We at a&t have a few matings that we are pumped up about as well, but first, I really like that kit kat cow jamie, wish she was red but damn nice cow regardless. I will rate my top 4 expected matings:
1)DRC 475CS mated to our Sneed bull that we call "Bond". 475 was by far the highest IMF female in the group we bought from Dover Ranch in 2005. She ratioed 128 for IMF and 103 for REA. She has already proven that she transmits these traits to her offspring as all of the calves by her that have been ultrasounded have been at the very top of their contemporary groups. Her 2008 Open Range son was a standout on paper in the 2009 Blue Collar sale as he was the 2nd highest for IMF was above average for REA and was 2nd for ADG, he was selected by Koulee Shorthorns in Washington. Bond was the highest IMF bull in the 2009 Blue Collar sale and beleived to be the highest IMF shorthorn bull ever scanned at 9.46!, with only .17 fat!!.....and still ratioed average for REA! I hope I don't get accused of being the "Carcass Freak" because of this mating. I don't use any genetics unless I can use them phenotypically. Both of these parents are deep-sided, easy fleshing and calving ease as 475 had a 64 pound birthweight and Bond was 70 pounds. I can't wait for this calf!
2)A&T Miss Obvious 725 mated to Eionmor Marquis. Much of the reason I am anticipating this calf is because of how good the 2010 heifer is from this mating. 725 is a Byland Mission out of DRC 244 (captain's dam) and the mother of a&t rawhide 962, the very promising young sire at Galbreath Farms in ND. Marquis needs no introduction.
3)GVR Sylvia Blossom 50 bred to Marquis. Old 50 is a heck of a cow that will be 11 years old by the time she calves this February. A Titleist 441 daughter, she is a massive 5 frame 1385 pound truck with a perfect udder and tremendous will to produce. We acquired her with the purchase of the Green Valley herd and with the group also came a daughter of 50 by Fairacres Dollarmaster, who is also a good rip. 50 had a solid red 034 bull last year but was born with the sac over it's nose, man was i sick over that deal but we grafted an angus heifer onto her and that calf ratioed 122 in our entire herd for weaning weight! This cow will definitely be flushed before she leaves us.
4)A&T Obvious Diva 932 mated to Captain Obvious. Maybe it's crazy to get too excited about a 2 year old heifer's first calf but this female is so special, I can't help it. She is a Open Range daughter out of DRC 244 which makes her linebred to the DRC 358K cow at Dover Ranch who was quite possibly the best shorthorn female I have ever witnessed. Then add in another shot of 358 by mating her to her maternal brother and it should be dynamite. For any of you who know John Sonderman, you can ask him about the 932 female as well as any of the females from our 244 cow family. They are da' bomb!
