Tommie Rogers King of Cattle Festival

Tommie L. Rogers will be honored as the King of the 67th Annual Louisiana Cattle Festival.
The event will begin Friday. The Grand Parade will be Saturday at 1 p.m.
Rogers was born and raised in Abbeville, Louisiana and is the son of the late J.C. “Black” and Effie Rogers, also of Abbeville. Tommie is married to Janice Fortner Rogers , with whom he has four lovely daughters and eight grandchildren.
Dr. P.O. Landry and Tommie’s grandfather, Chon Broussard, introduced Tommie to the world of animals and open land as a young boy. He spent countless days playing “Rawhide” in the open fields of Delcambre. These early childhood experiences solidified Tommie's desire to pursue his love of land and animals. Tommie’s bond with his father was one of mutual respect and understanding – his father instilled in him, from a young age, the will to never give up on your dreams; quitting was not an option.  Tommie attributes his success to his father’s example of hard work, integrity and honor. Like his father, Tommie firmly believes these principles are the key to success.
Upon graduating from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Tommie ventured into the oil industry working for several service companies in the Gulf of Mexico.  In the late 70’s, he started his own oil tool service company, Roger’s Oil Tools Services, Inc. He was the owner and president of Rogers Oil Tools Services for 30 years. As a result of his innovated ideas and ambition Tommie lead Rogers Oil Tools Services, Inc. into an internationally respected brand.
While pursuing a career in the oil industry, Tommie was presented with the opportunity to buy land and live out a childhood dream. In 1982 Tommie bought his first piece of land in the town of Branch, Louisiana. With just six cows, he began a second career in the cattle industry by establishing the Branch Ranch. He was determined to build a successful cattle operation. As his daughters matured, Tommie introduced them to the cattle industry through the 4-H program, where he supported them with beef cattle for their projects. For about 12 years Tommie and his daughters traveled around the country showing Brangus cattle. Through the years, Tommie developed valuable relationships with area cattlemen as well as cattlemen throughout the country. The condition and value of his animals, as well as the honesty of his opinion, afforded him the respect of cattlemen everywhere. 
Tommie served as President of the Louisiana Brangus Breeders Association (LBBA) for eight years, during which time he also served on the board of directors and chaired various committees and research programs with the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA). Tommie expanded his interest in the Brangus industry even further when he served as President of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) from 1999 to 2000. In the midst of it all, the Branch Ranch outgrew its original location in Branch, Louisiana. In 1996 Tommie moved the Ranch to its current location in Mansfield, Louisiana. The new property provided ample space for Tommie's cattle operation, as well as room for expansion. The Branch Ranch continued to grow and in 2003, the Louisiana Cattle Festival and Fair named Tommie Rogers Outstanding Cattleman of the Year. 
Big changes came for Tommie and the Branch Ranch in 2007 when he sold Rogers Oil Tools Services, Inc, which he owned and operated for over 30 years.  With more time on his hands, Tommie devoted his efforts to his herd and a new era of the Branch Ranch.  This included the purchase of The Island Plantation property in 2012, located near Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The addition affords Tommie the opportunity to expand his cattle operation making a bigger impact within the cattle industry.  The property in Natchitoches, Louisiana is now the development center for weaned cattle and the Branch Ranch's specialty breeding programs. It is also the host to the development center for the two-year-old breeding bull program while the main Ranch location in Mansfield is devoted to a registered mama cow operation.
Tommie's success with the Branch Ranch is the result of hard work. He is dedicated to his craft and is always in search of new and innovative ways to enhance the cattle industry.