History & Mission
History
On July 25, 2005 Forge Cattle Company began operation!
A birthday gift of a Registered Polled Hereford cow named Equity along with her 2005 Spring calf, Lobo, by her side was received by Rev. Michael D. Forge. Equity and Lobo were obtained from Double H Farms out of Canton, Texas. Sixty days later it was confirmed that Equity was pregnant with a Spring 2006 calf. That calf was born on April 2, 2006, the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. The calf was named, Johnpaul (one name), to commemorate the anniversary.
Before the birth of Johnpaul, however, The Forge Cattle Company added a yearling heifer named Krissy to the herd. She was obtained from the January 2006 Ft. Worth Stock Show auction. Krissy is a Channing embryo transfer (ET) daughter consigned to the annual sale by Rockin’ W Ranch of Schulenburg, TX.
In April of 2006 one more addition was made to the FCC herd when it acquired yet another Rockin’ W yearling heifer named Princess. Princess is a C-S Pure Gold ET heifer and was obtained at the annual Rockin’ W Ranch auction in Schulenburg. Rockin' W continues to impress us with their ability to combine excellent genetic research and matching to produce a product that naturally attracts us to their Herefords.
Next, in May 2006, a lean and weaned Lobo was sold to Jenny Elser of Terrell, Texas. Jenny was looking for a gentle bull to service her small herd of mixed cows and heifers. Lobo has not disappointed her. His first calf, Junior, was calved in February 2007 and his second one is expected to be calved March 2007. Lobo also has put four other calves on the ground from the time he spent on loan to a herd of mixed Brangus cows during the Spring of 2006. To date, Lobo has five confirmed progeny on the ground.
Then, Equity was artificially inseminated (AI’d) last July with semen from a popular bull named Mohler, a full brother to Channing (Krissy’s sire). Equity is expected to calve at the end of March, beginning of April 2007. Click here to read Equity's AI saga.
Princess and Krissy were both AI’d in July 2006, also. This time period was at the peak of an extreme heat wave of 100 degree plus temperatures in North Central Texas. Pregnancy rates typically decline during such conditions. Princess did take but she later aborted. Again, probably due to the extreme weather conditions and dietary changes. Krissy remained open (not pregnant). Krissy was AI’d again at the end of February 2007. Unfortunately, she did not take once again. Princess and Krissy remain open as of March 2007. It is not uncommon for heifer Hereford's to not take to AI'ing. We believe, however, that these two girls will be leaders in the Hereford market for many years to come.
In the meantime, Johnpaul was sold in February 2007, 1/2 interest full and full possession, to Double H Farms in Canton, Texas. Look for this beefy boy to make a name for himself as a solid Malachi offspring producing many gentle and solid sacred cows!
To read more history of Forge Cattle Company, go to Moos News and read the ongoing historical diary since going on line in the Spring of 2006.
Also, to learn more about these amazing creatures described above click on Meet the Moos and browse the site.
Mission
The mission of Forge Cattle Company is tri-fold:
1. Produce a quality product
2. Generate profit from production
3. Enjoy the process and the results from enacting objectives one and two!
1. Produce a quality product
In achieving the first objective, it is necessary to begin by educating ourselves about product and quality.
What is the product we are dealing with in the cattle business? Obviously, we are dealing with cattle, beef cattle to be specific, Registered Polled Herefords, to be exact. But what is the “telos,” or “ultimate purpose” of cattle? Well, the telos for most beef cattle is human consumption!
At Forge Cattle Company we are not only concerned with the ultimate end of our cattle but we are concerned with the process toward that end, as well!
We read in Genesis 1:24-25
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened, God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. (NAB, emphasis added)
And then in Genesis 1:26, we read
Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” (NAB, emphasis added)
So, there you have it: God creates cattle, recognizes their goodness, and gives us human beings dominion over them. That means we have a responsibility to tend to the cattle that God has given us dominion over.
It is in the “tending to” area that Forge Cattle Company (FCC) focuses much effort. Our philosophy in this regard can be summed up as follows:
The quality of the product can not simply equate to taste, tenderness, marbling, profit, etc. Quality of product must also apply to quality of the production process. This may or may not improve the other quality categories, such as taste, tenderness, profit, etc., but it does improve the manner in which we fulfill the Divine mandate of exercising dominion over the cattle.
FCC, therefore, is committed to offering a quality production process within its operations. To that end, FCC is dedicated to providing the following for its herd animals:
· Daily animal inspection
· Supplemental feeding programs
· Habitual Grooming programs
· Regular Veterinary Care
· Responsible breeding practices
What makes for a quality product? The answer to this question is contingent upon the wants and needs of the consumer because the consumer ultimately judges what qualifies as quality.
The consumer, however, may represent different categories of demand that must be addressed. For example, do you want to produce the best quality beef for food consumption or do you want to produce the best quality beef for handling, showing and then, ultimately, consumption?
In its cattle production operation, FCC maintains focus on both consumer targets: desire for quality in show and desire for quality in chow! We do this by carefully selecting animals for our herd that represent the best in contemporary elite breeding techniques that cull genetic deficiencies in favor of proven genetic traits recognized by today’s judges in the ring. In layman’s terms: we go for the moos that look and taste the best, i.e., big butts, clean lines and beefy frames!
2. Generate profit from production
In regards to the second mission objective of generating profit from production, it is our belief and experience that the intelligent and discreet consumer appreciates a fine product and knows well the adage: “You get what you pay for!” While FCC cattle may sell for a little on the high end, you do get what you pay for…a high end product.
· FCC cattle are gentle, making management of them easier and less costly (no damaged fences, barns, etc. from unruly beasts).
· FCC cattle are genetically designed to grow full and grow fast, thus improving price per pound at the sale.
· FCC bulls are virile and fertile! They will “git it done!”
We recognize, however, that not all profit from production will be in the form of dollars and cents. Remember what Jesus himself says: “What profit does he show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process?” (Luke 9:25 NAB).
This statement buttresses well the philosophy of our production process outlined earlier.
But, make no mistake about it: FCC is in business to provide a product to a discerning clientele and subsequently reap a financial recompense for its hard work in producing and providing a premium product.
3. Enjoy the process and the results of enacting objectives one and two!
This final objective of the Forge Cattle Company mission is the easiest to achieve.
Working with these amazing animals, namely, the Registered Polled Hereford, is nothing short of exhilarating. Each animal has his or her own distinct personality. Adjusting to their daily needs and wants is a constant job. Fortunately, their daily needs and wants consist primarily of feeding!
Other areas of enjoyment and satisfaction include networking with other Hereford breeders who share our enthusiasm for this breed and vocation. Or it might be spending an afternoon off with an iced down six pack, sitting in a lawn chair and just watching them graze. Herefords are very relaxing to be around and they can invoke calmness within you just by watching them do what they do…eat!
As FCC continues to fulfill its mission objectives rest assured that objective three is fulfilled in the process!
On July 25, 2005 Forge Cattle Company began operation!
A birthday gift of a Registered Polled Hereford cow named Equity along with her 2005 Spring calf, Lobo, by her side was received by Rev. Michael D. Forge. Equity and Lobo were obtained from Double H Farms out of Canton, Texas. Sixty days later it was confirmed that Equity was pregnant with a Spring 2006 calf. That calf was born on April 2, 2006, the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. The calf was named, Johnpaul (one name), to commemorate the anniversary.
Before the birth of Johnpaul, however, The Forge Cattle Company added a yearling heifer named Krissy to the herd. She was obtained from the January 2006 Ft. Worth Stock Show auction. Krissy is a Channing embryo transfer (ET) daughter consigned to the annual sale by Rockin’ W Ranch of Schulenburg, TX.
In April of 2006 one more addition was made to the FCC herd when it acquired yet another Rockin’ W yearling heifer named Princess. Princess is a C-S Pure Gold ET heifer and was obtained at the annual Rockin’ W Ranch auction in Schulenburg. Rockin' W continues to impress us with their ability to combine excellent genetic research and matching to produce a product that naturally attracts us to their Herefords.
Next, in May 2006, a lean and weaned Lobo was sold to Jenny Elser of Terrell, Texas. Jenny was looking for a gentle bull to service her small herd of mixed cows and heifers. Lobo has not disappointed her. His first calf, Junior, was calved in February 2007 and his second one is expected to be calved March 2007. Lobo also has put four other calves on the ground from the time he spent on loan to a herd of mixed Brangus cows during the Spring of 2006. To date, Lobo has five confirmed progeny on the ground.
Then, Equity was artificially inseminated (AI’d) last July with semen from a popular bull named Mohler, a full brother to Channing (Krissy’s sire). Equity is expected to calve at the end of March, beginning of April 2007. Click here to read Equity's AI saga.
Princess and Krissy were both AI’d in July 2006, also. This time period was at the peak of an extreme heat wave of 100 degree plus temperatures in North Central Texas. Pregnancy rates typically decline during such conditions. Princess did take but she later aborted. Again, probably due to the extreme weather conditions and dietary changes. Krissy remained open (not pregnant). Krissy was AI’d again at the end of February 2007. Unfortunately, she did not take once again. Princess and Krissy remain open as of March 2007. It is not uncommon for heifer Hereford's to not take to AI'ing. We believe, however, that these two girls will be leaders in the Hereford market for many years to come.
In the meantime, Johnpaul was sold in February 2007, 1/2 interest full and full possession, to Double H Farms in Canton, Texas. Look for this beefy boy to make a name for himself as a solid Malachi offspring producing many gentle and solid sacred cows!
To read more history of Forge Cattle Company, go to Moos News and read the ongoing historical diary since going on line in the Spring of 2006.
Also, to learn more about these amazing creatures described above click on Meet the Moos and browse the site.
Mission
The mission of Forge Cattle Company is tri-fold:
1. Produce a quality product
2. Generate profit from production
3. Enjoy the process and the results from enacting objectives one and two!
1. Produce a quality product
In achieving the first objective, it is necessary to begin by educating ourselves about product and quality.
What is the product we are dealing with in the cattle business? Obviously, we are dealing with cattle, beef cattle to be specific, Registered Polled Herefords, to be exact. But what is the “telos,” or “ultimate purpose” of cattle? Well, the telos for most beef cattle is human consumption!
At Forge Cattle Company we are not only concerned with the ultimate end of our cattle but we are concerned with the process toward that end, as well!
We read in Genesis 1:24-25
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened, God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was. (NAB, emphasis added)
And then in Genesis 1:26, we read
Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” (NAB, emphasis added)
So, there you have it: God creates cattle, recognizes their goodness, and gives us human beings dominion over them. That means we have a responsibility to tend to the cattle that God has given us dominion over.
It is in the “tending to” area that Forge Cattle Company (FCC) focuses much effort. Our philosophy in this regard can be summed up as follows:
The quality of the product can not simply equate to taste, tenderness, marbling, profit, etc. Quality of product must also apply to quality of the production process. This may or may not improve the other quality categories, such as taste, tenderness, profit, etc., but it does improve the manner in which we fulfill the Divine mandate of exercising dominion over the cattle.
FCC, therefore, is committed to offering a quality production process within its operations. To that end, FCC is dedicated to providing the following for its herd animals:
· Daily animal inspection
· Supplemental feeding programs
· Habitual Grooming programs
· Regular Veterinary Care
· Responsible breeding practices
What makes for a quality product? The answer to this question is contingent upon the wants and needs of the consumer because the consumer ultimately judges what qualifies as quality.
The consumer, however, may represent different categories of demand that must be addressed. For example, do you want to produce the best quality beef for food consumption or do you want to produce the best quality beef for handling, showing and then, ultimately, consumption?
In its cattle production operation, FCC maintains focus on both consumer targets: desire for quality in show and desire for quality in chow! We do this by carefully selecting animals for our herd that represent the best in contemporary elite breeding techniques that cull genetic deficiencies in favor of proven genetic traits recognized by today’s judges in the ring. In layman’s terms: we go for the moos that look and taste the best, i.e., big butts, clean lines and beefy frames!
2. Generate profit from production
In regards to the second mission objective of generating profit from production, it is our belief and experience that the intelligent and discreet consumer appreciates a fine product and knows well the adage: “You get what you pay for!” While FCC cattle may sell for a little on the high end, you do get what you pay for…a high end product.
· FCC cattle are gentle, making management of them easier and less costly (no damaged fences, barns, etc. from unruly beasts).
· FCC cattle are genetically designed to grow full and grow fast, thus improving price per pound at the sale.
· FCC bulls are virile and fertile! They will “git it done!”
We recognize, however, that not all profit from production will be in the form of dollars and cents. Remember what Jesus himself says: “What profit does he show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process?” (Luke 9:25 NAB).
This statement buttresses well the philosophy of our production process outlined earlier.
But, make no mistake about it: FCC is in business to provide a product to a discerning clientele and subsequently reap a financial recompense for its hard work in producing and providing a premium product.
3. Enjoy the process and the results of enacting objectives one and two!
This final objective of the Forge Cattle Company mission is the easiest to achieve.
Working with these amazing animals, namely, the Registered Polled Hereford, is nothing short of exhilarating. Each animal has his or her own distinct personality. Adjusting to their daily needs and wants is a constant job. Fortunately, their daily needs and wants consist primarily of feeding!
Other areas of enjoyment and satisfaction include networking with other Hereford breeders who share our enthusiasm for this breed and vocation. Or it might be spending an afternoon off with an iced down six pack, sitting in a lawn chair and just watching them graze. Herefords are very relaxing to be around and they can invoke calmness within you just by watching them do what they do…eat!
As FCC continues to fulfill its mission objectives rest assured that objective three is fulfilled in the process!