Welcome to our 16th annual sale! In last year’s catalog letter, we talked about the challenges the weather presented for picturing sale bulls, and history repeated itself this year with a blizzard right before picture time. So again, we hope you’ll make a point to look for videos online!
If you’re new to our sale, you will find that this format is different than most, with some of the bulls selling as private treaty and others available at auction with bidding taking place all week. This is the most simple, cost effective way for us to accomplish our goals and has been well received. You can read more about our format on page 3 and we welcome your questions about it. Every day of the week is open house and you are able to view the bulls at your leisure without crowds.
Due to the volatility in the cattle market, this year we withheld publishing prices on the private treaty bulls and opening bids on the auction bulls until closer to sale time. Prices will be online before the beginning of opening day.
About the bulls: these bulls are built from generation upon generation of proven AI sires. While many operations use the term ‘proven pedigrees’, if you look at the average accuracies we have listed with our Reference Sires, we believe you will see what we mean.
All of the bulls have Genomically-enhanced EPDs (as do most of their dams). We have been collecting DNA on our entire calf crop in the ASA Calf Crop Genomics program for the past 4 years (GGP-100k testing) and plan to continue. There are a few bulls whose color and polled tests were delayed at the lab for unknown reasons, but we will make those results available as soon as we receive them.
We know there are many places to go for seedstock, so we appreciate your time in looking at what we have to offer. If you have questions or comments, or if we can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Rodney & Kim
From the Hwy 24/15 intersection in Clay Center, travel East on Hwy 24 for 7 miles to the Ebenezer Church then 1 mile North and 1 1/2 miles East
(If driving from the East, DO NOT TRAVEL the Riley/Clay county line road [minimum maintenance road])
www.honestbulls.com
sale updates | online bidding videos
Watch the website for any announcements regarding postponements due to weather
Videos of all bulls will be online by sale time
If you would like to be on the phone to bid on particular lots during closeout, PLEASE LET US KNOW BY FRIDAY MORNING
(if possible) so that we can make sure you will be taken care of!
If you would prefer to no longer receive our catalog and mailings, let us know
Special thanks to:
• DRDR Farms and Burgman Farms for their hard work and talent in raising our ET calves
• Dale Kopfer, our hired hand
• Brock Burgman, our occasional helper
• Matt Sullivan, our occasional helper
• the rest of our friends, family and neighbors who lend a hand
BUY YOUR WAY Bull Sale
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22 - SATURDAY MARCH 1, 2025
Daily from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm or by appointment Closeout on March 1 begins at 1:00 pm
Location
At the farm 7 miles East of Clay Center (from the Hwy 15/24 junction) on Hwy 24 to the Ebenezer Church. Then 1 mile North and 1 1/2 miles East. (See the map on the facing page)
Sale Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 22 10:00 am Sale begins 1:00 pm Private treaty draw (if necessary) Daily 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Bulls on display (or by appointment)
Tuesday, Feb. 25 Midnight Early bid discount ends Friday, Feb 28 2:00 pm Internet bidding ends Saturday, March 1 10:30 am Bulls on display & Silent bidding 12:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Closeout begins
Accommodations
Cedar Court Motel, Clay Center - 785-632-2148
Insurance
Insurance will be available. We strongly recommend purchasing insurance if you do not take your bull sale day.
Delivery / After Sale Care
A $100 per bull discount is available to buyers who take their bull(s) home by March 11 (maximum $200 per buyer). We will feed bulls free until April 1, and then for $2.50 per day until Spring turnout time. Bulls will be delivered free up to 100 miles from Hofmann Simmental Farms. We will work with you on economical delivery beyond that point.
Announcements / Liability
Announcements made at any time during sale week take precedence over printed material. Anyone attending this sale attends at their own risk. Hofmann Simmental Farms or their representatives or employees will not be responsible for any personal injury or damage to any attendee or his/her property.
Health
All bulls have received two rounds of IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, 7-way blackleg, and at BSE were poured with Ivermectin, drenched with oral wormer and vaccinated with Spirovac VL5. All bulls were tested negative for PI BVD. New this year, all bulls were given cow magnets for hardware prevention. All bulls are virgin and therefore free of trichomoniasis. Bulls are free from currently known genetic defects. (Find more bull management information, inside back cover)
Bull Fertility / Guarantee
All bulls will have been fertility tested by Clay Veterinary Clinic Clay Center, and sell as guaranteed breeders for the first breeding season. This guarantee does not include loss due to abuse, neglect, injury, illness and/or acts of God. This guarantee is not meant to replace mortality insurance. In the event a bull is not a breeder or if there are other problems with a bull, we will work with you to the best of our ability to ensure your satisfaction.
Semen Interest
Hofmann Simmental Farms is retaining a 1/4 semen interest in all bulls unless otherwise announced.
Payment
Payment is due at the time of sale.
Sale Terms and Conditions
All animals sell under the terms and conditions of the American Simmental Association.
Weights: All weights have been adjusted for age.
Age: Age in months, as of March 1, 2025
Scrotal measurements will be available by sale day.
Frame scores: Hip heights were taken in early January and converted to a frame score based on age. The scores are expressed in a general range to mitigate the likelihood of inaccurate measurements. Please evaluate the bulls in person for size.
Color: All bulls are either noted as black (heterozygous or red carrier) or homozygous black, and have been confirmed as such either by pedigree or test. All red bulls are non-dilute by pedigree.
Polled: All bulls are noted as Polled, Hetero Polled, Polled/Scurs or Homozygous polled. Homozygous polled bulls have been confirmed as such either by pedigree or test. Our policy on color and polled is that if we know it, you will know it.
Disposition: Because we select for disposition and cull any problem stock, we are confident you will not have temperament problems with these bulls. That said, we do acknowledge there are differences between them. We will score the bulls based on normal handling and daily interactions and will post those scores online closer to sale time.
Following are abbreviated descriptions for scores of 1-3 [exit scores and descriptions of wild cattle are omitted]
1 = Docile. Mild disposition. Gentle and easily handled. Stands and moves slowly during processing. Undisturbed, settled, somewhat dull.
2 = Restless. Quieter than average, but may be stubborn during processing.
3 = Nervous. Typical temperament is manageable, but nervous and impatient. We will not sell bulls that we feel are disposition 3
EPDs & Indexes
Customer Referrals
Existing customers: we are offering a reward for your referrals who become new customers! Just instruct your friend or neighbor to let us know (at the time of settlement) that you referred them, and we will make sure you receive a $50 cash gift to say Thank You for your consideration.
Sight Unseen Guarantee
If you are unable to attend the sale or view the bulls in person, please feel free to take advantage of our sight unseen program. Give us a call and let us know what your needs are and any other pertinent requirements. We will direct you to video of the bulls so that you have a visual reference, and we will do our best to purchase a bull that meets your requirements in your price range. All sight unseen purchases are guaranteed to be as represented.
DNA AND GENOMICS
All bulls have been DNA tested and have Genomically-Enhanced EPDs published. We plan to collect and submit DNA for genomic testing on all calves going forward. Genomics were thought to be the way of the future, but in all reality, the future is now.
According to the ASA website, as of Spring 2020, the progeny equivalents for EPDs gained by genomics are as follows: CE: 25+, MCE: 4, BW: 22, WW: 25+, YW: 25+, Stay: 15, CW: 6, Marb: 10, REA: 8, BF: 11, and Docility: 25+ This same information would take years to discover through progeny testing alone.
EPD’s are based upon a deviation from the breed average [above or below (-)] for the base year for the particular trait. You cannot compare EPD’s from one breed to another. EPDs will change (weekly) from the time this catalog was printed until registration papers are transferred.
Calving Ease
Maternal
% unassisted births from two-year old heifers pounds of birth weight
pounds of weaning weight due to growth pounds of yearling weight due to growth
% unassisted births from two-year old daughters
pounds of weaning weight due to dam’s milk pounds of weaning weight due to dam’s milk and growth percent of daughters remaining in herd at 6 years of age pounds of carcass weight tenths of a USDA Yield Grade percent of a marbling score or %IMF inches of fat thickness square inches of ribeye dollars of value if daughters are retained dollars of value for terminal purposes
Using API and TI
First, determine which index to use; if you’re keeping replacements use API; if not, TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit difference (dollars per cow exposed) between bulls. The difference can be used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another--or how much you can pay for one bull compared to another.
Example: A bull scoring 100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a 50 API bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr. = $6,000).
A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed. For percentile rankings or more information about EPDs and $ indexes visit www.simmental.org
the BUY YOUR WAY sale format
Find the bull you want - (look for their designation in the catalog)
Private Treaty Bulls Auction Bulls
$____ private price
PURPLE tags
$___ auction opening bid
(posted by February 15)
Saturday, February 22
ORANGE tags
10:00 am 10:00 am
Bidding opens!
If more than one person selects a private treaty bull before 1:00 pm Saturday (opening day), a draw will be held to select the winner of the bull after 1:00 pm, bulls are sold on a first come, first serve basis until sold out (private treaty bulls tend to sell quickly)
Bid by phone, online or in person at the farm
Bid by midnight Tuesday [on any bull(s)] for a 4% discount
early bid discounts end Tuesday - Midnight
Friday - 2:00 pm
Saturday, March 1 online bidding ends and sale order is made (based upon price and number of bids)
If any auction bulls have no bids at the conclusion of close out, they are for sale at their starting price
silent bidding opens (current internet bids displayed - $100 increments) 10:30 am
final closeout 1:00 pm
Bid links with videos of the bulls can be found at www.honestbulls.com
• You must register to bid, but you can view the auction without registering
• The auction site will include a fictitious bull, so you can practice bidding and familiarize yourself with the software before placing a real bid
• Current list of private treaty bulls sold/available will be online
• To encourage bidding, which helps determine the sale order and simplifies closeout, we offer a 4% discount* to buyers who place bids by Midnight, Tuesday.
[Private treaty bulls are not eligible for the early discount]
*Discount is up to 4% of your total bids (highest bids on individual bulls, combined) made during the first half of the week, but not to exceed 4% of your total purchase price. Discounts transfer to bids placed in the second half of the week if a bidder’s early choices move above their price range. (See examples on our website)
• Sale staff will be available to handle bids by phone. Let us know by Friday night, if possible, if you would like to take advantage of this option so that we can make sure you will be taken care of
• at close out, bid sheets will be pulled and if no one wants to raise the bid, the bull will be sold. Contending bidders will always have the chance t raise their bid, so there is no advantage to waiting until the last minute
• Max internet bids will be used against the live crowd during silent auction and closeout (max bids remain confidential).
• bid history will be made available - upon request - to buyers (on their bulls puchased) at the conclusion of the sale)
SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR EARLY BID DISCOUNT EXAMPLES
The Buy Your Way sale ring advantage
We’ve all experienced it . . . the auction sale order is not the way we want it! Here you’ll find all the bulls ‘in the ring’ at the same time. If your first pick rises out of your price range, you have plenty of time--at least hours, if not days--to either adjust your budget or select another bull. (How many times have we had to make these important decisions within minutes or even seconds?) It’s because we feel so strongly in this concept that we offer our cash discounts for early bids.
Up until the final closeout on the ending day, you can still capitalize on the full-ring advantage. The more our bid sheets are used on the last day, the fewer scrambles everyone will need to make. We believe your bottom line deserves the time and attention necessary to make a good decision regarding the genetics for your herd. [An added bonus: a faster closeout process!]
3
HSF IMPERIAL 64Z 108L
18.5 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red PB SM
IR IMPERIAL D948
HSF MISS SKY 59S 64Z IR IMPERIAL B772 IR MS DUAL FOCUS W086 ER BIG SKY 545B HSF FORTUNATAS
• Another exceptional daughter maker - his dam has the typical ideal Xpectation udder
• thick and wide all over
• has always been a standout favorite
Disposition:
• Full brother to HSF Cardinal 133G with the same style
• started out slow, but has really come into himself recently. (we have been greedy and held on to his 13-year old dam longer than we probably should have, hoping for a full sister to Cardinal)
• keep every daughter
% Rank
4
HSF HILGER 42A L314
19 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red PB SM ET
GW HILGER ONE 454H
HSF MS ROLLER 107U 42A
Disposition:
GW MOVIN ON 183C
GW MISS YUKON JACK 913E
HSF HIGH ROLLER 12T
HSF MISS MAJOR 107U
$ Auction GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDs
FRAMEADG CURRENT WEIGHT 64 8/6/23
ASA# 4404954
ADJ BW ADJ WWADJ YW 756131209
CE BW WW YW MCE Milk MW STAY CW YG MBBFREAAPITI 130.493.2144.45.130.777.219.547.5-0.20.46-0.060.64166.397.9 3535151065431510991580951010
• Bigger, massive, high growth bull, out of a favorite High Roller donor
• Half brother sells as Lot 5
5
HSF JEFFERSON 42A 147L
18 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red 3/4 SM 7/32 AN 1/32 AR
CLRS JEFFERSON 951J
HSF MS ROLLER 107U 42A
LEACHMAN DECREE X936D M4 MS DESIRE 911G
HSF HIGH ROLLER 12T
HSF MISS MAJOR 107U
Disposition: ADJ BW ADJ WWADJ YW 894871010
FRAMEADG CURRENT WEIGHT 63.5 9/20/23
CE BW WW YW MCE Milk MW STAY CW YG MBBFREAAPITI 12-1.268.41055.530.664.620.723.5-0.20.35-0.070.26141.877.3 60308080751040485556015994070 % Rank
$ Auction GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDs
• The natural calf out of our old High Roller donor
• a bit more frame and plenty of length and depth • Half brother sells as Lot 4
6
HSF STOCKMARKET H4 107L
18.5 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red 1/2 SM 1/2 AR ASA# 4404975
PIE STOCKMAN 4051
BIEBER CL STOCKMARKET E119
HSF MS ALLABOARD 42A H4
Disposition: ADJ BW ADJ WWADJ YW
BIEBER CL ADELLE 475C
WS ALL ABOARD B80
HSF MS ROLLER 107U 42A
• We liked Stockmarket progeny and are sad that semen is no longer available
• Note he is a son of an All Aboard cow, and All Aboard is a known Hydrops carrier. Because Hydrops is caused by a dominate gene, calves born full term/ normal to AA daughters, should be unlikely to have inherited the condition. Regardless, caution should be used in retaining daughters of Lot 6
• a rugged horse of a beef bull
7 HSF HILGER 40J 114L
HSF Ms Roller 107U 42A - dam/granddam Lots 4-6
18 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red 5/8 SM 9/32 AR 3/32 AN ASA# 4404978
• Note he is a son of an All Aboard cow, and All Aboard is a known Hydrops carrier. Because Hydrops is caused by a dominate gene, calves born full term/normal to AA daughters, should be unlikely to have inherited the condition. Regardless, caution should be used in retaining daughters of Lot 17
• round, sound and low to the ground!
17
20
HSF HILGER G1 6M
14 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red 5/8 SM 9/32 AR 3/32 AN ASA# 4437373
GW HILGER ONE 454H
HSF MS REDEEMD14 103N G1
Disposition:
18
HSF CARDINAL C38 43M
13 Months Homo Polled Non-Dilute Red 3/4 SM 1/4 AR
• wide topped and attractive • keep his daughters • nice disposition
take advantage of early bidding and receive a 4% discount on your puchase! - see page 3 or ask us how
BLACK BULLS
7729 - pictured as a heifer Dam of Lots 29-31
7729, our Angus donor, has been a standout SimAngus maker. She has been a trouble free cow and has produced several high sellers. She still has an impeccable udder and feet at 8 years of age. Her temperament is wonderful.
% Rank
29
HSF STONECOLD 7729 L102
19 Months Homo Polled Homo Black 3/8 SM 5/8 AN ET
TJ STONE COLD 336G
BURGMANS EVERELDAENTENSE7729 TJ FROSTY 318E TJ 11D K C F BENNETT ABSOLUTE BURGMANS SUSANNA 7495
• shares cow family with Lot 58 • We love this bull’s dam. She is moderate sized with an excellent udder, and has always outproduced herself. This is an embryo transfer bull but he aligns himself with her other high performing progeny.
• great feet and legs
• DNA results for polled have been delayed but are expected soon
• attractive with clean, calving ease head, neck and shoulders
45 the time when Lot 46’s dam - as a young heifertried to impersonate the Keebler Elf (she is wiser now) www.honestbulls.com sale updates | online bidding | videos!
47
HSF GOLD 34K 25M
14 Months Homo Polled Hetero Black 3/4 SM 1/4 AN
TJ GOLD 274G
HSF MISS FLATTOP 84Y 34K
Disposition:
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E TJ 12C
WERNER FLAT TOP 4136
HSF MS ROLLER 20R 84Y
GENOMIC ENHANCED EPDs
ADJ BW ADJ WWADJ YW 81648 FRAMEADG CURRENT WEIGHT 51/16/24
Bulls have been fed in large pens with access to a small pasture for exercise. Bulls were fed to gain 2.5#/day with a diet of free choice grass hay, and a corn/DDG/vitamin/ mineral mix. (For longevity we feed less corn and more DDG and brome hay.)
The average backfat over the past 12+ years has consistently been less than .25. The bulls are not fat. We have managed the bulls this way because the last thing you need is to turn out a bull that will fall apart.
The health of the bulls has again been outstanding. Bulls left with us after the sale will be cared for to make the transition to pasture conditions as smooth as possible. We will make every effort to see that those bulls get ample exercise. Please contact us if you have any questions.
