Annual Angus
Production Sale
February 28, 2009
at the
Texas Cattle
Exchange
Eastland, Texas
J/R Cattle Company is a partnership established in 2002 by brothers, Jerry and Roy Swetnam, with the goal of producing genetically superior Natural Beef Angus cattle. Raised on the family farm located in Lorenzo, Texas, our father and grandfather instilled an intense level of honor and integrity in the building of our characters as indicated by our dedication to God, Country, and Family. These values will always translate directly into our business dealings, as well as our commitment to the company’s mission and goals. We believe that family values and traditions are the building blocks of any successful undertaking.
Jerry Swetnam’s love of cattle began in high school when he purchased his first Angus cattle. Following his passion, he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Production with an emphasis on Animal Nutrition. Jerry owned and operated his own auto parts business for 16 years while maintaining his growing Angus herd. His passion for the Angus breed was the catalyst for the creation of J/R Cattle Company.
Roy Swetnam served as an officer in the Texas Department of Public Safety for 29 years. Early in his career he was promoted into the Aviation Section as a helicopter pilot. Later he was promoted to the position of Unit Commander of the Aviation Section where he served for 18 years. During this period Roy served 10 years on the board of Directors for the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (an international association created to promote safe and efficient utilization of aircraft in law enforcement). Upon his retirement from DPS, he accepted a position with Flir Systems, Inc. as the National Director of Airborne Law Enforcement Sales. Roy left Flir to return home to help the family care for his ailing mother. This return home presented Roy and Jerry with the opportunity to create J/R Cattle Company.
Rex Swetnam, Roy’s son, joined the partnership in 2005 after returning from a tour in Afghanistan as an AH64 Apache helicopter pilot. Rex’s interest in Angus cattle goes back to childhood summers spent on the family farm learning how to brand, vaccinate, and care for cattle. The influence of Roy’s aviation career gave Rex the desire to fly helicopters, and the National Guard gave him the opportunity. In addition to flying with the National Guard, Rex developed his business experience as President and CEO of Brentwood Development, Inc. It was his early interest in Angus cattle and a desire to be closer to his family that brought him into this venture.
The Family History:
In 1903, Harry Swetnam (Jerry & Roy’s grandfather) and his stepbrother Emmett Gafford, both 14 years old, rode 200 miles on horseback to the Matador Ranch looking for work. Upon their arrival at the ranch, they discovered only one cowboy was needed, so it was decided that Emmett would stay at the Matador Ranch and Harry would continue on to the Goodnight Ranch in the Texas Panhandle (another 100 miles). During the time that he worked at the Goodnight Ranch, his interest in cows grew. Harry purchased the original acreage in Lorenzo for his farm in 1920. The remaining acreage of the farm, as we know it today, was purchased in 1943. That same year, Harry registered the “Quarter Circle Bar” brand that we are using today.
Harry's son, Robert Swetnam (Jerry & Roy’s dad) received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry from Texas Tech University. Upon Harry’s retirement, Robert took over the operation and management of the family farm. While the primary focus of the family farm was raising cotton, Robert always maintained a small herd of cattle.
The Lawrence Family:
Howard and Caryl Lawrence with their children Aubrey, Mathew, Caryn, and Colt, are very diligently caring for our cattle in beautiful Rising Star, Texas. Howard serves as president of the School Board and is a deacon of the First Baptist Church. Caryl actively volunteers for school and church functions. Howard has a degree in AG Business from Tarleton State Univesity and has been involved with every aspect of cattle production from commercial cow calf to stockers to feeding cattle in the feedlot and the Registered Angus operation.
