WELCOME
FRIENDS & FELLOW CATTLEMEN TO
SECOND ANNUAL BULL SALE
FRIDAY, MARCH 14,
Hello fellow cattlemen!
Welcome to our second annual bull sale. We’re excited about the bulls selling this year and think you will like them also! They come from two quality programs that are committed to breed improvement and share a long tradition of producing strong, hardy, genetically proven bulls for the commercial cattleman.
With the way the cattle market has been and looks to continue to be for some time yet it is a great time to own cattle, and especially Angus cattle. Angus cattle have long been known for their inherent traits such as calving ease and high marbling along with efficient, rapid growth. And no other breed offers as large and as reliable of a database from which to make informed decisions enabling real genetic progress. This high accuracy database has enabled the Association to release even more breedexclusive selection tools, such as the ability to select for Docility and improved Foot Quality, to name only two. it’s because of these factors and the well-known fact that Angus influenced cattle command a premium, that the Angus Association reports that 80% of the US cowherd is now Angus-influenced.
We are pleased to present our respective top breeding bulls jointly for the second consecutive year. These bulls have been developed together for most of the winter. We’re thankful for the overall good health they have enjoyed this year. Like last year, the sale will follow a video-only format with all sale bulls physically present at the SHB sale barn for viewing on sale day. The sale facility and feed lot are conveniently located off N. Wood Rd. in Reardan, Washington. All sale bulls have been housed and fed at this facility and may be viewed presently as well as on sale day by just visiting the ranch. All visitors are welcome any time of day.
Come early and view the bulls and join us for lunch prior to the sale. Lunch will be served at noon with the sale starting at 1:00. DVAuction will be there to broadcast the sale live on-line. Videos of the bulls will be available approximately two weeks before the sale on the DVAuction website, also at SHBangus.com and GardinerPrimeAngus.com. Come visit on line or at our respective ranches and call us anytime to talk cattle! Thank you for your friendship and support. We look forward to visiting with you on sale day or before!
SHB ANGUS
Reardan, WA
Ed Gross, Manager 509-979-9233
Eli Gross 509 434-6244
Conrad Gross 509-434-6238
www.SHBanguscattle.com
GARDINER PRIME ANGUS RANCH
Bonners Ferry, ID
Pat & Ada Gardiner 208-290-4521
Glenn Ensz, Herdsman 208-597-0617
www.GardinerPrimeAngus.com
SALE DAY PHONES:
SHB ANGUS & GARDINER PRIME ANGUS RANCH
SECOND ANNUAL BULL SALE
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
SHB Angus Sale Barn • Reardan, Washington just west of Spokane 1323 N. Wood Rd., Reardan, WA 99029
LUNCH AT 12 PM :: SALE AT 1 PM
DELIVERY:
Ed Gross (509) 979-9233
Eli Gross (509) 434-6244
Pat Gardiner (208) 290-4521
Glenn Ensz (208) 597-0617
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Ritzville -- I-90 E toward Spokane. Go for 43.6 mi. Take Exit 264 toward WA-902 E/Cheney/Medical Lake. Go for .3 mi. Turn Left onto W. Salnave Rd (WA-902.) Go for 4.3 mi. Continue on WA-902. Go for .9 mi. Continue on S. Lefevre St. (WA-902.) Go for 1.5 mi. Turn Left onto W. Brooks Rd. Go for 4.8 mi. Turn Left onto W. Highway 2 (US-2.) Go for 2.0 mi. Turn right onto Wood Rd. Go 1.8 mi on Wood Rd. to sale barn on left.
From Spokane – I-90 W to Spokane Airport/Davenport onto US-2 W. Go for 3.9 mi. Pass 2 roundabouts and continue on US-2 W. Go for 4.4 mi. Continue toward W. Highway 2/US-2. Go for 144 ft. Continue on W. Highway 2 (US-2). Go for 4.2 mi. Turn right onto Wood Rd. Go for another 1.8 mi. to sale barn on left.
LUNCH:
Complimentary lunch served at 12:00 p.m. in the sale facility. Refreshments will be available sale morning and throughout the day.
AUCTIONEER:
Butch Booker, Colfax, WA (509) 989-2855
SALE DAY REPRESENTATIVES:
Quanah Gardiner, American Angus Assn (620) 635-0294
Rod Wesselman, Wesselman Livestock (509) 750-2185
Jake Pickering, Western Ag Reporter (530) 415-5484
Mark Frisbie, Special Assignment (208) 495-2601
The sale hosts or one of the sale representatives listed above will be available to provide feedback on the lots and handle phone bids during the sale.
HEALTH & FERTILITY:
Health certificates will be issued to all out of state buyers on sale day if bulls are loaded out that weekend. All bulls, regardless of age, have passed a semen test. Trich tests will be done as required to meet import regulations of the destination states.
WARRANTY:
All sale bulls are purebred Angus registered with the American Angus Association, and will sell according to the American Angus Association terms and conditions. All bulls are guaranteed against injury or death for the first breeding season. The seller will work with the buyer and either (1) replace the bull with a comparable animal if one is available or (2) credit the buyer with the purchase price, less salvage, at the next sale. All claims must be made in the same year the bull was originally purchased. Credit must be used in next year’s sale.
LIVESTOCK INSURANCE:
Buyers assume all risk upon purchase and are encouraged to purchase insurance at the settlement desk. Insurance information will be available on sale day.
SUPPLEMENT SHEETS:
Scrotal measurements, lots out of the sale, additional performance data and ultrasound measurements will be available on sale day.
We encourage everyone to bring their trailer and take advantage of the $50 per bull haul out credit. Bulls must be picked up after the sale or by appointment Saturday to qualify.
We plan to deliver bulls for free to central locations in Washington and adjacent states starting on or before April 1st unless you need your bull(s) quicker. Deliveries otherwise would be at cost.
If you wish to leave your bulls longer, please make arrangements directly with the individual partner(s) at time of settlement on sale day. If you purchase your bull(s) online or via a phone bid, we will contact you after the sale for delivery information.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
All settlements must be made with the clerk immediately following the conclusion of the sale. Terms of the sale shall be cash or bankable checks unless prior arrangements have been made in advance. Internet buyers will be invoiced. All supplements to the sale book or announcements made from the block take precedence over what is written in the sale book. Registration certificates will be transferred on all eligible animals.
INSPECTION OF CATTLE:
The bulls are on feed at the SHB Feedlot, 1323 N. Wood Rd., Reardan, WA, outside of Spokane just past Airway Heights, and may be inspected any time during the work day.
Please bring your sale book with you to the sale. Videos of the sale lots will be posted to www.DVAuction.com as they become available.
INTERNET BIDDING:
If you are unable to attend the sale for any reason, you can view the sale live and bid on lots via the www.DVAuction.com website. Lot videos will be available for viewing in advance and during the sale. Internet buyers must create an account and request a buyer number prior to sale day (no charge.) If you choose to use this service visit www.dvauction.com or contact Heather Soukup at 402-681-0577 for more information and support.
LIABILITY:
All persons attending the sale and related functions do so at their own risk. SHB Angus and Gardiner Prime Angus Ranch, their staff or representatives assume no liability, legal or otherwise, for any accidents or injuries that may occur.
2025 SALE CO-HOSTS:
Ed Gross (509) 979-9233 :: Eli Gross (509) 434-6244 :: Conrad Gross (509) 434-6238
SHB Angus :: Reardan, Washington
Pat & Ada Gardiner (208) 290-4522 :: Glenn Ensz, Herdsman (208) 597-0617
Gardiner Prime Angus Ranch :: Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho
AREA HOTELS:
Hilton Garden Inn :: (509) 266-5866 9015 W. Highway 2, Spokane WA 99224
Days Inn & Suites :: (509) 850-9413 (2-Star hotel) 1215 S. Garfield Rd., Airway Heights, WA 99001
Stratford Suites Spokane Airport :: next to the Days Inn and Suites
SHB ANGUS
Ed Gross, Manager 509-979-9233
Eli Gross 509 434-6244 • Conrad Gross 509-434-6238 3610 N Wood Rd :: Reardan, Washington 99029 shbangus@gmail.com :: www.SHBanguscattle.com
Dear Friends and fellow Cattlemen,
We would like to welcome you to our 2nd annual bull sale Friday, March 14th at the ranch. Thank you for taking the time to look through our catalog. We are in exciting times in the cattle industry with markets at all-time highs. The investment in your bull battery has never been more valuable.
This offering of bulls is a direct result of our involvement in all phases of cattle production – from seedstock to a commercial cow/calf operation as well as a grower and finish feedyard. With over 25 years of careful genetic selection combined with real world performance, we are confident that this group of bulls will sire added pounds, carcass traits, maternal value and balanced EPDs that will directly impact the bottom line of your ranch.
These bulls are carefully evaluated and selected to meet our tough standards for quality conformation, foot structure, performance and disposition. The health of the bulls have been great this year and have been fed a high roughage ration after weaning to promote durability and longevity
Our ranch is always open to anyone that would like to view the bulls and the cow herd responsible for producing it.
A special thanks to all of our friends and valued customers throughout the years.
God bless and we look forward to seeing you on sale day.
Sincerely,
SHBAngus
GALAXY GROWTH FUND 1220
GROWTH FUND 1220 :: SIRE
We got a tip on this sire before he sold as a yearling, and his undeniable power and presence, coupled with his phenomenal data package, convinced us that we needed to own the bull. He’s been all we expected and more, he is one of those bulls that has looked great at every stage and on every day, and his progeny are proving him to be a prepotent sire of low birthweight, high performance cattle, with great carcass traits. And the best part is, he’s not just a “numbers” bull, the cattle look consistently stout and powerful, with his first crop of sons rising to the top as favorites. One of only two daughters from his first calf crop was chosen as the Pick Of the 2023 SHB Heifers that we donated in last year’s sale to help with the medical expenses for the Dain Rad family. Deep, wedge-shaped, and with perfect udders, the females may yet be the bull’s strongest attribute. You’ll see him used more heavily going forward in our program!
BALDRIDGE VERSATILE
We bought into the Baldridge Versatile bull when he sold for $250,000 in 2021, joining a syndicate of Angus breeders. He has proven to be a good investment, with his now progeny proven EPD’s showing him to be a calving ease bull with strong growth, and breedleading Docility and Marbling, ranking in the top 1% for both traits. As an added bonus, possibly his best attribute will be the females he sires, with his first calved daughters impressing all who’ve used him with their gentle natures, and with their perfect, well attached udders, with small teats.
SITZ INCENTIVE 704H
Incentive sold for $235,000 to J.C. Heiken Angus, and is now a featured sire at ABS Global, and joins his sire and brothers as the breed’s preeminent sire line for foot quality improvement.
Here’s what ABS says about Incentive: Massive individual that touches the essential bases for beef production at any altitude or in any environment Ultra-elite maternal genetics ranking at the very top of the population for $Maternal, Heifer Pregnancy, Foot Quality and Hair Shedding EPDs High performance sire with a top end $Combined index and posted a yearling PAP score of 35
GALAXY
SITZ COMMERCE 670F
Birth
Commerce has been an important part of the Vermilion Ranch herdsire battery, siring sale-topping sons, and big-bodied, productive daughters. With over 700 registered progeny, and thousands more from use in heifer projects, he’s well proven as a sire that blends calving-ease and solid growth performance.
STEVENSON OPTIMUM 20027
We purchased Optimum as the second high-selling bull in the 2023 Stevenson sale. He writes a tremendous “spread” EPD script, ranking in the breed’s top 1% for CED, yet siring tremendous growth performance. High for Heifer Pregnancy, and strong for the carcass traits as well, some of the best bulls selling today will be his sons. Top 2% for $Weaning
REFERENCE
BASIN JUMBO 1315
Jumbo was a $65,000 feature of the 2022 Basin Bull Sale despite being one of the youngest bulls in that record-setting sale, and his first progeny have performed at a very high level for growth and for the carcass traits, helping to drive his $Indexes to the top of the breed, with his $Beef and $Combined indexes both in the top 5%. Top 15% for both Marbling and Ribeye, and top 10% for Claw.
SITZ COMMERCE 670F :: SIRE OF LOTS 23-27
1
SHB GRAVITY 42M
6051
OZARK 474G
PRIDE H513
You will notice these Galaxy Growth Fund sons, this sire group really puts together a powerful and compelling visual package. Lot 1 has that “herdsire prospect” presence, plus he really brings it in the data department as well: he zoomed from an 86 birth ratio to a weaning ratio of 111, validating the nice “spread’ in his EPD’s from BW to YW. He combines excellent calving ease potential for confident use on heifers, yet should also sire plenty of growth. Top 10% for $Maternal as well.
SHB GROWTH FUND 23M
SHB GROWTH FUND 58M
4113
ELLUNA K647
High growth EPD’s in this prospect, to go along with his individual WR of 109! Yet like the other Growth Funds, he offers excellent credentials as
heifer bull as well.
some of the highest used sires of the breed in Stellar and In Focus, tracing to a former donor.
SHB GROWTH FUND 2M
Birth Date: 1/1/2024
6051
Super calving ease option in this Growth Fund, his CED ranks in the top 3% of the breed, and his negative BEPD is in the top 10% as well. He came with an actual birth weight of only 60 pounds!
SHB GROWTH FUND 13M
Birth
SHB GROWTH FUND 57M
SHB GROWTH FUND 5M
Birth
Lot 6 was born on a very cold night; he lost just the tips of his ears, but that’s not the only thing you’ll notice when you find this guy on sale day. Deep, stout, and powerful, he reflects what the Galaxy Growth fund sire is doing, and he combines low birth weight and high CED with solid growth. Additionally, his modest mature size predictions elevate his $Maternal to a top 4% of the breed ranking. High for Marbling as well, he covers a lot of bases.
SHB GROWTH FUND 49M
Check out Lot 7’s adjusted weaning weight of 797 pounds, at a 114 ratio he’s the top performer of his calf crop! Yet he started small, with his adjusted birth weight of 73 pounds earning him an 88 birth ratio. High performance in a calving-ease package here!
Another low birth Growth Fund, with solid numbers all throughout his EPD suite. Especially strong for Heifer Preg and Marbling.
SHB GROWTH FUND 21M
You’re going to see a lot more of the Galaxy Growth Fund sons going forward, they just do so many things right. This one started small, and weaned heavy, going from an 88 birth ratio to a 109 weaning ratio! And his EPD’s reflect that, combining high CED and negative birth weight, coupled with
SHB HIGH POINT 3M
When you raise a really good one, it behooves you to just use him! These Laser sons validate the enthusiasm generated by their sire when he sold as one of the sale features and top performers of his calf crop. Lot 10 brings a moderate birth, solid performance EPD script to accompany his good looks!
SHB HIGH BEAM 59M
Another good Laser, with a wellbalanced set of performance EPD’s. Lot 11 posted his own Nursing ratio of 108, as one of the heavier weaning calves last fall.
SHB PLATINUM 63M
SHB IMMENSE 40M
Birth
BALDRIDGE XPAND X743 BALDRIDGE COLONEL C251
ISABEL Y69
Lot 13 earned his name as he posted his own impressive weaning ratio of 110, as one of the top performers of his calf crop, validating his high growth EPD’s. He balances that with modest birth and strong calving-ease predictions.
SHB BULKY 43M
SHB JUMBO 8M
Strong performance EPD’s for Lot 14, and he also posts Claw and Angle EPD’s that both rank in the top 10% of the breed! A well-balanced EPD script from end to end.
RANCHER TESTIMONIAL
February 5, 2025
SHB Bulls have been our go-to TOP choice of bulls to become a part of our breeding program that we have been purchasing since 2018. SHB’s love for superlative genetics, exceptional husbandry, and the value of motherhood of their cattle has helped us carve our herd in the profitable direction we have been successful in obtaining. SHB Bulls are docile and have a much-appreciated demeanor not to forget impressive confirmation and calving ease. SHB bulls have proven themselves in our operation with great stamina, fertility, performance, and quality calves. The annual SHB Bull sale is one sale we don’t miss and encourage you to see for yourself.
Rad Ranch, Cottonwood, ID Kent and Dain Rad
Like his sire, Lot 15 posts big-time growth EPD’s, ranking in the top 15% for Weaning Weight!
SHB JUMBO 7M
Another Basin Jumbo son, and this one’s dam is a full sister to our long-time herdsire, Pendleton 9201.
SHB LEGACY 28M
Tremendous birth-growth spread in this son of the high performance G017 Bomber, and his own growth validates those EPD’s. Beyond the numbers, Lot 17 will get your attention with his eye-catching looks as well ! A lot of good Montana breeding in his 3-generation pedigree!
SHB BOMBER 39M
Big-time growth in this big-time G017 son, his own performance and his DNA combine to earn him high-performance EPD’s, and you will find him in the pen, with his powerful presence! Strong for the foot EPD’s as well.
SHB BOMBER 41M
BOMBER N33
SHB BOMBER 45M
The G017 cattle have a well-proven record of high performance, and this son weaned with his own 106 ratio. He’s also a low birthweight option for use on heifers.
SHB BOMBER 25M
Birth Date: 1/17/2024 AAA 21129976 KM BROKEN BOW 002
CASINO BOMBER N33 CASINO ANNIE K48
VERMILION BOMBER G017
AAA 19498421 SITZ JLS GAME DAY 9630
VERMILION EDWINA 7078
VERMILION EDWINA 5297
SITZ STELLAR 726D
SITZ STELLAR 456F SITZ ELLUNAS ELITE 394B
SHB ELLUNA BOND J549
AAA 20785918 DUNLOUISE COMMANDER BONDF176 SHB ELLUNA BOND 1020 SHB MISS TRAVELER 004 6269 CED
The Bomber sons were crowd-pleasing features of our last sale, and we expect that this year will be no different! Solid Claw and Angle EPD’s on this guy, helping to maintain or improve feet in your cowherds.
SHB STAND OFF 60M
Birth Date: 1/16/2024
VERMILION BOMBER G017
VERMILION RIVERSIDE
21128527
CASINO BOMBER N33
VERMILION EDWINA 7078
EULIMA 5281
LUCY G471
BLACK GRANITE FF BLACK GOLD JF C19 JF BARBARAMERE Y3
LUCY 1040
Stand off, step back, and take a look at the figures Lot 22 brings to the table, strong growth and Milk EPD’s earn him a $Weaning index in the top 10% of the breed! His sire, Riverside, is taking the high-performance Bomber line to the next level!
SHB COMMERCE 46M
Birth Date: 1/19/2024 AAA 21128474
CONNEALY CONQUEST
performing son of the highgrowth Sitz Commerce sire, earning a weaning ratio
SHB OVER PASS 31M
SHB COMMERCE 14M
SHB COMMERCE 34M
SHB COMMERCE 18M
SHB TOP NOTCH 56M
A low BEPD Commerce, from another of the Colonel x Rita 3136 flush sisters. Their full brothers were among the most powerful
When you analyze the individual performance and the exemplary EPD data that Lot 28 brings to the discussion, you’ll agree that he’s Top Notch! Amazing birth to growth spread, strong for Docility, and high for carcass traits, all come together in very strong $Index rankings, including top 1% $Weaning and top 10% $Feedlot.
SHB OPTIMUM 24M
SHB OPTIMUM 1M
SHB OPTIMUM 55M
Birth Date: 1/7/2024
STEVENSON
A good calving ease option out of another ET daughter of the 3136 donor. He is also a compelling choice when looking at what he offers when considering fertility and moderating mature size, don’t overlook that top 1% ranking for the $Maternal index!
SHB OPTIMUM 38M
Moderate birth weight levels and strong for growth, could we say Optimum? Lot 32 also comes in strong for Docility.
Another calving-ease oriented Optimum son, with a top 4% Calving Ease Direct EPD. He also boasts a super high Heifer Pregnancy number, with a top 3% ranking for that trait.
RANCHER TESTIMONIAL
We have been using SHB bulls since 2012. Currently, half our bull battery are SHB bulls. We run in big steep country, the bulls hold up and get the job done. SHB has been purchasing heifers back from us, making replacement heifers out of some, and the ones that get finished have consistently graded 60% Choice 40% Prime. I call SHB bulls efficient, not chasing fads, but getting a complete package. Cow makers, carcass ability, and growth. SHB will also be very active in bidding on cattle sired by SHB bulls. That tells me they have the confidence in the product they are selling.
Marek Ranches, White Bird, ID
Bill Marek
SHB OPTIMUM 22M
7549B
BLACKBIRD 0240 STEVENSON BLACKBIRD 5002
SITZ LOGO 12964
J&K LOGO 9532 JCH J&K POLLY 2612
Here’s a real “spread” bull, combining top 3% CE at +15, with excellent performance EPD’s. Lot 34 also adds a top 10% ranking for Docility to his portfolio.
SHB REST AREA 10M
Birth Date: 1/20/2024
Big birth-growth spread in this son of the EPD superstar Basin Kodiak, and he carries strong carcass credentials as well. Top 10% ranking for $Weaning.
SHB KODIAK 64M
Another good Kodiak, with almost the same low birth-high growth spread, Lot 36 boasts great numbers for Docility and Foot quality as well. Traces to the great longtime SHB donor, Rita 3136.
SHB ARGENTINE 32M
A little different pedigree twist in Lot 37, with the total outcross Coleman Angus sire from South America, Argentine, as his sire.
SHB VERSATILE 61M
SHB VERSATILE 17M
BASIN KODIAK 2036 :: SIRE OF LOTS 35-36
HUMMEL ARGENTINE :: SIRE OF LOT 37
SHB BLOCKADE 53M
Blockade boasts a pedigree deep in genetics from programs that have
RANCHER TESTIMONIAL
Purchasing SHB bulls have improved our heifer program. Beginning with the low birth weight calving ease, the vigor in the baby calves is quickly followed by steady growth and consistent weaning weights.
For us, just as important as the quality bulls we buy, is doing business with a quality outfit like SHB. We’ve enjoyed getting to know Ed and his family.
Heckman Cattle Company Dion Heckman
SHB ACHIEVEMENT 4M
SHB ACCOMPLISHMENT 19M
Lot 41 posts excellent low birth and calving-ease credentials, yet was one of our heaviest at weaning, earning a 110 ratio! His dam is a 9201 daughter, and they’ve just been great for us for a long time now.
SHB ACCOMPLISHMENT 15M
SHB INCENTIVE 54M
Lot 44 is a performance-oriented Incentive son whose foot improvement EPD’s are consistent with the excellence his sire
SHB INCENTIVE 44M
SHB INCENTIVE 48M
SHB INCENTIVE 29M
SHB INCENTIVE 62M
SHB INCENTIVE 50M
SHB GALLATIN
SHB GALLATIN 65M
SHB GALLATIN 9M
This Gallatin son is out of a direct ET daughter of
SHB GALLATIN 27M
SHB GALLATIN 26M
An emphasis on performance with this Gallatin son, and he also has one of the highest Docility EPD’s in the sale, with a top 2% ranking in the
SHB GALLATIN 16M
Birth
SHB GALLATIN 37M
SHB GALLATIN 6M
SHB GALLATIN 11M
Lot 55 boasts a pedigree entirely based on the famous Van Dyke program in Montana, known the world over for their disciplined focus on the mother cow. He adds excellent calving-ease and high Docility to his strong maternal background.
A low birth weight, calving-ease son of VDAR Gallatin, with a top 5% Docility EPD to complement his foot improvement predictions. A very maternally oriented pedigree, and it shows with his top 20% $M index.
QUARTER HORSE OFFERING
TIGERS BLUE BOY
Blue Boy is a 2013 model gelding strait out of the high desert Quarter horse breeding program in Canyon City, Oregon. He has been used extensively in all phases of ranch work, from gathering cows in big wide open country to dragging calves to a branding fire. He is a very quiet horse, the kind you can put your kids on. Give him 6 month off and throw a saddle on and go to work without any problems.
GARDINER PRIME ANGUS RANCH
Pat & Ada Gardiner
6503 Farm to Market Road :: Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
Pat 208-290-4521 :: Glenn 208-597-0617 www.gardinerprimeangus.com
Hello and welcome to Gardiner Prime Angus! We are very happy to partner with SHB for our second annual bull sale. Both SHB and GPAR share a strong commitment to the commercial side of raising cattle where the fundamental traits of performance, growth, and mothering are the foundation for genetic selections.
Our sale bulls embody what seems over the years to have become a steady advance in the EPD’s that were deemed the most important to us here at GPAR. No one wants calving trouble, so we put some selection pressure on Calving Ease and Birth Weight while keeping performance in the equation since as we all know, “pounds are what we’re paid for.” That said, with higher growth usually came increased cow size and the resultant increased input requirements, so we kept that in mind also.
The $Weaning index helped address all those traits pretty well, but then we also had other concerns we wanted to improve on, such as Foot Quality, Docility, and Heifer Pregnancy. What we learned as the years went by is that we’re not alone in our quest for combining all of those traits. And then lo and behold, the Association came out with the $Maternal index which does the job very nicely. Without specifically having used any sort of minimum criteria for $M index, our efforts over the years to improve and select for all those traits has given us cattle that routinely excel for the $M index.
The bulls selling in our sale this year have an average $M of +90, which ranks in the top 5% of the breed. However, we have not ignored what many call the “terminal” traits along the way. We have made a lot of effort to improve growth performance and carcass merit in each mating decision. And let’s not forget to mention the mommas behind these bulls selling. They are “genetic royalty” in their own right, and they make our job easier when looking for sires that will take us to that next level every year. In the real world, as we said last year genetics get proven through genetic testing which validate the EPD’s you see in our sale bulls. You can have confidence in their EPD’s through this genetic testing.
Come visit us at Gardiner Prime Angus any time, or on line at gardinerprimeangus.com, or just call to talk cattle. We look forward to seeing you at the second annual SHB/GPAR bull sale on March 14!
Pat and Ada Gardiner
Glenn Ensz
CONNEALY CRAFTSMAN
Craftsman set a record when he sold for $500,000 and went to ST Genetics AND Select Sires. He puts together a very well-rounded set of numbers, in an outstanding phenotypical package. We like the way his moderate mature size predictions, excellent foot quality, and high Heifer Pregnancy combine in making him one of the highest sires available for the $Maternal index.
HOFFMAN HIGH ROAD
High Road is an ST Genetics sire that packs about as much performance and stoutness in a low birth, calving-ease package as you’ll see anywhere. He really writes a great set of practical EPD’s, and the top 10% Docility ranking is evident in his sons.
WOODHILL COMSTOCK
With super calving-ease, great feet, top carcass traits, and a stout muscular look in his sons, Comstock is proving to be a real breeding bull. He also ranks in the top 1% for $Maternal, and his sons are finding their way into bull studs as well. To quote what ABS Global says about Comstock: “If you find a bull that puts more together in person and on paper, you’d better use him!” The Association is going to release a Functional and Longevity EPD this spring, and preliminary data indicates Comstock will be among the breed’s leaders.
CONNEALY CRAFTSMAN :: SIRE OF LOTS 65-68
HOFFMAN HIGH ROAD :: SIRE OF LOTS 73-77
WOODHILL COMSTOCK
SITZ DIGNITY 599J :: SIRE OF LOTS 69-72
SITZ DIGNITY 599J
Birth Date: 1/30/2021
*20003585 MOHNEN SUBSTANTIAL 272
SITZ STELLAR 726D SITZ PRIDE 200B
SITZ RESILIENT 10208 AAA 19057457
SITZ MISS BURGESS 1856
SITZ TOP GAME 561X
MISS BURGESS 4381
CONQUEST SITZ INVASION 574D SITZ SUPERMAMA 173Z
SITZ BARBARAMERE NELL 53F AAA 19078098
B&B TITAN 3013
BARBARAMERE NELL 105D SITZ BARBARAMERE NELL 874
We attended the Sitz female sale where Dignity’s dam, Sitz Barbaramere Nell 53F, was the featured and high-selling cow, and we loved everything about her. As we took the opportunity to walk through the weaned bull calves at Sitz’s that day, we found a lot of cattle we liked a lot, but none more than the pen of Resilient sons. And in that pen one calf kept standing out, with his smooth, stout, clean, and muscular look. Upon investigation, he turned out to be the natural son of 53F! Following the bull on, when he sold to ABS Global that March, we were among the first to incorporate him into our program. Now with over 500 progeny on record, he is proven to be a breed changer for foot improvement, fertility, and muscle, and is well into the top 1% for the $Maternal index. Given his sire’s breed-leading Preliminary Research EPD’s for udder and teat quality, and his dam’s own ideal udder structure, we feel confident that he will be an udder improver as well.
CONNEALY CLARITY :: GRANDSIRE OF LOTS 82-84
CONNEALY CLARIFY 26L
Birth Date: 2/3/2022
CREEK LAND
19191854
OF CONANGA 784E
OF CONANGA 0438
Connealy Clarify is very balanced in many of the more “conventional” traits of merit; like most current Angus sires he does a good job of combining calving ease and growth traits, plus he substantially moves the fertility traits in the right direction as well. Where he really starts to separate himself from most of the bulls out there, are his Foot EPD’s, his carcass EPD’s, and the combination indexes the breed has started to offer: $Energy, $Maternal, $Grid, $Beef, and $Combined. And we’re looking forward to the official rollout of the now-preliminary udder and teat EPD’s, with his parentage we’re confident he’ll be very strong there as well. All of this comes in a very eye-appealing, sound, deep-bodied and stout visual package.
GPAR CRAFTSMAN M430
Connealy Craftsman out of a favorite older female resulted in one of our heaviest weaning bulls, and one of the outright studs all year! Numerically very balanced, with no holes in his entire EPD profile, while excelling to the top 1% of the breed for $Maternal. He also has a top 3% DNA ranking for Tenderness for those concerned about that trait.
GPAR CRAFTSMAN M419
GPAR CRAFTSMAN M409
Another Craftsman, another top 1% ranking for $Maternal! He’s been an eye-catcher from young on, and he gives you the opportunity to make efficient, productive females with his rare ability to combine +30 Milk with a positive $EN! All of the Craftsman sons DNA tested very well for Tenderness, and his top 7% ranking in the breed for that trait adds to his appeal.
Lot 66 just does everything well also, not surprising with his dam being an excellent young female from a top cow line here. Like his brothers, he boasts a really sweet EPD profile all the way across, with the excellent foot quality, Docility, and reduced intake requirement EPDs driving his top 1% ranking for $Maternal. Don’t overlook his excellent carcass traits as well.
GPAR CRAFTSMAN M421
Birth Date: 2/2/2024
A low birth, high growth Craftsman with a top 1% ranking for Heifer Preg; throw in his strong predictions for the carcass traits and for Docility and his appeal broadens even further. This is the last Craftsman footnote, so of course it also includes one more mention of a top 1% $M ranking!
All other things being in order, we really like pretty cows here at GPAR, and they don’t come prettier than 111F! We would’ve loved a heifer calf with this mating, but we got this good bull, and the gain is yours, the lucky buyer! Individually, Lot 69 is clean-made and correct in his structure, with plenty of stoutness and muscling, and displays abundant breed character. He also sports a calm, laid-back demeanor, and offers about as much potential improvement for foot and udder quality as any bull I can think of anywhere. DNA shows top 10% and 1% for Claw and Angle, giving him EPD’s also in the top 5% and 1%, respectively.
GPAR DIGNITY M415
Birth Date:
GPAR DIGNITY M429
A ¾ brother to Lot 69, from another easy fleshing, perfect uddered, productive 5005 daughter. He sports a massive Ribeye EPD, and he displays enough muscle visually that it’s easy to believe. Top breed rankings for foot quality and PAP would indicate a bull that should be well suited for working in those high mountain grazing environments. He does like to have a little space when you work with him.
Another no-holes EPD profile, from great calving-ease to strong growth, super high Heifer Pregnancy, top Foot quality EPDs- it all leads to another top 1% $Maternal ranking! Like his dam, he’s super easy-going.
GPAR HIGH ROAD M401
We probably shouldn’t have given this bull a weaning ratio, since his mother died mid-summer. She was a very nice aged cow, who traced to the original Thomas Erica, and those have consistently been favorites here. He ought to leave you a wonderful set of beautiful, functional females. EPD’s for Foot quality near the very top of the breed, and his $Maternal is in the top 3% also.
Great heifer safe option in Lot 73, yet he brings a lot of growth and just overall power to go along with it. Add in excellent Heifer Preg, and great Foot EPDs, and he’s hard to pick a
GPAR HIGH ROAD M402
Great calving-ease option here, with enough overall balance from his Foot quality and Docility EPD’s to
GPAR HIGH ROAD M426
Top-of-the-breed levels of growth in this guy, check out that WW EPD! Pretty rare air for growth, yet his CE and Birth are quite moderate, making him a true spread bull for birth-growth.
GPAR HIGH ROAD M428
GPAR HIGH ROAD M425
Lot 77 reaffirms the cowboy logic that the ones that are big when they’re born, are often the ones that weigh up at every other stage of life, with his birth weight and his weaning ratio of 110. His genomic rankings gathered from his DNA show him to be about breed average for birth weight, and significantly better than average for Calving ease. One thing notable is his top 1% Docility, and he shows it.
GPAR COMSTOCK M410
These High Road bulls really bring it for growth performance, as you can see by Lot 76’s EPDs. He was one of our heaviest at weaning as well. Near the top of the breed for Docility, and with his top 3% $M he ought to leave you some useful cattle.
We have had great success mating Comstock on our Stellar females, and this one is a really stout, muscular individual. Like most Comstocks, he’s a super option for breeding heifers, and his fertility and foot EPD’s help contribute to his top 1% $Maternal ranking.
GPAR COMSTOCK M417
Lot 80 had a little bit of a rough patch in his early health history, but has come along nicely since. He would be a very safe choice for use on heifers. A full brother to the popular stud that sold to Konyr Marek in last
GPAR COMSTOCK M418
Birth Date: 1/25/2024
WOODHILL COMSTOCK
AAA 19674083
AAA 21062500 KM BROKEN BOW 002
SPRING COVE RENO 4021 SPRING COVE LIZA 021
CONNEALY CONFIDENCE PLUS CHERNE EVERGREEN D501-F348 CHERNE EVERGREEN X353-D501 DEER VALLEY PATRIOT 3222
GPAR ERICA K1
CONNEALY NATIONAL 390C ELLZA OF CONANGA 390C
AAA 20443719 BASIN YELLOWSTONE R178 GPAR ERICA Z14 GPAR ERICA U93
Nice low birth/high growth spread on this Comstock from a first calf momma, along with the right pieces in his other data to give him another top 1% $Maternal ranking!
GPAR CLARIFY M432
Birth Date: 2/29/2024 AAA 21058950 CHERRY CREEK LAND GRANT
CONNEALY CLARITY
One of only 3 Clarify sons in the sale this year, and the youngest of our bulls selling. He writes a solid set of EPD’s, and he’s especially strong for $Maternal, not surprising given that he stacks two of the best sires out there for foot improvement. You will see a lot more of Clarify in our program going forward.
GPAR CLARIFY M431
Birth Date: 2/14/2024 AAA 21073012
CONNEALY CLARIFY 26L
20431764
CHERRY CREEK LAND GRANT
CONNEALY CLARITY BRESHIE OF CONANGA 6988
RITO 4P26 OF 0242
OF CONANGA 784E POPPY OF CONANGA
VARILEK
This guy was our heaviest at weaning this year, and his good looks are partly due to Clarify, and partly due to his deep-bodied, attractive and productive dam. He boasts a very similar overall EPD profile to his sire, including great carcass numbers.
GPAR CLARIFY M424
Lot 83 probably exemplifies the low input, moderate, ultra-functional traits that are coming into focus more and more, as producers place additional emphasis on true profitability and reduced labor and/or fallout from the herd due to disposition, bad feet, etc. His EPD script is very balanced from end to end, and like his sire, he has the right data in the right places to earn him elite $Index rankings, with his top 1% $Maternal of +110 being one of the highest you will find anywhere, complemented by $Weaning and $Combined rankings of top 5% and top 10% respectively.
GPAR NATIONAL M420
We had one straw left of Connealy National and hoped to get another heifer from Lot 85’s dam, who was our pick of the weaned heifer calves on offer at the Sitz 2021 Female Sale. With his individual data, genomics, and EPD’s, he qualifies as a great choice to use on heifers. He also boasts a significantly higher Ribeye EPD than most calving-ease bulls. Like his dam, he
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