Hammonds

Richard and Marcie Hammond

Where this all began...

Marcie and the late Richard Hammond are pioneers in the American Wagyu cattle business. They became involved with the Wagyu in 1991, acquiring some of the finest genetics in the world and began raising Wagyu on their Silverton, Oregon ranch.

As very active members of the American Wagyu Association, Marcie served many years on the board of directors, including president and secretary~ treasurer. They hosted numerous field days and annual meetings and heavily supported the Association activities. Believing that Wagyu cattle could impact the American cattle industry, the Hammonds contributed substantially to the Wagyu cattle research at Washington State University.

Their sincere belief in Wagyu cattle and their involvement in WSU and the American Wagyu Association have made a major contribution in making Wagyu cattle what they are today. Richard believed the commercial cattleman must become involved in order for Wagyu to meet their full potential.

In 1999 they formed a partnership with Ken and Julie Barnes~Tew and Jeff Penick, dba Sutton Creek Cattle Company. Richard passed away unexpectedly in August of 2002.

Marcie continued as an active partner and received an award in 2004 for the Most Purebreds Cattle>15/16 registered with the Association. Marcie recently retired to sunny Mexico but she still acts as consultant to the ranch. Ken, Julie and Jeff remain owners and operators of Sutton Creek Cattle Co. and continue to pursue the Hammond's dream.

The Benefactors of Washington State University

Richard and Marcie Hammond, Cattle ranchers in Silverton, Oregon, are firm believers in, and supporters of, Washington State University's Wagyu research program, Last year, they gave three purebred Wagyu bulls to the University. More recently the generously donated 151 Wagyu embryos. The Hammonds support WSU because they feel the University has been instrumental in the success of the Wagyu program. "Washington State university is the leader in the Wagyu program in the United States," Richard explains." They've been responsible for the success we've had so far, and their research will continue to lead the way in the future."

Richard, who retired from electronics in Orange County, California, 15 years ago, says cattle ranching was his lifelong dream. After retiring, he and Marcie, who grew up on an Angus ranch, bought a cattle ranch in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Hammond ranch started out on 35 acres and has grown to 170 acres in six years. WSU's 1991 Wagyu cattle auction captured the Hammond's attention, and the left the auction with a purebred heifer. In 1994 they purchased an embryo that produced the very first full-blooded heifer born in the United States. Since that time, additional full-blooded animals were purchased and by embryo transplant, their herd has grown considerably. "We have been successful at this and wanted to give WSU some of the embryos for their research," says Richard. The Hammond Ranch has 57 purebred cows and more than 57 full bloods. It also has a number of purebred bulls and full-blooded bulls.

Marcie manages the breeding and Richard the marketing, sales and export of both the animals and embryos. Richard was born in 1930 during the Great Depression. His family moved from Hawaii to California when he was six years old. While his brothers were doing paper routes, Richard was making more money then his father by working at movie studios as an extra in " Our Gang" movies. Marcie and Richard married eight years ago. They both came into the union with children, and Richard also has grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The WSU Foundation honors Richard and Marcie Hammond as Benefactors and is grateful for their commitment to Washington State University.