How do we use it at STROMMEN RANCH ?
Weaning Ratio: Why don’t more seedstock suppliers provide ratios? For every bull above 100 (which is average), there is 1 below 100. Many seedstock suppliers don’t show ratios because they don’t want you to see how many below-average bulls they are selling. We think it’s extremely important to be up front and honest and provide weaning ratios on every bull to show our customers how they rank within their contemporary group. Calving interval: An indicator of the most profitable trait in the beef business- Fertility. We believe this is the best measure of a cow’s fertility and longevity. A calving- interval combined with annual production shows that a cow has had a calf every year and on schedule. In my experience working and traveling for Genex for many years, I was able to see, first-hand, countless purebred females that didn’t pay their way. They were open or didn’t raise a calf and rolled into the next year getting a free pass for sub-par fertility or poor mothering ability. There is no room for a dry cow at Strommen Ranch. If they are open or dry, they are culled. Our donor cows are also expected to calve annually, which isn’t common practice. We don’t believe in a free pass.
Disposition Score: We are one of the only breeders that provides a disposition score for the mothers to our bulls. This score is taken the day they calve on a scale from 1-10. 10 denotes perfect mothering ability in all facets from getting the calf pushed out, to getting the calf licked off and up to nurse, then standing calmly and quietly for that first suckle. We don’t make any excuses for cows that can’t get their job done. We don’t have 15 employees here to watch every cow at every minute. We expect them to absolutely do it on their own and in a manner that is safe for the cow, the calf and us while we weigh and tag the calves. Udder Score: We also provide an udder score. Udder quality is very important to us. We like a beautiful Angus female with a feminine front, big bodied with excellent feet and a superb udder. Our udder score is collected the day the calf is born, which is the day it matters the most. We score udders from 1-9 with a 9 being level-uddered with excellent forward attachment, small teat size placed evenly apart and equal quarters with definite distinction between each quarter. We don’t tolerate swing-bags, large teats, tilted or uneven quarters. We also don’t want those huge bags that are so low to
the ground that it takes a calf 4-6 hours to figure it out. I’ve seen it and don’t want anything to do with it. Milking ability and volume is good, to a point, but it is no longer desirable when a calf can’t attach and nurse or mastitis sets in because of the volume. If we have to get a cow in to touch her udder, she is automatically culled and her calf is immediately pulled off. We don’t have the time and know our customers don’t either. Foot Scores: This is a score you won’t find here. I think foot scoring is laughable. They are either good or gone. Period. End of story. And, let me tell you, the EPD’s don’t tell the story. It’s nearly impossible for us to find an outside bull to use because we are that skeptical of others’ ability to accurately collect and report foot scores. This problem is exacerbated by those breeders who are rapidly turning generations on the next latest-and-greatest sire before knowing or understanding what they have on the ground today. We aren’t perfect for foot quality, no breeder is. There is a difference though! If a breeder tells you they don’t have any issues with foot quality, run away fast. We are doing our due diligence to select cattle that have excellent foot quality and we will not compromise our standards.
Proven, Balanced Cow-Makers
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Feb. 21, 2026 • 3 p.m.
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