This weekend we got Max’s cows loaded out for the winter so that they can calve them out and return again in the spring to get bred if that is what they want to do. I also got the cows bedded down and they couldn’t have been happier! Still a bunch of things on the to do list but there is progress being made.
The purpose of this post is to introduce you to the foundation cow family of the JJB herd. The story of this family goes back to a May Sale at Star Lake. We went down to the annual production sale at the ranch not necessarily looking for a heifer but that quickly changed. When I walked into the showbarn there was an awesome looking fall heifer and as I went to take a look at this little beauty she walked to the gate in the pen as well and licked my arm as if to say “I like you too” and I was sold. Shasta just had to be mine and after hours of bargaining with my dad and grandpa we came up with a plan and ended up getting her bought. Shasta we my first Junior National class winner and the show just happened to be on my birthday (best present ever). Shasta went on to a very good show career eating horse treats in the ring and all. You could walk up to the fence of the pasture she was in and yell “Shasta cookie!” and she would come running for one of those horse treats. After she calved she was flushed twice very successfully and then we purchased the ranch and she went down to be in their donor herd. Before one of our May Sales she was struck by lightning and we lost her. She left behind some great calves with a few herd sires and some awesome cows. One of those awesome cows is the foundation of my herd Barbi Shasta.
Barbi Shasta is sired by Bogart and was a division winner at the Junior National in Wisconsin. She has had 5 calves all heifer with 3 of the daughters in my herd and one being the exciting May heifer I shared with you earlier that will sell at the Iowa Beef Expo. An other daughter that was shown was the Reserve Grand Polled heifer at the 2009 Iowa State Fair. Ceci then went down to Oklahoma and was shown very successfully by Sam Taylor. These cows have proven themselves time and time again and I have supreme confidence that Serena will do the same for whomever purchases her in February!
If you find yourself in the Independence let me know and come see this cow family in the flesh… You will quickly understand why I am so confident in the foundation of my herd!
The momma of the foundation Shasta
Barbi Shasta one upped her mom and won a division at Junior National
Barbi Shasta out in the pasture a few days ago
Ceci before the State Fair this year
Serena just over a month ago
