2003 Seedstock Producer of the Year

Harry Moser (left) of Moser Ranch receives the Seedstock Producer of the Year Award from Richard McClung, 2003 BIF President.

Moser Ranch Receives the 2003 BIF Outstanding Seedstock Producer Award

In spring 1987 the Moser Ranch marketed four bulls as breeding stock to local cattlemen. In their 11th annual sale in 2003, 118 head of Simmental, Angus and Red Angus bulls sold into seven states and one Canadian province. Harry, is a native of North Dakota and a graduate of North Dakota State University. Lisa is a native of Kansas with a degree from Kansas State University. They’ve been in the cattle business all of their lives. Along with their children — Cameron (19), Kendra (16) and Kayla (11) — the Mosers own and manage the Moser Ranch, located approximately 40 miles northeast of Manhattan in the northern Flint Hills of Kansas.

With the use of proven, predictable genetics and an extensive artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) program, utilizing every available economic and performance measurement, the Mosers have built a strong genetic base, while developing a strong customer-service program. The Moser ranch cow herd consists of 150 spring- and 20 fall-calving Simmental females, 40 spring- and 10 fall-calving Angus, 25 Red Angus spring-calving females, and 50 fall-calving commercial Angus females. Seven producers are cooperator herds for the ET program, which began in 1991. This enables the Mosers to produce approximately 150 additional calves per year. Bulls are sold primarily to commercial cattlemen in the annual bull sale; females and embryos are sold private treaty.

The Mosers are very hands-on with respect to their entire operation. The family works together and utilizes the strengths each person brings to the operation, whether it be for day-to-day care of the cow herd, sire selection and mating decisions, heat detection and AI, weaning and development of bulls and replacements, putting up and grinding feed, sale management and promotion, financial and breed association bookwork, computer time and Web site updates, customer service and consultations, or developing marketing options and feeding alliances.

In the past five years, the commitment to helping market customer calves through various avenues has been especially rewarding. Two alliances with which they are involved provide feedlot and carcass data on each individual animal that goes through each program. In addition, a Moser Influence Preconditioned Calf Sale each fall gives still other customers a very lucrative option. Continued customer and consumer education is addressed regularly by holding seminars and hosting tours to enhance understanding of the beef industry.