BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
For higher weaning weights, growth, and feedlot performance, we run Simmental bulls on our commercial cattle. We use Angus and Sim/Angus as our replacement heifers because they are hardy and easy fleshing cattle that retain their body condition on marginal feed in the winter.
For higher weaning weights, growth, and feedlot performance, we run Simmental bulls on our commercial cattle. We use Angus and Sim/Angus as our replacement heifers because they are hardy and easy fleshing cattle that retain their body condition on marginal feed in the winter.
GENETICS
Because cattle with genetics that cause high milk production and growth rates are not capable of retaining their body condition on marginal feed, we choose middle of the road genetics. Selecting moderate production genetics allows us to produce feed efficient cattle that will perform effectively on marginal feed with or without minimal supplementation. In our AI program we use older proven bulls with high accuracy EPD’s to avoid the regrets of bulls whose EPD’s change markedly after their progeny are reported in additional herds.
Because cattle with genetics that cause high milk production and growth rates are not capable of retaining their body condition on marginal feed, we choose middle of the road genetics. Selecting moderate production genetics allows us to produce feed efficient cattle that will perform effectively on marginal feed with or without minimal supplementation. In our AI program we use older proven bulls with high accuracy EPD’s to avoid the regrets of bulls whose EPD’s change markedly after their progeny are reported in additional herds.
LIFECYCLE
Cattle are wintered primarily on corn stalks in the Columbia Basin. In the spring cows are moved to desert range before moving to summer pastures. The commercial herds go primarily to large dry land pastures while smaller groups of registered cattle are kept on irrigated pasture with one bull to control breeding selection and mating. Fall calves don’t have impressive 205 weights but these calves are spending half of that time nursing cows that are on quite marginal feed during their peak lactation period. These calves still obtain 1000 pound 365 weights when they go to grass in the summer. Buyers prefer our fall born bulls for their maturity and additional stamina, size and fertility. These bulls can be grown slowly rather than being pushed harder like twelve to fourteen month old bulls which tend to lose body condition more quickly when turned out. The calves learn to range on the section desert pastures where they must walk with their mothers for a mile to water.
Cattle are wintered primarily on corn stalks in the Columbia Basin. In the spring cows are moved to desert range before moving to summer pastures. The commercial herds go primarily to large dry land pastures while smaller groups of registered cattle are kept on irrigated pasture with one bull to control breeding selection and mating. Fall calves don’t have impressive 205 weights but these calves are spending half of that time nursing cows that are on quite marginal feed during their peak lactation period. These calves still obtain 1000 pound 365 weights when they go to grass in the summer. Buyers prefer our fall born bulls for their maturity and additional stamina, size and fertility. These bulls can be grown slowly rather than being pushed harder like twelve to fourteen month old bulls which tend to lose body condition more quickly when turned out. The calves learn to range on the section desert pastures where they must walk with their mothers for a mile to water.