Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00 pm • Augusta, MT At Broken O Land and Livestock
Simmental. SimAngus. BUILD BETTER BEEF.
Notes on Reading our Sale Book...
When we sort through the stacks of Bull Sale Books we receive each year, we notice everyone presents their data a bit differently. Surely, this can get confusing-but it’s important to remember there is no right or wrong formula to building a catalog. We choose to present the data that is most relevant to the way we make breeding decisions, the way we manage our cattle, and the trends we want to be able to track and observe in each year’s calf crop.
For example, we like to think of our cattle in simple, straightforward terms, that we can actually keep straight mentally and visualize. So we don’t include as many EPDs as we could. We monitor our trends on all of the traits and understand their merit, but we strive to effect change according to what most of our customers need. So a simpler data set works well for us. We continue to provide actual records of ultrasound, gain, and birthweight, because we like to see whether traits are truly manifesting themselves - if the patterns in a sire group show that genetic markers have actually triggered and are doing what they promise. Large discrepancies or inconsistencies in a sire group are a red flag to us and will influence our decision of whether to use a sire again.
So please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us if you do not see data you need, or if it is unclear why we include it. We would love to help you utilize better the patterns we see when we put it together every year.
Open Gate Ranch
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TUESDAY, MARCH 25
All Day Cattle available for viewing Come early for coffee and to see the bulls. 12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 pm OPEN GATE RANCH BULL SALE
SALE LOCATION
Broken O Land and Livestock is located ten miles west of Simms, MT on Highway 21. For map and directions, see opposite page.
AUCTIONEER
Roger Jacobs
LIVESTOCK PRESS REPRESENTATIVES
John Goggins, Western Ag Reporter
Jeff Thomas, Lee Agri Media
Devin Murnin, Western Livestock Journal
SEMEN INTEREST
Open Gate Ranch reserves the right to collect semen for our personal use on any of the bulls offered in the sale. This will be done outside the breeding season at our expense.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
Open Gate Ranch offers a COMPLETE SATISFACTION AND SOUNDNESS GUARANTEE up to the second breeding season on every bull purchased at our sale. This includes bull replacement or full credit minus salvage against a new one. Please notify one of us immediately if any problem develops. We truly want to be the first to know.
Any individual purchasing 3 OR MORE BULLS WILL RECEIVE A 5% VOLUME DISCOUNT off the purchase price.
There is $100 DISCOUNT PER BULL FOR HAULING your own on sale day.
Buyers unable to attend the sale can PURCHASE BULLS SIGHT UNSEEN and know that when we deliver them - if you don’t like them, you don’t own them. Please contact us ahead of time if you would like to bid by proxy or by phone.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 1:00 pm • Augusta, MT At Broken O Land and Livestock
SALE DAY PHONE 406-264-5926
FAMILY PHONES:
Mike and Kim 467-2082 • Julie 590-4063 • Micah 590-1609 Dustin 590-6016
WWW.OPENGATERANCH.COM
ABOUT THE BULLS
The bulls are available for viewing at the ranch prior to the sale. They are located in the development pasture near the ranch. From Fairfield, take Hwy 408 west for 9.5 miles, turn north onto the gravel, top the big hill, 3/4 of a mile further the and the bulls are on the right.
Videos of the bulls available online www.opengateranch.com
EPDS on both sale bulls and Reference Sires are printed as calculated by American Simmental Association and follow the Simmental definition for each trait.
ULTRASOUND SCAN DATA was taken on 1/30/2025 by Sonya Gregory and interpreted at a Central Ultrasound Processing Lab. It is an actual calculation of each bull’s carcass information that has been adjusted to a 365 day measurement, which will facilitate accurate comparison between bulls. American Simmental Association provided updated Carcass EPDs based on the scan data. IMF is marbling as a percent of mass, BF is back fat in percent of inch, and REA is rib eye in square inches. Ultrasound data available sale day.
SCROTAL EVALUATION AND FERTILITY TESTING is done by Dr. Cale Bjornstad and will be available on sale day.
BID LIVE ONLINE
Sale will be live online northernlivestockvideo.com
WELCOME TO THE SALE
Storms only make for deep roots
Greetings, to all of you, far and wide, cold and snowy. Moisture in the watersheds is always a life-line, even though it makes us work harder for our calf crop. But, to be clear, these conditions are the proving grounds for all of our genetic goals, and the targets we have set for our program. We love cattle with substance, vigor, good hair, and appetite . . . Aggressive appetite keeps all the rest of the systems firing and creates resiliency. So we take our cues from what we are experiencing, day after day in the calving barns and nursery grounds, and note everything that is working, and everything that is frustrating, and anything that needs steering: we have in depth conversations about all of those data, and begin sourcing our next breeding choices with a clear road map. Julie sometimes complains she would like to finish marketing the current set of genetics before diving into the set two years down the road - but that’s where we have to keep our focus: set the course, plan the turns, and know where we need more “go”, or more “whoa”.
That great shift in the Beef Business that we talked about all last year, and have seen rolling out in every sector of sales, is a strong reality now. We are experiencing the tipping of profits back toward the cattleman, and the luxury of being in the driver’s seat of our marketing decisions. So, how do we play it smart while it lasts?
Many of us are in the reality of having a set land and resource base, with neither the space nor the labor to run more cows. Hence, some food for thought:
• we build our females with capacity: full bodied and solid, enabling the same resource base to be adequate to a highly productive herd
• we pay sufficient attention to carcass quality: both marbling AND YIELD, to avoid waste and keep consumer demand high
• we acknowledge that heavy calves are worth more than fat calves and learn to pay attention to muscle mass and how it is expressed in the genetics we purchase
• we continue to harness the powerful advantages of cross-breeding to capture maximum pounds and value out of exactly the same cows
Our Sale features large sire groups this year, each with their own strengths and styles. As you begin to make selections from the offering, we encourage you not just to look for what is familiar to you, but to also think about COMPLEMENTARITY. Take some time to evaluate the dominant characteristics of your cow base and ask yourself what is needed to make them even more complete. If we all stay keenly committed to the opportunity of investing in true genetic merit that is tuned to our own environment, then we will emerge from this heady cycle of high cash values prepared to weather anything that comes next.
Resiliency. Sustainability. Deep Roots.
Very excited to see you all at the end of the month! Our data in the Sale Book is not as complete as usual. You will find Scrotal measurements in a supplement sheet on Sale Day.
Please accept our warm greetings and best wishes for the remainder of your calving season.
Stay safe, keep at it.
The Open Gate Crew
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
A fresh pedigree for our program, coming from a maternal line of tremendous performance and consistency. Very balanced in his trait suite, offering physical superiority, incredible shape to his rib and top, and a stylish profile that will build the next generation of attractive females.
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
1 MH439 7/8
2
MJ536 PB SM
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
OPEN GATE RANCH
3
MF723 PB SM
Black
MD323 7/8 SM
4
MH399 PB SM
8
5
MH531 1/2
9
MH338 PB SM
MJ630 7/8
10
HOOK`S
MZ462 7/8 SM
Black Polled
12
MH323 PB SM
13
MH454 3/4 SM
11
MD373 7/8 SM
An impressive combination of awesome phenotype, impeccable foot structure, and carcass building merit. We’re excited to use him on our most traditional Simmental foundation dams to make elite F1 matings.
CONNEALY COMMERCE
16
CONNEALY COMMERCE Reference Sire.
17
G
MK895 1/2 SM
18 MK849 3/8 SM
19
MK837 3/8
20 MK924 1/2 SM
21 MK853 1/2
OPEN GATE RANCH
23
MJ130 1/8 SM
22 MK824 1/4 SM
27
MK870 3/8 SM
28 MJ214 1/8 SM
Black Polled
G
29 MK887 3/8 SM
Black Polled
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E
A supremely consistent bull who sires a flawless genetic profile that adds value to every segment. His attractive combination of performance and carcass quality has proven reliable, measurable and versatile. He’s the kind who builds Reputation into the Beef Business.
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E
31 MH480 5/8 SM
32
MJ621 1/2 SM
Sells as Lot 32.
38
OPEN GATE RANCH
MJ633 3/4 SM
39
MK817 1/2 SM
MJ535 3/4
43
MH334 3/4 SM
44
MH324 3/4 SM
Black Polled
Bull ASA #4473327 MH324
HOOK`S BLACK HAWK 50B GY303
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E OGRH324
HOOK`S CRYSTAL 1C OGRA430
45 MG163 1/2 SM
Black Polled
Bull ASA #4473343 MG163
HOOK`S BLACK HAWK 50B CONNEALY SPUR
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E G163
HOOK`S CRYSTAL 1C OGRC107
BD: 2/2/2024
46
BD: 1/28/2024
MJ609 1/2 SM
Black Polled
High ranks for growth, elevated yield performance and product driven offspring. We use him to build Purebred options with massive rib eye and sound calving ease that really compliment traditional Angus cows.
CDI MAJOR IMPACT 280H
49 MG349 3/4 SM
Black
50 MC889 7/8 SM
52 MG113 3/4 SM
53 MG280 3/4 SM
OPEN GATE RANCH
56
MA367 7/8 SM
Black Polled Bull
58 MC867 3/4
62 MG119 PB SM
57
MC857 3/4 SM
Black Polled
63
MF737 PB SM
MC998 3/4 SM
CDI TRUSTEE 387F Sire of Lot 64.
FF CONCLUSION
Chase at Universal Semen Sales keeps an eye out for our style of Angus Bulls to use in building Half Bloods. He recommended this rugged, powerfully shaped young herd builder prospect out of Jeff Flesch’s program and we’re so glad we tried him out. We love his individual performance scores, we love that he is Montana made, and we love how balanced his carcass merit turned out in the matings.
FF CONCLUSION F83
68 MG158 1/4 SM
Black
69
MH485 1/2 SM
Black
70
75
MF715 1/4 SM
ME621 3/8 SM
OPEN GATE RANCH
76
MF771 3/8 SM
Black
77
MF787 1/4 SM
Black
78
1/4 SM
3/8
This bull’s reputation has been solidified across the nation as “consistency with no throw aways.” Extra length, capacity and frame, exceptional docility and wonderful structure all built into a very attractive package for both sons and daughters. There will be more of this sire group to come!
CCR POUNDER 2045F
81 MB442 1/2 SM
CCR POUNDER 2045F Reference Sire.
OPEN GATE RANCH
82
MF5741 1/2 SM
Black
83
MF5742 1/2 SM
3/4 SM
OPEN GATE RANCH
96 MH473 3/4 SM
95
MJ589 3/4 SM
102 LD199 PB SM
103 LE531 7/8 SM
Black Polled Bull
104 LE638 PB SM
Black Polled
105 LJ669 PB SM
Black Polled
ASA #4461461 LJ669
10/1/2023
CDI TRUSTEE 387F GIBBS 0601X RAISINCAIN
Postcard from the Calving Barn
Kiley and Tayber Goff ranch
in Deer Lodge. Last spring, she shared photos of a set of LIVE triplets she delivered, out of a purebred Simmental cow. Couldn’t resist passing them on. They grew out beautifully, weaning at a combined weight of 1865 # (!) and with their own yearling ranch hand Miss Sadie Jo in the mix, it’s been a memorable year. We wish you all the best!
20 FALL BORN COMMERCIAL SIMANGUS Open Heifers
18 months of age.
20 SPRING BORN COMMERCIAL SIMANGUS Open Heifers
13 months of age.
ASA QUICK REFERENCE TO EPDS, INDEXES AND $VALUES
EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCES (EPDS): EPDs are the most accurate and effective tool available for comparing genetic levels. In using EPDs, the difference between two sires’ EPDs represents the unit difference expected in the performance of their progeny. For example, if sires A and B have EPDs of +10 and -5, a 15-unit difference would be expected in their progeny (moving from -5 to +10 yields 15 units). Key to using EPDs is knowing in what units they are expressed. For example, if the above case referred to weaning weight EPDs, sire A would be expected to sire 15 pounds more weaning weight than sire B. If calving ease was the trait, sire A would be expected to sire 15 percent more unassisted births in first-calf heifers; in other words, if sire B sired 30 assists in a group of 100 heifers, we would expect sire A to require 15 assists. A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s EPDs rank him relative to other bulls in the breed. For more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes, visit www. simmental.org.
Listed below are the units in which ASA EPDs are expressed:
ALL-PURPOSE INDEX (API): Dollars per cow exposed under an all-purpose-sire scenario.
BACK FAT (BF): Inches of carcass backfat at 475 days.
BIRTH WEIGHT (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
CALVING EASE (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on heifers.
CARCASS WEIGHT (CW): Pounds of carcass weight at 475 days.
DOCILITY (DOC): Percent of offspring receiving a disposition score of 1 (docile).
MATERNAL CALVING EASE (MCE): Percent of unassisted births in first-calving daughters.
MILK (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
MARBLING (MARB): Carcass marbling score at 475 days.
MATERNAL WEANING WEIGHT (MWW): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk and growth.
RIBEYE AREA (REA): Square inches of carcass ribeye at 475 days.
TERMINAL INDEX (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-sire scenario.
WEANING WEIGHT (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
YEARLING WEIGHT (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
YIELD GRADE (YG): Carcass yield grade score at 475 days.
$ INDEXES: Though EPDs allow for the comparison of genetic levels for many economically important traits, they only provide pieces of the economic puzzle. This is where $ indexes come in. Through well-conceived, rigorous mathematical computation, $ indexes blend EPDs and economics to estimate an animal’s overall impact on integrated commercial production. The same technology that led to the dramatic progress in swine, poultry and dairy genetics over the last several decades was used to develop the following $ indexes:
ALL-PURPOSE INDEX (API): Evaluates sires for use on the entire cow herd (bred to both Angus first-calf heifers and mature cows) with the portion of their daughters required to maintain herd size retained and the remaining heifers and steers put on feed and sold grade and yield.
TERMINAL INDEX (TI): Evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows with all offspring put on feed and sold grade and yield.
For more detailed information about EPDs and $indexes, visit: www.simmental.org
March 25,
