Holden's retain one to three top bulls each year for their own use. Primary sources for outside genetics include Coopers and Miles City. Though Jack likes to retain his top individual when possible, which calf he keeps is determined by how much of any particular pedigree is needed to maintain genetic progress.

Bulls are only used for three seasons in order to prevent the herd from becoming too tightly bred. "We figure in three years a bull should raise a son better than himself. We want to turn the generations and keep the progress moving." says Jack.

Though not his primary consideration, Jack said EPDs have developed into a very important tool in helping them to increase milk and performance while maintaining birthweigh, especially on proven bulls that have developed some accuracy. "Most commercial cattlemen have figured out what a great tool EPDs are, so producing bulls with good EPDs makes our cattle easier to market." he says.

Jack uses semen marketing as a tool to improve EPD accuracies. "people who buy semen are going to buy it, regardless, so you might as well get your market share, and selling semen allows a bull to work in different environments which helps his EPDs," he says.

SELLING BULLS:
For all the genetics Holdens supply to registered breeders, commercial customers are the cornerstone of their business, accounting for 66% of annual sales. "Without the commercial buyers, it doesn't make any difference how many high selling bulls are sold, if the rest are left over, you didn't have a very good sale," Jack says.

In order to keep themselves and their customers in the mainstream, the Holdens enhance ranch performance records with carcass data and utilize ultrasound measurements as a selection tool. Holdens were one of the first members of the Montana Beef Performance Association when organized in 1956 until it was dissolved and are also active participants in the  Whole Herd TPR program of the American Hereford Association and are recognized as a Gold Breeder. These records have become important tools to aid in selecting and maintaining the performance and quality of their cattle.

Knowing how important end product results are has gotten the Holden's involved with the Certified Hereford Beef program, which is a subsidiary of the American Hereford Association.  “It has been proven to be a great product and has helped the marketability of Hereford and Hereford cross cattle."

Jack says, "When beef was king so were Herefords. Hereford beef is the best in the world and we want to do our part to ensure that we keep carcass quality in our cattle. We are proud of the fact that the #1 group for quality grade in the 1998 Genetic Outreach Program test were sired by Holden Hereford bulls. This set of steers averaged High Choice. We want to congratulate Kyle Rutt of Rutt Herefords, Campbell, Nebraska, for this tremendous accomplishment. We also want to congratulate long time customer, Howard Moss, Dixon, Montana, on his set of Holden sired steers that placed #1 for A.D.G. in the 1999 GOP test. This set of steers posted an amazing 4.3 lb. average daily gain. Howard has used Holden bulls for almost 30 years. This is more proof that our cattle will perform all the way from the pasture to the packing plant."  For more information on the Certified Hereford Beef program please visit the American Hereford Association website.