CBCIA SEEDSTOCK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Bruin Ranch by CCA Communications Director Katie Roberti
With ranch goals focused on serving commercial nearly 300 mother cows and selling Angus bulls annually, cattlemen and women in the West, there is no question the operation’s use of proven genetics, embryo transfer as to why Bruin Ranch, located in Auburn, was selected and the belief that—their customer’s profitability depends as the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association’s on a foundation of profitable mother cows— hasn’t (CBCIA) 2019 Seedstock Producer of the Year. disappeared. Each year, CBCIA presents this award to recognize “The mothers of the bulls must be problem-free and beef cattle producers who use practical, scientifically from a predictable and proven lineage for maternal quality,” accepted selection and management methods and integrates Fischer said. “Simply put, bulls raised by outstanding them into successful ranching operations. mothers, produce outstanding daughters.” Lloyd Harvego, owner of Bruin Ranch, set out with The ranch’s priorities to raise quality cows is the goal of raising cattle that “thrived in their environment, something Bruin Ranch’s customers and peers in the were problem-free and outstanding in structure and eye industry recognized in the process of honoring the ranch appeal.” Established in 2001, Bruin Ranch purchased with this award. a small, commercial cowherd with plans to become an operation made up of registered cattle that were high...CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 quality and would thrive in the western foothill regions where the ranch is located. Joe and Abbee The foundation of the ranch’s first Fischer along with herd was made up of cows that came with their children proven pedigrees and long lineages of Bennett, Myles, cows that had made outstanding mothers, Marydith and combined with the use of elite Angus Paxton accept the award from Celeste genetics through embryo transfer—all Settrini and Rita contributing to the ranch’s success today. McPhee on behalf of In 2005, Joe Fischer joined the Bruin Ranch. operation at a time when the ranch was looking to increase the use of embryo transfer in their program. Having just graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and university experience in working with donor cows and embryo transfers, Fischer’s passions and knowledge aligned with the ranch’s goals. Additionally, as a California native, Fischer’s background of growing up in Calaveras County involved in his family’s commercial cow/calf operations brought the ranch a leader with experience and an interest in raising cattle to thrive specifically in California’s rangeland. Now, as the ranch’s manager and cattle partner, Fischer, along with his wife Abbee, has remained an integral part of the ranch’s success and growth over the past 14 years. While Bruin Ranch’s program has grown from a small set of cows to calving 22 California Cattleman January 2020