Spring 2020 Issue
Tarentaise Talk The Tarentaise Talk is published quarterly in the interest of the Tarentaise breed. The Talk seeks to promote and grow the development of the Tarentaise cattle, to publicize the activities of the Tarentaise breeders, and to print new and educational material beneficial to Tarentaise Breeders.
American Tarentaise Association P.O. Box 231 420A Lincoln St Wamego, KS 66547 (785) 456-8500 Fax (785) 456-8599 info@americantarentaise.org asregistry@gmail.com www.americantarentaise.org
To submit a cover photo: email picture in JPEG format to asregistry@gmail.com
American Tarentaise Association Board of Directors Officers- President - Jeff Honold, Carroll, IA Vice President- Tabitha Steinhage Baker, Clarksville, MO Secretary - Melisa Bertz, Mayview, MO Treasurer - Andrew King, Shoshone, ID DirectorsHatch Smith Cummings, Llano, TX Don Gittleson, Walden, CO Brian Ledahl, Zahl, ND
President’s Message Albert Einstein is widely credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” For far too long we have been fighting within the Association trying to tell each other how our breed should look and how it should be done. We have been fighting over color, percentage, sizes and milk vs beef. We have tried to be the “Field of Dreams” of the cattle breeds. “If we build it they will come”. I submit to you that this way of thinking has not worked. We have been in America as long, or longer than the exotic breeds, but with less name recognition. We all agree Tarentaise cattle are far superior to any other breed, so why have we not gained any traction? Our Marketing. Marketing is the key to our future. No company survives by saying this is the product I like and the color I like it in and you must like it or tough. Why do we think cattle producers are any different? We have customers that want red, black, tall, short, beef and milk cattle. Why as a breed should we not market to all of these people when we have cattle that can do it? I know we have breeders in each of these categories. The board is committed to promoting any cattle that fit into the definition of Tarentaise. We need to be inclusive and help each other sell cattle. If you do not have the type someone is looking for, refer them to another breeder or to the office so we can assist. We have to shift of mentality of just raising cattle and selling to each other. We must look to market and expand our base. I am excited that we have added the Associate Membership that helps get information to the commercial cattle producers. Some of the best marketing we can get is by these people using and promoting our cattle. The board is also looking at getting on some of the rural programming shows. We can highlight the versatility and greatness of Tarentaise. Look to your local papers and farm radio people. They are always looking for local content. If you need help with this or would like a board member to do an interview please let us know. If you have not advertised on the website I ask that you please do. Today’s cattle people look to the Internet first when making buying decisions. The Sale Barn costs $15 for 3 months. You need a picture and descriptions. You will be on the website and also have a link put out on our Facebook page. When people call the office, or look at the website, they can see what types of cattle you are offering and make contact. It will also help the office get the buyers to our members. One of the biggest problems we have right now is finding Tarentaise females for people trying to get started. Please think about advertising. I would also like you to take a look at Novel Designs (thenoveldesigns.com). They helped us with our Tarentaise website and have graciously agreed to give special pricing to our members. Again today’s buyers look to the internet first. We all need to make sure our content is fresh and easy to navigate. All Tarentaise cattle have their place. Listen to your customers and market area. They will tell you what type of cattle they are looking for. Look outside of the Association for markets. Be confident that Tarentaise Cattle are better than anything they have or will find. Look to expand into the commercial industry. If we can do this we will see our breed and our Association expand beyond our expectations. I will leave you with one example of what I am talking about. The Angus Association did not come in selling to purebred breeders. They grew breeding to the Hereford breed making the black baldy. To this day it is a cross people know, and look for in the commercial industry. The cross took off and so did the Angus Association. We have the model, and the cattle that can improve all crosses. Let’s go out and make Tarentaise a household name in the commercial world. All the Best Jeff Honold President
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Director Feature Tabitha Baker Introduce yourself and your family.
My husband Jacob and I have two boys and two girls Jayden (14), Bailey (12), Lillian (11) and Wyatt (8). Jacob was in the Air-force for a little over 7 years and we have lived in Oklahoma as well as Texas, where he was from. God has planted our family on our fifth generation family farm in the rolling hills of Clarksville, Missouri and I can’t imagine a better place to live. As a family we are constantly on the go with church, basketball, baseball, softball, track and 4-H, but if there is time left in the day we all love to fish.
Give us a brief description of your Tarentaise herd and other cattle interests.
We have raised a lot of breeds over the years on our farm from Hereford, Charolais, Angus, Gelbvieh and Tarentaise. We still have a purebred Gelbvieh herd and commercial herd. Our focus has been turned to our Tarentaise herd as we now have a full-blood Tarentaise herd, purebred Tarentaise herds as well as a breed up crossbred Tarentaise herd. I have been like an expectant mother waiting for this year’s Spring calving season to arrive and most of the pictures on my phone are of our cattle. I love this breed. To me they are the superior cattle breed.
Give a brief description of yourself. Education, jobs, etc.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri. I am in our garden club and I love growing flowers of any kind. I mainly take care of the cattle, but there are occasions where I help in the field during planting and harvesting. I work closely with my brother Walt and his wife Amanda working tirelessly on the daily operation as well as my parents, Karl and Lucretia who raised us loving the Lord and life on the farm.
What are some of your goals for the ATA?
I want to increase awareness of the breed which requires building up the association. When you go to a cattle sale I want people to know what the Tarentaise breed is all about and why this is the breed you need.
What are the strengths of the Tarentaise in your opinion?
Where do I begin. The “Opti-mom” is by far the best attraction, the cow has a wonderful udder with unique milk to raise a great calf, they are extremely gentle, have an amazing calving ease and they possess outstanding longevity, have high fertility and they are delicious!
Tell us something unique about yourself that you want to share with Tarentaise breeders.
The very first Tarentaise cow that I saw was in Europe when I was a teenager. Later our neighbor sold us our first Tarentaise bull and today we have over 100 registered cattle.
What is your favorite sports team? Dallas Cowboys
What is your favorite food? Tarentaise steak of course
What is the top item on your bucket list? Visit Australia & New Zealand
What is your favorite place you have visited? Wassenaar, Netherlands
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2020 ATA Tour 2020 American Tarentaise Association Tour July 18, 2020 1:00 p.m. HAT Ranch and Kenny Venner Farm
We will meet at the Carrollton Inn on Hwy 71 North in Carroll, IA at 1:00 p.m. From there we will go to the Venner Farm to see Tarentaise cross calves on feed. We will then go to the HAT Ranch for a tour of their Purebred Tarentaise cows and calves. If we have enough people registered we will rent a bus to take us around. It will be about 40 miles between Venner’s and the HAT Ranch. The main hotel will be the Carrollton Inn, 1703 US 71 North (712) 792-5600 Other Hotels: Days Inn Super 8 East Super 8 Hwy 71 We will have a meal on Friday the 17th at 7:00 p.m. at a site to be determined. Please RSVP on the American Tarentaise Association Facebook page. Private tours will be available by contacting Doug Honold at (712) 210-3203. Honold Angus Tarentaise
Your Source for Black Tarentaise
2020 sons available this year
Hats Zagg D74
We Can Help With Your Needs: • • • • •
• Tarentaise Cross Bred Bulls Heifers Bred Heifers • Tarentaise Cross Open Open Heifers Feeder Cattle Heifers Red & Black Bull Semen Available
Visit Us at Hatranch.com HAT Ranch Inc 2261 B Ave Coon Rapids, IA 50058 Doug Honold Jeff Honold
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Tarentaise Talk
hatranch@gliddenwildblue.com hatranchjeff@gmail.com Cell 712-210-3202 Office 712-684-5216
2020 ATA Hall of Fame Recipients
Doug Honold Coon Rapids, IA
Congratulations!
Juniors have you been showing? Send us your Photos!
KAID ALTMAN of GORDONSVILLE, VA showing Ellie at the State Fair of Virgina in 2018. Elli was the Champion Senior Heifer in the AOB Show. He looks forward to showing her calf, Georgiana, later this spring.
Les Haight Gillette, WY
MCM Tarentaise mcmack2@mindspring.com
Fullblood and Purebred Breeding Stock Maureen Mack Kullman P.O. Box 190 Culver, Oregon 97734 (541) 977-3048
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Breeder Feature Bill Armbrust Paradiseridge Tarentaise Introduce yourself and your family.
I am married to Diane Popek of Omaha. With her, I gained three step children to add to my three sons. Chris and Sicilian born wife, Alessia, live in Elkhorn, NE with their two Italian born children, Fiona 10 and Dexter 8. Chris is an Executive Director of a non-profit and Alessia is a PHD student at UNL in Linguistic Instruction. Kara and husband Patrick live in South Chicago near White Sox ballpark. Kara is a hospital admin at Northwestern University Hospital and Patrick is a construction engineer. Ryan is married to Laura - a cattleman’s daughter from Bertrand, NE. They live in Alta Vista, KS in the Flint Hills and have two sons - Henry 5 and Kresten 4. Ryan is a Kansas Forester and a grad student at K-State University. Erik is marred to Bosnian born wife, Dzenana, and they are moving to DC in July. Erik is a major in the Air Force after several years in Special Forces. Dzenana is a CPA. Holly is a Vet Tech working in Lincoln, NE. She of course has various pets! Dain is the Service/Repair Manager at Midwest Sound in South Omaha where he purchased a home. He plays in a few bands, is a studio musician, and has very recently toured KC MO, Austin TX and Memphis TN.
Give us a brief description of your Tarentaise herd and other cattle interests.
I have spent 30 years working toward the lofty goal of producing tarentaise genetics that bends the BW-WW curve while being polled, structurally sound, excellent carcass traits and good attitudes! I ran a commercial herd of Tar cross cattle in the sandhills for many years but I sold them in the past 5 years. I also have started many new Tarentaise breeders but I have retained 25 excellent purebred Tarentaise cows and accumulated many great sires in the AI tanks.
Why did you choose to include Tarentaise in your cattle operation?
In the mid 80’s I visited a number of very well managed high end commercial herds in the area using Tarentaise cross cows. I obtained a C-C bull to use on my purebred Angus herd to help find a pathway to profits! It only took a few years before I purchased my first purebred Tarentaise cows out of Montana, North Dakota, and Iowa. Those 8 cows formed the basis for my herd today.
What are one or two items that you have found to be critical for the success of your operation?
My success has been predicated on the team we built. Unselfish sharing of information and help fostered the ability to overcome problems more easily. I regret not paying better attention to marketing. You can’t sell what people do not know you have. Pay attention and pay money toward marketing your product.
Who are some people that you credit for your success with Tarentaise?
As I mentioned, I relied on bright selfless caring people to succeed in the cattle business. Long term? Three names come to mind: Dennis Puppe (BR3), Darren Klein (C-C), and Dan Braesch (D&D). I believe Phil Anderson is current to that list. I was well educated to the blood lines and genetic uses of various Sires by Gordy Fordyce. Perhaps equally important to my success was the family feel Jim and Khileen Flynn and the Novoty’s gave to the Tarentaise breed and me.
What is your favorite sports team?
I am a proud alum of the University of Nebraska! What am I to do?!?!? Go Big Red! There is always next year.
What is your favorite food?
My own accidental concoctions using Thai and Indian cuisine.
What is your favorite place you have visited? Tie-Agrigento, Sicily and Kaunas, Lithuania
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2020 ATA Membership Directory PHARO CATTLE COMPANY 44017 COUNTY RD Z CHEYENNE WELLS, CO 80810 (719) 767-5541 deanna@pharocattle.com PLATTE VALLEY TARENTAISE 9163 CR 28 PLATTEVILLE, CO 80651 (970) 785-6277 jkflynnco@aol.com DON GITTLESON PO BOX 421 WALDEN, CO 80480 (970) 734-7322 gittlesonangus@msn.com LEONARD SHERIFF SEVEN LAKES TARENTAISE 1524 RUMSEY RD EASTANOLLEE, GA 30538 (706) 491-6765 7ltarentaise@gmail.com CHARLES ALEXANDER 5644 BROOKHAVEN CIR MARTIN, GA 30557 (706) 779-3581 GEORGE H DEAN MOUNTAIN VIEW FARM 370 NEW RD MARTIN, GA 30557 (706) 244-9998 ladean@windstream.net JEFF & LISA HONOLD HAT RANCH 1424 HWY 71 N CARROLL, IA 51401 (515) 462-0007 hatranchjeff@gmail.com DOUG HONOLD HAT RANCH, INC 2261 B AVE COON RAPIDS, IA 50058 (712) 210-3202 hatranch@gliddenwildblue.com PHIL ANDERSON 2741 390 ST OSAGE, IA 50461 (641) 832-8874 anderson_beef@yahoo.com BILL BIRD BIRD’S FLYING 35 2508 HWY 9 PRINCETON, ID 83857 (208) 875-8806 vjwade2@yahoo.com LEA KING LCN CATTLE LLC 586 N 250 E SHOSHONE, ID 83352 (208) 459-0286 leaking@7ktarentaise.com
GEORGIA KING ADV RANCHES 586 N 250 E SHOSHONE, ID 83352 (208) 459-0286 georgia@7ktarentaise.com
BILL ARMBRUST PARADISE RIDGE 8606 N 216 ELKHORN, NE 68022 (402) 689-6352 paradiseridge@earthlink.net
ANDREW KING 7K LIVESTOCK 586 N 250 E SHOSHONE, ID 83352 (208) 459-0286 7k@7ktarentaise.com
TYLER JESTES 1041 EAST THIRD ST SUPERIOR, NE 68978 (308) 930-0154 grizzlymud30@gmail.com
JEANNIE KING MAGIC CATTLE LLC 586 N 250 E SHOSHONE, ID 83352 (208) 459-0286 jeannie@7ktarentaise.com A & W CATTLE CO./ STEINHAGE FARMS 19537 PIKE 229 CLARKSVILLE, MO 63336 (573) 560-2226 imaginepictureperfect@yahoo.com HAROLD & MELISA BERTZ MEADOW LANE FARMS 6430 MOSS RD MAYVIEW, MO 64071 (816) 661-1167 melisabertz@gmail.com MATT STRUNK RISING S RANCH 27001 HWY U MILAN, MO 63556 (641) 208-5644 mattstrunk80@gmail.com FLOYD MILLER 7191 UNICORN ROAD PIERCE CITY, MO 65723 (417) 850-2448 flmillcow@yahoo.com MEARL “TURK” LORDS CENTRAL MONTANA 4209 MONTAGUE ROAD FORT BENTON, MT 59442 (406) 899-3133 cmtcattle@gmail.com BRIAN LEDAHL LEDAHL TARENTAISE 9005 137TH AVE NW ZAHL, ND 58856 (701) 694-3511 bledahl@nccray.com DARREN KLEIN 2278 CR 19 BENNINGTON, NE 68007 (201) 741-6859 darren.klein@zoetis.com
JOHN KALKA PO BOX 629 WELLSTON, OK 74881 (405) 742-7237 rocknrail@sbcglobal.net MAUREEN MACK PO BOX 190 CULVER, OR 97734 (541) 977-3048 mcmack2@mindspring.com DARREN NELSON 47370 219TH ST BROOKINGS, SD 57006 (605) 693-4308 dd2nelson@yahoo.com JESSE WALBURN 838 WHITE DOGWOOD RD BIG SANDY, TX 75755 (785) 383-5482 jjwranch730@gmail.com HATCH CUMMINGS SMITH JR. REDSMITH GENETICS CORP PO BOX 366 LLANO, TX 78643 (646) 416-1774 llano68@yahoo.com JIM & RHONDA HERR WILLOW RIDGE FARM 3014 WILLOW RIDGE TRAIL ROCKINGHAM, VA 22802 (540) 820-4149 jhrr@herrinc.com MICHAEL & LYNDA THOMAS KRAETZ FARMS, LLC 6510 - 210TH ST NE ARLINGTON, WA 98223 (360) 435-8326 mlpthomas@yahoo.com PAT & SHARON MADIGAN BALD HILLS JUNCTION 14614 LAWRENCE LAKE RD SE YELM, WA 98597 (360) 894-2717
LES HAIGHT HAIGHT RANCH PO BOX 511 GILLETTE, WY 82717 (307) 682-3283 lkhaight@bresnan.net
Associate Members: BRIAN DAVENPORT 10424 E TRAILHEAD CT GOLD CANYON, AZ 85118 JAMES A COLLUM 12316 470TH ST HEWITT, MN 56453 FLINT RICHARDS 2460 WEST HIGHWAY 138 ERDA, UT 84074
Junior Members: MARY ALICE KNIGHT TOCCOA, GA JUSTIN BREAUX RACELAND, LA KELSEY COLLINS RACELAND, LA JAYDEN BAKER CLARKESVILLE, MO BAILEY BAKER CLARKESVILLE, MO LILLIAN BAKER CLARKSVILLE, MO WYATT BAKER CLARKSVILLE, MO AUGUST BERTZ MAYVIEW, MO MEREDITH STRUNK MILAN, MO BRANDON LEDAHL ZAHL, ND REIGN NOEL LEDAHL ZAHL, ND SAMANTHA LEDAHL ZAHL, ND ARYANA NELSON BROOKINGS, SD KAID ALTMAN GORDONSVILLE, VA
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Commercial Breeder Feature Karl Wernette Wernette Cattle Company Introduce yourself and your family.
I’m Karl Wernette. I farm in Remus, Michigan along with my dad at Wernette Cattle Company. My mom, sister, brother and fiance help around the farm when needed as well. We try to keep our operation fairly diverse by not only running a cow/calf operation, but also backgrounding and order buying feeder cattle, direct marketing beef, raising most of our own hay and growing some row crops. My family has raised beef cattle for three generations now. My grandfather started raising purebred Angus cattle beginning in the 1940’s. When my dad starting farming, they ran mostly cross bred cows with various breed combinations.
Why did you choose to include Tarentaise in your cattle operation?
In 1996 they wanted to cut back on cash cropping and focus more on the cow/calf side of the operation. We were looking for a good commercial crossbred program that offered maternal cows along with good carcass quality. My dad was introduced to the Tarentaise breed by Gordy Fordyce and Doug Honold. They had selected a handful of Tarentaise bloodlines along with some Angus lines and had developed a crossbred system. The bloodlines that were selected were extensively tested through feedlot trails as well as through replacement females. It became clear to my dad that this breed combination would allow him to raise the heifer on the ranch, all while retaining desirable carcass traits, so he bought a semi load of Tarentaise cross bred heifers. Two years later, he bought another load of bred cows. The uniformity we began with 24 years ago, still shines through today. We are now able to produce high quality replacement heifers as well as desirable and consistent market animals.
What is your favorite sports team?
My favorite would be the Michigan State University Spartans because I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachlor’s degree in Crop and Soil Science.
What is your favorite food? Medium Rare Ribeye Steak
What is your favorite place you have visited?
My favorite place that I have visited is the Grand Canyon. I would not want to live there but it was a great experience to see.
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Tarentaise Talk
American Tarentaise Association Youth Scholarship The ATA Youth Scholarship program was established in 1996 by a vote of the membership at the annual meeting. The scholarship is funded by donations. The amount of the scholarships will be determined on a year-to-year basis depending on the availability of funds.
The applicant must submit: • Application form • Be a junior member of the American Tarentaise Association for at least one year
The scholarship recipient will present written proof of the completion of the first quarter or semester to the ATA office (transcript, grade report, etc.); upon receipt of this transcript or grade report, the funds for the scholarship will be sent to the recipient. For an application form or more information, contact the ATA office at (785) 456-8500 or asregistry@gmail.com or contact Melisa Bertz at melisabertz@gmail.com.
Scholarship Application deadline is July 1st Bill Armbrust
Paradiseridge Tarentaise
PRT - Prefix is the Mark of Excellence Now in my 5th decade perfecting Tarentaise cattle
Visit the Paradiseridge Facebook page for important information Email Paradiseridge@earthlink.net Text or call 402-689-6352
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Tarentaise Talk
American Tarentaise Association Official NEWSLETTER of the American Tarentaise Association Your ads keep The Talk coming to you! To place an ad in the Tarentaise Talk send ad to asregistry@gmail.com
Current Ad Rates Business Card Quarter Page Half Page Whole Page -
$15.00 $30.00 $50.00 $100.00
Ledahl tarentaise www.ledahtarentaise.com
Brian & Jami Ledahl Home: (701) 694-3511 Cell: (701) 570-1427 bledahl@nccray.com
9005 137th Ave NW - Zahl, ND 58856
Content Deadline for Spring Issue - March 15, 2020
Make sure to follow the American Tarentaise Association on Facebook and the Jr Tarentaise Assoc on Instagram!
Want to join the ATA? New members are always welcome! Please fill out the form below and return it to the ATA Office!
American Tarentaise Association Membership Application
Name of Individual, Ranch, or Corporation: ___________________________________________________________ (This is the name that will appear on certificates of registration) Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: _________________________ State: __________ Zip: ____________ Phone # (Primary): _________________________ Phone # (Secondary): _______________________
Mail completed form with payment to: American Tarentaise Association c/o Associated Registry P.O. Box 231, Wamego, KS 66547
Email: _______________________________________________ Birthdate of Jr. Member: _______________ Membership Type:
Active $50.00 (Payable Once a Year in January)
Associate $25.00 (Payable Once a Year in January)
Junior $25.00 (One-Time Fee Until age of 21)
Benefits of Membership: • Free calf registration when dam is in CHR (Complete Herd Reporting) the year of the calf ’s birth. • Free first transfers. • Access to ATA Online Registry System & Data. • Subscription to the quarterly newsletter “Tarentaise Talk”. • Ability to show in a ATA sanctioned event. • Voting Rights. • For Junior Members, 1 year membership qualifies to apply for the ATA Youth Scholarship. • For Associate Members - All member benefits except ability to register or transfer animals. I/We hereby apply for Active or Junior Membership in the American Tarentaise Association, as indicated above. Signature of Applicant: ___________________________________________________ Date: _______________
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Tarentaise Talk 420A Lincoln, P.O. Box 231 Wamego, KS 66547 Change Service Requested