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CATTLE
RANCH OF THE WEEK
One of Colorado’s most scenic vistas is the Ragged
Mountains, which rise abruptly from the valley floor. It is
here, along the base of this massive granite wall, that the Volk
family has raised quality cattle since 1911. Located about 50
miles south of Glenwood Springs, Figure 4 Cattle Company!
Click Here to Read Article!
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19590 E. Main Street
#202
Parker, CO 80138
Phone (303) 770-9292
Fax (303) 770-9302 |
| Press Release |
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 24, 2007
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FIGURE 4
CATTLE CO. RECOGNIZED FOR SUPERIOR COWS
SOMERSET, CO. – Time
after time cattlemen are seeking cattle with optimum
efficiency to enhance profitability and contribute
to the competitiveness of the beef industry.
Cattlemen are dependent on cattle that not only
perform with optimum efficiency but also enhance
offspring performance. The American Salers
Association (ASA) is not only proud to promote a
breed that offers optimum efficiency but to award
Salers breeders for producing superior dams through
the ASA Golden and Silver Dam Program. Figure 4
Cattle Co. of Somerset, Co. is commended on being
one of these breeders awarded the Golden and Silver
Dam Award. Five of their dams won the Golden Dam
Award, FFS Jarri 279J, FFS Ms Y-458K, FFS Jenet 72J,
FFS Mystic 717M and FFS Mumbo 201M. Twenty-Two of
their dams won the Silver Dam Award, FFS Marta 65M,
FFS Ms G-774K, FFS Ms Y-451K, FFS Gizike 376G, FFS
Ms Link Power 310D, FFS Dina 364D, FFS Ms B-216K,
FFS Judith 778J, FFS Mamba 353M, FFS Melonie 722M,
FFS Muddy Mary 726M, FFS Juel 442J, FFS Myrtle 378M,
FFS Ms Magillicutty 226M, FFS Medley 45M, FFS Jayne
289J, FFS Lulie 365L, FFS Mother Nature 71M, FFS
Joydena 817J, FFS Ms B-235K, FFS Minda 727M and FFA
Lidie 283L.
The ASA Golden Dam Program is different from other breed programs
since the criteria to become a superior dam are more
stringent. The ASA Golden and Silver Dam Program
recognizes Salers breeders’ top producing cows
within a herd based on number of calves weaned per
cow exposed and weaning weight of calves which
defines efficiency. Cows can be recognized from
herds in harsh environments with lower weaning
weights to herds with excess nutritional resources
and high weaning weights because the list is based
on within herd performance.
The classifications to become a superior dam are more
stringent than other breeds as each one of the dam’s
calves must have a ratio above average. To become a
Golden Dam, cows must meet tough criteria in order
to be selected. Golden Dams must be 75% Salers, have
had a calf before they are 2.3 years of age, calve
within a 395 day calving interval, and each of the
dam’s calves must have a had a weaning ratio greater
than 105. These are the top quality, most efficient
cows in a herd.
The Silver Dams recognized must meet the same criteria as the
Golden Dams but are allowed to have weaned calves
that have a weaning ratio greater than 100.
This year 230 elite Salers dams were recognized on the ASA
Superior Dam listing. The number of dams increases
yearly which shows the Salers breeder’s commitment
to producing good quality cattle.
The American Salers Association (ASA) is the Salers
breed's leadership voice that records, protects and
promotes Salers cattle. The ASA represents Salers
breeders across the nation.
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For Immediate Release
Jan 7, 2007 we
received the
"Outstanding Performance Breeder of the Year for 2006"
at the ASA annual meeting.
Producers Recognized at Mid-Winter Conference
Figure 4 Cattle Company Honored As
Seedstock Producer of the Year
Gary, Gail and George Volk from Somerset,
Colorado were honored during the Colorado Cattlemen’s
Association (CCA) Mid-Winter Conference at the DoubleTree Hotel
in Colorado Springs, as this year’s Seedstock Producer of the
Year.
The Volks’ Figure 4 Cattle Company is
located 50 miles south of Glenwood Springs where it slopes west
along the base of Ragged Mountain. The Volk ranch is a forth
generation, family-owned seedstock operation that started in
1911. Clearly dedicated to preserving their ranch for future
generations, this father-son team manages 400 head of registered
Salers on their ranch. The Volks are one of the founders of
Salers. Their herd goes back to a registered Hereford base. The
Herefords were crossed with Angus, Simmental, Charolais, and
Limousin to build a commercial herd of over 2000 head. Salers
were introduced into the program in the early 1980’s. Their
dedication and efforts to improving the Salers breed has also
earned them five Performance Breeder of the Year Awards, from
the American Salers Association.
The Figure 4 Cattle Company land itself,
stands in testament to the kind of cattle the Volks must raise
to make a living. The cattle must be hardy and adaptable.
Elevation at the lower semi arid ranch is 5,200 feet and at the
top mountain range is about 9,000 feet. Surprisingly, Salers are
known for their ability to graze the higher level of the
mountain side. The Volks believe that because of Salers’
rangeability, they are better suited to the western rangelands
than any breed they have used in the past. Like other cattlemen
who have experienced similar results, the range improvements of
the Figure 4 have been dramatic since they turned out Salers.
Salers are foragers meaning they cover a big area and will not
beat the lower ground to death like other breeds.
The Volk’s are true believers that you must
have solid data and information feed back to compete in the beef
industry. The Volks gather extensive carcass and performance
information over the years on many feeder cattle sired by their
bulls. “There needs to be continuous feedback,” says Gary.
“Without it we wouldn’t know how our cattle are doing in the
real world or know how to develop a program to supply the
commercial cattlemen with seed stock that will improve his
bottom line which in the end will keep us in business.”
The Volks are dedicated Salers breeders that
have strived to improve the breed since it was imported into the
USA in 1976. They are long time American Salers members that
have contributed a lot of support to help the breed. Gary served
on the ASA board for 6 years. In memory of Gary’s sister, Margo
Keiser, each year an American Salers Junior Association youth
benefits from a Salers-Belles sponsored scholarship named in
honor of her. Gary and Gail are very active in the promotion of
Salers and the entire industry by having a yearly production
sale the last Saturday in March, expanding their customer base
to international markets and meat sales to private individuals.
The Seedstock Producer Award is offered by
CCA to recognize beef producers who have the program behind the
cattle that improves production and economics for the industry.
Looking at the history, heritage, and land behind these
families; it is easy to see why ranchers have been and always
will be the best stewards of the land.
CCA’s Beef Improvement Steering Committee
members, along with Colorado State University beef industry
professors, review and rate nominations submitted by local
affiliate organizations. This year’s awards were sponsored by
Merial Animal Health. The award winners will next compete in the
Beef Improvement Federation competition.
FIGURE 4 CATTLE COMPANY has their
Annual Production Sale
the last Saturday in March. Selling breeding bulls and heifers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2005
Figure 4 Cattle Company was
chosen 2nd in the Outstanding Performance Breeders of the Year
for 2004.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2004
For more information, contact:
Teresa Lebsack, ASA communications director: (303)770-9292
Word Document of Press Release Attached
FIGURE 4 CATTLE CO. RECOGNIZED FOR SUPERIOR COWS
Somerset, Colo. – Time after time cattlemen are seeking cattle
with optimum efficiency to enhance profitability and contribute to
the competitiveness of the beef industry. Cattlemen are dependent
on cattle that not only perform with optimum efficiency but also
enhance offspring performance. The American Salers Association (ASA)
is not only proud to promote a breed that offers optimum
efficiency but to award Salers breeders for producing superior
dams through the ASA Golden and Silver Dam Program. Figure 4
Cattle Co. of Somerset, Colo. is commended on being one of these
breeders awarded the Golden and Silver Dam Award. Dam, FFS Daru
90D won the Golden Dam Award with a ratio of 110. In order to win
the Golden Dam Award the dam’s calves must have a weaning ratio
greater than 105. Two of their dams won the Silver Dam Award, FFS
Ms Link Power 310D and FFS Dina 364 D.
The ASA Golden Dam Program is different from other breed programs
since the criteria to become a superior dam are more stringent.
The ASA Golden and Silver Dam Program recognizes Salers breeders’
top producing cows within a herd based on number of calves weaned
per cow exposed and weaning weight of calves which defines
efficiency. Cows can be recognized from herds in harsh
environments with lower weaning weights to herds with excess
nutritional resources and high weaning weights because the list is
based on within herd performance.
The classifications to become a superior dam are more stringent
than other breeds as each one of the dam’s calves must have a
ratio above average. To become a Golden Dam, cows must meet tough
criteria in order to be selected. Golden Dams must be 75% Salers,
have had a calf before they are 2.3 years of age, calve within a
395 day calving interval, and each of the dam’s calves must have a
had a weaning ratio greater than 105. These are the top quality,
most efficient cows in a herd.
The Silver Dams recognized must meet the same criteria as the
Golden Dams but are allowed to have weaned calves that have a
weaning ratio greater than 100.
This year 190 Salers dams won the ASA Golden and Silver Dam Award.
The number of dams increases yearly which shows the Salers
breeder’s commitment to producing good quality cattle.
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