January 2008 Issue (pdf - 19265 kb)... - Hereford America

56 • www.herefordamerica.com HEREFORD AMERICA • January 2008
(continued from page 53)
National Champions, the ranch and
cowherd managed by Montie Soules has
garnered more Premier Breeder honours
at top North American shows than any
other breeding establishment.
He’s also a man who appreciates his
roots, in the words of auctioneer Colonel
Eddie Sims. “There’s no aspect of the
industry he hasn’t experienced,” says
Sims, “from fence builder, to fitter, to
student, to owner, boss and partner.
That’s what makes him a leader.” He’s also
a master marketer.
Montie grew up with two sisters on his
parents’ turkey operation in the state of
Michigan. His family is of Greek heritage.
He became further involved with livestock
through his experience in 4-H and college
at Michigan State University (MSU)
under the guidance of David Hawkins in
the animal science department. He also
bought his first Herefords from MSU. He
later started his own fitting business and
leased equipment and his services out to
purebred sales across the Northeast for
about three years. Montie got his first
opportunity to shine when hired by Alex
Ewing, to manage the ACE Polled
Hereford herd in New York State in 1978.
It is said that Montie put ACE on the map
among elite breeders.
The herd that Montie built at ACE
provided the foundation for the herd that
he manages today. How he managed the
business of that herd has given him the
reputation of “one of the very most
respected managers of any breed in North
America,” in the words of Sims. In a
conscientious manner, he strived to make
everything good, better. That original
ACE herd was highly influenced by the
addition of a cow herd purchased from
Justamere Farms of Alberta. It also relied
heavily on the addition of other Canadian
genetics, made possible by the close
proximity to the U.S.-Canadian border.
Alexander Farms
Polled Herefords
LINEBRED KING DOMINOS AND ADVANCED DOMINOS
John Alexander Family
2756 S. Donmyer Road
Gypsum, KS 67448-9414
Home: (785) 536-4931
alexfarms@eaglecom.net
— Breeding Stock , Semen & Flushes For Sale —
Gustafson Herefords
Gus, Deb and Shelbi Gustafson
7477 Davis Creek Road
Junction City, KS 66441
785-238-7306
I-70 exit 303... 7 miles South
Visitors Always Welcome
That same herd, which was eventually
moved by Ewing to Oklahoma State, was
ultimately purchased by Dan Thorne and
relocated to the Star Lake Ranch. Montie
followed the herd. More recently, Montie
facilitated the change of ownership of the
Ranch and Herefords to the Blin Family.
Through all the transitions, the herd has
grown and deepened in quality. As
Montie’s long time friend Johnny
Winston says, it is a herd that beats the
drum and waves the flag for the Hereford
breed, as one of the most progressive and
innovative in North America.
The Star Lake herd’s influence would
soon spill into Canada, Australia,
Argentina, and the European Union.
Montie was one of the first to market cattle
by putting his auction online and on RFD-
TV. The Star Lake bull sale is the largest
Hereford bull sale in Oklahoma and the
Southwestern U.S.
In Canada, Montie has never been afraid
to buy a bull, if he feels it could be a
contributor to the breed. He often has
animals sold before he buys them. He has
a mini, mental business plan for each.
Semen interests are sold to turn a profit
for all owners and breeders involved. He
has marketed the Star Lake Bulls through
the Canadian bull book and through other
Canadian bull markets. Montie also
always helps the people that helped him.
Star Lake Cattle Ranch regularly
exhibits cattle at prominent Canadian
Livestock shows, motivating many
Canadian breeders to improve their
programs. As Sims puts it, if there is
jealousy for his success, it is “jealousy
with respect.” Montie helped many small
breeders enrich their programs because
of their affiliation with him. He has
encouraged the Canadian industry to rely
more on performance data to illustrate
benchmarks that need to be challenged.
When the beef industry was struck hard
by closed borders due to the threat of
BTS HEREFORDS
Bruce & Tracy
Schlickau
14601 South McNew Road
Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone: 620-459-6576
Location: 5 miles south of Hwy 96 & K17 jct.
1 mile east, then 3/4 mile south
Quality Herefords by private treaty sales
FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS IN HERFEORD CATTLE
IN KANSAS AND SURROUNDING STATES
THE KANSAS HEREFORD ASSOCIATION
Tom Granzow, Secretary-Manager
765 South 3000 Road
Herington, Kansas 67449
785-466-2247 785-466-2226 (FAX)
kansashereford@tctelco.net
www.kansashereford.org
BSE, Montie made
the decision to
increase his support
of Canadian
breeders by
continuing to buy
cattle here, going so
far as to establish a
Canadian Star Lake
herd, which
purchased some of
the top-selling
Herefords in sales
over the past few
years. Through Star
Lake’s partnership
with River Valley
Hereford Farms,
Montie started a joint production sale, to
offer the results of his carefully selected
Canadian herd. At that sale, he introduced
the concept of replacing the sale ring with
recent sale cattle videos, while sale lots
were also on display for viewing. That
herd and sale continues today. It is an
innovative new concept in purebred
auction sales introduced to Canadian
breeders.
While his philosophy is profit-driven,
with no emotional attachments, Montie
Soules never forgets the human equation
of his business. He treats people fairly
• Kansas •
K7 HEREFORDS
Est. 1968
Tom and Jo Heidt & Family
3388 240th Street
Lockridge, IA 52635
Tom’s Cell: 608.574.2309
Jo’s Cell: 608.574.6334
Breeding Stock Available
DOUBLE
DEDICATION
DAVIS HEREFORDS
Dean & Danny
(785) 256-4643
13 miles west of Topeka on I-70,
Keene/Eskridge exit, 3 miles south
30133 Keene Rd., Maple Hill, Kansas 66507
JENSEN GENETIC CENTER
“Taking care of your herd bulls is our Business”
Affiliated with Hawkeye Breeders Service
• Custom Semen Collection Center
• Bull Housing
For collection dates, contact:
Kevin & Sheila Jensen • 785-374-4372
P.O. Box 197 • Courtland, KS 66939
jensenks@Courtland.net
Montie Soules accepting the award at Agribition.
• Iowa •
and tells it like it is. Montie’s colleagues
and friends know that he has always been
dedicated to supporting the young
cattlemen of both the U.S.A. and Canada.
Just as he doesn’t rely on others to sell
his cattle, he inspires fellow breeders to
be better marketers. As Serhienko says,
Montie’s friendship and knowledge is
gladly shared with anyone who takes the
time to know him.
Congratulations Montie, you are
definitely a friend of the Canadian
Hereford industry. Your efforts make this
award extremely well deserved.
Jack & Lynne Johnson
2165 240th St.
Milford, IA 51351
Phone 712-338-4578
Douthit Herefords
RR 3 Box 160 • St. Francis, KS 67756
stephend@sbcglobal.net
Johnson
Herefords
Registered Horned Herefords
Since 1918
4V RANCH
(785) 332-3009
WALTER
(785) 332-3229
ROGER
(785) 332-2455
STEVE
(785) 332-2323
MILL CREEK RANCH
20635 Hessdale Rd
Alma, KS 66401
David Breiner (785) 449-2841
Chad Breiner (785) 449-2759
Clay Breiner, Ryan Breiner, Ashley Bohl
Fax (785) 449-2139
www. millcreekranch.com
millcreekranch@embarqmail.com
SALE FEB. 26, 2008
MANHATTAN, KS
“Best of Both Worlds Sale” • 4th Mon. in March
12 noon at the ranch • Dwight, KS
60 Hereford
Bulls
55 Angus
Bulls
Also selling
70
F-1 Black
Baldy Heifers
with calves
20 Quarter
Horses
Jan: 785-482-3383 • Arden: 785-482-3398
Box 8, Dwight, KS 66849
E-mail: jakoleenbros@tctelco.net
www.oleenbrothers.com
Sandhill
Farms
Registered Polled Herefords
Kevin & Vera Schultz
2408 280th Ave., Haviland, KS 67059
Phone: (620) 995-4072
Cell: (620) 546-4570
e-mail: kevin@sandhillfarms.com
website: www.sandhillfarms.com
HEREFORD AMERICA
Upcoming Issues Deadline
February Jan. 5
March Feb. 5
April/May Mar. 5
Since 1913
For information about bulls, females,
semen sales or a video, please contact:
James and Charlene
Home: 620/465-2691
Mobile: 316/734-3700
schlickauranch@earthlink.net
Lois
P & F: 620/465-7749
14506 S. Victory Road
Haven, KS 67543