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Home of Virginia's Best Red Devons
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Welcome to
Home of Virginia's Finest Red Devon Herd
Our site is here to educate you about our pride and joy, Lakota Ranch, Red Devons, and our industry.
If you have any questions after spending some time here, please feel free to contact us.
Lakota Ranch, a 726 acre farm in Culpeper County, Virginia, was purchased from the Myer family in 1990. The purpose was to expand the Devon beef cattle program established at Effingham Plantation in the 50s without sacrificing genetic quality. The Devon herd consisted of approximately 80 brood cows was moved in its entirety to Lakota Ranch in 1991. Lakota Ranch added a selected herd of registered Longhorn Cattle in the early 90s. The foundation females were purchased from Berry College.
Dr. Stewart Fowler, a renowned animal scientist, joined the staff at Lakota to oversee the breeding program in the mid-90s. Dr. Fowlers extensive experience as a consultant to the Santa Gertrudis, Texas Longhorn, Devon and Piedmontese Breeds, was called upon to expand the Devon breeding program and initiate the development of a composite utilizing the carcass qualities of Devons with the hardiness of Texas Longhorns. The project was designed as a 15 year program to develop a new breed known as Texons, consisting of 5/8ths Devon and 3/8ths longhorn. Dr. Fowler had recognized the marvelous carcass qualities of Devons while working as a packer buyer in the southern states. While director of the Texas A & M Research station at Uvalde, Texas, Dr. Fowler developed his own herd of Longhorns. He served in the capacity of executive secretary to the Devon Cattle Association for almost 2 decades.In this capacity he became recognized as a man unsurpassed in his knowledge of the breed.
Dr. Fowler retired from work at Lakota Ranch and a shift in management occurred in the mid-90s with the return to farming of Jeremy Engh. After 6 years in military service with the Special Forces and Infantry of the U.S. Army, Jeremy made a career decision to devote himself to grass farming Devon cattle. He has managed the herd for the last 15 years and served as the president of the American Devon Cattle Association. Jeremy also has started the Lakota Bull test, judged livestock, consulted for many new and old operations, and runs the breeding program for 12 other grass farming operations.
Devon cattle and grass farming have remained as the major focus of farming at Lakota. We our proud to nurture both the cattle and the land and have found great reward in providing a delicious, healthy beef product to our community and others.
The first Devon cattle were purchased from the late Senator Wayne Morse of Poolesville, Maryland in 1956. Two females and a horned and polled Devon bull were purchased by the late Otto and Sara Engh as a gift for their youngest son, Jerry. The two bulls were used for crossbreeding with Angus cattle as well as a foundation for starting a Devon herd. Progeny were shown at local fairs in Maryland through the late 1950’s. The Devon herd was maintained at Effingham Plantation over the next 2 decades, with no introduction of new breeding stock until the early 70’s. The foundation herd had reached approximately 25 females by 1971. A renewed interest in Devon cattle was realized with a trip to the annual National Devon Sale and Show in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1974. The camaraderie among breeders and love for the docile cattle led to an intense desire to expand the Devon program and compete against other breeders in show competition. A strong friendship developed with the late Fred Wyvill, a fellow breeder from Upper Marlboro, Md. In 1976 Fred and Jerry traveled to Great Britain to attend the Royal Agricultural Show and visit top Devon herds in England. Both Fred and Jerry purchased Devon bulls from the herd of Andre Mitisiak and imported them to the United States. The bull Lufton Guardsmen ll became a primary herd sire providing an outcross to the herd at Effingham Plantation
A second herd bull by the name of Devonacres Big Red was purchased from Devonacres Ranch in Eagle Point, Oregon, the following year. This extremely growthy horned bull topped the Devonacres sale of over 80 bulls. He was the number one bull on test in the sale and graded 16 out of a maximum score of 16+ for correctness by Dr. Stewart Fowler. Each year, all bulls qualifying for the Devonacres sale were graded by Dr. Fowler with no bull ever receiving a grade above 16+. Devonacres Big Red along with his son, Effingham’s Big Red was used heavily in the breeding program through the mid-1980’s.
Each winter through 1982, Patty and Jerry Engh would travel to the shows in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas to compete in show competition. The cattle were selected and prepared for show with the assistance of herd manager Frank Jones. The highlight of this effort was winning Grand Champion female at the national show with the female Effinghams Desire 1st. The same year Effingham topped the sale of Devons at the national sale by selling a yearling bull sired by Lufton Guardsman 2nd. Several purchases of breeding stock were made through the mid-80 to strengthen the Devon herd at Effingham. Major purchases included the Alona herd from Glendale, Washington in 1980 and the Wymont herd from Alexandria, Louisiana the following year. The bull Wymont Glorious Warrant had a major influence in this family of Devons. This bull was exceptional in his masculinity and muscle pattern. In 1982, Devonacres Ranch sold their entire herd, the largest dispersion sale of Devons in the United States with almost 500 individuals transferred. A number of females were purchased for the Effingham herd including females from the Frank’s and Favorite lines of California. In addition, Effingham purchased the rights to semen from Devonacres on their grand champion bull, GRO 615 Big George. The bull was used to add scale to some of the older style Devons in the Effingham breeding program. Considerable semen was sold from GRO 615 Big George in both the U.S. and Brazil. In 1984, Effingham co-hosted the 2nd World Devon Congress with a farm visit by Devon cattle breeders from Australia, Brazil, England, and New Zealand. At the time of the congress Effingham had on display an embryo calf by the name - BCG1 Desires Big George. The bull had been produced by embryo transplant at Berry College, a son of Effingham’s Desire 1 and Big George, both Grand Champions at the National Devon Show. Although semen was not sold oversees on this bull, a son of Wymont Glorious Warrant by the name of Effingham’s Power Park was sold and exported to Brazil. This son of Wymont Glorious Warrant is the only polled Devon bull exported to Brazil, the bull being purchased by renowned Devon breeder, Senor Jose Senna. BCG1 Desires Big George was probably the most influential bull to be used in the Effingham program. BCG 1, as we called the bull, just stayed in good shape despite heavy use each breeding season. He was best described as a large bull with a tremendous front end and a load of middle. Unfortunately the bull was injured and only 2 full calf crops were produced at Effingham. Other bulls that played a major role in the development of the Devon herd at Effingham were Noyl Boy M78 purchased from Bill Coutts herd in Maine and Holbrook 55 purchased out of the Utah bull test station sale in 1988. Holbrook 55 had a gain ratio on test of 115 and a yearling weight just over 1200 pounds. Holbrook 55 sired 2 sons, Lakota 53C and Lakota 123C that became the primary herd sires at Lakota Ranch after the Devon herd was shifted to Lakota Ranch from Effingham in the spring of 1990. Semen from the M78 bull was sold to breeders in Brazil with a daughter of this bull winning reserve grand champion at the Estaio Show for breeder Claudio Rebeiro. In addition, a son of M78, Effingham’s Noyl Boy T28 produced some of the top breeding females in the Lakota herd today.
Next, we need to mention two Devon herd bulls used from 1999-2005, Trailblazer of Grovemont and Lakota’s H48. Trailblazer of Grovemont purchased in 1999 from the historic herd at Williamsburg, is the only bull of the dairy type to be used at Lakota Ranch. We currently have 15 females and 1 son from this bull in service. The first calf crop from daughters of Trailblazer were exceptional with perfect udder structure and abundant rich milk production resulting in exceptional calf performance. . Lakota H48 is a son of Lakota's 53C of the Noyl Boybloodline. Lakota H48 is out of a Tomotley Red Sunset cow, a cow that remained in the breeding program until the age of 19.
In 2003, we were fortunate to add the Kinloch herd to our program at Lakota Ranch. This herd of 27 breeding females and 5 bulls was integrated into both our commercial and purebred Devon programs. We maintain in excess of 100 breeding females to meet the growing demands for Devon seedstock in the United States.
The current breeding program at Lakota Ranch features 3 bulls with exceptional breed characteristics that are being used in natural service and AI. All three bulls are deep bodied and heavily muscled, the correct type for grass. The first is Lakotas 16N of Albion. Kinloch’s Albion was a bull purchased from the breeding program of Bill Harper’s at Kinloch Farm in The Plains, VA We have admired the muscle pattern of this bull and had tried to purchase him for 10 years. The second is an embryo produced calf out of the before mentioned Tomotleys Red Sunset cow who was also the mother of the Lakota H48 bull. This bull, P42, sired by the Rotokawa 688 bull possesses width, depth, and an immaculate hair coat. The third bull, Lakotas P60, a son of Lakotas H48 and Buckeyes T60, is as genetically strong as he is phenotypically correct.
The last 6 years we have had a renewed interest in expanding the breeding program both through embryo transplant and the use of oversees A.I. sires. We initiated an aggressive plan to flush a group of our top females to produce outcrosses to be used selectively back in the breeding program. We currently sell semen on 10 different Devon sires, old and new. We also have continued to flush cattle and sell embryos every spring and fall.
Devon Cattle have the conformation and quality which will be required by the increasingly competitive beef markets of the coming decade. Impervious to the swings in taste which have occurred in the beef industry, Devon breeders both in the United States and England have successfully concentrated their efforts for centuries on producing a efficient, well balanced animal where carcass quality, production and cutability have been prime goals.
ORIGIN
Devon Cattle were such an integral part of agriculture in South-West England, that it is difficult to pinpoint their origins. Records of red cattle in this section of England date from as early as 23 B.C. It is thought that Devon Cattle developed from the same aboriginal strains which ultimately produced the Hereford and the Sussex. In any event, we know Devon Cattle have been in existence for a long time and over the years, the Devon breed has continually evolved into one of the leading beef breeds.
ENGLISH HISTORY
Records for the Devon as a pure breed began when Colonel John T. Davy of Rose Ash in North Devon published the first volume of Davys Devon Herd Book in 1851. The Davy family, along with the Quartly family from the same area, had been breeding pure Devons for at least 150 years prior to this publication. In 1884, the copyright for the book was acquired by the Devon Cattle Breeders Society in England and continuous records have been maintained by it in England ever since.
AMERICAN HISTORY
Devon Cattle came to America with the pilgrims in 1623. At the time, their hardy foraging ability fit the uncertain grass conditions; their moderate but rich milking ability favored the sustenance of both calf and family, and their docility and strength adapted them for use as oxen. As the pioneers pushed Westwards, Devon Cattle went with them, drawing them along the grass line.
As the country grew more prosperous, and as agriculture became more refined, interest in Devon for rich farmland waned because the cattle, almost indigenous by adoption, were identified with the roughest of conditions.
In 1884, American Devon Cattle Association records were started and a gradual but continuous program of importation of top bloodlines leads to a resurgence of the quality of Devon Cattle as we know them today.
In 1915, a polled Devon bull calf was born named, Missouri. Further development of the polled strain has been actively pursued by both American and English breeders. The polled American blood has been exported from the U.S. to England, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil.
In the 20th century the Devon rode a roller coaster doing very well until the feedlot craze dominated the American beef industry. The Devon then started to diminish in numbers but not in quality. In the early 90s the Devon resurgence began with the grass farming trend, and the demand for healthier beef by consumers. Today the Devon is doing quite well and the American Devon Cattle Association is there to continue to accurately record the history and lineage of this remarkable breed.
GROWTH RECORDS
Lakota Ranch has accurately maintained records on Devon Cattle in this country since 1953. Growth and production records since the 50s, ultra sound data since the 80s, and DNA since the 90s; Lakota Ranch has led the way in Devon Breeding, promotion and data collection.
Growth per day Days to 500 lbs REA IMF Tend
Weanling bull calf 4.10 122 na 2.3 24
Weanling heifer 3.61 139 na 1.8 24
Days to 1000 lbs.
Yearling bull 3.10 322 11.2 3.1 24
Yearling heifer 2.77 361 9.2 2.1 24
Lakota Ranchs Devon stockers have typically finished in 20 months here at Lakota and in 22 when finished off property. Steers have averaged 1117lbs at finish with a HCW of 612lbs.
Heifers typically show heat by 11 mos. of age and some as early as 8 months. Some Devon breeders breed at 3 years of age but we feel like quick maturity is a trait we wish to identify and promote within the herd, we typically breed animals at either a year or year and a half of age.
COMMERCIAL VALUE
Devons are a moderate solution to the search for a balanced outcross.
Devon bulls can and should play an important crossbreeding role in the beef industrys move from the beef of the 2000s to the right type of beef like we had in the 40s and 50s. Because Devon breeders were immune to the growth and feedlot craze of the post WWII era. the breed has retained its compactness, foraging ability, and carcass merit . Devons today are the right type of animals for grass finishing.
Obviously, registry numbers indicate that it would be impractical to build a commercial herd of purebred Devon. However, with the trend to crossbreeding and the known reputation for Devon prepotency, Devon bulls represent an excellent way for the commercial cattleman to upgrade his herd.
By crossbreeding with Devon bulls, the commercial cattleman immediately improves his beef margin with smaller framed, more efficient, quicker finishing steer calves and transfers some of the Devon rich milking capability to his replacement heifers. This crossbreeding program, applied by several large commercial operations in the Western United States has resulted in a substantial improvement in their herds.
As expansion of the cities and the economics of farming have forced the cattleman into rougher country and off the farm land, the stamina, foraging and traveling capabilities of cattle have come back into focus. In this regard, Devon are second to none. Consequently, Devon are successfully used in the temperature extremes of Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Maine, in the swampy, bug-infested areas of the Gulf States and South Africa, in the sun-blistered ranges of Australia, and the rocky woodland hills of cold northern New England.
Devon breeders n England, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States compete regularly and successfully in all breed carcass contest. In England, in the Royal Smithfield Show, London, Devons have been competing successfully against all other beef breeds for over fifty years.
Based on the various Untied States carcass contest results, the following statistics on Devon carcasses are valid:
% of Dress 62% to 65%
% of Retail Cuts 52% to 56%
Sq. inch of rib-eye 12.2 to 16.0
In feed lot controlled tests in Oregon, commercial Devon cross steers have consistently out gained other non-Devon steers under comparable conditions. The program at the Madras Cattle Feeders Lot has been continued successfully over a four-year period. Similar results were recorded in 1959 at the Idlewild Experiment Station, Clinton, Louisiana.
Due to their carcass quality, stamina, ability to grow rapidly and the muscle meat conformation, Devon cattle represent the ideal beef type of today and the coming decade. In addition, their mothering and well known rich milking capacity fit Devon for a significant role in commercial beef herd improvement.
Lakota Ranch
Lakota's Devon
Devon History
US Devon
Cattle finished on pasture have many names, grass-fed, forage-finished, pasture-finished whatever...but no matter what you call it, it has proven nutritional advantages. It's healthier than grain fed beef; it contains higher amounts of desirable fatty acids and antioxidants than traditional feed lot finished beef, and the most important thing is what it does not contain(hormones, anti-biotic's, etc..). Experience at Lakota and elsewhere has shown that beef cattle naturally produce a potent anti carcinogen, conjugated linoleic acid. Lakotas Devon beef, produced on forage contain about twice the amount of this anticarcinogen as beef produced on typical, grain based diets as well as more vitamin-E, more Beta-Carotene, and more Omega3 fatty acids. Beef from Lakotas Devon cattle also contain higher amounts of intramuscular fat, higher percentages of gourmet carcasses, and finish quicker than other beef breeds. Part of the reason for this is genetics, pure Devon Genetics were made for grass finishing, or is it the other way around. I forget sometimes...
As long ago as the 1600's our ancestors selected the Devon as Beef supreme on grass. We have known and enhanced this trait with modern carcass evaluation tools and intensive record keeping. I was reading an article in the New York Times which stated,"The search for forage and cattle genetics has begun across the country. They don't realize that this quest was started 500 years ago or more. It also said, "Experts" are studying which forage crops are best suited to produce forage fed beef and how these forages interact with meat quality." These experts are finding out what we have known for years. "Devon genetics produce beef supreme on grass", "The Butchers choice". It amuses me how many ,"experts" in grass farming have only been grass farming for two or three years..... We have done it for more than 50. We won't charge you hundreds of dollars to share what we've learned or show you the operation either. Please come visit and see the Top Devon Grass Genetics and the Lakota Bull Test. The only totally grass fed Bull Test around.
More than ever consumers wants their beef produced without antibiotics and pesticides and they want it produced locally. Lakotas Devon Genetics have been preserved and selected for decades, they have proven to work all over this country and over seas, let us help you serve your local community the healthiest best tasting meat available.
Lakotas S84 (ADCA reg# p40331) comes from Lakotas top line for muscling. Her grand dam is one of Lakotas premier flush cows. Deep red and Deep bodied this heifer received top scores for Carcass merit. If you want muscling, a Buckeye daughter of this caliber is just what the doctor ordered.
Lakotas S31 is another Buckeye daughter with top umbers in both ultrasound and Linear Measurements. She also comes from a Lakota cow ranking in the top 10% of the herd for production. She is feminine, quiet, and well balanced. She is pictured grazing as this is what she was bred to do.
Lakotas S51 is a beautiful heifer bred to Stonebridges Jr. P2. She is in the top two tiers for all carcass traits and meets Gerald Fry's specs for all Lineal Measurement categories. She is a well balanced girl who comes from a long line of top producers
Move the slider and click on image for a full size picture and information.
Lakotas S72 is a fantastic heifer with a great pedigree. She is feminine, well balanced, and made for pasture. A great addition to any herd, Lakotas S72.
Lakotas S25 is a horned heifer out of the great bull, Albions16N bull who sold for $10,000.00 this year and graces the ads for THE GREAT EVENT. A slick, deep bodied heifer out of one of Lakotas top 20 cows. Genetics, style, muscle, and femininity, Lakotas S25 has it all.
Lakotas R113 is a Lakota Buckeye P60 daughter out of a cow that sold for $8000 as a nine year old. She has her mothers depth and wonderful disposition. A great way to start a herd or compliment one. Lakotas R113 is a great balance of muscle and femininity.
Lakotas N4 is the 1100 lb. cow everyone is looking for. She is a Rotokawa 688 daughter who is wide and deep and like her 13 old mother holds her flesh all year long. N4 has an 11 in rib eye and scores a 22 for tenderness! Her first 4 calves averaged 65 lbs. at birth and 440 lbs. at weaning. If you are looking for a cow to start a herd or improve one, here's a beauty
Lakotas Lady M181 is the, " Prom Queen". She goes on your farm buisness card, web site, and promo flyer. A double bred Hollbrook daugther should have lots of muscle and this one does! Her two sisters were purchased in a partnership between NADA president Kim Miller and Nada everything man David Schoumacher to help get Kims herd started right. Get yours started right with this beautiful lady. 13 inch rib eye, 23 on tenderness, 3.82%imf, +43 wwt, etc........
Laktas M20 is a typical Lakotas H48 daughter, superb! M20 is the definition of, "Maternal". She is a +12 on milk and a +15 on wwt., she has a 13 in rib eye and score a 24 for tenderness. Her calf T200 is a classic example of what happens when you put a meat wagon (Lakotas Buckeye P60) over a maternal cow....You get what we call a ,"meaternal" calf
Lakotas P10 is the 1100 lb. cow everyone is looking for. She is both wide and deep and like her 16 yr old mother holds her flesh all year long. P10 has an 11 in rib eye and scores a 24 for tenderness. Her first 2 calves averaged 70 lbs. at birth and 450 lbs. at weaning. If you are looking for a cow to start a herd or improve one, here's a beauty
Lakotas Lillie M184 is a Heavily muscled Devon cow as you would expect with Holbrook genetics on both sides of her pedigree. She ultra-sounds nicely with a 13.72 in. rib eye and a 24 for tenderness. She is a +1 for Bwt. a +17 for Wwt, and a+23 Ywt. If you are looking for volume ad muscle in a cow look no further
Lakotas R151 is a Lakota Buckeye P60 daughter from a great maternal line. With lots of Hollbrook in her pedigree she has tons of muscle and a small deep frame to carry it. Start your herd right with a powerful spring bred heifer out of the premier bull in the breed.
The Lakota S99 bull is, like his daddy, both wide and deep. The right type of bull for grass farming, he is early maturing, quiet, small framed, and heavily muscled. He had a 10 inch rib eye at 1 yr of age and scored a 23 for tenderness. Whether for pure bred or commercial use, this is the type of bull for grass farming and the right type of bull for you
SIRE: ROTOKAWA 688 DAM: EFFINGHAM’S SUNNY T49 NZE#146795688 ADCA# P37616 LAKOTAS BENP42 IS A ROTOKAWA SON WITHOUT THE HEAVY HAIR. CALVED BY A TOMOTLEYS RED SUNSET DAUGHTER WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL HAIR COAT, A GREAT UDDER AND A MODERATE FRAME. THIS COMBINATION OF ATTRIBUTES HAS CREATED AN EXCEPTIONAL BULL WHO RATES IN THE TOP 5% OF THE BREED FOR GROWTH AND EYE MUSCLE, . Calves are 18 lbs Bwt, but wean at +15. FOR EASE OF CALVING,ADDED GROWTH, MUSCLE, AND CARCASS MERIT USE LAKOTAS BEN P42. Semen is $20 a straw.
Click below to see some of our previous livestock.
Cows
Bulls
Please check back for some exciting Embryotic news.
LIBRARY OF DEVON SIRES FOR LAKOTA RANCH AND EFFINGHAM PLANTATION
Before we look at the bulls, lets look at the criteria for Bull Selection. There is no greater influence on herd merit and genetic progress than the use of superior sires.
The cow-calf producer is striving for genetic improvement. He is hoping that the bulls which he selects are genetically superior to his cows-that they will transmit their apparent superiority to their offspring, thereby continuing to improve his herd. But how can he be sure? Although, there’s no foolproof method through which herd-improving sires can be assured, application of the selection procedure and criteria which follow will come as near to doing so as is scientifically possible today. Before starting out to buy a new herd sire, evaluate your cow herd and current calf crop. Where do they need the most improvement? Is it size, muscling, soundness, gaining ability, or some other trait? Then look for a bull to correct those weaknesses. But do not lose existing valuable traits to improve a weak one. Balance is paramount. Decide which herds you should visit or which sales you should attend. Buy from reputable breeders who are known to be doing a good job of production. Take time in making a selection. Start well ahead of the time you need a bull, so that you will have a better selection of bulls from which to choose. Many bulls are selected on visual appraisal and age alone. But more and more cattlemen, both purebred and commercial, are selecting sires only after studying detailed performance records on not only the individual bulls but their near relatives. Since sire selection may be the most important factor in determining the success of a beef cattle breeding program, every breeder should use all the information at his disposal when selecting herd sires. At the outset, however, it should be recognized that a performance-tested bull will seldom excel in all the economically important traits. The cattleman must decide, therefore, how much importance shall be accorded each trait i.e. how much emphasis will be placed on yearling weight, rate of gain, and carcass evaluation, EBV, linear measurement etc. This will vary from herd to herd, depending primarily on the level of performance in the trait already attained in the particular herd. Remember, there are many tools for bull selection, but they are just that, TOOLS. Never replace visual appraisal, the quest for balance, and genetic merit, with a test score and never get caught up in single trait selection. Again, Balance is paramount. Herd Merit The really difficult problem is the selection of the herd or source, once the breed has been decided upon. Whenever possible, bulls should be obtained from herds having the highest average merit. But it is difficult to estimate the average merit of a herd in relation to other herds and the rest of the breed. Performance test comparisons between herds are not very meaningful, for the reason that environmental factors, especially feeding and herdsmanship, exert a powerful influence. However, by determining the production level of the herd and by observing how animals produced in the herd have performed for other breeders, an evaluation can be made.
Of course, not all animals produced in a herd will be breeding bull prospects. So, relative rank of a bull prospect among other bulls produced in the same calf crop and managed in the same way is important. The bull buyer should take the “top cut” of the performance-tested bulls from a given, outstanding herd that is on production test. Weight ratios computed in most performance records are a convenient device to determine how an animal ranks among other animals raised at the same time in a herd. Some important questions to ask of a seller of breeding stock as a means of determining the merit of his herd are:
1. How many years has this herd been selected for performance?
2. What is the average level of performance in your herd for the relevant traits?
3. What is your breeding program?
4. What is your management system?
Hereditary Defects (Undesirable Recessives) Bull buyers should always be on the alert for hereditary defects. Even though the bull you select shows no evidence of defects, he may be a “carrier” if his relatives have a history of such defects. Among the more than 200 hereditary abnormalities in cattle to guard against are: dwarfism, double muscling, heavy hair, sickle hoof. hernia, cryptorchidism, hydrocephalus, and arthrogryposis. Cattlemen commonly refer to such defects as “undesirable recessives” or “freaks.” Such traits range all the way from lethals, which cause the death of the affected animal, to those that cause only an economic loss. In addition to the more simply inherited hereditary defects, there is now ample evidence that the predisposition to such undesirable characteristics as bloat, vaginal and uterine prolapse, and cancer eye is also heritable. Hence, one should not buy a bull whose relatives exhibit a high incidence of these problems.
Price
Once you have found him, what’s a good bull worth? One commercial cow-calf producer of the writer’s acquaintance pays an average of $3,800 for his bulls. He weans a 97 percent calf crop, with an average calf weight of 590 pounds, and his reputation calves bring $2.00 per cwt premium. How many cattlemen can match this? And that’s not all! After this commercial cattleman is finished with his bulls, he sells them for an average of $3,200 per head. Many of them go into purebred herds, at a premium price because they have been progeny tested. This cattleman’s success story can be attributed to two things: (1) the use of outstanding sires, and (2) the production of reputation calves. Cowboy arithmetic shows that you can afford to pay as much as $1,250 more for a good bull than for an average bull. Here is how most cattlemen figure the situation: Calves sired by a superior bull will usually average 25 pounds more at weaning time than calves by an ordinary bull. Let’s assume that these calves bring $.50 per pound, and that 25 calves are weaned annually over the 4 years you use the bull. That’s an extra $12.50 per calf; $312.50 per year, and $1,250 more for the 4 years. Usually, the superior bull will be growthier than an ordinary bull by perhaps 300 pounds. At $33 per cwt, the bull will bring an extra $100 when he has passed his useful breeding age and is marketed for slaughter; bringing the total added value of the superior bull to $1,350. Thus, if you are willing to pay $600 for an ordinary bull, you can afford to pay up to $1,950 for a superior bull. Besides, if you are saving replacement heifers, a further bonus accrues to the superior sire through his daughters. Thus, a superior sire can improve immediate net profit through his calves, and make for capital improvement through his daughters. Of course, the purebred seed stock producer has even more to gain from using a top sire, since his worth is multiplied through both his sons and daughters. From the above, it may be concluded that the value of a bull is determined by his ability to produce calves that have enough quality to command the top dollar and enough pounds to make it pay.
Bull Selection Guidelines
One of the most important management decisions a cattleman makes is the selection of a herd sire. Careful thought and planning are required. After deciding on the breed, evaluate your cow herd and current calf crop. Where do they need improvement the most? Is it size, muscling, soundness, gaining ability, or some other trait? Next, decide what herds you plan to visit or which sales you wish to attend. Buy from reputable breeders who are doing a good job of production and who will give a breeder’s guarantee (and preferably a semen test) with the animals they sell. Patronize those who are cattle breeders in the truest sense-those who are making real progress in improving the quality and performance of their own cattle, and who are not just “multipliers.” Take time in making a selection. Start well in advance of the time you need a bull. The earlier you start, the greater the number of bulls from which you may choose.
•Select a bull that meets the following criteria:
•Performance tested in an environment and management system similar to your own
•Ultrasounded and semen tested
•Moderately framed, with good size and masculinity for his age.
•Well muscled.
•Structurally sound, including the feet and legs, and free from hereditary defects (and not a “carrier” of hereditary defects).
•Good disposition. Avoid flighty, nervous bulls; heifers sired by such a bull will likely exhibit the same traits.
•Sired by a bull that has been doing a good job of settling cows and of siring moderate-framed, fast-gaining calves.
•Out of a cow that consistently ranks in the top half of the herd in terms of production.
•Normal in testicular development-both testicles are present and they are fully descended, sound, and approximately equal in size.
•Superior carcasses of half-sibs of a young herd bull prospect, as evidenced by records of rib eye area, fat cover over the twelfth rib, cutability (yield grade), and overall quality grade.
•Free of reproductive diseases, as determined by blood tests and verified by health papers.
Hopefully these guidelines along with good, old-fashioned common-sense will help you in your selection of good sires because the quickest path to genetic improvement is the use of superior herd sires.
General
For Sale
Archives
Embryos
Sires
August 9th - Collect semen from Lakotas Buckeye P60
September 1st - Lakota Bull Test Weigh day
September 7th - 21ST Jeremy at World Devon Congress (Australia)
October 4th and 5th Culpeper Harvest Farm Tour's Lakota Ranch open to public, dog demo's, meat for sale
October 17th,18th Lakotas P10, Lakotas M20 and P60 heifer calf, and Lakotas lillie M181 for sale in NADA sale Rhode Island go to www.northamericandevon.com for more. The 2008 Great Event Devon Cattle Show and Sale is scheduled for October 23-25, 2008 in Culpeper, Virginia.at Lakota Ranch and the Culpeper Ag enterprise. VISIT WWW.AMERICANDEVON.COM for more.
October 22nd Final LBT weigh Day/Ultrasound (Dr. Allen Williams and Kit Pharo on hand)
October 23rd LBT field Day
November 12th and 13th Northern District extension is going to have a grazing school at Lakota Ranch.
December 6th Lakota Bull Test SALE
Mid-Atlantic grazing conference 2009
LAKOTA’S GRASS FED DEVON BEEF
HORMONE, GRAIN, AND ANTIBIOTIC FREE PASTURED DEVON BEEF for healthy living.
CUTS PRICE/LBS.*
Tenderloin Filets $20.98
Porterhouse Steak $12.48
Boneless Rib Eye Steak $12.48
New York Strip Steak $11.48
T-Bone Steak $11.48
Sirloin Steak $11.48
Flank Steak $9.98
Chuck Eye Steak $7.88
Skirt Steak $4.98
Chuck Steak $5.18
Cube Steak $5.78
Round Steak $5.78
Top/Round/Chuck Roast $6.00
Ground Beef $5.00
Short Ribs $4.00
Stew Meat $5.00
Soup Bones $2.00
Organ Meats $2.00
*Prices do not include shipping charges and they are subject to change.
Discounts given for sides 30% and half sides 20%
Consumers with Health Issues causing them to be unable to eat commercial beef receive a 40% discount on all purchases.
WHY DEVONS????????????? Let me give you 10 reasons
ONE, Carcass value.
Of evaluated Devon Carcasses in this country 96% have met the demands of the most stringent beef retailers. Meaning that Scores for Tenderness of 1.5 or better have been achieved. Quality grades of choice or better and back fat measurements 3.5 or thicker have also been achieved. In Devon crossed cattle containing 50% Devon or greater 89% of the cattle achieved this same number. In the rest of the cattle evaluated for slaughter in these same facilities a mere 62% of cattle reached these levels. When you factor in feed conversion rates and realize that Devon’s achieve a pound of gain on 30% less feed than other cattle in feed lot tests, and that Devon’s finish 60 – 80 days quicker than the other breeds this equates to better beef in a shorter amount of time for less money.
TWO, Prepotency of Genetics.
Devon cattle were left out of the feedlot fad that has had a strangle hold on the beef industry since World War II. When the industry went to a corn based diet and cattle were valued on carcass yield and not carcass value Devon’s were left out. Why? Because Devon’s put fat on to quickly in this system and carcass weights are lower than desired by this yield driven system. Meaning that Devon’s were maintained by only the Devon lover and the producer with the rare vision to recognize the value the incredible creatures contained. In a country whose cattle herds are predominantly made up of mongrelized commercial cattle no breed has a purer genetic base than the Devon cattle of this country. The DCA diligently has and will continue to insure the genetic integrity and stability of this breed.
THREE, Disposition.
In 1623 the ship CHARITY brought the first consignment of Devon cattle to this country from Devonshire. These Devon cattle and the many that followed were instrumental in the settling of this country. You are probably thinking this should fall under the heading HISTORY and it should and will. The significance of putting it hear is to realize that Devon’s were selected and used as triple purpose cattle. Devon’s were used as Oxen, for Beef, and for Dairy. For over 600 years Devon’s have been selected for docility and easy handling.
Four, Historical Value.
Read the above and the link off the home page labeled history for a more detailed story of Devon’s in this country and you will see that the Devon Heritage is both rich and distinguished and that history has been recorded so that both the genetic line and the line of ownership can be traced all the way back to Devonshire.
Five, Hide value.
Devon’s have the thickest hides of any cattle in the world. What does this mean to the producer? It means Devon cattle have better resistance to external parasites. It means that Devon cattle will tolerate weather changes better. It means that the value of the leather produced by the Devon will be greater for the producer. And all this put together means tougher, more manageable, more profitable cattle.
Six, Fertility.
Everything about Devons strongly speaks to the breed’s fertility. In 2002, 15% of Devon females in production in this country were 15 years old or older. The top selling Devon bull in terms of semen sales in this country has a live rate of over 90%! Compare that to the national average of 58%. Mature Devon bulls grown and maintained properly can routinely cover 65 cows in a breeding season. In a Virginia herd in 2003 a top Devon heifer was bred at 10 months of age, she calved before she was two and rebred within 45 Days. Devon Heifers in this country routinely show estrus by 300 days of age. Devon Bull calves have been known to breed open cows by 7 months of age. Devon cattle are highly fertile and aggressive breeders. Whether in a purebred or commercial operation Devon genetics save you money by not wasting your precious time.
Seven, Maternal Abilities.
Maternal abilities go hand in hand with the fertility I wrote of earlier. Devon females make great mother cows plain and simple. Devon mothers are highly fertile and as heifers they routinely cycle by a year of age. A combination of foraging ability and efficient conversion of grass energy keeps Devons in condition to recycle soon after calving. The rich milk production and high butterfat (4.5%) from a breed strong enough to develop with both beef and dairy societies enables Devon owners to wean calves that routinely exceed half their mother’s body weight.
Eight, Ability to flesh on grass.
Supreme Beef On Grass… this is our motto! Devons have long been bred to produce succulent flavorful beef from a grass diet. Since their origin in England to their popularity today in countries like Brazil and Australia which have not been overrun with the Feedlot disaster the Devon has excelled. The future of Devon cattle is intricately linked with their built in grass-conversion. As food supplies decrease and grain, fuel, and labor prices increase it will be economically unsound to grain fatten cattle with an equation of six to seven pounds of grain to one pound of beef. In summary, Devon’s rightful role is a highly fertile maternal factory capable of producing higher quality beef from grass. Beef production for tomorrow will turn to our type of cattle, cattle that can forage and rebreed no matter what the environment.
Nine, longevity.
The average age of a dairy cow in this country is two and one half years of age. The average age of Dairy Devons is five. The average age of beef cattle ion this country is 5 while the average age of Beef Devons is seven. One farm in Virginia currently has cattle in production at age eighteen and a herd bull which is fourteen years of age.. Devons are free from such diseases as Eye cancer, are structurally sound, have extremely correct udders, and have robust constitutions which means they can remain productive in your herd much longer than other breeds. This is commonplace for all Devon herds and means more years of quality production which equates to more earning potential for breeders.
Ten, adaptability.
The Devons robust constitution has enabled them to flourish in the diverse environments of Brazil, Australia, Canada, England, Africa, the Middle East, New Zealand, and every corner of the USA. In Trials held in Australia it was proven that Devons not only excel on low nutrition but grow as fast as other purebreds receiving high nutrition diets.
Well, there are your ten reasons, but I have really just touched on the tremendous attributes attained by these wonderful cattle. I hope you will contact Lakota Ranch and come visit and see some for yourself.
Devon Recipes
SALAMI (From the kitchen of Tommy Hoyt)
4 tablespoons quick curing salt 2 ½ teaspoons mustard seed 2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder 2 ½ teaspoons course ground pepper 1 teaspoon hickory smoke salt 1 ½ teaspoons sausage & poultry seasoning 5 pounds ground beef
Mix spices & sprinkle in small amounts over meat & mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for four days. Knead once a day, each day. ON the fourth day, knead again & shape into 10 rolls, 1 ½ inches in diameter. Bake at 150 degrees for 8 hours, turning once. Cool and refrigerate.
This will keep 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer. Great for school lunches or party snacks.
MEXICAN PIE (From the kitchen of Camille Hoyt)
1 pound ground beef 1 onion, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 jar taco sauce Bag of Fritos ½ cup cheddar cheese 1 big can ranch style beans, drained
Line casserole dish with fritos. Combine ground beef, chopped onion and salt and pepper. Brown in skillet. Add soup, taco sauce and ranch styles beans. Spoon mixture over fritos. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until cheese melts.
INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS (From The kitchen of Amy Fowler, out of Quick and Easy Dishes)
1 lb. ground beef ¾ cup water ¾ cup tomato sauce 1 pkg. McCormick taco seasoning mix 1 can prepared biscuits 1 cup grated cheese
Brown ground beef, taco mix and water in frying pan according to taco mix package directions. Add tomato sauce. Roll out biscuits to 5 inches in diameter. Place on cookie sheet; spread with ground beef mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Add other favorite pizza toppings as you choose. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Yield: 10 servings.
DAGO MEAT LOAF (From the kitchen of Mildred Lyon)
1 lb. ground beef 1 medium size onion 1 or 2 pods garlic 1 cup cooked macaroni 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce 3 or 4 teaspoons chili powder 1 can (small) cream size corn (8 oz.) Salt and pepper to taste
Cook chopped onion & garlic in 4 teaspoons of bacon drippings until slightly brown. Add beef, stirring until well mixed. Add chili powder & tomato sauce. Cook for 4 or 5 minutes. Add cooked macaroni, corn, salt & pepper. Cook for 15 minutes and serve. If this seems dry add some tomato juice to thicken to your liking. Serves 6 or 8 depending on size of serving.
SWEET MEAT BARS (First place winner-1981 National Beef Cook-Off, prepared by Constance Beckwith)
2 lbs. ground beef chuck 1 can (16 ozs.) whole berry cranberry sauce 1 ½ cups brown sugar 1 cup seedless raisins ¾ cup coarsely chopped walnuts ½ cup orange marmalade ½ cup orange juice 2 T. orange peel 1 t. salt 4 cups flour 2 T. baking powder 2 t. salt 1 1/3 cups milk 2/3 cup oil Glaze*
Place ground chuck, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, raisins, walnuts, orange marmalade, orange juice, orange peel and 1 t. salt in dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils; continue cooking 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool. Combine flour, baking powder & 2 t. salt; add milk and oil, all at once, stirring until flour is moistened. Place dough on waxed paper & knead about 10 times, divide in half. Roll half the dough between two sheets of waxed paper to fit 17x10 inch jelly roll pan. Peel off top sheet of waxed paper & invert dough onto jelly roll pan. Carefully peel off other piece of waxed paper; press dough to fit over bottom & up sides of pan. Spoon cooled filling mixture over dough. Roll second half of dough into 17x10 rectangle. Remove top sheet of waxed paper & invert dough on top of filling. Remove second sheet of paper. Press top & bottom crust edges together to seal. Make 4 slashes in top crust. Bake in hot oven 425 degrees 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool & drizzle with glaze.
*GLAZE 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar 3 T. milk 1 T. rum
Combine confectioner’s sugar, milk & rum & mix until smooth.
How do you provide you and your family with high-quality animal protein? If you think you are going to get it by going to your local health food stores, think again. Nearly 100% of the beef sold in health food stores is not "real" beef. Even though it may be organic, the cattle are fed grains and grains are NOT what cattle are designed to eat.
Beef Cattle are designed to Eat Grass -- Not Grains The fat content of beef is the primary reason it has lost ground as a respectable entrée on America's dinner table. Not only do most beef cuts have a high fat content, ranging from 35-75%, but the majority of it is saturated.
Grain-fed beef can have an omega 6:3 ratio higher than 20:1 J. Anim. Sci. 2000. 78:2849-2855 This well exceeds the 4:1 ratio that is recommended to avoid an essential fat imbalance. Also grain-fed beef can have over 50% of the total fat as the far less healthy saturated fat. Grass-fed beef has an omega 6:3 ratio of 0.16 to 1 This is the ratio science suggests is ideal for our diet. This is about the same ratio that fish has. Grass-fed beef usually has less than 10% of its fat as saturated. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mom, the extra omega-3 from the grass-fed beef will provide incredible nutritional benefits for your child.
You Will Enhance Your Health With Grass fed Beef. Much of our nation's nutritional deficiency epidemic is caused by a "Big Business" perceived need for cheap, mass-produced, convenient food products. As a result, Americans live in a land of plenty, but the bounty no longer provides proper nutrition. If you like to see scientific "proof" of the benefits of grass-fed beef, please review the animal scientific literature page that I compiled. For more information on the amazing health benefits of grass-fed beef, please review the health benefits page.
We Know That Grass-Fed Beef, Unlike Grain-Fed Beef, Is: A natural source of omega 3 fats High in CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) Full of beta carotene Loaded with over 400% more of vitamins A and E Virtually devoid of risk of Mad Cow Disease You May Maintain Your Weight Loss With REAL Beef Due to its CLA Content CLA is a naturally occurring fat found in animal and dairy fats such as beef and poultry that are not fed grains. As soon as you start to feed cattle grain they start to lose their ability to produce CLA. Animals that graze on pasture have from 300% to 400% more CLA than animals fattened on grain in a feedlot. As we all know, diet and exercise are required to lose weight. However, University of Wisconsin research, completed this year but not yet published, showed that CLA intake will assist individuals who lose weight in preventing putting pounds back on. Of course, I don't think we in good conscious can state that CLA-enriched beef will enable you to lose weight without other diet measures and exercise. The human intestine produces CLA naturally from linoleic acid. Recent studies have been conducted on attaining a higher CLA content in daily food intake because of possible health benefits such as weight loss. Please review the CLA Benefit Page for more information.
Help Protect Your Family's Health With Grass-Fed Beef Eric Schlosser, who wrote Fast Food Nation, tells us that since 1993, half a million children in America have been made ill by the E coli bug. Feeding dead cats and dogs to cattle was legal in the United States until 1997 when the government banned the practice because of fears over mad cow disease. Dead horses and pigs, however, are still occasionally ground into cattle feed. One-quarter of America's minced beef, writes Schlosser, is made from worn-out dairy cattle, likely to be riddled with disease and the meat containing antibiotic residues. Grain feeding promotes the growth of dangerous E. coli. When cattle are fed grass, the amount of potentially dangerous E. coli decreases dramatically. From Microbes Infect 2000 Jan;2(1):45-53 When you feed your family grass-fed beef, you can feel quite confident that you are doing the best you can to dramatically reduce, if not eliminate, many of the health concerns you may have regarding the quality of the beef you consume.
How Does Grass fed Beef Taste? The flavor, look, smell, and texture of grass-fed beef differs slightly from grain-fed beef. So you may have to learn to like grass-fed beef. But many enjoy it immediately because it actually tastes like beef is supposed to taste. Others will gladly learn to like it simply because it does their body good. Due to less fat in the grass-fed beef it does need to be cooked differently.
