BRANGUS DELIVERS ADVANTAGES TO GKB’S MULTI-BREED PROGRAM

FEATURE ARTICLE

Advantages BRANGUS DELIVERS TO GKB’S MULTI-BREED PROGRAM by Lindsay L Allen

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)

(continued from page 13) those who want a purebred Brangus bull. “We also get calls for commercial Brangus heifers and are hoping to expand our commercial cattle herd to meet this demand,” Gary shared. He also shared that the attraction and opportunities for Brangus that align best to their program is the stability they offer in high humidity areas. But it’s not just the black hide that has captured GKB Cattle, but also the Red Brangus breed. “We have Red Angus cattle and between the breeding of that herd with our Brangus herd, we are now raising up Red Brangus,” Gary said. Additionally, the Brahman herd at GKB Cattle also compliments the Brangus genetics and creates more opportunities.

While cattle are the priority, equally as important at GKB Cattle, are the junior members and junior programs.

“When you look at legacy members of any cattle organization or breed, or even leaders in agriculture, most of them had a 4-H or FFA project. We know that the junior members are the future of this industry and we need to keep them supported in their activities and encourage them,” Kathy stresses.

After attending her first junior Hereford field day in sixth grade, Kathy understands how these events can shape junior members and captivate their lifelong interest in the industry. They have served as junior advisors on a state and national level and have invested in their junior customers with guidance long after a sale. They are always excited by the opportunity to judge a show, support a junior organization, and recently they purchased the grand champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, where the 2020 champion steer was a Hereford!

Especially close to their hearts is showmanship. “Anyone can buy a youth an animal to show, but only that youth can excel in showmanship with the right passion, desire for competition and work ethic,” Gary said.

As for the future of the Brangus line at GKB Cattle, Gary shared that the long-term plan is to continue producing elite Brangus genetics that will be the top end from a breeding standpoint. “Continuing our purebred genetics and our Super Baldys is our main focus. The Super Baldys offer a competitive commercial market and we hope to consign commercial heifer pens at the Texas major shows and also raise some for our recips as well,” Gary stated.

Those three letters, GKB are quickly becoming associated with some of the top cattle in Brangus and the Buchholzes firmly believe the breed has a place in all phases of the beef industry.

TEXAS JUNIOR BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION (TJBBA) STATE SHOW RESULTS

JUNE 24-27, BRYAN, TEXAS

2020 – 2021 TJBBA BOARD

President Kyler Klepac Vice President Hadley Harris Secretary Kailey Critendon Treasurer Austin Boswell Parliamentarian Mitchell Hackstedt Reporter and Queen Camille Burns Directors: Conley Harris, Molly Hackstedt, Briana Hicks, Michael Betts, Cade Amber, and Reed Thorn Ex Officio Dalton McKee Sweetheart Eris Basey ADVISORS: Greg Amber, Chris McKee, David Parkey, and Connie Smart

2020 TJBBA ALL AROUND HIGH POINTS

Novice – Meagan Hanson Junior – McKenzie Tiemann Intermediate – Weston Hinze Senior – Briana Hicks

CATTLE SHOW RESULTS

Grand Champion Owned Black Heifer – Maddox Hartmann Reserve Champion Owned Black Heifer – Kaelyn Hein Grand Champion Owned Red Heifer – Lane Baker Reserve Champion Owned Red Heifer – Caryn Smart Grand Champion Black Cow-Calf Pair – Kyler Klepac Reserve Champion Black Cow-Calf Pair – Cleavie Allen Grand Champion Owned Black Bull – Maddox Hartmann Reserve Champion Owned Black Bull – Caryn Smart Grand Champion Owned Red Bull – Marcela Garza Reserve Champion Owned Red Bull – April Villarreal Grand Champion B&O Black Heifer – Savannah Scott Reserve Champion B&O Black Heifer – Savannah Scott Grand Champion B&O Red Heifer – Lane Baker Reserve Champion B&O Red Heifer – Cassi Burkhammer Grand Champion B&O Black Bull – Maddox Hartmann Reserve Champion B&O Black Bull - Caryn Smart Grand Champion Ultra Heifer – Bram Christensen Reserve Champion Ultra Heifer – Railee Steele Grand Champion Percentage Heifer – Stiles Patin Reserve Champion Percentage Heifer – Eris Basey

SHOWMANSHIP WINNERS Senior: Junior:

1st – Briana Hicks 1st – McKenzie Tiemann 2nd – Myles Hackstedt 2nd – Railee Steele 3rd – Reed Thorn 3rd – Madeline Gitlitz 4th – Savannah Scott 4th – Sara Aultmann 5th – Tanner Miller 5th – Jenna Jennings 6th – Caryn Smart 6th – Isabelle Parkey

Intermediate: Novice:

1st – Maddox Hartmann 1st – Ali Tiemann 2nd – Weston Hinze 2nd – Meagan Hanson 3rd – Kaily Critendon 3rd – Tack Farris 4th – Jordan Baldridge 4th – Truitt Marks 5th – Waylon Hinze 5th – Katherine Allen 6th – Megan Perry 6th – Ansley Heifrin