The Cows : We consider functional cows to be the success of any working cattle ranch. Our cows are here to produce beef, either directly, or indirectly through their daughters. The first black cows were purchased by Connie's Grandfather in 1948 - 60 years, and four generations later, the herd is straightbred black angus and producing a top quality product.
The Steers: 200 head of feeder calves. This healthy group of calves are available for the stocker and grasser market. They are age verified and have received no growth implants.
The Heifers: Generations of stacked black genetics that will fit the planned crossbreeding or straightbred programs of commercial cow/calf producers. Heifers selling April 16, 2009 at Cowtown's Replacement Salemore
The commercial straight bred black angus cow herd consists of 400+ females. Included in the count, is the ranch holdings of Don and Connie, Darby and Sarah, Kalee and Benny plus Connie's parents; Alfred and Josephine Wardberg.
Three generations working together to continue the angus tradition which was established in 1948 by Connie's Grandparents.
Calving and Breeding ____________
Home raised Registered Angus bulls are turned out with replacement heifers around June 20th. The mature cowherd is bred to start calving the middle of April.
Annual offering of age verified feeder steers and replacement heifers
Heifers selling April 16, 2009 at Cowtown's Replacement Sale
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Spring and Summer Management ____________
Depending on spring conditions, winter feeding is continued until the pasture can offer green grass or, at least, a carry over of last year's growth. The commercial herd is out on pasture from calving time on through the summer. Calves are branded and vaccinated early June.
Pairs are sorted - cows with steer calves go to different pastures than the heifer calves and their mothers. Our land base is spread out so weaning the feeder steer calves in the fall, is economically more efficient if the calves are all loaded at the same time and place.
Angus feeder steers: Age verified steers, with mother cows,
on late summer grazing.
Below:
Weaning the heifer calves
All calves have birthdates recorded and carry the Canadian Angus Associations CACP (RFID) tags ... age verified with the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.
The steer and heifer calves are weaned onto a tub-ground bunk ration of silage/dryland hay/green feed bales with free-choice dryland hay, salt & mineral access. Booster vaccinations given. Bred heifers and the cowherd fall graze the stubble until conditions warrant ther winter ration of baled greenfeed and dryland hay/grass. Salt and mineral is offered free-choice, year around.
Don & Connie Delorme, Darby & Sarah Delorme, Kalee & Benny Hofer
The Herd Bulls : Predominately raised in our registered herd. Included are the "fresh young" genetics, whose first calf crop is expected in 2008. 
