14 minute read
ATAK LIMOUSIN, A FAMILY AFFAIR
by Sarah Anne Johnson
The Schmalshof family of Avon, Illinois, began their Limousin cattle operation known as ATAK Limousin in 1985. Andy and his wife, Tammy, had a vision early on that surrounded Limousin cattle and family. Today that vision has come full circle with their family’s dedicated involvement in the ATAK Limousin program. Their son, Adam, and his wife, Jonelle, have three children who are on track to be the future of ATAK Limousin along with Adam’s sister, Karen Reese and her two children.
It all started with the purchase of a select few Limousin bulls to introduce leaner beef into their commercial herd of cattle. As time went on, they incorporated more Limousin influence throughout the years and ultimately tapped into higher quality Limousin and LimFlex seedstock over the past 15-20 years.
Their first red Limousin bull was purchased from Yackley Limousin out of Onida, South Dakota. “That bull was as gentle as can be,” Tammy remarked. “We’ve always made docility a high priority along with elite production characteristics.”
In the early years they also purchased several heifers from Norman Bruce of Leveldale Farm and still have the influence of his genetics in their program today. “Norm is a super guy and has always been great to work with,” Andy expressed.
ATAK Limousin has built upon cow families for decades. “When you look at our donor pen with a strong influence from MAGS Wassail, MAGS Manuela, AUTO Poppy and MAGS American Beauty, we’re right there at the top with some of the best individuals in the breed. Genetically, we always try to build off of cow families because that’s where we find the most success. Along with our powerful donors, we have put together a phenomenal bull battery. We have some tried and true proven donors that go back to AUTO Poppy and MAGS Eternal Flame that we’ve purchased over the past few years, but what I’m really excited about is our donor prospects this year that will take us even farther to being in the top tier. I’m excited for the next four to five years with not only our proven genetics that we have, but our newer genetics coming into play now,” Adam said.
The focus has always been on producing quality cattle with style that are eye-appealing, but also phenotypically sound with a strong production-oriented focus. “The last 10 years we’ve upped our quality
ATAK Limousin has built upon cow families for decades. The firm has strong influence from donors such as MAGS Wassail, MAGS Manuela, AUTO Poppy and MAGS American Beauty.
“We’re really looking forward to the future with our grandkids’ involvement and continually improving our genetic base,” Andy said. “It’s an exciting adventure that we’re all looking forward to.”
toward the upper echelon of what we would now call some of the breed’s top tier cow families,” Adam said.
Over the last four months, the Schmalshof’s have made a philosophy shift from the standpoint of the way they’re going to operate their program for future years. “Right now we’re going to use a satellite farm to raise our elite embryo calves and our goal is to run 60-80 topnotch cows and use a strong AI program at the farm. Once we AI, we will turn out elite bulls to run with our cows. We’re AI’ing and then turning out to high quality sires on the farm and we’re truly excited because they won’t just be any bulls being turned out to cover the females. With that, we’re hoping at the end of the day to run around 100-120 head to choose from to market in the fall and spring months,” Adam said.
“As we’ve progressed we’ve tried getting closer to the top tier of genetic production cattle in the Limousin breed and our long-term plan is to do nothing but get better and stay there. We want to raise high-end cattle that will help anybody out. We try to raise cattle that could improve any program,” Adam said.
Over the years ATAK Limousin has maintained high quality individuals that are functional in production. “Our goal has been to have a sound herd from a production standpoint and I believe we have just that,” Andy said. Family has always been a main focus around the farm all while producing excellent Limousin cattle. “I’ve always maintained that I’m invested in this program for the long haul,” Adam said. Adam and his wife, Jonelle, have two daughters and a son that enjoy the cattle aspect and
hope one day ATAK Limousin will carry on as a legacy in their lives. Peyton is their oldest daughter, who is eight years old; Carrina is their second daughter, who is six years old; and their son Dixon is two years old. “My hope is to make this a legacy where my dad started the program, I built upon it and my kids and even my sister has two sons, Griffin and Drake, if they want to be involved to make it a lasting legacy operation down the line,” Adam said. Not only are quality cattle at the core of the ATAK Limousin program, lifelong friendships are truly what ATAK Limousin is built upon. “We started out with some cattle relationships that turned into lifelong “When we sell cattle we really try friendships. Norman Bruce with to keep up with our customers and Leveldale Farms was our first start with good cattle people. That relationship get to know them. We enjoy the transpired into Etherton Farms with friendship part of the business Bob Etherton and also the Linhart family. Magness Land & Cattle, George versus the battle of who is raising Hubbard and Austin Gotschalk are a the best cattle out there. We want few other friendships that come to mind when discussing the cattle business and to be friends first and then the utmost importance of true lifelong raise cattle along the way,” friendships,” Adam said. A major influence for the ATAK Limousin program is Kiley McKinna of MC Marketing Management. “I can say that we would not be where we are today without Kiley. We met Kiley as a sales consultant years ago and it morphed into us becoming a client of MC Marketing Management. Anymore I view Kiley more as a friend than as a marketer for us. His relationship and his knowledge that he’s passed onto me has made an exponential impact in what we’ve done cattlewise and how we select our cattle. Whether it be donor cows, heifers or even bulls—he’s right there,” Adam said. A common denominator for both Andy and Adam is the influence Kiley has had for their program at ATAK Limousin throughout the years. “I have a great deal of respect for Kiley and his knowledge and ability with cattle. He has helped us tremendously in making the right steps for our program,” Andy said. continued on page 52
“When we sell cattle we really try to keep up with our customers and get to know them. We enjoy the friendship part of the business versus the battle of who is raising the best cattle out there. We want to be friends first and then raise cattle along the way,” Adam said. “We try to do our very best to make sure you’re happy with whatever product you’ve purchased from ATAK Limousin,” Adam said. “We believe this is more friendship and people-oriented than just the cattle side of things.”
Relationships have always played an instrumental part in the lives of the Schmalshof’s and their program. “It always goes back to the people for us,” Andy said. “The Linhart family has been a tremendous relationship and friendship for us. We’ve learned a lot from them and they have been a great asset for our program. Bob Etherton has also been a big one in Illinois for us.
We have a lot of his genetics in our herd and he’s been a great influence for us. We picked his brain a lot over the years,” Andy said. “The Pinegar Limousin program has been right up there as well. Ed Pinegar and Ty Heavin have always been influential and we appreciate their insight,” Andy explained. “To name a few more, John and Kitty Goodish and Zeb and Kelly O’Boyle of Tubmill Creek Farms have also been quality influences as we’ve purchased a lot of great individuals The Schmalshof family is invested and dedicated to raising quality Limousin and from their program over Lim-Flex genetics and are always planning for the future of their business. the years,” Andy remarked. “George Hubbard has also been a great one to have friendship with and we’ve kept that going and are excited for the future with his insight.” The cattle of ATAK Limousin have shaped their program into what it is today, but truly each move has revolved around the people that have influenced the family. “The best thing about the Limousin breed
on open market the
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is the people involved are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise with anyone. The people of our breed are just phenomenal. They’re what make it so enjoyable,” Andy said.
Looking ahead, the future is bright for the ATAK Limousin program, not only from a genetic perspective, but also from a family involvement perspective. “We believe in our grandkids and building their future and herd base,” Andy said. “We’re really looking forward to the future with our grandkids’ involvement and continually improving our genetic base,” Andy said. “It’s an exciting adventure that we’re all looking forward to.”
“We always want to build a strong foundation of family,” Tammy said. It can often be challenging to decide on a meaningful herd prefix, but the Schmalshof’s decided early on that theirs would always be
cherished. “The ATAK logo and prefix is special to Tammy and I, it’s a family deal for us and stands for Andy, Tammy, Adam and Karen,” Andy said. “We’re getting the grandkids involved on a competitive level in the show ring and that will in turn will build their work ethic and responsibility skills. It will also build their own herd base down the road and we’re excited “We always want to build for that,” Tammy said. As a whole, the Schmalshof family is invested a strong foundation and dedicated to raising quality Limousin and of family,” Tammy said. Lim-Flex genetics and are always planning for the future of their business. “I see us on the breaking edge of being able to market more cattle. We’ve got the cattle and we just need to get them out there,” Tammy said. “We’re ramping up that end continued on page 54
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Since 1985, the Schmalshof family has been working on their own unique recipe featuring equal parts of family, friends and quality cattle. of things to get our genetics out there along with our new embryo program and a new exciting bull purchase.”
On the female end of things, ATAK Limousin has been focused on the production side and just recently they’ve invested in a bull that will hopefully marry the production side of things with the show ring. “We hope he’ll make a big splash, we’re really excited about him. Numbers have always been a big focus for me and I believe he’s something special.” Andy said.
The future is bright and the Schmalshof family is in it for the long haul with their pride and joy, ATAK Limousin of Avon, Illinois. When it comes down to it Andy, Tammy and Adam hold the gigantic influence of their friendships and business relationships throughout the nation and Limousin breed incredibly close to their hearts. Family, along with Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle, will remain their focus for many years to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sarah Anne Johnson raises registered Limousin & Lim-Flex cattle with her family and Coulton West in Williamsport, OH. She is a sixth-generation beef cattle producer, Sales Specialist, Marketing and Communications Strategist and she is a District Sales Manager for Stine Seed Company. She has also exhibited Limousin cattle on the state and national levels since the age of four and she served as a NALJA Board Member during her junior show career. Connect with her at 614-266-2646 or johnson.6077@osu.edu.
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Homo Black Polled 89% Limousin S: AUTO Lucky Guy D: ROMN Alexus 66A CE: 13 BW: 2.9 WW: 79 YW: 122 MK: 27 CM: 8 SC: 1.00 DC: 11 YG: -0.43 CW: 38 REA: 1.20 MB: -0.11 $MI: 54
• 2020 National MOE Gold Medal Bull • 2020 National Western Stock Show Division Champion Bull • His first calves are hitting the ground and look very promising. • Semen Available Private Treaty
Homo Black • Homo Polled • 57% LF S: CJSL Creed 5042C D: AUTO Callie 403D CE: 14 BW: 2.1 WW: 80 YW: 134 MK: 20 CM: 8 SC: 0.72 DC: 12 YG: -0.10 CW: 38 REA: 0.75 MB: 0.48 $MI: 73 This young donor was raised in our program and illustrates the quality we have available. Now that her successful show career is over, we look forward to her many years of production. Call or come by to see the many noteworthy genetic packages we have available for you. Take Note of one of Missouri’s Premier Limousin operations Minor Limousin is a program on the move. We are relying on some of the breed’s most progressive genetics to help raise quality Limousin seedstock for our customers. Watch for our offering of bulls and genetic opportunities at MINO Fiona
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Caleb, Tara and Gabriel Minor 1201 Flint Rock Rd. • Strafford, MO 65757 • Caleb (417) 576-6364 • Tara: (443) 605-6127 minorfarms930@gmail.com • website: www.minorlimousin.com • Facebook: www.facebook.com/minorlimousin
