TS Cowherd

The TS Cowherd is comprised of approximately 5,5000 commercial cows, 750 replacement heifers and 250 herd bulls. The ranchs combined holdings consist of over 600,000 acres of sparse rangeland, improved dry land seedings, irrigated and sub-irrigated pasture.

To utilize this forage to its optimum and to maximize our beef production under these diverse grazing conditions, we have developed three cowherds and three breeding programs, which are compatible with and complimentary to each other.

Our English/Continental Cross Program, consists of cattle that are primarily an Angus or Red Angus cross, from a Hereford base, with many being 1/8 to 1/4 Gelbvieh. They are moderate in frame and have strong maternal traits. They are solid black and red or baldies, with good pigmentation and udder development. These females are bred to red and black Gelbvieh balancer bulls, with high growth and carcass traits.

Over the years, our Hereford genetics have become diluted. To correct this, we recently purchased a set of top quality Hereford bulls with superior growth & carcass EPD,s, moderate frame and ample milk.

We intend to use these whiteface bulls on our predominantly Angus and Red Angus type cows, putting the "baldy" back into our cowherd. From this mating, heifers with renewed heterosis will be selected for replacements.

Our Brahman Cross Program was developed for our cows that must run on our rougher rangeland. Often this country is steep, feed sparse and water is scarce. These cattle must be able to travel long distances for feed and water. For our Brahman Cross Program, cattle must be moderate to large in frame, show moderate ear and no hump. Most are solid in color and are ¼ to 1/8 Brahman. They are bred to Angus and Gelbvieh bulls, both red and black.

The calves from our Brahman Cross Program are unique. They have good hair coats, full tails, no hump and very little ear. They feed well in both Northern and Southern feedyards, year-around.

For our Terminal Cross Program, we have selected a set of Angus and Red Angus type cows from our English Cross herd. These big, mature cows, with superior milk and growth traits are bred to Charolais bulls. These bulls were selected strictly for their meat and muscle. Because they are in a terminal program, no consideration is given to milk EPD's and very little given to birth weight. Eventually all of the females in this Terminal Program will exhibit high carcass EPD's on their English dam side. The advantage of this Terminal Cross Program is that the cows are moderate enough to run outside under range conditions, yet are still large framed enough to be bred to Charolais bulls. The calves distinct color makes them easy to identify.

Our Herd Bull selection criteria is performance based.

Herd Bulls are selected for performance, growth and carcass traits.

Currently, all our bulls, regardless of breed, are in the top 25% for yearling EPD's. Most are in the top 10%. All have a yearling ratio of 100+.

As more carcass data is becoming available and carcass EPD's are becoming more meaningful, we are placing more and more emphasis on carcass traits. We now require that all our replacement bulls have positive Rib Eye and marbeling EPD's or ultrasound data.

On the TS Ranch, we specialize in raising high quality calves with strong growth and carcass traits. We sell our calf crop as weaned calves that are"warmed up" in our feedlot, bunk broke and free of any sickness.

Approximately ninety percent of our calves are sold weighing over 650 pounds and go directly to the buyers feedlot. The remaining ten percent are light enough to go to our grass or wheat pasture. ( See TS Ranch Cattle For Sale ).

The ultimate goal of our breeding programs is to produce a consistently tender and good tasting product that is profitable for us and our buyers.

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