The present day cow herd is based on sound, functional females with desirable convenient traits. Bad temperament, poor udder structure and teat placement are not tolerated. It is the objective of the VbarX to produce high performing, high yielding cattle with a minimum of effort taken place by human interaction.
The mother cows are expected to do their job of raising a functional, marketable calf every year or they suffer strong consequences regardless.
The North Idaho Environment is tough in the winter and it lends itself handily to naturally exhibit any potential low performing cattle. The heifer calves are backgrounded and replacements developed on strictly a roughage ration there by identifying high maintenance requirement individuals allowing them to be eliminated from the replacements.
Disposition and physical structure are of upmost importance when selecting the replacements before breeding. The heifers are bred in a 60-day breeding season and preg-checked each fall. Any open are removed from the population.
The heifer bull selection is carefully done to minimize any potential calving problems while optimizing calf vigor and performance.
We take a great deal of pride in our bred heifers, offering only females that we would keep for our own herd.
We utilize AI and ET in the registered cow herd objectively selecting sires with moderate BW, high maternal and calving ease with the most growth attainable without sacrificing these maternal traits. We are continually introducing new genetics that maintain the maternal qualities we demand while improving muscle composition, body depth, body length and optimal carcass traits.
As DNA and blood typing becomes a more user-friendly tool, the potential for identifying genetic flaws continues to increase. It also allows us the opportunity to manage for such flaws. It is our intent to continue to utilize these tools to work toward eliminating any potential genetic defects from our cattle population.
Bull selection begins at birth. Any bull calf born from abnormal presentation or an unreasonable amount of effort needed by his mother is marked to cut in the calf book. High birth weights and calves that lack good calf vigor are also marked to cut. Poor doing calves at branding time, 6 to 10 weeks of age are cut. If they make it to weaning still intact they must be above average weaning weight and show excellent muscle and structure characteristics or they get cut. Bulls that perform poorly through the 120-day feed test, exhibit undesirable behavior or develop structural problems are cut or sold as locker beef. All bulls must pass a complete breeding soundness exam and be positive potential breeders before being offered for sale as bulls.
The bulls are developed on a high roughage ration, slowly, to minimize any potential feet and leg problems often associated with a “hot” feed ration. The objective is to allow the bulls to naturally exhibit superior growth and performance potential with a moderate intake of concentrates.
