Wildberry Farm Simmentals

08/14/2026

Email from Illinois Beef Association FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IBA Statement on Tyson's Joslin Plant Closure SPRINGFIELD (August 13, 2026) - Today, Illinois Beef Association’s Executive Vice President, Jo

08/10/2026

In a Montana first-calf-heifer study summarized by Oklahoma State, the late-assistance group had a rebreeding percentage 20% lower than heifers assisted in the first hour of second-stage labor.

Waiting up to two hours for assistance was associated with a consequence beyond calving day in this study.

It followed the heifer into the next breeding season.

Oklahoma State summarizes a Montana study of first-calf heifers. One group received assistance when the fetal membranes, or water bag, appeared. The comparison group was allowed to progress and received assistance only if calving was not completed within two hours after the water bag appeared.

The heifers that endured the prolonged labor had:
17% lower cycling rate at the beginning of the next breeding season

and

20% lower rebreeding percentage

than the heifers assisted during the first hour of labor.

The same OSU publication reports that second-stage labor was much shorter in research cattle than the traditional two-to-four-hour rule suggested:
29 USDA-Montana first-calf heifers: 54.1 minutes
35 Oklahoma State first-calf heifers: 55.0 minutes
31 USDA-Montana mature cows: 22.5 minutes

That does not mean every heifer should be pulled as soon as the water bag appears.

Normal progress, calf presentation, relative calf size and pelvic opening, and the heifer’s condition all matter. OSU’s practical guidance is to examine a heifer that is making no significant progress after about one hour of second-stage labor. For a mature cow, its guidance uses about 30 minutes. Serious, abnormal, or unsafe cases belong with a veterinarian.
The lesson is not “pull sooner at all costs.”

It is that prolonged labor without progress has a cost beyond calving day.

How long do you watch a first-calf heifer with no progress before examining her or calling your veterinarian?

07/10/2026

With 4H fairs happening everywhere now and in the near future we always enjoy seeing the next generation with Wildberry genetics.

06/30/2026

Early morning checks this week to beat the heat sure makes some pretty scenery. Stay cool and stay safe everyone

06/15/2026

Balanced cattle on paper and in person has been our focus for more than 3 decades.

One of the biggest mistakes in seedstock and commercial breeding?

Chasing the top 1% for everything.
Growth.
Carcase weight.
Marbling.
Milk.
Docility.

The problem?
The cow has to live somewhere.

Every breeding decision creates a consequence somewhere else.

The most profitable cattle aren’t the ones that win every trait.
They’re the ones that fit the environment, market and management system.
Balance still matters.

Probably more than ever.

06/05/2026

1st round cow feed in the books in 7 days; 400ton haylage, 375 big round bales, and peas/oats/triticale wrapped up.

04/24/2026

Over 1600 miles through Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas delivering Lot 2 to Franzen Simmentals, Lot 14 to Geiger Cattle, Lot 10 to Teter Ranch. A long but beautiful trip seeing some top notch operations and great people. Swung by Cow Camp Ranch on the way home to pick up Gibbs Haymaker for spring breeding also. And got a great tour from Kent. Laid over at Kennedy Cattle and got to see our steers on feed; taking notes for breeding decisions coming up. Also got to see the nieces! Thanks Zak for making the trip with me.