5/27/2009 1:21:00 PM Hereford genetics popular with young cattle producers
By Lura Roti
Economics have always driven the genetic decisions made on the Wiese and Sons Hereford operation in Manning, Iowa. Gene Wiese, 78, says that's what has sustained the Hereford operation his grandpa, Ed began in 1912.
"Our focus has been in the commercial cattle industry. We haven't focused on many of the directions that the beef industry has taken, which changed the breed dramatically over the years," said Wiese, who runs the operation today with the fourth-generation of Wiese's, his son, Dave, and daughter, Helen.
Reflecting back, Wiese says the efficient breed he remembers dominating the industry in its early years, suffered from industry trends that resulted in a thick, low-set, compact, short and an early maturing animal by the 1960s. He adds that his family's operation didn't follow these trends.
"Not because we were smarter than anyone else in the industry, but because we were a modest family farm that didn't have the major economic resources to change our genetics with each trend," Wiese says. "This operation has always been driven by economics. We've always had the belief that the kind of cattle best for our neighbor was cattle that were efficient and could make him money over the long term."
Today's Hereford is an efficient animal, says Keith Lapp, a Hereford breeder from Hayes Center, Neb.
"There were some problems with the Hereford breed in the past. Progress through genetics has fixed those problems - they are now a problem-free, efficient breed," said Lapp, who ranches with his son and son-in-law.
Lapp, 62, says today's generation of cattle producers recognize the benefits of introducing Hereford genetics into their herds.
"We are feeling a trend, where it's politically correct for the younger generation to use the Hereford breed again," Lapp said. "The best cross has always been, and always will be the Black Baldie. "It's as if Herefords jumped over a generation. We see younger guys buying bulls - mainly to raise Black Baldie cows."
Lapp adds that his son and son-in-law don't have the emotional attachment to the breed that he does, Lapp's dad began raising them in 1945. If their herd wasn't competitive, he wouldn't raise them.
"Their philosophy is, if a Hereford cow isn't as good as a black cow, then why not raise a black cow," said Lapp, who, since 1980, has focused on producing efficient cattle, with pigment around their eyes and udders. "Everyone wants a convenient and efficient animal. That's what we produce."
That's exactly why Brent Koops, 46, began buying Hereford bulls for his Red and Black Angus heifers.
"I've been associated with salebarns since I was a third-grader. I've heard a million times that "nothing beats a baldie," said Koops, who works as a ringman for his local salebarn. "Baldie steers always sell at the top of the market, they feed good, and they fit two programs - the certified Angus or the certified Hereford program - that's a good deal for feeders."
Two years ago the Gettysburg, S.D., cow/calf producer had to sell most of his cows when pastureland he was leasing sold. He was able to secure more pastureland and is currently rebuilding his herd.
"I was able to keep most of my heifers, so I decided as long as I'm rebuilding my herd, I'm going to build it the way I want to," said Koops, who purchases his bulls from Eggers Southview Farms, Renner, S.D.
Like many Hereford breeders, Eggers Southview Farms experienced more demand than they had bulls last season. Phil Eggers, who operates the purebred herd with his dad, Tim, 50, and grandpa, Curtis, 85, says the re-emerging trend is felt by Hereford breeders throughout the Midwest.
"Herefords are getting more popular everyday," said Eggers, 26. "People are looking for something that is efficient and something that won't give them any problems."
Wiese says today's Hereford breeders are responsible for the breed's comeback.
"The industry is on the right track and trend today. We understand the efficiencies that our customers - the commercial cow/calf producer and feedlot owner - are looking for," Wiese said. "Cross a Hereford with a black cow and you're going to increase you're herd's efficiencies, not only in the cow herd, but in the feedlot, where cattle have the ability to gain better and consume less feed."
