Prime Time Winter 2020

Rockin' B Cattle Company Receives Securing the Legacy Award

T he American Akaushi Association (AAA) established the Securing the Legacy Award to recognize individu- als who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the Akaushi breed. During the 2019 Annual Conven- tion, the organization recognized Rockin’ B Cattle Company. Out of the thousands of fullblood Akaushi cattle, several of the breed's elite females and bulls have been raised by the Bentke family. Rockin’ B Cattle Company was launched in 1986 by Mark and Sherri Bentke. Ini- tially, their main business was contract hay work for a few different producers, but it was not long before they grew their busi- ness, enabling them to buy more cattle and take on a larger role in the cattle industry. In the early years they worked with sever- al breeds, including Angus, Brangus, Her- eford and Brahmans. This became quite a success for Mark and Sherri’s business after years of improving maternal traits in their cow base. In addition to buying and selling cattle, the couple began using their cows as recips for embryo production. Over time they added additional responsibilities and grew their cow herd.

AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales with the Bentke family, Mark and Coleen Bentke, Darby Horstman and Corey Bentke.

Twenty-two years ago marks a turning point for Rockin’ B Cattle Company when the Bentkes came in contact with Heart- Brand ® – and that’s where the story and great relationship began. At that time, Akaushi cattle were not yet available for purchase; HeartBrand’s main goal was to grow the herd as quickly and efficiently as possible. Rockin’ B’s strong cow base made them the perfect choice for HeartBrand to expand their numbers. Out of the thousands of fullblood Akaushi cattle, several of the breed’s elite females and bulls have been raised by the Bentke family. Mark and Sherri are also involved in numerous progressive projects, and even produced King David, a heterozygous polled bull. It’s their great cattle husbandry knowledge and cattle care that have made them great partners, but most important, great supporters of the Akaushi breed. They have seen firsthand how productive and functional Akaushi cattle are. Recognizing Akaushi cattle’s superior carcass quality, the Bentkes have also taken the opportunity to breed Akaushi bulls to their Braford-type females to add value to their cattle. Since dealing with Akaushi, their business has benefited from additional premiums when marketing their cattle. Prior to raising Akaushi, they bred

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Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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