October 1998
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| Publication of the DCCI Newsletter is solely the product of Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. of Barnesville, OH 740 758-5050. The content is at the discretion of DCCI and is not paid for by taxpayer solicited campaign funds, nor did it originate from any state or federal incarceration facilities sponsored by taxpayer funding. No donations are solicited. Subscription is free to friends. This is not a nonprofit organization, so your contributions are purely on a tax evasion status. The DCCI Newsletter is not printed on recycled paper in support of our national renewable timber industry. The DCCI Newsletter is printed so that you may know about DCCI, the products, the business services, employees, and innovative successes. By reading the DCCI Newsletter we want to earn your patronage and continue to be the leader in our small industry. Any part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from DCCI, as long as credit is given. | |||
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Jet Set
Jet Set, when I first laid eyes on him, was on the Harold and Sue Golden ranch in Goshen, Ohio. They had purchased him in the Gilley Dispersal Sale. The Gilley sale also sold numerous Jet Set daughters with awesome horn and the beautiful Bail Jumper conformation. At this time, Jet Set is casually servicing numerous daughters of Senator, Zhivago, Overwhelmer, Classic, Not Gunna, King, Vision Quest, Lethal Weapon, Gizmo, Impressive, Quill and Bouncer. We can’t wait to see this blend of these beautiful pedigrees when the calves hit the ground in 1999. Jet Set has an awesome blend pedigree. He is the magic touch of Butler, Phillips and WR. Jet Set is of course by Bail Jumper out of a daughter of Classic, who is out of a daughter of Don Quixote out of a daughter of WR 2308. He is the best of the best, of the best. Semen is available at this time on Jet Set at a price of only $15. This is an introductory fee for those who have not used Jet Set in the past. It is a good time to store up some economical Jet Set semen in preparation for those high impact, fancy, blend genetics when they hit the ground.
 Horns Are High
Many were skeptical about the Butler sale due to the horrible drought situation that has plagued Texas for the last six months. Although the drought had somewhat broken in south Texas, many people had learned a lesson in overstocking and had no interest in increasing the number of cattle on their ranches. The Butler Sale was so well done, many people rethought that process and paid big bucks for new big horned cattle. Vernon and Janice Webb of Washington, Texas raised the good Butler bull Unlimited. We had the privilege of acquiring him from the Webb’s several years ago. Many believe Unlimited is the top living 100% Butler bull in the nation. He has 64 5/8” horn, tremendous conformation and sires both horn and very attractive color. Wes O’Neil, of Beeville, Texas consigned an embryo nursing bull calf sired by Unlimited in the Butler Sale. He sold for a whopping $6700 to Manny Moore, of Flathead Lake, Montana. Other members of Unlimited’s family also sold at auction. OT Superior’s Droopy, the dam of Unlimited, sold for $7500 to Brent & Cindy Bolen. VJ Pilar, a yearling daughter of Unlimited brought $4000 and a ¾ sister to Unlimited named VJ Mammu, sold for $3600. No matter how dry it is in Texas, the very good Texas Longhorn cattle always bring exciting prices. We were especially pleased that the Unlimited family was a highlight of the sale. We congratulate the Webb’s and Wes O’Neil for their success in this well managed Texas Longhorn Sale. Progeny of Unlimited are available at DCCI and frozen semen. His “lacy faced” calves are not just colorfully attractive but also a sure cinch for dynamic horn development as they mature.
NEW FALL VIDEO
NEW SIGN ERECTION
The sign beams are 14’ long and 14” square. Now if any cattle buyers miss the entry sign to Dickinson Cattle Company, it is obvious they need to try out for a seeing eye dog.
Bull Rotation
Sometimes at DCCI we sell a half interest in bulls we want to retain. They would be available for breeding in southern climates. The DCCI breeding season is mid June until the first of November. Any area that has a breeding season for fall, winter or early spring calving could be an ideal partner on one of the top DCCI bulls. If this would work for you, give us a call. Here at DCCI we work very seriously to develop, produce, test breed and raise the top Longhorn sires in the nation. Without a question the DCCI sires are measured, weighed, eye balled, remeasured, reweighed and continuously scrutinized more than any test sire program in the industry before allowing breeding privileges.
Western Horizons
The development trend is not a new one for Colorado. This property located only 12 ½ miles from the Colorado Springs city limits is now very attractive for computer technology and high tech experts working at Schreiver Air Force Base just six miles west. Western Horizons will have serious covenants so the construction and design of each unit will be of a quality nature. Both residential and commercial lots have strict zoning requirements. The subdivision is located on the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Irrigation Water Aquifer. Each lot will have one to two acre feet of water appropriation for domestic or livestock use annually. This development will have more abundant water than any in the whole area. Prices start at $30,000 for lots of 2 ½ - 5.1 acres. As one era ends and another begins, soon children will run and play where Longhorn bulls once pawed the dirt and bellowed toward the western horizons. The marketing of these unique sights will be handled by the Dickinson family in the same manner as thousands of Longhorns have been sold in days gone by.
Christmas Gift Certificates
Longhorn Association Forms In Depot
The International Texas Longhorn Association is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas for the purpose of expanding and developing awareness and appreciation for the profitability traits of the Texas Longhorn breed of cattle. ITLA has 22 regional affiliate associations in the United States and members in nearly every state plus Canada and certain foreign countries. The ITLA is a member oriented organization whereby every member gets to vote every year for their Officers and Directors. The highlight of the ITLA year is the International Championship Show and annual Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas on October 8 - 10. The ORVTLA will do numerous things to promote Texas Longhorn cattle under the leadership of the newly elected President, Steve Kiley of Hillsboro, Ohio, V.P., Mike Tomey of Bedford, Indiana, Secretary, Amy Pettijohn of Gasport, Indiana, Treasurer Becky Dingledine of Ashland, Ohio and Directors; Darol Dickinson and Bill Farson of Barnesville, Ohio, Terry Brown of Ripley, Ohio, Ed Dingledine of Ashland, Ohio and Scott Brown of Russiaville, Indiana. The organizational meeting was very positive with a depot full of participants. Those wishing to become a part of this local exciting Texas Longhorn affiliate are invited to join with the payment of $25 for Regular membership, $5 for Junior members, $20 for Associate members and $100 for the first 15 Charter Lifetime members. Memberships will be received by Treasurer, Becky Dingledine, 695 T.R. 1275, Route 2, Ashland, Ohio 44805. After the founding organizational meeting of ORVTLA members adjourned to Dickinson Cattle Company located north of Barnesville to observe several hundred head of modern Texas Longhorn cattle and to thoroughly enjoy a complimentary dinner furnished by Dickinson Cattle Company of lean healthy Texas Longhorn beef. Texas Longhorn cattle are becoming more popular in the Northeast especially among health conscious people who prefer the lean, high protein and low cholesterol traits of Texas Longhorn beef. For more information about joining ORVTLA or Texas Longhorn cattle, contact President, Steve Kiley 937/288-2825.
BueLingo Popularity
Numerous BueLingo lovers are starting to purchase breeding groups for their registered cattle herd. The registered cattle business has proven to be much better than the generic business. A beautiful herd of BueLingo with their flamboyant belts in the green pastures, is awesome. Give us a call if you would like to start a nice herd of BueLingo. We have unrelated groups of two, five or ten females and a young bull, which will make a great starter herd. They are a fun breed, profitable and very gentle. The 1998 BueLingo Convention was held in Powell, Wyoming. Dickinson Cattle Company has agreed to be the host for the 1999 Convention in Barnesville, Ohio. We plan to have a show and present the breed to as many people as possible in this new area of exposure. If you would like to take a look at some of the BueLingo available for purchase, request a video which shows 1998 cattle available. The video is free, but please send $4 to cover postage and handling. You can select the young cattle you would like from the video and they can be delivered. Give us a call and let us know how many you would like.
BueLingos For Sale
1999 Celebrity Calendar
Breeding For Horn
Here at DCCI we have semen available on 11 proven sires with over 60” horn tip to tip. These are bulls that have been around for a long time and have numerous sons and daughters also over 60”. Some folks think the semen is so expensive they can’t afford it on the very big horned bulls of the breed, that is not so. At DCCI we sell semen on a 65” horn bull called Tin Horn, a son of Classic for $10. He is believed to be the largest horned son of Classic. The other remaining ten bulls available in frozen semen include Classic @ $15, Jet Set @ $15, King @ $15, Laramie @ $20, Lockhorn @ $25, Superman @ $35, Tabasco @ $20, The Shadow @ $25, Unlimited @ $20, and Zhivago @ $20. Alligators don’t have puppies and puppies don’t have alligators, it works the same both directions. The odds of raising a 60” horn bull or cow without using genetics that are consistently stacked with 60” horn cattle, or better, is frivolous. No place in the world are there mathematicians like Longhorn people who will breed a 35” horned bull to a 35” horned cow, add that together and think they are going to produce a 70” horn calf. Raising Texas Longhorn cattle with horn growth over 60” at maturity is not a difficult thing to do if you use the right herd sires. If you are a producer that wants to raise more size, more thickness and more growth in your cattle there are bulls with the big horn that weigh over a ton such as King, Zhivago and The Shadow. If you want to raise cattle that weigh over a ton, have over 60” horn and through black coloring, The Shadow will do that fairly consistently. Tin Horn and Unlimited will also give you a good shot at black. There are numerous choices. In order for everyone to stay honest, keep in mind, if you tell people you are trying to raise really big horn and don’t use the semen or the biggest horned bulls in the breed, you fall into the same category of the burglar who is hunting a cop.
Breeding Fast Forwardby Darol Dickinson
In 1977 there was a seminar at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. One of the speakers indicated that there was breed change and how far was this kind of rampant breed improvement going to go? One of the panel speakers said their goal was to produce a Longhorn bull that weighed over a ton and had horns over 50” tip-to-tip. At that point there was some heckling in disbelief as people grumbled in the back of the room convinced that these were things far beyond the Texas Longhorn breed. In 1985 the Texas Longhorn Journal featured an article called, “The Magnificent Seven.” At that point the biggest horned cow in the nation was identified as having a horn spread of 59 ½” tip-to-tip.
In the early 80’s the tool of embryo transfer became available to the cattle industry. This allowed superior Texas Longhorn bulls to be bred to the most superior Texas Longhorn cows and create “litters” of calves from proven superior matings. Even though the breed may have only had a few very superior bulls and a few very superior cows, within a few years the embryo transfer process created hundreds of animals from these great individuals. As these litters began to develop, a “genetic bounce” was observed. A genetic bounce is the amount of variation between animals that may be full brothers or sisters. Lets say there are ten embryo calves that are full brothers, one may mature to 1700 pounds, one may mature to 2200 pounds, one may have 40” horn, one may have 60” horn. The bounce is the amount of variation between full brothers and full sisters. The bounce is a wonderful thing although some bounce goes down and some goes up. The identifying of the high quality bounce is the way to create breed improvement. Utilizing the superior animal and not utilizing the lower quality animal allows the next generation to benefit for an additional bounce which may be of a higher degree of quality. As each mating in each generation progresses, where superior animals are mated to superior animals and the genetic bounce increases, the lineage gets stronger and the qualities desired become more consistent and more extreme. Professional Longhorn producers are identifying animals that not only have the maximum genetic bounce, but also have pedigrees stacked full of extraordinary excellent animals. As these pedigrees are blended and stacked over and over again, the consistency of quality increases on correctly selected matings. At this time the Longhorn industry is enjoying pedigrees that are five and seven generations of well known animals, which assist in creating a predictable outcome. Professional producers are searching the country and identifying the very superior bulls to breed to the very superior cows and obviously will reap excellent rewards. Statistics will be the key in developing Fast Forward Genetics. It’s not just sorting data, but determining which data to sort. At this point data is easy to sort from Texas Longhorn Journal articles which identify 15 year old cows with record horn development. This data is helping producers to determine which foundation bulls were the best sires during 1975 to 1985. Although this information calculated to determine the best bulls of that period is good, the information of today’s best sires that are producing even better young genetics is the very best data. Today we have longer pedigrees stacking numerous of the best progeny from the best foundation sires that far excel the old data. This is the future and the people who identify the Fast Forward genetics and use them are going to have fun - fun - fun! The July/August 1998 Texas Longhorn Journal identified certain Longhorn cows that possess over 70” horn tip-to-tip. Many of these cows have stacked pedigrees which incorporate the genetics of some of the strongest and longest horned bloodlines. At the Butler sale in Texas, a five month old Texas Longhorn bull calf sired by Unlimited, who has 64 5/8 inch horn, out of the cow, Lotta Class, who has 71 ½” horn, sold at auction for $6700. Wes O’Neal, the owner of Lotta Class, could have bred her to a foundation bull like Bold Ruler, who had 50” horn, but chose to do an embryo flush with a bigger horned bull with a known stacked pedigree. This is a perfect example of Fast Forward breeding, this is an example whereby one of the largest horned cows in history is mated to one of the largest horned bulls and the result is an animal with superior genetic potential and proven sale value. This animal could have a positive genetic bounce and as a bull mature with a horn growth of 70” - 80”. Obviously, this could dominate the genetics of this part of the industry with the real big horn cattle. This is Fast Forward breeding. This is serious mating of the best cattle to the best cattle to try to make a fast giant forward step. This is where consistency is coming from and will continue to multiply in the future. Foundation breeding: Totally contrary to the example just presented, many people in the Texas Longhorn industry, instead of going forward, are breeding back to foundation cattle. Instead of selecting semen on the very biggest horned bulls and the very best conformation bulls, they are breeding backwards to the sires, grand sires or even great grand sires of some of today’s prominent cattle. This foundation breeding, although comfortable to some, is very disappointing to most people. Here at Dickinson Cattle Company we have frozen semen for sale on over sixty Texas Longhorn sires. People are buying semen from some of the bulls that were famous back in the 1960’s and 70’s. Bulls which have less than 50 inch horn and bulls which may weigh as little as 1100 to 1400 pounds. Although these bulls were breed-leaders in their day, they have fallen way behind the more progressive genetics on today’s drawing board. The evaluation of foundation sires may prove they have sired 10 to 20 truly great cows and yet few have any data to show how many hundred calves were born with an undesirable bounce creating inferior animals. Why do people breed to foundation sires? Many people go back to some of the old proven sires in order to try and recreate some beautiful animals that are full brothers or sisters to adult well known genetics. Obviously, when you look at a cow that is 15 - 20 years old and she has unbelievable horn growth, there is no question as to whether her sire can actually sire horn. However, the consistency of that old bull may have been very poor and at that point it is very important to take a critical look at breeding backward vs. breeding forward. There are people who think, in our lifetime, we may very well see cows which measure 80” and even bulls with 80” horn tip-to-tip. These bulls could be very colorful, have excellent milking genetics and even weigh over a ton. It is possible to get the superior commercial cattle traits of rapid gainability and calving ease, plus all the beautiful and attractive traits we have grown to love and appreciate on purebred Texas Longhorns. If per chance this rapid breed improvement continues, as statistics have indicated, a change is taking place. What bulls will sire these calves in the future? Will they be the old foundation bulls, that had horns maybe not even getting to 40”, or will they be the best blend of genetics from today’s superior herd sires? Here at DCCI we advocate a serious look at breeding forward. Utilize the frozen semen from the very superior sires of the breed and move forward on progressive genetics rather than going back to the old foundation blood. Breeding backwards is going to be the slowest or perhaps an impossible form of breed improvement. Artificial insemination will serve a major roll in forward breeding. The use of frozen semen shipped coast to coast and international will provide unique line-bred and out-cross genetics that will allow progressive forward success to happen rapidly. Those who chose not to use artificial insemination and do not use the very best individuals for their breeding program, will obviously not reap the benefits of the rapid breed improvement that will happen in the next few years. The forward blending genetics of the very superior cattle will develop the conformation, color and high value Longhorn traits in the twenty first century that no one would have dreamed of during a panel discussion right across the street from the Alamo at San Antonio in 1977.
Great Lakes Show
The young DCCI two year old cow, Queen of Not, who is a daughter of Not Gunna out of Queen of Senator, was first in class #10 and Reserve Champion Senior Heifer. Senator’s Rose, was first in class #11 and was Champion Junior Cow. She is a daughter of Senator out of Superior Rose, by Superior. Sena Bless, another Senator daughter who is out of a daughter of Impressive, was first in class #17. She was also Champion Senior Cow and Grand Champion All Age Female. At DCCI we are not dedicated to the show system 100%. We like to support the shows that are in our area, but we don’t haul our cattle from coast to coast to attend every event. Our goal is to work very hard on genetics that will be highly competitive at the highest levels of the show system. However, you are more likely to see DCCI cattle exhibited by other exhibitors than DCCI. If you are looking for show quality heifers, or young bulls, that will consistently win, give us a call. We have the very best selection in the nation. Showing Texas Longhorn cattle is fun, but showing cattle that win is super fantastic!
Projecting
Gibraltar Reigns  new tip to tip champion now reigns at Dickinson Cattle Company. Although the Senator son, The Shadow is believed to be the largest horned black bull in the nation, now his half brother, Gibraltar, a herd consultant, measures a cool 82” tip to tip at six years of age. Gibraltar is the brightest red Senator son you could ever imagine. The great old gentleman Frank Doherty at Fort Scott, Kansas artificially inseminated his dam Valentine, and Gibraltar was the result. El Coyote Ranch purchased the Doherty cattle and promptly Gibraltar was altered upon timely finding at El Coyote. DCCI and Robert Snyder of Columbus, Ohio purchased Gibraltar from his previous owner, Bubbles Choates of Judsonia, Arkansas. Gibraltar measured 77” tip to tip last April, he measured 80” the first of June and the last week of August he measures 82”. It is not hard to calculate one inch tip to tip horn measurement per month. 82” on a six year old is quite phenomenal, but the other thing that makes it even more phenomenal is the fact he is not a real straight out wide lateral horn shape. His horns grow out of his head, twist forward, go high in the air and then twist out. His total measurement of actual horn may be the longest of any steer in the breed, especially at age six.
Several years ago DCCI started an annual program to keep one steer from each of our major herd sires. Although the steer pasture is not large, it is now growing. In fact the steer market is growing. The number of people who don’t want to fool with breeding cattle, herd sires, bawling cows and calves, love the convenience and fun of raising exhibition steers. This year when weanling bulls are evaluated, the top cut of the bull calves will be retained as herd sires and the next cut will be retained as exhibition steers. These steers will be evaluated on their color, early horn growth, genetics and their potential to literally stop traffic along a freeway. These pick-of-the-crop young steers will be available for those who want the greatest exhibition pet steer that money can buy. Give us a call if you want a beautiful steer. There will be a great selection the first part of November. Dickinson Cattle Company is not famous for raising exhibition steers. That is because we just haven’t done it in the past! Our major emphasis has been toward creating great herd sires. Come see our little steer herd when you are in Ohio, you will be surprised.
Sacred Measurements
Well, I don’t agree. I don’t think measurements have to be dishonest or exaggerated to accurately convey Texas Longhorn qualities. Although this example happened many, many years ago, I am seeing it happening over and over again in our industry. More and more people are publishing measurements of their cattle and weights. Some of these numbers are getting a little on the careless side. Lets take a look at the different types of measurements on Texas Longhorn cattle. For years people have talked about tip-to-tip measurements. It was mentioned in the Dobie book on Longhorns back in 1939. A tip-to-tip horn measurement involves putting a tape measure across the very end of one horn tip and stretching it straight and tight to the very furthest point of the other tip. This particular measurement is fairly easy to do and can be done with an animal moving their head around and trying to be disagreeable. The tip-to-tip measurement has become a standard in the Longhorn industry. Anyone can measure tip-to-tip and should get within an eighth or a sixteenth of an inch to the exact same measurement no matter who or where they are. Some people do not feel the tip-to-tip measurement tells the whole story, Boone and Crocket measuring procedures involve measuring around the curl out to the tips of the horns. A Boone and Crocket measurement may deal with how many points on antlers. Keep in mind, the Boone and Crocket records are measured on deceased animals. The moose, elk or deer is not in a chute bawling, bellowing and shaking their heads around. They are stone cold dead and obviously much easier to measure. Today people are starting to talk about measurements which are called “poll” measurements or “around the curve measurements” or “total horn measurements”. There is a half dozen or more names given to methods of measuring. I think some folks are taking their tape measures and wrapping them around the horn as they go from one side of the head to the other. Some folks have been accused of taking the tape measure under the Longhorn’s neck to get their tip to tip measurement. The more flaky these different types of measurements become, the less creditability we have as Longhorn producers. This is what I would recommend for Longhorn measuring. We believe all measurements are divided into two categories; The “WW” measurement and the “NW” measurement. What we refer to as a WW measurement means, “with witnesses” and the NW measurement is a “no witnesses” measurement. We are finding a massive accumulation of the NW measurement all over the country. Some people are documenting the day the measurement was done and who are the witnesses that assisted in the measuring process. This is an honest and above board method of documenting a valuable measurement such as tip-to-tip. In the future on DCCI ads you will see a little code which means WW. At this point there will be a record of who was present and witnessed the measurement, or the weighing of these particular animals. Under this situation there will be two or more witnesses on each of our published data measurements which will have the WW affixed. It is very important to our industry that we have 100% creditability and the WW measurement is certainly our recommendation.
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ickinson Cattle Company gift certificates may be the absolute perfect gift for that upscale Texas Longhorn loved one or friend. DCCI has numerous products that make ideal Christmas gifts. These include; live Texas Longhorn cattle, shoulder steer mounts, Texas Longhorn tail mounts, Texas Longhorn rugs with the head attached, Texas Longhorn hair on chaps, Texas Longhorn hoof lamps, foot stools made out of cattle horns and hides. Probably the most popular product that DCCI produces is the beautifully polished Longhorn skulls. These are very professional and an absolute specialty. Now keep in mind, these aren’t Hereford cow skulls with Mexican steer horns glued on. Some DCCI skulls measure well over six feet tip to tip and include color photographs and registration certificates on the living animals. Although some DCCI polished skulls are economical, our main clientele are seriously upscale and don’t mind paying for the most elegant exhibition specimens in the industry. Send for photographs and prices on these beautiful products. They are all available as a Christmas gift certificate for that special friend. If your Christmas gift budget doesn’t allow for 100% of a Texas Longhorn, buy as much of the Longhorn as your gift certificate budget allows. Order early.
ifty cows bred to BueLingo bulls are available for purchase from Dickinson Cattle Company in November. These are cows which have been performance tested for the last few years and have consistently produced excellent calves. These 50 cows either have partial belts or some may be registered Salorn. They are all bred to BueLingo bulls for 1999 Spring calves. Give us a call if these good quality cows would work in your program. We would like to sell them with a buy back contract to acquire their calves next year. These are priced right and they will raise great calves. We are ready to deal. Give us a call, 740/758-5050.
everal years ago a fellow had a Longhorn bull that he thought a lot of. He asked if he could put him in our ranch scales and weigh and measure him, that was fine with us. I helped put him in the chute and assisted in the weighing procedure. This was a pretty big bull, really fat and looked nice. He weighed just a little under 1800 pounds. We measured his horns. He was 50 ½”. A couple months later a full color ad came out in the Longhorn Journal about how great this bull was. Supposedly he weighed over a ton and his horns were 59”. I read the ad and I thought back a couple of months when the bull was weighed in our own chute, under my own supervision. Promptly, I gave the fellow a phone call to harass him about his accuracy on measurements. He just laughed and made out like the whole thing was a joke. He said, “Dickinson don’t you understand how to advertise? I used to be a car dealer and this is the way you have to do it to make the sales.”