Working Ranch Magazine - Index

Working Ranch Magazine - magazine - Index

“I just think that commercial ranchers
have it hard enough to make ends
meet. I believe that they should be able
to get as much help as they can from
their seedstock supplier when they are
spending this kind of money on their
bulls,” says Gill. “If we all work together
we can all be profitable.”
Gill Red Angus, a Timber Lake, South
Dakota seedstock supplier, is a family
run operation that has differentiated
itself from many other suppliers by
offering its customers continued support
after the initial sale.
In addition to their customer bidding/buyback
program, Gill Red
Angus works with their customers to
help increase profitability by guaranteeing
all of its commercial bull and
heifer customers a discount for their
veterinary products through a local vet
supply company, as well as semen at
cost for those commercial customers
who do artificial insemination projects.
The company allows customers
to market their replacement heifers at
Gill Red Angus bull sales. They also
send out a newsletter twice a year to
customers and potential customers,
most of whom are commercial breeders,
to keep them updated on industry
and Gill Red Angus news. Finally they
make several ranch visits and phone
calls to all past and present commercial
customers.
CRANKIN’ IT UP A NOTCH
“We have always been dedicated to
our customers,” says Gill, “but in the
last four years we’ve really stepped up
(LEFT) Gill Red Angus has a policy that involves bidding on customer’s calves at the sale
barn in an effort to increase return. But their ultimate focus is on maintaining a support
relationship with their customer even after the gavel has fallen. (BELOW) Larry Gill (right)
with son Bryan out on a circle on a cool day. According to Bryan, who serves as marketing
and breeding manager for the family-owned company, Gill Red Angus’ dedication to customer
service, particularly their popular customer bidding/buyback program, has helped set
them apart from other registered seedstock suppliers.
our efforts. Of all our customer service
strategies, though, bidding on customer’s
calves is the most time-consuming
of the services we offer, but it is
also the one they appreciate the most.”
By maintaining a high quality product
and going the extra mile to help
their customers succeed, Gill Red
Angus has established a stable business
and increased sales. Since introducing
these customer service strategies, Gill
Red Angus has gone from selling 60
bulls a year five years ago to marketing
over 150 in 2008.
Establishing a good reputation with
customers and within the industry in
general can be difficult even if seedstock
suppliers offer a high quality
product. It also takes time to gain the
trust of calf buyers. In order to help
build relationships with cattle buyers
and feeders, Gill Red Angus has partnered
with and purchased for several
feedlots and opted not to charge them
commission for purchases, further
showing their dedication to serving the
needs of their customers first.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008 | WORKING RANCH | 87