The following lots have spring calves on the ground as of March 4, 2007.
51 - bull calf
52 - heifer calf
56 - heifer calf
57 - bull calf
58 - bull calf
64 - heifer calf
69 - bull calf
71 - heifer calf
72 - heifer calf

I don't know about anyone else, but this has been one of the most trying winters we've had in quite a while. If it wasn't the snow and ice in February, it was the tornadoes this week. We missed the twisters by a few miles, but we have a lot of friends with buildings missing and miles of fence gone.

The snow and ice in February set the gains back on our cattle, but that is usually the norm for February. Calving season has been tough for everyone, too.

I know that with the hay shortage most people are looking to turn out to grass at least 30 days early and maybe even earlier. We will wean early and get the fall calvers out to grass as soon as we can after the Production Sale.

The on-line and downloadable catalog is updated with some recent spring calves. We'll have updated breeding data early next week.

The yearling bull data will be taken next week and we'll post the updated EPDs and performance data once we get it from the Association.

I just got the catalog posted to the website. You can either download an Acrobat version or view each page on the website as individual Flash files. If you have a broadband connection, viewing the Flash files is a great way to see the pages. The Acrobat version available for download is over five megabytes, but can be viewed and printed at your leisure.

Click here to view the catalog online.

Right-click here and choose 'Save Target As...' to download the Acrobat version of the catalog.

Click here to request a printed version to be mailed to you.

I got the pictures taken of the older bulls before it started raining again. I'm pleased with the results and the performance of our new digital camera. The Panasonic model we have is much faster than the cameras of yesterday. I was able to snap photos in quick succession without any waiting.

I noticed yesterday evening that the bulls had been playing and had gotten mud all over them even though they are running in a grass paddock. I'm glad the pictures are taken!

I haven't taken a picture of our young herdsire, CW 1037 Newest Design 315, yet. He is running with the fall calving sale cows and is in his "work clothes" as people like to say. It looks like he'll be an easy keeper. He'll turn two in February.

We used him naturally and artificially last spring and should have quite a few calves on the ground in about five weeks. Sixteen of the sale cows have been exposed to him.

I've been remiss in posting news this summer and fall, so I'll quickly update you on the 2007 Production Sale progress and address other topics a little later.

We've selected 35 bulls and 40 females for our 41st Production Sale that will be held on March 31, 2007. There is 1 two-year-old, 12 18-month-old and 22 yearling bulls in the sale this year.

I don't have the breakdown of the female portion of the sale in front of me, but there are some young and proven cows to choose from. There will be about an equal number of fall calvers and spring calvers offered this year. Many will be bred back to our new herd sire CW 1037 Newest Design 315. I'll have more to say about him in later postings.

It is misting here right now and I've got to go do the evening feeding before it gets any worse.

We have a few yearling bulls for sale yet. They range in price from $1,500 to $3,000 and will suit your needs for a yearling bull nicely.

They have moderate birth EPDs with excellent growth and muscle potential. My personal favorite is tag # 1785. He has a 6.1 frame score, a 37.2 cm scrotal circumference and the thickest rear end we've raised in some time.

(If he will cooperate, I'll get some pictures in a few days).

Our auctioneer of over 20 years died suddenly of a heart attack yesterday.

Words cannot express the loss to his family, friends and anyone who worked with him or heard him cry a sale.

He was the finest auctioneer I've ever heard and a keen judge of cattle and people.




Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 4, at the Flint Hills Rodeo Grounds at Strong City, KS

We purchased an excellent grandson of New Design this spring. His thickness, conformation and disposition are excellent!

Having him around this spring has been like having a new pet on the farm.

KABSU (Kansas Artificial Breeding Service Unit) was down in April for an initial semen collection. It was an excellent first collection and his semen froze well. We will use him naturally and AI this spring on cows and heifers.