DJS Shorthorns is a family operation, for Dean and Janice Steck along with their children Craig and Crystal. Currently DJS Shorthorns maintains a cow base of 50 purebred shorthorns. The use of artificial insemination along with embryo transplantation continues to provides them with progeny that is competitive and profitable for their customers.

Dean was raised in the Shorthorn industry and an active member of the Darrel Steck and Son’s Shorthorn operation. He was active in the routine activities of a farm and enjoyed showing and fitting cattle. Upon graduation from Black Hawk College East Campus Dean was employed as a swine herdsman for Carl Jones in Lincoln Illinois.

It wasn’t long before he realized that his true passion was still cattle and he was given a great opportunity to be herdsman at Rolyn Shorthorns, Delevan, Illinois in the fall of 1976. Dean and Jan spent 10 years working for Roger and Lynette Steiger. The Steiger’s provided them with a great opportunity to begin heir own herd while working for them. They owe the Steiger’s a great deal for the support and encouragement given by them as they built their cow base.

DJS Shorthorns began in 1978 with the purchase of Melbourne Gloria for $600 at the Illinois Beef Expo. In fact, Dean called Jan 2 months prior to their wedding and wanted to know if she had $300 dollars to spend on what he believed would be a great female. As fortune had it, they had the last bid and at the 1978 Illinois State Fair Polled Shorthorn Sale. Melbourne Gloria was selected Reserve Grand Champion female at the Illinois State Fair,  this was the beginning of what DJS Shorthorns would be about… Good females that have show ring appeal.

Each year additional cattle where added to the operation. A female that was purchased from Wayne McKee at the Iowa Beef Expo gave us the start of the Anndelle cow family. The resulting progeny from this purchase was Steck's DJS Anndelle 330, more commonly known as "Goose". 330 became widely known when a flush in 1989 resulted in a fabulous group of offspring. In addition to the flush Goose herself carried triplets. From this came DJS Hulkster, DJS Kojack, DJS Triple Play, DJS Lovely Elizabeth, DJS Anndelle 015 and DJS Anna. The success of these offspring resulted in Steck’s DJS Anndelle 330 becoming a pacesetter dam.

The relationship with Wayne and Aileene McKee continued to flourish. Both Wayne and Dean could talk cows and pedigrees for hours. As the children became active participants in the Junior Nationals several McKee cow family progeny where shown successfully. McKee’s Daisy, McKee’s Maisy, McKee’s Cherri, McKee’s Susan, and McKee’s Charanne are just a few of the cow family's acquired through this relationship. The McKee’s are very special people in our lives and we feel very fortunate to share their friendship.

In the fall of 1986, DJS moved to their current place in Knoxville, Illinois. The operation is out of city limits but our South and West border is the city line. It has been a great place to raise the family. They have the feel of the farm with the convenience of town outside our front door. Dean has worked off the farm since 1986 and is currently working for a family owned meat processing facility and store front, Thrushwood Farm and Quality Meats. One of the more interesting components to this is that in a day Dean can AI a cow, birth a calf, harvest a steer, cut and package steaks, and then carve and serve you prime rib. Dean is most likely one of a few beef producers that is part of the beef industry in so many aspects.

Janice works as a registered nurse for Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. She is the business manager of their home care agency. Being raised on a diversified Illinois farm the cow calf operation has been a learning experience. Jan is an active member of the operation and can be found out side with the family routinely.

Craig is currently away from the day to day hands on aspects of the operation but stays engaged and invested through conversations and routine visits. Craig graduated in 2005 from the University of Illinois. During Craig’s collegiate experience he had great success in the livestock judging arena. He participated on the Illinois State 4-H, Black Hawk East Community College, and University of Illinois judging teams and placed in the top 10 in all major contests throughout his judging career. Evaluating cattle is a great passion and skill. Today Craig is employed by Cargill as a Swine Consultant and resides in Omaha, Ne. He also spends a great deal of time with his fiance Stephanie Cronin. Together they make up the Sales and Marketing arm for DJS Shorthorns. They look forward to getting married in 2008.

Crystal is currently finishing her college degree from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. She is studying agribusiness with a focus on animal science. Crystal has a great passion for basketball and continues to be active at the collegiate level. Her work ethics and attention to the show cattle has given our operation some great success with showing the National Champion Show Female in 2004.

We are proud of the family farm operation and are excited to see Craig and Crystal stay involved in the business. Showing cattle is our passion and focus for the operation. We welcome visitors. Give us a call and schedule a tour of our herd. Raising quality show animals with the ability to become productive mature cows.