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American Reds make a mark in Oklahoma

Posted June 4, 2024

 

By Josh Taylor, RAAA commercial marketing specialist

The American Red female program was established by RAAA in conjunction with Santa Gertrudis Breeders Incorporated to promote the quality cattle that come from this genetic cross. The American Red female combines the unique characteristics of each breed by blending the maternal strength and carcass qualities of Red Angus and the durability and adaptability of the Santa Gertrudis female. The resulting progeny have proven themselves to be fertile, heat tolerant and efficient females that work well in a variety of crossbreeding systems.

The King Ranch has been the leader in developing the American Red program and is marketing these females across the southern regions. One such effort was on May 3, the Proud to be American sale held in Burbank, Oklahoma, at X-Bar Co. Located deep in the Osage hill country of north central Oklahoma, it holds some of the most premier grazing opportunities within the state. Shane Stierwalt and his crew develop hundreds of females each year for customers and provide a market avenue by holding public auctions. The King Ranch has begun to utilize this avenue and had 475 head of American Red heifers developed at X-Bar Co. and offered up for auction.

The red-influenced portion of the sale offering consisted of 406 head of fall-bred American Red females, 40 fall-bred Red Baldy females and 40 commercial Red Angus pairs. The averages were as follows:

406 American Reds      $2,364

40 Red Baldy                $2,375

40 Red Angus pairs      $3,900

There was active bidding throughout the sale and several large load lots found their way to progressive commercial cattlemen. These cattle will become part of the commercial fabric in Oklahoma and will add to the already unmatched quality that is produced here. The acceptance of this sale and American Red cattle in the last two seasons has prompted the King Ranch to continue the development of more cattle at the X-Bar Co. in anticipation of future sales. I look forward to spreading the message of these cattle to area commercial producers and deepening the working relationship with all the ranches involved.