Sterling man honored, induction into Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame

STERLING, Colo. -- A family business in Sterling is proving how important the livestock market business is in any community.

The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was Friday, July 29th and Sterling Colorado’s own Jim Santomaso from the Sterling Livestock Company was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Santomaso was the 11th member of the Hall of Fame.

“Very nice banquet, very nice auction they put on the next day,” Santomaso said.

The day after the banquet was the King of the Ring auction contest. Santomaso’s son Jason was one of 10 auctioneers chosen to participate in the show.

Santomaso said he was up against some big names in the livestock marketing industry. 

“It’s tremendous and it’s extremely humbling to look at the names that are in there [hall of fame] already, and the names that went in with me,” Santomaso said. “Sometimes I think I’m overshadowed and I’m not sure what I’m doing in here, but it was the greatest honor that I’ve ever had in my life.”

According to Santomaso, many people from the urban areas may not realize what livestock companies do for the economy.

“These farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land and their livestock in the United States, they provide an extremely safe and good product for the consumer,” Santomaso said.

The Sterling Livestock company has been a family company since Santomaso’s father-in-law bought it in 1958. Santomaso said livestock, in general, will continue to be a key factor in any community.

“It is extremely important it is vital to the city of Sterling, Logan County and the surrounding areas, the local auction markets no matter where they are just a vital part of the economy,” Santomaso said.