• TLC Vasa and Reighly a Winning Combination in 2006!

• Thorne Ranch Cattle Kids and Cattle did well at Kellyville Two Day Show!  January 21-22, 2006

• Roxane Gebhart awarded 1st Runner Up to the 2006 National Hereford Queen Contest in Denver Colorado!

• St Jude Benefit Trail Ride  April 23, 2006

• Congratulations Davis Family in California Reserve Champion FFA Steer for San Berndadine County Fair

• Congratulations Kendall Coleman Family in Tennessee

• Oklahoma Kids “Walkin the Line” in the 7^th Annual Junior National Braunvieh Show in Texarkana Arkansas June 21-24, 2006

• Thorne Ranch Cattle Excel in the Junior & Open Braunvieh Show at the Ozark Empire Fair 2006 Springfield MO

• 4th Annual Tulsa State Fair Open Braunvieh Show 70 Head of Braunvieh Fullblood, Purebred and Percentage Cattle Exhibited  on September 30, 2006 Tulsa State Fair

• Thorne Ranch Club Calves Sell as Top Steer and top Heifer in OCCA Sale October 6, 2006

• Tulsa State Fair Junior Heifer Show October 7th, 2006 Grand Champion Fullblood-Purebred Heifer

• Thorne Ranch sends steers to the 5th Annual AMAA Feeding Trial in NE.

• MS TLC Bud's Star R5150 Grand Champion Braunvieh Female NAILE 2006

• A. W. Thorne Land and Cattle, Inc.  Selected the Braunvieh Association of America Pioneer Breeder of the Year 2006

• Black Icon Awarded 5th Place Show Sire of the Year 2004-2005

• TLC Mo Wins 2005 Reserve Grand Champion AOB Steer Oklahoma  Youth Expo in OK City

• TLC Whoa Girl shown 3rd in Class at 2005 Ft Worth Livestock Show in Texas

• Braunvieh Dominates 35th Beef Empire Steer Test

• 2004 Braunvieh Junior Nationals in  Beatrice Nebraska

• 2004 LAMAR MISSOURI Show

• 2004 Jasper County Fair in Carthage MO

• Saunders County Livestock Association from Nebraska tour

• 2004 Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Beef Builder Females Tulsa State Fair

• Cherokee Prairie Rancher's Round-up   Held at the Thorne Ranch

• Junior Braunvieh Association at Tyler Texas June 18-21, 2003 

• 2003 Fall Sale "The Year of the Dragon"  Our last Production Sale

• Roxane Gebhart of Claremore OK purchased three Braunvieh Cross steers from us for this test and they were sired by Fullblood "TLC Bud and Purebred Black Icon H27."

• Ms. TLC Suede N3104 Champion Braunvieh Female at the  Youth Expo in Oklahoma City!

• Black Icon daughter Miss BOR Black Pearls PB42482  Selected Grand Champion Braunvieh female at the Mercedes Texas Rio Grande Livestock Show.  

• Black Icon sired Steers all test VERY TENDER in the Warner-Bratzler Shear Test

• 2002-2003 OK Steer Feedout Tenderness Test Procedure

• GWBE Results Silverwood Dragon 4Y Steers to Placed 9th in the TOP TEN of All Breeds

A. W. Thorne Land and Cattle, Inc.

 Selected the Braunvieh Association of America

Pioneer Breeder of the Year 2006

This award presented at the Annual Meeting at Pearls Dance Hall in Historic Ft Worth Stockyards during the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Ft Worth, Texas in January 2007.   We were unable to attend due to the ice storm but we thank you and appreciate the award!

MS TLC BUD'S STAR

It's in her blood line to be a Champion..  Just like her Daddy TLC Bud who was selected Grand Champion Braunvieh Bull in Naile in 1999..  Seven years later his daughter wins the same show. 

MS TLC Bud's Star R5150

Shown by Zach Ivey

Grand Champion Braunvieh Female NAILE 2006

 Thorne Ranch sends steers to the

2006 - 5th Annual American Maine Anjou Association National Maine - Anjou Influenced &  2nd Annual Junior National Maine-Anjou Influenced Steer and Heifer Feeding Trial Held at Peterson Farms Ord, Nebraska

We hauled 8 Head of TLC Steers half Maine and Half Braunvieh Steers to Nebraska.  Steers were all sired by Purebred Maine Anjou Sires;  Polled Energizer, Cowan's Ali, DJ Dictator, DJ Titan. Dams were Black Icon daughters

3 Steers were entered in Rashele Blakley's name as a Junior Member 5 Steers were entered by A W Thorne Land and Cattle, Inc.

They had a rough winter in Nebraska so we are happy with the steers present performance.  We heard that four steers didn't make the winter out of the test group but were happy to hear ours have made it so far!  Check out the latest ultra sound and weight info on March 16, 2007

 On track to be harvested in 71-87 days.

Thorne Ranch Steers on test  5 Head

                               Delivered     Start Test Date                             Weight & Ultra Sound Data

 Gain 119 days

Steer Id.

Ave Gain 119

3.86 # per day

3.79 # per day

3.68 # per day

3.77 # per day Pen

Tulsa State Fair Junior Heifer Show October 7th, 2006

Grand Champion Fullblood-Purebred Heifer

Ms TLC Bud's Bailey R5100 owned by Kylie Haney of Tahlequah OK

Grand Champion Percentage Heifer

 Ms TLC Dream Catcher owned by Cody Oxtoby of Checotah OK

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer

Ms TLC Juna owned by Reighly Blakley of Oologah, OK

Congratulations Oxtoby, Haney and Blakley families for a nice group of heifers presented in the Junior Heifer Show!  Your contribution and dedication to the Braunvieh breed and Thorne Ranch is very much appreciated.

Thorne Ranch Club Calves Sell as Top Steer and top Heifer

in OCCA Sale October 6, 2006

Thank you to OCCA Oklahoma Club Calf Association for sponsoring the event! 

Thorne Ranch selected Breeders Herd

4th Annual Tulsa State Fair Open Braunvieh Show 70 Head of Braunvieh Fullblood, Purebred and Percentage Cattle Exhibited  on September 30, 2006 Tulsa State Fair

It was cool and windy for a couple of days and hot as blazes the last two days for the 23 Breeders from Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Oklahoma that gathered in Tulsa!

TLC Genetics Did Very Well at 2006 Tulsa State Fair

Thank You to our Fantastic TLC Crew! 

Kevin, Jeremy, Jim Bob, John, Cody, Crystal, Madison, Megan, Roxane, Erica, Matt, Susan G, Callie, David,  Allison, Sheila, Nathan, Brian, Burke, Anita, Donnie, Matt, Will, Roger, Zach, and Mark our (Entertainment Committee Chairman)  I hope we didn't leave anyone out!   You all are the greatest crew anyone could have! Thanks to Stephanie from the BAA and the Breeders for participating at the Tulsa State Fair.  A great group of cattle was presented.

Grand Champion Percentage Female  TLC New Day Linda P4448 shown by Kevin Lynch

Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Female TLC Tracinda shown by Allison Bond

Produce of Dam Ms LLB Linda H758 Linda and Tracinda

Grand Champion Cow calf pair Ms TLC Bud's Betsy and bull calf sired by High Definition TLC Teddy.  Shown by Kevin Lynch and Megan LaRue

Get of Sire TLC Bud.  Comet, Victory, and Star shown by Callie, Morgan and Zach

Polled Dragon in Class 3rd

 TLC Bud's Victory  2nd in Class

Megan, Madison and Morgan with the Under 900 pound Steers

Zach and Star in Class

TLC Samson Grand Steer Under 900#

Megan and Redman Reserve Grand Steer Under 900#

TLC Fullblood, Purebred and Percentage Cattle in Show

Roxane and TLC Classy Satin Reserve Division Percentage Calf Champion

Alyssa and TLC Sahara 2nd in Class of Senior Percentage Heifers

TLC Bud's Star Grand Champion Fullblood/Purebred Female  Co-owned with Flying I Ranch

Madison Chaney and TLC Kassie 1st in Class of Senior Percentage heifers

TLC Club Calf  Display Babies got lots of attention all weekend!

John and TLC Dream Catcher got lots of attention too!  She won her Class and Champion Intermediate Percentage Heifers.  Shown by son Cody Oxtoby

Roger McDowell and Zane washing Star after the show!

The TLC Crew Cleaning the Isle after the show!  We could not have done it without the help!

Marilyn, Mark and Joan still friends after the show!

Kevin dunking Madison for apples.  But where is the apples? She got him back later!

Kallie and Comet looking good!

The Great Crew.. Crystal, Kevin, Madison and Jeremy.

Thorne Ranch Cattle Excel in the Junior & Open Braunvieh Show at the Ozark Empire Fair 2006 Springfield MO

Junior Braunvieh Show August 1, 2006 and Open Braunvieh Show August 2, 2006

Thorne Ranch received Best Four Head for Breeders Herd

Grand Champion Percentage Female Junior Show

Grand Champion Percentage Female Open Show

Ms TLC Juna, Reighly Blakley and Blake Runner

Grand Champion Fullblood/Purebred Female Junior Show

Ms TLC Bud's Star, Morgan Haggard, Joan, Megan LaRue and Judge: Tim Loudon of Iowa

Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Female

Reserve Champion Division

Ms TLC Waverly, Reighly and Rashelle Blakley and Blake Runner Judge: Tim Loudon of Iowa

Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Female Open Show

TLC New Day Linda shown by Kevin Lynch, Joan Thorne and Judge: Brandon Douglas

Grand Champion Fullblood/Purebred Female Open Show

TLC Bud's Star shown by Morgan Haggard, Joan Thorne and Judge: Brandon Douglas

Reserve Champion Division

TLC Vasa shown by Megan LaRue, Joan Thorne, Judge: Brandon Douglas

Photo credit to Marilyn Brink

Oklahoma Kids “Walkin the Line” in the 7^th Annual Junior National Braunvieh Show in

Texarkana Arkansas June 21-24, 2006

70 Head of cattle and 40 Junior Exhibitors Attended the Early Summer Event…

Fire ants, extreme heat and rain didn't detour the “Kids and Cattle”.  They heated up the first day, June 23 in steamy Arkansas with, Showmanship, Cow Costume Contest and the Obstacle course.  Several of the Oklahoma kids won distinguished awards! 

Madison Chaney of Perkins, OK.  won Champion Intermediate Showman, Morgan Haggard of Claremore, OK. won Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman, Kylie Haney of Tahlequah, OK. won Reserve Champion Junior Showman,  Lilly Lynch of Oolagah, OK. won Reserve Champion Pee Wee Showman.   Morgan Haggard’s essay “What a Braunvieh Really Is” was selected first in the Creative Writing Contest.   She was 2nd in the Quiz Bowl, and 4th in the Poster Contest.  She was awarded a jacket for her 2nd place high point award for the day’s events.   Madison Chaney won 3rd in the creative writing contest with “What I Like About Braunvieh.”  The "Pit Crew” of Thorne Ranch Kids with the theme" "Braunvieh on the Beach " won a Aluminum Embroidered herdsman ship chair. Thorne Ranch of Adair, OK was the breeder of the cattle that did well for the Oklahoma Kids on June 24^th.    Morgan Haggard exhibited, Miss TLC Bud’s Star R5150 a Late Spring Yearling Heifer to 1^st in Class.  Selected as Junior Champion Fullblood/ Purebred Heifer Division and went onto win Supreme Grand Champion Fullblood /Purebred Female.  Morgan exhibited, Ms TLC June N3442 and her Fall born bull calf Mr. TLC June’s Ali as Grand Champion Cow Calf Pair in the Percentage/ Beef Builder Division.  She exhibited, Ms TLC Vasa P4326, a senior yearling heifer as the Reserve Grand Champion Percentage/Beef Builder Female. She also exhibited TLC Awnold R5205 as Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer weighing in at 1200#. He was a half blood Simmental and Braunvieh steer. 

Madison Chaney exhibited, Ms. TLC New Day Linda P4448.  She won her Senior Yearling Class and Division and went onto win Supreme Grand Champion Percentage/Beef Builder Female.  Sired by Boyd New Day 8005 a Registered Angus bull and a Purebred Braunvieh female Ms LLB H758. Madison also exhibited Mr. TLC City Lights a Braunvieh/Shorthorn cross Steer to Grand Champion Prospect Steer.   Her Percentage heifer Ms. TLC Jena Wave R5270 a Summer Heifer was 2^nd in her class. Brilan Oxtoby of Checotah, OK exhibited, Ms. TLC Dream Catcher R5262 to 1^st place in the Summer Heifer class and went onto win the Junior Champion Percentage/Beef Builder Heifer Division.   Brilan also exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Prospect Steer, Mr. TLC Tigerman R5357 a half blood steer sired by GF Kadabra and a TLC Fullblood Braunvieh cow.

Kylie Haney of Tahlequah, OK exhibited, Ms. TLC Bud’s Bailey R5100 to a 3^rd place in the Late Junior Yearling Heifer Class.  Kylie also won 1^st place in the Quiz Bowl for the Junior Division (7-10 Year Olds)   Cody Cole of Tahlequah, OK exhibited, Ms TLC Bud’s Ela P4438 to a 3^rd place in the Senior Yearling Heifer Class.   Cody won first in the Junior Division Obstacle Course and received a Aluminum embroidered chair with the “Walkin the Line” logo. The Oklahoma Juniors were great ambassadors for the state of Oklahoma.  An Oklahoma Junior Braunvieh Association is being formed to accommodate the growing youth in the state.  For information please call;  918-783-5477 

Highlights of the Show!

Grand Champion Fullbood Braunvieh Female

Ms TLC Bud's Star R5150  Sire: TLC Bud and Dam: GCC 5/8

Judge: Dr. Lorna Pelton , Texas A & M

Shown by Morgan Haggard and Lilly Lynch holding banner

Grand Champion Percentage Female 

TLC New Day Linda P4448  Sire: Boyd New Day 8005 (Reg. Angus Bull) Dam: Ms L L B H758 ET  (Purebred Braunvieh)   Shown by Madison and David Chaney, Lilly Lynch and Dr. Lorna Pelton of Texas A&M with  

TLC Awnold and Morgan win Reserve Market Steer

TLC Vasa and Morgan win Reserve Grand Champion Percentage Female

TLC City Lights (Jacob) and Madison Chaney win Grand Prospect Steer

TLC Satina's Babe and Bradley Childers won Division

OK State Top Group of Four Head, 3rd

TLC Tigerman and Brilan and Adam Oxtoby Reserve Champion Prospect Steer

Morgan and Star Relaxing

Vasa, Morgan, Linda and Madison in Final Drive...

TLC June and Jubilee  Grand Champion Percentage Cow Calf Pair with Morgan and Madison at the steering wheel!

TLC Dream Catcher, Brilan and Trey Oxtoby  Division Winner of Percentage Summer Heifers

Madison Chaney and Morgan Haggard with lots of prizes won on Fun Day!

TLC Tigerman and Brilan Oxtoby in Showmanship!

Madison and Lady Linda at work in showmanship!

Kylie Haney and TLC Bud's Bailey in Showmanship! 

Brilan Oxtoby and Victoria Coleman in Showmanship!  Great Job!

Kylie and Baily in Obstacle Course

Lilly and Jacob in Showmanship!  Winning 2nd!

Cow Calf Pair!  June and Jubilee with Morgan and Madison

Lexi and Jim Overby of MS pick up TLC Grace of Integrity with Abbie at the show!

TLC Awnold and Morgan as the Wizard of OZ...  Dorothy and the Wizard...

Lilly and Kevin Lynch!  Dad and Daughter team from Oologah OK.. 2nd in Pee wee Showmanship!

Congratulations Kendall Coleman Family in Tennessee!

Shown by Alexander Coleman

A January 1, 2005 steer TLC Who R5109   Sire: Who Made Who   Dam: TLC Zora L1102) we bred and raised was selected 2nd in the Rate of Gain with an impressive 4.89 pounds a day!    A total of 170 steer participated in the contest!  He was also 4th over All with the highest points for all 170 steers.   He was selected Reserve Champion Steer in their county!

 

Congratulations Davis Family in California Reserve Champion FFA Steer for San Berndadine County Fair.  TLC Aladin (Beau) R5133 with Michelle Davis at halter...Sire: Cowan's Ali  Dam: Ms. TLC Faline M124 (Black Icon daughter)  Born 2/22/05 at the Thorne Ranch to a first calf heifer!

2006 St. Jude Benefit Trail Ride was

held at the Thorne Ranch April 23, 2006

It was a warm windy day but was a great success with over $900.00 raised for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital... Thank you to all that attended and contributed!

    TLC Vasa & Reighly a Winning Combination!

• Reighly Blakley and TLC Vasa win Champion AOB Female at the Kellyville Show on Sunday January 22!

• TLC Vasa won big shows back to back in Northeast Oklahoma!   The Pryor Spring Open Show she was selected Champion AOB over several breeds of top heifers on February 19, 2006

• She was also selected Supreme Grand Champion female at the Rogers County Show on February 24, 2006
• Selected Grand Champion Percentage Braunvieh female at the Will Rogers Classic Show all four rings in Claremore OK over the weekend of Feb. 25-26, 2006

Vasa is sired by  Hot Rod CA and out of our donor Veronica H3.  So she is Chi Angus 50% / Braunvieh 50%   This great female is bred and will continue a legacy of top donors at the Thorne Ranch.   Thank you to the Blakley family for a great job of representing this great female! 

 See more of this fabulous female at the Donor Page

       Black Icon H27

Awarded 5th Place Show Sire of the Year 2004-2005

He continues to produce great cattle with great disposition, maternal, carcass merit and show ring style!

Miss JLB Black Laci N810 a Black Icon daughter.  Owned by our Black Icon partners, J & L Braunvieh, Lance and Jane Warn of Okemah OK.  She placed 5th as Show Heifer of the year for 2004-2005.  Her dam is out of a TLC Female.. Miss TLC Maggie, Sire: Magnum ET a Silverwood Dragon 4Y son.

    Roxane Gebhart awarded 1st Runner Up to the 2006

National Hereford Queen Contest in Denver Colorado!

 Great job Rox!  We are proud of you and your accomplishments!

Roxane was also selected as one of 16 members of the inaugural class of the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) Chesapeake Energy Academic All-State Program.  The program is designed to provide leadership opportunities and internship possibilities to the top 16 OYE scholarship applicants.  Applicants are exhibitors of cattle, sheep, swine and goats.   Roxane will receive a $5,000 scholarship.  She also will be recognized at the OYE Grand Champion Selection and presented with an All-State Leather jacket during the OK State FFA convention.  The 16 students chosen for this honor will assist with promoting the OYE and it's scholarship program.  Students will be involved in public speaking and public relations opportunities and the advanced college 101 program

TLC Mo Wins 2005 Reserve Grand Champion AOB Steer Oklahoma Youth Expo in OK City  March 19, 2005.

TLC Mo is sired by Mossy Oak and Dam is a TLC Black Icon  Purebred daughter!

   2004 LAMAR MISSOURI  Livestock Show

Kate Shaffer of Carthage MO showed Whoa Girl to Reserve Grand Open Class Heifers.   Sire: Who Made Who   Dam: Ms TLC Bev K2386 (Black Icon daughter) Will Shaffter showed TLC Karli and won his Class.

TLC Whoa Girl and Kate Shaffer

See her son TLCC Turk on the Herd Sire pages..

  2004 Jasper County Fair in Carthage MO

Miss TLC Whoa Girl (Heidi) selected Grand Champion Braunvieh Female at the Jasper County Fair 2004 in Carthage MO shown by Kate Shaffer of Carthage MO.

Miss TLC Karli  selected Reserve Grand Champion Braunvieh Female at the Jasper County Fair 2004  Ms TLC Karli shown by Will Shaffer of Carthage MO.

Keith Glewan making friends with Viagra daughters

Abbie visiting with the group of 42 Nebraska gentlemen!

Some nice Nebraska boys!

Served up treats for the guys!

2001 Great Western Beef Expo Results 

Silverwood Dragon 4Y Sired Steers Placed 9th in the TOP TEN of All Breeds in the CARCASS Price Per Pound!!!

Dragon steer in the contest

       Some of the Program Topics

• Cow Body Condition scoring and demonstration/discussions
• Cattle Working Demonstrations
• Show results of 3 different stocking rates
• Importance of knowing a good estimate of round bale weight or cows weight

Thorne Ranch was pleased to provide the facilities for this OSU event!!

Landon Belote and Carla a Black Icon daughter

Meagen Mohr, Carrie Rodrigues and Steph Nelson

Abbie, Robert and Raymond taking it easy

Mike Helle and BOR Black Pearls

Raymond & Vena 2nd in class

Robert and TLC Bess

Mark Ivey, Tabitha McDowall & Phil Stoll

 

Mike Helle and Black Pearls a Black Icon daughter

Robert blindfolded wheel barrow race

Potato swing contest

Robert and Satina Cow Olympics

A Hipcheck daughter owned by Zach Ivey

A. W.  Thorne Land and Cattle, Inc.  November 1, 2003 TLC Fall Harvest Sale Report

Thorne Ranch hosted their 9^th production sale “The Year of the Dragon” on a damp and balmy Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.  The lights went out several times due to the circuit overload but it didn’t seem to cool off the enthusiasm of the buyers from 11 States who gathered under the sale tent!

 77 Lots grossed $136,350.00 averaging $1,771.00

LOT 1  TLC Black Satina M282 ET  Silverwood Dragon 4Y daughter Lot 1 Highest Selling Open Female.   She sold to Michael A. Helle of Edinburg, Texas! 

Highest Priced Club Calf Chili Pepper!

Lot 26 Chili Pepper  Sold to Andy Holloway of Stamford, Texas for $2,000.00

TAG

OWNER TAG

DAM BREED

DOB

ON TEST 11-16-02

Kill Weight 163 days

Carcass Wt

REA

Back Fat

Yield GR

 ADG

RG10

M241

 SIRE TLC BUD

BVX

4-20-02

612

1093

651

13.6

.10

1.27

4.00

RG11

M135

SIRE BLACK ICON

BVX

2-20-02

489

1060

635

11.7

.10

1.92

3.92

RG12

M141

SIRE BLACK ICON

BVX

2-23-02

495

1082

622

12.7

.20

1.70

3.39

Average

529

1078

636

12.7

.13

1.63

4.00

Black Icon

Black Icon sired Steers all test VERY TENDER in the

Warner-Bratzler Shear Test.

 The only pen of steers in the OK Cattleman Test to do so!

Feedout and core NO

IND WBS Total Average

Ind WBS Value

QUALITY GRADE

TLC 221 STEER

7.281

VERY TENDER

CHO 3

TLC 222 STEER

7.363

VERY TENDER

CHO 2

TLC 223 STEER

7.546

VERY TENDER

SE-2

TLC 224 STEER

7.888

VERY TENDER

SE-2

AVERAGE

7.520

VERY TENDER

Warner-Bratzler Shear Test

2002-2003 OK Steer Feed Out Tenderness Test Procedure

    Steers were transported to Excel beef processing plant at Dodge City, Kansas, harvested and carcasses were chilled at approximately 32 hours.  Ribeye sections 1 inch thick were removed from each carcass, vacuum packaged and transported to OSU.  Steaks were aged at 36 degrees F. for 14 days, blast frozen for 24 hours and stored at 10 degrees F. 

Prior to cooking, steaks were thawed at 39 degrees F.  An impingement oven was used to broil the steaks to an internal temperature of 158 degrees F( Medium Rare).  Steaks were cooled to room temperature (71.6 degrees F.) before extracting 6 core samples per steak.  Cores were extracted parallel to the longitudinal direction of the muscle fibers and shear force values were determined using an Istron Universal testing machine equipped with Warner-Bratzler attachment.

Warner-Bratzler Values and their confidence intervals are discussed in an article entitled "Identification of Threshold levels for Wanrer Bratzler Shear Force in Top Loin Steaks" written by SD Shackleford et al. and can be found in the Journal of Muscle Foods 2 (1991) 289-296   Thank you Dr. Fred Ray of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service of OSU for your information compiled on the OK Steer Feedout Tenderness Test 2002-2003

At the halter Erica Boyer

TLC Whoa Girl or Heidi Who??

• Sire: Who Made Who 

• Dam: Ms TLC K2386 (Black Icon daughter)  Places 3rd in the Chianina Class at 2004 Ft Worth Stock Show.

2005 Braunvieh Dominates 35th Beef Empire Steer Test

Garden City, Kansas- Beef Empire Days, now in its 35th year, is recognized as one of the oldest and largest beef events in the country. The centerpiece of this weeklong program is the Beef Empire Steer Test. The BEST actually has a steer and heifer division and is recognized as the industry’s largest and most complete carcass competition. This year, 228 entries from over 30 feed yards were evaluated- both live and on the rail.

In unprecedented fashion, Braunvieh-cross calves from Alexander Ranch, Appleton City, Missouri nearly swept the carcass competition. In the two divisions, Alexander’s Braunvieh calves placed 1st–Heifer, 3rd-Steer, 5th-Steer, and 6th-Steer. In short, of the top 12 carcasses scored, in a field of 228 entries, one third were from one ranch and all Braunvieh influenced.

Alexander’s Grand Champion Heifer weighed 1202 lbs. live, and had a 757 lb. Prime – YG 1.53 carcass with a 15.78 rib eye and .28 fat.

“People involved with the test are going to remember this for a long time,” says Tim Stone of Heritage Cattle Company and 2003 chairman of the Beef Empire Steer Test. “Especially the ‘live’ judge, he’ll be watching for those cattle next time.” None of the Braunvieh-cross calves were placed in the live show, but dominated the carcass division. “This is indicative of what is happening in the industry today”, says Stone, “people look right past these cattle, but I think any commercial producer who is serious about carcass quality really has to take a look at Braunvieh cattle.”

Dr. Keith Belk, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, judged the BEST carcass show. “I was extremely impressed with the overall quality of carcasses,” he says, “but it was quite easy to make that carcass our champion as it reflected a type of carcass that is rather rare – a U.S. Prime, Yield Grade 1. She also generated the best index value. After the competition I learned that the champion heifer was a Braunvieh-cross and that the owner/breeder was involved with a pen of carcasses that also won the National Western Stock Show Fed Beef Contest several years ago.” (Belk was the superintendent for that show for five years).

The Alexander cattle were fed at Irsik & Doll Feedyard, Garden City, Kansas. According to Ron Kramer of Irsik & Doll, “It will be hard for folks to realize just what kind of accomplishment this is for Matt and for the Braunvieh breed. Most of the participants in this contest are feedyards that may pick one or two animals out of 20-30,000 head. I know one just down the road that picked 2 out of 27,00 head. Some may have twice that and only select one animal –trying to win this competition—and this is a big deal to them! This says a lot about the potential of Braunvieh cattle in our industry.”

The breed’s repeated success in major, independent tests over the last decade have turned heads in every segment of the industry. Throughout the industry, the best known and the most respected quality stamp is the coveted Max Fulscher Award given to top pens in the Great Western Beef Expo at Sterling, Colorado. These cattle must grade 100% choice and 100% yield grade 1 or 2. To date, Braunvieh-influence calves have won this title three times as often as the nearest competitor; in fact, calves sired by Braunvieh bulls have won well over a third of all the Max Fulscher Awards given in the last decade. Their advantage in carcass merit and performance stands undisputed.

Ms. TLC Suede N3104 Champion Braunvieh Female at the  2003 Youth Expo in Oklahoma City!!  Sire:  Witch Dr X TLC Black Suede K2356 (Black Icon daughter)

 

Congratulations Miranda Steward of Shawnee, OK.

   

 Megan Mohr win's Reserve Grand Champion Female with Black Icon daughter  Miss BOR 1081M Texas Junior Braunvieh Show held in Waxahachie Texas on June 5th! Thank you L and B's Broken Oak Ranch of Sequin Texas for sending the picture!

Pearls

3rd in Class

Sire: Black Icon

Nakita

1st in Class

Sire: Black Icon

Satina

2nd in Class

Sire: Silverwood Dragon 4Y

BOR Black Pearl, Mike Sr. and Mike as Grand Champion AOB Female

TLC Satina, Mike and Mike Jr.  Reserve Champion AOB Female

TLC Nakita placed 3rd over all AOB

Sire: Black Icon   Dam: TLC Perla, Sire; Silverwood Dragon TLC Perli J9340 Purchased from us by Broken Oak Ranch Seguin Texas

Sire: Silverwood Dragon 4Y Dam: Black Icon daughter TLC Satin K2348 ET

Sire: Black Icon Dam: TLC Nellie H8108 ET Grand Sire: Silverwood Dragon 4Y

Ms Bor Black Pearls

Miss BOR Black Pearls PB42482 

• Selected Grand Champion Braunvieh female at the 2003 Rio

Grande Livestock Show Mercedes Texas.  

Sire: Black Icon and Dam: TLC Perli J9340 ET (Ueli x Perla) 

• Selected Reserve Grand Champion Female at 2002 Ft Worth Stock Show. 

• Selected Grand Champion at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville KY in 2002

L & B Broken Oak Ranch purchased Dam: TLC Perli J9340 ET as a bred heifer in our 2001 Sale as the top bred female in our production sale.