A southern family raises seedstock for commercial producers and balances a highly diversified operation. by Lilly Platts Simmental and Red Angus seedstock, burley tobacco, purebred hogs, and a variety of crops make up Bart and Sarah Jones’ Red Hill Farms. Their 500-head seedstock operation supplies bulls to commercial producers through two annual sales. The majority…
A Georgia-based commercial operation combines an emphasis on heterosis with efficient management. By Emme Troendle Troy Highsmith and his son, Spencer, owners and operators of Highsmith Simmental Farm, a ranching and farming operation that dates back to the late-1970s, realize that success goes hand-in-hand with good management. “You can buy the best genetics in the…
Seedstock and commercial producers share their firsthand experience with ASA’s new and innovative feeder calf value prediction. By Emme Troendle and Lilly Platts What is it? Historically, the primary limitation of valuing feeder calves has been accurately gauging the profit potential of the largest genetic group within the industry — the crossbred calf. International Genetic…
Coordinated by Emme Troendle Grace Erickson, AJSA member and high school student from Bolivar, MO, recently won an essay competition sponsored by BEEF magazine. The contest was hosted by Jered Decker, author of the blog A Steak in Genomics, and sponsored by BEEF magazine, Zoetis, and GeneSeek. The essay contest is part of the “Identifying…
by Lilly Brogger, American Simmental Association When Simmental genetics took a major turn, pushing for black, polled, smaller cattle, the semen of the “old school” bulls sat in tanks with less demand. Kevin Voltz has been around Simmental cattle his entire life. His parents began running them in the 70’s, and since that time, “new”…
A commercial Colorado breeder utilizes Simmental genetics in their operation. By Rachel Spencer Gabel, freelance writer Reeves and Betsy Brown of Beulah, Colorado, were hit particularly hard by the drought conditions that plagued southern Colorado in past years. In 2000, they cut their Angus cow herd to below 500 cows. With fewer cows and few diminishing expenses,…
A long-time Simmental seedstock producer utilizes breed diversity. By Emme Troendle “Our prime goal is to produce practical cattle for practical cattlemen,” says Joe Prud’homme (pronounced Prude-home), owner of 7P Ranch. Since 1972, the ranch, situated in eastern Texas, just outside of Tyler, has been producing Simmental and Simmental influenced cattle built around the principle…
