Our Breeding Program
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The Must Haves
We have consistently worked a full time job along with farming, so cows that function with minimal supervision are an absolute must for our operation. We strive to breed efficient, functional cattle that match our environment, while producing high-value calves that grow and grade.
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To put it simply, blue collar cows that raise white tablecloth beef.
Breed Composition
Registered Simmental and SimAngus Cows
Our entire cowherd is registered with the American Simmental Association, utilizing Total Herd Enrollment to submit real-world performance data on our herd each year. We achieved Performance Advocate status in 2023 and are committed to representative data for the long haul.
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The majority of our cowherd falls between 1/2 and 5/8 Simmental with the balance being Black or Red Angus. We believe the SimAngus female gives us the best of both worlds from a maternal and terminal trait perspective.
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We utilize AI and ET to continue to bring in genetics from across the country. We have continued to use natural service bulls sourced from Nichols Farms in Iowa and 3C Christensen Ranch in South Dakota.
Our Environment
Our primary pasture grass is reed canary grass, which grows wild in our perennial flood plain near the Manitowoc River. Structural soundness and foot quality is a must, our cows must be able to travel and find feed in soft ground conditions.
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Our cows begin calving in late March ending in May. We rotationally graze from May -September before moving on to crop residue or cover crops until conditions require us to begin feeding dry hay or baleage. Calves are weaned in late October into our monoslope barn, where steers are transitioned onto a finishing diet. Our replacement heifers are developed on forage alone, designed to produce long lasting cows that thrive without supplementation.
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Heifers and cows receive one round of AI or an embryo before being covered by our natural service sires. AI Sires we've used recently include: SAV Resource 1441, CCR Cowboy Cut, TNT Tanker, 3C Beau, WS Proclamation, and Hooks Eagle.
