HIGH POINT GENETICS photos courtesy of Brian Oswald
by Doug Ward Doug@ABPmag.com It was a beautiful Saturday morning in February 2020 and I was headed to High Point Genetics 12th Annual Angus-SimAngus Bull Sale in Osceola, IA to find a new herd bull for a friend. In addition offering insurance to other bull buyers on their purchases. As I made the four-hour trip to Osceola, I didn’t see many beef cows along the way. I was driving through corn and bean country USA, mile after mile of flat country. As I drove south of Des Moines on Interstate 35, the countryside began to change. Hills appeared “just like that” and I sensed I was entering Cow Country. After about thirty miles, I took exit #33 onto Highway #34 and headed to the east edge of Osceola. 1071 Harken 14
Hills Drive is the location of the High Point Genetics Angus and SimAngus cattle operation. It is nestled between the beautiful rolling hills, the municipal golf course and Osceola housing developments right on top of a hill. That view is something to see... As I drove up the lane to the auction location, I saw an English Tudor-style barn that obviously was built decades before. It was crafted of red brick, stucco and white painted diagonal trim boards. I took out my camera and started taking pictures so I could show and tell people about this historic place. This is where the High Point Genetics Bull Sale was to be held. Now, “fast forward 10 American Beef Producer
Months.” I needed something to write about! Boom! I’ve got it! I’ll phone Brian Oswald. “Hey Brian, Doug Ward here! I want to do an article about you, your cow-calf operation and the history of the Harken Farm and Barn!” So, back down to Southern Iowa I go on another beautiful day. As I approach the street sign Harken Hills Drive, I see the huge black bull and the sign above him saying “High Point Genetics.” As I drive up the street and onto the lane and circle drive, I see another sign saying “Harken Hills Ranch, Dan Oswald Family.” I met Brian near the bunk house office where I sat down with him and asked “So what’s with the Harken Hills Ranch?” Brian began February 2021
