Richie Oakes, Taloga, Oklahoma, was raised on a 600-head registered and commercial cattle operation that included wheat and hay production. The fourth generation of Oakes to work his family’s operation, Richie is the co-owner and manager of OK Angus Ranch, which has been nationally recognized for consistently raising and feeding high-grading cattle as proven through feedlot data.

In 2006 he and his wife, Marylu, acted upon a longtime dream to reestablish the Vanderwork Herefords brand in the registered Hereford business. Along with Scotty and Cindy Vanderwork, they obtained 25 quality registered Hereford cows to rebuild a tradition of raising quality Herefords that are both functional and eye appealing — a tradition established by her father in the 1930s. Since 2006 Vanderwork Herefords has received a prestigious AHA Hereford Bull of the Year award and has twice been named the Oklahoma Breeder of the Year. The Vanderworks’ focus is on helping to improve the Hereford breed through raising competitive show cattle which still meet the demands of beef consumers. Currently, they maintain a registered herd of 75 cows, six donor cows and approximately 30 recipients.

Richie received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Oklahoma State University and was on the livestock judging team, which won several national contests. Upon graduation, he was a vocational agriculture instructor for four years before returning to be involved full-time in the family farming and ranching operation. Today, Riche enjoys using his skills in judging cattle shows from local to national levels. Highlights have been judging in the Yards at the National Western Stock Show in Denver and judging the National Junior Angus Showmanship contest. Because of their passion for helping and encouraging young people in the livestock industry, he and Marylu enjoy helping kids with show projects and breeding programs and hosting judging teams at the showbarn.

This past president of the Oklahoma Hereford Association (OHA) is currently serving a reelected third term on the OHA board. He has also served as a voting delegate for Oklahoma to the AHA annual meeting. His service has not stopped with red-and-white cattle. Having been raised in a family that bred and showed both Hereford and Angus cattle nation-wide, Richie also has served as president of the Oklahoma Angus Association. Additionally, Richie has served as the beef superintendent for the Oklahoma Youth Expo for 18 years and the general livestock superintendent of the Oklahoma State Fair for 16 years.

The Oakes raised their son, Matt, and daughter, Ashley, in the farming and ranching industry. Now the proud grandparents of six grandchildren, they continue to share their Christian values and love for Hereford cattle with this generation. One of the grandkids favorite shows is the JNHE, which the family has participated in since 2013. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, Richie has been the pastor of The Mega Church in Camargo, Oklahoma, for 17 years.