Midland Bull Test attracts the country’s finest bulls: Marda Angus Farms sees continued success at Midland Bull Test with exceptional Angus genetics

Marda Angus Farms, based in Lodi, Wisc., was started by Cody Quam’s grandparents when they were married. Dave Quam, Cody’s grandfather, began raising Angus cattle in 1942 when he bought his first female to start a 4-H project.    

Throughout the last seven decades, the Quam family has continued to raise purebred Angus cattle to meet the needs of seedstock producers and commercial cattlemen throughout the nation.  

Diverse family operation 

Through the years, Marda Angus Farms has done a little bit of everything in the cattle business, including feeding cattle, custom raising cattle and raising crops. Their operation is diverse in terms of livestock and crop production, but, the Angus cowherd has remained the focus.  

In fact, many of the cow families found in today’s herd date back to the herd’s original foundation females. The focus of the breeding program continues to be based on sound, economic principles driving the cattle industry.  

Cody notes Marda Angus Farms also raises crops for canning factories in the area as well as alternative feeds for the cowherd, planted after the canning crop has harvested.  

On the farm today, one can find Cody, his wife and two-year-old son, his mother and father and his 88-year-old grandma completing chores. Cody shares his brother and sister’s families are both involved, and each person has a part of the operation they specialize in.  

“We all have our own interests, whether it be cattle or crops, and we all play a part in the family operation,” says Cody. “This ‘divide and conquer’ helps us work as a family and accomplish all of our tasks, too.”  

Success with the herd 

Marda Angus Farms has seen much success in the last decade with their herd, both on the bull side and with premier females.  

In 2015, the Quam family produced top selling bulls Marda Swagger 463 and Marda Onward 460, as well as the Midland Bull Test Angus Group 1 low birthweight and high average daily gain (ADG) bull, Marda Upward 466.  

Along with continued triumphs at the Midland Bull Test in Columbus, Mont., the Quam family has had many accomplished trips to the National Western Stock Show in Denver and the Joint Angus Production Sale.  

“We have sold to some of the best purebred breeders and some of the best commercial producers in the country,” Cody shares, noting Midland Bull Test has allowed Marda Angus Farms the opportunity to put their breeding program and genetics to the test and see how their cattle compare to top breeders throughout the nation.  

This year, Marda Angus Farms consigned lot 550, a top-three ranked bull in efficiency. Additionally, Cody shares all but one bull had above average ADG and negative residual feed intake values.   

Producing quality bulls 

To see continued success, Marda Angus Farms focuses on balanced traits and creating cattle with physical and genetic appeal.  

  “I like to believe we produce cattle in a balanced breeding program in terms of performance, maternal traits and carcass quality,” Cody adds. “These cattle need to be an eye-appealing package, not necessarily in a show cattle setting, but rather, in terms of breeding the type of cattle I believe cattlemen are going to appreciate.”  

He adds, “We put emphasis on building cattle to perform well in any environment.” 

Through consigning bulls to Midland Bull Test for upwards of 10 years, Cody shares the breeding program at Marda Angus Farms has placed more emphasis on siring calves to be efficient on feed.  

“Efficiency is one of the traits that, as we move into the future, will make cattle more profitable,” he explains. “We have to pay a little more attention to traits, such as birthweight, that contribute to the overall efficiency of the bull and his offspring.”  

He continues, noting producing bulls to perform well in a breeding program, as well as at the Midland Bull Test starts early on, “Once we drop bulls off in Montana, it’s up to the bull to perform. So, setting bulls up to perform their best starts the day they are born.” 

In addition to herd efficiency, Cody shares the participation of Marda Angus Farms in the Midland Bull Test program has created many relationships and friendships with cattle producers across the country.  

Cattle camaraderie 

“Working with the Midland Bull Test has been one of the best decisions we have made,” says Cody. “Employees at Midland, other consignors and program coordinators have made it one of the most positive experiences for us, and every time we see them, we thank them for the ability to participate and network.”   

Additionally, Cody notes they care about the industry and everyone participating has created relationships that continue outside of testing bulls, working and showing cattle.  

Be sure to check out the results from the 2021 Midland Bull Test in this week’s insert and browse the 2021 Midland Bull Test Final Sort Sale catalog, found at midandbulltest.com.  

Marda Angus Farms, based in Lodi, Wisc., was started by Cody Quam’s grandparents when they were married. Dave Quam, Cody’s grandfather, began raising Angus cattle in 1942 when he bought his first female to start a 4-H project.    

Throughout the last seven decades, the Quam family has continued to raise purebred Angus cattle to meet the needs of seedstock producers and commercial cattlemen throughout the nation.  

Diverse family operation 

Through the years, Marda Angus Farms has done a little bit of everything in the cattle business, including feeding cattle, custom raising cattle and raising crops. Their operation is diverse in terms of livestock and crop production, but, the Angus cowherd has remained the focus.  

In fact, many of the cow families found in today’s herd date back to the herd’s original foundation females. The focus of the breeding program continues to be based on sound, economic principles driving the cattle industry.  

Cody notes Marda Angus Farms also raises crops for canning factories in the area as well as alternative feeds for the cowherd, planted after the canning crop has harvested.  

On the farm today, one can find Cody, his wife and two-year-old son, his mother and father and his 88-year-old grandma completing chores. Cody shares his brother and sister’s families are both involved, and each person has a part of the operation they specialize in.  

“We all have our own interests, whether it be cattle or crops, and we all play a part in the family operation,” says Cody. “This ‘divide and conquer’ helps us work as a family and accomplish all of our tasks, too.”  

Success with the herd 

Marda Angus Farms has seen much success in the last decade with their herd, both on the bull side and with premier females.  

In 2015, the Quam family produced top selling bulls Marda Swagger 463 and Marda Onward 460, as well as the Midland Bull Test Angus Group 1 low birthweight and high average daily gain (ADG) bull, Marda Upward 466.  

Along with continued triumphs at the Midland Bull Test in Columbus, Mont., the Quam family has had many accomplished trips to the National Western Stock Show in Denver and the Joint Angus Production Sale.  

“We have sold to some of the best purebred breeders and some of the best commercial producers in the country,” Cody shares, noting Midland Bull Test has allowed Marda Angus Farms the opportunity to put their breeding program and genetics to the test and see how their cattle compare to top breeders throughout the nation.  

This year, Marda Angus Farms consigned lot 550, a top-three ranked bull in efficiency. Additionally, Cody shares all but one bull had above average ADG and negative residual feed intake values.   

Producing quality bulls 

To see continued success, Marda Angus Farms focuses on balanced traits and creating cattle with physical and genetic appeal.  

  “I like to believe we produce cattle in a balanced breeding program in terms of performance, maternal traits and carcass quality,” Cody adds. “These cattle need to be an eye-appealing package, not necessarily in a show cattle setting, but rather, in terms of breeding the type of cattle I believe cattlemen are going to appreciate.”  

He adds, “We put emphasis on building cattle to perform well in any environment.” 

Through consigning bulls to Midland Bull Test for upwards of 10 years, Cody shares the breeding program at Marda Angus Farms has placed more emphasis on siring calves to be efficient on feed.  

“Efficiency is one of the traits that, as we move into the future, will make cattle more profitable,” he explains. “We have to pay a little more attention to traits, such as birthweight, that contribute to the overall efficiency of the bull and his offspring.”  

He continues, noting producing bulls to perform well in a breeding program, as well as at the Midland Bull Test starts early on, “Once we drop bulls off in Montana, it’s up to the bull to perform. So, setting bulls up to perform their best starts the day they are born.” 

In addition to herd efficiency, Cody shares the participation of Marda Angus Farms in the Midland Bull Test program has created many relationships and friendships with cattle producers across the country.  

Cattle camaraderie 

“Working with the Midland Bull Test has been one of the best decisions we have made,” says Cody. “Employees at Midland, other consignors and program coordinators have made it one of the most positive experiences for us, and every time we see them, we thank them for the ability to participate and network.”   

Additionally, Cody notes they care about the industry and everyone participating has created relationships that continue outside of testing bulls, working and showing cattle.  

Be sure to check out the results from the 2021 Midland Bull Test in this week’s insert and browse the 2021 Midland Bull Test Final Sort Sale catalog, found at midandbulltest.com.  

Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.