some of the best co-op herds in the country. We are a little unique where we do not calve out any recips ourselves. We send all our embryos to several different co-op herds and buy our calves back on calf buyback programs.” Ryan explained. Ryan attributes their competitive nature as being responsible for the success they have achieved. He always wants to be better each day and every year. “There are people who are equivalent, but nobody who wants it more than we do. We always want to do better and look for ways to improve. Our willingness and wanting to win has contributed to our success.” Pinpointing one special win that separates itself from the others for Ryan and Sam is difficult. Each win means something. Their first big win came in the Summer of 2013 where they had the Grand Champion Purebred Simmental Female at the AJSA National Classic. They followed that with a win at the 2013 Indiana State Fair and next the 2015 South Dakota State Fair. They were just the beginning. RJ Cattle Co. has found itself at the backdrop year-after-year with multiple State Fair and National Champions. In 2019 they had the Supreme Champion Female in Louisville. Just last Summer at Junior Nationals they were a part of the Grand Champion Charolais Composite Female, Grand Champion Chi Composite Female and Grand Champion % Simmental Female. They ended 2023 with an exclamation mark having Sara Sullivan’s American Royal Supreme Champion Female who went on to win Supreme Champion Female in the Louisville Open Show.
several hundred embryos every year. It’s come full circle where we have a lot of younger guys that come to us, and we send calves out on commission. These kids are very talented and do a very good job. We love sending some of our calves out on commission to them just like we did when we were younger.” Ryan and Sam do not limit themselves to one breed or type of cattle. While the Simmental breed has been very good to them, they strive for quality and always want to be cutting edge – no matter the breed. They raise a lot of reverse sort males for club calves and reverse sort females of different breeds – Simmental, Angus, Charolais, Maines, Chis, and ½ Blood Simmentals.
They recognize that genetics and industry trends are constantly evolving, and they never want to get left behind just because that is the way things have always been. Ryan is willing to put in the miles to ensure they always have new and fresh genetics. “I’m the type of person that always wants to get in the car and go to a lot of shows and see what’s winning and other people’s genetics. My goal for the future is to never get left behind. Not just stay at home and look at my own stuff all the time. I want to stay current and always try to stay with the times.” One distinct aspect of RJ Cattle Co. is that they rely 100% on co-op herds. “We are so thankful to have
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