About
Built to Perform Under Real-World Conditions
Being a 365 day cow-calf operation, the cattle here at Milk Creek Reds are developed under naturally limited inputs, limited labor and rely on genetic selection to produce under the environmental constraints in which they are managed. As a result, the cattle produced are able to go throughout the country and perform well for whoever purchases them.
Fertility (weaning a calf every year), longevity, production efficiency (percentage of body weight weaned by each cow), feed efficiency (dollar input per cow/calf) and fleshing ability are what we would consider to be economically relevant traits. These traits along with gentle dispositions, functional problem free udders, and structurally sound feet and legs are what we know to be important now and will continue to be important in the future as the average age of agriculturist increases, the ability to source good ranch labor grows more difficult, and herd sizes are decreased.
Marketing Cattle That Work and Last
Our marketing goal is to produce functional, good disposition bulls that when turned out with cows or heifers accomplish their task and their condition and appearance will be pleasing to the new owner as they are gathered at the end of each breeding season. The marketing of our females is the same in that the females sold out of our herd will go into other herds and raise profitable offspring to pay for the initial investment and keep their new owner in business for years to come.
We are currently working with the The Red Angus Association of America staff and their marketing programs to assist our commercial customers in marketing their steer calves. We are also locating buyers for the commercial cattleman’s females. When it comes time to getting your cattle sold, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and we will do our best to assist you in any way we can!
We feel that the cattle should be able to market themselves and the best show place is in the pasture at home. We enjoy welcoming visitors, showing them our program, visiting about what is working in their program and building relationships that last a lifetime.
A Family Operation, Through and Through
Milk Creek Reds is a family run operation. Bruce and Tena started Milk Creek Reds and continue to operate it today. They both continue to pour their lives into the operation. Whether it is entering data and registering animals or building fences and working cows, they both take care of all the day to day activities. Their daughters Cele Menees and Jaclyn Ketchum are also involved in the operation. Cele, Jeff, and their kids help on the ranch whenever they are not busy with their own careers and Cele also manages the ranch’s social media accounts. Jaclyn is at the ranch pretty much full time except when she is busy operating and managing the family’s custom artificial insemination business, Ketch ‘um’ AI. The family is excited to see Cele and Jeff’s kids taking an interest in the ranch and helping out or just soaking it in whenever they can!