George, Brian and mnmtranching have all made very good points and I am going to try and address some of these points.
First of all, mnmtranching, I don't believe for a second that the scope of an operation has anything at all to do with its philosophy and breeding practices. Large or small makes no matter to me, what does matter is the knowledge of the herd and how to take it in the desired direction.
Brian, excellent points, name shouldn't mean a thing when buying bulls, but the fact remains that it does. Not right in my opinion but so far hasn't changed, yet. That goes for other breeds as well as Hereford. And I would also venture to say that the purveyors of problems in the last thirty years are mostly gone from the breed they created the problems in. Most recent current events not included, but I do not consider discovering a genetic defect or owning a bull possessing a defect to be the creator of the problem. The problem in my mind lies in how that defect is handled and reported to customers as well as breed representatives. Money IS the root of all evil and therefore is an empty argument.
George, I will try to answer your question and if Ned wants to add or correct anything I type in here, I would welcome his input. First of all, let me say that I have had the opportunity over the last sixteen years to do quite a bit of traveling viewing Hereford and Angus seedstock operations as well as a few other breeds. Most of the breeders mentioned in this thread are included in that bunch, but not all of them. I will say right now, my only trips to California have been vacation related and not business. I would very much like to make it to Pedretti's someday and see the cowherd. I have had the opportunity to visit with Gino Pedretti and talk about the breed and understand his program and dedication to improvement. As such I am confident in the very least that he fits my definition of a breeder. I have seen cattle of his influence several different places and there is a deifinite type and 'look' to them that convinces me he knows what he is doing as far as fixing traits and a type to his cattle. I will say the exact same thing about Cooper's. Pictures will not do justice to the quality of that cowherd especially when it comes to udders. Jack and Mark Cooper both have done an outstanding job of sticking to their breeding plan and fixing a 'type and look' when it comes to their cows. That comes with persistence and discipline over a long period. Change does not happen fast in the beef cow world. Jamison's have also done an outstanding job of selecting and breeding Line One cattle to function in a very consistent manner. There are few seedstock people I have ever had the opportunity to visit with that can sit down with you and recall complete notes and descriptions of not only bulls but cows that influenced the breed 30 to 40 years ago. That kind of knowledge and recall is very important when mating cattle and pushing for genetic improvement. Jack Holden possesses that same kind of recall in my mind. The thing that really stands out for me with these breeders, and I will call them breeders, is the fact that I can differ on opinion with any of them they have stuck to their plan, kept the good ones, culled the bad ones and will stand behind their product. They have been nothing but honest and forthright with me and my questions, criticisms, and concerns. All of the ones I listed in my 'breeders category would be the same. As far as differentiating whether or not they all 'followed Miles city' or not, I will answer that this way. If I remember correctly the mandate for research at "Miles City" (Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory) was to select for increased growth in Hereford cattle to one year of age. Kind of sounds like single trait selection a little bit, but I will be the first to admit that the environment at Miles City does not allow single trait selection. They would have all died out there long ago if that was true!! Holden, Jamison, Cooper and Pedretti as well as many other breeders, large and small, have SELECTED cattle from the research at Fort Keogh LARRL to influence and contribute to their breeding programs. I emphasize Selection because it is one of foundations on which to improve genetics. Whether you like the Miles City cattle or not, the genes within those cattle have been fixed and are very repeatable which is highly valuable in my mind.
I will say that the difference between a breeder and a multiplier is very distinct and in my mind there is nothing wrong with being a multiplier. There is nothing out there that says those genetics will not breed true. That is what makes genetics so interesting to me. We are only starting to gain more and more knowledge and to me that is the ultimate goal, to gain knowledge and make improvement. As for me, I will choose to go the route that has been the most repeatable and that will include linebreeding, both in Herefords and Angus. Hope I have answered some questions, created something to think about, not stepped on anyones toes and I really look forward to hearing some more from others perspective.
