REAL WORLDGenetics
2 PM MST | ST. ONGE LIVESTOCK | ST. ONGE, SD FEATURING 30 PROFIT DRIVEN SIMMENTAL AND SIMANGUS YEARLING BULLS PROVEN CALVING EASE + OPTIMAL GROWTH
CK BAR RANCH 25TH ANNUAL BULL SALE
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026
BULL SALE
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026 | 2:00 PM MT | SAINT ONGE, SD SELLING 30 SIMMENTAL & SIMANGUS RANCH READY BULLS
Sale Day Contacts
St. Onge Livestock 800-249-1995
St. Onge Livestock, alt. phone 605-642-2200
Kelly Erickson, CK Bar Ranch 701-898-1583
Kelly Erickson, add. phones . . . . . . . .605-344-2589 or 605-488-0329
Sale Staff
Scott Dirks, TriState Livestock ....................
605-380-6024
Tony Heins, Western Ag Reporter .................. 701-400-4435
Justin Tupper, Auctioneer ....................... 605 680 0259
Online Bidding
Sale can be viewed live on the internet at www.dvauction.com
A direct link can be found at www.ckbarranch.com
Please register the day before the sale.
Sale Location
St. Onge Livestock
11693 Sale Barn Road, Saint Onge, SD 57779
Thursday, April 2, 2026 - View bulls 12:00 PM to Dark Friday, April 3, 2026 - View bulls 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Announcements
Announcements made from the auction block on sale day will take precedence over printed material or any prior advertising.
Free Delivery
Free delivery of bulls to South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana. Discount of $50 per/bull given if picked up sale day by buyer.
Sale Terms
All cattle sell under the suggested terms and conditions of the American Simmental Association, view online at www.simmental.org. All Simmental/SimAngus bulls will be tested for coat color and polled status.
Your Source for RANCH READYBulls
Welcome from CK Bar Ranch
Amy and I would like to welcome you to our 25th Annual Bull Sale.
My association with the Simmental breed began 44 years ago as a 4-H project. What started as a youth project has grown into a lifelong passion to produce high-quality bulls for the commercial cattle industry. The bulls selling this year have excelled from birth all the way through sale time and represent years of breeding cattle that have gone to work for some of the top cattlemen in the industry and proven their worth.
The greatest proof of that success is the customers who return year after year to purchase bulls from our program—many of whom have been with us for more than 20 years.
We have always believed in quality over quantity, and this set of bulls reflects that philosophy. Every bull has earned his place in the sale based on performance, genotype, or both. Over the last five years we have worked hard to improve calving ease and marbling without sacrificing performance, and this offering represents a big step forward in that direction.
While there are several bulls that are designed to be strong terminal sires, the majority of this group offers the versatility to work in both terminal programs and operations that retain replacement females. These are the kind of bulls that can move a program forward.
These are truly exciting times for the cattle industry. The record prices we experienced this past year look to continue for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, there may not be a better time to upgrade the genetics in your herd—not only to take advantage of today’s market, but to position your operation for the years ahead. The bulls you purchase today can have a lasting impact on your herd and your bottom line for many years to come, and that’s why we strive to bring only the very best to town each year.
I would also like to take a moment to thank the people who make this possible. Amy has been an incredible partner in this operation, and I truly don’t know how I would get everything done without her. From spending much of June living out of a horse trailer during AI season to sorting cattle, feeding, and keeping everything moving forward when I’m away, she is always willing to do whatever it takes.
I’m also grateful to my parents. My dad instilled in me the drive to work hard and gave me the opportunity to get started all those years ago, and I will always appreciate the support and encouragement that both Mom and Dad have given along the way. I’d also like to thank Amy’s parents for the opportunity to work within their operation, which has helped us continue to grow our own.
And finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of the customers who have supported our program over the past 25 years. Your purchases, loyalty, and encouragement mean more than you know. You are more than just bull buyers— you are friends.
Thank you again for your continued support.
- Kelly & Amy Erickson
2 LOT 1
KECH MR. N309
BD: 2/16/25 / ASA#: 4620672 / Tattoo: N309 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
KECH MR. N301
BD: 2/20/25 / ASA#: 4620673 / Tattoo: N301 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
BIT RESOURCE G9117
PATTON K059
ULTRA G621
Here is a bull that really ties together what we are working hard to accomplish. From a phenotype standpoint he is very attractive with excellent bone and feet structure. He is very long bodied and easy fleshing. He is suitable for use on both cows and heifers and his daughters will make some awesome females. His grandam has done great things for our herd siring many super females and her last natural bull we retained for our own use. On top of all that this bulls disposition is outstanding.
This Patton son is extremely thick made end to end. He has been a standout since day 1. If you have followed us over the last 5 years its easy to see the impact that his maternal grandsire has made and he is passing his growth along to his daughters. 301 has a stacked pedigree on both sides and the predictability is real with this bull.
FOR RANCH READY BULLS
3/4 SM 1/4 AN BULL
KECH MR. N370
BD: 2/23/25 / ASA#: 4620676 / Tattoo: N370 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117 WBF
A bull that really has some outstanding real world growth combined with some very good carcass numbers. He has a little more frame and length but still has the depth that the all of the Patton cattle exhibit.
3/4 SM 1/4 AN BULL
KECH MR. N375
BD: 3/10/25 / ASA#: 4620681 / Tattoo: N375 / Homo
SIRE
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117 WBF ULTRA G621
MS. 375 DAM
KECH MS. 075
Another Patton that is really long made with outstanding thickness. He is top 25% of the breed for both MARB and REA. This bull will sire a great set of feeder cattle along with daughters that will be a top set of cows.
3/4 SM 7/32 AN 1/32 CS BULL
UC CROCUS E730 BLK G DAM 5
KECH MR. N709
BD: 4/1/25 / ASA#: 4620688 / Tattoo: N709 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
WBF ULTRA G621 WBF PATTON K059 SIRE ASR LONGEVITY Y184
UC CROCUS Z153 BLK
Projected EPDs
N709 is a bigger-framed son of Patton that continues to impress me every day. He has a big square hip, outstanding depth of rib, and he moves like a cat. His dam is a beautifully uddered cow that holds her condition like a cow should and breeds back on time every year. He has plenty of performance to go with his light birth weight. And will be a female maker.
6
KECH MR. N369
BD: 2/20/25 / ASA#: 4620674 / Tattoo: N369 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
BRIDLE
A bull sired by the great Recharge. This bull will work for both cows and heifers. He has some really good carcass numbers as he is top 20%for CW and MARB also top 30% for REA. His grandam has been a mainstay for us and she has raised some of our top bulls over the years and we’ve kept every daughter out of her.
KECH MR.N040
BD: 3/21/25 / ASA#: 4620689 / Tattoo: N040
A bull that if you are looking to add some REA to your calves he will do it. He is in the top 4% for REA and top 15% YG. On top of his impressive carcass figures, he still has really good CE and BW EPDs. BRIDLE BIT RESOURCE G9117
BLACK HAWK 50B
MS 040
KECH MR.N109
A low percentage SimAngus bull that has that extra length of body. We purchased his grandam, and unfortunately, the only calf we got out of her was her first, 109’s mother. He is in the top 20% for REA and above average for MARB. If your program just needs a small shot of SimGenetics this bull will fit the bill.
BD: 4/8/25
KECH MR.N011
N011 will for sure catch your eye. He is explosive in his makeup, from his depth of body to his overall
is hard to beat. His dam has passed the test of time, and this bull is the
FOR RANCH READY BULLS
KECH MR. N339
INNOVATE 490H
HYACINTH H16 LBRS KILLOE K16
Here is a must look at bull if your looking for a bull for both heifers and cows and yet still maintain some excellent growth. The K16 sired cattle are very moderate but pack a lot of red meat on in a very easy fleshing package. 339 is stout built while maintaining excellent foot structure.
KECH MR.N157
KILLOE K16
A true sleep all night heifer bull, but without sacrificing performance. N157 combines two of the pillars of our herd, the 457 donor cow and 8522 on the maternal side. This bull has a bright future, and his young dam is really maturing into a cow that will have an impact on our herd.
KECH MR.N228
for both CE and BW, yet he has plenty of growth. His dam really did a great job of raising him. He is very long-sided and very good on his feet and legs.
K16 has done a great job of injecting calving ease and lighter birth weights into our herd while maintaining good growth. N675 has a huge spread from his BW to WW and also has a great disposition. TJ
14
3/22/25 /
WHEATLAND ZZ TOP 318L SIRE THR 8522F KECH MS.360 KECH MS. 036 DAM 15
KECH MR. N036
/ Tattoo: N036 /
PAW JUAN PABLO 121J
WHEATLAND LADY 1221J
This bull is the most attractive bull in the offering in my opinion. He combines ZZ TOP’s growth with his dam’s fleshing ability. His cow family has been working for me for over 20 years producing high quality cattle year in and year out. 036 has an actual 81# BW and then posted a 750# adjusted weaning weight. He will work for the most discriminating producer.
FOR RANCH READY BULLS
KECH MR. N701
A bull that has a lot to offer in terms of growth and putting length and overall thickness in his calves.
KECH MR. N645
JUAN PABLO 121J
Here is a bull that, even though his numbers might not say it, he will sire a set of females that will make great cows. His dam has been a consistent producer from her first calf all the way up to now. She has a beautiful udder and breeds back AI every year.
KECH MR.N707
BD: 3/30/25 / ASA#: 4620698 / Tattoo: N707 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
JUAN PABLO 121J
A very long bodied bull that’s very sound with excellent thickness. He had an actual 84# birthweight out of a mature cow, because of that, I think he will sire calves that are born with an acceptable birthweight, and then they should really take off and grow.
KECH MR. N243
BD: 3/23/25 / ASA#: 4620685 / Tattoo: N243 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
EGL FIRESTEEL 103F
CCR FIRE POWER 8081J SIRE
CCR MS COMMAND 8081F
CCR BOULDER 1339A
RCR LAKIN K43 DAM
RCR LAKIN H77
One of the higher API bulls in the sale with really good CE and BW EPDs. He also ranked in the top 10% for docility and the top 10% for MARB. He is super long made, with a really nice profile.
KECH MR.N284
A 3/4 blood bull that exhibits outstanding growth in a very eye appealing package. He has really risen to the top in terms of growth post weaning. If you background your calves, I really feel this bull’s calves will shine on feed.
4E KECH
EGL FIRESTEEL 103F
CCR MS COMMAND 8081F CCR FIRE POWER 8081J SIRE
CLRS
In my opinion, this may be the stoutest made bull that I have ever raised. He is just built different than most SimAngus cattle. He has tons of rib shape, along with a ton of natural thickness. His dam is quickly moving towards the top of the herd by producing high performance, low maintenance type cattle.
FOR RANCH READY BULLS
1/2 SM 5/16 CS 3/16 AN BULL
KECH MR. N360
BD: 2/21/25 / ASA#: 4620675 / Tattoo: N360 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
HOOK`S BEACON 56B
CCR MS 2073 COWBOY 5171C CCR KIOWA 5065H SIRE
Adj
A Kiowa son that is as powerful as they come while still having top 20% marbling and ribeye numbers. 360 is a cow only bull that will add frame, length and thickness. He also sports a top 20% stay number so him and his daughters should have really good longevity.
KECH MR. N340
HOOK`S BEACON 56B
CCR KIOWA 5065H SIRE THR 8522F
3/4 SM 1/4 AN BULL
BD: 2/23/25 / ASA#: 4620677 / Tattoo: N340 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
CCR MS 2073 COWBOY 5171C
KECH MS. 340 DAM
KECH MS. ASHTYN
N340 is an impressive individual visually, he is thick made, really square off of his hip, and is as sound as you can get one. When you study his carcass numbers, he combines above average YG, MARB and REA.
CCR KIOWA 5065H - SIRE OF LOTS 23 AND 24
“My name is Michael Nathe, and I operate a 300 head cow-calf pair operation in Northeast Montana. Winters are harsh, plenty of wind and sub-zero temperatures. The cattle we run here must be tough and sure footed. Steep hills and native grass are their habitat, and we pasture calve every cow except first calf heifers. I started buying Erickson bulls years ago because of their ability to fit into my operation and not break down in pasture. Sound feet and easy keeping, these Erickson bulls have lasted many years in my herd with no special care to get them through winter. The ability for my cattle to have a vigorous calf from an easy birth is crucial to me. These Erickson bulls have helped give me that healthy calf, as well as provide me with excellent replacement heifers and an increase in weaning weights of 125 pounds over the last ten years. I stand by their quality and reputation.”
- Michael Nathe, Montana
KECH MR.N681
BD: 4/9/25 / ASA#: 4620699 / Tattoo: N681 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
This bull had a just an 81# actual BW and weaned off at 747#. He has really blossomed since weaning. He will sire some long bodied, thick made feeders.
KECH MR.N619
N619 has really grown into a bull with outstanding thickness and length. His dam has produced quite a few bulls for us over the years, and I really believe this one may be the best to date.
KECH MR.N901
4/21/25 / ASA#: 4620697 / Tattoo: N901 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
This bull blows me away with his amazing growth from birth to weaning, and he has carried it through well on feed. 8522 has sired a ton of really great bulls for us, and this low percentage bull is one of the best. With all of his performance, he is super sound and as you can imagine, very easy fleshing.
FOR RANCH READY BULLS
KECH MR. N358
BD: 2/23/25 / ASA#: 4620678 / Tattoo: N358 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
This bull is heifer safe and should sire some nice females. He is smaller framed but has good numbers for both milk and marbling.
KECH MR. N346
BD: 3/4/25 / ASA#: 4620679 / Tattoo: N346 / Homo Black /
DEER VALLEY UNIQUE 5635
BLEVINS
BLEVINS EILEEN THUNDER 5627
A really nicely built bull that, if you’re backgrounding your calves, you should look up, as he is in the top 25% for yearling weight.
KECH MR. N261
BD: 3/21/25 / ASA#: 4628789 / Tattoo: N261 / Homo Black / Homo Polled
We purchased this bull’s dam from the famed Prickly Pear ranch he is a easy doing individual with excellent depth of rib while exhibiting good thickness. With a stay number in the top 5% of the breed he would be bull to retain females out of.
to using EPDs Quick Guide YOUR SOURCE
Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs): EPDs are the most accurate and effective tool available for comparing genetic levels. In using EPDs, the difference between two sires’ EPDs represents the unit difference expected in the performance of their progeny. For example, if sires A and B have EPDs of +10 and -5, a 15-unit difference would be expected in their progeny (moving from -5 to +10 yields 15 units). Key to using EPDs is knowing in what units they are expressed. For example, if the above case referred to weaning weight EPDs, sire A would be expected to sire 15 pounds more weaning weight than sire B. If calving ease was the trait, sire A would be expected to sire 15 percent more unassisted births in first-calf heifers; in other words, if sire B sired 30 assists in a group of 100 heifers, we would expect sire A to require 15 assists. A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s EPDs rank him relative to other bulls in the breed. For more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes, visit www.simmental.org. Listed below are the units in which ASA EPDs are expressed:
All-Purpose Index (API): Dollars per cow exposed under an all-purpose-sire scenario. (See $ Indexes for more details.)
Back Fat (BF): Inches of carcass backfat at 475 days.
Birth Weight (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
Calving Ease (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on heifers.
Carcass Weight (CW): Pounds of carcass weight at 475 days.
Docility (DOC): Percent of offspring receiving a disposition score of 1 (docile).
Maternal Calving Ease (MCE): Percent of unassisted births in first-calving daughters.
Milk (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
Marbling (MRB): Carcass marbling score at 475 days.
Maternal Weaning Weight (MWW): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk and growth.
Ribeye Area (REA): Square inches of carcass ribeye at 475 days.
Stayability (STAY): Percent of daughters remaining in the cowherd at six years of age.
Terminal Index (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-sire scenario. (See TI for more details.)
Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF): Pounds of force required to shear a rib-eye steak.
Weaning Weight (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
Yearling Weight (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
Yield Grade (YG): Carcass yield grade score at 475 days.
$ Indexes: Though EPDs allow for the comparison of genetic levels for many economically important traits, they only provide pieces of the economic puzzle. This is where $ indexes come in. Through well-conceived, rigorous mathematical computation, $ indexes blend EPDs and economics to estimate an animal’s overall impact on integrated commercial production. The same technology that led to the dramatic progress in swine, poultry and dairy genetics over the last several decades was used to develop the following $ indexes:
All-Purpose Index (API): Evaluates sires for use on the entire cow herd (bred to both Angus first-calf heifers and mature cows) with the portion of their daughters required to maintain herd size retained and the remaining heifers and steers put on feed and sold grade and yield.
Terminal Index (TI): Evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows with all offspring put on feed and sold grade and yield.
Using API and TI: First, determine which index to use; if you are keeping replacements use API, if not, use TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit difference between bulls. (As described above, index units are in dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another. Put another way, how much you can pay for one bull compared to another. For example, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, you can quickly figure a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a +50 bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr.=$6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed. For more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes, visit: www.simmental.org
Important disclaimer: DO NOT compare index values of purebreds of different breeds, hybrids of different breed composition or purebreds with hybrids — our system was not developed to make valid comparison among these groups. Therefore, you must first determine the breed and breed composition appropriate for your herd and use index values to compare animals within that population.
CK Bar Ranch
Kelly Erickson | 701-898-1583 www.ckbarranch.com
Bitterroot Ranch
Shannon Carr | Mobile: 406-270-2268 www.littlebitterrootranch.com
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