Background and Cattle Business Journey: Don Edwards, not associated with Hyde Cattle but rather Hyde Gelbvieh, was interviewed about his engagement in the cattle industry. Located in a ghost town named Hyde in northeast Colorado, Don began his journey in the cattle business as an eighth grader in the early 1990s. He attended a purebred cattle sale in Brighton, Colorado, where he purchased a Gelbvieh show heifer for his FFA (Future Farmers of America) project, thus starting his career with the Gelbvieh breed. Over the years, Don has continued to work with purebred Gelbviehs and has also incorporated balancers, adapting to industry changes while valuing traits like adaptability and resilience to environmental stress.
Cattle Breeding and Traits: Don prefers red cattle, citing higher average weaning weights compared to black cattle and a better handling of heat stress in northeast Colorado's climate. While Gelbvieh carcass characteristics might not compete with Angus breeds in terms of certain qualities, they possess adaptability to various environments and are excellent mothers. This adaptability is pivotal for breeders in diverse and challenging conditions.
Sales and Programs: Hyde Galvey conducts heifer sales mostly through private treaties, utilizing platforms like Facebook for promotion. Don participates in a bull test program at Colby Community College, where selected bulls are assessed, and their performance compared with other breeds, helping to evaluate cattle quality and growth traits comprehensively. This partnership allows for learning and improvement in cattle genetics while supporting educational programs at the college.
Contact and Community Engagement: Don Edwards's Hyde Gelbvieh can be contacted via Facebook or directly through email and phone. While a website is not yet set up, outreach is conducted through available channels to ensure engagement with potential buyers and the broader cattle community. Hyde Gelbvieh, while not a major player in specific breeds like Angus, offers significant breeding advantages that Don promotes for consideration among other cattlemen for genetic improvement strategies.