Raise 'em, Ride 'em, Rope 'em

HAYES CENTER -- Raising steers is the family business. Roping steers is the family sport.

"We've raised steers for roping for 15 years," said Keith Lapp of rural Hayes Center. "We've been roping all our lives."

Keith and Lana Lapp and their son and daughter and their families raise longhorn steers for lease to rodeos and roping clubs. The family has leased steers in 15 western states, from Wisconsin to Arizona.

The families sponsors roping events locally, and even the youngest Lapps are proficient horseback riders and ropers. Keith and Lana's family includes son Heath and his wife Michelle, and their three daughters, Jaimie, Taylor and Jaycee; and daughter Tracy and her husband Tim Tyan and their daughter, Shelby, and son, Levi.

Raising 3,000-4,000 longhorns is a lot of work, and it's a good business, Keith said. "But we try to keep it low-key ... make it fun."

Keith said. "It's like going to the lake for us. And roping keeps the kids occupied with good things."

Keith said his family likes visiting at the ropings and enjoys people associated with livestock. "They're good stock," he said.