Page 25 - MWC 3-31-2022s

THE RIGHT FIT tion of native grass, ryegrass, The Midwest Cattleman · March 31, 2022 · P25
continued from page 23 and clover. The family has di- Wiley says targeted trait im- fore it begins to cool down. Av-
eye with our cattle like other vided nearly 1,800 acres into provements being made to erage winter temperatures are
breeds around us do,” he says. 50-acre paddocks and utilizes meet industry demands, cou- in the 40s, but March and April
an intensive rotational grazing
“I am just always amazed at pled with natural adaptability, usually bring several inches of
how well these cattle can do in program to maximize forage have fueled the breed’s growth snow.
quality.
even the harshest conditions. and popularity with producers “We can get a foot of snow
With an annual rainfall
It doesn’t seem to matter what of 50 to 60 inches, Wiley says across the country. and still see our cows with their
nature throws at them, they “All breeds are noticing noses on the ground, looking
stay hardy, stay healthy and his area often sees 100-degree what we’re doing, especially for grass,” he says. “They just
summer days, 50 to 60 per-
just keep doing their job. Their how we’ve moved from a large- figure it out, and the young-
versatility has really been prof- cent humidity and some very frame cow to a more moder- er calves learn from watching
muddy winters, but his cows
itable for our operation.” remain tolerant of the condi- ate size and how we’ve really their mamas.”
cleaned up the underlines,” he
Despite the snow, Miranda
Erik Wiley – Louisiana tions. says. “The packers are also no- says the average annual pre-
When Deville, La., producer As the largest Santa Gertru- ticing that these cattle grade cipitation is only 17 inches and
Erik Wiley and his father, Kim, dis seedstock producer in Lou- well on the grid. forage is often limited, but the
looked to diversify their row isiana, Wiley Ranch genetics “Their improved perfor- cattle are hardy and willing to
crop operation in 2009, they can be found in herds across mance and ability to thrive in a travel through the rocky land-
were especially interested in the country and international- variety of conditions can really scape to find food.
cattle that would thrive in their ly. The family uses both a pro- add value to a herd.” “Our elevation goes from
hot and humid summers while duction sale in September and 5,800 feet up to 7,000 feet and
adding value to their family private treaty sales to market Rafael Miranda – Colorado there are very few meadows,”
farm. They found success with purebred and commercial fe- As manager of Cherokee he says. “It’s really pretty rug-
the Santa Gertrudis breed. males and approximately 25 Ranch, Sedalia, Colo., Rafael ged, but the cows still thrive
“Brahman cattle work well bulls each year. Most of their Miranda has had the unique and do very well here.”
in our area, but we didn’t re- bulls are used in commercial opportunity to develop Santa Cherokee Ranch markets
ally like their temperament,” operations to take advantage Gertrudis seedstock that work bulls, semen and embryos, and
he says. “We chose Santa Ger- of heterosis, and Wiley says especially well in the rugged Miranda says his Santa Ger-
trudis based on their docility, many of his customers also re- terrain and semi-arid climate trudis females are always in
superior mothering ability and tain their Gert-influenced heif- of central Colorado and beyond. high demand.
adaptability to the central Lou- ers to improve maternal char- The ranch was established in While his market has tra-
isiana climate.” acteristics within their herds. 1954 when pioneer cattlewom- ditionally been stronger in
Today, Wiley Ranch is home As both a breeder and Santa an Tweet Kimball became the southern states, he has seen
to nearly 500 Santa Gertrudis Gertrudis Breeders Interna- first rancher to introduce the increased interest from cattle-
cows that run on a combina- tional (SGBI) Board member, breed in Colorado. men in the North and has re-
“Tweet used to remind ev- cently sold bulls into Iowa, Ne-
Permanent & Portable Fencing and Livestock Watering Supplies eryone that the breed is five- braska, and Wyoming. Many of
eighths Shorthorn and should his newer customers are kin to
not have any problem taking
the cold weather, especially if original ranch customers who
are looking to reintroduce the
they are acclimated at the right
time,” Miranda says. “We try to breed back in their operations.
“Some of our original cus-
introduce new animals during
the warmer summer months tomers kept detailed records
of their success with Santa
to give them a chance to adapt,
and they do a really good job.” Gertrudis genetics, and the
younger generation is really
www.powerflexfence.com Miranda says the area an- excited about the feed conver-
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• O’Brien’s Post mally warm for early fall, be- continued on page 30
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