2023 IOWA ANGUS TOUR

by Doug Ward Doug@ABPmagcom

While Derek and Tim were in Montana, I traveled down to Iowa to cover the Iowa Angus Tour, which was held on Sunday, September 10th. There were about 100 attendees on this tour which included 7 stops in the rolling hills of northeast Iowa. We started out on a beautiful Sunday morning, though this area has suffered one of the driest summers on record. The 1st stop was Hilltop Angus out of Independence, IA. Craig and Mary Allen have had purebred Angus since 1999, and their program includes 50+ cows, while A.I. and Em bryo Transfer are utilized to improve their herd. They sell 20 bulls each year along with bred cows and heif ers. There was an additional display at this stop about raising Bees, with a small build of what the inside of a beehive looks like which was fascinating.

Our next stop was ADD Angus out of Arlington, where Doug and Marcia Rueber operate their farm with 60 cow/calf pairs. They started in 1963 with 12 registered heifers. Some have had the sire Earl Marshall appear in their pedigree 8 times in the first 6 generations. Doug’s dad, Arnold, started by buying bulls in Canada back in the 70s, in order to increase the overall frame and size of their cattle. Today they produce bulls that have good growth and functionality, and DNA is used to improve genetics. Doug gave a demonstration on freeze branding, where he used dry ice and 99% alcohol to achieve the best results.

Northeast Community College at Calmar was an interesting stop. We viewed the dairy herd at the Iowa Dairy Center while on campus. The Dairy Foundation utilizes a 250-head herd to demonstrate modern farming practices. Additionally, the Foundation raises 100 market steers, and 15 purebred cow/calf pairs while farming 250 acres using no-till practices. The Beef Education Center is home to the market animals and beef herd, where this monoslope building with 6 different pens houses the animals. Angus, Red Angus, and Simmental breeds are used for the herd and calved in the fall. This unit is used for educational purposes.

The Decorah Fish Hatchery was a little different stop for us. It produces 3 types of trout that are raised and released into the nearby streams. Natural spring water is diverted into the ponds where the fingerlings are raised. Over $50,000 worth of alfalfa pellets are dispensed from gumball machines every year so visitors can feed the fish. Across the road is the famous Eagle Cam which focuses on the eagle’s nest, which is viewed by people worldwide. Each year the eagles add about 200 lbs. of branches to the nest for maintenance.

Next was Smith Family Farms, which was established in 1995. After purchasing the farm, it was enrolled in the CRP program. As the acres came out of the program, Eric and Dainna converted the land into pasture, and many miles of fence were constructed. A small herd of Angus was maintained in the beginning which produced bulls and show heifers. As the family grew and their crops increased, they transitioned to commercial cattle until 2006 when they joined forces with Deppe Angus and purchased Westwood Embryo Services. This led the Smith’s to operate as a cooperator herd for many Angus Breeders. Today they raise ET calves for Deppe and Rich Werner, with their son Dustin as part of the operation. While calving the ET calves, they also develop the yearling heifers in the partnership.

Ending the tour’s trail was Millers Viewlawn Angus. The original farm was purchased by Roy Miller in 1866, and purebred Angus has been a part of the operation since 1903, making it one of America's oldest herds. On our way to the main farm, we drove by a pasture of theirs that hasn’t been tilled since 1923. A sign along the road points to this pasture and is proudly displayed. Today Larry and Margaret, along with Chris and Melissa Miller, represent the 6th and 7th generations to operate Viewlawn Angus. The herd of 240 graze 400 acres of permanent pasture. Their 7 Grandsons represent the 8th generation, but there aren’t any granddaughters! The herd is closed with new genetics incorporated via A.I. All breeding stock is sold via private treaty. This year marks 120 years in business!