Zimmerman's British White Cattle
 

The story of British Whites in America and the Zimmerman Family of Iowa is an interesting one. Tom Zimmerman and his wife Jo Ann are a story unto themselves. Tom’s experience, prior to entering the purebred cattle business, was as a financial advisor and consultant while Jo Ann’s background was in health care and politics. She served as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from January 1987 to January 1991.

In 1977, Tom and Jo Ann purchased a small herd of British Whites as an investment. This brought about "Controlled Genetics" and eventually the formation of the British White Cattle Association of America which Tom founded in 1985. Both Tom and Jo Ann had grown up in small town Iowa and both have backgrounds in farming. Their move into the purebred cattle business was not an abrupt change of pace but basically "going back to their roots."

The initial Zimmerman endeavor was largely with Black Angus (over 200 head of purebred Black Angus Cows at one time) while maintaining their small herd of British Whites. After several years of observing the performance of both breeds the decision was made to sell off the Black Angus and concentrate their energy and effort to building a high quality British White herd. The decision was made to travel to England and bring back the top British White Bull available. In 1979 the great bull "Regis I" was imported from England and put to heavy use in the Zimmerman herd. Practically every cow in the present herd can trace their lineage back to this great bull.

Other great bulls bred and born on the Zimmerman Farm are T. R. "404", T. R. "Hi Q", T. R. "Mitchell", T. R. "McIntosh", T. R. "Cossack", T. R. "Kozar", T. R. "601" and T. R. "Komander." The respect of the Zimmerman herd by other prominent British White breeders can best be stated by their performance results.

1. This herd has produced the only bulls who have gained over 4 pounds per day on official test.

2.  Have produced many show champions, both male and female, at National shows.

3.  Have exported semen and cattle World wide. The only American breeder to have exported British Whites into Foreign Countries.

4.  The great "404", "Kozar" and "Komander" bulls were born and raised on the Zimmerman farm. These three great bulls have taken their place as the very best in performance and in quality. In addition the great female line, "Czarina I" (mother of Kozar) was born and raised in this great herd.

In May of 2001 the Zimmermans sold their entire herd, intact, including semen, to Jim & Erika Kelly of Elgin, Minnesota. Elgin is near Rochester. You may contact the Kellys by email. CLICK HERE

Quote from Tom Zimmerman. "After many years in the Seedstock Cattle Business and with advancing age it was time to retire and devote some time getting aquainted with my 19 Grand Children scattered all over the USA. The sale and retirement was of mixed blessings. I'll miss these beautiful gentle cattle and all the wonderful moments I had in working with them and the members of the British White Cattle Association. These truly are the best cattle that God has put on this earth. As more and more cattle people learn of and about them the future of the breed and the British White Cattle Association of America could not be brighter. I will retain membership in the association, "Number One", and my interest in the breed. This is truly a great cow and it was a privilege to own and work em." 

Tom & Jo An Zimmerman

Tom Zimmerman
7630 Ashworth Road
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Telephone: 515-225-1136       Fax: 515-225-0776
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