The Kreger family used bulls of the most popular beef breeds from the 1950s through the 1970s. After trying Beefmaster bulls on our commercial English and Continental cows in the ’70s, we became convinced that entering the purebred Beefmaster seedstock business would fit our program.
Rather than going through an upgrading program, in 1977, we purchased a select group of purebred heifers from the Zipperer acquisition of the Harris herd. We began buying the best bulls we could find and also employed extensive us of AI to outside bulls. We began production testing our cattle before the inception of the BBU weight and measures programs. During the 1980s, we added embryo transfer to our production practices and continue to use is extensively. We have employed ultrasonic carcass evaluation since it became available.
Joe R. Kreger, the founder, served many years on the BBU Breed Improvement Committee and has served on the BBU Board of Directors. Joe R. has been active in the Central States BBA as board members, secretary, vice president and president. His son, Joe B., grew up in the business and was a charter member and director of JBBA. Joe B. Kreger is currently managing partner.