ABP FALL TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

from November 2020 - American Beef Producer Magazine

ABP SPOTLIGHT

ALL PHOTOS BY DEREK SAMPLE

by Tim McCray Tim@ABPmag.com

North Dakota in October can Northern border all secure. I Should be surprising. Clearly Mark Twain never also mention at this point, that spent any time here. Otherwise San other than a random few wearing a Francisco would not be getting the mask here and there, you wouldn’t credit. This year’s angus tour around know we’re in a pandemic of anyMinot started off a 2-week journey. Fall thing. SO we headed to the “Old cattle tours have sort of turned into my School” center for our dinner stop, last travel opportunities before the busy and to catch up with the rest of the pre bull season starts. Oh, and all those tour. As is usual on these tours, you other holidays too that bring people aren’t walking around hungry, or if together. With Doug & I in Minneso- you are, it’s your fault. No exception ta, and Derek in California it has been here. After a delicious dinner of challenging not having face time with beef and potatoes, bus is loaded, coworkers. However, this proved to be a Dogs are back in the car and we’re great opportunity to bring us all togeth- headed back to Minot for the night. er. After some fresh oil and tires Derek arrived in Minot first, and even a full day earlier than he needed to. Upon arrival, he was told the sun had not been seen for days due to the large number of fires in the West. Afterall, he had been traveling quite extensively through fire country. Next day finds us visiting Sundsbak Farms where Derek and I needed to head off to our next destination as the tour went on to Hall Stock Farm. Over these two days of the Minot tour, we find ourselves immersed in Angus, all Angus, all day. What a great group Minot is a pretty cool town ac- of people. Most of those touring are tually. Derek was born only a few hours Angus ranchers themselves and just from there. Despite being too young to want to compare notes and perhaps remember that time, he described this share tips and especially look at catfeeling of being at home. I too realize tle. These tours are immense work that feeling of home. North Dakota and to put together and put extra hardit’s people are very hospitable, even if ships on those hosting tour stops. the weather is not. However late Sep- But wow, what a great experience to tember for the Angus tour proved to be have. With so many stops in a day, well planned. It’s decided that Doug will and travel time between, it usually ride the tour bus, while Derek, I and the doesn’t give much time for “visiting” 2 dogs will follow in the Ford. Morn- other than a quick introduction of ing comes and we find ourselves in a who and what we are – always nice remote pasture or two. Quick speeches to meet someone in person, rather were given and proud owners have than just a voice on the other end of lots to share. Ash Coulee ranch, Feiring the phone. Angus, Glasoe Angus, & Overland Angus were the stops of the day. At the final stop, Derek & I are told that we need to visit Writing Rock. No one really told us what it was, but insisted we visit. At this point, we’re only a few miles East of the Montana border, and also only a few miles south of Canada. So, a detour we So it was a welcome break from the road to visit Topp Herefords near Grace City, ND on our return to the twin cities area. You’ll be able to read more about our visit here in our next issue coming in January. shall take while everyone else heads to the dinner stop. We also headed North to visit our other neighbors, and just to make sure they’re actually closed. Yup, After a few days of recuperations, and catching up on work. The three of us set off in different directions for the next tours. Doug 30 American Beef Producer

would return to Minot for the All Breeds tour, personally the one I look forward to every year. Derek, myself and his two dogs Willow & Maverick (who have also been with us the entire time) head off to Nebraska… Doug’s visits on the All Breeds tour included Frey Angus, Double T Simmentals, Klain Simmentals, Presser Red Angus, Bruner Angus, & Hager Cattle Co. on day one. And Hansen Simmental, Sys Simmentals on day two, and a final stop at Forte’ Livestock. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association always do a tremendous job with this tour, and they really deserve to be applauded for their commitments and hard work.

As Doug was heading back to Minot, Derek and I we’re making our way towards McCook located in South West Nebraska for our final Angus tour. I like to be able to take advantage of travel situations as much as I can, and covering that much distance, gave me a lot of opportunities to arrange stops along the way to, around, and from MCCook. So our first scheduled stop on the way was to Herbster Angus near Falls City in SE Nebraska. I need to point out here that Derek & I travel well together. We’re having a lot of fun with this magazine at this point, and sometimes the fun leads us to new and exciting adventures. Having such a good time on the road, we completely missed our exit to take us to Herbster’s. So a little 1 hour late detour, gave us little light to work with. But we were immersed in the history of Herbster Angus from our Meeting with Mandy & Ed Raithel that evening. Also at Herbster’s, Maverick was able to immerse himself in something, shall I say skunkish. So he earned the nickname of smelly dog from me. I had attempted to make contact with several prospective stops

**Glasoe Angus stop, Foot Scoring Demo**
photo by Derek Sample

**Overland Angus stop, Fortuna, ND**
photo by Derek Sample

**Topp Herefords, Grace City, ND**
photo by Derek Sample

Sunset at Hueftle Red Angus Ranch. Neil and Anita took us on an adventurous 4WD tour around their pastures which go for miles in and around Cozad, Nebraska. This family has been in cattle for years and years and it shows. Found it hard to leave... Kim Ford at Cross Diamond Cattle Company took us on a 2 hour tour of her ranch. What a beautiful place they have and it‘s well run for such a large operation. Read more about them in our Feature Article about Cross Diamond Cattle Co on page 16

**Sunset at Hueftle Red Angus Ranch, Cozad, NE**
photo by Derek Sample - www.DerekSample.com

**Cross Diamond Cattle Company, Bertrand, NE**
photo by Derek Sample - www.DerekSample.com

near McCook prior to the start of man Inc., and Ruggles Angus. Where the tour. Not being an official tour day, our we had dinner, enjoyed last meeting first order was breakfast. Fuller’s family opportunities, and some musical restaurant came highly recommended from entertainment as well. Reflecting the concierge’ at our hotel, and now, also by not only on this day, but also other myself. If you ever find yourself in McCook, tour days as well, we cant help but do yourself a favor and stop in. Aside from notice what a fantastic job everygood, home cooked style food, they have an one did, and what fun the rest of us extensive collection of about 2500 cookie jars had. The food was fantastic, and we on display throughout the dining area. Which made a great deal of new connecI’m told is only about half of the original tions that we would also call friends. collection. As amazing as these cattle tours are, After a hearty breakfast, our first new and old friendships are made, stop was Cross Diamond Cattle Company or re kindled. Which is REALLY what near Bertrand. Which, (if you haven’t al- this is all about, our connections to ready) you can read more about on page 16 each other as humans. of this issue. Next was another tremendous it’s also much of a social event as visit to Kuck Ranch. Between those 2 stops, On our return to Minnesothat actually took up the whole workable ta, my home, and Derek’s home for day. Many, many thank you’s to Kim Ford, the time being. I had also arranged Abe Kuck & Stacy Jon’s for showing us a quick stop at TD Angus / Rishel around their places. We look forward to Ranch, and our next full stop at hearing more from each of these breeders Hueftle cattle company near Cozad, in the future. From Kuck’s we made our way NE. Neil & Anita took the time out back to McCook, where thanks to my great to show us that Neflatska (Derek’s & planning & absent mindedness of the day we mine’s new nickname for this state) missed out on the start of the tour festivities was anything but. Once you’re off at the Coppermill Steak house. Which, from the interstate (which we actually what I gathered was an event we shouldn’t tried to avoid) the land is filled with have missed. hills and canyons, some that can only be seen with an atv (like Kuck’s) Next day we toured the Ne- or at minimum a 4wd vehicle. Neil braska Bull Service, Ely Angus, Bear Moun- and Anita Hueftle took us on an tain Angus, Riverside Ranch, N.A. Timmer- extensive tour of their pastures, and November 2020 American Beef Producer

filled us with their history of the HXC brand and their incredible operation that stretches for miles in and around Cozad.

We then had an overnight stop beefore (see what I did there) our first visit the next morning at Poppe’s Horseshoe Hill Ranch near Bloomfield, NE. Another great visit with wonderful people that I consider friends. The Poppe’s have nearly 40 years developing Bulls and they are currently selling Angus, Simangus & Red Angus in their private treaty sale every February. Our final stop on this portion of the tour before heading home was Caraway Red Angus. Where Jon & Blair have quite the herd of red angus near Lake Benton, MN. As that concluded the end of the official tour’s that at least didn’t stop us from traveling. Derek & Doug also visited Root Prairie Galloway’s in Fountain, MN and TEK Cattle near Eau Claire, WI. In the end, much more “face time” with our breeders, and readers alike. That certainly wraps up the tour and travel for this issue, but as we are going to press, Derek will be heading back to California, and I myself also have more travel in my near future.. I imagine we’ll have a few more stories to tell in the next issue….