ABout BluffSide Angus
Maternal Excellence. Dependable Performance. Bluffside Difference.
We are a purebred Angus seedstock operation rooted 5 generations deep in diversified agriculture here in east central Nebraska. Our focus is to offer highly functional genetics selected for maternal excellence and dependable performance at our annual private treaty production sale in February
Bluffside Angus was started and is owned and managed by me, Mandi Neujahr, DVM, of Osceola, Nebraska. It operates alongside my parents’ diversified farming and commercial angus/simangus cattle operation which has been rooted in east central Nebraska for 5 generations. Coming from a multi-generational commercial operation is one of the greatest assets to what is now Bluffside Angus. Understanding the strict requirements it takes for a cow to succeed for commercial producers, I felt it was imperative to found my seedstock operation on values and practices that make commercial customers successful. We offer our carefully and rigorously-selected genetics in our annual private treaty production sale on the last Sunday in February at our operation near Silver Creek, Nebraska.
With firsthand knowledge of the disappointment and financial implications of cattle that don’t perform, I set out to build a herd based on the observation that maternal function is essential for a successful and profitable commercial herd. Each year, I religiously develop the registered herd through disciplined selection principles based on production history/fertility, phenotype, structural correctness, udder quality, and fleshing ability while striving to balance these foundational maternal traits with the performance needed to produce profitable calf crops with the performance that buyers desire. We know the calf crop needs to gain efficiently for their feeders. We strive to produce cattle that can work for various operations and their marketing strategies. For our operation, this means we strive to produce females that raise high quality calves for many years and calf crops that start with vigor, stay healthy, and put on pounds at the bunk. With our farm to table business, we receive excellent feedback on the end product our genetics produce. We emphasize phenotype and eye appeal.
As a first-generation seedstock operation, we utilized purchased embryos as a means to introduce the desired genetics to the program quickly. This allowed us to bring some genetics into the herd that would otherwise be completely unattainable. As a result, we truly have some genetic gems in our herd. Although we are a first-generation seedstock operation, we have committed to providing top-notch genetics. We have also placed significant focus on having some different and outcross genetics and building our own cattle and brand. Some embryos were even introduced into the family commercial herd as a means to re-build a powerful base of cows. A significant focus while building our herd has been investing in proven genetics from the start.
Today, the registered herd runs with the family's commercial herd and the registered herd will always be run in the same manner as commercial cows. Running the herds together makes it easy to make selection of registered stock that are relevant to the commercial producers around us by holding them to the same standards as our own commercial stock.
The “Bluffside Difference” starts with our cows…
…and is defined by our commitment, discipline, and management
Learn more about our herd management…
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We have utilized some of the legendary female-making sires in the breed and invested in genetics from some of the most influential cows in the breed. Our cow herd is built from proven cow families and culled for productivity in order to build a genetic base suited to environment here in Nebraska. We select our cows on real-world performance, not what their EPDs say they should be.
We stay the course with the traits that made Angus cows great and have worked for us over the years. We utilize AI and purchased embryos to introduce new genetics and embryos from our own ET program to ensure we preserve and put forward our best genetics.
We take decisions about the genetics we incorporate for ourselves and our customers seriously. We research and travel to see the animals. You will hardly see us using the next hottest sire, but rather sires that have proven their worthiness. We have found this to be effective risk management, which will be passed on to our customers.
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When selecting cattle for your operation, we feel it is important for you to understand where they come from so that you can make an informed decision regarding how they will work for you.
We are located in east central Nebraska, an area where diversified agriculture is prevalent. We may not run in the biggest range country out there, but our cattle are nevertheless expected to perform under the conditions and resources available.
Performance on grass and mineral during the grazing season is what these cattle must achieve in order to remain in the herd; we truly strive to produce cattle who can do their jobs without excess strain on the pocketbook - something that has become even more important in recent times.
Cattle primarily overwinter on cornstalks with supplemental protein and are fed supplemental hay when weather conditions require it.
Maternal abilities are a must during calving, which occurs in the calving pastures and fields outside of prohibitive weather conditions. As such, calf vigor is a very important trait to our operation and, we believe, to the breed.
We breed, select, retain, and market as breeding stock only those animals that have shown suitability to do what we need them to do in this environment. These cattle should work across a variety of environments due to our selection and development.
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Bluffside Angus does not utilize creep feed or feed young breeding stock high-concentrate rations for extreme gains/weights because our goal is to provide you with breeding animals that can last for years without needless soundness or fertility problems. This commitment to our customers comes from experiencing less than satisfactory results with young breeding stock that have been fed too hard. We choose to develop our animals to prevent this from happening when you purchase from us.
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As a veterinarian, a major part of my vision for a seedstock operation was to ensure our health program is to a higher standard, ensuring you buy breeding stock from us - NOT diseases or problem animals.
The foundation herd and all recipient dams have been tested free of Johne's disease, and Johne's surveillance will continue in our herd.
All breeding stock you will buy from us is BVD-PI tested free; don’t risk your hard work and livelihood to animals that aren’t!
We also ensure that any breeding stock sold to you is appropriately vaccinated before you receive them. For breeding bulls, this means a foot rot vaccine, wart vaccine, and pre-breeding vaccine in addition to the typical health program. We focus on what some consider “the little things” because breeding stock are a big investment, and your success matters! I also believe in not marketing animals that had significant health issues earlier in life.
We understand how time-consuming and, at times, challenging it can be to select your genetic investments. We strive to make that easier on you. Above all, we pride ourselves on openness and honesty about our cattle, because we know from experience that the stock you select today will influence your herd for years.
We want you to get the genetics you need. Our service goes beyond sales and the top goal of our private treaty sale is to help you find bulls that suit your goals. Our success relies on your success and we love seeing other cattlemen and women succeed with their herds because this is truly the greatest way of life and business there is!