'22 Fall Tours - Part 1

from November 2022 - American Beef Producer Magazine

by American Beef Producer

Popular 2023 Wall Calendar on Sale

**Derek & Tim out on 2022 Fall Tours**
Derek Sample Photography

Get your clothes, your boots, your dogs and your Jeep. Let's hit the road.

ND Angus Tour

September 17-19 Featuring Southwest North Dakota Angus Breeders

by Tim McCray Tim@ABPmag.com

all photos & artwork by Derek Sample. Derek@ABPmag.com

Dickinson, ND

**Sunset at Best Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

“Da Terminator” announced “I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle… just kidding. Let's hit the Road" from my driving app as we (Frodo, myself, and...Arnold) departed on a 550-mile journey to meet up with Doug and Derek in Dickinson, ND for this year’s North Dakota Angus Tour. The three of us arrived at different times, and in different vehicles. I didn’t really need directions to get to Dickinson, it’s just interstate primarily the whole way. I generally despise the mind-numbing freeways, so having Arnold alert me to potential mishaps “Get Down! Hazard reported ahead” or “police reported ahead, speeding would be a big mistake” woke me from my interstate-induced coma a few times. Staying focused on long trips, especially while alone, can be a challenge. So phone calls are always a good way to pass the time, and I've found going through my library of over 180,000 songs helps too. I'm doing that alphabetically by track – I was on “She” when I left, and I think maybe I was at “Side of the Road” by the time Arnold interrupted – “You have reached your destination, Hasta LaVista.”

The pre-tour social hour looked to be well attended. After driving all that way, I was too tired to do much but lay on a bed. The next morning arrived too soon and the tour kicked off with Cowboy Church at 7:30. Then Doug got on board one of the buses and the caravan left at 8:30 sharp. Derek and I, along with our three dogs (Derek's two and my one) loaded into my jeep and pulled out just after the bus. Derek had arrived at 3am coming from a visit with Shipwheel Cattle in Chinook, MT, so we were both looking for extra doses of caffeine this morning. Needless to say, we’re already a bit behind (no surprise), and the tour JUST started. It will turn out to be a perfect day for a tour with plenty of sun and highs in the 80’s.

**Carlson Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Multimin Presentation by Al Schoenfeld**
Derek Sample Photography

**Difficult Written Exam at Week Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Growth Fund Sign at Urlacher Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Kids taking videos of the Bulls at Urlacher Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Open A Angus stop**
Derek Sample Photography

**Jon Carlson and Karlee Sailer, ND Angus Queen**
Derek Sample Photography

**Marc Wolf at 21 Angus welcoming the Tour**
Derek Sample Photography

**Ridl Angus Bull**
Derek Sample Photography

RIDL ANGUS Dickinson,ND

www.ridlangus.com

Our first stop was only a short drive from the hotel and provided us with morning necessities. Like more coffee for Derek as well as a first glimpse of who was on tour. I’m already seeing some familiar faces and places. I have visited Ridl’s before on a previous tour, as I have been to most of the ranches on this tour. This year marks the 25th year for Ridl’s in the registered Angus business. They’re focused on producing a maternal-based herd that excels in calving ease, production, and disposition while maintaining the eye appeal their customers look for. Ridl Angus will host their annual production sale on the fourth Monday in February.

TALKINGTON ANGUS RANCH – Belfield, ND

www.talkingtonangusranch.com

There’s something about this place, maybe it’s the driveway that’s exceptionally long, bringing you into a ranch surrounded by badlands. For some reason, when I think of ranches in North Dakota this image is one of the first to come to mind. It’s very picturesque this day as well. Their program is based on creating maternal cattle that possess fertility, longevity and the ability to survive in the diverse environment on a forage-based diet with minimal input. They have a strict culling program for fertility, foot and udder quality, fleshing ability, disposition, and production. They have two sales per year, with the majority sold as yearlings in their annual bull sale on the second Friday in February, at the ranch. Two-year-old bulls are sold on the first Wednesday in December at the Stockmen’s livestock exchange with a partnership between Talkington’s, Strommen Ranch, and Best Angus.

RICHARD ANGUS Belfield, ND

www.richardangusranch.com

A quick drive to our next location, and it's lunchtime? There’s one thing about cattle tours, you won’t go hungry. Or if you do, you’re on a strict diet (my wife wouldn’t make it). Makes me wonder if there are chicken farm tours like this. American Chicken producer… Nope. I’m really glad Derek’s dad didn’t start a chicken magazine or a corn magazine. We’ll stick with Beef. It’s what’s for dinner...and lunch. Plus there are a few desserts too. Brandon & Emily Richard established Richard Angus with the purchase of 40 cow/calf pairs from KG Ranch in 2009. Six years later they were hosting their first bull sale with 20 bulls in the offering. They’ve doubled that each year, to their current sale to offer 130 coming two year olds, one of the few ranches in the area to do so. They have an extensive embryo transfer program as well as an elite female development program. Customer service is their main priority and they claim to have a set of bulls that will fit almost anyone. Their annual production sale will be at their ranch on December 9th.

**Who's Who at Best Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

WEEK ANGUS – Beach, ND

PO Box 221, Beach, ND 58621 (701)872-1104

Terry Week is a teacher through and through. He grew up near Sisseton, SD. Taught high school in three different states, the longest being in Beach, ND for twenty-eight years. After years of teaching, and having a few cattle, he decided in 2009 that it was time he had his own farm. This was probably one of the most unique visits on any of the tours this year, and I doubt anyone in attendance will forget it. Terry obviously loved teaching, and he used his tour stop to teach us all. A 50-question test was given, and we were allotted 10 minutes to complete it, and no cell phones! If I remember correctly – I believe the “winner” had 19 wrong. If he were grading on a curve, I had an I (incomplete) Doug probably had a C. He did warn us that it was going to be tough. But it didn’t stop there – at the end, he instructed everyone to grab a copy of the two manila envelopes he had put together for each of us. In total, about 40 different articles on just interesting things, not necessarily related to cattle. One of the envelopes is covered with some quotes and phrases to think about. I like this one: If you’re off by 1 degree on your trip to the moon, you will miss it by 4000 miles – just a little reminder that little things matter.

OPEN A ANGUS Medora, ND

www.openaangus.com

Open A Angus has embraced the best in available cattle breeding technology. Performance testing, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, carcass ultrasounds, and 50K testing have all been utilized to help build a solid and exceptional genetic base for the cattle herd. Today, they showed us their recently acquired Renner headquarters for our next stop. Marked on any map as the middle of nowhere. Beautiful place, pipe fenced corral and plenty of stables. Nestled right into North Dakota badlands territory. There wasn’t a whole lot going on here (for cattle), but herd manager Wes Obrigewitch was on hand and explained that he thought it would be neat to bring us all out here and I don’t think that was a disappointment to anyone. They're the cattleman's choice in angus seed stock utilizing the best in cattle breeding technologies and pioneering new and creative ways to make their production sales more comfortable and fun! Open A holds their annual sale along with Heart River Ranch on the second Wednesday in March.

BEST ANGUS & Quarter Horses Watford City, ND

www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com

Save the best for last as they say. Our last stop of the day was indeed Best Angus & Quarter horses. With displays from KD Angus & Dahl Angus as well. It sure didn’t seem like it, but we put on some miles today. Which was reflected by my nearly empty gas tank as we pulled into our dinner stop. See, little things do matter, like topping off the gas tank before heading out on a North Dakota Angus Tour. Our dinner stop provided great food, entertainment and a perfect ending spot for the days cattle sights. Pete & Vawnita Best moved to Watford city and also Vawnita’s home place in 2007. Pete started with a purchase of his first 4-H heifer in 1986 near Rolette, ND. They have quite literally come a long way since then. Their annual production sale is held on the first Monday in March at the ranch. Best Angus and Quarter horses also partners with Talkington Angus and Strommen Ranch for the Badlands Angus Alliance – offering coming two-year-old bulls the first Wednesday in December.

DAHL ANGUS – Keene, ND

Justin decided to go into the registered business when he was still in high school and purchased some registered females from Martin Schaff. Since then he’s also added cattle from Severance and Glasoe Angus. Justin puts a lot of focus on producing females that are low input, easy fleshing, moderate framed and maternal.

KD ANGUS – Watford City, ND

Kyle and Judy Dragseth run a registered herd of 75 females. Which they focus on easy fleshing, structurally sound, good-dispositioned females that are very fertile. They AI the majority and give them 30 days with a clean-up bull. This years calves are sired by Tehama Tahoe, Meyers Silverado and Baldridge Movin On.

ONE LAST THING!

We have to thank Karlee Sailer, the current North Dakota Angus Queen, who showed up at every single stop on this tour representin' Angus royalty. Her energy and her big smile made the tour even more enriching than it already was and we weren't the only ones who noticed. She even paid for her own travel expenses to represent Angus on this tour. If that doesn't show commitment to the breed...well, you know the rest. Cheers to Karlee! See her photo below. Karlee's bio: Karlee Sailer of Golden Valley, ND is the daughter of Troy and Marcy Sailer and has two younger siblings, Justin and Paige. She currently attends Dickinson State University majoring in Ag Business. She is involved in a variety of agriculture clubs and organizations. Sailer is a fourth generation Angus producer, who grew up on her family’s commercial Angus operation as well as farming a variety of crops. She has grown up being involved in 4H, FFA, and NJAA and hopes to make an impact on the younger generation.

**Pete Best and Karlee Sailer, ND Angus Queen**
Derek Sample Photography

**aerial view of Bowman Angus Ranch**
Derek Sample Photography

Well, it might be funny to just end right here, and leave you all wondering if we ever found a gas station, or maybe we’re still stranded somewhere near Watford City. But, “Arnold” can find gas stations too. So despite filling up to get back to Dickinson, I made sure to top off the next morning when we were gathering caffeine supplies for the next day’s trip.

URLACHER ANGUS Regent, ND

Stetson Urlacher welcomed Derek and I into the Urlacher Angus ranch near Regent for our morning breakfast stop. I’m not fully awake yet, but I swear I hit a slick spot turning into Urlacher’s. Perhaps there was some rain overnight. Like I said, not awake. Thankfully there are more donuts to kick start my diabetes, I mean day. The Urlacher Angus Ranch consists of pasture & farmland where they put up most of their own feed. They have developed a ration with J & R Feeds that allows their bulls to develop at an optimal 3-pound per day gain. Their breeding program focuses on maternal and growth traits and they utilize an extensive AI program those traits in their herd. They have two sales per year on the third Friday in January and the first Monday in June at the Bowman Auction Market.

**Dinner served at Best Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Logan Hoffman & son visiting with Willow (Derek's pup)**
Derek Sample Photography

**Doug Ward of ABP & Jeremy Strommen of Fast Angus Ranch**
Derek Sample Photography

CARLSON ANGUS Regent, ND

www.carlsonangus.com

A short drive from our last stop and the rain from overnight is much more prevalent at Carlson Angus. Mud! But the mud didn’t deter anyone from looking at Carlson’s Angus on display in

**Mike & Shane Wendel checking out the bulls at Ridl Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**awesome Angus sign at Week Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Talkington Angus Ranch stop**
Derek Sample Photography

**kids at Urlacher Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

**Bull at Ridl Angus**
Derek Sample Photography

front of their new sale barn either. Jon & Melissa hosted a great second stop of the day. Jon’s father Jim was also on hand, and although somewhat “retired” from ranch duties, it was a pleasure to speak with him even for a brief moment in time. Jon credits his love of quality Angus cattle & dedication to the farm and ranch to his dad and grandfather. They strive for quality udders, easy fleshing, and soundness in every one of their females. With Jon & Melissa’s three young children around, good disposition is a must. In recent years they have incorporated AI and ET into their program to acquire full sisters to their top donor cows. The Carlson Angus Ranch production sale is the 4th Saturday in February.

21 ANGUS New England, ND

www.21angus.com

Marc & Anne Wolf and family hosted the lunch for today. I can't say enough about our hosts this afternoon. Two of the nicest people you’ll ever come across in at least 20 square miles. Seriously though, for me, there’s something in the water up here. Great people producing great cattle are abundant in this part of the US. We’re not here long and lunch is already being served. There was barely any time for introductions it seemed. Marc answered our '22 questions' in our September issue this year, He's very opinionated, and a man of few words. Because of that, I had to send it back to have him elaborate on some answers. But when he does speak, its direct and to the point and his answers were a hit. Anne is his counterpart, and together they make such a strong team. “Prepping for a tour stop can be worse than prepping for a bull sale.” I heard that somewhere during one of these fall tours. So it gives me new appreciation for the trouble that it causes. Add to that, turns out Marc & Anne are going away for their anniversary the next day. So they not only had to get ready for vacation, but also a tour stop and be the gracious hosts that they are. I do not have the pleasure of knowing the elders in this fifth-generation family, but I highly doubt they are that different than what Marc & Anne represent. Marc’s parents Archie & Diane are here as well today. This year they are celebrating their 115th year of ranching from the original Wolf homestead. Their mother cows wean off heavy calves with minimal input, and no creep feed. They must have good udders and teats, good feet and disposition and be able to raise big calves by themselves year after year. Their Top Cut Bull Sale is held at the ranch on the last Saturday in January.

EVENSON ANGUS Hettinger, ND

www.evensonangus.com

We were probably the last to leave 21 Angus as Derek was busy taking some drone shots. Consequently, our arrival at Evenson Angus was late and short. We pulled into the feedlot, and I decided to go the back route and ended up parking in front of the bus. Bill and Rodney were both on hand. Bill was busy answering questions and Rodney made sure everyone had a sorting stick souvenir to take home. The Evenson’s are no strangers to hosting tours, as they seem to have been on every one in the area since the late 80’s. They held their first production sale in 1980 and have been using AI since the early 60’s. All of the females are synchronized. Spring heifers begin calving the 1st of February, Spring cows start on the 15th. Fall heifers being August 15th and cows following September 1st. Quite the well-oiled production machine! Their 2022 calf crop are sired by: Kessler’s Commodore 6516, Sitz Resilient 10208 Evenson Everest 964, Evenson Commodore 0160 to name just a few. As we were leaving, a bull got loose and ended up in the alley between pens in front of us. Eventually finding the correct road to get out of the way. Hopefully Derek got a good picture...(yep he did!)🔻🔻

BOWMAN ANGUS Rhame, ND

www.bowmancattle.com

I’ve always thought it funny that Bowman Ranch isn’t in Bowman – it’s in Rhame. But no one else laughs at that I guess (I think Barry might have). Eric & Andrea and their children Dillon, Livia, and Grayson were all there to greet everyone. I swear those kids have all aged 8 years since I was last there 5 years ago. All that hard work of ranch life, you get older faster. They are a family run operation and provide all of the daily labor. Their program continues to focus on the mother cow. They have to be structurally sound, easy to handle with good udders, while weaning a heavy calf and breeding back each year on time. They do not use creep feed, as it gives the Bowman’s a more accurate evaluation of their herd. The cows are expected to wean a heavy calf and maintain adequate flesh during the grazing period from mid may until mid December. They host an annual bull sale the second Thursday in February right on the Bowman Ranch, in Rhame.

BROOKS CHALKY BUTTE RANCH Bowman, ND

www.brookschalkybutteangusranch.com

After two days of feasting on a never-ending buffet, I was glad our dinner stop and final stop of the tour didn’t include a steak dinner. Steve & April Brooks of Brooks Chalky Butte provided ample food for a not so hungry crowd. Also, a perfect evening and location for a final stop. The Brooks homestead goes back to 1905 and the first registered Angus came in the 1940s. They later switched to all commercial cattle and started a registered herd again in the 70s. Today, every cow in their herd is registered. All of their cattle work is done on horseback, and all of the calves are drug to the branding fire. This year’s calf crop is sired by Sitz Stellar, Woodhill Blueprint, Sitz Resilient, Baldridge Alternative, Kessler’s Commodore, Connealy National, and Brooks Amidon. They normally have a female sale in January that will not be happening this coming year. Their bull sale is the first Saturday in April.

A long two days came to an end. In total, we put on close to 600 miles in the two day tour, which had just under 200 registered participants from 12 states. We departed Brooks, and headed back to Dickinson to retrieve Derek’s truck, repack and move dogs around, and then headed off for Sidney, MT for their Angus tour which started the next day. That is part II of this story and it's coming next month...