Bradley 3 Ranch Summer 2012 Newsletter

The

Trailblazer

Volume 4, Issue 1

Summer 2012

Look for us and our booth at these tradeshows / events: Superior Livestock Auction

July 25 -27 at Winnemucca, NV Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course August 6-8 at College Station, TX

Noble Foundation Beef Field Day August 11 at Ardmore, OK

Wichita Falls Ranch Roundup

August 17-18 at Wichita Falls, TX Working Ranch Rodeo Association Finals

November 8-12 at Amarillo, TX New Mexico Stock Growers Association Convention

December 1-3 at Albuquerque, NM

www.bradley3ranch.com

Why Will Genetics Play an Increasing Role in the Marketing of MY Cattle?

There are many things that are causing the reduction in the US cow herd. We have all heard the conversations about when the numbers will start to grow again and how much will it grow. My contention is that because of a lot of factors, we are generally going to see the US cow herd shrink for some time. We will certainly see some blips in growth, as weather allows, however, I think we are seeing that the results of this drought will require a lot of recovery time.

production will not exceed her potential to produce revenue will be more essential.

How do we at Bradley 3 Ranch take these types of steps forward? We have been dabbling in gene markers for a number of years. We were the first Angus herd in the US to determine all parentage

by DNA, and have done so for more than 15 years.

This year, we have taken another step in the gene marker direction. All of the bulls for our upcoming sale (2-16-13) will have been 50K tested by Angus I think that as resources become more and more Genetics Incorporated (AGI). All of our replacelimited, the ability of our cows to thrive, rement heifers kept this year were also 50K tested. We James Henderson produce, and raise the type of calf in demand at the feedyard, invested this money, because we feel that we can have a much packing plant, and by the consumer will become more important greater confidence level in the data we present to our buyers. We than ever before. The cost to maintain a cow and to feed a calf to now have the capability to predict with a higher level of certainty maturity will continue to increase, the cost of all our operations how an animal will breed and what we can expect from their will continue to increase, and our chances to squeeze a profit progeny. Truly 21st Century cattle selection. from our cattle operations will be more of a challenge.

As you determine what your herd needs to look like moving With this premise, why will genetics play a larger and larger role forward, let us help you select cattle that will meet your objecas we move forward? We have been able to accomplish a great tives. We are continually trying to be on the leading edge of cattle deal with the tools that have previously been developed. We now production and genetics and our goal is to help you continue to can produce record tonnage of beef with the smallest cow herd in move your herd to become more profitable. the past years.

Use of performance records and EPD’s have allowed us to accomplish more than any of us expected when our cattle numbers peaked about 35 years ago. Today, with increased costs and product expectations, we have to take another step forward in the way we select our cattle. Being able to determine at the time we wean a heifer calf that she will become a good mamma, and her cost of

Thank You!

Each year we sell “Experienced and Opportunity Cows”. It is always exciting to have a waiting list for these females and we wanted to say THANK YOU to the buyers of these females!

The feedback we get from buyers of these females tells us they are a wise investment. Several buyers have used the weaned heifers to build a cowherd base around. Other buyers have flushed the mature cows and generated a return much greater than their investment. Don’t miss your opportunity to own Bradley Ranch females!

The majority of the “Experienced” cows are 11 year old, bred cows. These females have years of production and profit opportunity ahead of them. The “Opportunity Cows” are open, young females that buyers can utilize in the next breeding season or as registered recipients.

You might ask, “Why would someone buy an 11 year old cow or an open cow?” Well, the answer is very simple.

Bradley Ranch females are in demand! We only offer useful females for sale in two manners. First, we sell these “Experienced and Opportuntity Cows” and then we sell set of weaned heifers each year.

We want to hear from you! Give us a call, drop us an email or stop by for a visit. We want to learn about your cattle operation and know how our genetics are working for YOU! This spring we drove 30,000 mile delivering bulls. Thanks to all of you who met us or hosted us for dinner.

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RURAL TV for our 2013 sale....

Our 2013 sale will be televised through Superior Productions but will be on RURAL TV instead of RFD-TV. If you subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 250, you already have RURAL TV in your channel line-up.

RURAL TV is a sister network of RFD-TV and we anticipate DirecTV having a RURAL TV channel by early 2013. Watch for further updates in our newsletters, on our website and in the sale catalog.

bits & pieces...

Look for Bradley Ranch on Be sure to check out our new website and watch for updates at

www.Bradley3Ranch.com Don’t miss our videos at the Bradley 3 Ranch channel.

Bradley Ranch is a proud supporter of WRCA!

EMAIL ADDRESSES PLEASE!

Due to continual increases in postage and printing expenses we are working to build our email distribution list. If you would like to receive an electronic copy of our newsletter, catalog and other ranch updates please send your email address to: mmll@hughes.net.

Lyle Horwood spent several months with us in early 2012. He was a student at Lamar Community College and this internship helped him to complete his program requirements to graduate. We enjoyed having Lyle and wish him the best of luck as he assumes a management position in their family ranches.

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Sending Illegals South by Minnie Lou Bradley Many of you in the South can remember the time when you looked out your kitchen window to see illegal aliens, more com monly known then as “wet backs”, sitting on your porch.

Even today I have never figured out why at 18 miles from town we were a stopping point for some of these travelers. Perhaps they traveled up the river or we were the only nightlights they could see to the north for miles.

One morning I looked out to see two young men, sitting on the porch. I hollered to Bill who was still upstairs that the boys probably were hungry and needed a job. In those days you got 8-10 hours of labor for 8-10 hours of pay and many times after a week’s work we helped them wire their entire wages back to Mexico.

Bill could converse enough with most of them to understand their needs. So he found out, yes, they were hungry and needed work. He came back in the house and told me that he had needed some help on a fence so he could work them for a few days. While cleaning up after breakfast and getting ready to get horseback I thought of the big box in our vet room that I had wanted to move but needed help so I hurried to the barn to catch them.

I told Bill I needed the boys for a few minutes and he

told them to follow me. Now I could not understand or speak Spanish so I had to use my hands to do a lot of pointing. The vet room was in the far end of the horse barn and for a few years we had had a large bull snake that lived there and we had named him “Pete.” We figured him to be a good mouser so we left him alone. Often times you would see his beady eyes staring down on you from the rafters and we would wonder if he was going to slither down on us!

My eyes were always peeled on the rafters since any snake gives me a good case of the willies.

Being in a hurry to catch the boys, I was only partly dressed for my day in the saddle, as usual I had my shirt tucked into tight Levis but had not buttoned the top button of my shirt or put on my wild rag. The door to the vet room was very wide so we could put bulls in to fertility check. The boys were standing back when I opened the door. Before I knew what was happening Pete fell off the door into my open throated shirt. Now, you that know me, know my shirt is pretty full but add a six foot snake with no place to go and it becomes awfully full! I have always prided myself in keeping my head when all around are loosing theirs, but folks mine was gone. To this day, I don’t know what I might have said or done. When I did finally come to my senses, my shirt was in threads and two young men were rolling in the dirt laughing uncontrollably. In my frustration, embarrassment and fear I yelled at them to get off the ground they jumped up and starting running south and haven’t been seen since! This may have been a better plan for deportation than Obama’s and a whole lot cheaper!

Are you a member?

Are you an ACTIVE MEMBER???

WE ARE! Being active in your state cattlemans organizations and other industry trade groups is one of the best ways you can help us to preserve agriculture traditions and the beef industry.

Three ways we believe you can be ACTIVE and be a VOICE FOR THE BEEF INDUTRY:

Our 2013 sale bulls are weaned and on grass.

They will be ready for new homes on February 16, 2013!

* Communicate and correspond with your legistators. *Engage young consumers! Invite them to your ranch, offer tours and information about beef production. *Participate in industry events.

We did it again!

Bradley 3 Ranch is once again home to the largest number of Pathfinder Dams in Texas and the Southwest. Why is this a value to you, our customer?

Pathfinder dams must have three calves before they are considered for this designation. Then, they must produce at least three calves with an average weaning ratio of at least 105. To continue to qualify the cow must calve within 365 days and maintain the 105 weaning ratio. Since many of these Pathfinder dams produce bulls that we market, the Pathfinder designation assures you of fertility, performance and longevity.