Notes From The Field…Dustin Hurlbut

NEWS FROM THE ROAD

By: Dustin Hurlbut, Director of Sales/Marketing, ACA Field Representative

The New Year started off a little different in 2021. Everyone was preparing for a show, just in Oklahoma City rather than Denver. Boy did the crew at Cattlemen’s Congress roll out the red carpet for the exhibitors in January. Were there some things that people would have done different, yes absolutely, but with over 9,000 entries and 3 months to pull it together I think they did an outstanding job.

We held the -C- The Difference Sale in OKC along with the junior and open shows. The quality of cattle was unmatched top to bottom and we had a very active crowd in the seats and online. We sold bulls, heifers, semen and embryos from some of the most progressive programs in the country. The sale report can be found later in this issue.

Next for me I was off to Gwinner, N.D., to look through Melroe Farms bull offering. As always, I looked at a group of bulls that many breeders purchased to progress their operations forward. If they were looking for bulls to add pounds to a calf crop or bulls that would sire some of the best replacement females, there was something for everyone. I always enjoy visiting Steve and going through his cattle with him. If you have never been through the cow herd at Melroe’s it is worth the trip to Gwinner; you won’t be disappointed and their herd bulls are the best of the best.

One thing about the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, S.D., is that the quality never disappoints! This year was no different. It never fails that either the champion bull or the champion heifer every year are in contention to win supreme champion. Everyone should make the trip in February to Rapid City to the Stock Show; it is quite the event, from the trade show to the rodeos, there is always lots to do. You not only get to see some top end cattle show and sell, but you can also take a day to go to historic Deadwood to do some gambling if that’s what you choose to do. Be sure to check out the sale report in this issue.

Another event in February that has become a staple is the Nebraska Cattleman’s Classic in Kearney, Neb. They do an outstanding job and it is very unique in the way it is run with all the breed shows in one day, then the following day is bull sale day and then Friday is heifer sale day. They always have a great crowd of active buyers in the stands. This year they had pen shows and KQM Cattle of Minden, Neb., had an entry of Chiangus bulls in it. They showed very well and were in contention when the judges discussed the bulls before they picked champion and reserve pen overall.

Next, Heather and I headed to Denver for a meeting with the National Western about what the 2022 show would look like with the grounds still being under construction. The new building in the yards that will be completed shortly will be state of the art and really nice. It will be exciting to see the progress over the next 10 years. On my way to Denver I stopped in southeast South Dakota at Brandon Rocks to look through his sale bulls. If you are looking for bulls that are going to add performance to your next calf crop give Brandon a call. They have all been genomic tested and are ready to go. We also looked through his replacement heifer pen and there were 100 of the nicest looking heifers you will find anywhere. He has some replacement heifers for sale as well. Finally, we headed to look at some of the first calf heifer pairs so if you want to see what the udders and what those females look like in production you sure can. FYI – they are impressive.

On the way home from Denver I stopped by Justin Tracy’s, just south of North Platte, Neb., to look through his bulls. He didn’t have a lot of bulls this year because he was heifer heavy at weaning time last year but as always they were good footed, smooth jointed, sound, functional bulls that are going to go out and cover cows and make the new owner money by siring replacements we all want or add pounds to those steer calves that will go on to feed and convert the way we all know Chianina genetics do.

After being home a couple days I was next off to Columbus, Ohio, to take in the Ohio Beef Expo. I had never been out to it and I was interested to see if we could have a Chianina sale there with bulls and heifers. We are working on having a few options of sales in different parts of the country to give you the opportunity to market your bulls and heifers each year if that’s what you choose. Let me know if you have interest in being a part of a sale.

Once home I then headed to Aberdeen, S.D., to go through

dustin@chicattle.org 605.380.8052

Justin Holt’s bulls for his upcoming sale. They are a real deep, complete set from top to bottom. Also, as a guest consignor this year he has some bulls from Halley Becking from Florence, S.D. Watch for great things to come from the Justin Holt and Becking families. Check out the sale report of the Black Hills Stock Show to see how good of cattle these two operations raise.

On my way to the spring board meeting I stopped at Nichols Bull stud in Maxwell, Iowa and looked through the bulls; if you are wondering about any of the bulls there let me know. Then I was off to Lyle and Stephanie Sexton’s to look through the Empire calves. We looked at Empire-sired cattle from a week old to replacements in the heifer pen to first calf heifers with babies at their side and to put it point blank – if you like good all-around cattle, you best order you Empire semen now! They are good footed, smooth jointed, heavy muscled, sound cattle that have the extra look everyone is after. Lyle and Stephanie also have some bulls for sale. They are big boned, heavy muscled bulls that will add pounds in the fall! Get a hold of one of them if you are searching for a bull.

Then I stopped in Sigourney, Iowa, for the annual Clarahan Farms Bull Sale. When it was sale time, the stands were full and it was standing room only. The buyers were there to buy bulls that would add pounds and carcass merit to their calf crops. Dennis told me before the sale that they had the bulls on a 45 day test that was over the cold snap that hit the country and the Chiangus bulls gained more than 4 lbs a day as a group! That’s real data in a real, everyday environment. That is why Chi genetics are so diversified! Thank you to Dennis, Ryan and Neil for the hospitality while I was there.

If you would like for me to stop by for a herd visit this spring into summer give me a call, send me a text or drop me an email and I will see when I can work it in!

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Put the Chi back in Chianina • Put the Chi back in Chiangus

Semen available on select bulls. Bulls, heifers & cows available. We specialize in half bloods to fullbloods.

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