Pederson’s Broken Heart Ranch—Red Angus and Quarter Horses 37th Annual Production Sale
Date: Mar. 4, 2015
Location: at the ranch, north of Firesteel, SD
Auctioneers: Lynn Weishaar
Reported by: Dan Piroutek and Scott Dirk
Averages:
97 Red Angus ylg bulls – $5,840
5 Red Angus bred heifers – $5,900
5 Open Red Angus heifers – $4,250
72 Open commercial heifers – $2,306
The sun was shining, but it was very cold. It didn’t dampen the spirits of the huge crowd gathered to bid on Pederson’s Broken Heart Ranch bulls and heifers. This was the best sale that I can remember them having. The interest on the top end was very strong, as was the interest on the calving ease bulls.
The ranch is on rolling plains with native grass pastures in the north central part of South Dakota, 40 miles west of the Missouri River. Broken Heart Ranch is a beautiful place where hard work and customer satisfaction never went out of style.
This past November the family lost their matriarch, Helen Pederson at the age of 96, after 71 years of marriage to Ralph Pederson. It was of special note that it was her idea for Red Angus cattle to come to the Broken Heart Ranch back in 1960. She also had a great love for horse racing, and their quarter horses sell each year at the Dakota Breeders’ Classic Sale in Mobridge, South Dakota
Most of the buyers on the seats were repeat buyers, as this family makes it very easy for customers to become longtime friends. Gary and Sue or Chad and Lisa will answer the phone if you give them a call. They enjoy visiting about cattle. Other family members help out during the busier times of the year.
Top selling bull of the day was shared by three bulls. The first bull in the ring was the “Buyer’s Pick” of either Lot 1 or Lot 2, with the bull not selected to stay at Broken Heart for use in their own herd. Needless to say, Pederson’s liked both of these bulls, and this was a great opportunity for someone.
At $17,000, Otto Red Angus, Grace City, North Dakota, chose Lot 1, BHR Moonshine 408. This heavy-muscled bull was a son of Red SSS Moonshine 391Z, and out of a daughter of Brown Vacation with an MPPA of 103. Born at 84 pounds, he weaned at 764 pounds and posted a yearling weight of 1,384 pounds. His EPDs were CED 2, BW -1.7, WW 69, YW 115, and MILK 20.
Ryan Van Zee, Sioux Center, Iowa, bid $17,000 to own Lot 3. Here was a son of VGW Bases Loaded 166 who was out of a Prince daughter with an MPPA of 105. This performance bull had EPDs of BW 4.1, WW 75, YW 130, MILK 21, MARB 0.34, and REA 0.25. He weaned at 837 pounds to ratio 116, and had a yearling weight of 1,532 pounds to ratio 122.
Repeat buyer, Noel Hendricksen, Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, bought Lot 9 at $17,000. He was by BHR Resistol 296 and out of a daughter of LCC New Chapter with an MPPA of 110. He hit the ground at 83 pounds, weaned at 741 pounds, and grew to a yearling weight of 1,427 pounds.
Lot 4 sold for $12,000 to Bob Redland, Hysham, Mont. Sired by Red SSS Drifter 327W, he had an 80 pound birth weight. He weaned at 753 pounds and reached a yearling weight of 1,453 pounds. His weaning and yearling ratios were 110 and 116. His YW EPD was 128.
Also selling at $12,000 was Lot 12, heading home with Jack Bickel, Firesteel, South Dakota Sired by VGW Bases Loaded 166, he was out of a daughter of New Chapter. Born at 92 pounds, he weaned at 728 pounds before reaching a yearling weight of 1,300 pounds. Complementing the package were EPDs of CED 1, BW 2.3, WW 71, YW 110, MARB 0.56, and REA 0.28.
The interest on the Red Angus females was very competitive. The top selling bred heifer was Lot 104, selling for $7,750 to Barenthsen Red Angus, Powers Lake, North Dakota. This Hector daughter was bred to Feddes Cougar. The top selling open Red Angus heifer, Lot 107, sold for $5,500 to Gus Gran, Winner, South Dakota. Her mother went back to Pie Code Red.
