FEATURE ARTICLE
BRANGUS DELIVERSAdvantages by Lindsay L Allen
TO GKB’S MULTI-BREED PROGRAM
GKB Cattle - it’s only three letters, but the legacy and history attached to the brand carries more weight than three letters could ever hold. Over the last 33 years, Gary and Kathy Buchholz have spent most of their time investing in their nationally recognized Polled Hereford and Hereford herds. In 2015, GKB expanded to include Brangus. While there are many highlights in the last three decades of ranching together, a few standout, including co-judging at the 2010 National Western Hereford Show and in 2015 owning and exhibiting the Polled and Horned Hereford champion bulls at the National Western, where the Polled Hereford went on to be supreme champion. “The neat thing about both of those bulls is that they were natural calves, and both were from genetics that we sold to junior members,” Gary said. The couple are both products of generations of family involvement in agriculture and their married life and livelihood has always revolved around cattle. Their Waxahachie, Texas based operation now includes several breeds, as well as raising commercial replacement females. While the Brangus cattle didn’t arrive on ranch property until five years ago, the story began much earlier. Gary, a former ag teacher, had many students who showed Brangus cattle and over the years became well acquainted with the breed. “I had a fondness for the durability and youthfulness of the breed, combined with the commercial advantage,” Gary recalled. “In 1999, a neighbor asked if I could help select Brangus heifers for his kids to show. I was glad to do it and over the years became more than familiar with their herd. I
was AI’ing some of their cattle, helping with selections for flushes and it was a natural ‘yes’ when the opportunity arose to buy the herd from Johnston Cattle Co. in 2015.” Kathy echoed, “We knew the cows, the lineage, and the history. We also had a strong interest in the Super Baldy (Hereford x Brangus) cattle and understand the excellent role they play in the beef industry, especially in Texas and the South, where we live.” They have continued to add genetics and build their program from that initial purchase. The initial focus has been on the superior end of their female foundation. They started by and continue to flush the top end of their herd which is the base for their registered program and their Super Baldy herd through natural breeding. Their herd now includes the 2020 International Grand Champion Brangus Bull, DDD Tank 468E, and the International Grand Champion Female, DDD Full Swing 150F9, both co-owned with Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch, Poteet, Texas. One of the most significant added benefits for GKB is in bull sales. “We found over the years that our commercial cattlemen liked being able to pick up both a black bull and a Hereford bull, as we had an Angus herd, and had Angus bulls for sale. The same is true when the option exists to purchase Brangus and also Hereford bulls at the same location.” Kathy explained adding, “It’s not uncommon to have a Brangus breeder purchase a Hereford bull and also a Brangus bull as the Super Baldy calves have a strong market.” Selling Brangus bulls caters to two markets: those who want the Brangus influence in their commercial herds and (continued on page 14)
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