HISTORY | ABOUT THE PROGRAM | COW HERD | MISSION STATEMENT | PERSONNEL

PERKS RANCH HISTORY

Perks Ranch was founded as a working horse and cattle ranch in 1961 by Cam Perks and his family, -thus the start of the well known CP brand. Over the years, the ranch has expanded to approximately 1,200 acres of rolling grass pastures, cropland, and protected forests. After 50 years of continuous livestock operations the ranch remains in the Perks family. Doug Perks and his family take the lead on the purebred cattle operation, while Lachlan Perks runs the nationally recognized cutting horse program.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Calving season is February 1 through April 30. The 90-day calving season is in line with the market, targeting fall production sales and a yearling bull market. Heifers and early-calving cows are bred through artificial insemination; however, pride is taken in the fact that most of the AI sires are bulls that Perks Ranch owns. Following a short AI season, a combination of ranch-raised and purchased bulls are turned out. A majority of the purchased bulls are nationally recognized AI sires. Emphasis is placed on the selection of AI and herd sires by finding bulls that have muscle and growth in a moderate package. These sires are backed by strong mothers with sound udders and a productive history. Each group of cows is specially selected and put together to best utilize the strengths of the herd sire.

The ranch’s strict 90-day calving window, -means only females with the highest fertility reamin in the herd. In the fall, cows are pregnancy checked using an ultrasound machine. Not only are open cows identified, but the next year’s calf crop is sexed. Sexing each calf crop gives a glimpse into the future and aids in the next year’s marketing.

Complete performance information is collected through the birth, weaning, and yearling phases of production. All yearlings are scanned for carcass data and bulls have a breeding soundness exam. In addition, cows are scored for udder soundness and body condition is scored at weaning.

Ultrasound data is one of the tools used to make genetic improvements within the herd. By consistently collecting data for more than 18 years, Perks Ranch has been able to measure progress and increase muscle put into the cow herd and offspring. Utilizing scales to collect weaning and yearling weights has helped to mark progress made by annual calf crops and to help identify the parents of higher performing offspring.

The Genetic and Economic Management (GEMS) computer program is utilized to measure herd performance, records, and analysis. The GEMS program allows total breeding, health, embryo transfer, and marketing information and can interact with the American Hereford Association for registration and transfer. GEMS gives a centralized database being able to measure and manage the productiveness of the cowherd. Having complete data history on the cow herd allows for the consistently top producing cows to be identified and for non-producing females to be culled.

To promote Perks Ranch genetics, cattle are exhibited locally and nationally. After several years of hosting a spring bull sale, Perks Ranch switched over to selling bulls private treaty, allowing for more personal contact with the customer and a chance to help match a bull that best fits their program. More recently a majority of the bulls have been developed and marketed in a cooperative arrangement with Langford Herefords in Oklahoma. Perks Ranch also sells females private treaty and welcome visitors to come by anytime to view the operation.

The foundation of the Hereford cowherd at Perks Ranch traces back to the great Northern Pump Cattle Co. dispersion sale at McHenry, Ill. in 1978. Doug purchased 20 females in this landmark sale, which lead to the formation of the Perks Ranch registered cow herd. From that point forward, the complexion of the cattle division at Perks Ranch has made rapid changes and improvements. Major purchases were also added from the Imig Herefords herd, Lakeside, Neb.. These cows were greatly influenced by the genetics of RB L1 Domino 970. Perks and Imig owned several partnership bulls during the early development of the Perks program; the most noteworthy was SH Advancer 409, a legendary sire of wonderful females. The blood of 409 runs deep in the Perks Ranch herd today, with the majority of the cows tracing back to this great sire.

Several bulls have been used in the Perks Ranch program from the great Cooper Hereford Ranch herd, Willow Creek, Mont. They include CL 1 Domino 905, CL 1 Domino 349, and the most famous would have to be CL 1 Domino 373. This collective group of herd bulls went on to sire many regional and national champions for Perks Ranch. Some highlights include several carload bull and commercial female champions at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, as well as reserve champion bull at the American Royal in 1997.

In 1997, the nucleus of the Perks Ranch Red Angus program emerged through select purchases of females from Von Forell’s foundation cow herd. The strong maternal genetic base of these cows combined with the power of RBJR Advance A709 has proven to be a successful combination in the Red Angus industry and was followed with several years of success within the business. These years were highlighted by being named premier exhibitor at various shows as well as winning several grand and reserve grand champions.

Perks Ranch has always taken pride in selecting top quality bulls. In 1998, Polled influence was added to the herd with the purchase of S&S Kodiac 6G from Schutte and Sons, Guide Rock, NE. In 2005, GH Rambo 279R was purchased from Hirsche Herefords, Alberta, Canada, who was then named Canadian National Champion at Farm Fair in 2006. Then in 2006, LaGrand Reload 80P was purchased from LaGrand Herefords, Freeman, S.D., who was then named national champion at the 2007 National Western Stock Show.

In December 2009, Perks Ranch was looking to expand their genetic pool by finding a good- sized group of females from one program with consistently proven backgrounds and quality. A select group of weaned heifers was then purchased from Topp Herefords, Grace City, N.D. These heifers are now in production and have proven to be a great addition to the herd.

With a serious analysis of the cattle industry and a continued commitment to raising the best beef possible, the ranch made a strategic decision to consolidate operations to one beef breed. Therefore, in June 2010 the ranch dispersed their Red Angus herd and is now focusing all their resources on producing top Hereford cattle.

• To be recognized as a leading source of genetics for the beef cattle industry, by utilizing all available practical, scientific and genetic knowledge.
• To foster a progressive environment of education and knowledge in a family environment.
• To operate the ranch with quality personnel in a practical manner with all equipment and facilities in good order.
• Customer acceptance, personal satisfaction and PROFIT are measures of success for Perks Ranch.

Members of Perks Ranch are involved in many cattle and civic organizations. Doug Perks served on the American Hereford Association board of directors and is active with the Hereford Youth Foundation of America board. He also serves on the newly formed board for GiGi’s Play House in Rockford, which is a Down Syndrome awareness center. He and his wife Mary have four children; Wade, Anna, TJ and Shannon.

Doug’s son, Wade, has an animal science degree from Oklahoma State University and a certificate in ranch management from Texas Christian University. He works with Dan Cox & Associates in Lewisville, Texas. Wade has served on the National Junior Hereford Association board of directors and served as their president. He is active with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Texas Hereford Association. In addition, Wade serves on the auction and international committees for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. On Sept. 4, 2010, Wade married Brie Whitehead of San Angelo, Texas and they reside in Fort Worth.

Tom and Tammy Boatman joined Perks Ranch as managers in June 2011. Tom is originally from Alabama and Tammy from Kansas. Tammy holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science for Kansas State University. They were managers at JWR Land & Cattle Company in Georgia for 8 years prior to joining Perks Ranch, and have been very active in the Hereford breed. Tom and Tammy have twins, Kade and Kendall.

Steve Koelm, a former rough stock rider, and a Southern Illinois University ag. business graduate, joined Perks Ranch as herdsman in 2009. In his spare time he does leather work and announces at several rodeos.