REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Ranch cattle that work in many settings without following trends are important at Copeland & Sons Herefords. This mindset makes their genetics sought after by other ranchers, breeders and showmen.

Copeland & Sons Herefords in Nara Visa, New Mexico, is participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.

This segment in the series looks at how the Copelands market their bulls, heifers and show cattle to others across the country.

RAISING THE RIGHT GENETICS

The Copelands have continued to follow the path set by their ancestors regarding not following extremes or trends but raising cattle that work in their New Mexican environment and will work for their customers.

Through the years they have developed two separate herds of Herefords -- a commercial herd and a registered herd, as well as a small herd of Maine-Anjou influence cattle for their club calf customers. All cows are run the same, with no special treatment. "No one gets pampered around here. It's survival of the fittest. We run cows on large pastures, and they need to do their job," Matt Copeland said.

Matt and his wife, Alyssa, look at what genetics they can share with others and what they want to keep in their own herd when determining a marketing plan. This plan includes a bull sale in March, and heifer and steer sales in October. Some cattle are sold privately as well.

Being able to show customers how the genetics work in their own herd makes marketing their cattle easier. The Copelands use their own bulls on the commercial cows. "If the genetics work for us, they will work for our customers," Matt added.

Due to large pastures and the elevation of their northeast New Mexico ranch where they can receive extensive rainfall, big snowstorms and a range of temperatures, it is important to raise cattle that can handle it all and stay functional and sound on their feet and legs.

MARKETING PLAN REVIEWED EACH YEAR

"We want to continue to provide the kind of cattle that are sought after by our customers," said Alyssa. "But not lose sight of having the kind of genetics in our own herd that will continue to produce those cattle."

During the Copeland's bull sale each March they will sell about 50 bulls, most Herefords, but they will also sell a few Maine-Anjou bulls. They select bulls for the sale that will work for both purebred and commercial operations. This is an in-person auction, with online bidding capability.

Calves in the club calf herd are sold through online sales in the fall. Some select Herefords are sold this way as well.

While the top end of the heifers in the registered and commercial herds are kept for replacements of their own, the middle cut of heifers from both herds are sold as replacements for other herds.

Exhibiting at regional and national shows across the country helps give other breeders and exhibitors a chance to see their cattle in person if they can't get to the ranch to see them. They sell semen on several bulls for other breeders to use. Rare and valuable semen are only sold on special auctions. Embryos are collected on the very best cows that have the traits necessary to excel in the Copeland herd and New Mexico weather conditions. These embryos are sold privately and through select sales throughout the year, according to Alyssa.

Balancing all the needed traits to work for the Copelands on their ranch helps make those same beef genetics work for their customers from across the country.

Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to:

-- "New Mexico Ranch Shares View From Range," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- "Copeland & Sons Herefords Raise Cattle to Provide for Family, Customers, Environment," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- "New Mexico Ranch Relies on Cows With Good Mothering Ability," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- "New Mexico Ranchers Have Recorded Performance Data to Measure Herd's Progress," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- "New Mexico Ranch Branding Tradition Unites Generations," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

--"New Mexico Ranchers Strategically Breed Cows to Advance Herd," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

--"New Mexico Ranch Sets Cattle Health Program for Optimal Herd Performance," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

--"New Mexico Ranch Reveals Effective Pasture, Range Management Techniques," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

--"New Mexico Ranch Family Legacy Continues in the Showring," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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