Bull Pen 2009 July/Aug

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TABLE of CONTENTS

Jr. Futurity Who’s Your Daddy?

Sugar Kuhn explores the impact Mr. Juicey is hvaing on Blythe Bucking Bulls

pg. 54

Joshua Chavez

Jr. Futurity champion Rex Samford and

Equine/Bovine Dentist

Colt Baker in Ardmore.

pg. 40

Jr. Futurity reserve champion

pg. 18

FEATURES 12 DNA Q&A 18 American Heritage Futurity 35 Breeders Trust 36 Futurity Focus 40 Cross E Bucking Bulls

DEPARTMENTS 6 Bull Pennings 8 Bedford’s BULL-etin/ABBI Schedule 10 ABBI Benefits

On the Cover:

24 ABBI Event Recaps 44 Bull Biz w/Cody Lambert 45 Partner Profile 47 Pro Bull Stats

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48 Nutritional News 49 Key Comments

Fan★Corp Western Lifestyle Publishing

714-434-2579

bullpenmagazine.com fancorp@fancorp.net ©2009 All rights reserved Printing by AA1-Litho

CLASSIC ISSUE

52 ABBI Junior Breeders 56 Sale Recaps

Deadline is Aug. 1

62 Stock Market July/August 2009

ABBI’s BULL PEN is published bi-monthly by

Next Bull Pen: Sept./Oct.

50 Ask Dr. Warner

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Black Pearl, named by Julie Ravenscroft after the pirate ship, makes Craig Sasse walk the plank in Decatur.

PUBLISHER Christopher Burkhardt VP OF PUBLICATIONS Susan Bedford DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Jeannie Kaiser CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Cody Lambert • Justin McKee Dr. Jonathon Beckett Dr. Gary Warner • Bridget Cook Amy Gardner • Sugar Kuhn Slade Long • Allen Glanville Cindy Gotoski GRAPHICS WRANGLER Cedric Maniquiz PHOTOGRAPHERS Allen Glanville • Andy Watson MARKETING Lisa Marie Swearingen 949-294-5515 Cindy Gotoski 714-434-2579 Darren Epstein 818-346-1332 Maury Kaiser 765-647-4992

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The American Heritage Weekend

The marquee event of the year for the ABBI is arguably the American Heritage weekend and I think that this was the most successful Heritage we have ever had. It has turned into a Friday night through Saturday night event, and it is quite the extravaganza. It was interesting to see so many new people enter the events that we hadn’t seen before. I went down the list of competitors and there were some new names to me, which is always exciting. I think people are realizing with the payouts at the Heritage that if you are going to raise bulls, it is important to keep your bulls paid up and continue with the program once you are in it. We paid out over $380,000 at the Heritage and I think just about everyone at the event would tell you it was well worth it to participate.

The Derby itself was really important to me since I had a lot to do with getting it started. It turned out to be more then I could imagine. 75 animals participated this year and it was $30,000-plus to the winner. The calves were spectacular, and I mean spectacular. I couldn’t imagine how good those calves were going to be.

Everyone I talked to commented on how stiff the competition was.

It was neat to have PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert in Ardmore. It was a great opportunity for him to see our up-andcoming superstars and he roped bulls and helped out. We sincerely thank him for coming and we are glad he got to see our 3year-old calves.

The Derby calves were well-behaved in the chutes. When you can buck 75 bulls plus five re-rides in less than three hours, you have got to be excited. I believe I can accurately attribute that success to Curt Blake and the staff he put together for the weekend. I’d give a shout out to every single one of them individually if I could. They worked as hard and as diligently as any group I have ever seen. They did a great job, and I can see that event doing nothing but growing.

I want people that bought tickets for the Derby to know how much that was appreciated. Those are funds that are going to be used through USBBA to help promote our junior futurities. I know I bought tickets for the Derby because I felt like it was a great way to promote the event and to help sponsor our junior members.

I would also like to say that I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers for my daughter Hannah who got knocked out at the event. We know that bull riding is a dangerous sport, and unfortunately we got to see that first-hand. But she is doing much bet-

americanbuckingbull.com Bull Pen, FanCorp and ABBI are not responsible for opinions or claims made in this issue.

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ter, and it just brings up the point that you need to be on your toes at events. We are thankful she is all right. Our family really enjoys attending the ABBI events together we’ll all be at the ABBI event in Tulsa.

We have made a few adjustments in the rules that we are excited about. There are a lot of people that would love to enter their 3-year-olds in events, but we could never guarantee that they would only buck once during a weekend. We just got it approved, on an event-by-event basis at this point, that you can now mark on your entry fee to have your 3-year-old bull drawn out if he is going to be bucked twice. So What we have done is allow you to draw your bull out for a small fee of $25. We hope that it really helps the breeders out with another opportunity to buck their young bulls. This will also ensure we will start seeing more 3-year-olds.

We are looking into doing a 3 or 4 D futurity this year, which gets more bulls the chance to compete for prize money. More details will be coming out in the next edition of Bull Pen. Just a reminder, please utilize our website, www.americanbucking bull.com. It is full of information and lists payment and nomination deadlines. We are working hard on the registry site trying to clean up some things. We are also encouraging people to use the online registry. It is cleaner and faster and we would love to have more people use it.

To show how much we mean that, starting July 1, if you use it to register cattle online, we have lowered the price to $35. We hope people take advantage of it.

As always, we are looking forward to the Finals this fall. We will be coming out with more information, but for now I’d like to say that the whole Wild Card is going to be in Las Vegas this year.

We will take four bulls from the Wild Card and move them on into the weekend competition. The Wild Card this year is a winner-takes-all $50,000, plus the opportunity to move on and compete for $250,000 in the ABBI Classic Finals.

Again, if you have any questions or comments, please let us know. Thank you for supporting your organization.

Join USBBA today to receive your Bull Pen every 60 days! Contact Betty Luxner, betty@americanbuckingbull.com 719-242-2747 or go to www.bullpenmagazine.com

News, Notes & Nods

Rod and Bonnie Conat truly believe that kids are the future of our sport, so they signed over one of their bulls to a junior breeder to compete with for the season. “We decided to pick a boy from the West,” shared Rod. That boy, Connor Fitzpatrick went on to win third at the Junior Futurity in Ardmore with 749 Switchback.

“We want to try to get more kids from up here and the West Coast involved in the bucking bull industry,” said the Montana-based husband and wife team. “We’ll probably do it again next season because the future of the industry are these kids. We cater to kids 100%.”

The Conats mean that literally. They had 30 high school kids in their barn as we spoke who were all waiting to get on practice bulls. If Fitzpatrick wants to compete in Tulsa, Rod said they will haul Switchback there for him as well. “We just want kids to get excited about bucking bulls and we want to do what we can to help inspire them, whether that means them starting their own breeding program or becoming a Rod Conat supports junior breeders bull rider.” from his ranch in Montana.

Ty's Curtain Call

Well Ty almost made it to the end of Dancing With the Stars. Our Cha-Cha cowboy made it to the final four before he had his curtain call. I was lucky enough to get to be one of his guests in the studio audience the week before when Murray beat out rapper Lil' Kim to get to dance another week. I was truly impressed by how nice everyone was and the sense of family and camaraderie that was evident among the final teams. And (since so many ladies have asked me), yes, Gilles Marini is that hot in person. Olympian Shawn Johnson ultimately won the coveted disco ball trophy, with Marini coming in second. Since then, Murray has been busy doing as many radio and TV appearances as possible to help promote and further the perception of bull riding as a real sport. Thank you, Ty, for representing us all and being the best ambassador our sport could ask for.

New ABBI Ground Rule

Breeders who want to enter their 3-year-olds in Classics but don't want them to have to buck twice now have an option. A new ABBI Ground Rule allows for the designation on the entry form of a “buck once” preference at select events. If the event becomes a two-head event, “buck once” preferences will be drawn out of the event and a nominal $25 office fee will apply.

Diamond S Adds Another Member

Welcome Lela Victoria Pickens, born June 16 at 12:42 p.m. Lela is the daughter of Scott and Kelly Pickens and a welcome addition to the Diamond S gang!

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Dog's Best Friend

It turns out acclaimed canine and Western bronze sculptor James Rogers was really inspired by Sugar Kuhn's twopart story on working dogs in the last two issues of the Bull Pen. Rogers dropped by the Bull Pen office recently to tell us how much he enjoyed reading about our industry’s cattle dogs. We also got to see one of his latest sculptures “Waiting out the Storm” as well as the matching belt buckle, which I thought was a really cool concept. Note the photo, which shows how he mounts the removable buckle on his sculptures. The backside of the buckle has a complete story about the inspiration for the scene. Note the dog hiding under the coat.

Besides being a fan of the industry and a fan of man’s best friend, I learned that Rogers resides in my hometown of Rancho Cucamonga (ok, stop laughing. And yes, I am well aware that it is the city name used in Road Runner cartoons).

You can see his work for yourself at jamesrogersstudio.com.

Retraction: Pull Like A Pro

Bull Pen Magazine sincerely regrets several errors in last month's BULLetin item titled “Pull Like A Pro.” Cody Lambert does not endorse, nor was he involved in the development or design of Pull Pro. We apologize for any impression to the contrary.

Like any flank strap, the Pull Pro must meet certain criteria to be allowed to be used at PBR and ABBI events to ensure the safety of the animals and the cowboys. Lambert, in his capacity of PBR Livestock Director, informed the makers of Pull Pro on changes they needed to make to be in compliance with PBR rules and regulations regarding flank straps. Bull Pen apologizes for unintentionally giving the impression that Lambert was somehow involved or supported the Pull Pro product.

Mikel J. Moreno ABBI Scholarship: Accepting Applications

If you are a junior member who is headed off to college in the Fall, don't forget to get your application in for the Mikel J. Moreno Scholarship Fund.

Mikel, the late son of Cindy and Julio Moreno, was a successful bucking bull breeder, talented athlete and all-around amazing person. After he lost his long battle with leukemia in 2006, the award was established to help other junior breeders follow the college dream that Mikel never got to achieve. Jonathan Chandler won the award in 2007 and Bryn Agnew was last year's recipient. Contact the ABBI office for more information.

fancorp foto

Props to the Conats

Tentative

2009 ABBI Event Schedule SUBJECT TO CHANGE Please see americanbuckingbull.com for latest updates and information.

EVENT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DATE

Feb. 14 March 7 April 4 April 4 April 4 April 24 May 2 May 15-17 May 16 May 16 May 23 May 30 May 30 May 30 June 5-6 June 20 June 20 June 20 June 20 June 26-27 July 17 July 18 July 31-Aug. 1 Aug. 13 Aug. 20-21 Aug. 21 Aug. 20-21 Aug. 21 Aug. 29 Sept. 18

LOCATION

Oklahoma City, OK Kansas City, MO Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Nampa, ID Omaha, NE Weatherford, TX Pueblo, CO Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Decatur, TX Ardmore, OK Ardmore, OK Ardmore, OK Elk City, OK Winner, SD Winner, SD Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Kinder, LA Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK Weatherford, TX North Platte, NE Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs, TX Archdale, NC Archdale, NC Stephenville, TX Reno, NV

TOUR

PBR BFTS Classic PBR BFTS Classic Spring Spectacular Futurity Discovery Tour Spring Spect. Classic Buckingstockbroker.com Futurity PBR BFTS Classic Diamond S Bucking Bull Futurity PBR BFTS Classic 4 C’s Discovery Tour Classic 4 C’s Futurity Enterprise Tour J.W. Hart Invitational Classic Junior Futurity American Heritage Futurity American Heritage Derby Justin McBride PBR Challenge Winner Futurity Winner Discovery Tour Classic 4 C’s Discovery Classic 4 C’s Futurity Classic /Futurity PBR BFTS Classic Junior Futurity Enterprise Tour Classic North Platte Enterprise Classic Enterprise Tour Classic Jr. Futurity Challenger Tour Classic Futurity ABBI American Breeders Cup PBR BFTS Classic (Futurity TBD)

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ABBI Member Benefits From your official sponsors: Members receive 6 colorful, educational issues of Bull Pen magazine each year. In addition, members qualify for the special Member Rate when they advertise in Bull Pen, the ABBI Breeders A USBBA Publication Guide or the ABBI Las Vegas Finals program. Bull Pen is the Authority on Breeding, Buying and Bucking Bulls.

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2008 ABBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABBI SHAREHOLDERS

General Manager Andee Lamoreaux President Russell Gant V.P. Brad Boyd Jim Bob Nall Randy Bernard Scott Pickens J.W. Hart Cody Lambert Shawn McDermott Ty Murray

ABBI Contact Info: 101 West Riverwalk Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: 719-242-2747 Fax: 719-242-2746 andee@ americanbuckingbull.com

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Scott Accomazzo & MoodyRice Cattle Co. David M. Allen Berger Bucking Bulls Diamond S Bucking Bulls & Scott Pickens Dillon & H.D. Page Jerome & Tiffany Davis Bob Diedrich & Jason Diedrich Brad Boyd & Toby Floyd Russell Gant Lyndal Hurst Doug & Stephanie Joseph Don & Janelle Kish Joe Merrick Julio Moreno & Cotton Rosser Jim Bob & Diana Nall Paradise Farms Monty Samford Tony Sharp & Craig Zaunbrecher Kaycee Simpson Bob & Kristen Tallman Thomas Taylor & Nikki Gusel Tom Teague Trevor Walker Cliff Wiggins

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Adriano Moraes, two-time world champion Chris Shivers and 1999 PRCA world champion “Mighty” Mike White. All of Priefert’s manufacturing is done in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and nothing leaves the plant without reaching the company’s strict high-quality standards. www.priefert.com Makers of the Original Blue Bucking Dummy and the “Ultra” Blue Dummy, now the PREFERRED Dummy of the ABBI. Check out the “Little” Blue Dummy, only 14 pounds, for weanlings and yearlings. Little Blue donated three Ultra Blue dummies to benefit the Jr. Futurity at auction. www.buckingdummy.com Courage is measured in seconds. Many dream about it. For the lucky souls who live it, there’s Wrangler Western Wear.

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DNA Q &A:

What is the Truth behind ABBI’s DNA testing program?

We sent Sugar to find out.

Bull Pen Magazine Contributing Editor Sugar Kuhn sat down for an in-depth DNA discussion with MMI Genomics Chief of Operations Dr. Dennis Fantin from the company that does parent verification from the bloodcards for the ABBI registry.

SK: Hello, Dr. Fantin. I understand that you are quite accomplished in the field of animal DNA testing.

DF: Thank you for your kind words, but I need to let you know that we have a group of outstanding individuals here at MMI Genomics who have diligently worked to advance the field of Animal DNA testing. The real credit should go to them. I’m only glad to be one small part of it.

SK: You are a PhD and MBA, a patent-holder, an inventor and a scientist all wrapped up into one?

DF: Yes, many different titles for a pretty simple guy. At the end of the day I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to be able to blend two areas that I really love—science and business!

SK: Tell me a little bit about your education and background in the field of genetics.

DF: Well, I’m a scientist by profession and my background is in biochemistry, the branch of science that deals with the study of the molecules of life. Early in my career I worked with a company, Applied Biosystems that built scientific instrumentation for life science research. The company was a pioneer in the area of automated DNA Sequencing and other DNA based technologies. These tools would become very critical to the area of human genetics and revolutionized our understanding of the structure and function of DNA. We quickly realized that DNA could be a valuable tool for many applications for livestock and companion animal breeding and it became my responsibility to look at developing systems that would allow DNA technologies to be used in various agricultural industries.

SK: You are the Chief of Operations for MetaMorphix, which is the Maryland-based parent company of MMI Genomics, which is also the company that does parent verification for our ABBI breeders. I believe MetaMorphix was responsible for successfully mapping the entire bovine genome, correct?

DF: Yes, we were the first ones to “sequence” the bovine genome back in 2001 when we were part of Celera Genomics.

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Knowledge of the entire bovine genome opens the door to discoveries that have widespread benefits for the industry both today and in the future. DNA is becoming an increasingly valuable and important tool for making better breeding decisions.

Celera Genomics, under the guidance of Dr. Craig Venter, led the effort that sequenced the human genome. After that effort was completed, Celera’s huge sequencing capability was directed toward sequencing the genomes of a number of key species including bovine, swine, chicken and canine.

Since 2001, public efforts have added greatly to these sequencing ventures and completed additional work on these and many other species. Our knowledge of the cattle DNA is quite extensive. We know the sequence of the over three billion bases (individual chemical molecules) that comprise the entire cattle genome.

SK: How does this feat benefit our industry and what role does it play later on down the line?

DF: Knowledge of the entire bovine genome opens the door to discoveries that have widespread benefits for the industry both today and in the future. DNA is becoming an increasingly valuable and important tool for making better breeding decisions. Already, DNA science has helped us map (find) the location of genetic defects in the cattle genome and build DNA tests that help us screen for carriers of these defects. In this way mutations that have deleterious effects can be bred out of the population through selective breeding.

DNA analysis also helps speed up the selection process in breeding programs accelerating the rate of genetic improvement in the breed. When we know the ancestry of our bucking bulls, for example, we can make certain assumptions about the expected performance of the progeny and the importance of the animals as breeding stock. And DNA technology is also being used in some very novel ways to predict certain carcass and production characteristics. For example, MMI Genomics has used this knowledge to develop DNA tests that can help predict traits of economic importance, such as marbling (amount of intramuscular fat) in beef cattle. If an animal’s genetic potential to marble is high, for example, that animal may be managed in a way that allows the trait to be expressed fully (days on feed, feed composition) and be worth more than an animal that may not be able to marble very well.

Eventually genomic sciences will allow us to unravel a deep understanding of how genes interact to produce beef cattle with more tender meat, for instance, or dairy cattle that produce more milk with higher protein content, or even bucking bulls that perform better in the arena.

SK: So, let’s start with the groundwork when it comes to what

service you provide for ABBI members. The staff, officers and breeders want to better understand this DNA testing process and its challenges. What are some very basic things we need to understand about the science before we can understand the challenges?

DF: First of all, every cell in a living organism contains DNA which in turn contains the instructions or the genetic code for that living organism. Each individual has its unique DNA but some “patterns” in the DNA are repeated and inherited by the offspring.

When a specific pattern or marker is identified and categorized, it can be matched back to the suspected ancestors to establish a positive relationship.

The DNA molecule itself is made up of a combination of four variations of a chemical structure called bases and referred to as A, C, G and T. These four bases are arranged in a specific way that is linear. This arrangement or sequence is then millions of bases long. It is this precise sequence that determines the genetic code, or the differences between animals.

Further, these linear arrangements of bases are then arranged into chromosomes. Cattle have 29 pairs of these chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. Each animal has two copies of these chromosomes. Each offspring gets one set of chromosomes from its mama and the other from its daddy. Thus, any variation that the parents may have in their individual DNA is passed on stably to its offspring.

Additionally, we call the variations inherited from mom and dad at any particular location “alleles.” The basis of using DNA as a fingerprinting technique is that we can trace back and determine how these alleles were inherited from the parents.

SK: Now that we have a baseline understanding of the science, let’s talk about the process. Since I myself am an ABBI breeder, talk me through the correct way to do things on my end once I get that blood card.

DF: The first step in the process of obtaining a good quality result from a DNA analysis starts when you receive the sample card. Instructions should be followed closely on taking a good blood sample. A single spot of blood on the card about the size of a nickel is all that is necessary. Something that is not always recognized is that oversaturation of the card with blood usually leads to problems with the analysis. When this happens, certain components cannot be washed out to the necessary degree which then leads to an inhibition of the DNA reaction.

Additionally, the cards should not come into contact with other wet cards, should be allowed to air dry in a relatively clean environment before shipping, and they should be kept away from extreme heat or weather. While gloves aren’t necessary or even practical in many cases, we do recommend washing your hands before you start sampling. Of course this isn’t always practical depending on the situation.

As far as how you should handle a sample, we mainly just ask people to use good sampling technique and common sense.

Don’t carry over blood from one animal sample to another. Don’t let sample cards get contaminated with manure. Don’t drop them on the ground or let them get soiled. If one does, discard it and get a fresh sample. Follow these basic rules and it’s unlikely you’ll

run into any surprises.

Another important part of this process is to identify the sample correctly and ensure that the tag, brand number or animal ID number is correct and that all information on your sample submission form is double-checked and accurate.

The breeder should always write the animal’s tag, brand or ID number on the blood card, before they send it to ABBI. Once it arrives at ABBI the sample subject’s registration number is also written on the card in red.

SK: So, I’ve done my part. What happens to the blood card once MMI receives it from ABBI? DF: Once we receive your animal’s sample, it goes through multiple laboratory processes and rigorous quality control mechanisms. The following is a brief summary of the steps that each sample must go through prior to reporting the results: First, when the sample arrives at the laboratory from ABBI, each is opened separately, examined and logged into our proprietary Laboratory Information Management System. This is done to ensure that it can be easily tracked and monitored through each laboratory process. At this time the animal’s information is logged into our system and the sample is given a unique barcode identification.

The next step is DNA Isolation and Amplification.

Each sample is delivered to our DNA isolation laboratory where the DNA is extracted from the blood card. We then perform PCR, a laboratory process that amplifies the concentration of DNA by making copies of it. This gives us a sufficient amount of DNA for the test.

Once the PCR process is complete, we are ready to begin Parentage Analysis which seeks a common genotype between the subject and the suspect recorded sire and dam, or in some cases to a selected inventory of suspect animals.

Finally the actual Analysis takes place. The microsatellite markers are identified and compared to the markers of the selected group, ultimately determining parentage.

SK: Help us again understand exactly what ABBI is asking you to do when they send MMI a breeder’s blood card. The ABBI is actually asking you to verify that the dam and sire of an individual are truly what a breeder is saying they are, right?

DF: In the strictest sense, ABBI is asking us to protect the integrity of their studbook by certifying pedigrees. In this way the value of these animals is maintained through bloodlines and lineage, and DNA is an ideal way to do this. It cannot be changed or altered and it is a permanent record of an animal’s identity. DNA doesn’t lie. Through the DNA process, we can confirm a breeder’s claim as to parentage, for sure.

SK: So, let’s talk about the “elephant in the room.” That elephant, of course, being some of the challenges or difficulties faced in achieving the results that the breeder is expecting.

Assuming the blood card itself was handled properly and the sample has not been compromised in any way, what are some things that can cause the results of a test to come back as inconclusive?

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DF: The true sire should always “qualify.” Where there is very litSometimes, the test may not yield DNA types in the first tle genetic variance, the likelihood is that other full sibs, half-sibs, attempt. If this happens, the sample is tested a second time with and/or grandsires may also qualify. In these cases, extra markers results reported back the following week in most cases. along with the “removal” or “exclusion” of potential qualifiers Now, when we encounter inconclusive results in a parentage based on birth dates, etc. are usually required to resolve parentcase, we must consider unpredicted variables. Including bulls age. jumping fences, cows switching calves, a cow losing a calf then stealing another cow’s calf to replace the one lost, a calf grafting SK: Explain what you mean by removal of potential qualifiers and onto a cow that is not the natural mother, and simple manageexclusion of parents? ment oversights like which bulls were in which pastures at certain times.

DF: Since parent identification is a process of exclusion, the chalIf none of these situations are the case when we have inconclulenge comes in when we don’t sive results, then it may have have any information about something to do with the It is important that DNA from all possible possible or suspect parents and identification and labeling are forced to try to match to an process. When we get a blood parents be included in the tests because entire inventory of a specific card, it should have the animal breeder.

ID number written on it which the process doesn’t “prove” parentage, As many bucking bull owners the breeder has done, and the can attest, a multiple result sample subject’s registration it “excludes” parentage which can be does not provide as much valunumber in red, which ABBI has able information as a single written. We are very careful to complicated if the possible sires are assignment to a parent. The look up samples by MMIG closely related. multiple assignment occurs Sample ID or ABBI registration when several animals can qualinumber to avoid evaluating fy as the parent of a specific calf because the test was run the wrong sample in any particular case. against a member’s complete inventory of animals, making it a Poor penmanship can cause clerical errors during sample entry or barcode labeling of the sample. Because the lab has very tight very inefficient way to use the technology.

One of the most important aspects of DNA parentage identificaoperating procedures regarding the chain of custody of samples tion is that it is a process of excluding potential sires on the basis and their respective records, we can easily trace back through of their genotype. It is therefore important that DNA from all each step of our processing and conduct an administrative possible parents be included in the tests because the process review to ensure that the results are correct, as far as our perdoesn’t “prove” parentage, it “excludes” parentage which can formance goes. be complicated if the possible sires are closely related. The DNA Another example of labeling errors on the breeder’s end can test is most successful when it can assign paternity by confirming occur when breeders use the cow’s tag, brand or ID number to that the calf’s genotype shares a marker with the alleged sire identify a calf. A breeder can unknowingly submit a calf that had switched cows. Under these circumstances, this identification sys- and/or dam. tem can lead to inconclusive or incorrect results.

SK: I don’t know about everyone else, but understanding this SK: I can’t wait to get into these areas further with you in the very sure gives me a different perspective on the process. I guess I’ve always gone into it with the misconception that the lab is matchnear future. For now though, let’s move onto another area where ing an individual to a dam and sire. And I’m relatively sure I’m breeders have had some challenges. not the only one that has been running under that impression.

It’s common in our industry to see herds or certain lines in which I’m glad you’ve explained this. heavy line breeding has been implemented for multiple generations. In these cases there may be little genetic variance within DF: Good. I hope it makes things clearer for those who have certain herds and lines and breeders are encountering specific faced challenges. problems. An example would be where an individual tests back to their grandsire (which may have been deceased long before Visit bullpenmagazine.com for an the mating occurred), or a full sibling, or a son of the actual sire himself. Help us understand this. extended version of this interview.

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American Heritage Weekend

Rex Samford’s -22 Party All the Time earned first-place honors and $10,000 at the ABBI Youth Futurity in Ardmore.

Brad Boyd, Jr. Futurity winner Rex Samford, Reserve Champion Colt Baker, David Simpson and ABBI’s Andee Lamoreaux.

the night before went to help fund the Junior Futurity, offsetting about half of the prize purse paid out.

Rex also plans on competing at the two remaining Junior May 30 in Ardmore, Okla. by Susan Bedford events for the season: Tulsa, Okla. and Sulphur Springs, Texas. “ I Photos by Allen Glanville t isn't every day that a teenager can say he is $10,000 richer have one more bull at the house that I'll take to Tulsa and then I'll because he didn't listen to his father. 16-year-old Rex Samford won take Party All The Time back to Sulphur Springs,” said Rex. In second at the season opener was Colt Baker with 7542, who the Ardmore Junior Futurity with a bull and training regimen that went against his father's advice. “I told him I thought he should bring earned a score of 86.5. He won $1,000 and a heifer donated by a different bull,” chuckled dad Monty Samford after the fact, “but he Diamond S. "He was bucking really good, so I thought maybe he could come was adamant about the one he had chosen. I guess he knew what in first or second," said Colt of his bull out of the great Dr. Hou. "My he was doing!”

-22 definitely impressed the ABBI judges. He was awarded an brother has a really good bull too, but I like my bull and think I'll take 88.25 which is an extremely high score for any futurity bull. “I him to Tulsa too."

Colt, 14, and his brother Cade, 10, are both involved in the Junior thought he could win, because he'd been bucking really good at the house,” shared Rex. “He is out of Party Time and from the Futurity system. The brothers have an agreement to share everything mama of What I Say. I exercise him every day and run him through. they win. "They boys really aren't competitive with each other," shared mom Paige, "The ABBI Junior Futurity is such a a wonderful He's real hard and a real good bull.”

The first ABBI Junior Futurity event of the year was held the program for the kids to be involved with. And Colt was as excited to weekend of the American Heritage. Junior members entered 28 get the Smash Hit heifer as he was the money."

“I have a daughter who is participating in the Junior Futurity events futurity bulls in the competition and over $15,000 in prize money was paid out. Money raised from ticket sales from the ABBI Derby this season,” explained David Simpson, “and I think the program is so

American Heritage Junior Futurity

I

The participants of the 2009 ABBI Junior Futurity in Ardmore..

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American Heritage Junior Futurity Results RANK 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

ID. -22 7542 749 5G 773 GV 674 728 997 T21 74 10 770 707 10-7 JF 78 765 725 5G 7440 7505 762 89 731 777 951 732 94 707 711 RT 754 59T 1897

BULL Party All the Time 7542 Switchback You Wish Infinity 728 997 Page T21 Call 2 Duty Bucking Nightmare Smarty Pants Right Now Broadway Pokerface French Dip Bobbie Hou Screamin Demon Smoked Onion BBD 762 Bow Jack Bust-A-Move Misery Business 951 Speckled Fire Jack Attack 4LCC Hells Done Popped Mezcal Packin Heat/Tuff Mr. Myjestic Turbo

OWNER Rex Samford Colt Baker Bar C3, Connor Fitzpatrick Hannah Gant/5G Bucking Bulls Hunter Murph /Green Valley Ranch Megan Walker/Walker Bucking Stock Rayni Maxey D&H Cattle/Bailey Buck Colt Baker Aaron Rayan Halpain Jonathan Jaynes Laramie Wilson Kassidy McKee Hayden Wilson Jonathan Jaynes Jake Wilfong Lucas Gant/5G Farms TBR Bucking Bulls / Austin Brito Taylor Simpson / Diamond S Hunter Christman Mason Watters Beka Jo Williamson Eli Flinn/Owens Cattle/Red Tank Ranch Jake Wilfong Matthew Jack Garrett Lemons - 4L Cattle Co. Montano Land & Cattle Eli Flinn/Owens Cattle/Red Tank Ranch Brenon Smith Stormy Maxey

important to our younger members that I wanted to find a way to help out and support it, so we donated a Smash Hit heifer.”

Splitting third were Connor Fitzpatrick and Hannah Gant. Connor was another junior breeder who benefited from the generosity a fellow ABBI member. “As we see this grow, there are more and more people getting involved and helping kids with their breeding programs,” shared ABBI President Russ Gant. “Rod Conat and his wife did a really good thing, they donated the calf for Connor to compete with.”

Hannah's 5G773 You Wish and Connor's 749 Switchback were each a 78.75. Each earned $1,222 for their 4-second performances.

In fifth was Hunter Murphy with a 76.75 for GV 674 Infinity, which gave him $724. Megan Walker was sixth with 728's score of 69.75 which was worth $634. Rounding at the money was Rayni Maxey whose 997 was scored 68.75 for $543.

All the junior members flank their own bulls at the events and are encouraged to be as handson as possible in the raising, feeding and care of their animals at home.

Please contact the ABBI if you are interesting in supporting the Junior Futurity Colt Baker’s 7542 was second place at the ABBI Youth program.

Futurity in Ardmore and earned $1,000 and a

SCORE 88.25 86.50 78.75 78.75 76.75 69.75 68.75 66.75 63.50 60.00 59.75 59.00 55.03 53.00 52.50 50.25 48.15 47.75 46.25 39.25 38.25 34.75 32.00 30.75 29.25 26.75 26.50 25.25 21.25 0.00

PAYOUT $10,000 $ 1,000 + heifer $ 1,222 $ 1,222 $ 724 $ 634 $ 543

TOTAL PAID OUT

$15,344

Smash Hit heifer donated by Diamond S.

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American Heritage Weekend

Ardmore Derby Recap

ABBI Derby, Ardmore, Okla., May 29 Ricochet Zings Home with $42K Story & photos by Allen Glanville

Brad Boyd, Tiffany and Ryan Ellis, Craig and Kelly Ellis, Russ Gant, Heath and Mandy Ellis, with children Dillon, Landon & Myles Ellis.

Heath Ellis explained the remarkable ride: “602 turned back right at the gate and kicked over his head, he was perfect tonight. I hope our win inspires other breeders, because you don’t have to be a bigtime breeder to win at the ABBI events.”

Ryan Ellis added, “Lots of kick and air. We knew when he got his feet he was going to be great.” 602 was sired by Wildlife and out of a Rafter 7r cow bought at the Page’s sale a few years ago.

Second place was D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle’s S45 High Society with 90.25 points; third was D&H Cattle/Teuteburg‘s 30S Monty the Bull with 88.75.

This class of 3-year-olds proved they could perform at a stand-alone event and we should see more of them in the future. It was also rewarding to see half of the field or more comprised of graduates of the ABBI Futurity system, something many said would never happen.

Last season’s Futurity champion, 632 Copp Hou tied for 4th with 88.5, and American Heritage winner, Davis Rodeo/Brian Canter’s 691 Super Freak, finished tied for 19th with a respectable 87.

Russ Gant, president of the ABBI, remarked on the Derby. “I think the original intent of the Derby was to give exposure to the 3-yearolds. We have the Heritage for the 2s and the Classics for the 4-yearold bulls, but no gauge to look at the 3-year-olds. The Derby will also give Futurity bulls a place to advance and make some money and keep up their owner’s interest, because everyone has a chance to win. The quality of bulls at this first Derby was unbelievable, and exceeded all my expectations.”

Ricochet T

he ABBI held its first ever Derby for 3-year-old bulls at the Hardy Murphy Arena in Ardmore. The event was created because of all the interest by members wanting to see their bulls compete with others their own age. In the past, despite the age difference, 3-year-old bulls have done quite well and for the last couple of years have been the top finishers at the ABBI World Championship Finals in Las Vegas.

The event got the interest of the breeders as 75 bulls were entered, and put on quite a show. Everyone thought it would become a marathon and last forever, but Curt Blake and crew bucked RANK ID BULL the field in less than three hours—an amaz1 34 Ricochet ing feat.

2 21 High Society This event was on Friday night in conjunc3 28 Monty the Bull tion with the ABBI American Heritage 4 13 War Wagon Futurity that was held Saturday. Both breed4 20 Futrell ers and fans turned out and enjoyed the 4 29 Copp Hou 4 71 Ice T&D event.

8 26 Page When all the scores were checked and re8 47 Mail Man checked, Cross E Bucking Bulls’ 602 8 50 Jed Clampett Ricochet was declared the winner. 602 8 53 Top Diamond bucked his way to a score of 91 and picked 12 59 Feeling So Fly up a check for $32,695 along with a bonus of 13 11 Walk 'N Tall $10,000 for competing last season at the 13 35 Lil' Red Cat American Heritage as a 2-year-old. The crew 15 10 Pro Bull Max at Cross E were beside themselves, remark15 49 Hippy Music ing, “This is our first win—wow!” along with 17 22 Juicy Fruit 17 31 April Fool big smiles and praise for their bull.

Ardmore Derby Results

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OWNER Cross E Bucking Bulls D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle D&H Cattle/Teuteberg Shad Smith D&H Cattle/Futrell Lightning C Cattle Rafter HB Cattle Co. D&H Cattle Co. Boyd/Floyd Bull Co. Jaynes Gang /J. Nelson Diamond S/Tom Peterson Jaynes Gang / J.Nelson Walker Bucking Stock Center Point Ranch Boot Heel /Manns.Ag Ctr Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd D&H Cattle/Futrell Bad Co. Rodeo

SCORE 91 90.25 88.75 88.5 88.5 88.5 88.5 88.25 88.25 88.25 88.25 88 87.75 87.75 87.5 87.5 87.25 87.25

PAYOUT $42,695 $18,863 $11,946 $7,309 $7,309 $7,309 $7,309 $4,165 $4,165 $4,165 $4,16 $3,144 $2,672 $2,672 $2,138 $2,138 $1,792 $1,792

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American Heritage Weekend

American Heritage Futurity Pays Out $ �387,450

T

he American Heritage Futurity is always one of the most antic- by Guilherme Marchi. Chris Shivers bought our heifers.” Ashley ipated events of the season, with a huge prize purse that draws said that Jug Head’s dam came from the late Vicky Long’s program. Long bought some of the most talentPlummers from Charlie ed Futurity bulls of the seaPlummer before his death. son. “This was the most suc“Renegade’s dam is a halfcessful Heritage we have sister to Mossy Oak ever had,” shared ABBI Mudslinger,” explained President Russ Gant. “This Ashley of how things came really is becoming a signafull circle back to the ture event for the ABBI and Pages. one that breeders from Ashley was thrilled coast-to-coast come out when he had heard Jug for.”

Head had won—and The 2009 event had 151 shocked when he learned bulls entered and $387,450 how much money the bull paid out. 77 Jug Head had won. “I had no idea pocketed the big dollars, the event paid out that winning over $100,000 for much,” said Ashley, who is an 83.75-point score that now looking into competlanded him in first. ing at Futurities.

“He bucked like hell, I One of the big differthought!” said a happy H.D. ences from last year was Page following the victory. the amount of time the “He does everything one bulls bucked with a can do, and he does it right dummy. At the start of the in the gate.” season, the rule went into Jug Head had placed at effect that changed it from some events, but D&H/Flinn (Eldon, Lyndon, from six to four seconds. “I Randal and Jason Flinn) don’t think changes we weren't expecting him to made for this year–like go all the way at one of the bucking the calves with a most prestigious ABBI dummy for only 4 secevent of the year. “He never onds–affected anything fails to kick, he leaps and negatively,” assessed Gant. turns and does it all—just “I think it is going to save like you want one to,” our calves a bit more, so I enthused H.D. Page, “but I believe that we made the 77 Jug Head, owned by D&H Cattle Co/Randal Flinn, wins the ABBI American Heritage in Ardmore. felt like he was missed the right move by going to 4 first few times I took him to seconds with the futurity events.” calves.” Last year's “It was the first bull American Heritage winner, that we partnered on with Davis/Canter's Super the Flinns,” shared H.D. Freak, was back to com“Randal and I bought him pete in the 3-year-old off the internet. His sire Derby. “I thought the qual(Wrangler Renegade) is out ity of the bulls was really of Wrangler Sports Jacket.” high again this year,” Jug Head was purchased shared Jerome Davis. from 3 Bar A. U-7042 Pure Smoke fin“We sold three bulls at ished a mere quarter-point that sale,” shared Scott behind the champion. The Ashley about the sale of Cody Ohl/Ken & Tex Jug Head. “The other two Brashear bull’s 83.5 was were half-brothers to Jug worth over $58,000. A The winners of the 2009 ABBI American Heritage Futurity were Randal Flinn, Dillon Page, Lyndon Flinn, Eli Flinn, Head and they were bought quarter-point behind Pure Eldon Flinn, and H.D. Page.

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701 from Trevor Walker Smoke was 46 Lil with a 79; 205 Mammer Moody. The AM Jammer from BoydBucking Bulls’ athlete Floyd/ Nacarrato with a earned nearly $35,000 77.75 and, with another for his 83.25. D&H’s 33T 77.75, Page 13T from Double Dip was fourth D&H Cattle Co/ Weber. with an 83 and splitting Breeders enter their fifth was 715 Quick animals in the American Turnaround (Monty Heritage system and Samford/Warren Dozier) then make payments to and 83T Lil' Squirt keep them eligible for (D&H) with 82.75. competition when they D&H dominated the reach 2 years of age. next five places: 45T D&H Cattle Co. and their High Times (82.5); T03 partners are big believers Itchy Kitty (81.75, and supporters of the owned with Jirl Buck); American Heritage and 01T All The Above are diligent about regis(81.25); Page 94T tering their calves. Their (81.25); and 40T Wild belief in their animals Yeller (81.25). and the American Cody Ohl / Ken & Heritage system paid off.

Tex Brashear found The D&H name was on themselves in the 10 of the top 20 finishers, money again with 702 earning the Page family White Velvet in twelfth over $200,000. with an 81 for But some of the $9,686.Boydnames in the winner's cirFloyd/Jackson's 649 cle were unfamiliar to Get N Busy was an many-which is a good 80.75. Splitting foursign that our industry teenth was 716 continues to expand and (Andrews Rodeo) and U-7042 Pure Smoke, owned by Ohl/Ken & Tex Brashear, was attract new breeders.

30T Crazy Bag (D&H Cattle reserve champion and earned $58,118 in Ardmore.

“With the big payouts at Co / Bagley) with 80s. the Heritage I think it is In the last six paying getting more people interested in the ABBI and more people are positions were 710 Little White Out from Cody Ohl / Shonda keeping up with those payments,” explained Gant. “It is great to Tillman with 79.75; S 731 from Diamond S Bucking Bulls with a see new names and new faces!”

79.5; 705 Octane from Cross E Bucking Bulls also with a 79.5; Photos by Allen Glanville Story by Susan Bedford

Randal Flinn is dunked with water by D&H Cattle crew after his big win at the ABBI American Heritage Futurity.

American Heritage Futurity Results RANK 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 9 9 12 13 14 14 16 17 17 19 20 20

ID 77 U-7042 46 33T 715 83T 45T T03 01T 94T 40T 702 649 716 30T 710 7R31 705 701 205 13T

BULL Jug Head Pure Smoke Lil Moody Double Dip Quick Turnaround Lil' Squirt High Times Itchy Kitty All The Above Page 94T Wild Yeller White Velvet Get N Busy 716 Crazy Bag Little White Out Diamond S 731 Octane 701 Mammer Jammer Page 13T

OWNER D&H Cattle Co / Flinn Ohl/Ken & Tex Brashear AM Bucking Bulls LLC D&H Cattle Co M.Samford/W. Dozier D&H Cattle Co D&H Cattle Co D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle D&H Cattle Co D&H Cattle Co D&H Cattle Co Ohl/Ken & Tex Brashear Boyd-Floyd/ Jackson Andrews Rodeo D&H Cattle Co / Bagley Ohl/Shonda Tillman Diamond S Bucking Bulls Cross E Bucking Bulls Trevor Walker Boyd-Floyd/ Nacarrato D&H Cattle Co/ Weber

SCORE 83.75 83.5 83.25 83 82.75 82.75 82.5 81.75 81.25 81.25 81.25 81 80.75 80 80 79.75 79.5 79.5 79 77.75 77.75

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PAYOUT $100,737 $58,118 $34,871 $25,184 $20,341 $20,341 $17,435 $15,498 $11,946 $11,946 $11,946 $9,686 $8,718 $7,362 $7,362 $6,199 $5,521 $5,521 $4,843 $1,937 $1,937

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ABBI Classic, Omaha, April 24 Crosswired Electrifies Nebraska

by Susan Bedford photos by Allen Glanville

Crosswired

The mighty bull from Dillon and H.D. Page and Cliff Wiggins has done it again.

The seemingly unstoppable Classic bull racked up another win in Omaha during the ABBI Classic/PBR Built Ford Tough Series event held April 24-25.

10-5 Crosswired earned a 91.5 from the judges for a payday of just over $11,000.

“He's really been coming through for us this year,” said H.D. of their bull's latest win. Crosswired, the reigning ABBI Classic Champion, is proving he's just as good as a 4-yearold as he was last year when he earned over $250,000 in Las Vegas.

PBR cowboy Brian Canter was thrilled to get on Crosswired. “He's a really, really, good bull,” said Canter of the animal that he rode to a 93point score on in round one.

Just behind the Page protégé was

D&H Cattle/Wiggins’ 10-5 Crosswired was awesome in Las Vegas in 2008. allen glanville photo

H.D Page and Cliff Wiggins.

Black Pearl—the same bull that was the OKC Classic reserve champion. 250 Black Pearl, owned now by Steve and Julie Ravenscroft, Brad Boyd and Toby Floyd, earned a 90.25 for $6,383 after bucking off Brazilian Valdiron de Oliveira in just over three seconds.

“We're real proud of

ABBI Classic Omaha Results RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6

ID 10-5 250 514 580 17 56

7 8 9 9

R36 42 L539 510

BULL Crosswired Black Pearl Top Notch Jap Double Dippin’ Fat Lip More Bucks

OWNER SCORE PAYOUT D&H Cattle Co./Wiggins 91.5 $11,170 Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 90.25 $6,383 Top Notch Ranch 89.5 $4,787 Braithwaite Ranches 88.75 $3,989 Circle T Ranch & Rodeo 88.5 $3,391 Peterson, Mansour, Lanhams, Nelson & Teague/ The Jaynes Gang 87.75 $2,793 Good Time Charley D&H Cattle/Buck/Watts 87.5 $2,394 Bomb Doctor Boyd, Floyd, Mendell 87.25 $1,995 Over The Edge Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo 87 $1,496 Red Bone Hebert Bucking Bulls 87 $1,496

For up-to-date Classic rankings visit americanbuckingbull.com

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Pearl,” said Julie who was wearing her lucky Black Pearl necklace. “But I do hope we can get a win this season soon.”

Top Notch Ranch had the third place bucker (514 Top Notch Jap with a 89.5) who bucked off Ryan McConnel, followed

by Canadian breeder Todd Braithwaite's 580 Double Dippin’ with an 88.75.

Double Dippin dumped Reese Cates. 17 Fat Lip from Circle T Ranch & Rodeo was 88.5. after bucking off Zack Brown. He was followed a quarter-point behind by 56 More Bucks, who shook of Kasey Hayes before the whistle.

R36 Good Time Charley (D&H/Buck/Watts) was an 87.5 in seventh.

Brendon Clark rode Charley for an 88.

Boyd, Floyd, Mendell's 42 Bomb Doctor was 87.25. Splitting ninth/tenth and the last of the prize purse were L539 Over The Edge (Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo) and 510 Red Bone (Hebert Bucking Bulls) were 87. Bomb Doctor, Over The Edge and Red Bone all dumped their cowboys before the whistle. Omaha was yet another event where the cowboys fought the Classic bulls, and the bulls won.

ABBI Futurity, Weatherford, Texas, May 2 Wet & Wild Weekend in Weatherford Story and photos by Allen Glanville

One of 33T’s owners, H.D. Diamond S Bucking Bull Tin Page, gave us his take on this Top Spring Futurity bull. “I was tickled he didn’t Diamond S Bucking Bulls held hurt himself, but he did everytheir second annual Futurity at thing a bull could do, dry or their beautiful facility located wet conditions. 33T was sired just outside Weatherford, Texas.

by Mudslinger and out of a This event was marred by one Mudslinger daughter who is and a half inches of rain before the dam to Geetus. We are the event and continued during going to call 33T Double the event. Everyone knows just Dip.” how tough it is to have your 2With back-to-back wins this year-old buck well under perfect season, it looks like D&H conditions, but can you imagine Cattle Co.’s Futurity bulls are bucking them in the mud and starting to dominate this rain. series, something that will By halfway through the event, make them smile and give Dean Wilson and Riley Samford, them bragging rights. who were handling the dumSecond/third went to SJR mies, looked like a couple of 364, owned by muddy drowned rats.

Ravenscroft/Boyd- Floyd and Taking photos at this type 262 Three Mile Smile, owned event is quite challenging. I was

by Boyd-Floyd Bull Co., each wearing a slicker, my camera in a with 89.25. Cody Ohl/Shonda rain jacket with my wife Leigh Tillman’s bull 710 Little White holding an umbrella over us, Out placed fourth and and I’m sure that would have Anderson & Crawford’s 330 made an interesting shot.

Hou Done It, along with D&H Despite all the bad weather, the Splish, splash—Page 33T takes a bath—and comes out with Cattle Co./Flinn’s 77 Jug Head 64 Futurity bulls actually bucked a clean $7,741. quite well and the turnout was tied for fifth. amazing, both owners and fans.

This event, along with the When the mud was wiped from the Watching these youngsters throwing mud judge’s sheets, D&H Cattle Co.’s Page 33T BBQ dinner Friday night, sure made for a and water made for some interesting shots, had outscored the field with 91 points and great weekend. David and Amie Simpson and seeing the ring crew pulling the muddy claimed the check for $7,741. Despite the lived up to their promise of making their dummies out of the mud was different. One conditions, 33T still managed to buck and event one enjoyable weekend. David also of the children made a mud man, similar to kick with authority. Anytime you have a futu- said he was making plans to cover his arena, a small snowman, giving those in atten- rity bull score 90 points-plus, it’s amazing. assuring everyone a muddy event will not dance something to laugh about. happen again.

Page 33T

ABBI Futurity Weatherford Results

H.D.Page and Randal Flinn were rainsoaked after Page 33T won the ABBI Futurity in Weatherford.

RANK 1 2 2 4 5 5 7 8 9 10 10 12 13 13 15 15/16

ID 33T 364 262 710 330 77 7215 65T 7052 2313A 722 71 C255 380 58T TD2

BULL OWNER Page 33T D&H Cattle Co. SJR 364 Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd Three Mile Smile Boyd Floyd Bull Co. Little White Out Cody Ohl/Shonda Tillman Hou Done It Anderson & Crawford Jug Head D&H Cattle Co./Flinn Diamond S 7215 Diamond S Bucking Bulls Page 65T D&H Cattle Co. Diamond S 7052 Diamond S Bucking Bulls I'm Your Huckaberry Tim Baker/Jaynes Gang Dark Mood Accomazzo & Crowther Diamond S 71 Diamond S Bucking Bulls Everclear Oakes and Greene SJR 380 Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd Page 58T D&H Cattle Co. Page TD2 D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle

SCORE 91 89.25 89.25 86.50 85.25 85.25 84.75 84.50 83.75 82 82 78.75 78 78 77.75 77.75

PAYOUT $7,741 $3,724 $3,724 $2,337 $1,716 $1,716 $1,461 $1,168 $1,022 $818 $818 $701 $613 $613 $518 $518

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PBR Built Ford Tough Classic, Pueblo, Colo., May 16 Black Pearl takes the Treasure in Pueblo

by Susan Bedford photos by Allen Glanville

The PBR's Built Ford Tough Series event in Pueblo, Colo, was held during the weeklong Wild Wild West Fest. The ABBI Classic was part of that Built Ford Tough Series event, which wowed a packed crowd at the Colorado State Fair Events Center—as well as VERSUS television viewers at home.

Perhaps the only serious bucking bull fan not watching the action was Julie Ravenscroft.

Julie Ravenscroft “And as luck would have it, Black Pearl wins! The one time I'm not there!” lamented the breeder from her hotel room while on vacation in the Bahamas. But Julie's husband Steve, along with Brad Boyd and Toby Floyd, were all on hand to see their bull take his first win of the season.

Julie's disappointment about missing Black Pearl's performance was offset by her elation at their victory, and she relished the texts and phone calls that poured in from friends and family to give her a play-by-play of the action. “I even recorded him bucking for Julie,” said LeAnn Hart, “but then I couldn't get the video to send from my phone!” Julie will, however, get to re-live the moment ABBI Pueblo Classic Results Black Pearl bucked off Chris Shivers for a score of 91.75 indefinitely, thanks to TiVo. RANK ID BULL OWNER SCORE PAYOUT Each year Julie and Steve Ravenscroft 1 250 Black Pearl Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd 91.75 $10,875 picks a theme to name their bulls. Black 2 56 More Bucks The Jaynes Gang/Peterson, Mansour, Langhans, Pearl—named after the ship in the Pirates of Nelson & Teague 90.25 $6,214 the Caribbean movies- was part of their 3 510 Stinger Hebert Bucking Bulls 90 $4,661 "pirate theme" calf crop.

4 10-5 Crosswired D&H Cattle Co/Wiggins 89.25 $3,592 The win put Black Pearl second overall in 4 52 Neon Ghost Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith 89.25 $3,592 the Classic standings after 10-5 Crosswired.

6 503 I'll Make Ya Famous K. Branum & G. Baker 89 $1,981 Black Pearl has over $24,000 in season earn6 522 Legacy Bryan Smith 89 $1,981 ings, while Crosswired is just under $38,000.

6 R16 Check Out D&H Cattle Co/Buck 89 $1,981 Crosswired finished the 2008 Classic season 6 L539 Over The Edge Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo 89 $1,981 in the No. 1 spot, followed by Black Pearl 6 4 Top Notch Jap Top Notch Ranch 89 $1,981 who won $100,000 in Las Vegas.

For up-to-date Classic rankings visit americanbuckingbull.com In second place in Pueblo was 56 More Bucks who has been doing a great job for The Jaynes Gang/Peterson, Mansour, Langhans, Nelson & Teague this season. He earned a 90.25 and Cody Campbell rode him for a 90.25 to win the round.

510 Stinger, who bucked off Renato Nunes, earned third with a 90 for Hebert Bucking Bulls. Splitting fourth was the bull we've been accustomed to seeing in the No. 1 position at Classic events this year, Crosswired, from D&H/ Gary D. Warner, DVM Wiggins. He shared an 89.25 with 52 Neon Ghost from Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith. Kody Lostroh made it to the whistle on Neon Ghost for an 89.25; 600 Highway 290E, Elgin, TX Crosswired made quick work of Brian Herman.

512-285-3375 The last five positions were all split by the bulls that earned an 89; 503 I'll elginbullvet@yahoo.com Make Ya Famous (Kooper Branum & Gene Baker), 522 Legacy (Bryan Smith), R16 Check Out ( D&H Cattle Co / Buck), L539 Over The Edge (Lufkin Special interest in bucking stock.

Ranch & Rodeo) and 514 Top Notch Jap (Top Notch Ranch).

We have available digital radiography, ultrasonography, As evident after needing an 89 to be in the money in Colorado, the caliber arthroscopy, hydraulic chutes and tables, and hospital of Classic bulls this season has been extremely high. This makes the remaining facilities with special bucking bull pens. events of the season all that more exciting to watch as we see who will make it to the Finals and, once there—who will be able to capture the crown.

We are located 20 miles east of Austin, Texas.

Black Pearl

Elgin Veterinary Hospital

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ABBI Classic, PBR DIscovery Series, Stephenville, Texas, May 16 Ground Zero Scores 90.25 in Second Win Story and photos by Allen Glanville

earning them a check for Having too few events to $3,365. buck their 3 and 4-year-old Coming off his big win at bulls would put a hardship on the Spring Spectacular, contractors getting their aniGround Zero is really startmals ready for Vegas and the ing to make a move in the ABBI Finals. classic standings.

So, the 4C’s Ranch held an Scott Accomazzo, one of ABBI Classic in Stephenville 911’s owner’s remarked, with 32 bulls entering. This “First I want to give God all event marked the return for the praise for this win and to the Carrillo family to ABBI thank all our partners. He is Classic competition. With the just one great bull. He was economy suffering and many the first bull ever born at the Classic events canceling due Ace of Spades Ranch and to loss of sponsorship, 4C’s he has turned out to be one got together with the ABBI special bucking bull.” and worked out a plan to help Ground Zero was sired by all involved.

Houdini and out of Flying S The events are to be PBR Ranch’s cow MS0 (MSO is Discovery level ABBI events, now owned by Moodywhere only bulls who have not Rice), the same breeding as won money could compete, Nightlife and Wildlife. With unless there were not enough full brothers like that, he just bulls entered, giving bulls a has to buck. chance to make a name for Second went to Page 22S themselves and help their owned by D&H Cattle Co. owners with their programs. with 89.5; third was Lyndal “We want these events to benHurst’s 527 Big Mike at 89.0; efit all involved, 4C’s, the ABBI fourth went to H&D Bucking and the owners of these 911 Ground Zero, owned by Ace of Spades/Moody-Rice/Lonestar, wins the Bulls 507 Chick’ N Fried bulls,” claimed Gilbert Carrillo, ABBI Classic in Stephenville. Rider is L.J. Jenkins in Decatur. with 87.75; and fifth was “along with the fans who love Braithwaite Ranches 580 bull riding. We have made a Double Dippin’ at 87.25.

Summer Series out of these these events.”

This event should be the stepping stone events with points from each event going to 911 Ground Zero, owned by Ace of the series championship. We love this sport Spades/Moody-Rice/Lonestar, was the top for many ABBI Classics due to 4C’s and really are looking forward to having scoring bull for this event with 90.25 points Ranchmaking a Summer Series for them.

Ground Zero

ABBI Classic Stephenville Results

Scott Accomazzo

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RANK 1

ID A911

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10

22 527 507 580 4126 610 5203 510 655 6214

BULL Ground Zero

OWNER SCORE Ace of Spades/ Moody-Rice/Lonestar 90.25 Page 22S D&H Cattle Co 89.5 Big Mike Lyndal Hurst 89 Chick'N Fried H & D Bucking Bulls 87.75 Double Dippin Braithwaite Ranches 87.25 Pro Bull Max Bootheel Ranch/Mannsville 87 Ice T.&D. Rafter HB Cattle Co. 86.75 Unicorn Lyndal Hurst/Bubba Terrell 86.5 Tax Man Diamond O Bulls 86.25 Futrell 655 D&H Cattle Co./Futrell 86 Comanche Moon 4C's/Barker 86

PAYOUT $3,365 $1,923 $1,442 $1,202 $1,022 $ 841 $ 721 $ 601 $ 481 $ 210 $ 210

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ABBI Futurity, Stephenville, Texas, May 16 Back at the Ranch...

Story and photos by Allen Glanville

just to hang a flank on this 4C’s Summer Series ABBI great bull and he is sure futurity was held at the 4C’s showing some great promRanch Arena located in ise. I think with this win, 710 Stephenville, Texas. Gilbert is probably leading the and Julie Carrillo decided after points for the year. He is talking with the ABBI and comgood every time we buck ing up with new ideas that him.” they would work out a series of Cody Ohl added, “It sure events for the 2009 season. makes it fun when you have “We sat down with the ABBI a bull as good as 710, he and went over all their new has almost the same trip ideas,” said Gilbert, “and every time. I have a great found we could put on some partner, Shonda Tillman, events. The economy is tough and I want to thank Bobby right now and events are getStallings for letting me ting harder to put on. We breed to his bull White wanted to have events for the Out.” contractors and be able to 701 was sired by White keep our facility going and the Out, a Strawberry Wine son response has been amazing. and out of cow Good and We plan on having lots of new Bald, Wall’s breeding. ideas in the future, and our Second place went to 705 goal is for this to be beneficial Shakey Waters owned by to all involved.”

Show Sports Bucking Bulls This ABBI Futurity was the with 86.25; third was Circle first event held at the Carrillo’s T Ranch & Rodeo’s 723 with facility in a couple of years but 84.75; fourth was Anderson it didn’t take long for the word & Crawford’s 330 Hou Done to get out and the contractors It with 83.25; and fifth was to return.

Stephenville winner, Cody Ohl/Shonda Tillman’s 710 Little White Out, The first futurity didn’t have Circle T’s 701 with 82.75. performs in Ardmore. a large turnout, but the bulls The Carrillos have a great that did compete brought their facility and the success of A game and impressed all who this Summer Series will be White Out outscored the field with an attended. This type of event’s payout is impressive 87.75 points and picked up a one many will attend. They have also added determined by the number of entrees, and check for $3,754. a new Neckover Trailer to be awarded to by season’s end the numbers will increase.

Scott Accomazzo brought the bull for the the high point bull for this series.

Cody Ohl/Shonda Tillman’s 710 Little owners and had this to say: “I was proud

Little White Out

ABBI Futurity Stephenville Results RANK

ID

BULL

OWNER

SCORE PAYOUT

1 2 3 4 5 6

710 705 723 24 739 701

Little White Out Shakey Waters Circle T 723 Hou Done It Bongo Circle T 701

Cody Ohl/S.Tillman Show Sports Circle T Ranch & Rodeo Anderson & Crawford Show Sports Bucking Bulls Circle T Ranch & Rodeo

87.75 86.25 84.75 83.25 82.75 82.50

$3,754 $2,616 $1,820 $1,251 $1,024 $ 910

Cody Ohl

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ABBI Classic, Decatur, Texas, May 23

It’s Showtime for More Bucks & Down Time Story and photo by Allen Glanville

The sixth annual Wise County Challenger Charities J.W. Hart Challenge was held at the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse grounds in Decatur, Texas. This was their fourth straight ABBI Classic event and promoters Wendell Berry Jr., Roy Young, Calvin Jackson and Andrew Rottner once again did their best to put on a first-class event. This venture has been voted the PBR’s best event for minor league bull riding three times. This group donates the profit to local charities with the United Way being their prime target with over $200,000 donated over the five previous years.

Wendell Berry remarked, “We were really surprised by the sponsorships this year. Believe it or not, they were up, and our community really backs us with this bull riding.” The fans pouring into the arena with standing room only made that pretty clear.

This year’s event also featured Hart on his last bull before retiring and he chose a bull he raised, Cat Man Do for his exhibition ride.

Hart lasted only a few seconds before hitting the terra firma. This event was also a homecoming for the Hart family, because joining J.W. were his brother Cody and brother-in-law Cody Byars, along with third-generation bull rider and nephew Clancy Hart (Cody Hart’s son) who rode in the miniature bull riding at halftime. Clancy sure showed the Hart try on his little bull.

Forty-five bulls competed in this Classic and they were truly tested by the riders. Hardly a contractor could say his bull didn’t get shown. Many newcomers were listed in the draw but they brought their rope with intentions of winning. Scotty Knap of Albuquerque, N.M. was just this type rider, riding Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd’s 259 Parrothead for 86.5, and backing it up in the short go with 89 points.

Knap had just bought his PBR card a few weeks earlier.

Co-champions for this event were The Jaynes Gang / Peterson / Mansour / Langhans / Nelson & Teague’s 56 More Bucks, fresh off his second place finish in Pueblo the week before, and D&H Cattle Co/Jim Anderson’s 572 Down Time, with 90.5. Each bull performed with plenty of kick, buck and excitement to win their first event and pick up a check for $7,422 along with the bragging rights for a couple of weeks.

Tom Peterson, one of More Buck’s owners, said, “I think he

Down Time (56) is really coming on strong as a 4-year-old, and we have high hopes for him in Vegas. He has been tremendous the last few weeks, beating some tough bulls.

H.D. Page added, “I just knew 572 was going to be good but we never can get a rider to warm him up. Tonight the rider made the corner on him and showed what he could do. My partner on 572, Jim Anderson, asked me why I was dragging him to the event. He was not sure he was going to do anything. I text-messaged him and told him he won the event, and he sure is tickled about his bull being entered.”

572 is sired by Houdini and out of a Bodacious daughter. Third went to 10-5 Crosswired, owned by D&H Cattle Co./Cliff Wiggins with 90.25, third was 250 Black Pearl, owned by Ravenscroft/BoydFloyd with 89.75 these two bulls have been dominating the competition all season and continued to rack up points. Fifth/six were bulls -8 Bring It, owned by Chumley-Long Cattle Co. and 63 Mad Max owned by Martinez Bucking Bulls, each with 89.50.

This event was produced by ABBI’s own Curt Blake (ABBI Event Director) who did an excellent job of keeping the chutes loaded and running a smooth event. It’s not often fans get to watch Cody Lambert roping in the arena along with James DeBord, and both got a workout that will leave the fans looking forward to next year’s event.

ABBI Decatur Classic Results

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July/August 2009

RANK ID 1 23

BULL More Bucks

1 3 4 5 5 7 7 9 10 10

Down Time Crosswired Black Pearl Bring It Mad Max Top Notch Jap Red Bone Red Dirt Road Unicorn Ace In The Hole

37 29 38 15 17 4 16 14 6 35

OWNER SCORE Jaynes Gang/Peterson, Mansour, Langhans, Nelson & Teague 90.5 D&H Cattle Co / Anderson 90.5 D&H Cattle Co / Wiggins 90.25 Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd 89.75 Chumley-Long Cattle Co. 89.5 Martinez Bucking Bulls 89.5 Top Notch Ranch 88.25 Hebert Bucking Bulls 88.25 Diamond S Bucking Bulls 87.75 Lyndal Hurst / Bubba Terrell 87 Boyd-Floyd/Oules/Winfield 87

PAYOUT $7,422 $7,422 $4,048 $3,374 $2,614 $2,614 $1,855 $1,855 $1,349 $ 590 $ 590

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ABBI Classic, Elk City, Okla., June 5-6 Black Pearl Sails Again

by Susan Bedford photos by Allen Glanville

Black Pearl, owned by Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd, is at it again, racking up another win as he heads toward Las Vegas. It only took the Pueblo Champion three weeks to find another treasure. This time it was $12,270 in Elk City at the Justin McBride PBR Challenge.

Black Pearl is a Houdini son out a Whitewater cow from the Ravenscroft breeding program. “We raised him and he is from the Nebraska Sandhills,” reported Julie Ravenscroft. “Justin McBride was raised just east of Hyannis (where the Ravenscroft ranch is), so when I saw Justin after the event, I told him I thought it was pretty cool that the Sandhills bull won the Sandhills cowboy’s event!”

“In Elk City, he was good and we bucked him two nights back-toback,” stated Toby Floyd. “I think he wasn’t quite as strong as in Pueblo, but he was consistent and the judges liked him and scored him well.”

“He came back and scored higher in the second night than the first night,” added Steve Ravenscroft, “and we were really happy with that.”

Black Pearl was 90.75 on Friday and 91.75 on Saturday.

“More Bucks was awesome and the bull to beat after the first round and he Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd‘s Black Pearl bucks off Ryan Dirteater at the deserved to win the ABBI Oklahoma City Classic in February. first round,” stated Steve emphatically.

As the season draws closer to its finale, expect the caliber of bulls “HeeBee GeeBee at Classic events to remain as high as ever.

Toby Floyd was real good in the Steve, Julie, Toby and Brad Boyd all have their eyes on Las second round and Black Vegas. “We entered him into a Wild Card last year which he won, Pearl was solid and the judges gave us the benefit of a doubt in the and then he got second in Las Vegas (at the 2008 ABBI Classic second round. I guess this proves the bull’s durability and this was Finals),” said Floyd. Floyd likes Black Pearl’s chances at the 2009 the first time he’d been bucked two times in a row. We didn’t know ABBI Classic Finals, but keeps things in perspective. if he could handle it, but I guess he can.”

“After the last event, he’s the favorite for Las Vegas—but whatThe Jaynes Gang/Nelson, Teague, Peterson, Mansour & ever bull wins the next event will be the new favorite!” Floyd chuckLanghans 56 More Bucks was 91.25 in round one and 90.25 in led. He also shared that Black Pearl will probably be bucked at all round two, finishing one point behind Black Pearl. “Bennie Beutler Classic events within 100 miles of his home of Stephenville, Texas. put on a great event,” said Julie, “and there so many great Classic bulls there. It really was an honor to win.”

563 HeeBee GeeBee was an 86.75 and a ABBI Elk City Classic Results 91.25 for 178 total; Jeff Robinson/Bryan RANK ID BULL OWNER SCORE PAYOUT Smith’s 52 Neon Ghost was fourth with a total 1 250 Black Pearl Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 182.5 $12,270 175.5. Rounding out the top five was 126 2 56 More Bucks The Jaynes Gang / Nelson, Teague, Peterson, Huckleberry from HX2/Junk Bull with 175.25.

Mansour & Langhans 181.5 $7,011 Hebert’s 510 Red Bone was 175; followed 3 563 HeeBee GeeBee Boyd-Floyd Bull Co./XS 178 $5,258 by a seventh split between 262 Gringo 4 52 Neon Ghost Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith175.75 $4,382 Honeymoon from Jerry Nelson and 572 5 126 Huckleberry HX2/Junk Bull 175.25 $3,725 Down Time from D& H/Anderson. Both bulls 6 510 Red Bone Hebert Bucking Bulls 175 $3,067 were 174.75. Ninth was a bull we’ve become 7 262 Gringo Honeymoon Jerry Nelson 174.75 $2,410 accustomed to seeing in the Top 10, 514 7 572 Down Time D&H Cattle Co/Anderson 174.75 $2,410 Top Notch Jap from Top Notch Ranch with a 9 514 Top Notch Jap Top Notch Ranch 174.5 $1,753 174.5. Rounding out the money was -8 Bring 10 -8 Bring It Chumley-Long Cattle Co. 174.25 $1,533 It from Chumley-Long Cattle Co. with For up-to-date Classic rankings visit americanbuckingbull.com 174.25.

Black Pearl

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The 2009 season has just three more team competitions before Las Vegas

by Susan Bedford

Mandan Does It Again In Worcester

Worcester, Mass., May 4 The Worchester PBR Bull Team Challenge was short on quantity but big on quality.

Only two bull teams made the trek to the event outside of Boston, but both made the most of the opportunity for the competition held during the Built Ford Tough Series event. The seemingly unstoppable Mandan Mafia led by Chad Berger beat out the Jeff Robinson helmed Mac-Nett Industries.

Berger's team earned 137.50; Robinson's team was 135.25. These were two of the higher team scores of the season, thanks to two deep pens of heavy hitters.

Code Blue was once again the high-scorer for the Mafia with 46.5. Teammate Big Tex contributed a 46 and All In added a 45.

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July/August 2009

2007 PBR World Champion Bucking Bull Chicken on a Chain brought a big 46.25 to the table for Mac-Nett. Booger Butt was 44.75, while Voodoo Child was 44.25.

With another victory under his belt, it is starting to look like Berger's bull team may be the frontrunner come Las Vegas. His Mandan Mafia team is sitting securely atop the event average rankings with 137.625, proof that

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after four events Berger can be confident he's put together a consistent and high-scoring pen.

However, the slate gets wiped clean on October 30 and there are any number of teams who could earn this year's Challenge crown—especially with such a wide field of rank buckers participating this season.

Renato Nunes rides Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken On A Chain in 2008. Chicken is a member of the Mac-Nett Bull Team. watson photo

ABBI’s Breeders Trust O

understand it better, but it is a great deal.” As more breeders get the ne of the best programs in place in the ABBI is also one of message and get involved, the bigger the incentive awards grow. the least understood. Which is a shame, since it has the More bulls equals more bucks for everyone involved. potential to make a lot of people a lot of dough.

2005 calf Mission Accomplished “We made around $60,000 one earned Diamond S $15,716. His sire, year in incentives from the program,” Mission Pack, earned Trevor Walker apprised Dillon Page. “One year we $6,125. were transferring some of the office “It is designed to increase the value of duties around and somehow missed your calves,” explained Pickens."Trevor doing it, and it cost us probably Walker is a good example. His 2-year-olds between $30,000 and $40,000. This are paid up in the incentive program and program has great, great potential— so when he sells them, that makes them but more people need to get worth more.In theory if you have two bulls involved.” of equal ability, the one that is paid up The American Breeder’s Trust is a should be worth more money because his program put in place to benefit breedearning potential is higher. In theory, every ers. Whether owned by the same or bull calf that hits the ground should be different breeders, both the sire and registered that yearling year because it the Futurity bull can receive incenmakes them more valuable.” tives—if they are registered.

Breeders have two options for regisBeyond Futurity bulls, winning tering their sires into the program. They Classic bulls also get bonuses for being can register them the breeding year for a part of the program come Las Vegas.

2005 calf 569 Mission Accomplished earned Diamond S $15,716 in 2007, shown here at the American heritage the following year's calf crop for $250, or "The 2, 3 and 4-year-old years are Futurity that year. for $1,000 for a lifetime nomination (good when breeders can make the most for all future year's calf crops money off of their bulls. This is sired by that bull). Those are the a way to make even more most economical options, but money,” affirmed Scott you can also register a bull for Pickens. $750 prior to March 1 of the calf “What people didn't crop year, or after March 1 for understand when we started $2,500 for those calves to be elithe program was that they gible. need to register both the sire The system for registering and the calf,” explained Page. calves is similar. It costs $250 to “You need to pay the sire register one by Dec. 31 of their when you breed him and then birth year or the payment can the calves when you wean be broken up into two paythem. But people seem to forments of $150 (due by Dec. got to pay up the calves.”

31of birth year and Dec. 31 the The American Breeder's Dillon Page Scott Pickens following year). If you miss the Trust pays out incentives to first deadline, then it is an extra winning Futurity bulls and the $1,000 to be eligible. After Dec. 31 of the following year it is $2,500. registered sires of those bulls. In a nutshell, registering your herd sires Simply put, get involved and make the deadlines to invest in can earn you money as their Futurity offspring enjoy success in the your animals. The fees are reasonable considering the potential payABBI. And that success doesn't mean the bull has to have a firstoff. place finish—incentives are paid based on the order of how the bulls “Since the ABBI took over, we've only had this program in place finish who are part of the American Breeder's Trust program. for five years," stated Pickens. "You can't be the Kentucky Derby in “We pay a few calves every year and have paid some of our sires five years! But look at what similar programs have done for the horse in. It is a great deal, but more people need to do it!” urged Steve industry and you can see the potential. People need to look at the Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft's 2006 calf Hippy Music earned $2,268 in big picture and get involved.”

2008 at the ABBI World Finals, and his sire, Houdini, earned Gene “If you believe in your sires and your breeding program, then Baker $5,750. nominate your calves,” said Ravenscroft. “It really is that simple.”

“It is a good thing, but we need to get more people involved,” added Page. “I'm not sure how we reach people and make them www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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FUTURITY FOCUS

Half–Way Haven

by Sugar Kuhn Photos by Allen Glanville

We’ve climbed over four events on Futurity Hill and can see the World Finals at the bottom of the other side. Even though we still have four more events to go, let’s take a look at where we’ve been so far and how the competition has measured up.

What a "Spectacular" way to get started!

We kicked off the season on April 3 at The Bradberry’s Best Spring Spectacular in Stephenville and Rounding it was indeed out the top Spectacular! In a 10 at the snappy five-and- Spring a-half hours, Spectacular management were Circle T got all 175 bull 723 in Boyd-Floyd Bull Co.’s 649 entries Getin’ Busy shared the $30,000 ninth with an 81 bucked. purse in Stephenville. and 705 Octane Near the from Craig, Heath top of the and Ryan Ellis with an order, Page 80. Other bulls in the top 20 were Guidry-Hurst bull 254; 65T, a 36 Geronimo for Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo; Blender from Bridges & Backlash Smith and Ken Elliott; Little Casino from Loagan Helton; son out of Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd bull SJR 380; Walker Bucking Stock’s a Western 767; 2 Buck Chuck from John & Karen Sirridge;, I’m Your Wishes Huckaberry from Tim Baker and The Jaynes Gang; Smoothe daughter, Ride from the Torres Bros.; Boyd-Floyd’s LIT; and Walker splashed Bucking Stock’s 764. a 86.75 point marking Mining "Diamonds" on the board D&H Cattle Co.’s Page 65T tied for the win at the in Weatherford ABBI Spring Spectacular for D&H. One month after the season opener, breeders were polishing in Stephenville.

The battle "diafor first monds" of got busy the buckwhen Boyd-Floyd’s black horned bull 649 Getin’ Busy ing sort. On matched the marking.

May 2, The These two bulls shared the event win and both Diamond S bagged a little over $15,000. Jarrett Callahan’s bull 50-4 Bucking Bull Moses parted the waters with an 86.5 effort which was Spring good enough for third and $6,649.

Futurity got Things got a bit slippery in a tie for fourth. 710 underway with Black Ice from 4C’s & Barker and 710 Little White Out some very from Cody Ohl and Shonda Tillman matched each shiny competiother’s efforts by sliding 82.75 point markings onto tion. D&H the judges’ sheets. Each nabbed a slick $4,433. D&H dipped into the Cattle Co. & Flinn’s Wrangler Renegade son, 77 Jug top slot with Head, popped into sixth after posting an 82 and their double-bred being paid $3,694. Moody Blues son, 46 Lil’ Mudslinger bull Moody entered by AM Bucking Bulls snatched sev- 33T, properly enth place and $3,324 for his 81.5 point effort; named Double and Andrews Rodeo bull 716, a red Fender Dip. He posted a Bender son, smashed into the pay window and dapper 91 point eighth place with an 81.25 out. 716 squealed score which paid D&H Cattle Co.’s 33T Double Dip posted away from the scene with nearly $3,000. the red horned bull’s 91 points in Weatherford.

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July/August 2009

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Right "out" in owners $7,740. Boyd-Floyd Bull Co. split secthe lead was a very ond and third, once with partners Steve and familiar face, 710 Julie Ravenscroft and their 196 Tightrope son, Little White Out SJR 364, and again with their white and brown spotted bull 262 Three Mile Smile, a Boding son. who blinded the The split paid $3,724 for each slot which yielded competition for more than toothy grins.

Cody Ohl and Cody Ohl and Shonda Tillman were back at the Shonda Tillman, "diamond cutter" with another fourth place finish, blowing 87.75 except they weren’t sharing this time. 710 Little points onto the White Out put up 86.5 points for a sparkling $2,336 board. 705 payday. The effort presented a 1.75 point cushion Shakey ahead of Waters, a C31 two bulls Blues Man that son, marked shared the a 86.25 for fifth and Show Sports sixth place Bucking finish. 330 Bulls. Circle Hou Done It T 723 was from back putCody Ohl and Shonda Tillman’s Anderson & ting up 710 Little White Out scored 87.75 Crawford, 84.75, and at the 4C’’s Arena "Hou" didn’t the brown question their bull 330 $1,716 portion Hou Done It from Anderson & Crawford shuffled out an 83.25 of the tie with which took fourth.

D&H and Flinn’s Show Sports Bucking Bulls and Circle T were double fistin’ it ever present at the pay window; Show Sports’ 739 Bongo bounced into fifth bucking dynamo, with an 82.75; and Circle T’s 701 came around in sixth with an 77 Jug Head.

82.5.

Finally Other top 15 bulls earning points were: WS 897 from Diamond S cut into Watson & Sons; 755 Traveling Jones from Shawn & Allison the seventh hole Davis; 733 E.T. also from Show Sports Bucking Bulls; Page Steve and Julie Ravenscroft’s 196 with a bull by 52 35T from D&H; 719 Shot of Bo from Rafter HB Cattle; Page Tightrope son SJR 364 tied for Houdlum and out of a 52T from Jay Hudgins; 702 Slimdini Star from second in Weatherford L918 Downdraft Carpenter/Hudgins/Treichel; 700 Firestorm from 4C’s/Hayes; daughter. Diamond S 7215 pulled a $1,460 check for his 84.75 point labor. Making his second splash of the season was D&H’s 65T Back Ordered, marking an 84.5 and netting $1,168, but not before being sandwiched by another Diamond S gem. 7052, out of a Lil’ Wasp daughter and by 7-57 Gold Coast Deputy Sheriff, landed in ninth with 83.75 points for a little over a $1,000.

The bottom of the diamond mine was stacked like cord wood.

2313A I’m Your Huckaberry from Tim Baker and The Jaynes Gang, and 722 Dark Mood from Scott Accomazzo and Jimmy Crowthers, each posted an 82 to evenly straddle the tenth and eleventh position, while Diamond S 71, a Gigolo son out of a Bo’Nanza daughter, sparkled into twelfth. C255 Everclear from Oakes and Greene and SJR 380 from Ravenscroft’s and Boyd-Floyd stacked into a 13th and 14th split, and two D&H bulls both out of Hotel California daughters jockeyed into a 15th place tie: 58T, by Crazy Train and TD2 by Sports Machine.

Bring it on Back!

The third event on the ABBI Futurity schedule on May 16 landed us right back where we started, in Stephenville. This time the action was brewing at the 4C’s Arena. The event paid money to six places with the event winner pocketing $3,753; second $2,616; third $1,820; fourth $1,251; fifth $1,023 and sixth a respectable $910.

Ardmore winner D&H Cattle/Flinn‘s 77 Jug Head performed in Stephenville. www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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FUTURITY FOCUS and tugged another $25,000 into the every growing D&H pile. Of course, 83T Lil’ Squirt pulled his weight for the Pages, getting into a water fight for fifth with Monty Samford and Warren Dozier’s 715 Quick Turnaround. These two bulls both posted 82.75 marks and their owners each sopped up over $20,000.

Off to Ardmore!

“Don’t quit now” must have been the Page mantra at the treasure Next stop Okla. It’s one of the seasons most chest. The multiple PBR Contractor of Year winner head-to-tailed ‘em prestigious—the American Heritage Futurity in down through ninth place starting with 45T High Times, a Hustler over Kish cross, who started the string by winning $17,435; followed by T03 Itchy Kitty who clawed his way to eighth for D&H and co-owner Buck Cattle Co., scratching up over $15,000. The hits kept coming from D&H in a three-way tie for ninth from bucky young-guns 01T All the Above, 94T and 40 T Wild Yeller who each pulled in another $11,946.

World Champ Cody Ohl and partners Ken & Tex Brashear were back for $9,686 from a white-hot out from 702 White Velvet who put up an 81 and placed one notch ahead of Boyd-Floyd’s 649 Getin’ Busy’s 80.75. White Velvet smoothly sits in the top 21 overall at this point in the competition while Getin’ Busy holds a more solid sixth.

716, the Fender Bender son from Andrews Rodeo refused to be shut out and threw up 80 points to tie 30T Crazy Bag from D&H/Bagley for 14th and $7,361.

The 2009 Futurity field is broad and hefty. The talent and deep genetics of today’s buckers, coupled with hard work and knowledgeable handlers, is bringing us an un-matched show this season. Young buckers pulling checks and reaching the top tiers of the result board are only a glimpse of the talent. Some other steady contenders that were not mentioned in this feature but have been steady throughout the season’s events, and among the top 20 in the overall standings include: 84F Studly from John Vinchot/The Jaynes Gang; Walker’s 701; Top Brownie from Tom Peterson & The Jaynes Gang; Twist N Shout from Shippy Rodeo Bulls & Lesko Livestock; Jaguar from Two Pair Ohl and Brashear’s 54 Up In Smoke son, U-7042 Pure Bucking Bulls & The Jaynes Gang; and Shake the Bank from Smoke, missed the win in Ardmore by a quarter-point.

Shippy Rodeo Bulls and Don Brown.

RK 725 Sancho from Richard Treichel; and JA715 from D&H and Jason Aduddell.

Ardmore. Not only is it the largest regular season payout, but it’s arguably the most competitive. This is the place to be if you want to see which young buckers and skilled breeders or trainers are packing heat.

Of course, everyone knows D&H Cattle Co. is serious about building and entering big-time buckers, but nothing was more evident of that than this year’s American Heritage results. Out of 148 aspiring 2-year-olds entered, D&H handled nine of the top15 money winners. No stranger to fetchin’ futurity greenbacks was event champion, 77 Jug Head. The black bull kicked out 83.75 points, taking the title and collecting the largest payout to date in the amount of $100,737 for co-owners D&H and Flinn. This Wrangler Renegade son finds himself sitting second in the year-end points race with over $106,000 earned as of press time mid-June.

Also doing a lot of frequent flying to the bank this year is six-time World Champion Rodeo Cowboy, Cody Ohl. Ohl, along with partners Ken and Tex Brashear, watched their 54 Up In Smoke son, U-7042 Pure Smoke, narrowly miss the big win by a quarter-point. The 83.5 was good enough for a second place finish, over $58,000 and a boost into a comfortable spot in the overall point standings. Moody Blues son, 46 Lil’ Moody, picked no better place to run with the big dogs.

This gray and gritty 2-year-old stuck 83.25 points up and pulled $34,870 out of the pot for owners A M Bucking Bulls LLC, while holding his own in third. Lil’ Moody stands firmly in the fifth overall standings after this successful out.

D&H’s double-dipping 33T narrowly landed in fourth with an 83

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Third-place AM Bucking Bulls’ 46 Lil’ Moody scored 83.25 points and pulled $34,870 out of the pot in Ardmore.

2009 Futurity Standings

FUTURITY FOCUS

As of June 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 47 49 50

ID W710 77 364 380 46 649 716 705 65T 767 87T 84F 714 S729 771 701 373 254 U-7042 S732 702 1487 2313A 782 705 33T 267 H755-1 723 CW7 S733 703 708 710 34T -20 50-4 734 72 101 L744 194 58T 764 63 7571 760 764 5097 252

BULL Little White Out Jug Head SJR 364 SJR 380 Lil' Moody Get N Busy 716 Octane Back Ordered 767 Smoothe Ride Studly Little Casino Twist N Shout Top Brownie 701 Jaguar 254 Pure Smoke Shake The Bank White Velvet Tribulation I'm Your HuckaBerry Oreo Crawfish Double Dip LIT Hou Too Circle T 723 Break The Bank Shake N Bake Moody Hou Rush Hour Black Ice Hot-N-Juicey -20 Moses Plumb Nuts Ready Set Go Pop Tart Geronimo Blender Flyin Train 2 Buck Chuck Carpe Diem Li'l Red 760 764 Soul Train Santana

OWNER Cody Ohl/Shonda Tillman D&H Cattle Co./Flinn Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd AM Bucking Bulls LLC Boyd-Floyd/Jackson Andrews Rodeo Cross E Bucking Bulls D&H Cattle CO Walker Bucking Stock Breeders Torres Bro's Bucking Bulls LLC John Vinchot/The Jaynes Gang Loagan Helton Shippy Rodeo Bulls/Lesko Livestock Tom Peterson / The Jaynes Gang Walker Bucking Stock Breeders Two Pair Bucking Bulls/Jaynes Gang Guidry - Hurst Cody Ohl, Ken & Tex Bershear Shippy Rodeo Bulls/Don Brown Cody Ohl/Ken & Tex Brashear Kenny Jack/Rick Taylor Tim & Cheryl Baker/Jaynes Gang Walker Bucking Stock Breeders Twisted Sisters/ The Jaynes Gang D&H Cattle CO Boyd-Floyd Bull Co Ace of Spades/Creamer/Lonestar Circle T Ranch & Rodeo Chad & Cherie Weishuhn Shippy Rodeo Bulls/Crooked Horn Moody-Rice Cattle Co Cross E Bucking Bulls 4C's/Barker Torres Bro's Bucking Bulls LLC Andrews Rodeo Jarrett Callahan Bryan Smith Flying D Buckin Bulls Steve Alsedek/The Jaynes Gang Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo Bridges & Smith/Ken Elliot D&H Cattle Co./Margy Haines John B. & Karen L. Sirridge Sean Scalco CJ Pilcek Walker Bucking Stock Breeders Walker Bucking Stock Breeders MR Bucking Bulls Boyd-Floyd Bull Co / Darnell Bros

PTS 386 374 326 325 313 308 300 295 286 277 275 273 257 256 252 244 240 237 235 230 229 219 215 215 210 207 200 193 188 187 186 181 179 177 176 173 172 171 166 164 163 162 161 158 157 155 154 154 152 149

ID 51 W1-5A 52 278 53 7028 54 653 55 715 55 83T 57 369 57 J702 57 45T 60 T03 60 38 62 17 63 01T 63 7 63 94T 63 40T 67 755 68 215 69 753 70 716 70 30T 72 704 72 L722 74 7R31 75 700 76 701 76 205 76 13T 79 C254 79 MC704 81 L703 81 19T 83 101 83 TD2 83 27T 86 723 86 472 88 752 88 S74 90 180 90 J79 92 S723 93 2147 93 527 95 720 96 717 96 JA 719 98 -77 98 T07 100 T13

BULL OWNER PTS Brulé Patricia & Jan. Ricketts/Jaynes Gang 148 GDY 278 Guidry Land and Cattle 147 Demon Ronald Wood 146 Naughty By Nature Boyd-Floyd Bull Co. 144 Quick Turnaround Monty Samford / Warren Dozier 142 Lil' Squirt D&H Cattle Co. 142 SJR 369 Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 141 Fully Wicked Brandon & Mich.Gilbert/Jaynes Gang141 45T High Times D&H Cattle Co. 141 03 Itchy Kitty D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle 140 Wicked Warrior Crazy G & E Bucking Stock 140 17 Diablo Mark White & David Holland 139 All The Above D&H Cattle Co. 137 Dirty Deeds BA Livestock - Brian Agnew 137 Page 94T D&H Cattle Co. 137 40T Wild Yeller D&H Cattle Co. 137 Rolex Cody Ohl, Tye Farmer & J. Meazell 136 Fine Young Cannibal Boyd-Floyd Bull Co 135 753 Tim & Cheryl Baker 134 Circle T 716 Circle T Ranch & Rodeo 133 30T Crazy Bag D&H Cattle Co./Bagley 133 Outlaw Hurricane Torres Cattle Co. 131 Diablo Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo 131 Diamond S 731 Diamond S Bucking Bulls 130 Firestorm 4C's/Hayes 128 T-Bone Kleinhans / Lyons 127 Mammer Jammer Boyd-Floyd/ Nacarrato 127 Page 13T D&H Cattle Co. / Weber 127 Black Betty Oakes and Greene Bucking Bulls 126 Mr Davis McCoy Ranches & Sunset Farms 126 Backdraft Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo 125 19T Smooth Operator D&H Cattle Co. 125 Witch's Brew Sean Scalco 123 Bucking Machine D&H Cattle Co./ Shores Cattle Co. 123 27T Mud Cat D&H Cattle Co. 123 Grandin BRH & Gene Baker 122 Economic Barometer Boyd-Floyd Cattle Co. 122 752 Blythe Bucking Bulls 121 Hunter's Hat Trick Shippy/Laird Bucking Bulls 121 Vader Bridges & Smith/Don Brown 119 J79 Andrews Rodeo 119 Airacuda Shippy Rodeo Bulls/Brown / Kile 116 Ready to Rumble Kenny Jack/Richard Treichel 115 The Warrior Bridges & Smith/Don Brown 115 COPP 720 Jerry Copp 114 Energizer Yancey Brothers Bucking Bulls 113 Shot of BO Rafter HB Cattle Co 113 Maytag DC Cattle Company 112 Page T07 D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle 112 Thermal Kitty D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle 111

VBBI Video Futurities Get Off The Ground in 2009 63 Carpe Diem from Sean Scalco was the first Video Bucking Bull champion, wowing the judges with a score of 78.636, worth $2,635.

In second, less than a point behind Carpe Diem, was 373 Jaguar with 77.967. Jaguar earned Two Pair Bucking Bulls/The Jaynes Gang's just under $2,000. In third with 77.703 was 101 Pop Tart from Steve Alsedek and The Jaynes Gang. In fourth was 767 Yukon Cowboy, from Skippy Johnston/The Jaynes Gang, with 77.402. In fifth, and in the money, was 734 Plumb Nuts from Bryan Smith with a 76.334.

Scalco found out he won the VBBI event by checking his computer. “I just clicked on the event once it was over, and there were the results!” Scalco also judged the event (as can any registered member). “I did judge my

bull the highest, because I honestly thought he was the best. I like that everyone can judge and then a small percentage of that goes toward your final score.”

Scalco is becoming a big fan of VBBI events because he likes the fact that there is no hauling or travel-related stress placed on the animal. He also counts the money and gas saved as big bonuses. “Video events are also nice because sometimes you have a good bull but he needs to be around your other bulls to stay calm—then you have to enter more than one bull at a regular Futurity just to keep your really good one calm!”

Scalco also thinks that most bulls will buck better in an environment they are used to, so he expects the popularity of the VBBIs to grow.

Sean Scalco’s Carpe Diem won the first VBBI event.

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39

Joshua Chavez

horses wasn’t eating hen you think well and kept tossof dentistry, ing his head. He was you probably going to take him to don’t think it applies the vet when his to your favorite wife of 12 years, horse or a world

by Cindy Gotoski Jennifer, suggested champion bucking he call a friend from college who specialbull. ABBI breeder Joshua Chavez is out ized in equine dentistry. to change the way people care for their “I’m from the old school where you animal athletes. take them to the vet when they need care, Chavez’s love of rodeo livestock not to a dentist,” related Chavez. But his started when he began riding steers at wife persevered. Their friend came over, 8 years of age. He rode his first bull in a worked on the horse and shortly thereafter junior rodeo when he was 11 and Chavez noticed a major improvement. The turned pro after getting his PRCA card horse started processing his feed much at 18. Bull riding put him through colbetter, so he didn’t have to feed him as lege on a full scholarship but after much. Chavez also noticed that he enough buckoffs, his interest moved responded to the bit better. more toward breeding rather than ridFrom that moment on, Chavez knew ing. there was a significant part of livestock Chavez started by buying a couple care that was generally overlooked, so he of cows off Marty Foutch. Chavez prefers Plummer bloodlines. “My herd did some research and found the Texas sire is a grandson of Rooster from School of Equine Dentistry.

Ronnie Roach on the sire side and “They teach you why you work on a Chaos on the dam side” he stated. “We are a not so ‘rancho horse’s mouth and what to look for,” explained Chavez. “Many of grande’ at this moment, but we’re getting bigger one step at a the overall health issues will start in a horse’s mouth.” time. And we’re always looking for more bloodlines to enhance Chavez quickly learned that dentistry also works hand-in-hand our program.” Chavez is starting out slow and saves to buy with chiropractic care. “When a horse’s back or neck is out of everything he’s got. “It takes us a little longer because we have line, many times the issue starts because their teeth are unbalto plan for our purchases and put money away to afford anced which puts pressure on the TMJ joint—which makes the them,”admited muscles surrounding that joint get sore and tight and the probChavez. “I’d like to lem moves down and affects the neck and back,” said Chavez. eventually take “Horse chiropractors will usually ask if they have had a dentist some bulls to the look at the mouth first. If not, the horse will usually need to come PBR or get a couple back much sooner than they should.” into the Cups, but I The basic principles apply to the bucking bull industry as well. don’t need my name The value of these bucking athletes and their genetics continues up there. If any of to rise and their lifespan is increasing, so it makes sense to add the big boys see chiropractic care and dentistry to their overall program. one of my bulls and Stated Chavez, “Dentistry problems occur because of things wants to buy him, we humans do to our animals. We feed them on the fence or in a I’d be happy to sell pen rather than on the ground. We put horses in stables and him. I just want to place their feed high, rather than allowing them to graze on a be proud of what pasture where they cut their feed themselves, which is a natural I’m raising.” motion.”

Chavez became The same issues occur with rodeo livestock when they’re a believer in equine being hauled to events. They travel, eat, and sometimes sleep on dentistry when he a trailer. When livestock are able to eat as close to the ground as noticed one of his possible their muscles are stretched along their neck and back— and the bottom jaw moves forward which allows the teeth to wear evenly.

When we feed livestock higher than that we diminish that necessary motion. The bottom line is when an animals’ mouth is balanced, they eat better and perform better.

As Chavez finishes up his education, he looks forward to working on bucking bulls as well as horses. “There aren’t too many bucking bull dentists,” he explained, “and this way I’ll be able to ensure the dental health of my own herd—and hopefully help other Joshua Chavez breeders as well.”

W

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JC Rodeo Genetics • Equine Dentistry

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Cross E A Winning Strategy in Black & White

I

been the highlight for me since we n the Spring of 2004, Cross

by Susan Bedford raised that bull. I'm relaxed as I can E Bucking Bulls was born. be when I'm around the bulls. Bulls Craig Ellis, along with his don't worry me, but my job does sons Heath and Ryan, purchased sometimes. Taking care of them isn't three cows at the D&H Bred to work to me. Work is at the fire staBuck Sale. Just five years later, they had a champion. tion, where I have 24 (hours) on and Back in Ardmore, Okla. almost 48 (hours) off," said Ryan, whose to the day of the anniversary that schedule allows him to help out with they had purchased those first the bulls but gives him few days Page cows, Cross E won the first actually "off."

ABBI American Heritage Derby.

"We get up every morning. Make Picking up a check for over the rounds, get the bulls, check the $42,000 for the 91-point score of cows, exercise the bulls. When it their 3-year-old bull 602 Ricochet cools off we feed. Then by the time seemed like a dream. you're done, it is morning and it is “We didn't expect to win the time to start over again. So I guess it Derby in Ardmore,” confided is non-stop basically, but I really Craig, Myles, Kelly, Mandi, Dillon, Heath, Ryan, Heath, “but we knew we were enjoy it though."

Landon and Tiffany buying quality and breeding to “We’d raised some commercial quality, so we expected to have cattle,” said Craig, “I'd been in the success, but maybe just not this much so quickly. Our goal racehorse business and my dad had been in the racehorse was to be in the Top 10 in Ardmore, but we didn't know if business. My youngest son Ryan had rodeoed a lot as a calf he'd be good enough to win.” roper and we enjoyed rodeos, especially the bull section of “I can't even explain how we felt that it. So we thought we'd try our hand at night,” said Heath the day following their bucking bulls. bull's victory. “It was pretty crazy! He’s “We started with H.D. and Dillon's stock, bucked his tail off since day one and we which really helped us out,” explained knew once he grew into himself he’d be Craig. “We built up most of our herd from pretty solid.” that. We also got some Rafter 7r and now Ricochet may have big-time talent, but we pick up a little blood here and a little Cross E Bucking Bulls is definitely a small blood there to diversify a little bit. We do breeder. Their herd measures just around what we can to help out our program and 30 cows and heifers and 20 bulls, ranging help out others with their programs when from yearlings to breeding bulls. But Cross we can.”

Ricochet E, based out of Comanche, Okla., is proof The entire Ellis family enjoys being that quality counts over quantity. involved in the industry. Craig’s wife Kelly, “If we're going to spend the money and the time, we're Heath’s wife Mandi and Ryan’s wife Tiffany are all an essengoing to do things right,” explained Craig of the theory tial part of Cross E's success. Heath and Mandi’s boys— behind the formation of Cross E. It was pretty black and twins Myles, and Dillon and big brother Landon—are already white for Cross E: buy proven genetics, work hard as a fami- well on their way to growing up to be cowboys and carrying ly and enjoy the results. on the family business. Ryan and Tiffany are expecting their Shared Heath, “We got first child this November. into it because we thought “Kelly helps me with everybucking bulls were exciting thing,” said Craig proudly, and it was something we “whether it is hauling hay or could do as a family. “ feeding or splitting cows off; Heath works with Craig she's right there with us. Kelly at his metal building conkeeps up with the books and struction and contracting sends all the paperwork in. company. Ryan is a fireTiffany keeps up the website fighter for the city of and knows as much about the Duncan and helps take cows and bloodlines as any of care of the cattle on his us.”

Myles & Dillon days off.

Ricochet's sire is Wildlife and Ellis Landon Ellis "So far, Ardmore has dam is Rafter 7r 8, who they 42

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purchased at the Page sale and originally came from Ronnie Roach. “We bought her at the Page sale a few years ago and Ricochet was already in her belly,” elaborated Heath. “ I believe the Pages got her from Mitch Terrell.”

Their other bloodlines include Panhandle Slim, 301 Sports Machine, Backlash, Hotel California, Nite Life,Winchester, Rock-N-Roll and Up N Smoke. Besides Ricochet, some of their current herd sires include K21 Skum Bum and Ellis 507 Check Out Time (out of Hotel California and a Larry the Cable Guy daughter). 560 Tango, who is a Spook son, they are also breeding with starting this season. They purchased some more cows at the most recent Page sale and picked up a DiMaggio daughter from Boyd-Floyd Bull Co.’s recent sale.

“We have some good yearlings coming up, so I think our futurity calves next year will be really tough,” said Heath.

This year their Futurity bull 705 Octane placed 17th in Ardmore and 10th at the Spring Spectacular. Octane is a Rock-N-Roll son.

“I think next year we'll be able to compete with everybody,” reflected Heath. “I’ve talked to Brad and Toby quite a bit and they've given me some advice on how to handle things; they're really good guys. We're just going to get deeper and deeper into this thing. Our ultimate goal is to win the Classic in Las Vegas someday.” That day may be closer than they think, thanks to a black bull with a white face.

“We don’t want to push Ricochet since he's just a 3-yearold, but we’ll take him and try to make another event or two with Octane and maybe we'll make it to Vegas,” reflected Craig. Whether or not there are Cross E bulls bucking in Nevada, the Ellis family will be in attendance at the PBR and ABBI Finals in the Fall.”We never even miss watching a single PBR performance on TV.” The Ellis family enjoyed meeting new people in Ardmore and are always happy to talk to people looking to get into the industry.

“What really excites me is the possibility of new people coming into this business,” said Craig. “There are a lot of PBR fans who'd love to be involved with the bucking bulls.” Cross E is serious about getting other people involved, and is open to partnering on bulls with people who are truly passionate about the sport “My brother was a jockey so I've been around the horse business, said Craig, “A lot of the opportunities in the ABBI remind me of the opportunities that there were in the racehorse business. The ABBI is doing a great job of getting it out there to the people, and I think it has a great future.”

Added Heath, “I hope our win inspires other small breeders. In order to win at the ABBI you need to have the best bull at the event—it doesn't matter the size of your program.”

“One of the best things about being in the business is the people we’ve met and the friends we’ve made,” concluded Craig.“It’s not a cheap thing to get into and it isn’t an easy thing to do. But it is rewarding if you enjoy bucking bulls and it is a great thing for a family to do. If you don’t do things together, you grow apart. That is true with a family or a marriage. We’re making great memories and that is what life is all about anyway—enjoying life, and giving the good Lord all the credit!” www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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Looking Forward to Las Vegas The Classic round will be a very special night in Las Vegas The First Derby Event

Tell No Tails

No Fouls

Quality Classic Bulls

Ardmore was the first time we've had an event strictly for 3-year-old bulls in the ABBI. We didn't have any special ground rules.

Like all the Classics, we went by ABBI and PBR rules. I was really pleased by the quality of the 3-year-old bulls and surprised by how good they were. I was also impressed by how well disciplined they were in the chutes.

There really weren't any 'chute fighters' to speak of and there weren't any fouls from bulls coming out backward that would cause rerides. That was a concern of a lot of bull owners, because some of these bulls had only been bucked a few times with a man on them. I don't think, with 80 bulls, there was one foul.

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July/August 2009

A couple of years ago we passed a PBR rule that the contractors wouldn't be allowed to hold the bull’s tail in the chute.

And at the event in Ardmore you could see that this rule is working. The bulls are getting better in the chutes because the flankmen aren't aggravating them by pulling on their tails. (For more on this topic see Lambert's March/April 2009 column).

The Classics that we've had at the Built Ford Tough Series events this year have been really good. The Classic bulls have held their own. They have been about as good as any group I could put together for a long go at a Built Ford Tough Series event. We can expect the go-round in Las Vegas at the World Finals, where we are using all

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Classic bulls, to be a really special night.

The Classic round will be either the first or third go round and it will be a special night in more ways than one.

First, it showcases the quality of the ABBI bucking bulls—and not just to the crowd at the Thomas & Mack. The PBR World Finals television broadcast reaches a global audience. Second, those stock contractors who haven't hauled their bull enough or had them well-known enough to get invited to compete at the PBR World Finals can now get there by qualifying a Classic bull through the ABBI system. And last but not least, you can't forget the money they are going for. The top Classic bull gets $250,000—proof of how far the bucking bull industry has come and the amount of potential our sport has.

40 + Years in the Bucking Bull Business!

Jack Daniel’s Happy Hour Son of Grasshopper + Cordell Breeding

C & C Rodeo Co., Inc

Mrs. Fred Cordell 940-937-3706 812-FM 2530 Childress, TX 79201 www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

45

The Onion Man

Between Gilbert Carrillo, Exclusive Genetics and Bubba Terrell, this produce farmer has bulls that are good producers. but he’s the first one I bought and at least The next time you’re dipping into made it.” some salsa or crunching down on an A businessman through and through, onion ring, you might think about where Barker’s goal is to make a little money that onion’s been. from his stock.

Chances are that whether it’s from the fertile valleys of the Rio Grande, or if it’s been in cool storage in Washington, that it was part of one of 3,000 loads of onions that Larry D. Barker ships to processing plants across the country.

Barker is an onion man. He raises onions in partnership with various growers and has packing sheds throughout America. As a supplier to processers like Pace, Campbell’s Soups, B&B Onion and McCain Foods, it’s more than likely that you’ve nibbled one of his onions. But to get away from a tear-jerkLarry D. Barker: Passionate about bulls and onions. ing, hard week at the onion grindstone, “I do it for a hobby, but I want to Barker’s got bulls. make money at it because I see that “I team rope a lot and I’ve been there’s a way you can,” laughed Barker. around it and I’ve always liked the bull With six yearlings, two 2-year-olds, a 3 riding,” said Barker. and a 4-year-old, Barker is lining up his Hailing from Las Cruces and personalprospects for years to come. He has also ly looking after the New Mexico packing purchased well-bred heifers including a sheds, Barker has had a long association daughter of Avalanche and two by with the Carrillo brothers who grew up in Playboy Skoal heifers.

El Paso. So when he decided to invest in “I’ve got 10 cows that I’m breeding to bulls, he went to someone he knew. bulls. They’re down at Gilbert’s and he “I’ve watched it for a long time and I takes care of them. I’m busy with farms know some of the bull riders and I decidand produce out here in New Mexico and ed that I wanted to get in it and invest. he’s going anyway, so he takes care of all I’m not into racehorses, but I’m into this of mine. I do a deal with them that I own bull deal where they’ve got the Futurities the cows and they get a half interest in and the Classics and they pay some pretany bulls for taking care of them.” ty good money if you get that one bull When he has spare time, Barker that’s good.” enjoys keeping an eye on the internet Three years ago, Barker called Gilbert auctions.

Carrillo and bought a half-interest in one “When I’m around I watch it. I like to bull. That bull was Little Bo who made the trip to Vegas last year for the ABBI Classic bid on them, but I can’t be watching it all the time.”

Finals and is now bucking on the teleOne of his computer-bought successvised Built Ford Tough Series. es is the Bubba Terrell-bred Comanche “He didn’t do real good at the Finals,

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Moon.

“He came out of Mississippi off the internet and turned out to be a real good 3-year-old. If he can get some size on him, he’ll be real good for next year.”

Visiting the Carrillo’s 4C’s Ranch to select prospects is part of being an owner that Barker loves. “Gilbert and I are partners on some of the bulls and I own some of them outright. I was down there in March and he bucked 38 yearlings and we picked 12 of the 38 to leave down there for him. That’s the part that I wanted to be involved in all along. I bought Little Bo because he was a 3-year-old and going into the Classics, then we bought Balboa because he was going to be in this year’s 4-year-old Classics.”

Barker owns a quarter-share in Balboa.

Another quarter is owned by his business associate, Kent Hill, who has an onion peeling facility, B&B Onion, in Hugo, Okla.

Barker is happy to be an owner from afar, to sit in the stands or go behind the chutes. “I don’t do anything with them because I don’t have time. Gilbert trains and hauls them and I go watch them a lot—that’s what I like is to go and watch them. When your bull comes out you’re excited and want it to throw the bull rider and score good. It’s all about getting the bulls that are good enough to go to the PBR or the Finals. Hopefully, someday I’ll have something that’s in the short go.”

While Barker’s son, Brandon, daughter-in-law, Ivory, and grandkids Hayley and Beau support the bulls, he’s enjoyed meeting new people and having a chance at winning the big checks.

“I’ve met lots of good friends. I go to a lot of the Futurity and Classic events that they have, I go to the Calcuttas and I’ve bought into the Exclusive Genetics deal.”

2009 Mid-Season Notable Stats Nowhere to Go but Down?

We are coming up on one year from the first time we saw Page’s Crosswired. He’s been out 13 times now, and only marked under 45 points twice. Crosswired is currently ranked 7th out of 7,371 active bulls. If there is a downside to Crosswired’s performance in his first year, it’s that he hasn’t left himself much room for improvement.

Have any 22-point Bulls?

Interesting stat—in any given year, there will be anywhere from 75 to 150 bulls that average 22 points or better for a whole season.

So far in 2009, there are 109. If you own a bull that legitimately averages 22 points or better over the course of a whole year, then your bull is in the top 2% of all bulls used anywhere that year.

Bull Boom?

Every year since I have been keeping stats, many measurable statistics have stayed pretty constant. I usually process between 25,000 and 30,000 outs per year. To give a few examples: in a given year, there will be around 1,700 different bull riders recorded, 1% to 2% of the bulls will average 22 points or better, and the overall buckoff % for bulls will hover around 70%. However, the number of different bulls used in a year has increased each year without fail.

I measure this by calculating the average number of outs recorded per bull per year. In 2005, there were 6.2 outs per bull on average, and 3 years later in 2008, there were 5.2 outs per bull. So far in 2009, there are 3.3 outs per bull.

So, if a contractor tells me they are having trouble getting outs on decent bulls, I don’t doubt it.

Ty Likes Good Bulls…

The best set of bulls ever to appear at a regular season event with 100+ outs happened in March at the Ty Murray Invitational in Albuquerque. Almost half the outs at Albuquerque had the potential to be marked 90 points or more. Not surprisingly, the buckoff percentage was higher than at most BFTS events.

Slade Long is the head honcho at probullstats.com, and just one of the honchos at the VBBI. He lives in Covington, La. (until the next hurricane).

Top 15 PBR bulls w/5 Minimum Outs from Past 6 Months Hist. Rank PBR rank

PBS ID No. Bull

Contr.

Avg Mark

Avg Sc. Outs

3

1

9370

T11 Troubadour

FU

23.298 (46.596)

93.5

6

97

2

10296

05 Bones

TBB

23.027 (46.054)

93.5

6

6

3

7693

A147 All In

AN

22.914 (45.828)

90.63

10

11

4

7043

CC Chicken on a Chain

JRB

22.684 (45.368)

91.19

12

7

5

14696

10-5 Crosswired

DHT

22.683 (45.365)

93

5

26

6

7738

309 Spitfire

BF

22.671 (45.342)

85.5

9

306

7

7997

X43 Billionaire

DB

22.657 (45.313)

86

5

29

8

10713

D13 Ricky Bobby

DHT

22.657 (45.313)

90.75

7

24

9

10016

103I Hawaiian Ivory

FU

22.646 (45.292)

0

8

27

10

6262

118 Copperhead Slinger BGR

22.587 (45.173)

85

5

13

11

15457

250 Black Pearl

RVN

22.547 (45.094)

88.63

5

21

12

13550

404 I'm a Gangster

TBB

22.539 (45.078)

90.75

6

341

13

9242

327 Commotion

DHT

22.523 (45.045)

0

4

12

14

6506

C21 White Magic

DMDG

22.514 (45.028)

91.13

7

95

15

9449

83 Grey Dog

DHT

22.513 (45.025)

88.38

4

Big Tex would like to extend a great discount to all ABBI members and PBR riders, stock contractors and bull owners.

All you have to do in an e-mail or phone call is mention “Tough As A Texas Longhorn” for your special discount.

www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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Bloat Cattle are susceptible to digestive upsets that can range from extremely minor to conditions resulting in death.

There are few sights more frustrating for cattle producers than walking out into the pasture and seeing one or more animals lying dead from bloat. While hopefully infrequent, we have all experienced this problem. The rumen is an extremely dynamic, sophisticated organ. However, it is susceptible to digestive upsets that can range from extremely minor to conditions resulting in death. The incidence of bloat can range across this entire spectrum. The key is to prevent it from happening, recognize early onsets of bloat, and treat immediately when it is discovered.

Fermentation in the rumen creates tremendous volumes of different gases.

We see this as cattle belch this gas up and remove it from the body. However, when the animal is unable or incapable of eructating, the gases accumulate in the rumen and the rumen continues to expand in size until it puts undue pressure on other organs, such as the lungs. In advanced cases of bloat, the pressure will be so great that the animal’s ability to breathe is severely compromised and can result in death due to asphyxiation.

There are several contributing factors to bloat. The most common factor influencing the incidence of bloat in pasture cattle relates to quantity, type and quality of roughages. Legumes, such as alfalfa and Ladino or red clover, are notorious for causing bloat to occur. This is because consumption of the legumes creates a frothy gas that cattle have a hard time eructating. As the pressure builds, it becomes more difficult for them to belch, thereby exacerbating the problem. Cattle grazing wet alfalfa and clovers—following rain or heavy with dew—are especially susceptible. Grazing alfalfa fields following a heavy frost on alfalfa can also lead to frothy bloats.

There are several interventions that one should take to minimize the incidence of bloat. If cattle are going to be grazing forages known to contribute to bloat such as alfalfa and clovers, take the following precautions: 1) Plant and manage pastures with no more than 50% alfalfa and clovers. The rest of the pasture blend should be some type of grass roughage.

2) Don’t turn cattle into a lush legume

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pasture when they are hungry. Fill them up with dry roughage first, to prevent them from over consuming the alfalfa and/or clover.

3) Feed some grain to the cows to supplement alfalfa consumption. This will decrease roughage intake and help reduce the production of the frothy gas. This can be especially helpful in the summer for grazing cows that are nursing. You can

Nursing cows need grain when grazing.

increase body condition score and better prepare them for breeding season by increasing the energy consumption with the grain.

4) Do not turn cattle onto wet alfalfa or clover pastures.

5) If cattle are starting to bloat, Poloxalene (also used for treatment of frothy bloats) can be used as prevention.

Poloxalene is an anti-foaming agent which will prevent bloats for about 12 hours.

Poloxalene can be included in the supplemental feed, i.e. grain or molasses-salt blocks. Even better, Poloxalene can be added to the water to ensure the cattle consume the product throughout the day.

Calculate the water consumption, and add Poloxalene to achieve the desired intake each day.

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6) While Rumensin does not have label approval for bloat prevention, it does help moderate intake and many producers find that feeding Rumensin can help reduce the incidence of bloat.

In addition to seeing cattle bloat while on pasture, you may also see cattle bloat when fed high-energy feeds in a feedlot situation. This is commonly due to inadequate roughage, or at least a shortage of effective fiber. Further, cattle fed milo tend to exhibit a higher incidence of bloat.

Increasing the roughage in the feed, increasing the chop length, use poorer quality roughage (as opposed to highquality alfalfa), and coarsely rolling the grain can all be used to reduce the incidence of bloat in the feedlot. Further, feeding distillers grains has been beneficial in this regard (less starch with some fiber).

Each case of acute bloat should be treated immediately. Severe bloat frequently leads to death and prolonging treatment will lead to that conclusion. Every cattle producer should keep an 8-foot long piece of rubber tubing, ¾” to 1” in diameter on hand in case an animal needs to be treated (round the edges of the tube end).

Lubricate the end of the tubing, and slowly but firmly feed the tubing down the esophagus. Continue to feed the tubing for 3-4 feet, and the end of the tubing will pass into the rumen. Once the tubing hits the pocket of gas, there will be a massive release of gas through the tubing. Keep the tubing away from your face! You will notice the bloat reduce dramatically. You may need to reposition the tube to reduce even more gas. At this point you can drench the animal with some defoaming agent and mineral oil.

In the worst cases of bloat, a trochar or sharp knife can be used to puncture through the skin and into the rumen.

However, this approach should be used as a last resort as the outcome is often undesirable.

If you own cattle long enough, you are bound to see a case of bloat. Use the tips listed above to postpone that day as long as possible. As with many other concerns with cattle, preparation in terms of supplies and training will drastically increase the chances of a positive outcome.

ABBI Junior Futurities: Family Fun AND The Future of Our Sport ABBI Junior Futurities: Family Fun AND The Future of Our Sport

I'm glad I went to Ardmore because it is there that I saw the true potential of the I'm glad I went to Ardmore because it is ABBI. there that I saw the true potential of the My daughter Kassidy had a calf entered in ABBI. the Junior Futurity and I realized there that My daughter Kassidy had a calf entered in the future isn't in the Futurity, Classic or the Junior Futurity and I realized there that Derby systems. It is all about the Junior the future isn't in the Futurity, Classic or Futurities—that is the real future of the Derby systems. It is all about the Junior ABBI. If we do our part in getting the word Futurities—that is the real future of the out, the big entry numbers in the future will ABBI. If we do our part in getting the word come from the youth futurities as many out, the big entry numbers in the future will young people will use their futurity bulls as come from the youth futurities as many 4-H and FFA projects. young people will use their futurity bulls as While in Ardmore it dawned on me how 4-H and FFA projects. much fun not only my 9-year-old daughter While in Ardmore it dawned on me how was having, but how much fun my wife and much fun not only my 9-year-old daughter I were having. We all have interests and was having, but how much fun my wife and hobbies outside of bucking bulls. But even I were having. We all have interests and the first time Kassidy bucked her futurity calf hobbies outside of bucking bulls. But even in the practice pen and he fell down and the first time Kassidy bucked her futurity calf didn't do so good, it was still better than in the practice pen and he fell down and baseball or showing steers or junior rodeo didn't do so good, it was still better than or fishing or any of the things we do out baseball or showing steers or junior rodeo here in the country. We had grandmas and or fishing or any of the things we do out grandpas, aunts and uncles, and neighbors here in the country. We had grandmas and all there to support her. Anything people do grandpas, aunts and uncles, and neighbors around here, this has it beat 10 to 1 in terms all there to support her. Anything people do of excitement. around here, this has it beat 10 to 1 in terms And when we get down there to the of excitement.

Junior Futurity in Ardmore, it was even more And when we get down there to the exciting. I've been on TV for years now, and Junior Futurity in Ardmore, it was even more the first time I was on NBC doing the PBR I exciting. I've been on TV for years now, and was pretty nervous. And most recently, the first time I was on NBC doing the PBR I watching Ty Murray on Dancing with the was pretty nervous. And most recently, Stars made me real nervous. But I've never watching Ty Murray on Dancing with the been so nervous as I was watching my Stars made me real nervous. But I've never daughter's futurity calf buck—that just been so nervous as I was watching my added to the excitement. daughter's futurity calf buck—that just We had to check in two days early. We added to the excitement. had to check in on Thursday and the Junior We had to check in two days early. We Futurity wasn't until Saturday. Now we have had to check in on Thursday and the Junior a million things to do at the ranch, and every Futurity wasn't until Saturday. Now we have day at home counts when I have to take off a million things to do at the ranch, and every down the road again soon (with the PBR). I day at home counts when I have to take off didn't want to check in that early. But it down the road again soon (with the PBR). I turned out to be a great thing. It gave us a didn't want to check in that early. But it chance to catch up with friends of ours and turned out to be a great thing. It gave us a it turned into a little family vacation. chance to catch up with friends of ours and (ABBI President) Russ Gant did a great job it turned into a little family vacation. introducing all the kids and giving everyone (ABBI President) Russ Gant did a great job a chance to know each other. I'm sure most introducing all the kids and giving everyone of us left Ardmore with new friends. a chance to know each other. I'm sure most Russ told me in Ardmore that this is the of us left Ardmore with new friends. only activity all three of his kids do together.

Russ told me in Ardmore that this is the Outside of bucking bulls, his children all only activity all three of his kids do together. have different interests, but bucking bulls is Outside of bucking bulls, his children all have different interests, but bucking bulls is

Justin McKee had to hold his daughter Kassidy by her ankles so she could flank her bull Justin McKee had to hold his daughter Kassidy glanville photo in Ardmore. by her ankles so she could flank her bull photo in his Ardmore. what brings family glanville all together.

It was so

our kids now will benefit us all in the long run. our kids now will benefit us all in the long I spoke to Andee (Lamoreaux), J.W. run.

(Hart) and Toby (Floyd) in Ardmore and I spoke to Andee (Lamoreaux), J.W. they all had some really good ideas and (Hart) and Toby (Floyd) in Ardmore and insights as to how we can grow the youth they all had some really good ideas and program. I know there are so many other insights as to how we can grow the youth ABBI members who also have good ideas program. I know there are so many other and are also willing to support our kids. If ABBI members who also have good ideas you want to donate, get more involved or and are also willing to support our kids. If have a great idea please don't hesitate to you want to donate, get more involved or call up the ABBI and lend a hand. have a great idea please don't hesitate to Most of the kids in Ardmore came from call up the ABBI and lend a hand. bucking bull families. But if we can reach Most of the kids in Ardmore came from out to FFA members and the kids who bucking bull families. But if we can reach show animals, we can grow our sport out to FFA members and the kids who immensely. Every purebred animal associashow animals, we can grow our sport tion is driven by the youth association. immensely. Every purebred animal associaFrom the Angus youth on down the line to tion is driven by the youth association. pigs, goat, sheep- that is what drives these From the Angus youth on down the line to industries, the kids. The future of the ABBI pigs, goat, sheep- that is what drives these is also with our kids. industries, the kids. The future of the ABBI is also with our kids.

enlightening to me, because this is also what brings his family all together. It was so what my family loves to enlightening to me, because this is also do together. It may be what my family loves to the kids who get prizes do together. It may be at these junior futurithe kids who get prizes ties, but the real winat these junior futuriners are the families. ties, but the real winI really think we can ners are the families. make the junior events I really think we can bigger and better. I'm make the junior events hoping we can do bigger and better. I'm something special in hoping we can do Las Vegas for the top something special in two Junior Futurity Las Vegas for the top bulls from each event. two Junior Futurity And if we can get those bulls from each event.

Junior Futurity bulls on And if we can get those TV it would be great for Junior Futurity bulls on our junior members TV it would be great for and for our sport. We our junior members can all come together and for our sport. We to find ways to help the can all come together Junior Futurities. As we to find ways to help the know, the heifer market Junior Futurities. As we is slow right now. There know, the heifer market is no reason why more is slow right now. There breeders can't donate is no reason why more a heifer to these junior breeders can't donate breeders who could a heifer to these junior use one for their breeders who could breeding program. The use one for their investment we make in breeding program. The investment we make in www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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It’s a Shock!

Electromagnetic shock waves are being used for acute tendon injuries and lumbar back injuries in bucking bulls the waves created when you throw a stone into a pond; the resulting ripples in the water are like the shockwaves produced.

Most equipment creates a fairly narrow focal point of treatment, something like 3x5mm, and can have an effective depth of

syndrome, suspensory ligament injury, stress fractures and non-union of certain long bone fractures, as well as bony and soft tissue injuries of the back are treated with EWST. Protocols from equine medicine are now being modified for use in the bucking bull. Two areas of keen interest are acute tendon injuries (rear limb tendon Shock waves are applied to injuries from kicking a gate or fence) and the patellar tendons. lumbar back injuries. Most often, a diagnosis is made from physical evaluation and diagnostic ultrasound, particularly when dealing with back injuries. This requires a high quality ultrasound diagnostic unit and a practitioner skilled in the evaluation of ultrasound images.

There are specific protocols for use with different energy levels and treatment times for treating different levels of back injury. Damage to vertebral bodies resulting in arthritis (discospondylitis), require a different treatment protocol from deep muscle injury. More diffuse injuries (particularly those along the entire lumbar spine), such as History of Development strained or torn musculature, may Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Dr. Warner treats a sore back with ultrasound waves. require a more prolonged treatment (ESWT) was first used in human mediinterval at a lower power setting. cine about 20 years ago for the disinteThe shock wave machine Other conditions, such as osteoarthritis of gration of kidney stones. Since that used at Elgin Veterinary the lower joints of the hock, may respond to time, other treatments have been Hospital. treatment although restraint of the individdeveloped for use in human practice ual must be adequate to focus shock wave such as the treatment of heel spurs and as much as 50 mm. energy on the area. This avenue of therapy tennis elbow. In the earlier part of this When the shockwave may be combined with local treatments to century, shock wave therapy was introhits a denser area, or an assist in faster healing times. It has been duced to equine medicine to treat variarea of higher acoustic observed in equine practice that the addious lameness disorders, both bony and impedance, such as tion of shock wave therapy in the treatment soft tissue. In our practice, it was initialtendon or bone, the of some long bone fractures has sped ly used for the treatment of young horses in race training with the common condi- shockwaves slow down markedly and a recovery and in some instance where repair tion known as “shin bucked.” As time has large amount of the wave energy is dis- has failed may initiate bone healing.

Lastly, there is some analgesic effect (pain gone by, different uses have been devel- charged to the surrounding injured tissue.

Although methods of action at this time are relief) from the use of shock wave therapy oped for this treatment modality. not completely understood, it is thought on certain areas of the body. Presently, the that fluid disruption on the cellular level mechanism of action of these properties is Method of Action The primary method of delivery of shock induces the release of chemicals that not understood, although there are ongowaves to patients today is generated by an improve healing, damaged cells are ing efforts to better appreciate this pheelectromagnet. These systems are charac- removed and improved blood supply to the nomenon. It is thought that the release of terized by energy that is set free by an elec- area results in faster healing time. Some certain chemical substances at the treattromagnetic energy source and is converted analgesia does occur during and after this ment site plus possible interference with certain nerve function in the area may be a into shock waves by an acoustic converter. process as well. mechanism by which pain is controlled.

The energy generated by the shockwave I mention this in order that we remember generator is focused on the area of the Areas of use body to be treated through a coupling There are many areas of the body that to give an animal a certain period of rest cushion—this is the focal point. The cou- shockwave therapy may be used. In equine after treatment and not be tempted to put pling cushion aids in transmission of the medicine, such areas as arthritis of the lower them back to performance too quickly after shockwave into the body. This is likened to hock “bone spavin,” tendonitis, navicular treatment.

In our last article we discussed the approach to examination of bulls with various injuries, particularly those related to the back and deeper soft tissue structures. It was discussed that sometimes we are very limited in our abilities to confirm the diagnosis offered other than the physical evidence the subject presents to us. Caution must be used when other diagnostic tools are not available as some symptoms can be misleading and the wrong choice of treatment for a particular condition may prove detrimental to the animal. Many options exist for treating suspected soft tissue injuries and I hope to cover these in the coming months. Most of the therapies to be discussed are readily available and are convenient to use in the bull provided proper restraint is available.

This article’s focus will be on the use of Shock Wave Therapy.

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About 30 years ago, Wayne Hodges got into the trailer business. Now based out of Weatherford, Texas, Hodges sells custom trailers with 4 Star being his main trailer brand. "No two are alike,"stresses Hodges. "Each one has its own blueprint and can be customized however the customer needs it."

Hodges consulted with bull breeders to make sure he could meet the needs of the bucking bull breeder.

“You can't get a Mercedes for the price of a Kia,” he explains, “and a Mercedes is twice as much as a Kia. But a 4 Star trailer is just 10 to 20% higher than a cheap trailer. For what you get, they are a bargain.”

Hodges is the No. 1 4-Star dealer in the country. Besides custom bull and equine trailers, Wayne Hodges Trailer Sales also sells used trailers.

waynehodgestrailers.com

800-994-6343

www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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Matthew Jack Makes a Career Decision

Son of Kenny and Paula Jack aspires to become a Roughstock Veterinarian One year from now, bucking bull breeder Matthew Jack is determined he’ll be packing his boots and heading to college, with his eyes on the long-term goal of becoming a physician for bucking bulls. The education is extensive, and the list of classes intense at his dream school—Oklahoma State University’s pre-veterinary program.

However, the 17-year old Oklahoma junior breeder is prepared to take the bull by the horns, and is not intimidated by the hefty four-year college requirements to prepare for the following four years of veterinary medicine. Matt has researched the challenging animal science prerequisites to carry out his vision. The college courses include organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, animal nutrition, zoology and genetics rounded-out with physics.

“Yep, it’s estimated at probably eight years of school,” Matt grinned, noting that will not stop him from pursuing his dream to get accepted into the OSU pre-vet program in 2010, eventually specializing in bucking stock.

Meanwhile, the Stringtown, Okla. teen is looking forward to his senior year this fall at nearby Tushka High School in Tushka, located between two chains of steep hills in southeast Oklahoma.

Matt is equally excited about his bucking bulls. Returning from the Junior Futurity in Ardmore in late May after entering his bull, Jack Attack sired by Wampus Cat, he had fond memories of the ABBI event. “I

Moody Blues. enjoyed the Futurity and peoThe family bucking bull busiple. We had great support ness got started by Matt’s father from family and friends there,” and mother Kenny and Paula Matt said. The Junior Futurity Jack four years ago. “Dad was also a thrill for Matt’s girlwatched the PBR on TV each friend, Chancee, and her first weekend, and talked about raistime at a bull riding. “I was ing bucking bulls one day.” His glad to share my special day father also participated in team with her,” he proudly added. penning. “Then Dad met Derrel The Jack family owns 150 and Jerry Hargis. Dad, a heavy bulls and cows, encompassing equipment salesman, sold 450 acres in Stringtown. Matt’s Derrel a bulldozer, and Derrel own herd of 10 bucking bulls Matthew Jack sold him a bull. I got involved includes yearlings, 2-year-olds the day my father brought home and 3-year-olds, but his ranch chores oversee all the family cattle. “My a bull.”

Derrel Hargis, (www.hargisbulls.com,) was dad and I feed them, and exercise them in quick to comment about Matt. “I tell you a homemade bull walker.”

Every Sunday they hold practice rodeos what, that’s the nicest kid in the country. You for cowboys who want to train. Matt also won’t run into a kid any better than Matt,” good-naturedly added, “And, I can never Derrel told Bull Pen. Matt has two older sisforget the hayfield which is what my sum- ters Kendra and Audrey, and a brother, Sammy Carroll. Kendra will enter three bulls mer is going to revolve around.”

Matt had three favorite bulls, but recently in the Classics next year.

Besides bulls, Matt’s other hobby was racsold two. He was especially fond of Callicoat Jack, also known as Sky Hawk Cut ing Junior Dragsters, driving a small rail car A Rug, raised by veteran breeders Derrel that runs on an eighth of a mile track at 85 and Jerry Hargis of nearby Coalgate, Okla. mph. A successful run is less than eight secAnother favorite bull, El Presidente, also onds.

Interestingly, Country Music Star Reba raised by the Hargises, was the 2007 High Point Bull of the Year. Both bulls are 2009 McEntire and her former husband, Charlie Short Round PBR bulls. Matt’s third favorite, Battles, lived in the same Stringtown house, Lugnut, is a 3-year-old bull that’ll soon be right before Matt’s family bought it in 2004. entered in the Classics. Bloodlines include When Matt first moved in, he couldn’t stop Gunslinger, Playboy, Outlaw, A6, and telling people that fun news. Reba’s former recording studio at the house is now the Jack’s bunkhouse where long-distance bucking bull haulers stay the night.

100 dogs also reside on the Jack ranch, The family breeds Poodles, Maltese, Yorkies, Pugs and Miniature Pinschers in their three kennels. “So, once I graduate vet school, I’ll know how to take care of any animal that hits the ground,” Matt noted.

Matt is also animated about hitting the ground running at college next year. “Since there aren’t many bucking stock veterinarians around and we usually have to travel three hours to Stillwater or plum-down into Texas, this has always stuck in my head. So it’s a good business to get into, to know a lot of people and help a lot of animals.”

Matt likes to ask questions, but there’s no question about his inspiration and aspiration.

Matthew Jack will be a senior this fall at Tushka High School.

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The Juice is Loose!

When Gary Blythe bought a stifled 635 Mr. Juicey from the Kishes, he may have bought the industry’s next super-sire

gary blythe photos

It’s not by accident that the west coast-bred 635 Mr. Juicey may be one of the biggest genetic gold mines to shine on the production scene in quite some time. The current narrative of this black, brockle face bovine includes a coast-to-coast transfer, and a steady stream of his genetics into most avenues of the bucking industry. Still, nothing might prepare the big-time producer’s current owner Gary Blythe for what may be about to take place.

Mr. Juicey, one of only a handful of 20 Too Legit sons, packs nearly 30 years of intent into his existence. What began as the duo of John Growney and Don Kish in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s in Red Bluff, Calif. has culminated into one of the most sought-after bucking bred lines the industry has ever seen. North Carolina’s Gary and Carolyn Blythe of Blythe Bucking Bulls have one such program which sought out the deep-rooted genetics of the Kish’s Buckin’ Best program.

If you’ve never been to the Kish domain in Northern Calif., it is definitely worth the adventure. Don and wife Janelle manage a pretty large sea of bucking bovine flesh.

When the eye roams around their expansive feedlot of humps and horns, and sees all those brindle-hided, motley-faced beasts, it is easy to understand how Kish can pull up to an

event and unload a pot-full of solid, steady buckers. N.C. Tarheel Gary Blythe can attest to the magnitude of the Kish program.

“When we got there, there was like 450 bulls in that feedlot,” he recalled. “We were in a rental car and pulled in there where the feed truck goes. We shut the gate behind us, got back in the car and a bull fight broke out right in front of us. So I went to back up and there was another fight behind me. My wife said, ‘We’re fixin’ to buy this car, aren’t we?’ “ chuckled Blythe before continuing.

“You could stay out there all day and look and look. There’s bulls everywhere. Every size, every shape and every color,” described Blythe.

Before looking into the Kish lines, Blythe had been breeding some of his home-grown stuff with Frick genetics that were tied mostly to the Black 45 line. Although he was making some progress, he was not completely satisfied.

"I just wasn’t getting that crack I needed. I had watched on TV and saw Don bring loads of bulls that all had his brand. He would back in and unload 25 bulls at a PBR event and every single one was born on his place.

Everybody else that backed in and unloaded 25 would have 10 different guy’s brands on those 25 bulls. It was just astounding to me.”

At this point, Blythe decided it was time to introduce the East Coast to the West Coast.

He met Kish at the finals in Las Vegas and ultimately bought two-time NFR and PBR Finals bull 574 Party Hound. With firm intentions of continuing an already budding relationship with the Kishes, Blythe arranged their next meeting on Kish’s pro rodeo stomping grounds in Livermore, Calif.

“After meeting him in Vegas and buying Party Hound, we flew to Oakland, Calif. for the Livermore Rodeo where it’s only his bulls, and they buck 30 a perf. Man, it was really

something else. When we left there, we just followed him home. That’s the place to go if you really want to get to know the real Don Kish. Where it’s one-on-one, nobody’s hounding him to death, and he’s in his own element,” recommended Blythe.

Just as the Blythes took a liking to the Kishes, in turn the Kishes also feel very positive toward the east coast breeder.

"Gary and his wife, Carolyn— they are as nice of people as you’ll ever talk to,” observed Don. “They are just really classy people. They are the type of people that you want involved in the ABBI and the PBR. You know they just have class. And we need more of that."

Over time, besides Party Hound, Blythe also bought PBR Finals bull 621 Say La Vee, 728 Machine and finally Mr. Juicey. Blythe chronicled the events that lead to Mr. Juicey’s trek to the East Coast: "I wasn’t really finding that ‘one’ bull I was looking for while I was there the second time. When we got home and I looked at the video there was this crippled, black bull turned out on cows. He was one of the bigger bulls, with more leg. So, I asked Don about him. He was a bull that had been stifled when he was real young, but had been to the PBR Finals," recounted Blythe of Mr. Juicey.

That ultimate purchase just might end up being life-changing for Blythe Bucking Bulls.

"Every time I turn around, somebody is telling me about some Mr. Juicey son that is exceptional," mused Blythe.

While the best is still to come from Mr. Juicy sons, Blythe already has some Cinderella stories. At last year’s ABBI Finals, he hauled Blythe 646 from one coast to the other because the event had not been filled.

After the first round, the bull had climbed from not even being noticed to 12th. Besides Blythe’s own success with Mr. Juicey offspring,

635 Mr. Juicey

Mr. Juicey with herd at Blythe’s N.C. ranch.

bronte’ phillips photo

him. In time he’s gonna find that those Jap, and Matt Austin’s outoriginal bulls he bought from us actustanding 2-year old futurity ally came cheap, considering.” contender Real Juicey are In addition to Robinson, Blythe had prime examples of what this been busy entertaining other callers. sire is capable of. Austin’s Real “I had sold two bulls to Robinson Deal sports the Juicey line on Bucking Bulls. One Mr. Juicey son he the maternal end by way of his calls Smokey that’s owned by Larry mother, a Mr. Juicey daughter. the Cable Guy and one Party Hound More interesting still is that son that goes by Jeffrey Scott Buckle Real Juicy’s sire is 514 Real Man. Both have been doing very well Deal, another Too Legit son, Three Mr. Juicey sons hauled by Kish stand side-by-side: on the PBR televised events. We also and nobody is a bigger fan of 447 Wild Bill, 417 Einstein and 441 Walking Thunder just shipped 13 Mr. Juicey and Party Too Legit than Kish himself.

Hound sons to PRCA contractor J-J “Too Legit has done more for my program than any other individual bull,” admitted Kish, who Rodeo Company this morning,” Blythe shared.

When asked about justification of the value of certain bulls, Don maintains the best proof of Mr. Juicey’s production possibilities in his plainly explained his theory while being fed bulls down the alley of his own feedlot.

While looking down Mr. Juicey’s registered 2004 calf crop on paper, well-kept working facilities. “That’s something that you can’t explain to Don meticulously combed through and sorted his bulls that had just some people. Expensive bulls become cheap when you get 40-80% returned home from this year’s Livermore Pro Rodeo. Without exag- usable stock from them. That’s what we figure we get here; about 80% geration, the number of Mr. Juicey sons returning from an out is rela- usable stock. If you can get those percentages then a $50,000 bull or tively mind-blowing. As a matter of fact, every single bull that was out $4,000 cows are actually pretty cheap. They really are. On the flip side, during the Saturday night performance at Livermore proudly boasted a $4,000 bull or a $4,000 cow is worthless if you’re only getting 10% useable stock. Those percentages will never work,” Don pointed out.

Mr. Juicey as their daddy.

Along with the bucking bull economics class Kish was giving, he also Kish did the mental math of Mr. Juicey’s offspring percentages in his mentioned one of the main reasons herd alone. Even he seems impressed “I think Mr. Juicey could go down as one of many people are involved in the induswith the results.

“We’ve got 11 out of the 28 bulls the best herd sires ever. I’ve never seen a set try. “Along with having successful percentages, you get to enjoy what your here I’d consider exceptional, and 23 of bulls with so many great bulls in it. doing. I know Gary’s having fun with it out of the 28 I’d consider very usable, rodeo-type bulls. Mr. Juicey’s sons are Personally, I’ve never had one bull deliver so ‘cause you can see the smile on his face many short-go type bulls.”— Don Kish now that he’s bucking them. I see him either dead from hurting themselves once a year and when he walks up, I because they bucked so hard, or they are currently on the truck being hauled to rodeos. If 95% of them are know he’s enjoying what he’s doing. That’s what makes it fun. When usable, and a little less than half are short-go type bulls, there’s not people that have bought our cattle come up and say, ‘Man. we raise another bull like that out there walkin’ around. You just don’t find them a lot of good cattle out of that stuff,’ it’s rewarding," Don smiled.

Blythe is having fun and the best seems to still be out there on the producing those type of percentages,” Kish pointed out.

Blythe Bucking Bulls is onto something very special, and if they horizon. While Mr. Juicey has gotten up there in age and can no longer don’t already realize it, Kish broadcasts what’s on the horizon for the be bred, besides his living legacy around the bucking world there is still that tank of Mr. Juicey semen that Blythe is sitting on. He has sold North Carolina breeder.

“I think Mr. Juicey could go down as one of the best herd sires ever. some straws in the past, but if he listens to Kish, semen sales might I’ve never seen a set of bulls with so many great bulls in it. Personally, understandably come to a screeching halt.

“I honestly think Gary is sitting on the best herd sire in the United I’ve never had one bull deliver so many short-go type bulls. Ever! The only other bulls that I can think of that parallel are Little Oscar, Oscar States. And if not the best at least the best one in the last 10 years, and Wolfman. Now this bull’s done it, where you raise 20 bulls and and I hope he knows it. If I was him, I wouldn’t take $5,000 or even there’s 10 short-go bulls in there and the other 10 are definitely use- $10,000 a straw for that semen. If that bull was mine, you couldn’t get those straws away from me,” Don insisted. able. No bulls do that,” Kish testified.

In the meantime, Blythe can’t wait for next year to start cracking out “I think Gary knows what he’s sitting on— at least I hope he does— and he was always good right from the start as far as trusting every- some of these young bulls by Mr. Juicey.

“They are double bred 635 Mr.Juicey top and bottom. Mr. Juicey thing that I ever told him. I think right now this bull will be proof that you can trust people, because the bull is going to be everything we had such good conformation and it definitely carries on into his calves. ever told him. He’s gonna take his breeding program from nothing to Everything that I have run him across end up with a lot of leg. They all possibly a pretty famous program if he does it right. Because he’s rais- just look so good that it’s hard to hold back. I think a lot of the guys ing the right kind. He’s got all the right bulls and he did it from the start. are just bucking their calves way too young and I have made myself It couldn’t happen to a better guy. We want people to realize if you just hold back. I have 3s that haven’t had a man on them yet. I think it invest your money and do it right, it will pay off in the long run,” Don has made a big difference by being patient and that’s one thing that Donnie told me. He waits ‘til they are 3-and-a-half before he starts confirmed.

While good bulls with lengthy and successful breeding programs them, and so this calf crop we’ve waited on.”

Mr. Juicey is one of those sires that the industry will definitely be behind them may demand higher prices, Kish talks about passing that watching and waiting on to see whether he proves Kish right in his preinvestment on by way of success in future calf crops.

“Gary paid the money, he didn’t balk. He’s bought four really good dictions of becoming a super-sire. Who knows—like Blythe, the buckbulls from us now and I’d venture to say it was one of the best things ing industry just might walk away with a smile if Mr. Juicey ends up he’s ever done. Where before he probably raised a lot of mediocre being everything Kish told us he would be.

Only time will tell if he was right, now that The Juice is Loose! bulls, now he’s raising legitimate short-round bulls. He’s raising bulls that people want to buy and I know Jeff Robinson has bought from www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

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Diamond S ABBI-Sanctioned Earth-Shattering Bucking Genetics Sale May 2, Granbury, Texas Story and photos by Allen Glanville

Diamond S Bucking Bulls, along with Exclusive Genetics, brought together their Earth Shattering Bucking Genetics Sale held at the Hilton Garden Inn located in beautiful

Joe Don Pogue, Billy Jaynes and David Simpson.

Granbury, Texas.

This well-planned sale brought many from outside the bucking bull industry, and they bid with enthusiasm, making this sale one of the most successful ventures in quite a while.

This sale had something for everyone. The staff provided time to shop and relax for those who accompanied their husband. Friday night.

Diamond S held a BBQ dinner to showcase the cattle in the sale along with a live band, giving everyone a place to discuss the cattle and enjoy the evening. The food was provided by Roddy’s Q, located in Weatherford, and the live music was provided by The Dirt Road Gypsies from Mesquite. Saturday morning, the attendees were treated to a complimentary breakfast including custom-made omelets.

The sale was lively and had a great standing-room-only turnout, and the bidding was lively with many new customers.

It was encouraging to see people wanting to get into the bucking bull business.

Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue was kept busy while ringmen Clint Menchu and James Gant ran up and down the aisles calling out the bids. Billy Jaynes handled the pedigrees along with cattle owners David Simpson and Gaylon Childers. The sale was also covered by RFD-TV and Superior Livestock and the phone lines were kept buzzing with Jerry Nelson, Jimmy Crowther and Jerome Davis buying many lots.

THE SALE STATS

This sale generated a whopping $409,000 in total sales.

The average sales were: Futurity half-interest brought $9,993; pre-futurity bulls $4,955; breeding bulls $3,000; open heifers $2,479; open cows $3,000; semen $539; and live breeding $892.

The top selling lot was bull 7115-2 for half-interest. A son of Panama Red and out of a Sky King daughter sold for $18,000.

Blessed Buckers Ranch offered two half-interest lots, bull 418 and 408 sons of Big Bucks and out of Neon Nights daughters each bringing $17,000. Weanling bull 9W along with donor cow a son of Chicken on a Chain out of a Gunslinger daughter brought $6,600.

Top-selling semen went to Apollo with four straws

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bringing $3,700.

David Simpson revealed, “We hand-picked the cattle sold today that will showcase anyone’s program. We were also honored to have Gaylon Childers as a consigner because his genetics are some of the best going and sold

Everyone enjoyed the Friday night BBQ.

well today. We also wanted to thank all who came out and bought cattle making this sale the success it was.”

Billy Jaynes of Exclusive Genetics added,.

“Wow, it just doesn’t get much better than this sale. The females sold high, the bulls sold extremely high, but the cattle were worth the price. David and Gaylon are extremely excited about the sale, and it exceeded their expectations.”

Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue commented, “This was probably the most exciting and fun sale we have done in quite some time. Great genetics along with a packed house—and Superior did a great job with the phone. It was a great sale.”

Some of the new buyers commented on their purchases. Carl Lambert, from the horse reining industry, said, “I am trying to learn about the bucking bull business and David Simpson and Billy Jaynes have helped a lot. I bought Lot 8, the high-selling half-interest futurity bull. I am just a student and ready to watch this bull perform.”

Arturo Campos, who hails from Costa Rica and owns an equipment business in Alvarado, Texas, comented “We bought a Reindeer Dippin’ son out of a Whitewater Skoal daughter.

We love to watch Reindeer buck and we own a ranch in Costa Rica where the bucking bull business is gaining interest and maybe we can use his breeding there. We are learning what we can about all this and take it from there.”

Unsanctioned Sales Recaps Top 25 Bucking Bull Sale Grapevine, Texas, May 22

by Allen Glanville

Camo Cattle Sales held their first Top 25 Bucking Bull Breeders Sale at the Austin Ranch Facilities in Grapevine, Texas. This new venture brought together some of the top breeders in the business, giving the buyers a chance to enhance their breeding programs.

This sale was probably the most diverse set of cattle ever offered.

One of the breeders offering livestock was the Rafter 7r Ranch, who rarely ever consigns anything to a sale. Brady Roach explained his reason. “We just wanted to see what our stock would bring at a sale like this, and get to visit with everyone.”

The night before the sale a dinner and social was given for the breeders to enjoy and a sale was held on semen to benefit the Rider Relief Fund.

The sale was live and Live Cattle Sales handled the online sales and their phone lines were kept busy. Each breeder was allotted five lots, so only top cattle were offered from each ranch. Teague Bucking Bulls put together one of the most successful sections, providing heifers bred to PBR Bull of the Year Bones. Teague also offered live breeding to Bones and Deja Blue, breeding not often available. The top selling lot was provided by Ace of Spades Ranch, their lot 2, a heifer bred by Blenderhead and out of a Wrangler Rivets daughter that sold for $12,000.

Danny Keller said, “I think it was a good sale. They sure offered a lot of great bloodlines and there were some good deals here. I bought an Up In Smoke heifer bred to Ground Zero from Scott Accomazzo.”

Vernon Guidry remarked, “I think this sale was a tremendous step to the future to the betterment of the world of professional bull riding. From the breeding to meeting new people and combining it all into one, it was great.”

Jerome Davis added, “I think this concept is going to be good and for their first sale it think it was OK and next year they will improve and be better.”

Daniel Jennings, promoter of the sale, summed it up. “We learned a bunch today and know we made mistakes, but a lot of people are telling me we need to have another sale. The customers were OK with what we accomplished and the overall feeling was positive.”

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D&H Cattle Co. ABBI-Sanctioned Bred To Buck Sale May 31, Ardmore, Oklahoma Story and photos by Allen Glanville

With the livestock industry going through some tough times, everyone was looking to the D&H Cattle Co. Bred To Buck sale at Red River Livestock to see if people wanted cattle or not.

bull’s sales, but sold some cows for a lot less than I ever thought we would. We don’t buck our yearling bulls but the percentage

off, they will be tickled with what they bought.”

Last year the Pages and Jirl Buck started the D&H Cattle and Buck Incentive Futurity where yearling bulls bought at their sale the year before compete for $30,000. This season, Rafter HB Cattle Co won the $15,000 first place incentive.

Dustin Hull, whose bull won this event remarked, “The Pages have given all us who believe in their program a place to showcase our bulls. This was a family project; we all had a part of this win.” I think Hull was more proud of his buckle than the money.

What was encouraging at this sale were new customers coming into the bucking bull business.

D&H CATTLE CO. INCENTIVE FUTURITY WINNERS H.D. Page participated in this sale with a microphone instead of a saddle.

Jirl Buck and Dillon Page made the sale more interesting with their commentary.

This sale is always head and shoulders over any other bucking stock sale because most buyers want the genetics the Pages are selling. The success of the Page sale has been phenomenal every year, and this year may have been off some, but the numbers just don’t lie—they are still the best sale.

“This sale was alright,” Dillon Page said, “and there were some disappointments, but I expected it. The sale was probably better that most this year. The bulls still sold good and we picked up some new customers.

He added, “The females are only as good as the customer who wants to buy her, and today you must prove her worth. We put together the best set of heifers we have ever offered and still they were down. As long as we can sell cattle and continue with our plans, I am satisfied.”

H.D. Page remarked “We didn’t have as many people as the past but we got along pretty well with what we had. We sure were happy with the

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is such that it is worth the gamble to most people to buy them. We sold half-interest in a yearling for $16,000 but we couldn’t get $4,000 for his mother which didn’t make a lot of sense to me. It doesn’t matter if I am happy or sad, we don’t have the land to keep them, and what bidders say they are worth are what they are worth. I think down the road, when those calves buck people

First Place: $15,000 winner Rafter HB Cattle Co. Doug & Dustin Hull’s JA 719 (Hot Shot Son); second: D&H/ Shel Weber’s PAGE 13T (Mossy Oak Mudslinger son); third: Terry Hayes’ PAGE 75T (Scream son); fourth: D&H / Margy Haines’ 58T Flyin’ Train (Crazy Train son); Fifth: D&H / Phillip Harrison’s PAGE 68T (Hustler son).

THE SALE STATS

Total Sold: 154 lots for $827,600 Avg. $5,374 Cow Totals: 48 Pairs sold for $281,100 Avg. $5,735 High Selling Pair: Lot 12 Page S55 (Hotel California daughter) Sold for $17,500 Heifer Total: 63 Heifers sold for $232,050.00 Avg. $3683 High Selling Yearling Heifer: Lot 87 844U (Holy Moly daughter) Sold for $13,000 High Selling Yearling Bull: Lot 121 Page U8 (Smooth Move) Sold for $32,000 for half-interest Half-interest yearling bull totals: 10 lots sold for $159,250 Avg: $15,925

Page 24U was just one example of the outstanding bulls for sale.

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Yearling bulls total: 42 yearling bulls sold for $314,550 Avg. $7,489

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Boyd-Floyd’s ABBI-Sanctioned Babes For Your Bulls Replacement Heifer Sale June 13, Fort Worth Story and photos by Allen Glanville

Despite the overall decline in female prices this year, Boyd-Floyd Bull Co. decided to have a heifer sale.

When you have a large breeding operation, you are going to end up with plenty of heifers and you must sell them or go out of business. When you are selling cattle, especially females, you must provide quality animals and make them as appealing as possible. Brad Boyd knew all this, and between himself and Toby Floyd they assembled the best well-bred heifers imaginable, including four heifers from Ravenscroft Bulls.

The first quality was their breeding; the second was conformation; then they

Lot 21 sold for $8,000 to Teague Bucking Bulls.

pedigrees to back it all up. After we gathered these heifers, we didn’t know if the buyers would want them or not, but I felt like if I was just starting out, I s u r e

Toby Floyd and Brad Boyd

bucked them and only kept the best.

Their sires or their dam’s sires were top PBR BFTS level bulls, many who are still bucking. They made sure that these heifers had been exposed to two of their top younger bulls, HeeBee GeeBee and Pearl Snap, bulls usually not available to breed to.

Once they put their herd together it was time to roll the dice and see if anyone wanted what they had to offer. “We felt like we were offering some of the best genetics going today in our heifers,” said Boyd. “They were athletic along with good conformation and had the

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changed, and creative thinking is what’s required now.

Boyd & Floyd also decided not to hold a live cattle auction. They first went to the ABBI and had their sale sanctioned, along with the development of their catalog. With the ABBI sanctioning their sale, it was listed on the ABBI website and a PDF file of the catalog was posted to look at.

Next, they hired Joe Don Pogue as their auctioneer along with J.W. Hart for the pedigrees, then Superior Livestock Productions for the live TV auction. Many might think this could never work, but with the top cattle auctioneer around and J.W. giving an up-close and personal description of the BFTS Finals bulls, it all came together like a glove.

There were 62 lots that were sold, averaging $1,900, and the high-selling heifer, Lot 21, was sired by Camo and out of a Short Stack daughter. It sold for $8,000 to Tom Teague.

“Almost everyone who purchased cattle were either new or were just starting out in the bucking bull industry,” Boyd pointed out, “and we were sure excited about the whole thing. Buyers came from all over the country. There is a heck of a lot of work putting on a sale, but now that it’s over, it was worth every minute. Joe Don and J.W. did an excellent job for us. Now that we have this sale behind us, it will only get better and the genetics will become deeper. Toby and I are already excited about next year’s sale.”

Boyd-Floyd really bucked the odds having their sale, but they did their homework. They offered top breeding, and were well-rewarded for it.

THE HEIFER SALE STATS Total Sold: $117,800 Lots Sold: 62 would.”

A good rule of thumb when selling anything is to ask yourself, “Is it good enough that under the same circumstances that I would want to buy it?” Times have

www.bullpenmagazine.com

Avg Lot Price: $1,900 Top Selling Lot: Lot 21, Boyd 875, Camo daughter out of Short Stack cow for $8,000

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