Designed to Perform: Elm Creek Ranch specializes in function and performance
Elm Creek Ranch (ECR), situated in Hebron, N.D., has proudly remained a family-owned and operated establishment since 1937.
In 1983, ECR established its registered Salers herd under the leadership of Stan Sayler and the dedicated support of his wife Rebecca.
Over the years, Stan and the ECR team – Forman Joe Nelson and South Ranch Manager Clint Baker – have expanded their efforts to uphold the tradition of raising quality Salers, striving to establish a reputation for integrity and producing functional cattle with exceptional performance.
“We select for the most growth and require structural soundness from easy-natured cattle born early in the breeding cycle,” Sayler stated. “Salers make up the foundation of our cow herd for legendary maternal traits, including trouble-free calving, longevity and survivability.”
According to Stan, two thirds of ECR male calves are marketed in the fall as feeder steers, which is beneficial for breeding a uniform set of calves that will perform for the feeder calf buyer, and leaves ECR seedstock customers choosing from the best one-third of the bull crop.
Breeding for success
“ECR artificially inseminates our cows during the first heat cycle, runs them with the bulls for the following two cycles and has been able to achieve a 98 percent success rate with live calves,” Stan explained.
Equipped with all of the necessary tools for success, calving begins at the end of January, and essential nutrients are supplied through baleage and dry hay harvested during the summer.
According to ECR, to enhance disease immunity, there is a comprehensive vaccination protocol in place and calves receive vaccinations at birth, followed by a modified live vaccine and an eight-way booster in the spring and fall.
During the summer, calves grow on a mix of diverse native and tame pastures without any creep feed.
After weaning, bulls that qualify for breeding stock are fed a high roughage diet to promote strong muscle development suitable for their future roles.
“They have access to high-quality feed from the Glen Ullin Mill and free choise loose hay and baleage,” Stan stated.
A uniform group of fertile and sound cattle with exceptional growth and comprehensive performance records can be found at the Northern Exposure Sale, held each spring at the ranch, and at the Midland Bull Test and Sale in Columbus, Mont.
Midland Bull Test awards
ECR sets a high standard for performance and record-keeping and has achieved the title of champion in the Midland Bull Test (MBT) Index, which evaluates three key metrics – weight per day of age, average daily gain and overall efficiency – over 10 times.
“ECR has been attending the Midland Bull Test and Sale for about 38 years,” Stan added. “For eight consecutive years, ECR has been recognized as the American Salers Association’s Performance Breeder of the Year, awarded for having the most comprehensive records among over 50 head.”
This year at Midland Bull Test, ECR celebrated success in the Salers spring bull category with multiple bulls, including ECR 4294M of 97J, sired by Tehama Patriarch F028, and ECR 4105M of 17F, sired by TSB Jumbo 53J.
Tehama Patriarch F028 has above-average foot and claw traits and a good heifer pregnancy rate.
TSB Jumbo sires offspring with above-average growth and average- to slightly above-average docility and has a good foot angle and claw structure.
TSB Jumbo sires a straighter hair coat with above-average birth weights and larger frames.
Last year, at the 10th Annual Northern Exposure Sale, ECR offered up to 40 bulls, where the average bull sold for $5,919.
ECR bulls will be sold at the Midland Bull Test Sale on April 3 and at the ranch this April.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
