Herdsman of the Year is a prestigious accomplishment to any breeder. It was only logical to include this category as part of the Best of the Barns. There are a lot of great herdsman in the livestock industry, but this tag team surfaced to the top this year. Bobby and Mandi Maddox are a powerhouse when it comes to getting cattle ready for the show ring and come by the title Herdsman of the Year naturally.
The best herdsmen are not only talented in regards to cattle, but are influential to others. Bobby and Mandi are just that with the Grady Family and the families they helped prior to them. Over the last four years, the Maddox’s not only helped Mikayla Grady achieve the highest bar of success for any showman but excelled with poise and class. Eighteen Grand and Reserve Grand Champion steer pictures currently hang in the office at the Grady resident and every single one of those wins the Maddox and Grady families achieved together – a feat very few have accomplished.
Bobby grew up in Western Oklahoma, where he and his family raised stocker cattle and farmed wheat. He showed a few years in high school, but it was not until he went to El Reno Junior College when he got into the show cattle business. His roommates and biggest influencers, Steve Bonham and Mark Copus helped ignite Maddox’s passion for show cattle and he has not looked back since. Mandi has Bobby to thank for her love of the show cattle industry. Mandi also hails from Oklahoma and grew up showing pigs. It wasn’t until 2004 when she met Bobby that her love for show cattle bloomed. Together they have become a powerful force to reckon with. They not only hold themselves to a higher standard but their showman as well.
Bobby and Mandi take pride in everything they do, from sweeping the barn floor to feeding the cattle. The love for the game makes even the monotonous daily barn tasks enjoyable. But their favorite part is the kids. Mandi says she loves the interaction she has with their showman and watching the progression over time turn into rewards. Both Bobby and Mandi work to help their kids to not only perform to the highest level but to also carry themselves with grace – win or lose.
The passion that Bobby and Mandi Maddox have for the show cattle industry is second to none. They believe that there is no better family than the stock show family and the kids of the industry are top-notch. They enjoy seeing kids come together, even in this highly competitive environment, to help one another and to achieve goals together.
