March 27, 2013

For more information contact:
Carrie Heitman, communications coordinator, at 816-383-5100 or cheitman@angus.org.


Wisconsin Family Honored for Historic Herd
The American Angus Association recognizes Mill Coulee Angus, Praire du Chien, Wis.

The Historic Angus Herd Award is presented to Angus breeders or immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered Angus cattle for 50 years or more. The American Angus Association^® is honored to recognize Mill Coulee Angus, Praire du Chien, Wis., as a Historic Angus Herd.

The Mill Coulee Angus farm dates back to 1959 and continues to raise performance Angus cattle on the banks of the Mississippi river, just north of Prairie du Chien, Wis. Bernard Pedretti, his wife, Darlene, and 11 children founded the ranch by purchasing the Frank Ahrens and Brothers herd. The initial purchase also included a bull from Lisle Blackburns, Cassville, Wis., and foundation female Deal of ElJon.

In 1980, the family expanded their operation by acquiring the D.P. Richards herd. That investment played a key role in the development of Mill Coulee Angus genetics. Today, half of the Coulee cows are descendants of a Richard’s herd cow Barbara Kindness. The daughter of Emulous 7067 spent 18 years in the Pedretti herd before she was sold in the fall of 1983.

Mill Coulee Angus has always focused on performance testing, which stems from Bernard Pedretti’s involvement at the bull testing Hancock Station in central Wisconsin. During his involvement, he tested bulls in five different states – Indiana, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin – producing top gaining bulls in four out of the five states.

A forward thinker, Bernard Pedretti was named Wisconsin’s Seedstock Producer of the Year in 1984. The current Mill Coulee Angus ranch consists of 115 cows and is managed by Bernard Pedretti’s sons, Tracy and Mark.

Mill Coulee Angus joins nine other historical Angus operations recognized by the American Angus Association in 2012:  Walter D. Shealy III, Black Grove, Newberry, S.C.; William B. and Nancy S. Byars, Fortuna, Mo.; Dennis Lopez, Diablo Valley Angus, Byron, Calif.; Bobby Aldridge, Oakview Angus, Yanceyville, N.C.; Weiker Angus Ranch, Fayette, Mo.; Lefevre Angus Farm, Butler, Mo.; Randy Kessler, Milton-Freewater, Ore.; Coulter Angus, Congerville, Ill.; and Steven Goodfellow, Goodfellow Angus, Bruce, S.D.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.ANGUS.org.

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