.
They have been producing registered Angus cattle for 28 years, which is
also the length of their marriage. They were both agricultural students
at NC State and were competitive with each other but also shared similar
interests and philosophies. Together they have become a team that has
built a respected, successful Angus herd and both Robin and Joe have
become influential people on the state and national level for the Angus
breed.
In giving their definition of the cattle business, Joe says “It is
selling bulls to your neighbors” and Robin adds “and eating what you
produce.”
The neighbors (from both near and far) that have bought Back Creek bulls
are still coming back as repeat customers. Customer service and
satisfaction is the goal of Back Creek and every bull is guaranteed. The
bulls sold this year have the best EPD’s they have ever offered. The
Hamptons have never fallen into the trap of going after single trait
selection. They do have bulls that offer extreme growth or extreme
carcass traits, but they still combine those with low birth weight and
maternal traits. Their motto is “Angus with Balanced Performance.”
As they have matured and learned in their years in the cattle business,
Joe no longer just sells someone a bull. “Now I talk with the potential
buyer and find out what specifically he needs the bull to do for his
herd. We have specific bulls for specific situations and I only want to
sell someone a bull if my bull will help him improve his herd,” says
Joe.
Back Creek bulls are raised under the same conditions that they will be
subjected to in a commercial cattleman’s pasture. They must thrive on
fungus infested fescue and be able to breed cows. The females in the
herd are also managed like a commercial herd. They must raise a good
calf on these southeastern pastures, breed back in a restricted breeding
season with marginal nutrition and they must calve on their own. By
keeping good records and strict
 culling
of the low end producers, the Back Creek females are truly the cream of
the crop.
According to Joe, “If our cattle would not make good commercial cattle,
then they should not be registered cattle. My first responsibility is
not to hurt the commercial producer.”
Joe has another big responsibility these days serving as a National
Director for the American Angus Association. This is his sixth year as a
Director and he is currently serving as Treasurer. It will be a
challenging time for Joe as he deals with the finances of the largest
breed association in the world during these tough economic times because
the registered cattle business is feeling the squeeze just like other
industries. Joe has been there as the Angus breed has also had to deal
with another tough issue regarding the Arthrogryposis Multiplex
Congenita genetic defect. Facing these problems will make the Angus
breed stronger and more improved according to Joe.
Meeting other Angus breeders from all over the United States has been a
great experience for Joe and Robin. They now have friends in every state
and the people they have gotten to know are the “salt of the earth.” Joe
is also on the Board of Certified Angus Beef and he especially enjoys
attending the National Conference where he gets to spend a week with
people that sell beef for a living. He has learned a new philosophy
about the industry. “The only new money that is coming into the cattle
business right now is when someone buys beef at a restaurant and the
grocery store. We need to always remember that and produce what that
consumer wants,” says Joe.
 Robin
and Joe have both served terms as President of the NC Angus Association
and in 1999, the NC Angus Association Handbook was dedicated to the
couple. They just recently welcomed the NC Angus Spring Tour to their
farm along with a downpour of rain! They are holding an Open House on
their farm on Back Creek Church Road in Mt. Ulla on Saturday, November
28. Their cattle will be available for viewing and Back Creek bulls will
be for sale! Get a taste of their southern hospitality and sample some
of that Certified Angus Beef. One visit to Back Creek will assure you
that the Hamptons take pride in their product from the pasture to the
plate! |
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