VDAR
Here at Van Dyke Angus Ranch, the cow is at the heart of everything we do. We breed and select for fertile, maternal, structurally sound females with good dispositions—cows that work for the commercial cattleman and keep him profitable.
These traits all contribute to longevity, and longevity has a direct impact on the bottom line. Developing a heifer into a producing cow is expensive. When she leaves the herd after only a few years because of fertility, mothering, disposition or structural problems, that investment is lost. Our goal is the kind of 8-, 9- and 10-year-old cow that simply does everything right.
FERTILITY
Fertility starts with disciplined culling. As Lee often says, “You’re not going to make an infertile cow into a fertile one, so you had better cull the infertile ones.”
For nearly 30 years, we have held our cows to a strict 42-day calving window—no excuses. Research from the University of Nebraska has shown cows calving in the first 42 days of the season can generate up to 25% more revenue than later-calving cows.
Consistently removing late-calving females improves fertility and calf-crop uniformity while ensuring replacement heifers come from early-calving cows with the best opportunity to remain productive for the long haul. Cows that thrive within this tight calving window also tend to be highly maternal.
MATERNAL ABILITY
Maternal traits are what made Angus the “Business Breed.” The Angus cow earned her reputation by breeding on time, calving unassisted, mothering her calf and raising a big one.
As the breed has increasingly emphasized EPDs and carcass traits, we believe those fundamental maternal qualities cannot be sacrificed. At VDAR, we have zero tolerance for a cow that isn't an excellent mother.
STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS
Structural soundness is one of the most serious issues facing the Angus breed and the cattle industry. There is no excuse for perpetuating genetics that produce bad feet.
As registered breeders, our responsibility is to improve the genetics we provide commercial cattlemen—not expose them to preventable structural problems. Structure also directly affects fertility and longevity. A cow that breaks down or goes lame cannot travel and forage efficiently enough to remain productive. A bull with bad feet cannot effectively do his job during breeding season.
Feedlot conditions can contribute to structural problems, but genetics matter. Cattle that cannot walk and travel properly must be culled—no excuses.
Fertility. Maternal ability. Structure. Disposition. These aren't trends at VDAR. They are the foundation of cows that stay in the herd and cattle that keep commercial cattlemen profitable.
Our value is measured by the results our cattle deliver.
Bar V Cattle Company success, built on VDAR vision.
Nearly ten years ago, Bar V Cattle Company formed a relationship with Van Dyke Angus Ranch with the objective of increasing their uniformity, productivity and reproductive efficiency. Bar V Cattle Company’s owner, Mike Becker, showed complete faith in the VDAR vision and it has elevated his program to the next level. Bar V’s cattle are consistently topping the video sales that they consign to, and the long-term goal of selling top-end replacement heifers, being bred by and bred to Van Dyke bulls, was achieved as they were highly received this fall.
To learn more about the “Van Dyke Difference” - WATCH THIS
