The power of genetics is what makes the meat.
Anne’s Vision
We did not invent the F1 Black Baldy cow. But what we did do was custom select the genetics that would create a cow suited for our elements and a cut of beef that you will never forget the taste of.
The set we purchased for Trodaire was the first set of F1 crosses I made for my father and his company. I was so proud of that calf crop, both heifers and steers. With some ingenuity and a touch of luck, I was able to get a hold of fifty of the black baldy heifers, a portion of those that had been auctioned off and dispersed around the country.
The Hereford cow is one half of the Black Baldy and was my fathers favorite breed. He loved to watch them with their calves. They are the sweetest mothers and just a gorgeous cow to look at grazing on green pastures. We showed Herefords as well for the company and won many titles both with bulls and heifers that were shown. They are a docile breed by nature, very good mothers, and easier cattle to work around.
The second half to the Black Baldy is the Angus. These cattle are a little on the hotter side but suited so well for life on the range, while the Herefords more often than not preferred the comfort of the pastures close to home. I wanted the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the downfall to the beautiful Hereford is the abundance of white which is prone to cancer and sun (and snow!) burn at the high dry altitudes in Idaho. The Angus solve that problem by giving the Black Baldy a sturdy, dark hide for
The Angus cattle were also purebreds and we did show them on occasion but they typically were kept as the commercial herd. When I introduced the idea to my dad to get the best of the two breeds his eyes lit up I’ll never forget that. The first year that we had a pasture full of little black calves with gorgeous white faces on beautiful Hereford cows I knew I would never run a different type of commercial herd, I got what I wanted. These cows checked all the boxes. Now 7 generations later we have added really good bull power to strengthen the desired genetic traits and keep improving year by year. So I guarantee you what’s on your plate was so specifically selected that you will taste the difference.
Trodaire’s original starting herd of cows were purchased as heifers from my fathers ranch, they are the only thing left of the legacy my father worked to start and create, and I am so lucky to have preserved those lines. Every year we hold select females out of the calf crop and they are put back into the program as mothers to continue the line. It has been so special to be able to say that I have been there from conception to birth on everything produced here at Trodaire. Today I am getting ready to welcome in the 7th generation of cattle.
Meet Rodeo Calf
This little lady holds a special place with me all due to her mother, Rodeo Cow. Her mother was a….special case….a top class bi*%# in all actuality. She was part of the herd that started my fathers ranch, came with it to be exact. And was there before I went to work for the company. My first encounter with her was a blur…..it was a flash of red white and a dropped horn that quickly put me up a fence! I asked the then manager what the hell is that?! “That there be Rodeo Cow!”, he exclaimed, “she has cost us a couple workman’s comp cases, took out one horse, and heaven help you try and tag her calf.” My first thought was this bitty has got to go. She soon came to the side of the ranch I managed (I think as a test from the guys) and I got to know her pretty well….and she stayed…. For the stories really 🙃. We continued to draw straws each season when her calf hit the ground, who was going to bring her up the alley at the end of processing days, who was brave enough to go cut her and her calf out of the field, who was going to load her…… she became quite famous really. And she always traveled. Fences were just a suggestion to her, and every fall she would be found miles away from the summer pastures, with calf in tow. But she ALWAYS weaned the heaviest calves! Part of why she stayed as well. She taught me so much about this life, and how to just roll with it. Ya see Rodeo Cow was easy enough to handle, you just had to give her space, not rush, and just let the situation be, she was like any independent lady! Rodeo Calf was the last calf she had for my fathers ranch. And she arrived to me exactly how her mamma would have it be. She was found miles away from the ranch, with this kiddo, took one look at the trailer, smashed through a panel and the trailer door and hightailed it out of there, leaving her calf to be weaned. I thought well thanks that’s really all I needed I’ll see you when the snow flys!!! Rodeo Cow has since left us, but her genetics live on at Trodaire. And they’re sweethearts actually! ❤️
