Herd Sires
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Where it all began…
The influence of OSU Integrity and OSU Ultra on our herd has been significant. In 1992, we had begun to search for an outside sire which we felt would complement our growing Angus cow herd. After much deliberation, we selected SS Traveler 6T6 as a potential outcross sire; however, his semen was in short supply.
When a sale catalog from Oklahoma State University arrived which offered a flush out of DF Empress 6079 and sired by 6T6, we felt that purchasing this flush would be our best option. Sale terms were that the buyer would receive two-thirds interest and possession of one calf at weaning, which we hoped would fill our niche for a new sire.
Two bulls and one heifer were born in September 1992, and from that moment we knew the decision was going to be a tough one. Both bull calves were outstanding! After much deliberation, Mark Squires, OSU's Purebred Beef Manager at the time, suggested that we take one-third interest in both bull calves. Thus we became owners in Ultra and Integrity, both of which became members of the OSU show string.
In the fall of 1993, we began down a road that reads like a "Cinderella" story. Being flush brothers of the same age, Ultra and Integrity competed against each other at every show as well as against many other outstanding bulls. At the 1994 National Western Stock Show in Denver, these brothers stood first and second in class, with Ultra capturing the Champion Senior Bull Calf honor and Integrity taking the reserve spot. Ultra went on to claim the Reserve Grand Champion Bull banner. One year later Ultra returned to take home the purple, winning Grand Champion Bull of the 1995 National Western Stock Show.
Two days prior to the 1994 Denver show, Ultra had been selected Grand Champion of the National Western Angus Sale Bulls and was the high-selling lot at $50,000 for two-thirds interest and possession, purchased by Ultra Associates. Parker Ranch retained our one-third interest and today remains the largest individual owner of Ultra.
As with any story, there is a beginning and an end. On March 10, 2001, Integrity was laid to rest at Parker Ranch. It had been a long and eventful road since we had purchased him as a mere embryo. With his gentle disposition, he had become more than just a bull – he had become part of our family. He had completed his job well and enabled us to build this ranch.
As we continue to ultrasound more of his progeny, we are discovering that Integrity is excelling as a "marbling" sire. His IMF score has increased with the scanning of each calf crop. Though he is gone now from our breeding pastures, Integrity will live on through the use of artificial insemination. His genetic influence will still be seen for years to come at Parker Ranch. Ultra continues to reside at Beartooth Ranch, Columbus, Montana.
