The Lonely Valley operation focuses on performance and thickness while working to provide reliable genetics to commercial producers and quality bred replacement females to their fellow seedstock producers . continued from page 51
“ They bred purebred Limousin bulls to the commercial cows they had to develop a herd of Lim-Flex females ,” Chad recalled . “ Rather than going out to buy the registered purebred stock at the beginning , they took the time to grow their registered herds year by year .”
Nearly 40 years later , those original cowherds have grown into a nearly 600-head set of registered cows including Limousin , Lim-Flex and Angus genetics .
While many things have changed at Lonely Valley over the years , the Settje ’ s commitment to both quality and customer satisfaction has remained steadfast . In 2020 , 90 % of bulls sold were to repeat customers .
The primary goal of the Lonely Valley program is to develop and sell functional Limousin bulls to the commercial cow / calf industry .
“ We focus on performance and thickness ... we want to provide reliable genetics to the commercial producer ,” Chad Settje said . “ Back in the ‘ 90s , the breed was growing steadily . As a breed , we ’ ve
“ We focus on performance and thickness ... we want to provide reliable genetics to the commercial producer ,” Chad Settje said .
seen a decrease in registrations , and it ’ s important to remember that commercial acceptance of the Limousin breed is an important aspect to breed growth .”
The 30th Annual Keepin ’ Kind Bull Sale is coming up this February , which will mark 38 years of the Settje ’ s involvement in the Limousin breed .
As for the females , the Settjes raise and market 60-70 bred replacement heifers , many of which are consigned to various Limousin sales and marketed in Lonley Valley online sales throughout the year .
Chad followed in Dean ’ s footsteps serving as a member of the North American Limousin Foundation board of directors including a term as president , and says Limousin genetics will always have a place in the Lonely Valley pastures .
“ When you grow up surrounded by something you ’ re passionate about , it stays in your blood . That ’ s what the Limousin breed has been for me ,” Chad stated . “ The cattle are as good as any out there , and the people involved in the breed set it apart .”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Peyton Haley , from Perry , Oklahoma , graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2019 and is currently pursuing a master ’ s degree in agricultural communications at OSU . She grew up in the Limousin breed and served as the Oklahoma Junior Limousin Association President .
52 • OCTOBER 2020
Stan Settje and his sons established the Lonely Valley program in 1981 . Limousin bulls were purchased to use on commerical Angus in 1983 with registered Limousin females being added to the operation soon after .