Showstring successes!

Whew - it's been just over a month since we've began our 2009 show season - and we've had our share of victories and defeats! Here's a quick re-cap of what our hardworking 4-H kids have been up to. First, let's meet our crew.

Marcy McNichols - is our resident "senior" 4-Her. She will be a sophomore at North Dakota State University in the Fall majoring Agricultural Business. When she's not showing cattle, Marcy enjoys shooting sports, and shootin' the breeze. This summer she and her family traveled to Germany to visit a foreign exchange student they hosted.

Courtney Johnson - will be a senior at Hill City High School in the fall. Newest to the showteam, Courtney is a happy-go-lucky young lady who has diverse interests in small animals, health and journalism. Last year she was a one-woman-show for the school newspaper and yearbook!

Emily Rassmussen - known for her dual-skills in horsemanship and cattle, Emily is exhibiting her very own steer in addition to breeding females this year. While there's much to learn about raising and showing steers, Emily's feels proud to have "one of her own" on the string. In the fall, Emily will be a Junior at Grand Rapids High School.

Hannah Rassmussen - here's our cowgirl in training. Though not officially leasing 4-H projects yet, she competed in her first show at the Aitkin County 4-H Fun Show. Hannah is a bright, inquisitive 10 year old who has unrivaled success with her pony. When she's 12, she'd like to become an official member of the showteam.

July 11, 2009 - Aitkin County 4-H Fun Show, Aitkin, MN
Showmanship successes were the highlight of this one-day event! Hannah, in her first show, earned champion Junior Showman with her big, easy going heifer. Cortney, Emily and Marcy were all called back for the Senior Showmanship contest, and Marcy was named champion (her first such honor!). The animals were all well behave, except Double D - Emily's steer - was a bit freaked out.

In the classes, we did well, also. 0811 placed second, followed by 0806 and 0819 in a class of 6. 0846 won her class, but didn't earn any additional honors. The steer placed 4th out of 8 in the unfinished steer contest.

July 13-16 - Red River Valley Fair, West Fargo, ND
This event comprises three different shows: Regional Red Angus Show, Open Red Angus Show and Mel Kirkide Youth Show - which is great to get a different perspective on what your cattle can do. We were on both extremes - near the bottom and at the top throughout the event. What was most memorable though was the fun Alaina and the girls had - especially on Wednesday night when Jack and Becky joined the fun for go-kart racing!

July 31-Aug. 2 - North St. Louis County Fair, Chisholm, MN
Jack and the girls brought a full trailer load to the county fair. A neighboring county, we've brought cattle here for 20 years and feels like a second home. With 4 heifers, 3 cow-calf pairs and 1 steer, it was a tight fit to get to the event. But once, hay and straw was provided for all exhibitors. Through pouring rain, the team showed quite well, sweeping nearly every competition. Champion Female was #12 and her calf; Champion Bull was #117's bull calf. The steer won it's class of 3, also. You'll note the yearling heifer class was jumbled as 0819 is coming on strong, placing: 0811, 0819, 0846 and 0806.

We've got a 2.5 week break before the Itasca County Fair - our hometown crowd and extravaganza!

Sold!

Do you remember that song from John Michael Montgomery called "Sold!" Sometimes I like to break out with it in song, as I do today. Here's the chorus, in case you forgot:

And I said 'hey pretty lady won't you give me a sign.
I'll do anything to make you mine oh mine.
I'll do your biddin' and be at your beck and call.
Yeah I've never seen anyone lookin' so fine,
Man, I gotta have her, she's a one-of-a-kind
I'm goin' once, goin' twice,
I'm sold! on the lady in the second row
She's an eight, she's a nine, she's a ten, I know
She's got ruby red lips, blond hair, blue eyes
An' I'm about to bid my heart good-bye!

Anyways, that has absolutely nothing to do with this post - except to report that 3 of the 6 yearling bulls in our 2009 private treaty sale offering have been sold (or that 3 are still for sale). Cross 0815, 0821 and 0826 off of your list, as they SOLD!

But don't fret, that still leaves 0809, 0810 and 0827 to be had!

2009 Private Treaty Bull Sale

We're pleased to showcase our 2009 Private Treaty Bulls for sale. Below you will find a few photographs on each bull, a link to their extended pedigree/EPDs from the Red Angus Association of America website and our comments on each.

These six yearling bulls represent the best of our 2008 calf crop in maternal cow power and strong sires (both industry-recognized AI sires and our natural herd bulls). Don't hesitate to contact us if you see something you like!

SHO GRANITE PC 0809

His name is Granite because he’s a solid, AI-sired bull. He and his mother were named Champion Red Angus cow-calf pair at the MN State Fair 4-H show. He’s got good frame and will put a thick topline on the calves he sires. Granite is one of the most complete bulls in the 2009 lineup, with good weaning and growth numbers.

This year's bulls all have a nice set of nuts. All bulls sell after passing a breeding soundness examination by our herd health veterinarian. That way, you know you'll have a capable breeding bull when you turn him out to pasture.

View 0809's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here.


SHO JACKPINE MAX 0810
Jackpine’s are known to stand above the others, and this bull is no exception. He may be out of the ugliest cow in the herd, but she’s always raised a belt-busting calf. He bears a resemblance unlike his mother, with a teddy bear look and disposition to match. A very balanced bull that carries his depth with plenty of gut. And a nice smooth shoulder/front-end (see below)!

View 0810's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here!


SHO TABASCO PC 0815

Meet Tabasco named such as he’s bound to spice things up. Standing on good substance of bone, Tabasco has a gentle disposition and plenty of length. His mother is a young super-producer from Sonstegard Cattle Co. Check out his smooth front-end—easy calving! A maternal half-brother was the first bull to sell in 2008. View 0815's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here!


SHO HOSS ML 0821

Here’s a bull that packs a punch! The guys took one look at him and agreed—he’s a steer making bull if they’ve ever seen one. Shorter framed, with a powerful, stout front end, he’s out of a cow with loads of milk. With a big wide top to him, he’ll add power. And, he’s got a good disposition, too! Do you like that, Hoss?

View 0821's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here!


SHO SHOCKER PO 0826

Looking to add some excitement to your herd? Shocker has the giddy-up and go! He is one of the most athletic bulls in the battery. With a small head, good depth and an attractive hip to him, he will sire deep-sided, standout calves. Jack thinks this is the best bull in the offering. (Caution - he's a little frisky).

View 0826's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here!


SHO STOPPER ML 0827

Stopper is a lighter colored bull that is worth a second look. With a heifer-head, smooth shoulder, frame and plenty of length to him—he’ll shape up to be a calving-ease king. His mother is an easy-keeping forage monger with a good tight udder; a model of efficiency! Stop and take a look at this youngster.

View 0827's extended pedigree, weights and EPDs by clicking here!

Calving success

I just checked in with Gary Jacobson to see how the bred heifer (Lot #8) he purchased from the MN Great Northern Sale doing. This is what Gary had to say:

She calved Feb. 11, 78-lb. heifer calf. Nice udder and nice disposition. Have 179 calves on the ground since 1/20/09. So far great luck!!!

That's good news from the north! We're glad to see a customer happy with one of our females. At our farm, we're just preparing for the big round of AI calves. So far, we have 6 on the ground, and 21 are expected to come any day now. Luckily, even though you may AI your herd on the same day, it doesn't mean they will calve all on the same day. Cattle have their own natural calving distribution. I suspect it will be a busy weekend at Shady Oaks Farm.

Great Northern Consignment Success

I can't believe it's taken me this long to get back to our site and update! My apologies! The 2008 Minnesota Great Northern Sale went very well for us. Lot #8 was purchased by Gary Jacobson, Jacobson Red Angus of Hitterdal, MN. Gary has a keen eye for those dark-cherry red heifers and was quick to snatch her up. Lot #9 sold to Robert Cyr from Hillman, MN, whom we originally purchased her mother from. Bob told us he should have never let her mama go! We're glad he was able to buy-back a daughter from her.

Thanks to all of our supporters!