Hust Cattle Company has both fall and spring calving herds - both herds are managed under the same management philosophies. A balanced trait selection is our genetic progress model.
In the real world of anything we use or do "nothing is perfect". Utilizing a trait leader usually results in below breed average performance in some of the other traits. This is our approach to selecting herd sires and donors keeping in mind that none of these animals are perfect. Our genetic selection focuses on maintaining most traits above average by sampling new or proven genetics through AI or embryo transplant. We take the positive traits that meet our goal of "balance trait selection" and work to improve the negative traits. Our goal is to improve our genetic base each time we AI breed or flush our donors. These are the cattle used for Hust Cattle Company replacements and our customer base.
All of our data is collected from contemporary groups from birth to weaning and yearling. We start our genetic selection with the maternal traits, calving ease, fertility, mothering ability, and stayability. These traits should be basic to any cowherd. A cow has to raise a calf and breed back within the constraints of a sixty-day breeding season. We stress the same basic functionality by using sixty days breeding season for heifers. All open heifers and cows will be culled.
To manage the maintenance requirements of our herd we weight and body condition score our herd to get the herd evaluated for the ME [maintenance energy] EPD. Fleshing ability with slick hair coats also ranks high on replacement requirements for the Hust Cattle Company program. We work to balance the growth and carcass traits. Due to the fact the cattle industry has put a major emphasis on the growth traits for the last twenty plus years, an emphasis on limiting mature size is also part of our program due to the high cost of maintaining large frame cattle. With the industry changing, our emphasis is to produce lower birth weight with above average weaning and yearling, on a moderate frame.
Replacement heifers and bulls are put through a strict selection process. This includes cattle for replacements and cattle we offer for sale. The criteria for heifers and bulls include in herd performance data, a visual appraisal, conformation, disposition, carcass data, pelvic score, sound feet and legs, and frame score. Bulls must have a well-developed scrotal and females must have a sound reproductive track. All cattle are put through a complete herd health program designed for this area. If any other health requirements are needed for shipping, arrangements can be made to accommodate these needs.
Our goal is to produce the best possible seed stock in today's industry. We feel if one is looking for high profile cow families proven for generations the Hust Cattle Company program certainly can fulfill your needs. We have daughters and granddaughters of some of the most famous females in the Red Angus breed. These are the elite sector with some of the highest Mppa's in the industry today. Grandsons of these great matriarchs are being used as herd sires in the Hust Cattle Company program. You are always invited to stop by for a visit and a tour of our farm. We would love to have the opportunity to show you our cattle.
