NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Treftz Limousin was announced as the North American Limousin Foundation’s 2025 Seedstock Producer of the year. Below is the introduction written and given by Chisum Peterson ( adapted and inspired by Amanda Radke’s feature story in Limousin 365 )...
In recent years, Treftz has been experimenting on purchased commercial F1 black-baldie heifers and crossing them back to Limousin bulls, to remind him of his start in the breed. These baldie cows are now the foundation of the recipient cowherd for the embryo program. “It brings me back to the beginning and is really a strong testament to show my customers about what these bulls can offer their commercial cattle,” said Glenn. This “experiment” has grown from 20 head to keep for himself, to developing 50 F1 baldie heifers Ai’d to Treftz bulls and offering them for sale. The first year he offered bred F1s, it was by late-night Facebook post of what he had, and to “direct message” him for details and price. The cattle were sold in less than two hours. This demand has led Glenn to offering these females on a special bred female sale each December. A little over a month ago, the top draft of his F1 baldies sold for $5400/head - the HIGHEST priced commercial bred heifers ever sold at Aberdeen Livestock! Always one to lead by example, he backs up his claims to his customers by showing what is possible with Limousin & Limi cross genetics. The second Saturday in February is a day I-and many others-look forward to each year. Some come for the accordion music, a few come for the chicken feet, but everyone comes to see stout, powerful Limousin bulls with all the muscle you can pack on a set of cattle. They also come to support the man who’s spent his entire life devoted to Limousin cattle and the customers he serves. His sale has become the benchmark for the spring bull sale season. Cattle and genetics are sold across the US, Canada and other countries across the globe. Capacity crowds, exuberant bidding and strong sale averages create an event people go home from excited for what the future holds. A culmination of over 40 years of work, dedication and service to the breed and his customers. Glenn would be the first to admit, none of these above-mentioned things would be possible without the love and support from his family, including Lori, and their kids Dustin, Courtney (Andrew) and Reece (Alayna). And, I certainly want to mention his pride and joy and the ones who call him “Papa”, Mila, Colton, and Arie. Before I introduce Glenn, I’ll leave you with a statement mentioned earlier-in Glenn’s own words-and let it be a lesson for all of us… “Develop a product you are passionate about. Commit to your product. Market your product. Stand behind your product. And most important, believe in your product.” -C hisum Peterson’s introduction at the NALF annual meeting during the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO 2025 NALF SEEDSTOCK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR TREFTZ LIMOUSIN CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING NAMED THE
Glenn purchased his first Limousin bull and (13) 3/8 blood Limousin cows in 1983. Treftz recalls his start in the breed and said, “When we brought that first Limousin bull home and put him in the pen with those Angus and Hereford bulls we had been using on our commercial cows, he did look pretty exotic. He was like a whole different animal species. But those first calves were an amazing cross; they were everything I had hoped they would be. I’ve been hooked on the breed ever since.” And the rest is history. From the very beginning, Treftz has always placed intense selection pressure on heavy muscled cattle. Sires like ROMN Justice, Jim Dandie, JYF Yieldmaster, Richmond Xander, TREF Zeus, ROMN Tow Truck, TREF Done Right, TREF Hardcore and others, have helped him achieve his breeding goals. Along with the bulls that built Treftz Limousin, most of his herd of 150 registered Limousin females goes back to the original group he bought in the 1980s. With the TZ brand on their hip, Glenn is proud of his cow families and in recent years has grown his embryo transplant program to propagate his best genetics on both the bull and female sides. “As producers, we often find ourselves talking about the carcass traits and feed efficiency of the Limousin breed, but where we shine is in our cows’ longevity and fertility. A good Limousin female is maternal, docile, good milking with easy-fleshing ability, and I think she can compete with any other breed!” Glenn sold bulls privately, off the farm, for just over 20 years, prior to hosting an annual production sale. 2026 will mark Glenn’s 35th year selling Limousin bulls. From the beginning, Treftz Limousin’s annual production sale has been titled “Where Muscle Still Matters Production Sale.” It’s not just a slogan, or something catchy for an ad or catalog cover - it is what they believe, eat, sleep, and drink at Treftz Limousin. “At a time where all breeds of cattle are starting to look alike, my slogan, ‘where muscle still matters,’ has even more meaning to me now,” said Treftz. “I’m going to keep doing what works and continue to respond to what my customers are telling me they want, and what they want is Limousin muscle.” And listen to his customers…he does! In his own words… “Develop a product you are passionate about. Commit to your product. Market your product. Stand behind your product. And most important, believe in your product.” Glenn could write a book on marketing and merchandising registered seedstock. From his website, active social media presence, bi-annual newsletter, ranch tours at home, going “on tour” every late summer/fall, and hours on the phone, Glenn is in tune with his customer’s needs, wants and expectations. Sale day is 365 days a year at Treftz Limousin. Glenn has an infectious love and passion for Limousin cattle. He will tell you more than anything, he loves talking with someone considering Limousin genetics for the first time. Whether a customer has five cows or 500, he gives his time to everyone who makes contact, whether a fellow Limousin breeder, a commercial producer or a young person interested in Limousin. Whether new to the breed, or new to Treftz Limousin, once you’ve spent a little time with Glenn Treftz, you are hooked. In service to the breed, Glenn served nine years on the South Dakota Limousin Association board, with four years as the SDLA president. He also served for six years on the Heartland Limousin Association board.
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2026 Where Muscle Still Matters Bull Sale
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