The American Simmental Association (ASA) recently honored the Brunner family’s Cow Camp Ranch, Lost Sprigs, Kansas, with the World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation (WSFF) Golden Book Award, the Association’s highest honor. Selected by the ASA Board of Trustees, recipients of this award are lifelong promoters of the Simmental breed. The Brunner family was recognized during ASA’s Fall Focus event, on Saturday, August 24, in Amarillo, Texas.
Cow Camp Ranch has been a leader in the Simmental breed and larger beef industry for over 50 years. Located on the western edge of the Flint Hills near Lost Springs, Kansas, brothers Kent, Tracy, and Mark have built a comprehensive beef cattle business, encompassing the cow-calf and feedlot sectors. Today the operation also includes their sons, Nolan, Bryant, and Tanner. Cow Camp Ranch was an early adopter of Simmental genetics, with membership number 003790.
The cow herd consists of 800 registered Simmental, SimAngus, and Angus cows that are run year-round on the native Kansas grassland. Cow Camp Ranch markets about 250 bulls each year, with the majority being sold through an annual spring bull sale the first Friday in February. A select group of females is also marketed. The Brunner family also owns and operates a 9,000-head commercial feedyard, where around 18,000 head are fed to finish each year.
The Brunner family has long championed the benefits of crossbreeding, and maintained a commitment to data collection and science. Through their seedstock program, Cow Camp Ranch markets bulls to seedstock and commercial producers across the country, and their CCR prefix is seen in many influential pedigrees. They have participated in many ASA programs, leading the way in data collection and utilization. Customer service has also remained a top priority, and Cow Camp Ranch assists their customers through a feedlot buyback program. The feedlot business, and collaboration with bull customers, allows the Brunner family to capture valuable carcass data.
The multi-generation family business has maintained a commitment to moving the beef industry forward using tried and true management practices and forward-thinking tools rooted in science.
Founded in 1968, the American Simmental Association is headquartered in Bozeman, MT. ASA is committed to leveraging technology, education, and collaboration to accelerate genetic profitability for the beef industry. In keeping with its commitment, ASA, along with its partners, formed International Genetic Solutions — the world’s largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Learn more at www.simmental.org and internationalgeneticsolutions.com.
