Nerbas Bros. Angus

Website - Technical Difficulties

2012-02-22T22:32:00.004-06:00

Recently we have been made aware of some problems with loading our main website. If you are using dial up or xplornet service, you may not be able to access our site.

This past summer, we switched our site over to a DIY web host. Essentially, before we were paying a professional web designer to host and update our site. The DIY site allowed us more convenience for editing and formatting while reducing the cost of having a site.

It has many advantages but we are realizing that there are a few disadvantages. The site runs on Adobe Flash, which takes true high speed internet to run. Also, the main site cannot be accessed from an iphone, ipad or Blackberry because at this time they do not support Flash player. We do have a specific mobile site that can be accessed from these devices but the information is quite limited compared to the main site.

We are looking into a solution for these problems but until then we will have to live with these limitations. If you have dial up or xplornet, please access the site from the internet from a high speed connection. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
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Website UPDATED - 2012 Sales Season

2012-02-10T21:29:00.009-06:00

Just finished updating the website for the 2012 sales season. Check it out at:

www.nerbasbrosangus.com

Sale Bulls - FEATURE / Commercial 2 yr olds

2012-02-04T11:30:00.013-06:00

We have 65 of these bulls on offer in 2012. Above is short video and below some pics of a sampling of the sale pen.

Shipping Steers / Natural Program

2012-01-17T12:47:00.005-06:00

Today we shipped 100 steers to Watrous, SK. They went to Hummock Springs ranch operated by Brad & Howard Toews. The steers were purchased on a Natural Program (no growth hormones or antibiotics) by Beretta cattle Co. They will be backgrounded at Watrous and then shipped to Ontario for finishing.

http://www.berettaorganics.com/

Thanks to Gaston Boulanger for all his help and patience in putting together this deal. We hope to keep partnering with "Direct to Consumer" companies such as Beretta Cattle Co. in the future.

Heifers are SOLD

2012-01-13T16:58:00.006-06:00

Thank you to Neil Block of Block's Ranching from Abbey, SK.

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VIDEO / Sale Heifers

2012-01-07T11:47:00.013-06:00

Above is a quick video we took of the sale heifers. We sorted and tagged them this past week. We are giving first opportunity for purchase to our past bull customers. After Jan 15, if they are not sold they will be available to everyone. Follow this link to view the letter that was sent to our bull customers:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/7d6274_25f01112b19131329548c0550701f471.pdf?dn=Customer%2BLetter%2B2012%2BOpen%2BHeifers.pdf

Included in the asking price of each 40 heifer grouping is a purebred angus bull hand picked by Nerbas Bros. Angus to suit your breeding needs.

For more information call 204-564-2540.

Open Heifers - For Sale by Private Treaty

2011-12-21T08:37:00.010-06:00

Once again, we have open COMMERCIAL replacement quality heifers for sale. In the past we have selected 50 to market as breeding females but we have selected 80 this year and plan to sell as 2 groups of 40.

These heifers were born in May of 2011 and have recently been weaned. They are in good
condition. Approximate average weight.....550 lbs.

We do not have all the heifers sorted or tagged as of yet. We plan to do this before the end of December. Therefore, we do not have current pictures. I will include a link to last years sale heifers for reference:

http://nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/2010/12/open-heifers-for-sale.html

They are for sale in January of the New Year.

VIDEOS / Fall Grazing

2011-10-23T14:14:00.020-05:00

Natural Service Sires 2011

2011-08-30T21:50:00.014-05:00

We turned out our natural service sires with our purebred herds last week. I finaly got around to taking a few pics of the boys.

Pictured above is NBA 11W, a 2 yr old bull sired by Turihaua Crumble. We have 4 Crumble sons in service, but 11W was our pick to use on our registered herd.

Pictured above is NBA 25U, a 3yr old bull sired by Pinebank 41/97. This is his second year of use with our registered herd.

Arron

Artificial Insemination 2011

2011-08-23T23:14:00.017-05:00

On August 15th we AI'd our purebred cows. Once again, we CIDR synced 60 cows and timed bred all in one day. Thanks to Mark Kardynal from Saltcoats for helping us out with the breeding, everything went well. Yesterday we split our herd and turned out our natural service bulls yesterday to work for the balance of the breeding season. Below is a list of bulls we chose for 2012 calf crop.

1. Turihaua Texan

20 straws used. This is the second sire we have imported from the Turihau stud in New Zealand. He is a thick, moderate framed bull that was recommended by Hamish Williams. He should serve us well in our management system.

For more info please check out a direct link from the Turihaua website:

http://www.turihaua.co.nz/profiles.asp#texan

A recent pic:

2. Duff Encore 702

10 straws used. A modern throwback sired by Traveller 6807, with OCC genetics on the bottom side of the pedigree.

Power Plus Genetics link:

http://www.powerpluscattle.com/herd-sires/herd-sires/detail/id/5752

3. MH Mick 53

15 straws used. Imported from DDA in Montana, this is another direct Emblazon son. The bottom side of the pedigree is mostly Wye bred genetics.

DDA link:

http://www.diamonddangus.com/_MH%20Mick%2053.html

4. DDA Lodge E5H

15 straws used. Also imported from DDA in Montana, this sire is predominately Shoshone & Wye bred genetics.

DDA link:

http://www.diamonddangus.com/_DDA%20Lodge%20E5H.html

We are excited to see what these sires can bring to the table to help us along the way as we progress down our genetic roadmap.

Arron

Annual HERD BULLS Photo Shoot / PART 2

2011-07-02T15:38:00.007-05:00

The "Future".

Tag: 11W / DOB: June, 2009 Sire: Turihaua Crumble

Tag: 3U / DOB: July 2008 Sire: Pinebank 41/97

Tag: 15T / DOB: July, 2007 Sire: Pinebank 41/97

Tag: 6W / DOB: June 2009 Sire: Turihaua Crumble

Annual HERD BULL Photo Shoot / PART 1

2011-07-01T10:35:00.027-05:00

The "Old Boy's Club".

Tag: 19S / DOB: August, 2006 Sire: 20N

Tag: 50S / DOB: September, 2006 Sire: Papa

Tag: 47R / DOB: September, 2005 Sire: Papa

Tag: 32S / DOB: August, 2006 Sire: 20N

June 30, 2011

2011-06-30T16:09:00.000-05:00

End of Calving Season / Grazing Move

2011-06-16T00:22:00.032-05:00

Calving season is winding down. The weather has been soggy and challenging but in general heard heath is good and we have plenty of grass. We moved our commercial herd to a new paddock today and I had a chance to snap a few pics. Enjoy!

Customer QUOTE

2011-05-19T23:19:00.006-05:00

We sell only rising 2yr old virgin bulls. We choose not to sell yearling bulls because we develop them slowly so when they are put into action they are ready to breed more cows and for more years.

When discussing buying bulls......yearling vs. 2 yr olds, a customer recently said to us:

"I am not too concerned about that first year I lost on the purchase (breeding season as a yearling). I am sure that he will more than make up for it with 1 + years of breedings service on the back end (longevity). "
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What is an Efficient Cow?

2011-04-25T07:10:00.020-05:00

Recently, I read an article a while back on cow efficiency. I remember the take home message being something like this: " The best measurement of cow efficiency is total pounds of beef weaned per cow exposed."

Article reference: http://npaper-wehaa.com/wlj/2011/03/04/?g=print#?article=1190031

We tend to agree with this. Fertility is the #1 limiting factor for efficiency and profitability. Cows need to be bred and have a live calf, first and foremost.

A few examples:

Two ranches have the the exact same management. They have 100 breeding females (exposed), same size cows and the weaning weights are equivalent.

Ranch A

Has 95 live calves at weaning. Average weaning weight of 600 lbs = 57,000 lbs of beef. Or 570 lbs per cow exposed.

Ranch B

Has 85 live calves at weaning. Average weaning weight of 600 lbs = 51,000 lbs of beef. Or 510 lbs per cow exposed.

According to the formula, Ranch A has more efficient cows. This is true because their live calf % is higher.

However, for our operation we prefer to slightly adjust this formula. Our measurment of cow efficiency is total pounds of beef weaned per pound of cow exposed.

Let's compare 2 cows:

Assumption: These 2 cows come from operations with the same live calf %.

Cow A

Is from the first example, she weighs 1800 lbs on average. She weans a 720 lb calf.

Cow B

Is from a different operation, she weighs 1200 lbs on average. She weans a 540 lb calf.

Which one is more efficient? According to the original formula Cow A is more efficient.

Using our formula:

Cow A is producing a calf that is 40% of her body weight or .4 lbs of beef / lb of cow exposed.

Cow B is producing a calf that is 45% of her body weight or .45 lbs of beef / lb of cow exposed.

Cow B is obviously more efficient even though she is producing less lbs of live calf. Her cost of production will be much lower than Cow A, making her a more profitable cow.

Therefore cow efficiency = fertility & weaned lbs as a % of cow weight. The original formula does not account for cow size and therefore is not a true measure of COW EFFICIENCY.
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I recall what someone told me one time, "You're best cow is the one you never notice." In other words, she may not be pretty but she always calves on time, is never too skinny or too fat, is an adequate mother with not too much or too little milk, she is never lame etc. etc............chances are she's your most efficient cow too !!
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Open House & Sale Pen Update

2011-03-28T18:56:00.043-05:00

Thanks to all who braved the weather for our Open House. The roads were mostly closed and some were blown right in. We were expecting 30 - 40 people but due to the conditions only a dozen people were able to make it. However, the day went well and it was the right crowd.

Here are some pictures the commercial bulls in our sale pen. These bulls are coming 2 yrs of age in May / 2011. This is a good sampling of what we have to offer. For more info on our sale bulls click on this LINK.

2011 Open House

2011-03-06T07:51:00.007-06:00

The invitations to our Open House on March 23, 2011 will be going out shortly via e-mail and regular post. Save the date !

THIS IS NOT A SALE.

The intent of our Open House is to showcase our program and as a thank you to past and present customers. If you want the best selection or have a particular interest in specific bloodlines it is advised to come early, as we sell Private Treaty on a first come first serve basis.

NBA Ad 2011

2011-03-02T07:57:00.002-06:00

The website has been updated. Starting very soon, you'll be seeing our print advertising in the industry publications, continuing for several months.

Turihaua Texan

2011-02-23T23:44:00.012-06:00

We are in the process of securing semen for the 2011 breeding season. We are very happy with the results of our prior Turihaua AI matings. We plan to import and use Texan's semen this summer. He is a frame 5, with a mature weight of 2300 lbs. Here are a few recent pictures.

Website Update - 2011

2011-02-15T14:48:00.010-06:00

We are in the process of updating our website as we move into the spring sales season.

www.nerbasbrosangus.com

We update the blog regularily but the website we try to do one major annual update around this time. We also do minor changes thoughout the year. Websites are a great tool to market your product and provide a "Virtual Tour" of your operation. However, if not they are not current they lose effectiveness and fail to hold the attention of your audience. Hopefully, we will have these updates fully done by March 1. Tune in then for updated information.

Our ad campaign starts in March and runs through May and we will be hosting our annual "Open House" on March 23.
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Bale Grazing

2011-02-11T15:22:00.067-06:00

We introduced the practice of bale grazing into our wintering management about 6 years ago. There is no "right way" to feed cattle in winter but this is one that sure works for us. It has a fit with our management goals and lifestyle objectives.

It had dramatically reduced our yardage costs. We define these costs as any cost associated with feeding but not including the feed. They may include labour, machinery, fuel, hydro, repairs, corrals & shelters, bedding, interest, manure removal & spreading etc.

It should be noted that there are some expenses related to setting up the bale grazing that would not be incurred in a traditional feeding program. They include setting up the bales in a grid pattern with a tractor / loader, removal of twines and electric fencing equipment and supplies. However, we feel the expenses are far less for a bale grazing system resulting in a net benefit to our bottom line.

We have modified our bale grazing in recent years. We used to set up huge blocks for each wintering cow groups. We would move the wire accordingly every 3 days depending on their intake requirements. We now set up blocks of bales that are enough feed for 2 weeks (with full access to all the feed). Instead of moving a wire we now just move the cattle. Our increased cross fencing due to more intensive rotational grazing has allowed us to make this change. This modified system has saved even more labour, less temporary electric fencing (winter) and less problems with cows going through the wire. The cows are also much more content, competition is reduced and the cows seem to self regulate their feed requirements. The key is having decent feed but not premium quality (reduced effeciency).

I can honestly say that I have never encountered anyone that has tried bale grazing that would ever go back to conventional winter feeding. It used to take 2 people 4 hours every morning to do chores. Now it takes 1 person about 2 hours on average per day, and we now have double the cattle!! Quick math says that is a 7/8 or 87.5% reduction in labour required during the winter feeding months.

Cows moving into a new block of bales.

A closer look at the fresh block.

Waste?

There are many negative assumptions associated with bale grazing. These are mostly opinions of naysayers who have never tried bale grazing. The biggest critisism is that it is very wasteful and that the cows leave a lot of feed behind because of not cleaning up, trampling, manure and using the feed as bedding.

I have heard proponents of bale grazing justify these critisms by saying the following:

1. It's not waste, it's biological capital. In other words, if they do not use 10% of the bale and it is "wasted", then that 10% is put back into the land in the form of fertilizer. As a result, the fertility of the land is improved, nutrient cycling is promoted and the forage stand on which the bale grazing takes place will become more productive.

2. Who cares how much is wasted as long as the net cost to feed a cow is lower than alternative feeding. In other words, even if the waste is higher with bale grazing, the reduction of expenses associated with feeding makes up for the small amount of waste on a net dollar basis.

While I do agree with both these statements, I would take it one step further. In our experience, we do not think that there is any more waste associated with bale grazing as compared to conventional feeding systems. Our cows clean it up (if properly trained and managed) right to the ground. So if we are correct and there is no more "waste" and our cost to feed is less, then we feel bale grazing is advantageous to our operation.

Bale grazing is beneficial to us because it improves our life (labour) and bottom line (profitable). Is that a bad thing?

A secondary critism of bale grazing is that the cows are not treated well and neglected. This is a misconception. Since our cows have full access to food 85% of the time (other 15% they are forced to clean up) they are quite content. They do well and improve their condition over the winter. Bale grazing also reduces cow to cow competition for food and as a result we have less disadvantaged cows (skinnies).

In some of the pics below you will notice a bit more waste where greenfeed was placed (yellow residue). We had some 3 year old oats greenfeed that we wanted to use up, so we added it to a few sites at 4:1 ratio. They do trample this more because of the longer strand length and as a result more is wasted. Under a hay only system you can see that very little is left.

An example of how much snow the cows can eat through.

A crater where a hay bale once was.

Another hay bale crater.

A look across the bale graze site right after a move.

Untouched snow between the placed bales.

Edge of bale graze site.

Not much feed wasted.

Mother Nature's Water Bowls

2011-02-10T11:45:00.013-06:00

We are very fortunate to have many natural springs on our property that stay open year round. This is an invalueable resource for winter watering. Our cows are out bale grazing and have access to these springs. They smell the water and punch holes in the snow and create suckholes. With changes in temperature and snow, these suckholes can become sealed off but always resurface elsewhere.

The price is right and they are aways dependable. No hydro, no solar panels, no batteries, no troughs, no chopping ice, no cattle falling in a dugout. Normally, in the summer months the herd would never have constant access to a source like this due to riparian damage but in winter the effects are minimized.

A lot of producers that bale graze make their cows lick snow for their water source. While this does work, we believe they can better utilize their forage resource if they have access to fresh water.

Cows at the trough.

Close up of single cow at suckhole.

Cow's view of the water source.

Open Heifers For Sale

2010-12-09T22:52:00.010-06:00

We have 50 open COMMERCIAL replacement quality heifers for sale. These heifers were born in May of 2010 and have been weaned for a few weeks. They are in good condition and are available for immediate sale. Approximate average weight.....550 lbs.

SOLD. Thank you to Dalen Plett of Steinbach, MB.

Heifers For Sale

2010-10-22T20:06:00.015-05:00

We chose to keep 22 PUREBRED relacement heifers in 2010. These heifers were born in June / July of 2009.

Since we are moving our breeding season back from fall to spring we did not try to breed these heifers this summer. This way we know they will be cycling for sure as 2 yr olds and not be compromised for rebreeding the following year (if bred early). Another benefit is that they make great AI candidates, in turn shortening up our genetic influence interval.

We are offering 10-12 of these females for sale. If interested please call or e-mail for more information.

SOLD. Thank you to Dalen Plett of Steinbach, MB.

Crumble Calves

2010-10-21T19:55:00.012-05:00

I have had a few inquiries about posting pics of Crumbles 2010 calves. Today I took some pictures and e-mailed a potential customer. He wanted pics of the calves with their dams. Here is a sampling......

Crumble bull calf 20X (16N dam).

Crumble bull calf 25X (1N dam).

Crumble bull calf 21X (45T dam).

Crumble bull calf 2X (11T dam).

The Perfect Pair?

2010-10-15T00:40:00.007-05:00

Is there such a thing? Maybe.... maybe not..... but this pair is about a close as we have.

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Fall Grazing / Mob Herd

2010-10-06T21:55:00.013-05:00

These are some pics taken of our COMMERCIAL herd this evening. We just moved them in the morning to this new paddock that we rejuvenated this spring. It is a sandy piece of land. The production for this year was lower than hoped but the establishment is there. Next year this paddock should flourish with adequate moisture.

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Fall Pairs

2010-10-03T09:16:00.019-05:00

Had a chance to take a few pics of some fall COMMERCIAL pairs. They are looking good and will be staying out on pasture for a while yet. There are plenty of bull and replacement heifer prospects in this bunch. This is the same group of pairs that was featured in the post from this past May. To see go to: www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/2010/05/sorting-pairs.html

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

Artificial Insemination 2010

2010-08-26T12:24:00.027-05:00

We AI'd our purebred cows on Aug 9th. For the past few years we have been syncing with CIDR's and breeding 60 cows. The Genex rep from Melville, Maureen Kokoski, has been helping me with the breeding for the past 2 years. Below is a review of the bulls we chose to use in 2010.

1. Sinclair Rito Legacy 3R9

15 straws. Selected to moderate frame and add muscle. Frame score of 4.5. Mature weight 2205 lbs.

ABS comments:

* A modern son of the immortal RR Rito 707.

* Old school breed character, structural soundness, muscularity and masculinity.

* Strikes a balance between functionality and performance.

Here is a link to a video of 3R9: www.sinclaircattle.com/video.php

Below is a pic of 3R9's sire RR Rito 707. He was born in 1967.

2. OCC Tremendous 619T

10 straws. Selected on pedigree and ability to selectivly moderate frame. Current weight 1920 lbs, frame score 3.5.

Murray Farms Inc. comments:

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* He is siring the easy fleshing, deep bodied, moderate framed, low input, forage efficient kind. His sons look the part and his daughters are phenomenal.

* Tremendous is a full brother in blood to OCC Kanga, the powerhouse sire of OCC Prototype.

* His Anchor dam, 960H, is one of the top cows at OCC and his granddam is the productive full sister to OCC Great Plains.

Below is a picture of a full brother, OCC Kanga.

3. Dunlouise Jipsey Earl

15 straws. Used in 2009 as well. Selected for traditional Angus character and maternal attributes. More info in our "Reference Sires" portion of our website: www.nerbasbrosangus.com/pages/sires.jsp

Below is a picture of Jipsey Earl's dam Jipsey Clova.

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4. DDA Profit Center

10 straws. Used in 2009 as well. Selected for pedigree and to reduce frame score. More info in our "Reference Sires" portion of our website: www.nerbasbrosangus.com/pages/sires.jsp

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5. Turihaua Crumble

10 straws. This will be the 3rd year using Crumble semen. We are very pleased with the progeny to date and without a doubt his sons will be our in our group of "Sires for the Future".

We had an update on Crumble recently. Go to:

www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/2010/04/updated-picture-turihaua-crumble.html

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/

The Summer of Grass

2010-07-15T21:44:00.008-05:00

Calving is finished and the pairs are just rotating around the paddocks. This year we have had a lot of rain and as a result we have an abundance of grass. This paddock was a calving pasture and was grazed early, it has already headed out again and it is only mid July. Sure is a nice problem to have, here are a few pics.

The bulls went to work and were turned out with the cows on July 7th. There has been plenty of cycling so we should have good 1st heat conception. In our larger mob grazing herd we run a 40:1 breeding ratio. The bulls range from 3 - 6 years of age.

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/

NBA Resident HERD SIRES

2010-05-28T14:06:00.050-05:00

I had a chance to take some pictures of our herd sires today. They are adding flesh every day now that we have plenty of green grass. They will be ready to go for mid July breeding.

We develop our sales bulls a lot slower than most seedstock providers. They are not pushed and as a result our sale weights are lower than many other breeders. Sometimes, customers are concerned that they are not "big enough". To set their mind at ease, we tour our herd sires. These bulls have also been developed slowly. It does not hinder their ability to grow into a powerful herd sire that can cover more cows and breed longer. We believe it's beneficial. After all, the value of a bull is only partly genetic........it's not only what he can produce but how many cows he can breed and for how long ! Our herd bulls (as well as our females) do not fully mature until they hit the 4 - 5 year old mark.

Every year we select approx 6 young bulls to add to our herd sires. We do this as part of our herd bull rejuvenation process. Therefore, we also sell a few every year (as well as lose some to injury, semen test etc.) There are 5 bulls identified as "FOR SALE" in the herd bull selection below.

Tag: C52

Status: Commercial / SOLD

Age: 3
Sire: C79

Frame: 4

Current est. weight: 1700 lbs

Thank you Brian Hudon.

Tag: C72

Status: Commercial / SOLD

Age: 3

Sire: Multi

Frame: 4.5

Current est. weight: 1700 lbs

Thank you Keay Farms.

Tag: C13

Status: Commercial / SOLD

Age: 4

Sire: C79

Frame: 4.5

Current est. weight: 2000 lbs

Thank you Phil Adams.

Tag: C98

Status: Commercial / FOR SALE

Age: 5

Sire: C79
Frame: 4.5

Current est. weight: 2100 lbs

Tag: C78

Status: Commercial / SOLD

Age: 5

Sire: C79
Frame: 4

Current est. weight: 2200 lbs

Tag: 24S
Status: Purebred

Age: 4

Sire: 72M

Frame: 4

Current est. weight: 2100 lbs

Tag: 42S
Status: Purebred / FOR SALE

Age: 4

Sire: Papa

Frame: 5

Current est. weight: 2000 lbs

Tag: 1S

Status: Purebred / SOLD

Age: 4

Sire: 20N

Frame: 4

Current est. weight: 1900 lbs

Tag: 50S

Status: Purebred

Age: 4

Sire: Papa
Frame: 5

Current est. weight: 2100 lbs

Tag: 32S

Status: Purebred

Age: 4

Sire: 20N
Frame: 4

Current est. weight: 2100 lbs

Tag: 19S

Status: Purebred

Age: 4

Sire: 20N

Frame: 4.5

Current est. weight: 2000 lbs

Tag: 47R

Status: Purebred

Age: 5

Sire: Papa

Frame: 5.5

Current est. weight: 2300 lbs

Tag: 50R

Status: Purebred / SOLD

Age: 5

Sire: Papa

Frame: 6

Current est. weight: 2400 lbs

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Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/

Sorting Pairs

2010-05-27T19:52:00.026-05:00

We try to utilize intensive grazing managment (mob grazing) practices as much as possible. On our ranch, we feel that it is good for the land, good for the cattle and aligns with our management goals. Because we are running large numbers in this herd, breeding is multi sired.

Today, we sorted some select COMMERCIAL pairs to go to a separate, rented pasture. We plan to breed these cows to a common sire group, based on our genetic direction and feed back from our customer base.

Below are four pictures of separate pairs that I caught with the camera:

The remaining pictures are of the herd as we moved them from the valley to the home yard for processing.

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.blogspot.com/

Updated Picture / Turihaua Crumble

2010-04-22T00:02:00.006-05:00

This is an updated picture of a NZ sire that we are using in our AI program.

This is a link to a the latest newsletter form Turihaua Angus Stud, featuring their visit to our ranch in July, 2009.

www.turihaua.co.nz/docs/turihaua-newsletter-2010.pdf

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

Freeze Branding / Replacement Heifers

2010-04-07T23:46:00.019-05:00

Before branding........
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Dad & Shane at work........

Our brand.......

The finished product.......

I caught this poser......

The rest are after branding pics.

These pictures represent our commercial females. We picked 83 replacements from a herd of 500 commercial females. Our rule is: "We don't sell anything that we wouldn't consider using ourselves". This applies to breeding females and bulls. We have 33 open replacements for sale (born in 2009) SOLD. They are ready for the 2010 breeding season. Average weight is approx 650lbs. We are asking $900 for your pick. Thank you to Warren Shearer and Peter Tokar for purchasing our heifers in 2009.

We often give ranch visitors the "Reality Tour", showing them what our males and females will look like at various stages of development under our management. The picture above is what these females will look like one year later, as bred heifers just before calving. Shane took this picture as we added our bred heifers to our main herd for spring calving.

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Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

Semen Testing Sale Bulls

2010-03-26T18:36:00.017-05:00

We finished semen testing our sale bulls today. Here is a pic of Dr. Michael Enns of Roblin Veterinary Services doing a Breeding Soundness Evaluation. They come out to the farm with a mobile lab and can do 30 - 40 in a 1/2 day. We tested almost 100 bulls in total and had a pass rate of just under 95%. We were pretty satisfied with that!

I also had a chance to take a few pics of some sale bulls that represent our offering:

Purebred / 50U (long yearling)

Weight: 1065 lbs on March 4

Estimated mature frame: 5 - 5.5

Commercial / C18 (coming 2yr old)

Weight: 1280 lbs on March 4

Estimated mature frame: 4.5 - 5

C18 on the move.

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

NEW SIGN ! / Nerbas Bros Angus

2010-03-25T11:31:00.000-05:00

We have decided to get a new sign made up for the farm turn off at Shellmouth. Since we sell private treaty, we get a lot of traffic and customers coming to the farm. Our neighbor, Bruce Hutton, operates the "Art Farm" and will be getting this sign made up in the next few weeks. Watch for it!

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

2010 NBA Open House - Mar 17 / 2010

2010-03-24T09:56:00.010-05:00

Our 2nd annual "Open House" was held a week ago at the farm. It went over well again. We had a few more attendees than last year (approx 35+) and had a nice blend of past and present customers along with some new faces.

This day is not a sale but a chance for us to showcase ourselves, our operation and what we have to offer the potential customer. It also serves as customer appreciation day to our customers over the past years.

Picture from 2009 Open House.

We have approx 70 bulls for sale this spring. Only 3 were sold prior to the open house. We ended up selling 7 bulls the day of the open house and 2 from a follow up. So, as of today we have sold 12 bulls, leaving 58 available. The selection is still excellent. Thank you to everyone who came and supported our program.

Arron

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/
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Feature Bull / C78

2010-01-17T10:03:00.002-06:00

Herd Sire - FOR SALE

C78 is a commercial bull that will be 5 years old in May of 2010. He is everything we look for in a bull: moderate frame, great feet and legs, thick bodied and maintains condition year round. He is a frame 4 and has bred heifers for 2 years without calving problems. He has worked for 4 years without injury. We have some direct sons in our 2010 commercial bull sale pen. He's just one of our herd sires that we will be selling this spring, call us if your interested. Pictured here in June 2009 prior to breeding.

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Feature Bull / 32S

2010-01-16T20:13:00.004-06:00

Herd Sire - For Reference ONLY

This purebred bull is really coming into his own. He is 3 1/2 years old and with the right combination of frame (4) and type he is quickly becoming one of our favorites. He spent last summer breeding our heifers with 17S. He is the son of 3N Papa 20N who bred our purebred & commercial herd up until 2009. His full brother sold in 2009 to Cory Noble of Abernethy, SK.

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/
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Feature Bull / C13

2010-01-15T20:12:00.004-06:00

Herd Sire - FOR SALE

C13 is a commercial bull that will be turning 4 years old in spring of 2010. He is the son of C79, a reduced frame bull that is a real chunk of meat. He is just coming into his prime and has bred without injury for the past 3 years. He is a half brother to C78 and he is also approximately a frame 4.5. His mother is one of our favorite cows, 503. Pictured here just before breeding in early July, 2009.

http://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

Cattle Gallery / December - 09

2009-12-30T10:04:00.000-06:00

Commercial Bred Heifers

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Cattle Gallery / November - 09

2009-11-30T10:33:00.001-06:00

Developing 2010 Sale Bulls

Pinebank 41/97 Yearling Bulls

Pinebank 41/97 Yearling Heifers

Commercial Heifer Calf

Commercial Herd (stockpiled forage)

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Cattle Gallery / October - 09

2009-10-30T13:43:00.005-05:00

Commecial Pair

Commercial Herd

Gene checking the herd.

Commercial Pair

Freeze Brand (Nerbas Bros. Angus)

Commercial Pair

Commercial Herd

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Cattle Gallery / September - 09

2009-09-30T17:05:00.001-05:00

1P cow & Excalibur sired heifer calf.

Purebred Herd

NBA Masterton 15T

3N Nadine 42N (dam of 15T)

Commercial Herd (grazing move)

Commercial Pair

Commercial Herd (grazing move)

Commercial Herd (fresh paddock)

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Cattle Gallery / August - 09

2009-08-30T19:39:00.001-05:00

3N Patsy 1P (purebred)

Purebred herd finding shade.

12P cow with Crumble sired bull calf.

NBA 11W (sired by Crumble)

NBA 8W (sired by Excalibur)

NBA Nightman 3T

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Cattle Gallery / July - 09

2009-07-30T10:34:00.001-05:00

2P cow with Excalibur sired bull calf.

Purebred cows with fresh calves.

Purebred cow and calf bonding.

Fresh purebred calves playing.

Shane with Hamish & Angela Williams

Discussion with Hamish (Turihaua Angus NZ)

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