A long time leader in the cattle industry, Vineyard Cattle Company is proud to introduce a new and exciting era of sound genetics and thorough management. For the past 39 years, VCC has been a leader in the commercial cattle industry and an innovator in genetics and breeding. Vineyard Cattle Co. purchased 13 bred heifers from Dr. Herman Gardner at Willow Springs Ranch in 1972 and started a legacy in the registered Brangus business. 39 years later, the VCC Cow Herd has been established as one of the leading Total Maternal Herds in the Brangus Breed.
Vineyard Cattle Company has been an innovator of productive “new genetics” in that the breeding program maintains a certified ¼ blood, a certified ½ blood, a certified ¾ blood herd as well as a small Brahman and Angus herd of cattle. The ultimate goal of these herds is to produce predictable and consistent first generation 3/8-5/8 Brangus cattle that will expand the gene pool for their customers and the breed. The past several years VCC also added an UltraBlack breeding program to their Brangus genetics. UltraBlacks are the result of mating Registered Brangus and Angus cattle producing a registered 3/16 Brahman – 13/16 Angus animal with less Brahman characteristics.
Leadership
Vineyard Cattle Company was the first breeder to use ultrasound technology to measure rib eye area, IMF, and fat thickness. Dr. Vineyard has discovered his growth producing Brangus are among the thickest cattle in the breed. Thanks to the muscle of Impact, the growth of Crackerjack (Tiny son) and the strong maternal influence of his cow herd, VCC has become one of the most well balanced herds in Brangus. A good rule of thumb is that a bull at 10 to 14 months of age should have 1.1 square inches of ribeye for every 100 pounds of body weight. The VCC Cattle have generally exceeded this average, indicating exceptional muscle and carcass composition.
The program at VCC has stood up to tremendous pressure both from a standpoint of changing times, plus the use of the program by both breeders and commercial bull buyers. No question about it, repeat customers make most any business successful. The VCC pledge to see a product that is predictable and guaranteed has created a customer base that is second to none. Cattlemen travel from coast to coast and border to border, plus internationally, to acquire VCC cattle.
Furthermore, Dr. Vineyard has diligently worked with the IBBA to ensure the breed’s survival and future. For these efforts, he has been recognized and elected to the highest IBBA levels, including President and Breeder of the Year.
However, Dr. Vineyard has taken success to significance by going the extra mile for his customers and friends. Dr. Vineyard has truly assisted many people today that are in Brangus to go at it the right way. Furthermore, his never-ending quest to breed that next great herd bull or produce that next female that will be the dam or grandam of the next great herd bull, has taken Dr. Vineyard to significance. There are very few master breeders in any breed, and Dr. Vineyard, Nancy, Kelly, and Stirling are definitely a family that owns a herd that is considered a landmark herd, because of their willingness to be Master Breeders.