A brand ain't just a sign on a critter, it's the lives and guts, and blood of all men that went to build it.  The Circle Four brand was first registered with the State of Utah in 1905 by my grandfather Carl C. Bott, a German immigrant that settled in Castle Dale.  

I have always been passionate about cattle.  In fact, so passionate in my high school year book under my picture it states, “Cows are my passion.’  After I returned from the Vietnam War I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.  While there I came in contact with Simmental breeders in Canada.  They got me very excited about what the Simmental breed has to offer the cattle industry.  Upon returning to Castle Dale from the service, I began trying to convince my father to let me artificially inseminate cattle. In 1973 after much persuasion he agreed to allow me to inseminate 10 of his Hereford cows.  From those efforts four heifers were born.  And our start with the Simmental breed began!  That fall our largest straight-bred Hereford steers averaged 515 pounds while our half-blood Simmental heifers averaged 685 pounds.  We never looked back!  We have continued to A.I. to the best Simmental and Sim-Angus bulls available in the industry.  The 2015 season will mark 42 years of a dedicated A.I. breeding program.  Today my brothers and I continue my family’s roots in the cattle business, raising some of the best Simmental cattle in Utah.   

As with many operations spring brings a special time of year, branding time!  We look forward to this special time as many family members gather together for the work, memories and a great Dutch oven dinner!  In June we have our cows trail 15+ miles to the Manti-LaSal National Forest. Our whole family accomplishes this tedious task in just one day! There our cows and calves spend the next months grazing on the summer range at elevations of 8,000 to 10,700 feet. 

I married my wife, Diane, in 1968.  I made a city girl in to a country woman!  We have four daughters, 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  We are blessed!  We still live in Castle Dale, Utah and are continually enjoying the beautiful scenery God has created!