Page 20 - MWC 9-10-20s

THE BONACKER in such a way that we are The Midwest Cattleman · September 10, 2020 · P20
continued from page 19 respected for those genetics
when our cattle are success- In Bonacker pioneer fash- that when you use a Windy
hold dear, nearly sacred -- ful in the show ring, or when ion, Windy Hill Charolais was Hill Charolais bull, you will
their Charolais cattle. we are hauling a bull to a re- one of the first to use A.I. sire weigh off a bigger calf soon-
“We have to manage well peat bull buyer, whose calves Big Creek Game Changer. er, which is efficiency and
what acreage we have to pro- are making him money.” “We were one of the first to performance,” he said. “Those
duce the number of head we For the last five years get calves on the ground out calves have the ability to go
run,” David said. “I can raise Windy Hill Charolais Farms of him,” David said. “He put into the feedlot and make
more on less acres, but it will has perpetuated genetics a look in the cattle that was that feedlot money also.”
cost more in fertilizer, rota- that revolve around top fe- very accepted in purebred cir- Cutting edge technology
tional grazing and overall males in the herd by a 914 cles and for the commercial is utilized to help move that
management and time. But if bull who has sired a lot of buyers. We won the Ameri- genetic needle ever closer to
I can do it with a head count good females. One of his can Royal with a daughter of perfection. Sonograms for
where I can come out putting granddaughters serves as a his. That was huge for us! We carcass data and a host of
enough dollars in the bank donor cow who is flushing 20 are still using him here and stats on every bull has taken
account and still sit down and eggs at a time. Eye appeal, a there.” much of the guess work out of
enjoy dinner at night, I don't good udder and fertility have As for the homegrown Bo- knowing which bloodlines are
have to have all the new-fan- bumped her to the top. Calves nacker bulls, David is confi- best fits for the commercial
gled stuff. If I have met my by M6 Bells & Whistles and dent his customers will notice cattleman.
bills and can sit down on the WC Milestone dot the genetic one thing right away. “I promote bulls on the
deck and enjoy the sunset, landscape as well. “I am going to almost bet numbers,” David said.
that's my goal.” “But we still want that bull
“He gets teary eyed with to look good,” Annette added.
pride,” Annette said, calling David's Excel sheet is
attention to the catch in Da- itemized with birth weights,
vid’s throat as he talked of his yearling weights and average
herd. “It’s heartwarming to daily gain to document actual
me to see how passionate he performance. Sonogram data
is about what we’ve accom- measuring ribeye and intra-
plished. Sometimes there are muscular fat is listed. After
bulls behind the house, some- that, it’s EPDs based on WHC
times cows we can see from numbers and those of fellow
our deck. It’s a good feeling to Charolais breeders. With
know we are managing them spreadsheet in hand, David

David & Annette Bonacker (314) 974-5230

Stan & Mary Bonacker bonakrfam@sbcglobal.net