Innovations

INDUSTRY 1ST PROGRAMS (THAT WE KNOW OF)

1977 - All salvage value kept on bulls by customers on any problems

1988 - Commercial customer cows used for recipient progam. This concept expanded embryo transplant, paving the way to allow breeders to 'lease' cows for recipients eliminating the need for land, extra labor, etc. You did not need to own all of your recipients.

1992 - Contract groups of full brothers to commercial herds allowing for more uniformity in their calf crops, plus being able to offer large groups of females to other commercial cattlemen with like genetics from these commercial herds.

1993 - Co-founders of Integrated Genetic Management. This was the first AI company of its kind, that incorporated genetic management consultation, marketing of feeder and fat cattle placement, bull buying, and heifer development.

1994 - Every bull sold we retain a semen interest in. When we started in 1994, we kept ⅓ - the past several years we have kept ½.

1995 - Co-founded "Genetics Plus, " a pre-contracted bred heifer company that supplied known genetics, all the bells and whistles, at a pre-set price. 
This concept allowed for advancement of "adding value" for bred commercial females.

1995 - 1st structured calf sales for customers. Over 15,000 calves were sold at the Manhattan Commission Company this way for calves by Fink bulls. Sales included full information on genetics, vaccinations, and past carcass data when available.

1996 - Structured commercial female sales for customers. All data available was supplied to potential buyers. Pre-runner for many present commercial female sales included in bull sales in the U.S. today.

1998 - Genetic Credit started. Customers that get identifiable carcass data back on bulls, or groups of full brother bulls receive a per head credit back on bull purchases.

2000 - Sell strictly using EPDs. Because of our large embryo program and cooperator herd base, and after consultation with American Angus Association staff, we decided this was the best way to compare bulls. Use of EPDs instead of actual data. Actual data can vary greatly, with EPDs 9 times more accurate than actual data, this method takes out environmental influence. Use of high accuracy sires helps this system work!

2007 - Started selling cattle by video using eight big-screen TV sets and not run cattle through the sale ring. We were not the 1st to do this, but among the first.

2008 - Email blasts for commercial customers to potential buyers for steers and females, regardless of age of the females. 

2010 - A 3-year guarantee on bulls, 1st in the industry to do this for commercial bull customers.

2011 - Mass use of sexed semen in embryo transplant program.