HTTL Livestock is rooted in a herd with history. Originating from two head of registered Hereford heifers in a small corral in the 1960s, the genetics these cattle descend from have been run in everything from large desert country on thousands of acres to smaller irrigated pastures. In 2017, Brennen and his family moved to Austin, Nevada, thinking it might be a short-term stay. A year later, they bought ten head from their employer to run in common. By 2021, they had taken over the remainder of the herd and secured the pasture leases that came with it.

From day one, Brennen has focused on building cattle that work in the real world. Through thoughtful matings and with a recent emphasis on linebreeding, he’s focused hard on fertility, calving ease, sound feet and legs, smaller frame size, proper hormonal expression, and balanced structure. Calm dispositions are a must, and every animal in the herd earns its place by performing without special treatment.

The program runs a mix of cow/calf, seedstock, and grass-finishing. Cattle are rotated to fresh pasture as often as conditions allow, sometimes multiple times a day. Calving begins May 1 to match peak grass growth. Each year, the goal is to graze year-round, with the cattle utilizing stockpiled forage and crop stubble in the dormant season. Hay is only fed when there’s nothing else to graze.