A Working Legacy
Consistency is Key
Past CCA president Jerry When asked what her favorite part Hemsted, Cottonwood, who has of the ranch is, Terry simply states, “I been the livestock manager at Bengard like buying bulls. It’s exciting!” Ranches for 13 years, says working Tom and Terry’s daughter, with the cattle is his favorite part of his Tracy Pezzini, says her mother is a involvement in the operation. phenomenal bull buyer. Part of his role as the “herd boss” Terry buys bulls from ranchers in is to oversee the vaccination program California, and not only appreciates the comaraderie at bull sales across the and the source verification program, ensuring that the cattle are well taken state, but the genetics of the animals care of and that they are where they offered at the sales as well. Rick Blanchard, managing partner belong at any given time of production. “One of the unique features of at Firebaugh-based Silveira Bros., says Bengard Ranches is we are a one-iron he appreciates seeing folks with as ranch,” Hemsted said. “We keep our much tenacity and passion for beef cattle as the Bengards do. According to own bloodlines which is what makes our herd so consistent.” Blanchard, Bengard Ranches has been Having helped build the herd to buying bulls from Silveira Bros. for what is it today brings a huge sense of more than 15 years. pride to Hemsted “Terry knows what when he sees Bengard to look for in a bull, not cattle excel time just phenotypically, but “Ranching is and time again at genotypically, as well,” said Blanchard. my lifestyle. sales and in valueadded programs Terry studies the I’d be crazy like Certified Angus numbers that make not to love it.” Beef®. the bulls she purchases worth the buy in the long “I appreciate –Terry Bengard run. Numbers don’t lie, the Angus breed, she says. The expected because I believe progeny differences organizations like (EPDs) tell Terry what the American Angus she wants to see in the calves the bulls Association and programs like Certified will ultimately help produce. Low birth Angus Beef® are second to none,” he weight and high-performing growth are said. “Angus genetics stand out among two examples of these. other breeds, and that’s a good thing for When she buys bulls, she looks for Bengard Ranches.” EPDs that will improve features like Hemsted says the Angus mamas on marbling and ribeye, because she knows the ranch have a 97 percent successful the Angus genetics will perform. breeding rate and 96.8 percent calving “We’re sold on the Angus breed,” rate, which is pretty high according to Terry said. his standards. “Angus offer the genetic power that Another point he noted at Bengard can help the beef industry succeed,” Ranches is their exceptional awareness says Blanchard. “Terry recognizes of environmental stewardship on their that the exceptional maternal traits properties. of Angus cows will help the cow-calf “My dad always taught me that we folks, and the carcass numbers like large were to leave a ranch better than when ribeye, high marbling and lean muscle we first found it,” Hemsted said. “And help define the calves that will be sold that’s exactly what the Bengards are all later.” about.” “The Bengards are some of the The range-improvement techniques greatest people I know,” Blanchard said. and water management protocols “They are just a joy to be around.” implemented on the ranches will help
improve them for future generations to come, which is the main reason, Hemstead says, for the conservation efforts exhibited on the ranches. “The future of these ranches depends on whatever the next generation would like to do with it,” he said. “What they feel is important will determine the outcome, and I think it will be a positive one.”
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March 2014 California Cattleman 21