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Clyde Johnson & Sons Hereford Ranch, located on U.S. Hwy. 281, 23
miles north of downtown San Antonio, has made a name for itself in the
breeding industry over the last 50 years.
Head of the Johnson clan, Clyde Johnson, Jr., a former
FBI agent and his wife Dorothy, purchased the property near Bulverde many
years ago when it became evident that the interest their three sons
expressed in raising Hereford cattle was more than a passing boyhood
fancy. In the beginning the family started with Herefords due to their
success in stock shows and because they were more docile. It was a good
fit for what was initially a small operation.
The family operation had its beginnings on a 16-acre
spread near the outskirts of San Antonio. By the time the eldest son,
Clyde Johnson III, was showing his first calf, his twin brothers, Mike
and Mark, were grooming animals of their own. They have been involved in
showing Herefords since they were young boys.
The ranch carries a cow herd of between 75 to 100 cows
and sells about 30-40 bulls and 20 females annually in their annual
production sale. “We try to raise Herefords with size and scale for
every rancher’s needs”
Rough times in the mid-1960’s drove many registered
operations in the area out of business but the Johnsons prevailed and now
own one of the few registered Hereford operations within a 50 to 75 mile
radius of San Antonio.
Hard times convinced the brothers that they needed
plenty of business expertise and second careers to tide them over in
times of low prices. Clyde is a tax lawyer in San Antonio, Mark is
President of Texas Capital Bank in San Antonio, and Mike is in commercial
real estate in San Antonio.
Clyde Johnson, Jr. was very active in San Antonio
civic affairs and was chairman and president of Alamo Savings
Association. He served as president of the San Antonio Chamber of
Commerce and as president of the downtown San Antonio Rotary Club. He was
also president of The Texas Savings and Loan League and served as
chairman of the 1978-79 United Way Campaign in San Antonio. He was
president of the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1974 and 75.
Even with time and energy spent on other endeavors,
the Johnson family focuses on the ranch. Ranch headquarters is a
remodeled rock home first built in 1836 by the Alfred Schlather family of
Germany. The ranch property was originally a land grant from German
Prince Solm to Schlather. Rock from an 1863 smokehouse was used to
construct the fire place during remodeling by the Johnsons.
Improvement of the herd is a daily concern and the
breeding program utilized by the Johnsons is subject to continued
refinement.
A third generation (grandchildren of Clyde and Dorothy
Johnson) grew up working on the ranch and all were exhibitors who made
the stock show circuit every year with championship steers and heifers.
Most of the third generation Johnsons have concluded their college
education and are establishing themselves in their chosen professions.
But, all still lend a hand at ranch at different times. In certain years
the Johnsons still show breeding cattle at San Antonio and Houston and on
occasion at Fort Worth and Denver.
The Johnsons have owned one of the most famous
Hereford bulls in America – 75901. They acquired the bull late in his
career. 75901 was a transition bull for Hereford breeding. Other great
bulls have also found their way into the Johnson herd bull battery.
IMR Super Pro 9035 was the 1990 Grand Champion Bull of
the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, B & C Prime Time 0546 was the
1992 Champion Yearling Bull of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, and
B & C Prime Rate 2254 (Golden Boy) who was named 1993-94 Show Bull of
the Year Southwest Region was the Grand Champion Hereford Bull at both
San Antonio and Houston Livestock Show. In 1998, B & C L1 Dom 6587
who also was named 1997-98 Show Bull of the Year Southwest Region was the
Reserve Grand Champion at San Antonio and the Grand Champion at the
Houston Livestock show. B & C Mark Don 7598, a son of GH Simba 21E,
was 1999’s Reserve Champion Yearling Bull at Denver National Western
and Reserve Champion Bull Calf at both San Antonio and Houston Livestock
Show. All of these bulls have been a part of the Johnson’s bull battery
and have constantly worked in improving the genetics of their heard.
The tradition continues as it did, with three young
boys, half a century ago. An endeavor that will include future
generations of the Johnson family, with Herefords in south Texas. |
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