Welcome to the
DBL D BAR RANCH
Owners: Doyle & Dorothy Sanders
Location: Industry, Texas
The Dbl D Bar Ranch is a thriving beacon of innovation and tradition in the cattle industry. Founded in 1997, our ranch spans 250 picturesque acres, where we proudly raise top-quality Beefmasters selected for their outstanding economic traits.
BEEFMASTERS GROWTH IN EUROPE
Beefmasters In Thailand
At Dbl D Bar Ranch, our success in introducing Beefmasters to Thailand has sparked a wave of research into emerging beef markets worldwide. This groundbreaking initiative inspired us to lead a BBU team in reviewing potential target countries for expanding the presence of Beefmasters.
Beefmastes and The USLGE
With the support of USLGE’s Mike Phillips, we gained invaluable connections through Ag Attache contacts in Poland and Rome. These contacts allowed us to present our vision for local beef improvement, garnering interest from breeders eager to enhance their herds with our genetic offerings.
International Expansion
Interest from breeders in Italy and Poland has resulted in significant genetic commitments, marking a pivotal step in our international expansion. Collaborating with Dr. Charles Looney of Ovagenix, we identified opportunities for EU-qualified embryo transfer, paving the way for further growth.
Our First EU Shipment
In 2015, we celebrated our first shipment to Italy, which yielded the first calves in 2016. Since then, our reach has extended to include follow-on genetic shipments to breeders across Poland, Portugal, Spain, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
BEEFMASTERS EUROPA
While the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted our planned progress in countries such as Bulgaria, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Morocco, we are excited to report that these initiatives are now back on track. At Dbl D Bar Ranch, we remain committed to our mission of advancing the Beefmaster breed on a global scale, helping to elevate the beef industry and foster relationships around the world, by providing education about purebred certified genetics and the importance of improving quality and performance at Beefmasters Europa.
WHY BEEFMASTERS FOR EUROPE?
Advantages of Beefmasters
Beefmasters present significant advantages for European breeders, including proven feed efficiency that lowers production costs and enhances profitability. Their five-way cross of three Bos Indicus and two Bos Taurus ensures exceptional heterosis, improving growth, adaptability, and resilience.
Additionally, Beefmasters demonstrate remarkable fertility, typically calving for the first time by their second birthday and maintaining a consistent rate of one calf per year. This combination of efficiency, genetic diversity, and reproductive performance makes Beefmasters an ideal choice for cattle producers looking to boost herd quality and economic returns.
Ideally Suits EU Sustainability Goals
- Moderate Size for Maternal Maintenance
- Fast Weight Gain
- Carcass Yield and Grading
- Early Harvest at Optimum Weight
- Docility and Hardiness
- Proven EPDs and Genomics for Selection
BEEFMASTER AND EU DAIRY CONNECTIONS
EU Restrictions
Both Beefmaster and EU dairy cows are subject to stringent EU restrictions that govern breeding stock types for product certifications, ensuring optimal genetic quality and compliance with health standards.
These regional restrictions significantly impact purebred production, influencing recipient animals and crossbreeding practices to maintain the integrity of each breed. Additionally, the EU mandates the use of passports for seasonal animal movements, which are crucial for tracking livestock and mitigating the risks associated with diseases and parasites. These regulations collectively enhance animal health management and promote best practices within the beef and dairy industries.
Dairy Willingness to Implant Embryos for Milk Production
The connections between Beefmaster and EU Dairy Operations reveal a strong commitment to advanced reproductive technologies, particularly embryo implantation for milk production.
EU breeders have increasingly turned to dairy recipients with minimal restrictions, benefiting from trained and experienced embryo transfer (ET) technicians that achieve high pregnancy rates. Additionally, a focus on adequate foraging and regular grain feeding ensures optimal nutrition during calving, leading to healthier calves and improved milk yields in both Beefmaster and EU dairy herds.
Beefmaster Calves Impressed Dairy Operators for Beef on Dairy Breeds
- Calving Ease with Moderate Size Calves at <85# an Attractive Benefit For First Calf Heifers.
- Fast Weight Gain and Muscling Appealed to Dairies.
- Easy Weaning by 2 Months of Age was attractive
EUROPEAN DAIRY CONCERNS
dairy calf management
Focuses on reducing stress during calving to enhance productivity, with cows that are milked three times daily.
To maximize milk output, calving is typically scheduled in the morning, enabling production by the afternoon. There’s an increasing demand for disease and parasite tolerance in calves, as dairies face a 20% annual replacement rate, with 80% of calves not retained and quickly removed from the herd. Consistent grain rations, alongside limited forage, ensure reliable milk quality essential for cheese production. Moreover, many dairies are shifting toward pulling procedures rather than natural birthing methods to minimize production losses and improve efficiency.
dairy REPRODUCTION PRACTICES
Evolved significantly, with all EU breeders increasingly favoring dairy recipients due to minimal restrictions in breeding protocols.
This shift has been bolstered by the adoption of trained and experienced embryo transfer (ET) technician protocols, which have resulted in high pregnancy rates among the herds. Additionally, the focus on consistent grain feeding, coupled with a lack of foraging, ensures that dairy cows receive optimal nutrition during calving, promoting healthier calves and enhancing overall productivity in the dairy industry.
DAIRY CALVING PRACTICES
Prioritize the health and nutrition of newborn calves to support their optimal development.
Immediately after birth, calves do not nurse from their mothers but are instead given high concentrations of colostrum to provide essential immunities. This is followed by a structured transition from bottle feeding to self-feeding, incorporating milk powder and a full grain ration. Nursery feeding introduces grain and mineral supplements to further promote growth. Developmental strategies are tailored by breed, considering factors like muscling and environment. Weight gain is closely monitored against individual dairy targets, ensuring that calves meet specific growth goals for either milk production or beef.
WHY EUROPEANS USE BEEFMASTER ON DAIRY
- Moderate-Sized Calves With Rapid Weight Gain
- Semen Demonstrates Strong Fertility Success For Artificial Insemination (AI)
- Proven Heterosis Potential From Italian Research and Progeny Performance
- Feed Efficiency Validated By USDA/MARC Testing and Feedlot Performance
- Sustainable Pasture Foraging Performance Backed By Practical Experience
- Notable Muscle Development Shown Across Various Regions
- Adaptability and Disease Tolerance Proven In Multiple Harsh Environments
- Consistent Carcass Quality, Including Fat Content, Marbling, Yield, and Ribeye Area (REA)
About 25,000 Straws of Beefmaster Semen in use to date in Europe
EUROPEAN Commitment to Beefmaster Genomics and EPDs
Recognizing the Unique Expectations of Beefmasters
BBU focuses on genomics to enhance terminal, maternal, and feed efficiency potentials. The breed rankings provided by genomic indices assist in effective selection management. Additionally, EPD rankings are beneficial for selecting traits that align with grass and grain forage priorities. In the case of Beef on Dairy, the emphasis is typically on terminal traits.
For Dairy Concern
In dairy settings, birth weight (BW) is not a major concern, while weaning weight (WW) and yearling weight (YW) serve as key targets with a low priority for dairy operations.
Additionally, maternal traits such as milkability and reproductive performance are generally not emphasized. However, ribeye area (REA) and marbling are recognized for their monetary value in calf quality.
FOR DAIRY FEED LOTS
In feedlot scenarios, weight gain EPDs from weaning to yearling provide meaningful insights for selection and timing of harvest. Feed efficiency genomics play a crucial role in maximizing productivity.
Furthermore, Beefmaster calves in Europe have demonstrated notable traits such as docility, disease tolerance, and hardiness, making them well-suited for this environment.
BEEFMASTERS IMPROVE DAIRY REVENUE
BEEFMASTERS BULLs
Proven Sustainability:
- USDA Confirmed Top Feed Efficient Beef Breed
- Scientific Research Confirmed Highest Heterosis Potential
- Strong Fertility, Adaptability, Hardiness, Docility, Muscling
Proven Profitability:
- Faster Weight Gain = Early Harvest
- Improved Carcass Yield = More Meat
- Improved Beef Quality = Marbling and Grade Scores Add Pricing
PROVEN SUSTAINABILITY
The Dbl D Bar Ranch Bulls are among the Beefmaster Breed Leaders in providing the economic traits and benefits that are being required in the future of cattle breeding for both beef and dairy applications.
This sustainability has been proven with our breeders in Europe using our bloodlines and improving performance. Scientific testing has also confirmed these facts that are accepted by feedlots and commercial breeders using these unique genetics:
TOP FEED EFFICIENCY BEEF BREED
- USDA”s Meat Animal Research Center confirmed Beefmasters as the top feed efficient beef breed.
- Scientific research at a leading Italian Animal Science University confirmed Beefmasters provide the highest heterosis (Hybrid Vigor) potential for bovines.
- Strong Fertility, Adaptability, Hardiness, Docility, Muscling, Carcass Merit, and Weight Gains are known in feed lots for faster harvest with high yields.
FEED EFFICIENCY TESTING
USDA-Meat Animal Research Center Test 2017- Clay Center, Nebraska 5,606 head Beefmasters consistently led 18 US Beef Breeds for both Steers and Heifers in Average Daily Gain.
Base Line Data Comparison: Popular US “Beef on Dairy” Breeds vs Angus.
PROVEN PROFITABILITY
Demonstrate high ranking EPDs and Genomic Indicators for Terminal, Maternal, and Feed Efficiency Rankings. While we have focused on strong genetic EPDs to value our herd performance and individual replacements in our main herd, these benefits help improve any herd’s overall performance toward profitability. While $ / pound is key to selling terminal livestock for beef, there are other benefits to the bottom line such as Fertility, Disease Tolerance, Calf-Hood Mortality, Feedlot Mortality, and Higher Value Seed-Stock Sales that cut costs and increase revenue.
BEEF PRODUCTION BENEFITS
Our bulls have consistently demonstrated these value traits in the USA, and overseas. For beef producers, these traits are especially apparent for the following:
- Faster Weight Gain = Early Harvest
- Improved Carcass Yield = More Meat
- Improved Beef Quality = Marbling and Grade Scores Add Pricing
BEEFMASTER HETEROSIS TOP HYBRID VIGOR FOR BOVINE CROSS BREEDING
Heterosis improves the traits provided by mating parents from different purebred breeds:
Italian Animal Scientists select Beefmasters as the highest hybrid heterosis potential of any breed worldwide in 2017.
- University of Bologna won national award for scientific research in confirming the unique hybrid breed founded as 5 way cross with 3 Bos Indicus sire breeds & 2 Bos Taurus cow breeds.
- Peer reviewed studies based on Lasater Cattle Raising Philosophy, Texas A&M’s Ranch to Rail studies, and other statistical research evaluations.
US commercial cattlemen confirm weaned Beefmaster crosses weigh 75 to 100 lbs more at weaning than other beef breed crosses.
Heterosis with dairy cattle will improve weight gains, faster harvest, feed cost savings, carcass yields and scores, flavor and tenderness, and more muscle for carcass pricing values.
Proven Beefmaster on dairy Beef Quality
Beefmaster Sire x Jersey Milk Cow Steer
- Harvest Live Weight: 1200 #
- Age: 14 Months + 2 Days Grass and Grain Supplement Fed
- DBL D BAR Ranch - Industry, Texas – Spring 2025
Meat Experts Confirmed: US Prime Beef- Marbling and Yield Grade
Beefmaster Evaluation & Assurance Tools
EPD tools are essential for evaluating the maternal and terminal values of individual animal traits. They predict probable birth, weaning, and yearling weights, aiding in the assessment of terminal timing for harvest. Additionally, EPDs provide expectations for carcass data, including ribeye area and marbling, while genomic indices highlight the economic value of an animal for seedstock or beef slaughter as well as feed efficiency. BBU offers rankings of an animal’s EPDs within its extensive international database. Furthermore, the Certified Semen Service (CSS) guarantees that bulls are free from hereditary diseases, an assurance that is crucial for buyers and necessary for export to foreign countries with USDA endorsement.
* BBU Beefmaster Breeders United and NEOGEN Igenity Cattle Genomics
