Balancing Performance and Functionality
Mills Cattle Company works towards genetics that offer a healthy combination of all traits—cattle that not only read well genomically, but are functional and look the part.
In our cattle program, we utilize genomic-enhanced EPDs through the Zoetis HD50K test.
The catalyst for this decision comes from our own share of negative experiences over the years. We want our customers to have access to the most extensive and accurate data available. We had 3 ET flush brothers whose EPDs were exactly the same. When the genomics came back, they were as varied as their individual phenotypes.
By using the tools available, we feel that we are doing everything we can to more accurately predict the real-world performance of our cattle so that our customers can have the utmost confidence in their genetic selections. Furthermore, our cattle have to look the part and be structurally sound. Balancing both ends of the spectrum of performance and functionality is a constant topic of discussion.
We have never been into extremes on anything we do, including our cattle. We strive for a healthy balance in all traits, but emphasize moderate birth and high growth, maternally oriented cattle. We want them to grow quickly, but maintain a moderate frame. We have put a lot of emphasis on the functionality of our cattle, paying close attention to feet and udder quality. The other non-negotiable is docility. Calm cattle are just nicer to be around and easier to work…and we aren’t getting faster with age!
We currently run about 100 cows, including a few commercial cows as recipients for our embryo transfer program. The heifers are AI bred to start calving the middle of February, followed by the recipient cows. The cows are AI bred to start calving the first of March.
Carcass quality in our cattle has become a trait we are paying more attention to, and although we have improved this trait in our cattle, we do not single-trait select for carcass or any other trait. It is still about balance for us.
Mills Cattle Company
We celebrated our 30 year anniversary with a trip to Alaska with our family
The Mills Family, from left to right:
Doug, Dena, Tracen, Bryson and Brooke
Mills Cattle Company, LLC has its small beginnings in the cattle business with the purchase of two pairs of commercial cattle in 2006, and our first set of registered cattle in 2011. Both Doug and Dena grew up in the northeast corner of Wyoming in the Hulett area, with Doug being raised on a cow/calf and sheep operation, and Dena’s family being in the sawmill and forestry business.
Doug and Dena have three children:
Brooke is a Pediatric Home Health Speech Pathologist with OASIS in Loveland, CO and surrounding areas
Bryson is the Bovine Donor Coordinator for ReproLogix in Fort Scott, KS
Tracen is a Mechanical Design Engineer for MESA Solutions in Fort Collins, CO.
Let’s work together.
We like to see people succeed, and we take pride in having the opportunity to play even a small part in achieving goals for our customers. If the animals we raise help other cattlemen find success in their goals, that means we’re finding success in ours.