sition as vice president of Middle Eastern Operations for General Dynamics in Saudi Arabia, and was later named vice president for services for General Dynam- ics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Mich. During this time, he traveled between Texas and
Saudi Arabia and then Michigan. He then worked for more than 8 years at the Insti-
tute for Advanced Technology at University of Texas, Austin, leading Army War College students and help- ing with the electric gun program. While starting the ranch and seeking genetics to
purchase, he returned to Hereford cattle. “A lot hap- pened while I was away from the breed,” Funk says. “Hereford breeders made a lot of positive changes.” In 1997 he purchased his fi rst Hereford bull from
the late Frank Felton, over the phone, while in Saudi Arabia. He says he decided to contact Felton because of
an article published in Hereford World about Frank’s winning of the Beef Improvement Federation’s Seed- stock Producer of the Year award. “Through the years, Frank and I became good
friends,” Funk says. “He was always willing to share ideas. Frank was ahead of the times in focusing on EPDs (ex- pected progeny differences).” That fi rst year Funk also pur-
chased 5 registered heifers from Knoll Crest Farm and 2 from Wiese & Sons.
His herd Funk’s mission is to provide
ranchers with affordable, high- quality Hereford genetics. He produces bulls in a largely for- age-based program under con- ditions similar to those of his bull buyers. He enjoys the challenge of
fi nding great sires. When look- ing for sires to use or females to retain in his program, he wants balanced EPDs and a sound phenotype. Of course fertility comes fi rst, followed by doabil- ity (effi ciency) to convert grass to muscle. He artifi cially inseminates (AI) about 75 percent of his 76-
tscra.org
head cow herd and uses embryo transfer (ET) to propagate some of his best females each year. “Our breeding program is oriented on the great
commercial cattlemen of Texas, Louisiana and Ar- kansas,” Funk says. “We strive to produce bulls that come off test ready to work in the Gulf Coast or the Southern Plains, to help produce the greatest level of heterosis crossbreeding can bring.”
Focus on performance Funk says he is proud of what the AHA has done
in promoting and requiring whole herd performance data collection and incorporating genomic testing. “When I was in college there was nothing to hang
your hat on for cattle selection other than phenotype,” he explains. Because of Funk’s commitment to data collection,
Spearhead Ranch is recognized by the AHA as a Gold Total Performance Record (TPR) breeder. To obtain this recognition, an AHA member must maintain a high level of record keeping with the association. Funk has focused on improving carcass quality in his herd, collecting ultrasound data for 12 years. He
Improving sire lines is a goal for Funk. Pictured here is X16, a bull raised by him and now working in his program.
August 2015 The Cattleman 93
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