I’ve been a “seed stock” producer of mini to moderate Frame Score Cattle—for making a living since 1998. That’s why I grown to admire and love the Neal Trask line of Hereford bulls and PCC Influenced Red Angus.

Wanting to get started with livestock? Four Questions You Should Ask—(F.A.Q.) When I wrote our first website (www.FalsterFarm.com) in 1999, the feature that got the most hits was F.A.Q. This quickly grew to cover a lot of questions and emails. Eventually, Nancy and I started posting to BEST EMAIL OF THE YEAR. Then Google changed its protocols, and I had to change our website, and eventually the F.A.Q. Blog got dropped.

I believe I’ve been asked just about every question about getting started in cattle rearing and selling that can be dreamed of, literally from the 4 corners of the earth. While I continue to be amazed at the redundancy of some questions, there are four that are; or should be, on the mind of everyone interested in buying livestock:

1. Can I see your cowherd?

2. What’s your culling program?

3. Do your cows work for you, or do you work for your cows?

4. Can I sell the offspring and make a profit?

5. Are you willing to help (mentor) me with getting started.

The reason these questions are so important is that (from whomever you buy) you are investing in that seed stock producer’s genetics. Your cowherd will eventually resemble the cowherd that your seed stock producer has.

Are his cows the right body size and body type? Before you buy, you need to know the difference between an easy-fleshing 4-frame cow and a lean, slab-sided 6-frame cow or bull. Most current seed stock producers have cows scoring 6 and 7 — “they eat a lot of groceries, pard. Are his cows required to graze year-round with minimal inputs?

Are you just buying any bull? I asked my grandpa this question one day. He said he always bought the most expensive bull he could buy because that bull’s calves always bring top dollar. Buying a registered bull that comes from a cattle cube-supplemented line of breeding will be too expensive in the near and long term. His offspring will require just as much supplementation – or more.

Although most commercial cow-calf producers say they want efficient 1100 to 1200-pound cows that can wean 50% of their own weight without being pampered, supplemented, inoculated, calves pulled etc. — they continue to buy bulls that were produced by 1400 to 2000-pound cows that must be pampered and supplemented with grain to stay in production. It’s no wonder they are working so hard just to break even. You can achieve better outcomes by buying a better bull.

“It’s only in kill or be killed combat that is too late to make a clean break.” KE Falster.

As a former Scout for 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, I can tell you, we ain’t talking about life or death here, we’re just talking about money and a lifestyle. If you want to change or improve your money and pleasurable lifestyle outcomes, change and improve your inputs. 

Seed Stock Producer

 Karl E. Falster 

“Raising Food Fit To Eat, and Teaching Others how To Do The Same.”