He operated a livestock auction barn in 1941; otherwise, he engaged in farming and ran a mercantile business.

In livestock auction markets, cattle are sold in dollars per hundredweight (short), whereas hogs are sold in dollars per hundred kilograms.

Agriculture doesn't play as prominent of a role as it did in the 20th century, with the only remaining viable agricultural market being the livestock auction.

Businesses include two grain elevators, a livestock auction, veterinary clinic, and numerous other businesses providing goods and services related to the farms and ranches surrounding the community.

The next few weeks are the busiest for the 1.1 billion-a-year livestock auctions as sheep and cattle are bought and sold and move to lowlands.