Hello All:

Creepin’: Eric Church has a song called “Creepin’”…that’s kinda how I feel regarding our sale date coming up on March 9. It’s creepin’ up on us! Read to the bottom of this update to learn about some ICE cows for sale.

Trials: James 1:2-4 ^“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Sale Preparation: Videos have been shot, edited and compiled into a catalog with information. Note on the videos: On the days we recorded the videos the ground was very uneven, was covered with snow/ice and was frozen solid. These conditions prevented a great walk. If you are concerned about how any of the animals look in the videos. I urge you to come see them in person under better conditions. When you read this we should have, or at least very soon have, a sale catalog online at icecattle.com and at DVAuction. Kristin is printing the hard copy catalogs, and they should be mailed out soon.  If you have not received one in the past but would like to, catalog requests can be sent to Kristin at [email protected].

Competition: I just counted and there are nearly 30 OTHER bull sales going on via DVAuction the same day as ours…WOW! I frankly have no idea how many people are trying to sell bulls in America…but it is unquestionably a lot. People vote with their dollars…and it is a humbling thing in this business when people pick you to trade their dollars for your cattle. It signifies trust…and I HATE letting people down.

I recently heard a businessman say having an excellent product is only 10% of a business plan. That hit hard. For years I have believed we have as good of cattle as in existence for the producer wanting to build the same kind of cattle we do. (Now, I don’t think there are many producers in the conventional cattle production regime who want to produce the kind of cattle we have…but they should.) I have also believed for years that our bulls are selling at a significant discount to bulls from producers with similar philosophies.

Regardless of these things, my pledge is to stay true to using the genetics I think are necessary for cattle to thrive on grass/forage with only water, salt and mineral. If they thrive on grass, it always follows they will thrive on grain. I also pledge to continue to develop our cattle in a way no one else is doing. This will sort off the animals that should never be seedstock. If most seedstock producers developed their bulls the way we do, NO ONE would buy them, they would look atrocious on sale day. If they ran their cows like we do, they would have severe problems with opens on preg. check day. I’m not much of a marketer, so I’m going to rely on the 10% of our business (an excellent product) that I know is right to eventually build enough of a reputation that many others will be interested in our product. It won’t be as fast as I prefer, but I trust it will come.

Customer Comments Regarding ICE Cattle:

Note: The following situation is far better than what we expect or experience in our own ICE herd…but a much appreciated comment nonetheless: “Your cows translate to other ranches. Never had an open cow, never had a cow not wean a calf. No vacs or pour on and hay only in emergency.”

“I love the way you develop your bulls and how you put honesty and integrity above all else. I know what it takes to make a yearling bull weigh 1100 lbs., I know EPD cattle sell better and I know most seedstock producers are more interested in making money than helping people. I am not willing to participate in any of that. I know it is going to take awhile before our type of cattle get the traction they deserve. I will still continue to raise the same type, the type that will enable more young people to enter the business with less capital. The type that can finish on grass or grain. The type that results in a cowherd that is grass based, feminine, fertile, efficient, and long lasting.”

Semen Interest: We retain semen interest in whatever bulls we can. This allows us to A.I. and register to him if that ever becomes tenable in the future. If a bull becomes something you want to collect and sell semen on, we would be delighted to work with you in that regard.

ICE cows for sale: We have a long-time customer who recently lost some grass and needs to sell cows. He has 15, four-year old cows Composite bred to Easy Red and calving now/soon. 100% ICE breeding on both sides. If interested please call Matt Shurts, Beloit, KS 785-738-0000.