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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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