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Wendell
and Nan stand in front of young heifers ready to be sold and/or bred.
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High Tech Genetics
Focus of Gibbs Farm
By
John Howle
When
he removes the lid from a pressurized drum containing frozen calf embryos,
the liquid nitrogen rolls out in a mysterious fog bringing thoughts of a
mad scientist to mind. Wendell Gibbs of Ranburne certainly isn’t a mad
scientist. Instead, he considers himself a happy cattle farmer who happens
to own a successful Simmental/Angus beef cattle operation that begins with
genetics and embryology and ends with marketing and auction sales.
On
his property surrounded by acres of high quality grazing located along the
gently rolling pastureland on the Alabama/Georgia border, Wendell and his
wife, Nan, started Gibbs Farm with five registered Polled Hereford cows
they purchased from Wendell’s dad, Dewey, in 1961, the same year Wendell
and Nan wed.
In
1972, the first Simmental bull was purchased, and this was the year Gibbs
realized how valuable quality genetics were to the cattle business. More
Simmental bulls followed and over the years the herd makeup evolved into a
predominantly Simmental herd. In 1992, the first Angus bull was purchased,
and the current production of the black Simmental/Angus hybrid (SimAngus)
began. |
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With
a goal of producing a hybrid cross of cattle that produces high yields
using the most up-to-date genetic technology, Gibbs became a man on a
mission with the SimAngus breed of cattle. The farm’s mission
statement summarizes the goal: "At Gibbs Farm, hybrids are not the
by-product of a purebred breeding program, they are the breeding
program." |
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The
genetics of Angus combined with Simmental has been the focus of the
Gibbs Farm operation.
"We
selected the Angus breed because of the marbling and mothering ability
and the Simmental because of the muscle, growth and milk," said
Wendell.
Wendell
is no stranger to the intricacies of the cattle business. He has served
for years in the Alabama BCIA (Beef Cattle Improvement Association) and
Alabama Cattleman’s Association. In addition, Wendell served as
president of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association. During his year as
president, Wendell traveled not only across the state of Alabama, but
the nation as well learning cutting edge technology for cattle genetics
and the intricacies of top quality beef operations.
It
was during this time of travel that Wendell’s son, Doug, and
daughter-in-law, Lucretia, sold their business and joined the operation.
Doug now serves as operations manager. Due to the growing demands of the
business, Wendell hired Gordon Hodges to serve as the genetics and
marketing manager. |
Wendell Gibbs pulls out frozen calf embryos from the liquid filled nitrogen tanks. The tanks store frozen embryos and bull semen. |
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Doug
and Gordon do all the genetic and breeding planning for each breeding
season. In addition, Wendell, Doug and Gordon travel across the country
in search of top, genetic breeding stock. Their travels have led them to
some unique environments. Last spring, Wendell and Gordon were snowed in
for five days in Souix Falls, South Dakota. |
This is one of many bulls on Gibbs Farms. His name is Cy Young. |
In
addition to taking care of the daily operations of the farm, Doug
handles all the artificial insemination.
"Doug
knows every individual cow and its performance," said Nan.
"That’s quite a job considering we have 450 mama cows on the
farm."
"Almost
all our animals are produced through artificial insemination, frozen
embryos or AI by bulls we own," said Wendell. "Doug is able to
do all our AI procedures here at the farm, and we have an embryologist
who comes in to flush and store embryos."
Wendell
and his family feel the SimAngus cattle give them the best of both
breeds. |
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"People
who have bought our cattle have been very pleased with the
genetics," said Wendell. "We do every kind of testing from
birth and weaning weights to DNA and ultrasound testing here on the
property." |
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Wendell
said he makes use of all statistical information on his cattle at Gibbs
Farm. "We send cattle to feedlots every year and use the carcass
information to make sure we’re on track," said Wendell.
"These SimAngus cattle have consistently produced high weaning
weights, yearling weights, and good yields and quality grades."
Wendell
has spent years of research working toward the goal of producing and
marketing their SimAngus cattle. "I’ve been in the cattle
business all my life," said Wendell. "The planning of the
business and use of genetics technology for top-quality beef is
something that took years to perfect."
All
three of Wendell’s children grew up showing cattle, and the cattle
business has been a part of the family their whole lives.
"My
son, Doug, is our operations manager, my daughter, Lorie, is a
veterinarian and my youngest daughter, Wendy, lives just down the road,
so we have plenty of extra help with the grandkids."
Gibbs
Farm will be having their Second Annual Bull and Replacement Heifer Sale
on November 10 at 11 a.m. Central Time at their auction barn on the
family farm. In addition to the SimAngus hybrids, purebred Angus and
Simmental will be offered.
"For
years we have sold cattle through private treaty sales," said
Wendell. "We are truly excited to be selling out of our auction
barn for the second year in a row."
They
will be selling 265 head of cattle this year.
"Last
year we had buyers from nine states," said Wendell. "It’s a
great feeling to have people call and say the bulls and cows they have
bought have done well."
For
more information about the Gibbs Farm Bull and Replacement Heifer Sale,
call (256) 568-7552 or visit them online at
www.gibbsfarms.net
for additional contacts.
John
Howle is a freelance writer from Heflin. |
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