Perry Ranch Brangus: A Small Family With Big Accomplishments

A Small Family With Big Accomplishments, by Communications Coordinator Peyton Waldrip

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) releases Brangus Summit Lists annually. The purpose of the Brangus Summit List is to provide breeders with recognition for the genetic value of proven sires and dams within the breed. These lists serve as a tool for the IBBA and its member breeders in identifying exceptional sires and dams that perform at the highest levels.

The required criteria for an animal to achieve summit status is the following: A summit cow is a dam that initially calved at 30 months of age or younger, maintained a calving interval of 380 days or less, has weaned at least three calves, weaning records have been submitted for all calves weaned, average weaning weight ratio on all weaned calves is 105 or higher, and all qualifying calves must be sired by a registered Brangus bull. Summit sires have sired five or more summit cows. Click here for more information.

“My family was already producing Brangus cattle before the summit cows were established,” says Frank Perry, of Perry Ranch Brangus in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. “I was on the board when we voted to go forward with the summit sire and cow program in the early 2000s.”

Perry and his family have since produced two summit sires. Production of a summit sire alone is impressive when you consider the amount of time and effort that go into acquiring the necessary criteria to achieve summit status. “It’s a way for us to be recognized for what we’re doing,” Perry says about the summit program.

He said his family tries to keep about 200 head in their herd. Currently, they are below that number because of drought in recent years. Perry says he is optimistic as the family prepares to calve about 160 animals this year.

There are multiple aspects of the Perry Ranch Brangus operation to which Perry attributes his success. Perry says he considered several traits and characteristics when choosing animals for his herd, with environmental adaptability being of utmost importance.

“The overall design of our cattle program and breeding program was built to fit our environment,” Perry says. “We have a goal in mind when we’re breeding, and we try to cross bulls with the females in our herd to fit our goals.”

Brangus and Brangus-influenced cattle are known for the environmental adaptability they offer breeders. Not only are Brangus cattle heat tolerant, they can thrive in cold environments, too. Perry says Brangus animals have done well in his surroundings. “If your cattle don’t fit your environment,” states Perry, “then you’re not going to produce a summit cow.”

Another aspect of his operation to consider is the consistency among the genetics Perry has chosen. “We don’t change just because a new bull comes along,” he says. In reference to the over-arching goal Perry keeps in mind, he says there is some trial and error when setting out to accomplish that goal.

Maternal traits and characteristics are important for achieving summit status, too. Perry says one reason Brangus cattle are efficient in his operation is because of the calving ease, combined with the ability to raise calves.

“Brangus is known as the maternal breed; that’s what we are and that’s what we keep in mind when we’re breeding,” Perry says of the breed attributes he most values. “Part of the reason why we do like Brangus cattle is because, compared to other breeds, their udders hold together better and they’re better designed from a maternal standpoint.”

Perry had several positive remarks in regard to the milking ability of Brangus females. Perry says maternal aspects and environmental adaptability are not only important, but they’re relative to each other. Milking ability and the cow’s environment can be positively correlated. And in respect to summit status, Perry pointed out: “If a female doesn’t produce enough milk, then you won’t hit your weaning ratio.”

Brangus cattle have served Perry and his operation well. Even in periods of drought, Perry says the breed has fit his environment, in southern Oklahoma, well. Perry still has summit animal genetics in his herd.

Among the advice Perry has to offer his fellow Brangus breeders, he says to have a well-designed breeding program and to follow the course of that program. He warns against changing bulls every year. Instead, he recommends trying a bull for few years to see how you can utilize him among different types of cows. Perry says his bulls hold together for multiple breeding seasons in a year and that he has confidence in his females. He has gained this confidence from concentrating and pursuing the goals he set in the beginning.

“You can’t chase yearling and weaning highs because they’ll knock you out, and you can get too big of animals for your environment,” Perry warned in regard to animal and trait selection. “Don’t chase EPD highs and lows, and know what your bull will pass on.”

Having multiple summit sires and summit cows in pedigrees is helpful in respect to fertility, especially since fertility is heritable. Additionally, when planning a breeding program, keep in mind that artificial insemination (AI) can be helpful for breeders with a smaller operation, who don’t have as much access to bulls. One of the first things Perry said he did when starting his operation was take an AI class.

“Mainly we knew what was working for us and making us money for our commercial herd,” Perry says about the success his family had.

It can be helpful when setting goals and building a breeding program to work with other breeders. Working with other breeders can help in knowing what has and hasn’t worked for them. Perry claims he made herd visits and knew what was working in other places. He looked at a lot of other bulls and herds and says people were nice enough to share in what they were doing.

“In order to raise a summit animal you have to bring the right cattle in your herd and make them work for your environment,” states Perry. “It’s on the breeders’ shoulders to make that happen.”

The Perry family operation is comprised of Dave and Dicy, their sons, Frank and Ed, Frank’s wife, Michelle, and Frank and Michelle’s children, Marin, Ruger, and Geneva. Frank said he has appreciated having his families’ help in raising cattle, among other ventures. The Perrys are sixth generation ranchers in Oklahoma; the family’s history goes back since before Oklahoma’s statehood.