Breeding Goals

Until mid-2018, we ran a “bull free” operation relying strictly on artificial insemination (AI) to impregnate our cows.  We are fortunate that Canton, TX based Champion Genetics is a little over a one hour drive from our ranch making this approach affordable and convenient.  To date we have not employed embryo transplants or any other advanced methods of reproduction.  We did add a bull to the herd and a fabulous one at that.  We do have three specific goals with our breeding efforts which are described below:

Butler Influence

One of the first cows we purchased was Miss Coach Reflection BW.  She’s 100% Butler over the top and predominantly Butler on the bottom.  When we purchased her she was bred to a 100% Butler bull and produced a beautiful heifer calf shortly thereafter.  At the 2018 Cow Town Classic we purchased a third predominately Butler cow–this one is a stunning blue roan.

Our goal with these cows is to produce hybrid vigor outcross calves by  coming over the top of these predominately Butler cows with the best big horn, color throwing bulls in the industry.  If you aren’t a longhorn breeder, think of this like the heterosis effect in F1 beef cattle operations.  However, in breeding Registered Texas Longhorn Cattle, the heterosis strategy is based on original family bloodlines.

With this part of our program, our hope is to create a generation of longhorns that showcase the lines and beauty of the Butler breed with some of the larger horn structures and flashy colors available in top caliber bulls today.  You might find us at a Butler auction looking to add to this this part of our program.

 

Well Rounded Cows

For some time the industry has been all about tip to tip horn length and color.  Though we do not see that changing, we have been to several events where panelists and speakers have stressed the need to also breed cows who are good milkers and showcase other points of the breed including body structure, hips, and joints.  We like that philosophy.  And, we are lucky to have a couple of cows who meet that criteria.  One is an 11 year old large framed cow that features 78″ symmetrical horns, a very healthy utter, and is as fertile as they get.

In this part of our breeding program, our goal is to breed these cows with known color and horn producing bulls.  Our first successful AI was breeding the 11 year old to Saddlehorn .  This July she had a solid black heifer calf that has size and strength.  We can’t wait to watch her grow.  We’ll be taking the mom back for another AI attempt in September.

We look to add another cow or two of this nature to our herd and we will take the same approach.  If you see us bidding on one of these at a future auction, we are serious about this part of our program.

Horns and Color

Yes, we too strive to produce Texas Longhorn cattle with large horns and lots of color.  We will take several approaches here including breeding for twist, flat symmetrical, and artistic color patterns.  As the foundation of this program we’ve acquired two heifers we really like.  The first came to us from Kurt and Glenda Twining’s Silver T Ranch and was bred to their CV Call of Duty.  We are literally waiting for a calf any day as of the writing of this page.  Scott and Stacey Schumacher helped us find our next heifer for this program.  She is a 10 month old heifer calf who is the daughter of “Over the Top“.   I think you can see where we are headed with this portion of our breeding program.

Out Cross Herd Sire

In 2018 we had a great opportunity to partner with Dave Pace of Circle Double J Ranch on the acquisition of a bull.  RC Tsunami 2 features a low, twisty horn structure measuring 85″ TTT .  He comes from West Coast breeding providing us with a bull that compliments our AI strategy.  You can read more about him here.