WHY IRISH BLACKS?

We first asked that question after outlining what it will take to be profitable in the future with the cattle business. We had mapped out a plan in the spring of 2006 to make some significant changes in our cattle operation when we contacted an old acquaintance, Maurice Boney of Ft. Morgan, Co.

I had met Maurice in the mid 70’s and knew of this depth of knowledge in the cattle industry. I saw my first Irish Black Cattle in 2005 and was very impressed but had not made the connection of Mr. Boney and Irish Black cattle. After a search of the internet that put Irish Black cattle and Maurice Boney on the same line I got really interested. Lots of phone calls and then some extensive road trips made some profound change in our operation and the way we looked at the cattle industry and our future.
Here are some of the things we found.

Genetic Purity: All the registered Irish Blacks had their origin from Angus half sisters of the Revolution Line. Imported Beef Fresian Bulls from Ireland were mated to these angus females in 1971 to start the strict closed herd line breeding project. Sire to daughter matings were used as well as sibling (brother-sister) matings to eliminate genetic flaws and defects. Selection for positive dominant traits has resulted in the breed being homozygous for nearly all beneficial traits. As a result, when Irish Blacks are used to breed any outside herd, the ultimate in hybrid vigor is expressed. The resulting calves are all stamped alike in their phenotypes, performance and carcass traits. This is a rarity in today’s herds from continual crossbreeding and the "outcross" genetic philosophy.

Carcass Quality: Irish Blacks excel in carcass traits by minimizing backfat, enhancing marbling levels and tenderness, and improving Ribeye area and dressing percentage. Dressing percentages of 64% to 67%, Rib eyes of 13-14 inches, marbling scores over 3.5, and backfat measurements under .2 of an inch are consistently produced.

Performance: Irish Blacks are true performance animals they have been selected for rapid early growth and early maturity. Most can reach slaughter tenderness by 13-14 months. In the first 2 years of the line breeding project, only the calves that weighed 60% of their mothers weight at weaning were allowed to stay in the breeding herd.

Fertility: Bulls are noted for large scrotal circumference and very motile sperm. Scores of 92-98% normal sperm are the rule this is the main reason for the bulls being able to service 70-75 cows per year. Our experience with the bulls is that they display excellent libido and are "Breeding Machines."

The Females: Reach puberty early and will cycle several times before their first breeding, a key factor in conceiving when bred for the first time. This early attainment of puberty has a direct correlation with the large scrotal circumference of a females sire. Another factor in the breed back ability of Irish Black cows is their shorter gestation period. This gives the cows more time to ready themselves for the next breeding. Shorter gestation means fewer calving problems, fewer retained placentas and uterine infections, all leading to an earlier and a more fertile next heat cycle.

Marketing Flexibility: Due to the high demand for Irish Black calves they are highly sought after at weaning, as yearlings, and in the feedlot. Because of their carcass superiority, Irish Blacks are often retained by producers who want to cash in on the bonuses received for their marbling, carcass yields, dressing percentage and low back fat. We have chosen to so do just that, as we retain our commercial calves ½ & ¾ bloods to use in the ranch to rail program "Country Natural Beef". Our own carcass data has proven the increased profitability in using Irish Black bulls.

Environmental Adaptability: Irish Blacks have been sold to cattle operations in 22 different states. Satisfied customers hail from New Mexico to North Carolina, Montana to Mississippi, and from sea level to 12,000 ft elevation. Producers in the high mountains of Colorado & Utah have yet to report a case of brisket disease (high altitude disease), even at altitudes of 10,000 ft. to 12,000 ft. elevation. Our home range is 4,500 ft and we can go up to 9,000 ft. Winters are cold with snow from November to March.

Calving Ease: The primary factor in calving ease is calf birth weight. Irish Black heifer calves have an average birth weight of 70 pounds, while bull calves average 76 pounds. We very seldom see a calf born as they calve out on the summer range. They have proven to us they can calve on their own.

Udder Quality: Irish Blacks have well-suspended udders with small teat size. This is a very critical trait in a range calving herd where human intervention is minimal. Calves must be born unassisted, get up fast, and suckle without delay. A good udder on the cow is one of the most important factors in the the calf’s survival.

Moderate Frame Size: Moderate framed cattle have been proven to produce more pounds of calf per pound of cow, compared to larger framed cows. It costs less to maintain the smaller framed cow as well, improving your profitability. The Irish Blacks can produce an exceptional carcass which isn’t too large or small, with fewer inputs, more Profit from Irish Black Bulls.


Contact: Lane D. Parker ~ 435-757-4643

Contact: Lane D. Parker ~ 435-757-4643
lane@smithfieldivestock.com

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

"Freeze Branding New Herd"

We purchased a small herd of first calf heifers, at the first of January.  When we got them home we went right to Freeze branding them and getting them turned out on the bird refuge.  It has been such a mild winter for us here in Utah, which is good and bad, but we hope spring comes when it is supposed to.  As usual the whole family helped out.  The kids where still on Christmas brake and they where happy to be able to work the new cattle when they got here.  Overall very excited about the new additions to our cow/calf herd.

 
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Monday, January 9, 2012

Feeding Protein at the BIRD REFUGE

Most of the cattle have been over at the Bird Refuge in Perry, since October.  A couple times a week we take over a load of protein pellets for the cows.  The girls and I went over to help Jared put them out a couple of times last week, and finally got a few pictures.  The cattle look really good and the calves look even better.  Very excited about the calf crop that is coming up. 


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Friday, December 30, 2011

Final Shipment for 2011 to CNB

 On Tuesday we shipped our last load of yearlings to CNB for the 2011 year.  We are excited about this load of 1/2 Irish Black calves, they look really good.  Lane, Jared and the boys went and gathered, sorted and had them shipped by noon on Tuesday.  It went really smooth and all the cattle fit well on this load for the program. Thanks CNB and all who we are associated with there, this is a great program and great people to be working with.
  
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Monday, December 12, 2011

Fall Auburn All Western Horse Sale

In November we had our Auburn All Western, All Breed Horse Sale in Auburn, CA.  The weather was pretty chilly.  We had to chain up coming over Donner but once we got to Auburn, it was pretty dry.  This sale we had 75+ horses and really overall, we had a good sale.  "Good horses brought good money".  We only had a few go out from our ranch, but what we did take, sold well and they all have new homes.  Virgil is pictured with a chestnut gelding named Gus, V worked with this young horse a lot and really hated to sell him, but he needs a little better rope horse for the competitions.  The kids also have been working on this one little pony named Pepper, she also had a filly on her side, Brownie.  They sold the pair at Auburn and it was quite the show.  Virgil, Waylon and Shadie spent more time with this pony then they did at home.  Pepper & Brownie were a big hit, along with many of the other consigned horses in the sale.  Her are just a few pictures of the day. Thanks to all the consignors and buyers that help make our sale a success. 





 

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BRANDING IN CLIFTON

A few weeks ago we branded in Clifton Id.  It was a great day and the weather was perfect.  The cattle looked good and every ones horses performed well.  We were able to do it before school started so the kids were able to go up and help, even Shadie roped a few.  This year we are Freeze Branding our cattle, hoping it will help keep the Cattle Rustlers at bay, to have a more prominent brand might help!!  Here are some pictures of the day!!



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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

LOGAN RIVER RANCH TOUR

This summer we had an amazing privilege, we got to host a ranch tour at our place, where in our opinion we had some of the best and finest people/ranchers/friends come and stay a few days with us.  It ran Wend-Saturday and we had a blast getting to know their families, spending time getting help on our ranches and with our cattle, and just being together.  We have so much fun together and are just really close.  We were so sorry that Chet and Tara were unable to attend, Chet had back problems the day before they were to leave and felt he could not make the trip.  We missed you and are excited to see you in November.  We meet as a group 3 times a year to give advice about each of our ranches, and we look forward to that time we get to spend with these great people.  Here are just a few highlights of the weekend.






















~Our youngest girl had to have stitches the last night, she took a header and hit a rock.  Good thing Aunt Sarah is a Nurse Practictioner and had the skills to fix her right up.  She does this quite often for us, we swap her eggs and things like that. haha  Thanks Aunt Sarah.  We really appreciate it.
~Overall the weekend went wonderful and we had a great time and we really learned a lot about our own ranch.  Thanks to RMC and the EL Program for bring us together, to learn, become successful and to build friendships.
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Friday, July 1, 2011

CHECKING CATTLE

We have been so busy around the ranch.  We have started calving, turned out the commercial herd and have run full head into the many "Fires" that need to be attended to during the summer months, here at the ranch.  Finally summer decided to show up and the grass is growing nicely and our gardens are planted and also are started up well.  Animals look good, the auctions is going well and calving season has started off great.  Lane and Jared have been traveling a lot lately, promoting the Irish Black Cattle and are excited about the interest that is shown in the breed.  On a couple of weekends Jared & Amy's family were able to go and check on the yearlings and the cow/calf herd.  The grass looks good and so do the cattle, they are really enjoying the sunshine as are we.  Our web page is now up and running, so please check it out.  http://www.loganriverranch.com/.


 Yearlings out on mountain ground in Idaho
Commercial Cattle on Summer ground in Idaho
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