GROVELAND — In between customers, Bud Raulerson often leans against the open door above the loading dock at Cattleman Feed North.
Dressed in his cowboy boots, faded jeans and Western-style shirt, Raulerson is a familiar sight to drivers passing by the old wooden building at the corner of North Lake Avenue and State Road 19.
“I’ve been here since the store opened,” said Raulerson, 68. “Cattleman’s has another store in Polk City, but I opened this one up for them 10 years ago.”
On a recent midweek afternoon, Raulerson didn’t have too much time to watch the world go by. Customers were constantly stopping by to pick up feed for their livestock and pets.
David Shipley of Clermont ran in during his lunch break to help out a neighbor.
“I’m picking up a few bales of hay and some feed for his horses and dogs,” said Shipley, as he darted back out to his truck less than five minutes after entering.
Customers come from all over south Lake County to the store that stocks supplies for a wide variety of domestic, farm and wild animals.
Danny Keating, who lives south of Groveland on S.R. 33, stopped by to pick up three 50-pound bags of corn to put in feeders for turkeys and deer. Some customers put out food to attract wild birds and game; others purchase supplies for more domesticated animals.
Brenda Bogard of Groveland had her pets and livestock in mind when she backed up her pickup to the loading dock. She was there to get feed for the six donkeys and assorted dogs, cats, chickens and ducks she keeps on her 20-acre spread.
“I come here because it’s convenient, the prices are good, and I like Bud,” Bogard said.
With his dry sense of humor, no-fuss attitude and years of experience in the feed business, Raulerson is able to help his customers find the right food and supplies for their animals.
“We have feed for cows, horses, sheep, goats, birds, fish, cats, dogs, hogs, rabbits and chickens. You name it; we have it or can get it,” he said.
The store also stocks mineral, molasses, protein and salt blocks, hay, small animal traps, animal medications, fencing and gates, horse supplies and pet supplies.
Raulerson even educates the public about the biology of chickens.
“I just got off the phone with someone who wanted to know how many eggs a chicken lays each day,” the storekeeper said, laughing. “When I told her one egg a day and she said, “Well, that won’t work. I’ll need too many chickens.’ “
The “official” hours at Cattleman Feed North are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the store is often open earlier.
“The door is usually open at 6 a.m.,” Raulerson said. “That way I can catch the working people running in to pick up their feed.”
For information, call 352- 429-2944.
