Rancher's Choice - The Right Choice

From the ground up the Rancher's Choice group reads like a family tree. From its roots up to each branch, everyone involved is an integral part of the growth. Cow checkers, family, hospitality hosts, auctioneers, the auction market staff, seminar speakers, catalogue design, and retail meat analyst all contribute in different ways but, all are equally important.

The seed germinated many years ago when brothers, Bill and Don Dillabaugh, Kim Robertson and family, and brothers, Dennis and David Johnston found Angus cattle to be as Dennis Johnston call them, "the right kind". They learned that each other shared similar philosophies about producing quality cattle for respective customers. They formed a partnership that now hosts one of the largest single day Angus bull sale events in North America.

Like any living thing, how it's managed and cared for will determine its strength and longevity. Such was the case with the popularity of the groups earlier bull sales. By 1992 the sale had outgrown the Double AA facilities and it was time to move to a larger facility. The move, itself, would not be difficult, however the group wanted to ensure the new auction markets shared the same commitment to customer service. Today sales are held at Medicine Hat Feeding Company, Saskatoon Livestock Sales, and Provost Livestock Auction.

Another branch in the group's tree utilizes technology. Having developed an alliance with Dr. John McKinnon of the University of Saskatchewan, they are able to develop better carcass traits in their cattle. Since 1989, over 3000 sale bulls have been measured for back fat, rib eye size and, more recently, for marbling characteristics using ultrasound technology. Over the past ten years, rib eye sizes have increased by approximately 10 percent, without an increase in overall animal size or a loss of performance or fertility. They continue to semen test and scrotal measure sale bulls; however they no longer pelvic measure sale cattle. "We measured over 1000 head and all we learned was that bigger animals have bigger pelvises," says Bill. Rather than relying on measurements to select sale cattle, the partners have opted for using their eyes and designing ration programs for weight gains of approximately 3.2 pounds per day and target weights of 1175 lbs. for bulls and 900 lbs. for heifers at a year of age.

Rancher's Choice partners have a base of 1600 producing cows. They believe that they need these numbers to supply 400 good bulls. Each partner manages their own herd and selects animals for the sale offerings. Kim said "I don't know of any other herds that have the basics in place as we do."

Calving begins in mid-February, with the majority of the herd completing calving by mid-March. Calving weights are usually in the 85 to 95 pound range, keeping assisted births to a minimum. Due to the demands of farming, Robertson and Dillabaughs relay on natural service for all their breeding. Johnstons A.I. their cows, to increase the selection of herdsires, as well as breed a higher number of cows to bulls they've selected. The partners have drawn semen on most of their own herdsires but have not offered semen for sale.

As sound as the cattle are, equally sound are the people who make up this family tree. Bill said "We are responsible for the cattle we sell. Our customers want the same cows and bulls we have, so it's our job to duplicate our herds in theirs."

Click here to get to know the partners.