It is the little things that can make a difference and at Rausch Herefords they make a difference right from the cattle they raise to the family hospitality and friendships they make.

The family

To some the size of the Rausch family may seem to go on forever, but that’s because so many of them are involved in raising Hereford cattle at Rausch Herefords. William Rausch’s family consisted of 10 children of which five sons, Gene, Duane, Harlan, Vern and Jerry grew up in the ranching business and there wasn’t much question what their future would hold – it was to raise Herefords on their north central South Dakota ranch. But interestingly, the early generation has carried that enthusiasm and love for raising cattle and farming the land on to the extensive third and fourth generations, a feat that is not easy in agriculture today.

Gene lost his life in the Korean war and Duane passed away nine years ago, but the remaining three brothers along with Duane’s sons (Rick and Gary) and two of Vern’s sons (Shannon and Joel) are the core group in the operation today — four of the seven of the core group are South Dakota State University graduates. These seven men lead the daily efforts around Rausch Herefords, but there is an influence of the entire extended family seen throughout the ranching operation as well.

“This is a family operation and we all help where we are needed,” says Jerry.

“No matter if the ideas come from young or older family members all ideas are given thoughts by the others, some may get amended before implemented but it is a team approach,” says Harlan.

The family is extensive enough that the family members represent many of the occupations found in a typical small South Dakota town including farmers, accountants, lawyers, computer programmers, mechanics, teachers, meat salesmen, doctors and the list goes on. All of these family members play a role in making Rausch Herefords what it is today. For example, on sale day the full team is back in Hoven, filling duties such as clerking the sale, setting up panels, parking cars, serving lunch or whatever duty is needed. In total, 18 family members have cattle on ownership at the ranch.

Family gatherings such as baptisms, family reunions and graduations bring most of the group back together but the seven core members are responsible for carrying out the main activities that keep the ranch thriving and thus communication is essential. The management team meets regularly in what they refer to as ‘bull pen sessions’ to sort out the daily, weekly or year long goals of the operation.

In order to make an operation of this size work, “you must share the same vision,” says Gary.

Shannon sums up the family involvement as, “we all have a commitment to God, family, cattle and our customers. That’s what makes it work.”

Joel refers to sale day as “a long day, but not long enough”. With all the work to be done it can be a long, tiring day, but trying to visit with repeat customers, other family members and friends, its just not a long enough day, he describes.

The family is bound together by information, work and interest concludes Shannon.

Enduring the times is what Rausch Herefords has done and where they have demonstrated their success. Each decade has brought different cultures and challenges in the industry. Vern describes the times during the ’50s and ’60s, when customers came three weeks ahead of the sale to look at the cattle, then again the week before the sale and again early on sale day. But today with all the technologies at hand, customers come five minutes before the sale, with their animals picked out and performance data already analyzed.

Jerry reiterates the changing marketplace in the more recent decades, describing the roaring times for Herefords in the ’70s, the loss of market share in the ’80s due to the Continental influence and the leveling off years in the ’90s. However, from 2000 till now, Rausch’s have witnessed a gradual increase in market share.

Marketing changes have also occurred over these decades. The Rausch family now sees many of their bulls sold to black cow herds when just three decades ago most all bulls were sold back into Hereford cow herds. “Customers are seeking that hybrid vigor, and this is what we can offer as they cross a Hereford bull with their black cowherd,” says Rick.

The family sells 100 bulls and 200 heifers in their annual spring sale the third Monday in February.

The honors

One of this Hereford family’s greatest honors has been their continuous dominance in the AHA’s Dam of Distinction program. A program where cows must have produced at least three calves, meeting breeding interval and performance criteria and produce progeny with a 205-day adjusted weaning weight ratio of at least 105.

Rausch Herefords has had more Hereford cows named to this esteemed listing of maternal matriarchs than any other breeder in the past 25 years. In 2007, they topped the list with 70 cows. Just how does a Hereford breeder accomplish this? The Rausch team speaks humbly on how they have reached this milestone and say that it just has to do with the basics.

The cow herd breeding program is all natural with no artificial insemination incorporated and designed to be in sync with nature describes the family team. This system compliments the fertility of the cow they believe. “The two-year-old heifers are bred timely and in the right condition,” says Jerry and Rick adds that “The selection for maternal traits in the overall program has also added to this success.”

The cow herd is managed similar to that of a commercial cow herd and selection pressures omit cattle that are outliers in any one trait. Bull selection is also important as the bloodlines are studied extensively, considering visual as well as performance and EPD parameters that will fit what the Rausch cowherd needs at the time.

“We have to consider EPDs because we have to keep our customers in mind and EPDs are important to our customers,” says Jerry.

The family was also most recently the recipient of the 2007 South Dakota Seedstock Producer of the Year award. Their involvement in state and national associations have been all inclusive and to list all their leadership and volunteer roles would be nearly endless.

The future

With more than 50 years of beef cattle production under their belt, what does an operation like Rausch Herefords think about the future?

The Rausches have proven to take on new challenges and industry changes as fast or faster than many operations. They were the first Hereford breeders to incorporate video auction viewing of their bull sale. The online coverage provided by DVAuction allowed bull and female buyers unable to attend the sale to bid and view the sale from home.

“We’ve had great response to the online viewing and it hasn’t hurt our crowd at all,” says Vern. “We need to keep the customer in mind and provide them with options that work for them as well.”

In 2007 they joined in the “Mile High Sale” held in conjunction with the Denver National Western Stock Show with a pick of their female herd and have consigned the 2008 sale with that same option. This was a new marketing  tool for the family.

Rick is optimistic in his future view. “I’d predict the return of cross breeding to increase productivity in the industry, this return will enhance the value of Herefords and stimulate growth of the breed.”

“The Hereford breed has gone through lots of changes in the last 20 years. The fertility, temperament, hardiness and just easy for our young family members to be around kind of cattle – that’s why we have not gone away from Herefords,” says Jerry.

Making the difference with strong family values and commitment, outstanding breeding herd goals and successes and a sharp eye for the future demonstrate the depth of the Rausch program and the future potential for the family. The family speaks often of being blessed with good neighbors, a great community, strong faith and a love for Hereford cattle.

“Little things are what make big things happen, says Vern. Staying focused and perseverance leads to one’s ability to achieve goals.”

visits since 12/23/2007.