The cattle business roots run deep in my family. My great grandparents, Millard and Silvia Peterson, owned the Peterson Ranch prior to it being taken by eminent domain. It is now owned and operated by California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo, CA) beef unit and still referred to today as the Peterson Ranch. Following in the footprints of my family, I am the 4th generation raising cattle. My passion for cattle began showing 4-H and FFA steers and heifers at my county and state fairs and jackpots. In 1985 I purchased my first Angus pair at Angus Days and I knew then that I wanted to have my own operation raising cattle. My experiences being on the livestock judging teams at both Modesto Junior College and Chico State University as well as working for some of the most prominent ranches in the area proved to be invaluable experiences ultimately molding and influencing our cattle operation today.

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In 2001, after graduating college I purchased land in Orland, CA which is home to Strickler Livestock. At that time I also went to work for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health as a cattle pharmaceutical sales rep where I have now been for 20 years. For years I raised both club calves and heifers, but as work and life changed, I shifted my focus to selecting for maternal genetics and raising elite show heifers and bull prospects. We continue to sell our top end steers each fall in addition to purchasing and consigning steers to meet the needs of our customers.

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In 2018 I married my wife Shauna who, along with twin sons, Kennedy and Emerson, have become the best addition to Strickler Livestock yet. Shauna and the boys’ excitement to be better and do better inspire me to take what I do to the next level. Shauna's background in cattle sales and marketing have already been invaluable and watching Emerson and Kennedy work with their calves and see their desire to be involved in everything we do with the cattle is what makes the early mornings and late nights all worth it.  We are family owned and operated and everything we do is with family effort and collaboration.