by Chloe Tolar, ASA intern
Trinity Farms of Ellensburg, Washington, is a third-generation SimGenetics seedstock operation nestled in the Kittitas Valley. The Forman family has established a foundation of dedicated customers who consider their annual bull sale the “event of the year.”
Clients and customers have been embraced and welcomed as family by the Formans for the past 25 years. Their client base and passion for seedstock production continues to grow and spread beyond the Northwest.
Editor’s note: Trinity Farms was featured by the Grant Company in the Stand Strong Simmental series, which can be viewed by scanning the QR code at the end of the article. All photos and interview content are compliments of the Grant Company.
The Legacy Begins
Mike and Paulette Forman began their involvement with the seedstock business as many have. They started raising steers after their son, Robb, acquired a Simmental heifer as payment for helping a breeder at the National Western Stock Show. Robb showed the heifer up to exhibiting her as a pair. “One day we were coming home with some ribbons on the dash, and I said ‘These don’t eat too well.’ If we produce an animal that will make a difference for the commercial producer, we’ll always be in business. That was what made the decision, and that was the point that we started to change our direction,” says Mike.
Robb later suggested the name “Trinity Farms,” beginning the legacy. From that point forward, the Formans explain that they “Wanted to raise the bull that put more pounds of beef on their sons. A bull that was easy calving, had a good disposition, and was pleasant to look at.”
Today, Robb and his wife, Debbie, alongside their grown children, have taken leadership of caring for the farm and cattle. With customer success as their focus, Trinity Farms has adjusted and built their herd into one of strong, stable genetics. Trinity Farm’s main focus is SimAngus cattle, with all-around genetics that meet their customers’ terminal and maternal goals. Each of Trinity Farm’s productive animals and prospective bulls have a full genomic panel, giving their buyers confidence that their animals will perform in all terrains of the Northwest. Robb values the multi-breed nature of the IGS database, sharing that it’s a “unique opportunity to take a big slice… and better identify our own cattle.”
During Mike’s time on the ASA Board of Trustees, International Genetic Solutions (IGS) was created. “In that process the Simmental Association did a lot of data for other breed associations, so we knew what they were doing. We knew the good things and we could compare that with what we were doing as a Simmental and SimAngus breed. We could find where we had holes and where we were excelling. It made Simmental and SimAngus a better breed of cattle,” Mike shares. “We all get better when we collect this data — we can look across the different breeds and see where each one excels. We can help find some solutions through breeding programs to improve where we need to be improved.”
“The thing I’m most excited about is the opportunity to have a genomic panel on all our cattle. Not only are we able to tell people what we’re selling them, but we can back that up because all the cattle are DNA tested. There are opportunities we see coming down the road from a protein production standpoint; we will be able to change things more quickly because of the use of the DNA. We really appreciate the availability of IGS,” says Robb.
Genomic testing strengthens the confidence that Trinity Farms has in their seedstock offering, allowing them to offer a three-year warranty on feet, legs, and passing a breeding soundness exam. Robb explains, “People are putting a lot of trust in us when they buy from here. We appreciate their trust and confidence, and we want to show them how much we believe in our product as well. That’s why we have the warranty.”
Strong Relationships
Logan Ipsen has been attending the Trinity Farms sale from the beginning, and appreciates the environment that has stayed so consistent over the years. “There are very few sales that I go to where there’s an arcade or a bounce house for the kids. Obviously, as a father of three littles, I pay attention to that. They’re here to entertain. It’s not just coming to take part in a transaction and buy cattle, it’s an atmosphere, it’s an experience, and it’s family-friendly. Something they have always prided themselves on is making people feel like family. So coming here there’s excitement but for the most part, everyone is here and they’re happy. We’re all dealing with relationships
Other customers of Trinity Farms echo this sentiment. Many say that “It’s the best guarantee anywhere,” when buying from Trinity Farms. Chip Kemp, whose past work with the ASA gave him a deep understanding of what commercial producers need, shares, “The length of guarantee that Trinity puts on a bull is almost unheard of. It’s the relationship that they build that allows them to solve problems in a mutually beneficial fashion with their clients. They enjoy the people, they love the cattle, and they greatly appreciate the service after the fact.”
Seedstock producers and cattle raisers are wellaccustomed with the reality that issues can arise with animals. Trinity Farms is understanding of that through their warranty. They know that raising cattle can come with injuries, fatalities, and low performance levels, and they want to provide the best. And if their cattle are not able to perform for their clients, they have made it clear that they are willing and able to provide an alternative option, growing producers’ confidence in their herds and future products.
Other customers shared their experiences using Trinity Farm’s warranty and the Forman’s proactiveness in helping out their customers. “The warranty on their bulls is outstanding. If there were any problems, they don’t question you. They just replace the bull. They’re always trying to make things right. Trinity Farms is the best guarantee around,” says Russ Stingley, neighbor and longtime friend of the Formans.
Butch Booker, the auctioneer of Trinity Farm’s sale, has worked with Trinity Farms for roughly 40 years. He is highly complimentary of the progress Trinity Farms has made as he has watched them grow from their beginning. “I work with a lot of breeders and I am proud of all of them, but I do hear people say, ‘Once I started buying Trinity Bulls, my weaning weights went up, the females have improved.’ So you hear that kind of feedback and it’s not just from them but from a lot of other breeders. It’s exciting to know that they’re doing a good job and the people that are coming back to them year after year after year — there’s a reason.”
Another customer, Brian Ferguson of Roseburg, Oregon, says, “The only time we’ve had to deal with cashing in on the guarantee was when a bull had a shoulder issue. It could have been induced by a lot of different things… they didn’t question us about what we thought. They just told us to send the bull to sell and whatever we got out of it, they would give us back in credit for the next year. Coming up here knowing that you have a credit banked is a big deal.”
Ferguson and many others mentioned the familial aspect of Trinity Farms and how they make customers feel welcome. “Quality will bring anyone through the door, but the way they treat people and their guarantee is what keeps bringing people back.”
Looking to their Future
Alongside their three-year warranty, Trinity Farms has left a huge impact on their customers simply through communication and building relationships. When the Formans t put on their annual bull sale as a family, they are filled with gratitude for the help, support, and attendance of their clients. Robb says “This has been a lifetime passion project for us. My mom and dad have been so supportive throughout the whole process. As they get older, they’re seeing the next generation be involved and step up. That’s a super-gratifying thing. That’s also one of the things we love most about this business. The people are phenomenal. We get to be around a great segment of society. We mainly deal with family outfits who have the same desires and goals that we do and it’s really gratifying to see that your family can continue on.”
Robb’s passion for the business doesn’t just stop with him. Robb and Debbie’s children have been “intimately involved in the ranch,” and hope to continue on the path of their parents and grandparents.
Robb says on sale day, “We’ve got Chance and Colton. They’re the boys that are running the sale today. They do PR and catalog work, website marketing, and social media. Our hope is that this can continue on and that, should they choose when their kids are of age to be involved, that this is still here, intact, and successful. Hopefully their kids will be selling bulls to our customers of the next generation.”
The Forman family has a clear and passionate approach to the growth and continuation of their operation. Building relationships with their clients has proven to assist in the longevity of their business. The Formans continue to develop and better their herd in order to give their customers the best product available, involving the future generation and raising them up to follow in their footsteps. .
