4 minute read
Breeding Cattle and Building a Legacy
Learn how Seedstock Breeder of the Year, Horsley Brothers, have been top breeders since the beginning and continue their legacy today.
By Olivia Hoots
When Bob and Jim Horsley’s father was six months old, their family moved from the rolling green hills and dewy weather of Scotland to Detroit, Michigan. During the Great Depression, they would visit their uncle Elmer Williams’ farm in Toulon, Illinois, to work for the summer. They liked the livestock on the farm, and their aunt would feed them delicious meals, which at that time were greatly appreciated. The second summer they were on the farm, when the kids were headed home, Jim and Bob’s father jumped off the train home and told his aunt he did not want to leave the farm.
Bob and Jim Chasing Banners
“That was the very beginning,” Bob Horsley says, regarding their livestock history. Their cattle operation began in Toulon and continues there to this day.
After working cattle sales and clipping for producers, Bob and Jim began their seedstock operation with Simmental cattle, winning the Illinois State Fair in 1973, and Grand Champion Steer at the 1976 North American Livestock Exposition.
The brothers then transitioned to the Chianina breed in the early 80s, some of the first to flush their cows at the time. Their HB High Expectation Bull won Grand Champion full-blood bull in 1983 at the American Chianina Association National show.
The most influential cow in the Chianina program was their Octavia cow, which produced two national champions. High Expectation was one of the calves – a very influential bull in the breed at that time.
“We progressed with the Chianinas and we had a real successful run,” Jim says. “We won a lot of national championships.”
Today, Horsley Brothers is an Angus cow/calf operation, becoming one after they originally bought 100 Angus cattle from another farmer about 15 years ago.
The Next Generation In Action
Bob’s son, Chad, reflects positively on his dad and uncle’s legacy, and hopes to carry it into the future.
Since 2014, Chad has also lived and worked on the operation, and is building his own legacy with his wife, Jessica, and their two children – Jeb (4) and Josie (2). Jessica grew up on an Angus operation, so she was prepared to take on farm life. “I convinced her to move back here to Illinois,” Chad says.
The couple are already involving their kids in the operation, doing chores together like feeding the calves before going to daycare. “It is good to have them around,” Chad says.
Business Rooted in Community
Community relationships are an important part of Bob, Jim and Chad’s lives and vital to how they run their business too. Chad says he is trying to lead by example, demonstrating this through his current role as President of Henry County Beef Association.
Chad's market philosophy is to emphasize relationships with his customers, and part of that includes standing behind a “brand,” or image, that he wants their operation to reflect.
For example, he tries to be responsive and helpful in his customers’ operations and often gets questions about how to best implement their new cattle on their operation. “I enjoy talking to people about that kind of stuff,” Chad says. “And helping them succeed, that probably means the most to me.”
Bob, Jim and Chad are all very expressive of their thankfulness to their customers and ultimately, friends.
Those relationships keep them striving toward better animals too.
Problem Free Cattle
“We want problem-free animals,” Bob says.
Chad agrees, emphasizing the importance of calving ease and maternal instincts. Phenotypically, he wants a correct, square, shapely and sound female, one that will give him a good 12-15 years. “Longevity is key,” he says.
This outlook recently won them the Champion Bull at the Western Regional Angus Show in Reno, Nevada.
A Great Way to Live
Bob and Jim foresee Chad fully taking over the cattle operation one day, then Jeb and Josie further down the line. But for now, they all enjoy this way of life together.
“It is just nice to work outside and do your own thing without everybody telling you what to do,” Jim says. “You make a mistake, it is yours.”
Chad enjoys going out on the farm with his dog, Knox, to take care of the cattle and watch them thrive. This is the life the Horsley Brothers have built, one of well-bred cattle that will carry on their long legacy of success.
