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By JANE BANGLEY
Rappahannock New* Staff Writer
Newbill Miller has been winning awards with his Angus cattle since 1975, his bulls have won six Virginia performance tests in the past nine years, and he was recently named the Seedstock Producer of the Year by the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association (B.C.I.A.).
Miller does not take all of the credit for his cattle’s consistent success, however. “It may be my name on the award, but all three of my sons are involved with the cattle and they probably have more influence than I do,” Miller said. “It’s really a family affair, and the boys have been instrumental in the development of the herd.”
The seedstock award was given to Miller because he was judged to be the best producer of cattle for breeding purposes for all pure-bred breeds in Virginia. He is Virginia’s nomination for the national award that will be given in May.
Miller began raising Angus cattle in 1959, and he won the first bull performance test he entered in 1975. “Bulls are gathered together for performance tests to see which one grows the best in 140 days,” Miller said.
In 1980, Miller had the fifth and thirteenth place bulls in the national performance test in Billings, Montana. “That was thought to be the best performance test in the world, and we made a good showing even though we had to haul the bulls there in a truck,” Miller said.
The Millers’ bulls were ranked first, second, third, fourth and sixth at the Culpeper Junior B.C.I.A. test and sale in 1984, and they were first, second, third and fourth at the Staunton B.C.I.A. bull sale.
Two of Miller’s sons, Jay and Brook, were the collegiate national champions in the beef cattle judging contest held at Virginia Tech. The remaining son, Hodge, won the showmanship award at the Little International Livestock Show at Virginia Tech. “Our good cows had good bull calves that year,” Miller said.
Miller points out that there are many factors involved in determining a bull’s or cow’s worth. “It takes about three seasons to be able to tell if a bull’s calves are what they should be,” Miller said. “They have to be good to make us want to perpetuate the line. I’ve been working with this herd ever since 1959,
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