For more than 50 years, the Coverdale family has raised award-winning Angus cattle in central Indiana at their family ranch, Coverdale Angus. Bob Coverdale and his father, Marvin, began using Angus bulls on their small herd of crossbred cattle in 1958 and were soon impressed by the Angus genetics, which resulted in higher prices for their finished cattle.
In 1962, Bob purchased his first registered Angus females, and in 1965, he became a lifetime member of the American Angus Association. He slowly built an Angus herd throughout the 1960s, keeping the Angus separate from the commercial cattle.
See more: Indiana U-Pick Lavender Farms Cultivate Calm and Welcome Visitors
“They tried every different breed you could for the commercial herd to get heterosis, which is the advantage you are supposed to get from crossbreeding,” says Clint Coverdale, Bob’s grandson. “The goal with heterosis is to get higher growth by bringing the benefits of each breed.”
The Angus herd was raised and shown by Bob’s son, Ron.
“They started keeping track of the birth weights, weaning weights and yearling weights on the purebred herd,” Clint explains. “In comparing the purebred cattle to the crossbred cattle, the purebred cattle were performing just as well if not better. And when you coupled that with the Angus’ superior maternal abilities, it made it a pretty easy decision to switch over to strictly purebred and run all registered cattle.”
Generations of Good Genes
Today, three generations work together to run Coverdale Angus in Madison County. Ron’s sons, Clint and Garrett, joined the family business, raising and selling purebred Angus heifers and bulls to other breeders and producers, as well as selling show heifers and steers to youngsters involved in 4-H and Junior Angus exhibitions. Males not designated for breeding become steers for the Coverdale freezer beef program.
“Dad started the freezer beef when he was in high school, but it’s something we’ve really expanded since COVID-19,” Clint says. “We always say the only good thing that came out of COVID was that people realized the value of having their food supply locked in and knowing where their food came from. Our freezer beef continues to grow every year.”
Customers can order wholes, halves or quarters, or they can purchase retail cuts at Gatewood’s Vegetable Farm & Greenhouses or Mercantile 37, both located in Noblesville.
All Coverdale Angus cattle are raised on pasture in summer.
“In the winter, they get hay we’ve made along with shucklage, a combination of corn grain and shucks that’s a byproduct of seed corn processing,” Clint says.
The freezer beef cattle are also fed corn, which the Coverdales raise as well.
“To run everything, we just kind of fell into our roles pretty naturally,” Clint says.
Ron oversees the entire operation, handles most of the bookwork and directs grain production while Clint and Garrett handle the day-to-day at Coverdale Angus. Clint utilizes his degree in animal science from Purdue University to manage herd health and the breeding programs along with the freezer beef program. Garrett keeps the cattle fed, including making feed daily and overseeing all the equipment.
“Grandpa has scaled back a little,” Clint says. “He turned 90 this year, but he still does the spraying, mowing and other things that take a lot of time.”
See more: Brent Risner Farms With the Flow Focusing on Conservation Practices to Protect the Yellow River
Breeding for the Best
For the highest quality genetics, the Coverdales utilize both artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs.
“Through artificial insemination, we can use any bull we want from across the country as long as we can get the semen shipped here,” Clint says. “The same with embryo transfer. We can buy genetics from anywhere without having to buy that cow and the same thing with our herd. If we have a cow that’s really a standout, we can provide those genetics to other producers.”
Those quality genetics have produced many prize-winning animals at Coverdale Angus. All three generations were heavily involved in 4-H cattle showmanship as youth. Ron, Clint and Garrett also participated in several Indiana Junior Angus Association events.
Coverdale Angus cattle have won numerous awards over the years, including Grand Champion Bull at the Indiana Open Angus Preview and the Indiana State Fair, plus top honors at the Indiana Junior Angus Preview and other shows.
Coverdale Angus received Historic Herd Awards from both the American Angus Association and the Indiana Angus Association. The award recognizes Angus breeders who have been in continuous production of Angus cattle for 50 years or more. The family received the award while hosting a stop on the National Angus Tour.
“What we do is really challenging,” says Clint, noting the award is a testament to perseverance. “It takes a lot of time, and there are hard days, but to do it consistently for so long at a high level, we feel, and be recognized for that means a lot. It’s a pretty special thing.”
To learn more about Coverdale Angus, visit coverdaleangus.com.
See more: LT Farm Meats Focuses on Stewardship, Community and Quality
nice information thanks!