2009 Seedstock
Producer Award Nominees

Calyx Star Ranch

Owners: Robert and Charlie Field and families, Shuqualak, Miss.

After settling in this area in east-central Mississippi in the 1820s, eight generations of the family have produced cotton, feedgrains and timber. Cattle production began in 1935. The present operation, Calyx Star Ranch, started in 1973, shifting to Brangus seedstock production in 1977. At present, Calyx Star Ranch consists of 8,000 acres with 5,500 acres in timber, 1,500 acres in cattle production and the remainder now being developed to row crop production by an outside entity. Commercial hunting is conducted in the timber and row crop areas.

The cow herd is composed of 275 cow-calf units. The herd is evenly divided between commercial and registered Brangus cattle. Half of the herd is managed for spring calving and half for fall calving.

Utilization of artificial insemination (AI) began in 1979. This year they initiated an embryo transfer (ET) program again after doing some ET 10 years ago.

At Calyx Star Ranch, they have maintained brucellosis-free status since 1981, have tested for Johne’s disease since 1998 and have tested for bovine viral diarrhea persistent infection (BVD PI) since 2003. They have also maintained Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification since its inception in Mississippi.

All yearling cattle have been measured for carcass traits with ultrasound technology for the last five years. Calyx Star Ranch has also fed steers produced on a retained ownership basis for the same period.

Calyx Star Ranch is nominated by the Mississippi Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

Champion Hill

Owners: Paul and Lynn Hill and Marshall Reynolds, Bidwell, Ohio

Champion Hill is located in southeastern Ohio coal country, where the rolling hills are ideal for raising cattle. Marshall Reynolds, who owns the land, formed Champion Hill Inc. in 1993, with Paul Hill as president. The farm includes more than 4,000 acres of owned and leased land spread over Gallia County. There are roughly 220 breeding-age registered Angus females and 630 mostly half-blood Angus females that are used as recipients.

In putting together the foundation of their herd, their main focus was to purchase superior females that, with the use of AI and ET, would produce progeny to perform well in the field and feedlot while having the eye appeal to win in the showring and ultimately to be a leading supplier of genetics to the commercial industry.

The Champion Hill prefix has become a fixture in the nation’s top Angus shows. “Where winning is only the beginning,” truly emphasizes their philosophy of breeding cattle that also perform well after their show careers. Each year, Champion Hill sells about 300 females in two production sales at the farm and 200 bulls in a genetic partnership with Schaff Angus Valley in North Dakota.

They also strongly believe in developing productive young people. They have always encouraged talented men and women to work at the farm. While they gain valuable experience, their energy and adventurous nature keep Champion Hill on the leading edge of technology and the beef industry.

Champion Hill is nominated by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.

Gibbs Farms

Owners: Wendell and Nan Gibbs, Ranburne, Ala.

Since 1961, Gibbs Farms has been located on Stateline Road between Ranburne, Ala., and Bowdon, Ga., just south of I-20 in northeastern Alabama. The farm property is made up of rolling pasture and creek bottom hay land.

Gibbs Farms is owned by Wendell and Nan Gibbs with their son Doug Gibbs as the operations manager. It is a family-owned and -operated SimAngus seedstock operation, with the fourth generation of the Gibbs family taking more responsibility every day.

Production of the SimAngus hybrid is not the byproduct of a purebred operation. It is the focus of the operation. An annual production sale is conducted each November, featuring approximately 100 bulls and 135 females. An additional 25-40 bulls are sold private treaty.

The fall-calving herd of approximately 500 cows has a calving season from the first of September to the first of November. By using the best genetics of the two highly complementary breeds of Simmental and Angus, along with modern tools of AI, ET, carcass ultrasound, live animal harvest data, DNA testing, the American Simmental Association Total Herd Enrollment (THE), complete herd performance data, and multi-breed expected progeny differences (EPDs), the goal is to produce a hybrid that will offer the beef industry an added-value genetic product.

All cattle not sold as seedstock are sent to feedlots utilizing retained ownership and are marketed on a premium-based grid that provides complete carcass data for submission to the American Simmental Association. The primary goal is to produce a moderate-framed, easy-fleshing animal with superior carcass qualities, while keeping maternal traits high in the selection process. The Gibbs are very serious about their mission and commitment to not only their customers, but to the entire beef industry.

Gibbs Farms is nominated by the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

Harrell Hereford Ranch

Owners: Bob and Becky Harrell and family, Baker City, Ore.

In 1870 the Harrells’ ancestors, J.B. Gardner and his wife, Mary, traveled in a covered wagon across the historic Oregon Trail to Baker City. Three generations later, in 1970, Bob and Edna Harrell established Harrell Hereford Ranch along the foothills of the beautiful Baker Valley, located in the high-country of eastern Oregon.

Harrell Hereford Ranch is a family-managed operation, consisting of Bob Jr.; his wife, Becky; daughter, Lexie; and his mother, Edna, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Wannie Mackenzie, who are also involved and are partners in the Harrell-Mackenzie Quarter Horse operation.

The cattle ranch originated with 80 acres and 100 head of Hereford cows purchased from Harold Thompson’s TT Herefords in Connell, Wash. Today, the ranch has grown to six ranches and currently consists of 300 registered Hereford cows, 400 black baldy commercial cows, an 800-head backgrounding feedlot, and 45 Quarter Horse broodmares.

Harrell Hereford Ranch is located in a region that receives 12 inches (in.) of moisture annually. The cattle graze on 8,000 acres of high-desert native range and 3,000 irrigated tillable acres on which alfalfa and meadow hay, pasture, corn silage, earlage and small grains are raised with the help of four employees.

The Harrell herd has been performance testing since its inception in 1970, and for more than 39 years the goal has been to produce performance cattle that work under a variety of management systems and branded beef programs. The calving season is matched to the environment and the need to market yearling bulls at a desirable age and weight. Calving begins Feb. 1 for registered cows and March 1 for commercial cows, with bulls being pulled after 60 days.

The Harrell family is also very involved in programs designed to improve Hereford genetics and grow market share for Hereford beef, while promoting sustainable management practices for its customers and their families. The Harrell’s will be hosting their 30th Annual Production Sale this spring, offering more than 120 bulls, 40 females and 25 Quarter Horses.

Harrell Hereford Ranch is nominated by the American Hereford Association.

Musgrave Angus

Owners: Melvin Musgrave and family, Griggsville, Ill.

The Musgrave Family Farm is located four miles south and two miles west of Griggsville, Ill., in the heart of scenic Pike County. This family operation was established in 1917, and the original farmhouse has served as the home for four generations of Musgraves. The original 160 acres have now grown to more than 4,000 acres of corn, soybeans, hay and pasture.

The Angus cattle were added to the operation by Melvin in 1963, and now the herd consists of 175 registered Angus cows. This spring will be the 14th annual “Pick’em In Pike” sale, where they will be offering 80 head of breeding stock.

The Musgraves’ grain operation consists of approximately 2,600 owned and rented acres on which they grow corn and soybeans. They are actively involved with their local soil conservation department in managing erosion, because much of their land is highly erodible. Stewardship of the land is a priority. They spend a lot of time researching new technology and more efficient farming methods to offset the narrowing profit margin in ag production.

As to their Angus cattle, they are focused on raising cattle with added performance and superior maternal strengths. Strict culling has made their herd consistent in style, kind and quality. Quality is more important to them than quantity.

The demand for their cattle has grown during the years, and they have had hundreds of visitors from more than 20 states and Canada. From these 20 states, they have sold to 16. Their cow herd calves in the spring between Jan. 10 and May 5. They are bred artificially once and then turned out to pasture with herd sires.

Musgrave Angus is nominated by the Illinois Beef Improvement Association.

Oak Meadow Farm Simmentals

Owners: Lynn and Barbara Aggen and family, Harmony, Minn.

Oak Meadow Farm is located four miles west of Harmony in the southeastern part of Minnesota. The first 80 acres of the farm were purchased in 1977, with the first cattle being introduced in 1980 when Matthew joined 4-H. The registered Simmental herd increased in numbers when Mark, Mary and Michael were old enough to show.

Currently, Oak Meadow Farm consists of 228 acres of pasture, hay and corn ground. An additional 150 acres of pasture is rented each summer. There are 135 breeding age females on the farm, and calving is primarily done February through April.

Oak Meadow Farm cattle are exhibited at the Iowa State Fair, Minnesota State Fair, and the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). A bull bred, raised and still in service on the farm was selected as the NWSS National Champion in 2002.

Lynn has been a veterinarian with the Harmony Vet Clinic since 1973. Barb retired after 16 years as a paraeducator at the high school in Harmony. Matthew works as the beef manager at Windridge Farms of Decorah, Iowa. Jessica is an assistant vice president at the First State Bank of Fountain, Minn. Matthew and Jessica have two boys, Hunter (10) and Garrett (7). Mary is employed by Land O’Lakes/Purina Feeds LLC in Portland, Ore., as the Inbound Logistics Planner Lead in the Western region. Michael is employed by the Minnesota Department of Ag in the Food Safety Division.

Oak Meadow Farms’ goal is to improve the economics of their bull customers by helping with their bull selection and assisting in the marketing of their cattle by organizing sales and promoting age and source verification with SIMGenetics and SIMChoice tags. Fillmore County beef are predominately Angus-based. Oak Meadow Farm has been able to increase the marketing value of cattle by the use of Simmental bulls, therefore receiving the maximum benefit from heterosis.

Oak Meadow Farm Simmentals is nominated by the Minnesota Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

Oak Ridge Angus

Owner: Cheryl La Franchi, Calistoga, Calif.

The family cattle ranch, founded in 1912, is nestled in a small area called Knights Valley, in the northernmost corner of the scenic Napa Valley in California. The original ranch consisted of 420 acres and, as with most turn-of-the-century ranching families, was the sole source of support for her grandfather, his wife and their five children.

In the early years, the ranching operation consisted of dairy cows, beef cattle, chicken and egg production, and draft horses for farming. It expanded in 1968 with the purchase of a 770-acre neighboring ranch and is now solely a beef cattle ranch. The Oak Ridge Angus operation currently consists of 1,186 deeded acres and 2,900 acres of leased land, all located in the foothills of Knights Valley.

The Oak Ridge Angus cow herd consists of 400 mother cows — 300 are registered, comprising 280 black Angus and 20 Red Angus, and 100 commercial cows.

Each year they register approximately 100 bulls and 60 heifers, and sell about 100 bulls, 100 bred heifers, 80 steers and a small group of heifer calves. Oak Ridge Angus is a small, family-owned and operated beef cattle ranch with two employees, Francisco and Alejandro Sanchez. It is managed by Cheryl La Franchi with help from her husband, veterinarian Frank Mongini; brother and sister-in-law Eric and Stephanie; and nieces Rachel and Ashley; and nephew Logan La Franchi.

Oak Ridge Angus is nominated by the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

Quaker Hill Farm

Owners: Charles S. Rosson, Lee C. Rosson and Charles A. Rosson, Louisa, Va.

Quaker Hill Farm is a diverse operation located in Louisa County, Va. The herd presently consists of 650 cows. Purebred Angus, Hereford and Simmental as well as commercial and composite SimAngus cows make up the bulk of the herd. ET and AI are used extensively to accelerate the genetic program.

The farm sells approximately 100 bulls per year in two on-farm production sales and many through private treaty. Quaker Hill Farm is the fifth-generation home of the Rosson family as well as the home of some of the most progressive Angus genetics in the nation. From the beginning, the family has been committed to strict performance standards and has used extensive AI to the top bulls in the Angus breed.

Quaker Hill has been one of the early adaptors of measuring feed efficiency and residual feed intake (RFI). The Rossons operate the only RFI bull testing center in the state of Virginia. They test around 100 bulls each year for the RFI trait. Through extensive research efforts, Quaker Hill has acquired breed-leading bulls early in their genetic careers.

Prior to establishing two on-farm production sales, Quaker Hill had been very competitive in the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Culpeper Central Test Station, either having the top-indexing or top sale order bull four different times. Currently, 13 of the Quaker Hill’s Angus herd sires are leased to major AI organizations as well as one Simmental sire. Cattle have been sold to breeders in more than 25 states from across the country. Semen and embryos have been sold to producers in many foreign countries.

The success enjoyed by Quaker Hill is due to adhering to sound genetic and business principles, plus being committed to producing products that perform as expected.

Quaker Hill Farm is nominated by the Virginia BCIA.

Skarda Farms

Owner: Duane Skarda, Afton, Iowa

At Duane’s first county fair 4-H show in 1949, he stood last in class with his steer. It was then that he decided he needed to make some changes to the direction of his beef project and soon to be beef operation. Since heifers interested him more than steers, Duane, with the guidance of his father, Richard, bought his first registered Angus heifer that fall. Because of his 4-H accomplishments and Angus records, he was selected for the Angus heifer award at the Iowa State Fair. As Duane recalls, this heifer was selected from the state Angus sale from a breeder near Altoona and was presented to him at the Iowa State Fair 4-H show. These two females, whose descendants are still in Duane’s herd, were the start of the outstanding Skarda Family Angus herd of today.

Duane Skarda has owned and operated Skarda Farms, a seedstock operation near Afton, Iowa, for more than 54 years. The purebred Angus operation consists of approximately 75 cows in the seedstock breeding herd plus an additional 50 head of commercial cows that graze on the hills of the southern Iowa operation.

Skarda Farms has one calving season, primarily in the springtime January to May, with 85% of the cow herd having been bred using AI.

Skarda Farms is nominated by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

Stucky Ranch

Owners: Gordon and Christine Stucky, Kingman, Kan.

Willa Foster once stated, “Quality is never an accident, it is the wise choice of many alternatives.”

Since its beginnings in 1937, the people behind Stucky Ranch at Kingman, Kan., have hung their hat on the foundation that quality and attention to detail will pay dividends in all aspects of this ranching operation. Gordon and Christine Stucky and their family continue this tradition today with the production of Angus seedstock for the beef industry.

Currently, more than 400 calves per year are born at Stucky Ranch and cooperator herds. The genetic program at the ranch seeks to identify and propagate high-accuracy sires and cow families that combine the best of calving ease and top performance, with maternal efficiency and a high-quality consumed product. Embryo transfer has been a major tool to multiply genetics from top females and create uniform, closely related brothers and sisters to offer for sale.

The Stuckys have put a strong emphasis on performance data and genetic selection, and offer one of the most complete individual data-keeping systems in the industry. An EPD profile from the American Angus Association, $Value indexes, individual performance data, maternal trait analysis and a unique bull trait scoring system are maintained on each animal.

The Stuckys’ driving force to promote genetic improvement in their livestock is the ability to help advance their customers’ operations with economic benefits from their genetics or services. The Stuckys have a long-term commitment to their customers, their cattle, the consumer and the Angus breed.
Stucky Ranch is nominated by the Kansas Livestock Association.

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2009 Seedstock Producer Award Nominees