Our Herd History

In 1985 we purchased the 10 best cows from Gail's dad when he retired from farming after 44 years. These commercial Herefords were "old style", small to medium frame, easy keeping, long lived animals that did well with minimal input and attention.

The herd was built up by keeping our best heifers from test station proven Hereford bulls. Calf weaning weights, yearling weights and rate of gain increased and the mature size moved up to the 1250 to 1350 lb range. Recognizing the cost efficiency of smaller animals, we decided to resist the past trend toward large frame cross breds and in 1994 started AI breeding using Gelbvieh genetics.

Why Gelbvieh? Good disposition and mothering ability; two traits we noticed were often lacking in cross bred cows. For our operation they are essential. Our hope was that the Gelbvieh-Hereford cross would yield F1 calves with improved growth rate, steers which finish easily and heifers which will calve at 2 years old and re-breed on time(just like our Herefords!).

After 7 calf crops we have not been disappointed. Calving ease has been excellent, even though calf weights (weighed at 24 hours) have been typically in the 90 to 100 lb range. Calves are born quickly and easily even to first calf heifers. Weaning weights are now 650 to 800 lb with some bull calves pushing 900 lb.

The herd has been built up using AI sires such as Bennett Horizon, Tradition, Bergen Bouzer, Sir Arnold, Kris Talon, Impressor, Polled Phantom, Leachman New Day, and Bennett Precision and Beach Boy. Our herd is now predominately Gelbvieh cross with some purebred (87%) females and we are at the point of re-introducing Hereford genetics to keep the balance.

Selling commercial and purebred breeding stock now forms a significant part of our farming operation. Animals from our farm are in herds across Ontario.

Return to Top Last Updated November 2002 by Gail Johnson & Mike Chell