T
by Amanda Radke
he excitement for the Limousin breed was palpable at Glenn
Treftz’s annual bull sale, where repeat buyers and new Limousin
enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada gathered.
Held at the Treftz Limousin ranch near Wetonka, South Dakota,
cattlemen and women appraised the bulls in the lots before the
auction began.
Treftz’s well-known slogan, “Where muscle still matters,” was evident
in the soggy, heavy-muscled, powerful and docile set of bulls offered
on the sale, and the auction results proved that commercial buyers
are seeking exactly what Treftz has worked a lifetime to achieve—
real deal Limousin that will complement the predominantly Angus
commercial cowherd in the countryside. Auction results from the
2020 Treftz Limousin Annual Production Sale included an impressive
average of $4,206 on 63 lots of bulls, open and bred heifers.
“Limousin muscle is in vogue again, and it’s really exciting to
see,” said Treftz. “I’m listening to my customers and responding to
what they want, and what they are telling me is they want the heavy
muscling that our breed has to offer.”
Treftz said his bull sale has become a big reunion of sorts, and he
enjoys spending time on the phone with his customers, who have
become great friends over the years. In addition to visiting with his
customers about breeding and calving season, Treftz also helps many of
his clients register new calves on NALF’s Digital Beef, and he also offers
free semen on any bull in his battery to breed new heifer purchases.
“I’m seeing the younger generation becoming more and more
interested in the Limousin breed,” said Treftz. “Some of these older
producers maybe had a bad experience with disposition way back
in the day, and they don’t want to give the breed another chance.
Yet, these younger ones are tired of the same old Angus on Angus on
Angus, and they are realizing the Limousin breed is the perfect cross
to add some hybrid vigor and growth to their calves. They are willing
to take a chance, but it requires some education on our part.”
A huge promoter of the breed, Treftz is passionate about Limousin
cattle and sharing his story on his website as well as Facebook.
An active leader and voice for Limousin cattle, Treftz served nine
years on the South Dakota Limousin Association (SDLA) board, with
four years as the SDLA president. He also served for six years on the
Heartland Limousin Association (HLA) board, and he was recently
recognized for his leadership efforts at the Symens Brothers Limousin
Sale in Amherst, where HLA Executive Secretary Dean Summerbell
presented him with a plaque for his time and dedication.
Treftz is a first-generation Limousin breeder. He purchased his first
bull and 13 three-eighths-blood Limousin cows in 1983.
“It took a job in town for 27 years to help support ‘my hobby,’”
said Treftz. “In 2013, I figured this hobby needs to sustain itself. I
never dreamt when I bought that first bull that I would be a full-time
seedstock producer.”
Treftz recalled his start in the breed and said, “When we brought
that first Limousin bull home and put him in the pen with those
traditional Angus and Hereford bulls we had been using on our
commercial cows, he did look pretty exotic. He was like a whole
different animal species. But those first calves were an amazing cross;
they were everything I had hoped they would be. I’ve been hooked on
the breed ever since.”
continued on page 30
Limousin pairs graze on pasture at Treftz Limousin near Wekonda, SD.