2024 Big Country Genetics January Newsletter

Big Country Genetics 46 Slippers Lane Cody, WY 82414

200 PAP Tested Bulls Sell Saturday, April 6th, 2024 Cody, WY All Bulls Sell with a Three Year Breeding Guarantee

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$ Fat Sells $ While reading through the December edition of the Progressive Cattle magazine I came across a couple articles that caught my attention, one of which was titled “Consequences of Over Conditioning Beef Bulls” by Pedro Fontes, professor at the University of Georgia. The article highlighted some points I often think about, some of which are obvious and others that are underlying issues that may be overlooked when buying bulls.

Their studies at the University of Georgia showed that over conditioned bulls not only have lower quality semen but the semen from an over conditioned bull also has negative influences on embryo development even after the sperm is able to successfully fertilize the egg. What the article failed to mentioned however, is the difference in longevity and libido between the ‘fat bulls’ and the ‘leaner bulls’ that were developed slower - although we can come to that conclusion on our own as bulls are athletes during the breeding season therefore they need to look like it!

I believe there are two main reasons we see so many over conditioned bulls in today’s industry. 1) Fat bulls look good, I mean there is that old saying, “fat sells” and 2) Many seedstock breeders want their bulls to reach their ‘peak genetic potential.’ In my mind, this is a fancy way of saying, “I want to know that they can and will efficiently get to a finished weight.” Although we need genetics that will efficiently finish in a feedlot, I think first and foremost cattle need to convert low quality forage into pounds and bulls need to be in the right condition to do their job, which is breeding cows first! It baffles me that we as cattlemen fall into the bottomless pit of chasing our perception of performance (which is actually just a feeding contest to see who can have the heaviest yearling weights) to the point in which we will sacrifice our bull’s longevity and athletic ability, just to reach “peck genetic potential.”

Eighty percent or more of commercial cattlemen will never reach this anyway, as most ranches develop their feeder calves and replacements on grass and hay alone with very little (if any) concentrates/ grain.

Big Country Genetics

www.bigcountrygenetics.com

On sale day our bulls will weigh anywhere from 950 to 1,050 pounds. This ideal target weight ensures they’ll breed and thrive in any environment!

Our Unique 3 Year Breeding Guarantee

If you’ve ever bought a brand-new pickup, or any new vehicle for that matter, you probably received something like a “three year/36,000-mile warranty.” Automobiles have become so expensive that a warranty and insurance are a necessity when it comes to owning vehicles in today’s world. In the same way that the importance and cost of a new vehicle has risen dramatically in the last 50 years, so has the importance and cost of quality bulls.

The Guarantee: All bulls that fail to pass a breeding soundness exam due to infertility, feet or leg structure will be guaranteed for three years from the time of sale. The guarantee will be satisfied as a credit toward our next bull sale and not redeemable in cash. All bulls are sold as satisfactory breeders by a DVM. This guarantee does not cover any negligence, mismanagement, disease, or act of God.

Unfortunately, the longevity of today's beef genetics seems to have gone the wrong direction. I have heard this complaint time and time again as bulls are seeming to fall out of programs faster than ever before. We are combating this issue by selling every Big Country Genetics bull with a 3-Year Breeding Guarantee! This is similar to a dealership selling a vehicle with a warranty, but it also allows the commercial cowman to insure himself against potential losses without having to pay extra for that peace of mind. Our three-year breeding guarantee covers foot and soundness issues as well as semen quality, and truthfully it helps us just as much as it does you!

Example: First year credit 100% of purchase value less salvage, Second year 67% of purchase value less salvage, and Third year 33% of purchase value less salvage.

The way we develop and feed the bulls protects both ourselves and our customers from feet and structure issues and increases the longevity of our bulls. Therefore, when problems with feet do arise, we can often link the issue to a certain dam or sire, which allows us to make the necessary cuts to ensure the issues do not reappear.

All claims against the guarantee must be examined by a Veterinarian and a detailed Vet certification must be provided by the purchaser to the seller at the time of the prognosis. We here at Big Country Genetics reserve the right to have a bull’s semen/ fertility rechecked by one of our approved Veterinarians.

Have Questions?

Call Jimmy

231.878.1908

Big Country Genetics

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Why Does Cow Size Matter?

Do you want to wean the biggest calves possible, or would you rather wean more pounds per acre? In other words, more total pounds of calves weaned? It’s common knowledge that as mature cow size increases the percentage of calf weaned gets smaller. We all have that one cow that is smaller than the rest of her herd mates and her calf always makes his way on the load, every single year!

Example: If your 3,000 acre ranch runs 100 head of 1,400-pound cows (equating to a stocking rate of 46.67 pounds per acre) and those cows wean 45% of their body weight, you would wean a total of 63,000 pounds, or 21 pounds of calf per acre.

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Versus: The same 3,000 acre ranch runs 116 head of 1,200-pound cows (equating to a stocking rate of 46.4 pounds per acre), weaning 50% of their body weight, therefore weaning a total of 69,600 pounds.

More head of smaller cows weaned 23.2 pounds per acre and the same ranch was paid on an additional 6,000 pounds of calves. Other considerations in the example include the fact that lighter calves bring more per pound and bigger cows require more pounds of feed to maintain their condition in the off-season.

The Downside: With smaller mature cow size comes smaller carcass weights on the steers out of those cows. Therefore, I think it is every rancher's obligation to find the “ideal/ optimum” cow size for their individual environment and resources available to them. However, for most standalone cattle operations that function on grass and hay, I believe the rewards of a smaller cow outweigh the rewards of their high-performance counterparts.

Your Source for Maternal Heterosis There are a lot of terminal composite bulls available in today’s world, but it’s hard to find composite bulls that are bred with the maternal traits needed to be profitable. It is proven that hybrid cows breed up better, live longer and wean more than 20% more pounds per cow exposed when compared to straight bred cattle.

Our program focuses on producing low input maternal cattle while allowing heterosis to add pounds at weaning. It is our goal to have balanced, hard working cattle that can perform within our environment without added supplementation and feed. We like moderate framed, easy fleshing females with a lot of eye appeal and balanced EPDs.

Saturday, April 6th, 2024 Cody, WY 200 PAP Tested Bulls Sell Three Year Breeding Guarantee www.bigcountrygenetics.com Call Jimmy with any questions!

231.878.1908

these bulls sell...

Big Country Genetics Bull Sale Saturday, April 6th, 2024 // Cody, WY

Three Year Breeding Guarantee . PAP Tested at 5,780 Feet . Volume Bull Discounts Call Jimmy with Questions 231.878.1908 Big Country Summit x Red Moon (ASA Pending)

X/L ShortMag x Double Vision (4310293) API: 174 TI: 89

X/L ShortMag x Golden Eagle (4310282) API: 170 TI: 88

CFAS Pryor x Paxton (ASA Pending)

X/L LineBred x Quigley (4282741) API: 176 TI: 99

Big Country Summit x SpecialOp (4310276) API: 158 TI:86

Big Country Summit x CowBoss (4280304) API:161 TI:88

Big Country Summit x Balance (4310275) API: 166 TI: 89

X/L ShortMag x Jackpot (4310295) API: 176 TI: 94

Big Country Summit x Jackpot (4280290) API: 167 TI: 96

Big Country Summit x BreakPoint (4276958) API: 173 TI:95

X/L ShortMag x SpecialOp (4310313) API: 177 TI:84

Big Country Summit x Emulation (4282751) API: 153 TI: 87

KBHR BoldRuler x Altitude (ASA Pending)

BSUM CowBoss x HooverDam (4310311) API: 133 TI:74

CFAS Pryor x Fairview Legacy (ASA Pending)

TFS Oklahoma x 1407 (4276953) API: 152 TI: 73

X/L LineBred x 6006D (4276984) API: 174 TI: 88

CFAS Eagle x Playmaker (ASA Pending)

CFAS Frosty x Fairview Legacy (ASA Pending)

Big Country Summit x Cowboss (4276988) API: 153 TI:81

BSUM CowBoss x Breakout (4310306) API: 143 TI: 77

CFAS Eagle x Cowboy Cut (ASA Pending)

Indreland EXT x Spartan (4310334) API: 114 TI: 69

Big Country Genetics

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Adaptability Matters For a standalone commercial cow operation to be profitable, its cow herd must be efficient at converting the native forages available to them into pounds without requiring expensive inputs such as additional feed and supplements. Most cattle will perform when fed a balanced ration; however, fewer cow herds are truly efficient at converting grass to Big Country Genetics sired steer calf in Southern pounds. This becomes even more prevalent when Montana on the side of a three-year old human intervention is taken away, and the cows are March born Big Country Genetics sired steer calf commercial cow! out of a first calf heifer in Southern Wyoming! forced to fend for themselves. Truly efficient catPicture taken mid-July. tle will not only perform on a grass diet, but they also have the adaptability needed to deal with ever-changing weather patterns and different environmental challenges. As a seedstock operation, it is our obligation to ensure our cattle are both efficient on our native forages and adaptable to different weather events and various climates.

Yearling Big Country Genetics bull late into the breeding season!

Our cow herd is expected to graze 10-11 months out of the year receiving grass hay when they are not grazing. They are expected to calve outside on their own, unassisted. Along with that, our replacement heifers are weaned on grass hay for 60 days, then returned to the cow herd, where they are expected Commercial bred heifer in Southern Mississippi to run like the cows. We have proven through our out of multiple generations of Big Country customers that our cattle are adaptable in a variety Genetics bulls! of different climates. From the low-quality forages of south Mississippi, to the short grass desert of southern Wyoming, all the way up to the grass country of Montana, our cattle perform.

Big Country Genetics sired calves in Southern Montana enjoying the summer days!

Yearling Big Country Genetics bull in Central Wyoming, and BCG sired cow in the background! Picture taken at turn out.

Big Country Genetics

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Big Country Genetics Annual Bull Sale Saturday, April 6th, 2024 | Cody, WY

231.878.1908

Jimmy & ShayLe Stewart

406.425.8520

Three Year Breeding Guarantee

We believe that in order for you to believe in our program, we need to as well. Therefore, we offer a three year foot, leg & semen guarantee!

NLC Cowboss

PAP Guarantee

All of our bulls are PAP tested at 5,780 feet of elevation. We guarantee these bulls will go home, PAP & thrive at your elevation!

Genuine of Hague

Volume Bull Discount 5+ Bulls | Free delivery anywhere in the continental U.S. 10+ Bulls | We will add an 11th bull free of charge.

20+ Bulls | We will add 3 additional bulls free of charge.

Big Country Summit

X/L-SCC Trailboss

-Big Country Genetics Herd Sires Represented in the Bull Sale-

X/L Cowhand

CFAS Pryor

UNTRY GENE CO

CS TI

BIG

l l e S ! s e l s l e u h T B e 0 k i 0 l 2 s w o C f o Out BULL SALE

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Big Country Genetics 46 Slippers Lane Cody, WY 82414

Saturday, April 6th, 2024 Cody, WY 200 PAP Tested Bulls Sell Three Year Breeding Guarantee www.bigcountrygenetics.com Call Jimmy with any questions! 231.878.1908