About us

Berger Herdmasters is now Rousey SimAngus

Rousey SimAngus is owned and operated by Tyrell and Deandra Rousey in North Platte, Nebraska. They have two children, Aiden and Tinley.  Since purchasing the first Simmental female in 1999, the Rousey cowherd has slowly but steadily grown over the years. Majoring in Animal Science and Grazing Livestock Systems through college, Tyrell interned for Berger’s Herdmasters and was later hired as manager of the program after college. After being with Berger’s Herdmasters program for 15 years, the opportunity to lease the Berger cowherd and ranch was presented and has since transitioned to Rousey SimAngus, LLC.

The cowherd consists of 500 SimAngus females of which approximately 60% are black hided and 40% red hided.

The cowherd consists of 500 SimAngus females of which approximately 60% are black hided and 40% red hided. Plans are to continue to grow and develop the red sector of our program. All cows are enrolled in the THE program (Total Herd Enrollment) with the American Simmental Association.

Special Emphasis is being placed on what we call “Practical” and “Functional” cattle with an emphasis on moderate sized females with fleshing ability, excellent udder quality, structural soundness, longevity, and end product value.  Fertility is a high priority and selected for using a short calving season (30 days for heifers and 45 days for cows) and the culling of late calving females within this short calving season. We do utilize Embryo Transfer to a small degree to replicate productive females that have proven their ability to excel in our program and environment.

Cattle are expected to graze Sandhill pasture through the late spring, summer and early fall. During the late fall and winter months cattle graze either corn stalk residues, meadow pastures in the valley, or cover crops depending upon the year and availability. When calving begins cows return to one of two ranch locations and are supplemented with various feed stuffs depending upon cost and availability.

Calving season begins in late January for the first calf heifers and the original Rousey cowherd. The original Berger herd begins calving mid-February. Ideally cows calve outside but given our early calving season cold weather and snow can certainly be a factor so a portion of our cows do go through the calving barn when necessary.

Weaning takes place approximately September 1^stand calves are weaned using a 2 phase system to reduce stress.  The first phase involves the application of a nose tab which prevents the calf from nursing. The second phase occurs 5-6 days later and involves removal of the nose tab and physical separation of the cow and calf.  It is a very effective and low stress method that has greatly improved the health and well-being of the calf post weaning. We have weaned calves using a variety of methods but the 2 phase system is far and away what we recommend.

We stand behind our bulls 100% and will guarantee them through the first breeding season. If a problem arises let us know and we will make it right!

We market our bulls through our annual sale held the second Saturday in February at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in North Platte.  We have moved from the traditional auction format to a “Video Auction”. We feel the prerecorded video gives our customers more time to evaluate the cattle prior to the sale and is easier on the bulls as well.  A small number of bulls are also available private treaty later in the spring.  Bulls are fed here at the ranch until late March and delivered free of charge to buyers in Nebraska and surrounding states.

Our bull calves are not creep fed. By not creep feeding our bull calves it gives us a more honest depiction of a cow’s ability to naturally wean a high percentage of her body weight and the true genetic potential of the calf for pre-weaning growth.  Additionally, we feel it is better for the long term longevity of the animal in the breeding pasture.

The bulls are developed here on the ranch with their longevity and breeding soundness as a top priority.  Over fat bulls melt away in the breeding pasture and bulls with foot problems don’t get cows pregnant so we strive to develop them so they are ready to go to work when they leave the ranch.