In the past two weeks Crystal and I have gotten to do something that we hardly ever seem to have time to do, look at other peoples cattle. With busy work schedules and plenty to do around our own farm we are pretty well grounded at home. Last weekend we kicked off our cattle trips with the Iowa Hereford Tour and this weekend we headed to the cheese state.
Our first stop was to Solsma Show Cattle in Sanborn, Iowa. We got up well before the sun to head west and it was worth it. Crystal was excited to see that they already had pumpkins out of the patch and a store full of local treasures to look at. We started off learning about their pumpkin patch and then moved to the show barn to judge a class of 4 bull calves. After the judging (which I’m pretty sure I beat Crystal on) we got to check out some pairs with calves that were being broke to lead. Catapult has done a great job for them and they have a heifer that we really liked who is pictured below. It was very good to see the Solsma homestead and a good chunk of their herd.
The next stop following a great BBQ lunch at Crazy Bob’s in Hartley was a quick trip down the road to Weeping Fox Ranch to see the Vogel families herd. They are primarily Shorthorn breeders but have had great success in the Hereford ring as well. They had an impressive group of freshly weaned calves close to the barn that we took a look at and then headed to the pasture to see the cows. In the pasture we saw many former show heifers including Cottons Blessing who is a past Supreme Champion in the 4H Show at the Iowa State Fair and Champion B&O Female at the JNHE. It was great to see the set of cattle that the Vogel family has put together.
This weekend we headed up to Mineral Point, Wisconsin for Ms. Dana May’s Bridal Shower. Luckily the men got to go golfing during the shower and we met up with the ladies at Dana’s dads farm Fernvale Angus. Crystal and I took a break from the festivities to take a look at the heifers that they will be selling privately on the 19th and 20th of September. If you are in the market for a really good Angus heifer be sure you look them up, they have an impressive offering.
Our last stop before we headed home was to see our friends the Brancels at Next Generation Genetics. Last year in Denver at the National Western Tod & Sondra made a whale of a splash in the sale ring selling the pick of their pen of heifers in the National Sale. We toured the farm and got a sneak peak at their pen for this year and they will not disappoint. The pen is once again comprised of daughters of the Kessey cow that they bought in the Star Lake Dispersal. The pen is made up of Cracker Jack daughters and they are stout and stylish, there is a dark red heifer that will flat out make you stop in your tracks. Their cow herd is very impressive and the young cows and bred heifers are sure to keep the herd moving onward and upward. If you make your way out to Denver this year be sure you swing by their pen.
It has been a great couple of weekends traveling with my beautiful bride enjoying time with our friends and looking at great cattle. Everyone should be so lucky.
