Mallett Simmentals: Texas operation showcases top-notch Simmental and South Devon bulls at 2024 Midland Bull Test
Since its founding in the mid-1980s, Mallett Simmentals has followed the path of most cattle ranches.
The Mallett family has experienced booms and busts and has fretted over droughts and volatile markets, all while carving out a thriving Simmental and South Devon program in the Lone Star State.
Despite hardships, Mike and Connie Mallett have seen outnumbered successes with their multi-breed operation, headquartered in Lampasas, Texas.
Returning to their roots
Mike and Connie both come from ranching families, and in 1989 they decided to embark on a journey of their own raising Simmental cattle.
Mike says, “We returned to our home roots after traveling around Texas for 30 to 35 years.”
From a young age, Mike was involved in agriculture, helping his dad and granddad with farming and ranching in Burnet, Texas. After high school, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in bovine reproduction from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.
During their time away from Lampasas County, the couple traveled around the state while Connie worked as a teacher at local schools and Mike worked as an Extension agent for Texas A&M.
“I was involved in 4-H programs, natural resource projects and provided agricultural education for 32 years with various county Extension offices here in Texas,” Mike states. “I learned a lot with the Extension Service and was rewarded by being able to share with the constituents of local counties.”
In 2004, Mike decided to retire and started raising cattle full time. Today, the couple runs 150 to 160 head of cattle, consisting of top-quality Simmental and South Devon breeds.
“Connie and I have been married for 54 years. She retired from teaching after 31 years, and together we run the operation of our cattle, along with the help of our blue heeler Tipper,” says Mike.
He notes both of their daughters work in education and play a significant role in helping with ranch operations as well. Tara Mallett lives in west Texas and keeps a set of heifers at the family ranch. Cassidy Stapp lives in Lampasas, Texas and is readily available to help her parents, especially in the summer.
The Malletts just celebrated the 20th anniversary of their annual bull sale – the Cattleman’s Kind Bull Sale – which takes place on the first Thursday in March, hosted by the Jordan Cattle Auction in San Saba, Texas.
“This year was our strongest sale,” Mike shares. “Having repeat buyers and attracting new buyers has been very rewarding. It is really a compliment when buyers repeatedly come back.”
Impressing at Midland
Mike shares, “My goal is to improve each year. I enjoy the challenge. It’s exciting to think out of the box. I like trying something new. It’s how we learn. It’s rewarding to see the cattle perform better and better.”
The Malletts have been focusing on performance and profit for their customers, which has helped them achieve the honor of consigning some of the top bulls at the Midland Bull Test and Sale in Columbus, Mont.
In 2019, they received the High Performing Simmental Bull and High Efficiency Simmental Bull Award at Midland and have secured top honors every year since.
“The Midland team does a great job,” says Mike. “We started working with them 20 years ago and continue to benefit from their testing, gathering data to improve our operation.”
This year at Midland Bull Test, the Malletts consigned a phenotype standout, with nine traits in the top 25 percent, growth traits showing a great payout at weaning and strong maternal traits with a quiet disposition.
The Malletts will also be selling a docile, long-boned, high-performance bull covering all of the bases with 10 traits in the top 25 percent, including maternal and carcass merit this year at the Midland Bull Test Final Sort Sale.
Although the Malletts focus on performance, they have produced some show ring winners, and they were awarded the Fort Worth Stock Show Reserve Division Champion Maintainer Female in 2019 and the Reserve Grand Champion Maintainer Heifer at the 2020 Houston Livestock Show.
To conclude, Mike states, “There will always be challenges and setbacks that accompany the reward, but as long as I enjoy good health, I will continue to strive for improvement in the cattle industry.”
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
