Hello All:
2024 ICE sale is in the books: The bulls averaged just over $4000 and the heifers almost $2700. With no close second, the main question I receive after a sale is how it went. My answer typically is paraphrased as such: It was our highest averaging sale ever and still far below the average for most sales. In such an answer I mean to be thankful, but eager to get better for next year! We will, Lord willing, continue to build what we believe to be the best bulls on the planet for grazing production. Our bulls are working in several states across the nation, some even in fescue country. (I’ve long been concerned about sending our bulls to fescue. One producer told me this year they don’t all work, but the ones that adapt are excellent…and that more of our bulls adapt than from elsewhere.)
Private Treaty bulls: We still have four bulls, but they will soon be unavailable. If interested, please contact us ASAP. They are lots 37, 38, 42, and 47. You can see their listings and links to their videos here: https://www.icecattle.com/catalog/private-treaty-2024-catalog/
Repeat customers: We are grateful for all our customers. Our repeat buyers, those who have used the product for years or even more recently, are now buying the majority of our bulls (and heifers). Our new customers have hope and our repeat customers have proof, walking by faith vs. walking by sight. Thank you all. We want, and expect, our cattle to do well for you. Repeat customers: It is clear in our communications with new customers that your testimonies, especially directly to other producers, are the BEST marketing tool we have. Our customers are better salesmen than I am…and I don’t mind that at all. REQUEST: If you have informative and complimentary words regarding ICE Cattle and would be willing to send me a paragraph, I would be delighted to include those comments in future ICE updates.
Everyone’s genetics come from someone else’s genetics: I’m a natural selection, microevolution guy. The interesting thing about microevolution is that it actually disproves macroevolution. Microevolution, which happens with natural selection, removes information and can be seen; whereas, macroevolution demands significant information be added (what good is 10% of an eye?) and is invisible. How does microevolution remove information? If a cow (without help) can’t calve, the calf dies, as does the cow. If she can’t breed back on the inputs provided in her environment, she doesn’t print any offspring. Natural selection removes animals (information) that can’t make it, so those genetics fail to exist. When you select (unnatural selection but still effective) for traits you want, and get rid of the traits you don’t, you build a herd of efficient, gentle, good-uddered, long-lasting cows (unless you are selecting for large framed, inefficient, wild, bad uddered cows, which you do when you don’t get rid of them and/or save their heifers). We are thankful to Pharo Cattle Company and Ohlde Cattle Company for having genetics that work in the grazing realm. They are both excellent cattle producers, and in combination, they are the best of two worlds. ICE Cattle is the confluence of these two genetic lines. We have used these genetics, and PCC/OCC philosophies, in combination with a ruthless, tough as a hacksaw development program to produce a cattle herd that is as problem free as we can get…for now. There is still work to be done, and we aim to persevere as we pursue improvement.
Are you tired…of these updates? I aim to hit things hard with these updates starting in December or so and leading up to the sale. Please forgive if I’m saying too much or repeating myself too often. Thank you for bearing with me and again for all of you who are customers of ICE cattle. I think we’re onto something good!
I am a man of little faith…but God…demonstrated His love for me while I was yet a sinner. When considering how to love your spouse/child/family member/friend/pastor/ neighbor/business acquaintance…you can say all sorts of things depending on the “category of love” they are in. Prioritize this: DEMONSTRATE your love…the proof is in what you do not what you say.
