Andy's Angle

Link: http://issuu.com/bjeick/docs/form_to_function_sale_catalog_-_2009

You've heard me (like a proud Dad with kids' pictures in his wallet) talk about my love for Shorthorn cattle and our own fabulous females at my Buckeye Cattle Company. What started with an accidental acquisition of a Shorthorn cow in my early years of 4-H grew into a lifelong passion and admiration for the breed I consider to be the standard-bearer for quality and consistency in the show ring, in the feed yard, and most importantly for me, in calving unassisted and raising exceptional offspring.

Moving away from home to pursue and education and later a career took me away from my own small crossbred cowherd in Hillsboro, and years and lack of my own personal involvement convinced me to slowly liquidate my cow inventory, selling my last cow nearly five years ago. I was effectively out of the cattle business altogether. Until the Form to Function Sale.

My friend Marlene von Stein was dating this young livestock promoter named B.J., and he was hosting his first production sale as Sale Manager. His company, Livestock Promotions, was diving into purebred cattle marketing with a major Shorthorn sale. To say the least, I was intrigued. A young entrepreneur making his way into a business I had long loved with a breed for which I had sentimental attachment was a strong lure. The fact, however, that Byland Polled Shorthorns of Loudonville was one of three farms holding the sale was too much to resist. My first cow, that accidental acquisition, was Byland Jenny OP6, or as we called her, "Opie."

Having met Dr. Byers after his late father was inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, I thought a trip to the sale would be at the very least a nice way to spend an evening. The leading female in the sale, a five-year old cow from the heart of the Byland herd, had caught my eye and sparked my interest in perhaps delving back into the business. Arriving at the sale and seeing the cow in person was all it took. Buckeye Cattle Company was back open for business.

Less than a year later we have a dozen females, including three key donors, in the herd, own a share in an amazing new A.I. sire, and are geared up for the fall sale season. Our Donors are key features in two major Shorthorn sales, including the 2nd Annual Form to Function Sale. B.J. Eick, an extremely dedicated and talented sale manager is hosting the sale once again with Bowman Superior Genetics, Byland Polled Shorthorns, and Shady Maple Farms. September 4th in Greens Fork, Indiana (Richmond), a tremendous set of functional females and jaw-dropping genetics opportunities will sell. My good friend Col. Kevin Wendt will sell again, and Kevin knows as much or more about selling Shorthorn cattle as any auctioneer in the business.

Our lead donor, Byland Cathy 2RD7, a Mel-Bar Rodeo Drive 347 daughter, will sell six embryos sired by JSF Capiche, the first Shorthorn bull acquired by Select Sires in a quarter century. This mating is tailor-made for the Form to Function sale, and I'm excited about the calves they will spawn. Capiche is going to be a force in the breed, and our own Cathy has made some amazing daughters, including two that we own out of Byland's JSF Real World.

I'm honored that B.J. and Luke Bowman invited us to be a part of their 2nd Annual event, and I'm looking forward to joining you at the sale September 4th. The Shorthorn female is one of the most reliable mothers in the business, and she has a place in your operation. She'll lay down and have a calf without your help, chase away the coyotes, and raise a stout and efficient steer, or a heifer ready to follow in her productive hoofprints. The Shorthorn Angus F1 females are unparalleled in commercial cow-calf operations, and Shorthorn bulls will scale down smooth out more framey, rugged made females of Continental breeds.

Check out the Form To Function catalog from Livestock Promotions, and join us at the 2nd Annual Form to Function Sale September 4th. Oh, and you can see our offering on Page 12 in the book.