The Reiss farm was homesteaded in 1929 by Val’s Grandfather, Ted Reiss, at the current location, 3 miles straight east of Weskan, Kansas. Ted built the garage over the fall and then lived in the garage while he built the house during the winter.  Dakota lives in that house today. Ted raised Registered Herefords, a few hogs, and lots of wheat.  Currently, Reiss Livestock is owned and operated by Ted’s grandson Val and his family, though other family members own some of the farm’s land.  Val and Donna live in the town of Weskan where they own and operate a Pioneer brand seed business.  Val’s son Dakota, his wife Kinzie (Selke), and little boys Kree and Kannon currently live on the farm and do most of the daily work there.  They also have other jobs, Dakota works part-time for the family seed business and operates a feed business selling High Noon and Lindner brands out of the seed shop.  Kinzie is a half-time Ag Teacher at Weskan School and operates Kinzie Photography on the side.  Val’s son Garrett and his wife Kylie (Nabor) live in Kinsley, Kansas, where Garrett is the seed manager for Tyree Ag and Kylie is the special events coordinator for the High Plains Journal.  They own a few head of livestock and come home to help with most of the farm’s big events.  Livestock judging is a big part of the family, as Val, Dakota, Kinzie, and Garrett all were members of college livestock judging teams.

Currently Reiss Livestock runs about 100 cows, and 70 sows.  There are about 30 head of Registered Herefords and Charlois cows at this time, these cows will be bred to produce cattle that will perform both in the show ring and the pasture.  70 head are geared towards raising show steers, something the family has had great success with the past 20 years.  The 70 sows are predominately either crossbreds or Registered Spots, both of which are bred for the show ring.  Calves are sold private treaty during the summer, as well as an annual Show Cattle sale in October on The Show Circuit Online with Kinzie’s father, Roger Selke.  Pigs are marketed through various online sales and private treaty, as well as a few select consignment sales in Texas.  While the family enjoys the opportunity to win shows, the best thing that has come out of the operation of Reiss Livestock is the many friends throughout the country we have made because of raising show animals.