Ken McDowell and the Rotokawa Devon farm and cow herd span 32 years of history; selecting, breeding and managing for animals that perform (produce & reproduce) on grass.  Ken’s health began to deteriorate and he was forced to disperse his Rotokawa Devon herd. Most of the cows came to America, however the environmental impact of moving the herd will require 4-5 years for adaptation in order to consistently produce a normal progeny that thrives on the grass in their new environment.

 Ken McDowell had developed a near complete symbiosis (understanding) with the Rotokawa herd; he understood every cow and bull, their genetic and productive potential.  He understood this because of the knowledge and wisdom he had of his Devon herd and the paternal genetic density he built in it through observation, selection and management. Ken was the husbandry manager and stockman of his herd.    

 Rangatira and his mother Rotokawa 292 did not make the trip to America; she was crippled after 13 years of being consecutively the number one (1) cow in the Rotokawa herd. All of her sons became herd bulls. Three (3) of those sons became herd bulls in the Rotokawa herd. Many of you are familiar with the great 667 line that produced the bull 974 who is a son of 292, half brother to Rangatira. Ken created this paternal line from Potheridge Masterpiece.  His brother, Potheridge President, won every category for production, reproduction and quality of meat over all other bulls in the ABS trials performed in the late 1960s here in the U.S.

 Rotokawa 292 was then bred to bull 93, a son of the great 688, which produced Rangatira.  Rotokawa 688 bred more cows in 2005 & 2006 than any other bull in America (nearly 5000). His paternal genetic density dominates the genetic combinations of his offspring.  I have tested, using the Warner-Bratzler shear-test, many of the half-blood calves 688 produced and there has never been one that did not test well above the finest restaurant quality beef (gourmet).  Additionally, all the Rotokawa-bred, half-blood calves have added an extra 3-5% muscle-mass to the carcass, creating extra volume of meat and weight which equates to $$$.  Rangatira has all the paternal genetic potential of his grandfather 688 plus genetic maternal characteristics of the best and greatest cow Ken McDowell ever produced.

 I fussed at Ken for selling the mother of 688 at age 14, because she was pregnant and still had many good productive years left. His response was, “My breeding program and genetics will produce better females than her; she has served me well.”  All cows at Rotokawa were sold at 14 years of age to make room for their daughters to enter the herd.   

 There will never be another Ken McDowell-bred Rotokawa bull available to us.  Ken McDowell is retired and no longer has any cows.  Young Rangatira was left on the farm with mother to develop.  At Rangatira’s weaning, 292 went to the works and Rangatira stayed on grass to develop because Ken recognized the potential in Rangatira’s development and conformation and knew he could not be overlooked.  Ken later collected a few straws of semen from Rangatira.

 Artisan Beef Genetics bought the Rangatira semen and have a small supply here in America and when it is gone there will never be another Ken McDowall-developed bull for us to build our Devon or Herbataurus female foundation, grass-based cow herds with. The Rotokawa herd is dispersed; Ken no longer manages the genetics or controls the breeding so the results will change. No one will be able to manage those cows as Ken did. 

 The Rotokawa Rangatira opportunity is great, yet the supply is short. Capitalize on 32 years of genetic grass progress and make the necessary changes in the first calf crop. Take a look at Rangatira’s performance on grass and his linear measurements by clicking here.

The American cattle industry is in a revolution from supplements back to all grass. Grass- performing genetics are in high demand but extremely hard to find. It takes many generations of careful selection to return your cow herd back to all-grass management with the bulls being used today.  Can you produce beef for $.25 a pound?  If the answer is no, you should take a serious look! Change your management performance back to grass in one generation.  THIS IS OUR FUTURE!

 Rangatira’s paternal genetic density can bring tremendous change in just one generation and produce fine quality gourmet meat with any British breed.  Get in on the ground floor of a breed whose genetics have always been selected for grass production. After all; all cattle breeders sell grass.  Beef  is our grass outlet tool.

 Do an agriculturally humane act:  produce fine quality gourmet meat for your neighbor’s health, longevity and intelligence. Grass Fed Beef:  It’s What’s for Dinner!!!!

Blessings,

Gearld