Performance Advocate Program Enters Seventeenth Year

Black Summit Cattle Company • Powell, Wyoming

Black Summit Cattle was founded in 1990 by Quin and Tracy LaFollette. In 2009, the operation shifted from raising Angus genetics to SimAngus, with the goal of offering their customers cattle that thrive in the West. The family has since homed in on their SimAngus program, raising cattle that offer the best of both breeds, from calving ease to growth. Quin and Tracy raised their family in the industry, and their son, Gavin, is now a part of the operation.  All females at Black Summit are DNA tested through the Cow Herd DNA Roundup and bulls are DNA, performance, and PAP tested. Black Summit Cattle holds an annual bull sale the third Friday in March. They frequently purchase and feed customer calves in order to acquire carcass data, sharing that data in order to help customers and guide their own genetic decisions.

Far Out Cattle Ranch • Walsh, Colorado

Jerrid and Katie Brisendine and their children Chelsea, Trace, and Taylor live on the fourth-generation farm and ranch located in southeast Colorado and the panhandle of Oklahoma. They began their registered Simmental herd, Far Out Cattle Ranch, in 2005. What started with three head of registered cows has expanded to over 50 registered Simmental females, and 50 commercial cows. They strive to produce sound cattle that will excel in areas of shortgrass conditions. Artificial insemination is utilized, and in 2022, embryo transfer was introduced through the purchase of 50 additional cows.

Data collection begins as soon as the first calf hits the ground and continues until it is sold as a mature bull or female. Birth weight, yearling weight, carcass, feed intake, and more is collected. Bulls and females selected to market are developed at Bridle Bit Simmental, where data continues to be collected, including through their feed intake system. Bulls and a select group of females are marketed through the Bridle Bit Simmental All Terrain Bull sale

Andy and Kim Kratzer • Marquette, Kansas

Andy and Kim Kratzer run Simmental-influenced commercial cattle in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas. With a background in computer science, data collection and reporting comes naturally to Andy, and he places a high priority on it in the cattle operation. The operation is enrolled in ASA’s commercial THE option, and they also obtain carcass data by retaining ownership on weaned calves. 

Andy was first introduced to the breed when his father purchased Simmental bulls in the 1970s. He carried his passion for the beef industry through college, running cows with his father’s herd. After college he was able to strike out on his own, and has been improving his cow herd ever since. Andy goes above and beyond as a commercial producer, submitting data and participating in ASA programs. The commercial THE option allows the Kratzers to receive performance data, better manage their herd, and increase profitability. 

Photo:  Andy and Kim Kratzer utilize data to make progress on their commercial cow herd.

Little Bitterroot Simmental • Hot Springs, Montana

Shannon and Jen Carr’s Little Bitterroot Simmental Ranch is based near Hot Springs, Montana. Named after their home in the Little Bitterroot Valley, the operation raises purebred and percentage Simmental cattle. Shannon and Jen both grew up involved with the breed, participating in 4-H, livestock judging, and the American Junior Simmental Association.

Little Bitterroot Simmental maintains a focus on the female, selecting cows with excellent udders, feet, and traits that will keep them in the herd for many years. To maintain balance, Little Bitterroot Simmental selects moderate-sized females that calve easily while maximizing growth through weaning. Their customer base is both commercial and seedstock, which requires a balanced focus on a wide range of traits. The Carrs utilize genetic testing, and keep an eye on carcass traits. Little Bitterroot Simmental is a member of the Bulls of the Big Sky group, which will hold its 18th Annual Bull Sale February 15, 2027, in Billings, Montana.

Photo:  The Carr family is focused on raising balanced SimGenetics seedstock for commercial and seedstock producers alike

Mairs Livestock • Ironton, Missour

Mairs Livestock is dedicated to utilizing the latest technology in genetic improvement, and takes the task of collecting and submitting data seriously. Danny andGwen Mairs relocated from California to southeastMissouri in 2019 after building a successful family trucking business, and have set out to fulfill their goal of raising high-quality, profitable cattle. Their son, Matt, is also helping build the business, as well as Brandi Fitzgerald, who handles much of the record keeping
and data submission. Initially, their cattle were mostly Angus. Danny knew early on that they wanted to harness the benefits of crossbreeding.  

The Mairs family is focused on breeding cattle that are strong maternally, and also perform in the feedlot and on the rail. Missouri is prime cattle country, but does come with challenges like humidity, fescue, and parasites. Danny has seen the benefits of crossbreeding in this environment, and also maintains a diligent herd health protocol. The Mairs family also works with Allied Genetic Resources. Currently, they are focused on raising high-quality females, which Danny foresees a major demand for.

Photo:  Danny Mairs dove headfirst into the beef industry after building a successful family trucking company.

Red Hill Farms • Lafayette, Tennessee

Red Hill Farms has been consistently recognized as a Performance Advocate, highlighting a dedication to data collection and submission. The operation consists of Red Angus, Simmental, SimAngus, Charolais, and  Angus cows, purebred sows, and row crops that support the livestock enterprises. The business is family owned and operated, with Bart and Sarah Jones at the helm; their son Ty is the seventh generation at Red Hill Farms. Data reporting is of utmost importance to Red Hill Farms, and they use extensive performance records and DNA analysis when selecting the bulls and females. Their sales are held annually on the third Saturday of March and last Saturday of October.  Bart and Sarah have deep roots in the area and in agriculture. The original farm was purchased in the late 1860s by Bart’s great-great-great grandmother. Sarah utilizes her professional background in accounting, managing all of the financial records, cattle records, and marketing, in addition to being involved in the day-today management of the cow herd. Bart grew up on a purebred hog operation, and Red Hill Farms continues to raise hogs. This background, and the data-driven nature of the hog business, has influenced his emphasis on recording data on the cow herd and participating in Total Herd Enrollment.

Photo:  Red Hill Farms was named the Seedstock Producer of the Year by the Beef Improvement Federation in 2024.