Anybody around the bucking bull business knows of Monty Samford, owner of the Flying S Ranch located outside Clyde, Texas. Samford has one of the best set of cows in the industry. His numbers and success are amazing. Word-of-mouth sells everything he has to offer, and everyone in this business would love to have that luxury.

Samford was born in Abilene, Texas, and while still in high school became involved in the rodeo industry. “I just loved watching bulls buck," commented Samford," and still do today. You could say it’s my passion. I love watching my bulls grow up and become stars in the bucking bull business. I don’t campaign them anymore—I just provide bulls to customers who buck them.”

With Samford’s success, he is not hesitant to let those who are getting into this industry learn what has worked for him all these years. Here is his advice in his own words:
The first thing you should ask yourself is, 'Do I want to breed bucking bulls or just buy them?' If you just want to own a bull, check the breeders and do your homework and buy one to compete with. I assume if you are going with the breeding program, you have the facility to do this. Having the right equipment is the first thing you must think about. Do some research and call the larger, successful breeders and they will let you know what you need to get started.

Stay away from cattle sales. Ask yourself why these breeders are selling their cattle. I feel like many sales are just paper drives. The first thing to start thinking about is a good quality producing cow—just buying a tiger-striped cow and breeding to a Plummer bull doesn’t work anymore. If you can only afford one good cow, then that is what you need to do. Again, do your homework and find something good. Don’t think you can shortcut the business and breed beef cattle, it’s been tried before and with little or no results. Remember this—if you wanted a good bird dog you wouldn’t go to the pound to find one to breed to. Call some of the large breeders and if they don’t have what you are looking for, they should give you names to call. I work with many breeders and always point customers to their programs if I can’t help them. If you are satisfied with anything I sell you, then when you need something you will come back, that’s how I look at things. Dale Lyons, Bob Wilfong and myself all have great cows but they are all different. But each of us has good success, so don’t just talk with one group—do your research.