The Nelson family has called Wibaux County, Montana, home since 1909. Originally started by Tom's great grandfather, David Muggah, and grandmother Alberta (Muggah) Nelson on the road between Wibaux and Baker, MT, the Nelson family has been in the cattle seed stock business since the 1960s. Nelsons are strong proponents in crossbreeding and provide top cutting edge Simmental and Angus genetics. The Simmental genetics provide high growth, higher cut-ability and yield and the Angus genetics provide strong maternal genetics and high carcass quality. The crossbred cow provides better cow longevity, lifetime production and calf survive-ability with heterosis that can give a 25% or higher advantage. Their customers need heterosis along with great genetics. By combining the strengths of the highest value breeds of cattle available and focusing on practical production traits, their SimAngus hybrids are a great asset and well received by their customers. Too often crossbreeding is difficult, particularly in the large pastures their customers run in this country. Using composite bulls just makes it easier to crossbreed and maintains most of the high bred vigor. They run a few commercial cows in addition to their registered ones and the crossbred females are simply the most profitable.
The "breaks" the Nelson herd calls home in the summer months are aesthetically beautiful and offer wonderful hunting opportunities, but provide a rugged and harsh environment for running cows. Because of those conditions and southeast Montana's propensity for drought and tough winter conditions, basic fundamentals of production are necessary. Females that calve on their own, bring home a live calf in the fall and rebreed are simple but critical priorities of the Nelson's. They raise cows that work for them. They just don't have the labor here to baby the cows. They have to do almost everything on their own. These philosophies of breeding and development ensure customers of durable genetics that generate profit under almost any condition. This is evident in the high number of 11 and 12 year-old brood cows still producing in the Nelson Livestock Company cow herd.
Working on the ranch now are Tom and Renee and their son Brent. They also have Brent's kids, Taylen, Gavin and Reggie, helping. They are getting ready for their annual bull sale that will be held at the ranch on Monday, April 6. They will have a fine offering of Simmental, Sim-Angus, and Angus yearling bulls. This year they will also have 12 coming 2-year-old bulls. These bulls have not been previously offered or used, so if you are looking for a little older bull they can fill the bill. Their bulls are built to work in big country. Performance here is bred on, not fed on. Stop in and see the bulls anytime.
Call the Nelsons for more information: Tom 406-588-3371 or 406-939-1252 or Brent 406-588-2697 or 406-978-2697. Mark the date on your calendar: April 6, 2020.
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