We began our purebred Red Angus herd in 1999 with the purchase of a bull and heifer. It is from that nucleus that our herd has been developed. We purchased some cows thereafter, but have maintained a closed cowherd since 2002.

Our initial focus was developing sound cattle, capable of surviving and thriving on the often limited inputs available on the High Plains. Selection pressure was applied to produce cattle with calving ease, low birth weight, and high longevity in the herd – meaning an EPD emphasis favoring high CED, low BW, and high STAY. Although not an early focus of our herd bull selections, we have also long applied pressure on maintenance energy, preferring a low ME EPD. The latter is simply a reflection of the environment in which our cattle live, and conditions to which we subject our cows. For winter rations, our cows forage stock-piled grass until mid-February, and are only fed supplemental hay from that point through calving. (In very rare instances of ice or extremely heavy snowfall, we do feed hay for brief periods before mid-February; however, those precipitation events are not common in our part of the country.) Since 2009, we have also applied selection pressure on the HPG and CEM EPDs, the results of which are now starting to become apparent.

We have emphasized these EPDs because we want a cow that will calve unassisted, forage for a significant portion of her nutritional needs, yet breed back to produce fertile progeny. In the process, we don’t overlook the other genetic traits, but we won’t pursue a high YW EPD, for example, if it were to come at the expense of any of our main areas of focus.

But there is no EPD for the most important trait for which we have selected – disposition. It is no understatement that we have been very meticulous in culling any cows which display aggression. Anyone who has had to weigh a newborn calf with the momma cow in one’s hip pocket will fully appreciate this sentiment. We have also found that quiet cows are just better for any scenario – whether it’s working them, loading them, or simply moving among them. University studies back us up on this. Flighty calves don’t gain as well in the feedlot.

We believe the selection criteria we employ will produce cattle that can survive and thrive on limited inputs.

A Little Bull. . .

Our bull-raising philosophy is: Grow them slowly! We hope to extend their useful life and—as recent evidence indicates—perhaps increase overall lifetime fertility. Our intention is to raise bulls with excellent calving ease and the ability to produce growthy calves. But the best EPDs in the world are worthless if a bull outgrows his feet and legs. Additionally, studies have shown that bulls fattened as yearlings may deposit fat in the scrotum which—even if the bull is later lowered to a very thin body condition—remains and may decrease fertility.

We calve on green grass in May for several reasons. First, there is plenty of daylight for checking cattle. Secondly, the peak demand on any cow is approximately forty-five days post-calving. This is her period of heaviest lactation and also the time she resumes cycling. In our region, grass growth peaks around July 1. Why not feed her the best when she needs it the most?

We fenceline wean to decrease stress on both dam and calf. Evidence (and our personal observations) indicates calves go on feed sooner when they can still touch noses with their momma and get a little loving. Calves are started on ad libitum oat hay and a custom grain ration high in fiber and containing a balanced protein. All cattle in our operation receive ad lib salt/mineral mix.

Following their first winter, yearling bulls are sent to pasture where they continue to receive a light grain ration. The grain serves a couple of purposes. First, it helps extend the grass. And, equally importantly, it keeps the bulls coming up to the bunks for a daily dose of human contact. We’ve found that there’s nothing better for taming cattle than a five-gallon bucket. Bulls spend their second winter on a ration of CRP hay and the same custom grain mix.

Veterinary procedures for long-yearling bulls are as follows:

At birth: Vaccinated against from clostridials (“blackleg”) plus pinkeye and virals (BVD, BRSV, IBR, PI3 + vibrio, lepto).

October (of birth year): Booster vaccinations against clostridials (“blackleg”) plus pinkeye, virals (BVD, BRSV, IBR, PI3 + vibrio, lepto), Fusogard (footrot), dewormed, tattoed, and branded.

November (before sale): Weighed, dewormed, boostered vaccinations, and performed Breeding Soundness Exams.

A Little Heifer. . .

Our cows are bred to calve beginning May 1 – but our cows seem eager to begin the process, so in some years we have had half of our calves by then. Our calves are born on grass, which we find virtually eliminates instances of scours and contributes to overall better calf health.

As calves are born, they are vaccinated for clostridial diseases (“blackleg”) and pinkeye and viral diseases (BVD, IBR, BRSV, PI3), vibrio, and lepto). Following separation, they are introduced to a ration of grain and free choice oat hay. Heifers receive booster vaccines including brucellosis (Bangs), are dewormed, tattooed, and branded. Note: heifers are not given the Fusogard (footrot) vaccine.