Located in the heartland of America on the outskirts of
Madison MO, lies Don Thomas and Sons Brangus; one of the most diversified
agribusiness operations in the country. This program ties together several faces
of agriculture consisting of a remarkable registered Brangus cow herd, a
commercial cow/calf program, a 500 head feedlot and a row crop farm.
The
Thomas operation consists of 4600 acres of farming, a 900 head registered
Brangus cow herd, a 175 head commercial cow herd and Thomas Motors, Inc - the largest
full line GM dealer in north central Missouri, located in nearby Moberly. All of
these enterprises began in the 1970's and have remained a family operation to
this date.
One hundred per cent of the Brangus feed is raised on the Thomas farm.
All hay is made from the land and the 4600 acres of farm ground grows corn,
soybeans and milo. The farming commodities are stored and fed to the livestock
and any excess is sold on the cash market.
The Thomas family
understands the importance of records and EPD's. All weights are maintained on
each calf crop and EPD's are used in the selection criteria to the point of
improving production and profitability. The commercial cows are used as a test
herd for new or unproven sire lines from which information can be gained on
calving ease, growth and milk value. From each calf crop the top end of the
commercial Brangus heifers are retained as replacements and the steers are sent
to the feedlot. The feedlot performance shows which genetic lines can gain and
efficiently convert in a feedlot environment and the kill data from these same
steers obivously points the way for improved carcass value and comsumer
acceptance.