Our goal is to provide properly
conditioned bulls and a complete genetic analysis with the conformation and Expected
Progeny Differences (EPDs) to
help commercial cattlemen develop a profitable cowherd. We strive for a balance
of traits; cattle that have a high rate of reproduction, grow fast and produce
marketable carcasses in the proper frame size.
Maternal traits include easy going cattle
that have good udder quality, appropriate frame size and fleshing ability.
We demand that our
cattle have a marketable calf each year. The calves must grow fast and
have the ability to produce a marketable carcass. We know carcass value is more than just marbling
and strive for a balance of carcass weight, Yield Grade and Quality Grade.
Breeds
We know that no single breed provides all
of the important economic traits. While Angus and Red Angus provide fleshing
ability and marbling, Gelbvieh and Simmental provide growth and muscle.
We don't believe we need to make
the fastest growing, heaviest muscled Angus. We already have
Continentals that can provide muscle and growth.
And the
combination of Angus genetics with these maternal Continentals improves
ranch efficiency by increasing weaning weight per cow exposed.
Management
We believe a seedstock herd should be
managed just like a commercial herd. If we raised commercial cattle, we
would not change our management or breeding program.
We believe there is an art and a
science to cattle breeding. While EPDs (science) are important and
can help you determine the optimum level in your environment, it is
still important to physically evaluate each animal to make corrective
matings on type.
By combining the science with the art of
cattle breeding, we are confident our bulls will work for you.
Bull Development
We provide grain developed and forage
developed bulls. The grain developed bulls are put on a "Fast Track". That means they
are developed in a feedlot with moderate gains to express their genetic
differences and offered to the public as yearlings.
The forage developed bulls are weaned and
placed in large pastures that are predominantly fescue with a small amount of grain until 550 day weights are taken.
This is our "Stress Test". We want to evaluate these bulls under the same
conditions as stockers are raised in Missouri. The resulting 18-month old bulls
are ready to handle a larger number of cows and be used in larger pastures.
