| The Neer family shipped
Hereford bulls to Modoc County from eleven states and Canada, selling more
than 3,000 bulls, many from their own growing registered herd.
This experience gave the younger Neers a great opportunity to learn about
Herefords from some of the best breeders in the country, and to learn how
to select the kinds of Herefords that thrive in the semi-arid rangeland of
northeast California, southeast Oregon, and northwest Nevada.
Dean Neer took over the supervision of Neer
Hereford Ranch in the mid-1960s when his father retired. Marie
joined in the management of the ranch in 1972 when Dean and she married.
She is now the ranch's AI technician. Dean remains the
geneticist and herd planner.
Neer Hereford Ranch follows a line breeding
program in a cow herd that was closed in 1966. outcross blood is
obtained through artificial insemination to recognized and successful
national herd sires.
For the Neers, fertility is the highest
priority in selection, followed by efficiency of gain. An
absolute cause for culling is bad temperament. Good disposition
is essential. Muscling and body structure have
remained important, as well as rate of gain. The Neer
Hereford Ranch has had whole herd performance evaluation since 1968.
Birth weights have been recorded since 1976. Artificial insemination
to top sires and pelvic scoring have been practiced since 1980.
The Neer Hereford Ranch aim continues to satisfy
the requirement of the commercial cattleman--quality and range ready
condition at an affordable price.
The ranch has many return customers, who range
from Petaluma to southern Oregon to western Nevada. In
October, 2004 one loyal customer, Pinky Anklin, bought his 76th bull from
the ranch.
Stop by Neer Hereford ranch or give the Neers a
call. They always like to show people their cattle.
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