About J&J Livestock

John Jonasson and Jerry & Dorene Kartes started J&J Livestock in 1980. (John's stepfather and mother) The farm was on Jerry and Dorene's farm in Sedro Woolley. In the beginning we raised Angus cattle, Holstein heifers and goats. We milked the goats to feed the Holstein calves. As time went on we purchased various other beef breeds of cattle. In 1984 we purchased our first registered Polled Hereford cow and found that this breed was the one that fit what we were trying to do with the result that we were satisfied with. Through the 80's we built the herd to around 45 cows between the registered and commercial cattle. During the summer we had cattle in several different fields up the valley from Sedro Woolley to Rockport. This included keeping cattle at Orlie Royals, John's grandmother's farm in Concrete.

In 1991 John married Teresa Larnard and she became a very important part of the farm. She helps with the cattle and haying 365 days a year without a compliant. (Yeah, right) Through the 90's we reduced the amount of commercial cattle and increased the registered herd.

Jerry also did a lot of custom hay baling over the years with the help of Ryan Ringhouse. Ryan started working for us when he was 12 years old. Ryan became very proficient at running all our equipment and showing our cattle. He worked for us until he was 19 and decided he needed a real job. We are very lucky to know he is only a phone call away.

Ryan and his steer at the
Marysville Jr. Livestock show

In 1995 John and Teresa moved up to our current farm in Concrete on the Royal family farm. We believe we will be here for good now.

In 1999 Jerry and Dorene decide that the Arizona sun was calling them so they bought a house in Lake Havasu City and decided Arizona would be home. They sold the farm in Sedro Woolley. It was a hard couple of years for Jerry and John. Lucky for them the cell phone was invented.

When Jerry and Dorene moved we decided that it was time to cut down the herd to 25 Registered Herefords. We sold the commercial cattle and the bottom end of the Registered Herefords. With the herd this size we can keep everybody home without moving them around up and down the valley.

In 2005 John and Teresa became full owners of J&J Livestock. Jerry is now in his 70's and still comes up to Washington with Dorene for part of each summer to help with the hay and anything else that needs done. They continue to be part of everything we do.

We would like the thank Bob Royal (John's Uncle) and Tim Shiers for working with us on our farm. They help haying, fixing equipment

Members of:
American Hereford Assoc.
Washington Hereford Assoc.
West Cascade Hereford Breeders

Discounts and incentives offered to Junior Members, FFA and 4-H Members.