EARLY RENOVATIONS
New fiberglass stock tanks fed from new and existing water wells needed to be installed to supplement the surface water-fed stock tanks (embankment ponds) that are well known to dry out during periods of drought in West Central Texas.
A year later, a homestead and additional acreage to the immediate north of the original property in 2017 was acquired.
That fall, they purchased an initial set of five commercial F-1 Angus-Hereford females (black baldies). Shortly after that, they realized that a related breed had been developed around this primary cross; the American Black Hereford. They quickly joined the breed association and learned that the Black Hereford remains one of the fastest-growing registered breed associations in the country.
Since that time, the ranch has grown to include additional forage production and haying operations, high-quality Hereford genetics have been added for integration into their herd and they have learned, often the hard way, to be more effective and efficient in the operation of the ranch. They remain on a never-ending learning curve, but things have become easier with the growth of the ranch.
GROWING OPERATIONS
While the show ring is an important element of the American Black Hereford Association, John and Brenda focus on productivity and sound animal conformation, rather than show characteristics.
Calving ease
WEANING WEIGHT
YEARLING WEIGHT
MILK PRODUCTION
Docility
The ranch breeding program seeks to improve the Black Hereford breed by focusing on THE FOLLOWING traits:
Another goal is to produce and utilize forage produced at the ranch; winter wheat, Sorghum-Sudan hybrid hay as well as drought-resistant Tifton-85 Bermuda hay is typical. Vaccination practices are consistent with those recommended by the Texas A & M System. Animal husbandry and vaccination practices are consistent with those recommended by the Texas A & M System and our local veterinarians.
At this time, they offer registered, ABHA herd sire-certified bulls each fall and yearling replacement heifers each spring. Only animals that pass through a defined series of selection steps are retained for sale or remain with the herd. All stock are polled and a good portion of the herd is homozygous polled. Occasionally they also produce a few polled commercial replacement heifers.
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Nutrition is key and specific mineral compositions are used during the year based on conditions and the base forage the animals are on.
Feel free to contact us for a tour or talk about our program.