Jirl Buck
Mitch and I have been so fortunate to meet and work with incredible people through our shared love of cattle. Most recently, I had the amazing opportunity to spend a few months in the States working alongside two top-notch cattlemen, one of whom was Jirl Buck. Jirl is one of the most reputable breeders in the country, surrounded by some of the very best in the business. Being part of their sale and show prep was such a valuable learning experience. From the daily details of feeding and clipping, to setting up the show and sale barns, I got to see firsthand what it takes to run a successful operation. Their barns were so well thought out—everything from pens and gates that one person can manage, to sloped drainage that keeps things clean, to blower and fan hangers that swivel making everything easy. They even had a cooler for the show cattle (trust me, you need it down there—it gets HOT!). But beyond the logistics, what stuck with me most was how Jirl and his crew built success the right way—by staying customer service driven, always putting God first, and treating every animal and human along the way with kindness and respect.
I had the chance to sit down with Jirl and ask him a few questions about his program, his advice to young cattlemen, and where he sees the future of the industry heading. Here’s what he shared:
Q: What’s your biggest advice for someone starting out?
Jirl: Find good mentors—whether it’s working for them or just hanging out and helping. Those relationships are priceless.
Q: What traits do you consistently look for when selecting breeding stock?
Jirl: I look for cattle that are sound structured, easy fleshing, good uddered, and backed by strong maternal genetics. Of course, I also like the good-looking ones with some added power.
Q: How do EPDs fit into your program, and how has that changed over the years?
Jirl: EPDs are a valuable tool, but the cattle still have to work for our program. I use them more when selecting herd bulls than females.
Q: You’ve had some very successful sales. What’s the key to building a sale that people trust and want to come back to?
Jirl: Customer service has been the key to the long-term success of our program. Whether it’s helping an exhibitor at a show, assisting with breeding decisions, marketing, or herd health—we want our customers to benefit from our experience.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting a purebred herd today?
Jirl: Work with breeders that are producing the kind of cattle you want to raise. Start with a good base cowherd—that’s the foundation. Even if you only tie to a couple of good operations, that consistency will carry you forward.
Q: If someone is on a limited budget, how should they prioritize their purchases?
Jirl: Study pedigrees and look for cattle that haven’t reached their full potential yet. In every sale, there are younger or greener cattle that will mature and become competitive with time.
Q: What’s the most important thing juniors should take away from showing cattle—besides winning?
Jirl: Showing cattle is one of the best experiences a junior can have. It teaches responsibility, work ethic, social skills, and how to be a good competitor—win or lose.
Q: How can young people get involved in the purebred business?
Jirl: Find a program with a good reputation that will stand behind their cattle and help you with your purchases. Their experience will be valuable from selection, to breeding, to marketing.
Q: What motivates you personally?
Jirl: I enjoy the challenge of producing the next great one and watching them grow and develop.
Q: Where do you see the cattle business heading in the future?
Jirl: The future looks very bright. The market always changes, but now is the time to make your cowherd as elite as possible. There will always be demand for quality.
Conversations like this remind me why I love sharing stories through Mapleview Livestock. There’s so much wisdom to learn from people like Jirl who have built their programs on integrity, consistency, and a true passion for cattle. For juniors and anyone starting out, it’s encouraging to know that success doesn’t come overnight—it’s built through mentorship, hard work, and always keeping people first. I’m grateful for the chance to learn from Jirl, and I hope his words inspire you to keep chasing your goals in and out of the show barn.
Don’t Forget to watch out for Buck Cattle Co's Fall sale the OCTOBER 12th!