February 2020 The Profit Picture

THE

PROFITPICTURE

FEBRUARY 2020

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CONTENTS FEATURES Crossbreeding is Still an Underutilized Tool........................................................................................ 6 Crossbreeding remains one of the most effective methods, both in terms of cost and efficacy, of moving a commercial cowherd forward in desired maternal traits, but are you using it? By Laura Handke BalancerÂŽ: The Crossbreed that Adds the Pounds, Makes the Grade, and Delivers the Value.............. 10 Learn from fellow commercial cow-calf producers how to employ Gelbvieh or Balancer genetics into an operation for that crossbreeding advantage. By Malerie Strahm Over the Fence with Matt Jarvis, Rollin J Ranch, Phillipsburg, Kansas ................................................ 22 Matt Jarvis utilizes Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics for the maternal punch and positive influence on growth.

By Tom Strahm Through the Eyes of Our President .................................................................................................. 32 Meet Dan McCarty, AGA’s new president. By Jake Renner Top 12 Things to Consider Before Building a Cattle Handling Facility ................................................. 70

By Robert Wells, Ph.D. Livestock Consultant, Noble Research Institute

NEWS Blackhawk Cattle Company Receives Breeder of the Year Award....................................................... 44 American Gelbvieh Association Elects Board of Directors ................................................................. 48 Jim Thomas Inducted into Gelbvieh Hall of Fame .............................................................................. 52 AGA Carcass Data Collection Project Announced ............................................................................ 56

The Profit Picture is the commercially focused publication published in February and September by the American Gelbvieh Association focused on issues relevant to the commercial cow-calf producer.

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sign up to receive your free subscription to The Profit Picture by subscribing online or completing this form and mailing to American Gelbvieh Association, Attn: Profit Picture, 1001 S. 70th St., Suite 215, Lincoln, NE 68510.

Comments and feedback welcome to lynnv@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.

2 | FEBRUARY 2020

Name___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ City, State, Zip: ______________________________ Subscribe online at https://gelbvieh.org/about/profit-picturesubscription-form

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

IN EVERY ISSUE

Traffic Jam on the Information Superhighway

By Dan McCarty, AGA President

20 26

Planning for Tomorrow, Today.

28

A Lesson in Carcass Quality

58

By Megan Slater, AGA Executive Director

By Jake Renner, AGA Member and Youth Activities Coordinator

By Grady Hammer, American Gelbvieh Junior Association

Long-Term Impact of Bull Selection Requires a Thought-Out Decision 64

By Will Fiske, AGA Breed Growth Specialist

Milk EPD Explained

68

By Tonya Amen, Ph.D., AGA Breed Improvement Consultant

CONTACTS

1001 S. 70th St., Suite 215 Lincoln, NE 68510 Main phone: 303-465-2333 Fax: 303-465-2339 www.gelbvieh.org info@gelbvieh.org Facebook: American Gelbvieh Association Instagram: americangelbvieh

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Tom Strahm Commercial Marketing Director tom@gelbvieh.org 785-547-7999 Taylor Buckley Data Service Coordinator taylorb@gelbvieh.org Will Fiske Breed Growth Specialist will@gelbvieh.org Sarah Dannehl Registry Services registry@gelbvieh.org

4 | FEBRUARY 2020

4

Events of Interest

Prepare for Success

Megan Slater Executive Director megans@gelbvieh.org

Contact Us

Lynn Valentine Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator Graphic Design lynnv@gelbvieh.org Rebecca Mettler Editorial Content Coordinator rebeccam@gelbvieh.org Jake Renner Member and Youth Activities Coordinator jake@gelbvieh.org Malerie Strahm Multimedia Coordinator malerie@gelbvieh.org

100-101

Ad Index 102

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS Midwest Breeders

86 & 88

Southern Breeders

91

Service Center

93

Upper Midwest Breeders

94-95

Northeast Breeders

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Southeast Breeders

96

Western Breeders

98

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dan McCarty, President (2017) Rifle, CO • 970-481-5217 mccartycattle@hotmail.com

Derek Martin, Treasurer (2017) Bucklin, KS • 620-397-6752 dmartin@kinsleyfeeders.com

Klint Sickler, Vice President (2019) Gladstone, ND • 701-483-5250 klintsickler@hotmail.com

John Carrel, Secretary (2019) Columbus, MT • 406-322-5991 lauriecarrel@live.com

DIRECTORS Dustin Aherin (2017) Phillipsburg, KS • 785-302-1252 dgaherin@vet.k-state.edu

Andrea Murray (2018) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

Todd Bickett, DVM (2018) Chickamauga, GA • 423-667-3799 todd@bickettgenetics.com

Lowell Rogers, DVM (2017) Seminary, MS • 601-270-4152 lrdrsmiley@gmail.com

Leland Clark (2019) Barnard, KS • 785-792-6244 prcc@twinvalley.net

Randy Sienknecht (2018) Gladbrook, IA • 319-290-3763 rmsink1209@msn.com

Mark Covington (2019) Montrose, CO • 970-209-1956 covinginc@hotmail.com

Jeff Swanson (2018) Oxford, NE • 308-290-3763 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com

Jeff Loveless (2017) Spanish Fork, UT • 801-623-8308 olranch@aol.com

Tom Vehige ( 2019) Billings, MO • 417-772-2002 tbarscattle@gmail.com

Lori Maude (2018) Hermosa, SD • 303-809-3789 lori.maude@gmail.com

FEATURE

Crossbreeding is Still an Underutilized Tool

By Laura Handke

C

rossbreeding remains one of the most effective methods, both in terms of cost and efficacy, of moving a commercial cowherd forward in desired maternal traits.

The introduction of different breeds, and in some cases a different species, can improve performance in lowly heritable traits, such as conception rate, preweaning liveability of calves and preweaning growth (Bill Lamberson, 1993).* Therefore, in most instances, an increase in heterosis within a herd should increase both performance and profitability.

Robert Weaber, Ph.D., professor and extension specialist, Kansas State University, shares that while crossbreeding can pay dividends to commercial producers of all scales, it is still an underutilized tool in commercial beef production.

2. Do I raise or purchase replacement females?

In a discussion of maternal trait advancement, this is the most crucial question a producer should ask. And since about 85% of commercial producers retain their own replacement heifers, it is one question that commands careful consideration. Weaber recommends that in the initial phase of implementation, purchasing heifers can provide a faster pathway to optimized heterosis.

“Sometimes having the opportunity to bring in purchased heifers with your desired breed composition helps to quickly and more cost-effectively get over some of the obstacles of implementing a more complex crossbreeding design,” he says. “Maternal heterosis is the most challenging aspect to manage but it also generates the most value, so if buying replacement heifers gets you over that hurdle, that’s a viable solution.”

“One of the typical beliefs amongst cow-calf producers is that crossbreeding is complicated,” he says, “But the reality is that crossbreeding can be quite simple and any amount of heterosis is better than nothing.”

3. What is my herd size in relation to my crossbreeding design goal?

To mitigate the complexity of crossbreeding, Weaber suggests that all producers answer a fundamental list of questions in preparation of implementing a crossbreeding design:

Does the management necessary to make the crossbreeding design make sense with your herd numbers?

How difficult will the system be to manage, and will the maternal gains outweigh the extra time?

1. What is the product I sell, and how do I market?

“If a producer has 30 head, a three breed rota-terminal crossbreeding system isn’t going to work very well,” Weaber says, “But if I have several hundred to thousands of head, it not only works, it can be really easy to manage.”

Do I sell weaned calves, or will I retain them through backgrounding and to the rail? That sets up what traits should be emphasized in selection decisions as well as providing some road-markers about what kinds of things are important in the marketing stream. If we sell on the rail into a branded beef program coat color maybe important, but if we are selling live into the commodity stream on yield and grade, coat color may not matter.

Also, understanding the mating system to get a balance of terminal and maternal traits in the mix and building a mating system to allow for the exploitation of both types of characteristics is essential.

6 | FEBRUARY 2020

4. What breed and breed fractions do I have in my existing cow herd?

This question will help determine how a to best exploit breed complementarity. It also helps to identify what kind of bull product needs to be interjected into the crossbreeding system to get started and to reach optimal heterosis in the shortest amount of time. continued on page 8

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sire breeds or hybrid component breeds that help make environmentally adapted cows.

“If a producer has straight bred cows of one breed and introduces a purebred bull from another breed, the first cross of offspring will achieve maximum heterosis. But it usually isn’t that simple,” Weaber says.

After all of the questions have been answered, Weaber says it is important to remember the technology and tools all producers have available.

“Most herds have more than one breed. For example, a herd that has a mixture of purebred Gelbvieh cows, purebred Angus cows, and Gelbvieh x Angus crossbreds in the same operation. If one introduces a purebred Gelbvieh bull, they’d lose all of the heterosis on the set Gelbvieh cows’ calves. If the cows can’t be sorted into different breeding groups based on breed, a composite or hybrid bull can be a solution. The hybrid bull, such as a Balancer®, that’s equal parts of its parent breeds, will move all the calves towards 50:50 breed composition and 50% of the heterosis of the F1.” Use of a composite or hybrid like a Balancer makes sense in so many situations because of the heterosis they produce and the simplicity they add to a crossbreeding system.

5. What are my environmental and managerial constraints?

Efficacy doesn’t just come from moving the needle in terms of maternal heterosis. If a crossbreeding system doesn’t match the context of your operation, it may be worth considering alternatives.

As Weaber notes, “If I have a job in town and I’m trying to manage 50 or 75 cows, a complex crossbreeding design isn’t going to be the best fit. What will likely fit is a hybrid bull that provides breed complementarity and some heterosis.” Make sure the crossbreeding system you pick works in terms of your herd size to ensure efficient use of bull power. Also consider your ability to manage variation in coat color or type induced by the system so as to avoid unnecessary price discounts at marketing through sorting of load size lots or retained ownership. Can you effectively divide cows into several breeding or management groups based on breed fractions? All of these components help dictate the most appropriate crossbreeding system.

Producers should also be aware of the differences that exist across breed groups for a variety of traits.

Consider environmental limitations or challenges such as precipitation, temperature/humidity, and parasite load.

Understanding these challenges will enable selection of

8 | FEBRUARY 2020

Implementing technology and advanced reproductive strategies, particularly the use of gender sorted semen to build replacement heifers, are efficient ways to overcome some of the barriers and challenges of crossbreeding in all sizes of herds, especially smaller herds.

“That semen can cost more, but when you start figuring out what the value of those crossbred females is, coupled with the fact that you have the opportunity to be very selective and intentional with the maternal characteristics that you build into those females, you end up with really valuable additions to your herd,” Weaber says. “AI lets you access bulls that you ordinarily wouldn’t be able to access due to price. As a commercial producer, often you can’t afford to buy a bull of the quality available AI to build exceptional heifers. When you look at it from what you gain, the cash outlay is really justifiable.” FF References: Bill Lamberson, J. M. (1993). Crossbreeding Systems for Small Herds of Beef Cattle. Retrieved from Extension University of Missouri : https://extension2.missouri.edu/g2040

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FEATURE

Balancer®: The Crossbreed that Adds the Pounds, Makes the Grade, and Delivers the Value.

By Malerie Strahm

I

n today’s cattle industry, maternal efficiency is more important than ever. A cow that consumes less, produces more and stays in the herd longer equates to more money in producers’ pockets. Gelbvieh cattle are widely recognized for their maternal superiority through added fertility, greater longevity, and moderate mature cow size and bring those ever-important traits to the Balancer® hybrid.

Rodger and Lindy Schroeder of Chugwater, Wyoming, the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) Commerical Producers of the Year for 2019, have curated a successful program utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics.

“In 1980 we were exposed to the Gelbvieh breed and fell in love with it,” said Rodger. “Eight years ago we went from the purebreds into the Balancers and we’ve really enjoyed the Balancers. We’ve picked up more flesh but we’ve still got the docility and the milk.”

One of the oldest German cattle breeds, Gelbvieh cattle are known for their maternal strengths and superior growth. With attributes such as more pounds of calf weaned, added fertility, greater cow herd longevity and heavier carcass weights, these attributes are being utilized in operations all across the country to help maximize profitability.

10 | FEBRUARY 2020

Balancer cattle are registered hybrid seedstock that have documented pedigrees and expected progeny differences (EPDs). Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and a profitable blend of British and Continental genetics without a complicated crossbreeding system.

“You know the complements that the Gelbvieh cattle bring in are I think udder quality, teat quality, milking ability and muscle,” said Jeff Klein, Ennis, Montana.

“And then the hybrid vigor they give when you crossbreed them, just adds extra pounds come sale day, so that’s why we use them.”

Crossbreeding has been utilized in the beef industry for many years and for good reason. Early on, the AGA recognized how well Gelbvieh genetics fit into a crossbreeding program and created the first trademark name for registered hybrid beef cattle, Balancer.

Producers are finding Balancer cattle to be a positive influence on their herds.

“About ten or twelve years ago when we started purchasing Balancer bulls, we noticed a big increase in weaning weights and the health of the herd improved. A lot of that is due to the crossbreed program and an improved vaccination program,” said Harry Haythorne, Maxwell, Nebraska. continued on page 12

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FEATURE continued from page 10

the rail. These cattle are adding the pounds, making the grade, and delivering the value.

“We started using Balancer bulls in 1994,” Said Kurt Johnson, Stuart, Nebraska. “So we were looking for something that would have good growth in the steers but yet have good moms. And since then it’s been a really good choice for us.”

“People that have purchased our steer haves have been pleased with their performance. They’ve outperformed what their rations were designed for,” said Rodger Schroeder.

“We always try to improve the herd and these Balancer cattle have really helped us. They’re easy to train, I guess because they are docile,” said Haythorne.

“We decided that those Balancer bulls and the Gelbvieh breed would be a good complement to our Angus-based herd because those calves are easy-calving and lighter birth weights. Generally speaking the Gelbvieh is a very thrifty calf. The Balancer crossbreeding program fits our program and it fits our ranch and our resources.”

In addition to what Gelbvieh and Balancer can do on the ranch, the benefits of utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics can also be seen in the feedlot and on

12 | FEBRUARY 2020

“Those cattle start out a little lighter, but boy, they wean heavier because they do better, they are thrifty, and they match our resources here in the Sandhills,” said Haythorne.

Not only do Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics work for the commercial cattle producers, the AGA offers programs and services to help meet the needs of producers in today’s modern beef industry. For more information about Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle and the commercial programs offered by the AGA visit Gelbvieh.org. FF

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CATTLEMEN’S PROFIT ROUNDUP Market Outlook for 2020

By Rebecca Mettler

L

ooking to bigger picture trends, the nation’s cowherd has expanded about 6 million head in the last six years.

The two main driving factors with the expansion were profitability and good grazing conditions.

CattleFax believes that rather than the market being supply-driven as it has been in the past, changes will occur, according to Tanner Aherin, CattleFax analyst.

Aherin spoke to the attendees of the fifth annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium, sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Corn Growers Association, held at the 49th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention, in Billings, Montana.

“We feel this market is starting to transition to more of a demand-driven market. Whatever the consumer, both domestically and globally, is wanting, whatever they are demanding is going to send signals down the market.”

The industry has moved past the major cuts in beef demand seen in the ‘80s and ‘90s and has been gaining demand over the last 15 years. More demand has created more money coming into the industry.

Cow-Calf Outlook It’s not of too much surprise that the margins of 2018 got even tighter in 2019 and will possibly get tighter as the industry moves through 2020.

“Because they have gotten tighter, that’s going to tell people to slow down expansion and maybe even quit expanding.”

14 | FEBRUARY 2020

In fact, Aherin called the expansion essentially over, with a 2020 forecast placing the U.S. beef cow inventory up only 50,000 head. Into the future, CattleFax sees a flattening trend line over the next few years placing inventory just short of 32 million head.

Obviously, if the cowherd grows, slaughter numbers grow right behind. In 2020, the industry should expect an increase of about 250,000 head, which equates to a nearly 1% gain.

“And if you think about the futures markets, we have a large premium out there with February contracts, a large premium out with April contracts. Those feeders are going to keep feeding their cattle a little longer and carry those cattle to those premiums, so we should see year-over-year growth in that first quarter.”

Aherin pointed out that, unfortunately, harvest capacity has not grown at the same rate as fed slaughter numbers. Since 2011, the industry has lost 35,000 head of shackle space.

Carcass weight is also expected to increase in 2020 by 8 pounds for a 1% increase. In all, is expected to be a 2% increase in beef production.

“As long as we can keep the exports going and move some of that product off of the domestic market, we can work through that extra supply that we have out there.”

Exports and Imports After three years of double-digit growth, unfortunately exports in 2019 were somewhat disappointing.

“We are seeing a little bit of lag on the Japan markets and the greater China area, but we do expect those exports to rebound and increase about 5% in 2020.”

The increase is in part due to a bilateral trade deal with Japan that went into effect January 1; the deal places U.S. tariffs at the same level as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Aherin also explained that imports are expected to be down 5% because the U.S. will not bring as much product in from Australia and New Zealand.

“And because of the balance of trade, we are going to take over 1 pound per person off the domestic market.”

Aherin said. “Going forward we expect the U.S. to continue to be a net exporter for the next couple of years.”

Corn

CATTLEMEN’S PROFIT ROUNDUP

Looking into 2020, corn prices aren’t expected to have a large impact on cattle markets, barring any big weather complications like what happened in 2019. CattleFax expects corn to fall back into the range of $3.30 to $4.15, which is the average for the last four or five years.

Competing Proteins and the Impact on Beef CattleFax expects pork production to increase about 2.5%, which is driven by an expansion in packing capacity of 10% since 2015. Pork exports are expected to be up 15% in 2020, but that depends on how much of an impact China’s African Swine Fever will have.

For broilers, production is expected to grow 4% in 2020 with exports up 8%. This increase in exports is mainly driven

by Chinas recently lifted ban on U.S. broiler imports.

“Prior to 2015 they had shipped or imported as much as 700 million pounds of U.S. broiler products back in ’08 and ’09, so we would expect similar number going forward driving up the export number.”

Despite the increase, Aherin reports record supply in the U.S. providing plenty of poultry for domestic consumers to work through in 2020.

With record per capita supplies for red meat and poultry, the U.S. will see about a 2 pound overall increase in 2020.

“At almost 221 pounds per person, this is definitely a headwind that we will have to work through with plenty of supply on the market.” Aherin said. “It could be a price limiting factor for sure.”

Demand Domestic beef demand has performed exceptionally well in the last couple of years.

“Demand has outperformed our expectations and is picking up the slack from the global market, especially in the last couple of years. If you think about the economy, we have low unemployment, increases in wages; we have a strong economy.” Aherin said. “And people want that higher quality product.”

In fact, U.S. consumer spending on beef has increased about $60 billion since the late ‘90s, which Aherin considers a pretty impressive feat.

but as long as we continue to grow the pie, it’s positive for the industry.”

And while things are still looking good for 2020, Aherin cautions that economists at Rabobank are forecasting an economic slowdown in the second half of 2020. Aherin explains that he hopes that the Federal Reserve will continue to cut interest rates and stay on top of a potential recession, which will lessen the impact on the beef industry.

“But if a recession were to happen, we could certainly see beef demand falter. Between the three major proteins we have the most to lose when it comes to price, especially in the retail segment,” Aherin said.

Cow-Calf Strategies and Prices Cow-calf producers are in a unique situation in the beef industry because they are more of a fixed-cost operator rather than a margin operator. Because of the fixed cost scenario, cow-calf producers should avoid selling calves during the seasonally low prices, particularly in the fall. The odds that feeder calf prices will dip in the fall are fairly good at eight out of 10 years. To combat this, Aherin suggests producers look into forward contracting or selling in summer video sales. Another option for producers is to consider retaining ownership, even at 40 to 60 days extra, just to market them later in the year.

“We have a lot of data that suggests that more times than not, your cattle are going to bring steady to higher prices during summer video sales compared to markets in the fall.”

So, what are the price forecasts for 2020? CattleFax’s predictions places 2020 prices a little stronger, at $2 to $3 higher, for the most part, according to Aherin. Average 550-pound steer price/cwt is set at $165, with $150 low and $175 high. Average 750 pound steer price/cwt is forecast at $146 with the low at $135 and $155 high. Fed steer price is forecast at $118 cwt with the low at $105 and high at $130.

“We feel very confident in the lows, we don’t think there’s a reason the market should get any cheaper than that, unless we were to have a severe recession or something along those lines.” FF

“Every sector might not get an equal portion of the pie,

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 15

CATTLEMEN’S PROFIT ROUNDUP

Are You Getting What You Need from Your Seedstock Supplier?

By Rebecca Mettler

T

he rubber is about to hit the road on another bull sale season.

Before commercial producers scour every sale catalog in a five-county radius looking for their next herd sire, why not seriously evaluate your commercial operation and your potential seedstock supplier sans cattle for a moment? Evaluate yours and their goals and motos, their view on technology, and the seedstock supplier’s service after the sale.

Ryan Ludvigson, Ludvigson Stock Farms, Montana, spoke to the attendees of the fifth annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium, sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Corn Growers Association, held at the 49th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention, in Billings, Montana.

Ludvigson, along with his family, owns and operates Ludvigson Stock Farms producing and merchandising Red Angus and Red Hybred Seedstock. Ludvigson Stock Farms markets over 900 registered bulls and over 500 registered females each year. Currently, Ludvigson Stock Farms ranks in the Top 10 of beef seedstock operations in the U.S., as ranked by BEEF magazine.

The first order of business when choosing a seedstock supplier is to first determine what are the breeding goals of the commercial operation. Does the operation sell calves at weaning, retain them as yearlings, or feed out their cattle? Or, is the main focus of the operation to sell replacement females?

16 | FEBRUARY 2020

“At the end of the day you have to figure out who your customer is, and then build your program around them,” Ludvigson said.

The next step is to determine the commercial operation’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Absolutely every herd out there has strengths and weaknesses and you have all different strengths and weaknesses,” Ludvigson said. “You just need to identify those and be able to plug those holes.”

Finding seedstock producers who incorporate genetic advancements such as DNA, genomic testing, and whatever technology is the next breakthrough in the industry is critical. In today’s fast-paced industry, DNA testing has become almost a requirement.

“I

think your seedstock provider really needs to know and understand your operation, know what kind of cattle you are trying to produce, and really know who your customer is,” Ludvigson said.

“DNA is such a huge deal today,” Ludvigson said.

“There’s no way that you can really select or purchase bulls today that aren’t DNA tested. I mean the technology is available, it increases the accuracy of the cattle you will be selecting, and it’s one of the things that you can’t really pass up.”

“We utilize genetic predictions, EPDs and indexes, we feel like they are great tools, and they give you a lot more accuracy in the bulls that you purchase,” Ludvigson said. “And then obviously visual appraisal is a must. I think we all know in the industry today we probably have let visual appraisal slide a little, and it’s probably something that people have to emphasize a bit more.”

CATTLEMEN’S PROFIT ROUNDUP in their customers’ successes are better equipped to assist their customers with selection decisions.

Appraisal includes looking at the seedstock supplier’s own cowherd strengths. Overall depth of quality from top to bottom is a good indicator of progressive and consistent genetics, and proper management.

“I think your seedstock provider really needs to know and understand your operation, know what kind of cattle you are trying to produce, and really know who your customer is,” Ludvigson said. “If they don’t know all those things about you, they can’t really help you select the right genetic inputs.”

“You really need to measure those cowherds by really counting the least of their production, and if those cattle make the bar, then you know you are getting some of the very best out of the top.”

Ludvigson also places special importance on animal husbandry and stockmanship.

“I think you need to identify seedstock people that are really good at stockmanship. That is probably an older term, but I tell you what, those people that are on their ranch working with their cows, they know them inside and out and they have a very strong, I guess, relationship, with the operation. It’s very important.”

Customer service beyond the sale is another important aspect of the seedstock supplier/customer relationship. Seedstock suppliers that spend time getting to know their customers and that are interested

Lastly, does the seedstock supplier help customers with marketing assistance? It’s becoming a much bigger piece of the customer service footprint than in the past.

“It’s a nice tie-in because if you find seedstock producers that do offer that marketing assistance they help you to close up the chain. They then can help you to get together with feedlots and even packers to get information back.”

Through astute evaluation, and taking these tips into consideration, finding the right seedstock supplier for your operation can help take you to the next level of production within the cow-calf sector. It’s a decision that can’t be taken lightly. FF

Lone oak CattLe

Please join us Saturday, March 21, 2020 for our Bring your family and meet ours. Cattle 8th Annual Bull Sale available for viewing after 9:00 AM. Auction begins at 1:30 PM at the Farm.

Come early for Beef & Beans.

Past Sale Highlight!

OFFERING: 41 Yearling & 9 Fall Aged Bulls 50 Females – Open Heifers, Bred Heifers, Bred Cows & Cow/Calf Pairs H Several ET Sons of our 024X Donor LONE OAK Featuring the influence of these great sires:

Basin Payweight 1682 SAV Resource 1444 66B “ Dave” Lensegrav (3/4 AN 1/4GV)

HF Lute 116D JRI Oklahoma 246C4 CDI Innovator

C AT T L E

Eric & Heather Ehresman

20963 30th St. • Mechanicsville, IA 52306 319-480-1564 hornsandthorns@netins.net www.loneoakcattleiowa.com

Sale catalogs and videos available at Lone Oak

Moderate, Fertile, Performance Cattle!

Cattle Iowa or Lone Oak Cattle Facebook.

High Quality Balancer, Gelbvieh and Hybrid Cattle Available late February/early March

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 17

CATTLEMEN’S PROFIT ROUNDUP Feeder Calf Marketing 101

By Rebecca Mettler

L

ike everything else in this world, the strategies of feeder cattle marketing have changed over the past several decades. In fact, the rate of change within the commercial beef sector is increasing at a fast clip. Getting on board with current marketing opportunities can provide producers with increased revenue.

To Bob Cook, Public Auction Yards, Billings, Montana, two opportunities in marketing have really come to the forefront recently as ways to get the most profit from a cowherd. One being preconditioning, which has been around for a long time, and the second is process verified programs (PVP) aimed at creating more value.

Cook spoke to the attendees of the fifth annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium, sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Corn Growers Association, held at the 49th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention, in Billings, Montana. During his 42 years with the Public Auction Yards, Cook has witnessed and influenced the evolution of feeder calf marketing.

Cook explained that there are three of four stages of preconditioning, each providing more opportunity for profit. Weaning is a major element of the preconditioning process and can provide additional profit at the cow-calf level, especially last fall.

“The standard on weaning them is 45 days. Anything less than that, and your buyers may be somewhat suspect of your weaning practices.”

PVP programs include age and source, NHTC (nonhormone treated cattle), GAP (Global Animal Partnership), and all natural.

In addition, producers must always be cognizant of quality when marketing feeder calves.

18 | FEBRUARY 2020

“You have to have top quality cattle. You can go through all the programs, all through preconditioning, but you have to have good performance cattle.”

Methods of Marketing Auction markets attract a lot of business around the nation. Cook is involved with three livestock markets in Montana that market up to 700,000 head of cattle annually.

Auction markets have opened up a lot of competitiveness through the option for internet bidding.

Cattle USA and the Livestock Marketing Association have made internet sales available at most all of the markets in the state, which gives the opportunity for more competitiveness when selling livestock, according to Cook.

“I really think one of the things that has changed the face of marketing was video sales.”

Video sales started becoming popular 30 years ago, but the first video auction in the world was held at the Public Auction Yard, under the direction of owner Pat Goggins.

“The principles he put forward in 1976 were the same principles that the video auction has now. It was to take the video to the rancher, let him still sell his cattle on contract, sell them at his terms, but with the competitiveness of auction markets.”

Today, Cook is involved in Northern Livestock Video, which handles 300,000 head of calves and replacement females per year.

In addition, contract selling has been a popular way to market feeder cattle in Montana for years.

“Around here the bigger operators all have their own scales and they all have their own ways of marketing.”

Through contract selling, the rancher has the opportunity to sell their stock on their own terms. They find their contract buyer or farmer feeders and develop a marketing relationship with them.

In the end, it’s important for producers to take the time to identify which marketing avenue best fits their operation, while always keeping in mind ways to maximize profitability at every turn in the commercial cow-calf sector.

Marketing strategies are continually changing; just be ready to change with the times. FF

Bar arrow Cattle Company 30TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE 80 GelBvieh & BalanCer® yearlinG Bulls

March 10, 2020 • 1:00 PM CST • At the Ranch

15 GelBvieh & BalanCer® elite heifers

BaG Groot 89G

Sired by Foreman 15.47” REA @ 1172 lbs | 4.13 IMF DOB: 3/10/2019 | 50% Balancer

BaG mr CinCh 62G

BaG mr Clyde 126G

Sired by BAG Clyde 46D REA 15.69” @ 1097 pounds | IMF 4.05 DOB 3/18/2019 | 75% Balancer

Sired by IVERS Cinch REA 13.45” @ 1062 pounds | IMF 4.05 DOB 3/4/2019 | 80% Gelbvieh

2020 NWSS RESERVE CHAMPION PEN OF 5 GELBVIEH BULLS

BaG Grady 28G

2020 NWSS DIVISION 2 CHAMPION PEN OF 3 BALANCER BULLS

Other sires include: Lazy TV Rapture, BAG Diamond Back & CTR Sandhills Stuart Jarvis Phillipsburg, KS • e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net 785/543-5177 H • 785/543-8120 C Cody: 785/309-6455 Kayla: 785/302-0429

Sired by GRU Early encounter REA 14.97” @ 1171 pounds | IMF 3.39 DOB 2/21/2019 | 50% Balancer

NOTE FROM THE BOARD

Traffic Jam on the Information Superhighway

By Dan McCarty

T

he amount of information available in the world today can sometimes overwhelm a person. When making even the simplest of decisions, the information available to help make those decisions is like nothing we have ever experienced before – and it’s right at our fingertips. A recent article in Forbes discussed the amount of data that we are currently faced with navigating, pointing out that in just the last two years alone, 90% of the data in the world was generated.

day. Nearly all the decisions we make on the ranch daily, including management, genetic, marketing, purchasing, and many more, are often aided with technology and data. That data may not be stored or available on the web or in your phone, but it’s still information that you use to plan and decide.

I was recently flipping through the August 1983 edition of Gelbvieh Country and the column from the Association’s executive director mentioned that the board of directors had recently made the decision to computerize the registration process. The part that made me chuckle was the next sentence that mentioned that computers don’t operate themselves and the Association would need to add two additional staff members to operate them. Today, AGA members can utilize their

How we find, use, and share this enormous amount of data is evolving as well. A 2017 study revealed that Americans check their mobile phone on average once every 12 minutes, which means they are looking at their phone over 80 times a day. Another study found that Millennials n a competitive world with tight margins, we spend an average of five hours a day using are seeing the spread widen between “average” their phone, and we all know they are not cattle and quality cattle with a data trail attached usually using it to call someone! In the last 60 seconds while you were reading this, 16 to them. This was very easy to see during the fall million text messages were sent as well as run in 2019.

156 million emails – of course it’s estimated 103 million of those were spam emails!

I

Nearly 4 billion people on Earth now use the internet. Google receives over 63,000 searches per second, equating to 5.6 billion searches per day, with over half of these searches conducted from a mobile phone. The statistics of social media are truly mind boggling. Generated every minute of every day are over 500,000 photos on Snapchat; over 4,000,000 YouTube video views; over 450,000 tweets on Twitter; and nearly 50,000 photos are posted on Instagram. There are currently over 5 trillion photos stored on our phones. To top it all off, there are five new Facebook profiles created every second with over 1.5 billion people active on the site daily.

The technology and information utilized in cattle production is constantly evolving as well. Gelbvieh and Balancer® breeders and the commercial cattle producers that do business with us utilize technology and data each

20 | FEBRUARY 2020

smartphone anywhere and anytime of the day. You can register a calf, input data, view reports, or see herd trends all in the palm of your hand while in the pasture!

The way in which we market cattle and genetics has certainly changed as well. The volume of cattle that are traded on video and internet sales continues to grow.

Research out of Colorado State University in 2019 estimated the number of feeder cattle and calves sold via video auction at 4 million head – although noting a disproportionate share of these come from large ranches in the western United States. Even the smallest and most remote auction markets are typically broadcasting via the web, with bidders and buyers sometimes being hundreds of miles away. In the seedstock world, we often trade cattle with a phone call or simply by text message.

In a competitive world with tight margins, we are seeing the spread widen between “average” cattle and quality cattle with a data trail attached to them. This was very easy to see during the fall run in 2019. Feeder cattle sales from across the county noted this trend. It is important for cattle producers to know that even if a load of feeder cattle does not have a data trail with them, there is a good chance that whoever is bidding on your calves already has a general idea how those cattle will perform in the feedlot and on the rail. How do they know this? They’ve been keeping track and compiling data using it to make decisions that don’t expose them to additional risk.

With all the technology, marketing and networking available to us at the tip of our fingers, I think it’s important to remember that our business is a relationship business.

We post our sales online, make all the information available on the web, have videos and pictures of nearly every animal that we sell. Our customers can make well informed decisions with the information we provide, and with what they can find doing their own research. We make it very easy for our customers not to have to contact us and for us not to contact them. However, there is one important element we have left out of this discussion and that is customer service.

Building relationships requires us to get to know our customers and understanding their goals and needs. It also goes the other way. I want my customer to get to know me and understand what my goals are and what they can expect from me and my program. I believe most Gelbvieh and Balancer breeders feel the same way, as do the many commercial cattle producers that utilize our genetics and put their trust in us when investing in our programs.

It is the utmost importance that we all think about what this entire industry is all about as well – producing and providing the highest quality protein to our consumer and if we don’t meet their expectations, we are sure to hear about it…probably on the internet. FF

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 21

Over THE

Fence

Over the Fence with Matt Jarvis, Rollin J Ranch, Phillipsburg, Kansas

By Tom Strahm

Over the past several years, Matt and Shelly have been able to expand their cow-calf operation. Matt has built pens and a grow yard, which initially was for weaning their homeraised calves. This has created more marketing flexibility for backgrounding, and potentially feeding of the home-raised calves. It has also created the opportunity to do some custom backgrounding of other feeder cattle at different times. Matt has fed-out his home-raised cattle in the past, and is planning to do more of it in the future.

How did you get started using Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics?

M

att and Shelly Jarvis are busy chasing kids and cows on the Rollin J Ranch in north central Kansas. They primarily operate a commercial cow-calf operation, and are located near Phillipsburg, Kansas. Matt and Shelly have three children. Their oldest is daughter, Joey (7), middle child is daughter, Charley (5), and the youngest is their son, Buster (4).

In addition to the cattle and kids, Shelly owns and operates the Rollin J Boutique. She sells women’s apparel and accessories via her website, therollinj.com, as well as through the storefront in Phillipsburg.

Matt grew up in the Phillipsburg area. His immediate family was involved in a diversified operation that included row crops and livestock. Matt developed a passion more specifically for beef cattle and the cow-calf operation while spending time helping his grandfather who ran commercial cows.

After high school, Matt went to Fort Hays State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in animal science. Following graduation, he went to work as a field engineer for ICM and was involved in the onsite construction of ethanol plants.

During this time, Matt began purchasing a few cows to start his own herd. Eventually, he returned home to the Phillipsburg area and started ranching and raising cattle fulltime in about 2007.

22 | FEBRUARY 2020

“When I moved back, and was trying to start a cowherd, I had the opportunity to purchase some cows from some older guys who were retiring. Several of those cows had Gelbvieh influence. I was very impressed with their maternal strengths and their docility. Those cows raised big calves and were easy to handle!”

Matt continues, “Initially, most of the females I bought to build my herd were Angus-based bred heifers. Because I liked what those other Gelbvieh-influenced females were raising for calves, I decided to buy Gelbvieh bulls to use on the Angus-based females that I was buying.”

What are some advantages of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics that you appreciate?

“The maternal strengths of Gelbvieh are a great advantage in my cowherd. These females are good mothers, they have quiet dispositions, they claim their calves at birth, and then they milk good.” Since Matt has grown his herd to a more sustainable number of cows, he is keeping his own replacements instead of purchasing outside females. “I have been able to raise better females than I was able to purchase.”

Now that he is retaining his own Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced replacement females, Matt is purchasing more Balancer bulls to maintain a more optimum balance and blend of Continental and British breed genetics.

“I want to end up at about one-half to five-eighths Gelbvieh influence overall. I like those females. I like to

Even though I keep replacements, I don’t put a lot of emphasis on milk EPDs because these Gelbvieh and Balancer females milk very well.”

After he makes selections based on the data, he looks at the bulls to make sure they are phenotypically good and structurally sound.

“I think the breed has come a long way over the years, and made a lot of progress. The cattle have really improved phenotypically, and still maintained the combination of maternal strength with a high level of growth.”

be able to capitalize on the benefits of crossbreeding and hybrid vigor. Those benefits include the extra growth and some added muscle in the feeder cattle I’m producing.”

How do you market your home-raised calves?

“I’ve been at least weaning and backgrounding my calves here at home before selling them. I’ll either sell them at auction, or direct off the ranch. Depending on what the market looks like, I may feed them a little longer before selling them as feeders.

I have fed out some of my cattle before and have been pleased with the results. The performance has been good and so has the carcass merit.”

“I decided to start feeding out some of my own homeraised cattle after a potential buyer told me they wouldn’t have good enough carcass quality.

From personal experience, I’ve found that my cattle will grade 90-94% Choice or better. There will be a few Yield Grade 4s, but not very many.”

What traits are important to you when selecting bulls to purchase?

“For the most part, I want to buy bulls with good growth and performance, along with good carcass merit. I like to look at weaning weight and yearling weight expected progeny differences (EPDs), and the FPI™ (Feeder Profit Index) because that includes growth and carcass.

Matt continues, “The docility of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics is a great attribute and very important. This is a family operation, and we have young children. As they grow up, I want them to be able to participate in this lifestyle. I want them to be safe, and cattle with quiet dispositions make it easier and safer for everybody.”

“What are a couple of the AGA sponsored activities you’ve participated in?

“Shelly and I went to the AGA National Convention in Nashville in 2018. Then I went to Billings in 2019.

Those events have been good opportunities to meet new people, network, and build relationships or friendships. There’s usually an opportunity to learn from different cattle producers, or learn from the speakers at Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup.”

“This year, even though I plan to feed out my steers at home, I took 10 homeraised steers to the American Gelbvieh Foundation Steer Challenge. It would be nice if more people took advantage of opportunities like this to learn more about their genetics and how they perform. I want to be able to learn more and then use that knowledge to make better decisions and improvements in my own herd.” FF

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 23

Cowman’s Kind

BULL AND FEMALE SALE 47G2

66G8

AI sired by the featured ABS sire Broken Bow and out of a terrific Post Rock Power Built 1st calf heifer. This 44 % Balancer posted top 20% CED & BW EPD’s and is an example of the results of our aggressive AI and ET program.

CED 13 CED 15

BW WW -1.0 69

YW 100

MK 21

TM 55

CEM YG CW 10 -0.13 32

REA MB FPI 0.74 0.67 88.43

26B8

BW 1.7

WW 76

YW 113

MK 14

TM 52

CEM YG CW 5 -0.18 26

REA MB FPI 0.60 0.26 78.10

Homo polled hetro black 94% purebred son of Oklahoma. He has top 2% growth & top 40% marbling EPD’s with above breed average calving ease.

His dam is am AGA Dam of Merit and is an own daughter of the famed 223M2 donor. Several AI sired purebreds that are seedstock bulls sell.

823F 50% Balancer daughter of the featured AI sire Conneally Confidence that has been an awesome producer with a 92BW, 105 WW ratio’s on her calves. Every sound 6 year old sells as our annual sale feature and this years group is large and packed with top cows.

CED BW WW YW MK 15 -2.2 63 98 25

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 54 10 -0.08 26 0.55 0.32 78.01 133.86

CED BW WW YW MK 14 -0.3 64 98 15

Outcross ET sons of the popular Angus sire Denver out of the noted 7309T donor. 3 other flush brothers sell and they are as strong and consistent as any flush as we’ve had the privilege to sell.

315A1 Over 30 purebred females sell in this years sale including this perfect uddered Shark daughter out of a Post Rock Granite 200P2 X Extra Exposure dam.

She ratio’d 104 WW and 106 YW on her progeny. She’s homo polled by birthright and has been a top producer.

CED BW WW YW MK 10 2.0 70 110 20

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 47 7 -0.03 44 0.63 0.67 83.40 108.56

827F

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 55 5 -0.21 40 0.79 0.13 71.63 112.35 CED BW WW YW MK 13 0.6 74 111 15

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 52 6 -0.26 41 0.82 0.57 86.69 84.42

The Distinguished C136 has been one of our best and high selling sire groups

3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 for several years. This ET son out of the 7309T donor is a 59% Balancer that is Bill Clark: 785.792.6244 homo black, homo polled and is good enough to lead a seedstock program.

Check out the EPD’s on this stud.

Leland Clark: 785.792.6208 Fax: 785.792.6250 • Email: prcc@twinvalley.net “Where calving ease, performance and eye-appeal come together.”

FEBRUARY 29, 2020 • 12:30 PM (CST)

315F8

Post Rock Cattle Company Sale Facility • Barnard, Kansas

115 BULLS SELL • 80 FEMALES SELL

Gelbvieh and Balancer® • Including all six year old cows.

839F

Impressive Homo Black, Homo Polled, 58% Balancer son of Young Gun. His 10X dam’s 3 flush bothers averaged $6750. She is an own daughter of the Twila 245W2 donor now at 4T Ranch. Young Gun will be back with a large sire group with this kind of eye appeal and genetic strength.

CED BW WW YW MK 14 0.1 66 97 9

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 42 8 -0.05 35 0.62 0.26 73.19 87.30

821F

CED BW WW YW MK 13 0.1 71 106 24

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 59 9 0.12 42 0.24 0.49 82.46 82.53

Another ET son of Denver X 7309T that has herd sire potential. Homo black, homo polled with top 30% ease above average growth & top 10 marbling EPD’s. A member of a truly outstanding flush

Several sons of the Angus legend Basin Payweight 1682 sell including this homo black, homo polled 50% Balancer ET son who has 3 other flush brothers selling. His dam is also the dam of our former resident herd sire Twin Oak Focus 277Y. One of the best Payweight sons to sell anywhere.

52G8 CED BW WW YW MK 15 -0.6 58 88 18

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 47 8 -0.08 43 0.62 0.53 77.78 98.39

486G

CED BW WW YW MK 12 0.7 81 122 5

Game Changer is a featured sire group that we are really excited about and includes several sons that are as good as we’ve ever raised including this homo black, homo polled stud. Outstanding EPD’s and individual data and pedigree strength making him an elite herd sire prospect.

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 46 8 0.08 26 0.17 0.61 89.19 125.26

Outstanding homo black, homo polled 38% Balancer son of EGL Game Changer. His Momma Maker dam is one of our very best with a 96 BW, 103 WW, 103 YW ratio’s. Game Changer proved to be the big winner in the 2019 AGF Scale & Rail contest and several, of his sons selling are bigtime good.

CED BW WW YW MK 10 1.2 86 130 12

TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI EPI 55 6 -0.12 41 0.65 0.54 90.84 136.92

Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

COWMAN’S KIND SALE FEATURES • • • •

All bulls have genomic enhanced EPD’s and are sire verified and tested for Homo Black and Homo Polled All bulls have complete ultrasound data and complete performance data 95% of all bulls are Homo Polled and 80% are Homo Black as well All bulls developed in large open lots on a high roughage ration

• • • •

Video of entire offering available on line after February 1 First breeding season death and injury guarantee Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction have kept us in the seed stock business for more than 55 years Every sound 6 year old female sells as our annual dispersal to assure you of 1st chance at our best genetics

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371 20180 NE Roy Golden Road Blountstown, FL 321424

FROM THE CORNER OFFICE Prepare for Success

By Megan Slater

T

he cattle market is ever changing and as we have seen in recent years, change can happen very quickly making some years in the cattle business more challenging than others. However, it was once said that the difference between success and failure is often times preparation, and that statement can certainly be applied to the cattle industry. It can be argued that today’s farmers and cattle ranchers are faced with more challenges than ever before. Nevertheless, there are more resources today to overcome these many challenges.

will pass to their offspring is relatively unknown. GEEPDs help to reduce the amount of error between the difference in an animal’s true genetic merit and its predicted genetic merit (in other words, an EPD). Confidence in an animal’s EPDs earlier in life means that producers can more reliably predict the performance outcomes of using younger, unproven animals in their breeding herd.

It is nearly impossible to produce the highest quality calves if you start out with poor genetics. The bull purchasing decisions you make today will affect your breeding program for years to come. Just as a lower yielding corn variety yields a less than desirable crop, mediocre bulls will more than likely sire mediocre calves.

One of the most important resources available to Using GE-EPDs helps producers to select high quality cattle producers is information. Through the past genetics that will produce high quality calves. several years great advancements have been made DNA testing in technology used can also be used on within the cattle females, both registered industry to provide tilizing DNA testing on females can help and commercial, to producers with more producers learn more about their cowherd aid in the replacement and more information selection process. DNA in order to more efficiently and effectively about the cattle they testing commercial produce and/or make decisions that impact the productivity of females is another tool purchase. DNA testing in the toolbox that the operation for years to come. is just one example cattle producers can of technological utilize when making advancement, as it selection decisions. The gives us more reliable American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) currently offers a information through genomic-enhanced expected commercial DNA panel, Igenity Gelbvieh. This profile is progeny differences (GE-EPDs). a low-density panel to be used by producers as a sorting GE-EPDs allow cattle producers to make more tool for Gelbvieh-influenced commercial females. Traits informed decisions based on the most accurate data that are measured using this test include calving ease available. Several seedstock producers today offer GEdirect, feed efficiency (RFI), marbling, post-weaning gain, EPDs on their cattle to help provide their customers stayability, and tenderness. These traits are measured with the information they need to make more-informed for the female against the entire Gelbvieh population breeding decisions. In fact, some progressive minds in with molecular breeding values (MBVs) and results are the industry believe utilization of the technology is a received in a 1 to 10 score for each trait. must. Traditionally, EPDs on young animals with very Utilizing DNA testing on females can help producers little accuracy have the possibility to change quite a learn more about their cowherd in order to more bit over time. This possible change can add risk when efficiently and effectively make decisions that impact the producers use young animals in their breeding herds, productivity of the operation for years to come. Selecting because the true merit of the genetics those animals females with maternal efficiency will continue to be a

U

26 | FEBRUARY 2020

large profit driver in the future. The cattle that produce more with less input will be the ones that will be the most profitable. Cows that maintain a moderate mature size, thus requiring less feed, coupled with the ability to wean a big calf will always be profitable.

Another tool that is available to cattle producers that allows them to obtain more information about their cattle is AGA’s Smart Select Service. Smart Select Service is a data management system which provides ranchers, with any breed of commercial cattle, selection tools to make breeding and management decisions based off their herd records to determine which females are going to make the ranch’s top producing cows. Smart Select Service helps the commercial producer stay ahead of the curve by providing better knowledge of each cow’s production level. The AGA is in the process of making this tool even more user-friendly for cattle producers.

It has been said the only thing constant in the cattle business is change and therefore embracing the technology that’s readily available is important for preparing for all changes in the market. Additionally, in all markets, the basic fundamentals of raising cattle cannot be forgotten. Technological advancements help producers manage the basic fundamentals more efficiently with the most accurate information available. FF

REGISTERED GELBVIEH & BALANCER® Move your herd forward by taking advangage of over 36 years of intentional A.I. breeding!

Your source for P.A.P. tested, calving ease and low birth weight EPD bulls!

Selling February 28, 2020 in the “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bull Sale 100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Using Bud Williams Stockmanship methods for 20+ years

FEMALES AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY

At Bow K Ranch we emphasize moderate-size, quality udders, calving ease, and are focusing on optimal tenderness and marbling.

David & Dawn Bowman • Andrew & Sarah Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 • (970) 323-6833 •

WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM THE PROFIT PICTURE | 27

STAFF EDITORIAL

Planning for Tomorrow, Today.

By Jake Renner

A

s ranchers, you take pride in the work you do day in and day out. There is no such thing as a small task and there’s never enough time in the day to get that ever-growing to-do list fully accomplished. Often, you hear ranchers talking about the legacy that is their operation. Legacies are not built in a day and they sure aren’t built without blood, sweat and tears. With so many parts and pieces that make a working ranch run it’s important that we ask ourselves if we’re prepared for tomorrow.

According to Doug Wills of High Point Financials, guest speaker at the 49th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention in Billings, Montana, most ranches fail to put together a succession plan due to one or a combination of the following reasons: • Procrastination • Confusion • Length of time • Fear of facing our own mortality • Don’t find it necessary A succession plan is so much more than a few phone calls to your legal counsel or a dinner conversation with your relatives. A succession plan can ease the legal, financial, emotional, and family dynamic complexities of transferring the farm or ranch. According to AgWeek, 70% of U.S. ranches will transfer in the next two decades, so it’s important to prepare yourselves, and the next generation now. Keep in mind there is no cookie cutter succession plan to follow when it comes to passing your legacy to the next generation. Wills encourages ranchers to start with what very well may be the hardest question to answer: Who are we going to give the farm/ranch to when we are no longer able to fulfill operational responsibility? Who will be your successor? Will it be a child, family member, neighbor, employee, or an outside party?

28 | FEBRUARY 2020

According to Wills, succession planning has three general objectives. First, to efficiently distribute assets from the older generation to the younger generation.

Second, to forfeit (in due time) operational control of the business in a way that will ensure the leadership, ethical decisions, and effective business strategies.

Lastly, it helps to maintain and promote harmony among the family. Younger stakeholders are more likely to continue the traditions of an operation if they have been given the opportunity to help make decisions alongside their predecessor(s).

How do you know when it’s time to start handing the farm/ranch to your successor? Wills encourages farmers and ranchers to ask themselves the following questions: • Who will succeed me?

• How will the transfer take place?

• When should the transfer occur?

• What will be included in the transfer?

• How do I split my assets between multiple successors?

• What’s fair?

It’s important first to ask yourself who is going to get what, when will they receive it, how long will you retain control and what happens in the case of a premature death? Is your successor prepared to take on the farm/ ranch? At the end of the day it’s vital to the continuation of your legacy, your heritage, and this industry that we don’t tread lightly when it comes to handing down the farm/ranch. The process may be lengthy and the conversations difficult at times but you must ask yourselves, “Can I afford not to take the time?” FF

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FAST FACTS Who we are:

What is a Balancer®?

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is a beef cattle breed association dedicated to recording, promoting, and improving Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The AGA was started in 1971 and now consists of approximately 1,000 members with a registry database that contains over 1 million animals including approximately 40,000 currently active Gelbvieh, Balancer®, and Gelbvieh-influenced cows.

Balancer cattle are registered hybrid seedstock that have documented pedigrees and expected progeny differences (EPDs). The AGA was the first beef cattle breed to recognize and include a hybrid animal as registered stock.

The Strengths of Gelbvieh: The Gelbvieh breed is well known throughout the industry for their maternal strengths and superior growth.

With these attributes, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle fit well into a crossbreeding system and provide genetics that work for the commercial cattle business.

The high costs associated with the development or purchase of replacement females make sustained production in a herd essential. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer.

Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and desirable yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus.

Balancer cattle offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and a profitable blend of British and Continental genetics without a complicated crossbreeding system. These cattle fit well into all aspects of the beef industry including commercial cow-calf operations and on the rail.

Looking to Buy Bulls this Spring?

If you’re looking to purchase new genetics for your herd this spring, use Gelbvieh.org as your go-to resource for

Colorado, Kansas & Nebraska Breeders Delbert & Marilyn Raile & Sons Jim Roelle 38148 CR 49 #7 Peetz, CO 80747 (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

755 Road U St. Francis, KS

Featuring Black, Polled Gelbvieh & Balancer® genetics with balanced trait selection.

Next Bull Sale February 27, 2020.

Livestock Exchange,LLC., Brush, CO.

ulls

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Gelbvieh/Balancer Bulls selling at the Pot of Gold Bull Sale Patrick McCarty

100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

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or call Mark at 970.209.1956 • Dave at 970.323.6833

FEMALES AVAILABLE

30 | FEBRUARY 2020

Marlin Meyer

824 Road 3000 Superior, NE 68978 402-879-4976 mlm68978@yahoo.com www.gelbviehbulls.com

railegelbvieh.com email: dmraile@railegelbvieh.com

Grand Valley

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665 Battlement Creek Trail Parachute, CO 81635 (970) 210-6093 Heather Scott (775) 589-5483 Brandon Scott (970) 589-5483

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Rippe Gelbvieh

Duane & Brenda, Dustin & Karla Rippe 6775 Road D • Hubbell, NE 68375 (H) 402-324-4176 Duane (C): 402-200-0096 Dustin (C): 316-323-4874 dustin.rippe@yahoo.com www.rippegelbvieh.com

“To produce superior Gelbvieh and Balancer® seedstock based on economically important traits, which provide more profitability for our customers, and ensure the consumer a very satisfactory eating experience.”

Gelbvieh and Balancer sale information. The upcoming events calendar can be found under the Marketing tab on the website homepage. Also, don’t forget to check out the sale catalog page on the AGA website at www.gelbvieh. org/exchange/sale-catalogs to view upcoming sale catalogs posted by AGA members.

Watch “The American Rancher” Mark your calendar for Monday, February 24, at 8:00 p.m. CST to watch the premiere of the AGA’s new episode of “The American Rancher” on RFD-TV (Dish channel 231 and DirecTV channel 345).

Smart Select Service

FAST FACTS

Smart Select Service is an online commercial cowherd database and herd management system offered by AGA. This program is available to any producers and any breed of cattle for $1 per head annual enrollment. Cows can be enrolled at any time, and all that is required is individual identification, estimated birthdate and possible parentage.

Dam production reports, progeny performance reports, and herd summaries are some of the reports generated.

Smart Select can help identify strengths and weaknesses in the cowherd, enabling producers to make better-informed breeding and management decisions.

For more information about these or other programs offered by the AGA, please visit www.gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333.

We Focus on Programs for Commercial Producers Feeder Finder Feeder Finder is a free email service offered by AGA to promote and assist in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Producers who have cattle to sell are encouraged to fill out the online form, or contact AGA staff to submit information about their cattle.

An email blast is sent to feedyards and potential buyers to notify them about when and where these cattle are available for sale. Interested buyers can sign up to receive the Feeder Finder emails on the AGA website.

AGA’s Commercial Marketing Staff The American Gelbvieh Association has outstanding marketing staff that understands both the beef business and the Gelbvieh breed. They are available to help commercial cattlemen find Gelbvieh or Balancer genetics to fit your program or assist in marketing Gelbvieh-influenced breeding animals or feeder cattle. To contact AGA’s commercial marketing staff simply call the AGA office at 303-465-2333.

Producers are invited to use this service whether the cattle sell by video auction, traditional livestock barn, or private treaty.

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

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THE PROFIT PICTURE | 31

FEATURE

Through the Eyes of our President

By Jake Renner

N

ewly elected American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) president, Dan McCarty of McCarty Cattle Co., Rifle, Colorado, took time to sit down and shed some light on his history within the Gelbvieh breed, his thoughts on leadership involvement, and his hopes for the future.

McCarty has served on the AGA board of directors since his election in 2017 and was elected president at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in December 2019.

What’s the history of McCarty Cattle Co.?

“My dad got involved with the Gelbvieh breed in the early ‘80s, and he actually served as a field man in early ‘80s as well.” Some of Dan’s first memories were watching his dad transition their herd from Hereford to Gelbvieh and traveling with his dad visiting producers all over with his sale management company that focused on Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. Involvement with the AGA started early on in the McCarty family. Not only was Dan’s father a Gelbvieh breeder, but his uncle was on the AGA board in the ‘90s. “We’ve been in Gelbvieh as long as I can remember.”

After taking a brief break from direct involvement with the association in the late ‘80s, Dan came back in the early 2000s motivated and involved like never before. In 2001, McCarty Cattle Company was started with a few cows between Dan and his wife, Morgan. After attending both the Missouri Auction School and the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana, Dan pursued his own passions for the sale ring by becoming an auctioneer in 2005.

32 | FEBRUARY 2020

“When Morgan graduated veterinary school in 2007, we’ve continually tried expanding the herd and put together some leases to run a few more cows,” McCarty said. As time and environment allows, they continue to expand their herd of primarily Gelbvieh and Balancer® females in Colorado.

What other roles do you play within the beef industry?

Professionally, McCarty serves as the director of industry outreach for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), working with state cattlemen’s associations in the 13 western states on membership development, education, and outreach. Dan also has the privilege of working with auction markets and order buyers on issues related to livestock marketing and regulation by the Packers & Stockyards Administration.

Given his experience and knowledge in these areas, McCarty lends the AGA and its membership a variety of new ideas and experience to successfully lead Gelbvieh into the future.

“My experiences have given me a good understanding of the industry from start to finish. It’s important for all of us to understand who our customers are, who their customers are, and remember that at the end of the day we’re providing a product for the consumer. It’s important to keep those things in mind when we work with our seedstock operations and remember our role in the industry.”

What has your involvement with the AGA looked like over the years?

“I can remember getting my first heifer transferred into my name around 1984,” McCarty recalls.

Through the ‘80s McCarty stayed involved with the association, but things really took off for him in 2001. “My number one goal was to get commercial guys to use Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls in their commercial herd.”

Membership in the AGA means more to McCarty than annual renewals, registrations, and transfers. In 2005 he took the next step of getting more involved in the association by joining a committee. McCarty has served on both the membership education and breed promotion committees for several years. Elected to the AGA board in 2017, then to serve as AGA’s vice president in 2018, and now president, McCarty has continued to serve as a leader for the breed.

When asked why members should take that next step and get involved, McCarty explains, “Gelbvieh breeders are down-to-earth people. We aren’t all able to make a full living off of full-time ranching, but I like the people aspect of this breed. Young people need to get involved to hear the opinions from our veteran members. They’re the ones who know where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. Our association is there to serve the members, but it is the responsibility of the members to make sure the association is on track. It’s important to get involved and voice your opinions.”

What goals do you have as AGA president?

“I hope to continue getting the word out about Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle to larger commercial outfits.” McCarty explained his appreciation for the breed’s marketing abilities and how the association has made strides in providing information on the breed’s strengths in performance, growth, and maternal abilities. “We can never lose focus about what our cattle can do. Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh-influenced cattle are extremely adaptable in a variety of conditions. From Utah to the east coast, from Texas to the harsh climates up north, our cattle adapt and thrive in the conditions they’re provided!”

In addition, he has big plans to celebrate the golden anniversary of the AGA! “A big goal of mine is to get as many new faces to attend the 50th Annual AGA National Convention in Oklahoma City in December 2020. I’m giving myself the challenge to make sure I invite every single commercial customer I encounter in 2020. I don’t think a lot of people recognize how forward thinking we are. If we get people there and expose them to the conversations being had, the word will spread.”

Where do you hope to see the Gelbvieh breed in the next 10-15 years?

“I think right now we have a lot of momentum as far as acceptance with commercial cattle producers and feeders.

These guys are seeing what Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle can do.”

McCarty continues to stress the importance of getting Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in more commercial cow-calf herds.

“All too often we’re seeing commercial producers breeding the same breed repeatedly to the point that they are almost line breeding. Getting those guys to try even a lower percentage Balancer is important because of the results they will see on weaning weight and performance. Plus, the pop that these cattle can give to those straightbred commercial herds. They try that low percentage Balancer and then they start to increase that percent of Balancer genetics. It’s a long road, but it’s our opportunity for success to get these commercial producers to start using the slightest bit of Gelbvieh into their herd. It gives us a niche market. FF

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 33

NEWS

Genetics and Services to Meet Industry Demands

O

ver the years Gelbvieh and Balancer® sired feeder calves have been gaining acceptance within multiple segments of the commercial beef industry and are meeting modern beef industry demands at every turn.

More producers are recognizing the contribution Gelbvieh genetics can make to improve growth and performance, especially in a crossbreeding system. Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced calves wean off heavy and continue to excel with high post-weaning growth. Producers who are adding value to their calves through the backgrounding phase will appreciate the combination of rate of gain and feed efficiency that will potentially improve their bottom line returns.

Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced cattle continue a high level of performance, along with added feed efficiency, through the feedyard phase. Feed efficiency is a major profit driver in beef cattle production, especially in the cattle

feeding/finishing sector. Gelbvieh-influenced cattle excel in the area of feed conversion.

Delivering value on the rail is essential for success, too.

Numerous producers who have retained ownership of their Balancer-sired cattle, report that 90% grade Choice or higher.

In addition to producing desirable quality grade carcasses, Gelbvieh-influenced cattle add muscling and improve retail yield. According to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Gelbvieh cattle rank No. 1 for percent retail product. Obtaining a higher percentage of carcasses with Yield Grades of 1, 2, and 3, and reducing the number of Yield Grades 4 and 5, without sacrificing quality grade is good for the beef industry!

As the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed continues to provide genetics to meet the demands of today’s beef industry, the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has made a concerted effort to work hard to help Gelbvieh and Balancer commercial customers. Our goal is to provide commercial producers with valuable programs and services to enhance their bottom lines.

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Dobson Ranch

Jim Dobson • 405.880.6173 John Dobson • 405.880.6661 Jared Bain • 580.716.4211 12460 E. River Road Kaw City, OK 74641

NEWS

Balancer® Edge Balancer® Edge is a source and age verification program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls. This program was initiated by the AGA in partnership with IMI Global, and was first released in August 2018.

This program gives producers the opportunity to participate in a breed-identified feeder calf marketing program with the option to customize. Balancer Edge® customers can choose additional value-added programs, which opens the doors to additional markets and the opportunity to generate even more value for their feeder calves.

Feeder Finder Feeder Finder is a free email service offered by AGA to promote and assist in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Producers who have cattle to sell are encouraged to fill out the online form, or contact AGA staff to submit information about their cattle.

An email blast is sent to feedyards and potential buyers to notify them about when and where these cattle are

available for sale. Interested buyers can sign up to receive the Feeder Finder emails on the AGA website. Producers are invited to use this service whether the cattle sell by video auction, traditional livestock barn, or private treaty.

Smart Select Service Smart Select Service is an online commercial cowherd database and herd management system offered by AGA. This program is available to any producer and any breed of cattle for $1 per head annual enrollment. Cows can be enrolled at any time, and all that is required is individual identification, estimated birthdate and possible parentage.

Dam production reports, progeny performance reports, and herd summaries are some of the reports generated.

Smart Select can help identify strengths and weaknesses in the cowherd, enabling producers to make better-informed breeding and management decisions.

For more information about these or other programs offered by the AGA, please visit Gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333. FF

GELBVIEH GENETICS for this GENERATION and the NEXT Gelbvieh and Balancer Red and Black Bulls for sale private treaty year round.

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When Maternal Matters...

Matt & Andrea Murray

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VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME! THE PROFIT PICTURE | 35

NEWS

Gelbvieh Association Awards Commercial Producer of the Year

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odger and Lindy Schroeder of Chugwater, Wyoming, were honored as the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) Commercial Producer of the Year for 2019 during the awards banquet held at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana.

Rodger and Lindy were present at the AGA awards banquet to accept the award. Jeff Swanson, an AGA board member from Oxford, Nebraska, presented the couple with the award.

The AGA Commercial Producer of the Year Award honors individuals who use Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics in progressive commercial cattle operations and are proactive in their promotion of the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed.

Rodger and Lindy have a family history that is rich with Western culture. The ranch was started in 1881 when Lindy’s great-grandfather came to Wyoming

from Scotland in search of a prosperous life. Today, the family operation is split between Lindy and her two sisters. The Schroeder family runs Balancer cattle and has been very successful.

The Schroeders bought their first Gelbvieh bull out of the pens in The Yards at the National Western Stock Show in 1981. Rodger said they “like the Gelbvieh for their milk, their meat, their disposition, and their structure.” Starting out with an almost purebred Gelbvieh herd, Rodger and Lindy found that Balancer cattle were the best fit for their program.

The Schroeder family has put together a great program in southeastern Wyoming. They have invested a lot of hard work into creating a place that sets a great example for others living the ranching lifestyle. With the deep family heritage and the strong passion for ranching, their ranch will surely carry on well into the future. FF

The American Gelbvieh Association named Rodger and Lindy Schroeder of Chugwater, Wyo., the AGA Commercial Producer of the Year for 2019. Rodger (left) and Lindy Schroeder (right) were presented the award by AGA board member, Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Neb. (middle).

36 | FEBRUARY 2020

FEATURE

Making Bulls Walk the Walk

By Rebecca Mettler and Will Fiske

F

or the last 58 years, the Midland Bull Test near Columbus, Montana, has continued its steadfast approach to identifying superior beef genetics by valuing production and performance data. The team at Midland has truly been a pioneer in the bull testing arena.

Today, Midland’s emphasis continues to be on balanced performance. Midland Bull Test is operated by the families of Leo McDonnell and Steve Williams. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) was fortunate enough to tour the Midland Bull Test facility and learn from the members of the Midland team on the AGA’s cattle industry tour during the 49th Annual AGA National Convention held in Billings, Montana, in early December 2019.

“We never stop learning more about the cattle and what they are doing in terms of performance and input costs,” Steve Williams said. “We all want to get more out of our cattle performance wise and we want the cattle to stay in the herd for a long time.”

38 | FEBRUARY 2020

The team at Midland is always thinking of ways to identify genetics that will maximize profits for the commercial cow-calf producer because they realize that those producers are at the mercy of the calf market.

“Don’t get me wrong, I wish we were still in 2014 and 2015 when prices were sky high. People didn’t care about input costs, just give me more cows,” Williams said. “And here we are now trying to make every nickel count. That’s a big reason why we are trying to look at the whole scope of beef production in terms of input, output, and expenses.”

Feed efficiency has become a big part of the data collection at Midland. In 2007, Midland started using GrowSafe units. The size, scale, and aggressiveness of feed efficiency testing at Midland is unique. The GrowSafe efficiency test utilizes the calibrated GrowSafe System.

GrowSafe bunks allow for an individual animal to eat while monitoring and tracking their consumption. An electronic identification (EID) tag is utilized to collect this data. The GrowSafe data is utilized to calculate the RFI (Residual Feed Intake).

“Back in 2007 when we first put the GrowSafe units in, I was a little full of myself. I thought I could tell which ones were more efficient by eyeballing it, but I wasn’t even close,” Williams said. “Still to this day, it’s pretty humbling sometimes.”

FEATURE

For example, just last year they had a group of 22 bulls from the same producer; the bulls were all the same type, age, and weight. One bull was eating on average 84 to 90 pounds on an as fed basis when the average for the group was 42 or 43 pounds. Yes, this is an extreme case, but think about the impact the high intake bull could have on an entire cowherd.

“So, how many of you guys want 200 daughters out of the 84-pound bull out in the pasture eating you out of business,” Williams asks.

RFI is relevant and important to producers as it correlates the pounds of gain to the pounds of intake and therefore the increment cost of gain. The GrowSafe Residual Feed Intake defines the incremental pounds of feed required for 1 pound of gain above or below the average (the MBT contemporary group). Efficient animals eat less than expected and have a negative or low RFI, while inefficient animals eat more than expected and have a positive or high RFI. Midland Bull Test averages seven breeds of beef bulls consigned to test by 180 to 190 consignors from 32 states.

The cattle participate in a 120-day performance test for average daily gain and feed efficiency. After the 120-day portion of the test is over, Midland cuts out the bottom 20 to 30% of the bulls based on average daily gain and adjusted through 65-day weight ratios and then they are sifted more for structure, feet, and disposition. The top tier of bulls is then sold at the Final Sort Bull Sale held at the Midland sale facility in April.

“That’s part of why we are doing what we are doing here; we’re measuring, not assuming,” Williams said. “That’s one of the things the bulls have to do here, they have to walk the walk themselves. There’s no special treatment.” FF

Gelbvieh bulls (orange tags) are fed alongside other breeds at the Midland Bull Test.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 39

FEATURE

3 Tips for Developing Cattle Winter Nutritional Plans Evaluating cow performance is another critical step in identifying energy requirements for your herd. Frame size, body condition and state of gestation in females are important factors to consider and can help determine if fed nutrients are being calculated correctly, as well as if the herd is being fed on an adequate distribution.

By Grace Vehige

R

anchers need cattle to gain weight all year.

Unfortunately, colder weather can make that challenging. Plan ahead today for a better, heavier animal tomorrow.

When it comes to preparing cattle operations for winter months, ranchers have many factors to consider.

Feeding cattle properly is a crucial management task in order to ensure a profit and maintain herd health.

Winter feed and nutritional supplements make up more than half of the annual cost of keeping a beef cow, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. With that in mind, here are 3 tips for developing a winter nutritional plan for herd upkeep and maintenance:

1. Identify energy requirements for your herd It is no surprise that energy requirements increase for beef cattle during winter months. One important consideration? Wind and rain. Keeping cattle out of wind and precipitation is key to reducing energy needs.

“The energy requirement of beef cattle increases about 3% for each degree that the wind chill is below 59 degrees F and increases even further in wet conditions,” University of Minnesota Extension found.

Montana Breeders

2. Know the forage you’re feeding To capitalize on feeding forages, understand the nutritional demands for your herd and the quality of hay available. Having forages sent in for analysis can help match forage quality with animal nutrition needs.

For example, “heifers and thin cows require a more energy dense diet, compared to older or fleshy cows,” according to University of Minnesota Extension.

“Sorting animals into groups based on body condition allows you to feed the available forage more effectively.”

However, it is just as important to know if you are feeding too many expensive nutrients as it is to know if you are lacking nutrients. Cattle require energy for maintenance, growth and production; therefore, analyzing the energy, protein and overall nutritional content of livestock feeds is necessary to ensuring that day-to-day production continues.

It is never too late in the year to send forage samples for analysis. Typical laboratory testing results are returned within one week. County extension offices, as well as local feed elevators, have the capacity to test forages.

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40 | FEBRUARY 2020

Performance cattle for the real world.

3. Provide necessary supplements for your herd Forages do not have all essential nutrients required for healthy herd maintenance, which is why forage analysis is a great tool to identify nutrition gaps. Typical mineral deficiencies in mature forages are calcium and phosphorus.

One easy solution for low nutrients in forage is supplements. Note, mineral programs are dependent on total ration mineral composition.

A study by South Dakota State Extension provided basic recommendations for winter mineral supplementation programs, which include the following: • Provide a trace mineralized salt •

Supplement phosphorous when forage is dormant (unless a distiller’s grain is being used as a protein source)

•

Supplement copper if symptoms are present (monitor copper status to avoid reaching toxic levels)

FEATURE

When it comes to providing mineral supplements, many guidelines currently in place are based on generalizations. Therefore, it can be beneficial to develop a custom formula to meet individualized deficiencies dependent on each operation.

These 3 tips for developing a winter nutritional plan are stepping-stone instructions for weather preparation.

One of the most important pieces of advice to remember is that preparation can never begin too early. It is better to feed cattle adequately year-round so that energy intake is increased prior to cold weather. FF This story was written by Grace Vehige, one of the Sonja Hillgren Memorial Scholarship winners. The experiential scholarship program honors the late Sonja Hillgren, awardwinning journalist, former editor of Farm Journal and former president of the National Press Club.

Profit Picture Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted with permission from Drovers. Grace Vehige currently serves as the American Gelbvieh Junior Association president.

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 41

RIPPE GELBVIEH

[Using data to increase your profits]

“Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine.”

- Peter Sondergaard

Join Us!

“What gets measured, gets managed.”

- Peter Drucker

Go where the DATA is: For Females: • Track Udder Scores • Measure Cow Size • Measure Cow Efficiency through percentage body weight weaned

For Carcass: • Feed out our Steers every year and receive individual carcass data

For Bulls: • Disposition Scores

• Ultrasound Bulls

• Higher Accuracy EPDs through genomic EPD testing

• Ultrasound Females

Avg. Dam Weight of bulls in the sale is 1310 Avg. Dam Efficiency of bulls in the sale is 54% 32% of the bulls in the pen are heifer bulls

Feeder Profit Index is an economic selection index designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the Feedlot and are sold on a grade and yield.

This is an index where it ranks sires whose progeny should do the best in the feedlot.

• Homozygous Polled and Black tested

Avg. Birth Weight 80; Avg. Weaning Weight 678 89% are Homozygous Polled 85% of Black Bulls are Homozygous Black

AVERAGE PERCENTILE RANK OF SALE BULLS EPDS Black Balancers TOP 25% of Calving Ease TOP 19% of Weaning Weight TOP 20% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 12% of Feeder Profit Index Red Balancers TOP 35% of Calving Ease TOP 22% of Weaning Weight TOP 26% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 22% of Feeder Profit Index Purebreds TOP 25% of Calving Ease TOP 39% of Weaning Weight TOP 29% of Yearling Weight [ TOP 11% of Feeder Profit Index

Guest Speaker, Troy Applehans March 13, 2020 • 7:00 pm • Belleville Country Club Troy is the CattleFax market analyst responsible for feeder cattle and cow/calf regions of the Southern Plains region as well as Southeastern states of the U.S.

Complimentary Lunch at 12:00

104 Bulls, 67 Black Balancers, 13 Purebreds, 24 Red Balancers, 12 Fall Bred Heifers, 70 Black and Red Commercial Heifers

Here is what we stand for: • Customer service after the bull is sold • Balanced EPD profile • The Essentials: Sound, Big Bodied, Moderate Framed and Muscular • Reliable and honest data • Proper Bull development

Nevada 1170Y

• Crossbreeding • Get the benefit of heterosis and hybrid vigor here!

Video of the bulls, data, and catalog will be posted at www.rippegelbvieh.com RIPPE GELBVIEH Hubbell, Nebraska Dustin: 316-323-4874 402-200-0555 Duane: 402-200-0096 (Cell) www.rippegelbvieh.com Raising Bulls for Commercial Cattlemen that fit today and tomorrow.

[

[

Belleville, KS • Belleville 81 Livestock Sale Barn Auctioneer: Kyle Elwood, Salina, KS

[Using data to increase your profits]

Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00

RIPPE GELBVIEH

RIPPE GELBVIEH BULL SALE

NEWS

Blackhawk Cattle Company Receives Breeder of the Year Award

S

kyler and Annette Martin of Blackhawk Cattle Company, Oregon, Illinois, were honored as the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) Breeder of the Year for 2019 during the awards banquet held at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana.

Skyler’s goals for the seedstock operation have always centered on performance and quality from conception to consumption. In fact, Blackhawk Cattle Company has a bid/buy back program to purchase local bull customers’ feeder calves.

Skyler and Annette were present at the AGA awards banquet to accept the award. Stuart Jarvis, Bar Arrow Cattle Co., Phillipsburg, Kansas, presented the Martin couple with the award.

The family’s connectivity to the beef industry stretches beyond the seedstock sector. The Martins are also involved in Nordman Feedlots, which is a family business from Annette’s side of the family.

Blackhawk Cattle Company has been a member of the AGA since 1985. Currently, the operation consists of 130 registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cows and extensively utilizes artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

With a focus on quality seedstock and an eye toward the commercial beef industry and the feedyard sector, Blackhawk Cattle Company understands the profit drivers throughout the beef supply chain.

The Martins, their seven children included, have also seen success at major shows across the country. Showing was their way to get the next generation further involved in the Gelbvieh business.

Skyler is a former AGA Board of Directors member and is currently active on the American Gelbvieh Foundation Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail contest committee. He is also a past board member of the Gelbvieh Breeders of Iowa organization. FF

The American Gelbvieh Association named Blackhawk Cattle Company, Oregon, Illinois, the AGA Breeder of the year for 2019. Skyler (middle) and Annette Martin (left) were presented the award by Stuart Jarvis, Phillipsburg, Kansas, (right).

44 | FEBRUARY 2020

14th Annual

Share the Gold Bull Sale March 21, 2020 • 1:00 PM MST

Sale will be held at the ranch • Pritchett, CO live bidding is also available on DVAuction

BALANCER • GELBVIEH • ANGUS • RED ANGUS

SELLING 100 Stout and Powerful Long Yearling Bulls

ALL WITH ULTRASOUND SCAN DATA • FERTILITY TESTING AND GENETIC TESTING FOR ALL KNOWN GENETIC CONDITIONS • FIRST BREEDING SEASON GUARANTEED • DELIVERY IS ALSO AVAILABLE! Contact Mark Crane • 719-523-3108 for more information to come look at the Bulls!

BLACK GOLD GENETICS

Mark & Jennelle Crane 23334 County RD 13 Pritchett, CO 81064-9600 719-523-3108 blackgoldcattlecompany@gmail.com

NEWS

AGA Carcass Data Collection Project Announced

T

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the Carcass Data Collection Project as its latest breed improvement endeavor. The Carcass Data Collection Project is a joint effort of the AGA and American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) and is designed for AGA members and their customers.

The focus of this project is to provide vital genetic information to re-charge the carcass database and enhance the predictability of current selection tools.

For decades United States consumers have continually recognized the value of superior beef products. Such recognition has driven the growing demand of a superior beef eating experience on a national and global scale. U.S. cattle producers and industry affiliates have responded to demand by placing an emphasis on improving carcass merit and rewarding high quality carcasses with price premiums.

Bull Sale Mark your calendars!

February 27, 2020 1:00 PM MST. Livestock Exchange, LLC. Brush, Colorado Selling 40 Top Quality, High Performing and Calving Ease Balancer® and Gelbvieh Bulls

These bulls are thick muscled, grow fast, and are made for the commercial cattle operation.

The AGA is committed to providing its membership with powerful and reliable tools for genetic improvement.

Expected progeny differences (EPDs) related to carcass traits tend to have lower accuracies due to lack of carcass data submitted on Gelbvieh and Balancer-sired progeny.

Lower EPD accuracy limits the rate of genetic progress for carcass traits. Even though carcass traits are highly heritable, the prediction power of carcass EPDs is currently limited by these lower accuracy values. Lack of carcass records also limits the power of genomic marker effects. Genomics and ultrasound records can help improve the accuracy of carcass EPDs, but even combined cannot provide high accuracy carcass EPDs without actual carcass data on progeny.

The increasing significance and subsequent recognition of carcass value amongst beef industry segments has led to the AGA and AGF’s investment

Total Industry Commitment Carcass Data • Fed cattle at Decatur County/Lincoln County Feedyards Benchmarked against 250,000 head for economic relevant traits.

Feed Efficiency

• 20 years of carcass and feed efficiency data gathered.

• RFI data gathered on sale bulls through GrowSafe systems.

Genetic Data

• Ultrasound data collected on bulls and heifers.

• Every bull sells with Genomic Enhanced EPDs. Look for SKF bulls at these Seedstock Plus Sales Red Reward Bull & Female Sale March 14, 2020 | Osceola, MO

South Missouri Bull & Female Sale March 28, 2020 | Carthage, MO

Sandy Knoll Farm Like us on Facebook at Plateau Gelbvieh

46 | FEBRUARY 2020

Brian & Leon Dunn St. John, KS 67576 620-786-4039 (Brian Cell) 620-549-6516

in launching the Carcass Data Collection Project. The Carcass Data Collection Project is designed to deliver AGA members and their customers the opportunity to submit carcass data on Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽinfluenced genetics and provides an avenue for harvest data on terminal cattle to be paired with genotypes and incorporated into the genetic evaluation. Such phenotypic and genotypic data will provide Gelbvieh breeders with tools to make their management decisions more efficient and accurate. Ultimately, the Carcass Data Collection Project aims to increase the carcass record database and enhance the predicting power of genomic panels.

Program eligibility is structured to ensure high-quality data is collected throughout the project. Eligible cattle must be sired by a bull registered with the AGA and have a minimum breed composition of 25% Gelbvieh and dams must be identifiable for age and breed composition.

All calves must be tagged with an EID, have a DNA tissue sample collected, and must conform to contemporary grouping guidelines. Participants will also need to have access to harvest data records.

NEWS

Under the Carcass Data Collection Project, the AGA, with the support of Neogen, will cover the cost of genotyping all eligible cattle in the project.

Genotypes are used to improve the genomic panels’ ability to predict carcass traits as well as sire-verify the participating cattle in the project. Sire-verification is a very valuable yet underutilized tool for commercial cattle prodcuers to rank bulls used in multi-sire pastures. Participants in this project will be able to capitalize on these and more benefits of genomic technologies without incurring the cost.

As the modern beef industry continues to evolve, so do the expectations of commercial cattle producers; the AGA is dedicated to delivering the industry with the genetics that are smart, reliable, and profitable from the ranch to the rail. For more information on participating in the Carcass Data Collection Project visit Gelbvieh.org or contact Will Fiske, AGA breed growth specialist, at 303-465-2333 or will@gelbvieh.org FF

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 47

NEWS

Gelbvieh Association Elects Board of Directors

M

embers of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) elected five candidates to the board of directors at the annual membership meeting held December 6, 2019, during the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana.

Newly elected board members are Mark Covington, Montrose, Colorado, and Tom Vehige, Billings, Missouri.

Re-elected to serve a second term were John Carrel, Columbus, Montana; Leland Clark, Barnard, Kansas; and Klint Sickler, Gladstone, North Dakota.

The AGA Board of Directors also elected individuals to serve in leadership positions on the executive committee for 2020. Dan McCarty, Rifle, Colorado, was elected president. Klint Sickler was elected vice president. John Carrel was elected secretary and Derek Martin, Buklin, Kansas, was elected treasurer.

Other members of the board include: Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kansas; Todd Bickett, DVM, Chickamauga, Georgia; Jeff Loveless, Spanish Fork, Utah; Lori Maude, Hermosa, South Dakota; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa; Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Nebraska; and Lowell Rogers, DVM, Seminary, Mississippi.

Retiring members of the 2019 AGA board of directors were Doug Hughes, Max Meadows, Virginia, and Walter Teeter, Mount Ulla, North Carolina, who served as treasurer for three years. The AGA would like to thank those members for their years of service on the AGA Board of Directors. FF

The American Gelbvieh Association elected directors and officers for 2020 during its national convention in Billings, Montana. Front row (left to right): Secretary John Carrel, Columbus, Mont.; Treasurer Derek Martin, Bucklin, Kan.; Vice President Klint Sickler, Gladstone, N.D.; President Dan McCarty, Rifle, Colo.; Executive Director Megan Slater, Lincoln, Neb. Back row (left to right): Lori Maude, Hermosa, S.D.; Leland Clark, Barnard, Kan.; Mark Covington, Montrose, Colo.; Jeff Loveless, Spanish Fork, Utah; Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan.; Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Neb.; Lowell Rogers, DVM, Seminary, Miss.; Tom Vehige, Billings, MO; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Okla. Not pictured are Todd Bickett, DVM, Chickamauga, Ga. and Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa.

48 | FEBRUARY 2020

29 Annual th

Oklahoma

Select Sale Saturday, March 28, 2020 1:00 PM | Tulsa Stockyards Selling Bulls, Cow/Calf Pairs Open Heifer & Futurity Heifers Lunch begins at 11:30 AM All proceeds benefit OGJA Sale Facility located on the Northeast side of Tulsa, just off I-44 at 161st E. Ave., Exit 238 To request a catalog contact: Justin Vehige, Sale manager 578.690.3813 Bill New, OGA President 580.334.2332 Dan McCarty, Auctioneer Catalog and videos can be seen at www.oklahomagelbvieh.com

STAFF EDITORIAL

Selection Tools Available for Bull Buyers

By AGA Staff

W

ith spring sale season upon us, it’s important for commercial bull buyers to think about how best to use EPDs to select animals in a sale catalog. Using all all available information is more important than ever to reduce risk in buying animals for your bull battery.

There are several ways seedstock breeders provide this information in their sale catalog.

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) While raw performance data such as actual birth weight is often provided in sale catalogs, EPDs are a much more accurate measure of performance for breeding animals.

Raw performance data, including data used in ratios, can only accurately be used to compare animals in the same contemporary group, which are used to compare animals that were managed similarly to account for the environment. The contemporary group includes animals born in the same herd, of the same gender, and born in the same season. Unlike raw performance data, EPDs can be used to compare animals across different years in the same herd, and even across animals in various years in different herds. EPDs also include not only the animal’s own performance but that of all closely linked relatives, including parents and siblings. The additional information used to compute EPDs makes them a great genetic selection tool to help minimize risk.

Accuracy Accuracy is another valuable tool to use to help reduce risk in selecting animals for their bull battery. Accuracy is often published below its corresponding EPD and is defined as the strength of the relationship between an EPD and a sire’s true genetic value. In other words, accuracy is an indicator of the reliability of an EPD. Accuracy numbers range from 0 to 1, with a greater value indicating a greater accuracy. Accuracy is improved by the number of records reported, including the animal’s own performance, progeny, and genomic information. For example, a threeyear-old bull with 90 calves would have EPDs of greater accuracy than a yearling bull.

50 | FEBRUARY 2020

Percent Rank Percentile ranks compare an animal’s EPDs to similar animals, such as all Gelbvieh or Balancer® non-parents for yearling bulls. These rankings can be incredibly useful for a potential buyer to see how a sale animal ranks against other animals they might be considering. Rankings range from 1-100, with 1 being more desirable. For example, if an animal ranks in the top 1% of animals for calving ease direct, that means only 1% of animals are better than that animal for calving ease. By comparison, if an animal ranks in the 50th percentile for calving ease, that means 50% of animals are more favorable than that animal for calving ease. Publishing these numbers for each animal below their EPD and accuracy can be extremely beneficial to buyers in assessing animals.

Genomic-Enhanced EPDs Seedstock producers utilize genomic testing to add reliability to selection tools for their customers. The addition of genomic data to an EPD calculation is comparable to adding another source of information, like progeny or pedigree records. Specifically on young animals with very little information, genomic data has the potential to greatly increase the accuracy of an EPD prediction.

Confidence in an animal’s EPDs earlier in life means that buyers can more reliably predict the performance outcomes of using unproven animals in their breeding herd.

Increasing accuracy on animals used for breeding stock is a great way to speed the rate of genetic progress in any herd.

Looking for even more information during bull sale season? The AGA also provides listings of genetic trends, percentile ranks, and trait leader lists on the AGA Online Registry Service, which can be accessed by nonmember customers, too. If you have questions about these documents, feel free to contact the AGA office at 303.465.2333 or info@gelbvieh.org. FF

The 2020 Final Sort

BULL SALE APRIL 2 & 3, 2020 • 11:00 AM • COLUMBUS, MONTANA

The “Final Sort” of top end bulls! Proven performance backed with solid complete data. No one offers you more because no one has more to offer!

Save the Dates

700+ Bulls Sell APRIL 2 nd 37 GELBVIEH ON TEST

SALERS • SIMMENTAL RED ANGUS • SOUTH DEVON GELBVIEH • CHAROLAIS HEREFORD

APRIL 3 rd ANGUS

Visit www.MidlandBullTest.com or call 406.322.5597 | Follow us

NEWS

Thomas Inducted into Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame

J

im Thomas of O Lazy Y Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma, was inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame for 2020. The induction took place during the awards banquet at the 49th Annual AGA National Convention in Billings, Montana.

at nearly every state fair in the central U.S. Black Feature, purchased from Valhalla Ranch, won Jim champion ribbons at nearly every fair he was exhibited. Today many qualities of the breed can be traced back to Black Feature and O Lazy Y breeding.

Jim was present at the awards ceremony to accept the award along with his daughter Hiedi LaBrue, and Virginia Potter. Vernon and Eileen Davidson, Pontiex, Saskatchewan, Canada, presented the award.

Jim has been very active within the association and remains so today, attending a Gelbvieh event whenever he can. He has held many committee leadership positions and has attended AGA conventions, American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) events and the NWSS. He has also taken a leading role as historian for the American Gelbvieh Foundation’s Gelbvieh History Book.

The AGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. Hall of fame inductee selection criterion includes contributions to breed promotion efforts, leadership provided to the association, and the breeding of superior genetics that are of great influence within the Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle population.

Jim was one of the first Gelbvieh breeders to display and exhibit Gelbvieh cattle at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in the ‘70s. Later, he went on to show his cattle

His undying commitment to the Gelbvieh breed makes Jim Thomas a notable figure in the breed’s history.

A lifetime of preserving, improving and promoting the breed, all while encouraging fellow breeders to do the same, speaks to Jim’s infallible dedication and integrity. The endeavors and contributions have not only impacted the breed, but also the AGA and the AGJA. FF

Vernon and Eileen Davidson, Ponteix, Saskatchewan, Canada, presented Jim Thomas, Guthrie, Oklahoma, with the 2019 American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame award. Left to right: Virginia Potter, Hiedi LaBrue, Jim Thomas, Eileen Davidson, and Vernon Davidson.

52 | FEBRUARY 2020

Roitsch Cattle Company has several breeding age bulls on hand including two red bulls that are a joint project with Grand Valley Gelbvieh, with more to come. We offer them for your inspection and consideration.

We have been involved with the cattle industry for several decades including commercial, feedlot and seedstock production. We love the industry and are passionate about scientific but practical genetic development.

Additionally, Roitsch Cattle Company and Grand Valley have 9 Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls on test at the Genetic Development Center near Navasota, Texas. We think the GrowSafe RFI feeding program adds another important dimension to a cattleman’s set of selection tools.

The bulls are sired by A.I. bulls such as Mr. Impact Z204, Hole In One, Danell Choco 53B, JRI Pistol Pete, Pedro 6A, MCCA Cornhusker Red 524C and our own bull that was the #5 ranked bull in a previous GDC test with a 146 index ratio.

These bulls will complete the test in March.

Four bulls at home (Seguin, TX) are ready to use now. Beside two purebred ET progeny out of the Cornhusker Red X CIRS Z44D mating (full sibs to ATM GVC Flaco 44F and two on test ), we have one black BalancerÂŽ sired by JRI Oklahoma and another black purebred Gelbvieh sired by the multi-trait leader, Sam U451.

Top Quality bulls sell at Pot of Gold Sale, Montrose, CO | February 28, 2020

Grand Valley Gelbvieh/Balancer WAYNE ROITSCH 830-305-2358 wayne@roitsch.com

Patrick McCarty 665 Battlement Creek Trail Parachute, CO 81635 (970) 210-6093 Heather Scott (775) 790-3456 Brandon Scott (970) 589-5483

CALL US OR WRITE US. WE LOVE TO TALK CATTLE.

Judd Ranch 42 Gelbvieh, Balancer nd

®

at the ranch, Pomona, Kansas • Saturday, March

P P P

Judd Ranch has been honored as the #1 Dam of Merit Cowherd in the Gelbvieh Breed for 20 of the past 22 years, 1998–2019!

P P P

81 lb. average birth weight: 834 lb. actual weaning weight average on the sale bulls.

100% of the Gelbvieh & Balancer sale bulls feature Judd Ranch honored Dam of Merit Genetics. Maternal Cow Power behind every sale bull.

Average Daily Gain of fall yearling bulls: 5.34 lbs/day! 239 black polled bulls sell. 307 homozygous polled bulls sell

131 purebred Gelbvieh, 191 Balancer® & 10 purebred Red Angus bulls sell.

44 of the 50 top selling bulls in the 2019 sale sold to commercial producers. Catalog online!

Don’t miss Judd Ranch on The American Rancher!

Judd Ranch will be featured on The American Rancher Monday, February 10 at 8:00 PM central time.

The episode will also air again at midnight Tuesday, February 11 and Sunday, February 16 at 11:00 AM on RFD-TV (Dish 231 & DirecTV 345) Set your DVR’s! You won’t want to miss the Judd Ranch premier on RFD-TV the week of February 10!

& Red Angus Bull Sale

7, at 12:00 noon • 1 hour southwest of Kansas City

332 Plus

“The Complete Package” Calving Ease • Growth • Carcass • Fertility

Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus Bulls Sell

• 204+ 17-19 month old Bulls • 128+ 12-14 month old Bulls P 99% Sired by Breed Leading AI Sires P 239 Black Polled Bulls P 307 Homozygous Polled Bulls P All sale bulls are

Judd Ranch born and raised.

P Quality Acceptance Guarantee on all Sight Unseen purchases

P

Free Trucking in U.S. on purchases of $20,000 +

P Trucking is very affordable because Judd Ranch bulls annually sell into 20+ states

Visit our website • www.juddranch.com Judd Ranch Inc. Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger, Brent & Ashley

Judd Ranch Gelbvieh Maternal Strength

423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371 or 785/566-3770

Judd Ranch Red Angus Maternal Strength

Sale Consultant— CATTLEMEN’S CONNECTION

CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800-743-0026 For Your JRI “Complete Package” Sale Catalog

NEWS

Fourth Annual Gelbvieh Foundation Carcass Contest Results Released

R

esults of the fourth annual American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Carcass Contest were announced during the 49th Annual American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) National Convention awards banquet on Friday, December 6, 2019. Producers from South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska, took home top honors with prize payouts totaling $2,500.

The AGF Steer Challenge is a competition amongst individual Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced steers in which the judging criteria focuses on carcass value and average daily gain in the feedyard. The Steer Challenge gives an opportunity for participants to donate a steer to the AGF. All proceeds from the donation go toward research and development within the breed.

The AGF continues to help advance the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breed through its support of research and development. For this reason, the AGF launched the Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Carcass Contest in 2016. These two projects together provide the information and funds necessary to generate datasets to advance Gelbvieh and Balancer carcass merit.

In its fourth year, four ranches participated at Darr Feedlot in Cozad, Nebraska. All steers were harvested and final values were calculated in May 2019 with a total of 35 individual carcass data records. Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore, South Dakota, won big at this event, taking home three of the five prizes handed out. Eagle Pass Ranch had the champion Balancer steer in the average daily gain category with the winning steer gaining 4.46 pounds per day. This steer also posted $800.42 for

MLM GELBVIEH

OPEN HOUSE PRIVATE TREATY KICK-OFF SALE Monday, March 2, 2020 • At the Ranch

Selling: 32 Bulls • Gelbvieh & Balancer® • Red & Black • 100% Polled

Ultrasound Tested • DNA Tested and have GE EPDs • Fertility Tested • Negative BVD-PI3 Test • Satisfaction Guaranteed Viewing at 11:00, Lunch at 12:00, Final Bids at 1:00

We have open heifers for sale private treaty anytime!

MLM Gelbvieh are in the top 10 in the nation for Dams of Merit!

Wow Factor 254C82

Sires Represented:

Payweight Plus 6048

Gelbvieh Sires – Bolton Payday, Cartwright and Pistol Pete Balancer Sires – Wow Factor, Black Marble Tender and Post Rock 106E8 Angus Sires – Bason Payweight and Firestorm Red Angus Sire – Conqueror

56 | FEBRUARY 2020

Conqueror 0026X

All bulls are guaranteed Offering free feed and care until April 1

MLM GELBVIEH Marlin Meyer

824 Road 3000 • Superior, NE 68978 402.879.4976 • mlm68978@yahoo.com

Videos available mid-February www.gelbviehbulls.com

Directions: The Open House will be held at the ranch at Superior, NE. From the 14/136 junction north of Superior, go 6 miles west on 136, then 1-1/4 miles north.

NEWS

increase in value (carcass value minus the starting value).

They also had the champion Balancer steer in the carcass value with an animal that valued at $1,969.32. This steer also posted $787.92 for increase in value.

a carcass value of $1,602.48, a hot carcass weight of 830 pounds, and a ribeye area of 12.05 square inches. This steer also hung a Yield Grade 3 and USDA Choice carcass.

Flying H won $500 in prize money.

Eagle Pass Ranch also owned the champion pen of Balancer steers in the Scale and Rail Contest with a total carcass value of $5,611.92. EGL Game Changer D136, owned by Post Rock Cattle Co, Barnard, Kansas, Twin Oak Gelbvieh, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Eagle Pass Ranch, sired the pen of three steers. This group of steers averaged a marbling score of USDA Choice, Yield Grade 2, with a 17.42 square inch ribeye and 958 pound average hot carcass weight. In total, Eagle Pass Ranch took home $1,500 in prize money.

Perhaps the biggest highlight for the event was the steer donated back to the American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF). Flying H Genetics donated one steer to the Steer Challenge for a total amount of $1,000.

To view full results, including all closeout data, please visit the Projects page under the Foundation tab on Gelbvieh.org. FF

In the Gelbvieh division, Post Rock Cattle Co. was the winner, owning the steer for top average daily gain. Post Rock Cattle Co.’s winning steer in the average daily gain category gained 3.29 pounds per day. Post Rock received $500 in prize money.

Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Nebraska, had the top carcass steer in the Gelbvieh division with a steer that had

Performance cattle for the real World dedicated to Gelbvieh for 45 Years 50 years of continual whole herd AI Over 35 years of Performance Testing

SIRES REPRESENTED: IMPACT Z204 KHR 14B KHR 96D KHR 01E KHR 15E KHR 03Z BLACK GRANITE EZ MONEY D217 KHR 52C KHR 39Y KHR TAYLOR MADE KHR 41E REDEMPTION DOMAIN KHR 17W

A nnual Production Sale – March 19, 2020 Western Livestock Auction • Great Falls, MT

40 Performance Tested Yearling Bulls and 20 Open Heifers Red and Black • Purebred and Balancer

For your next herdsire or female purchase, look to Kicking Horse Ranch

Kicking Horse Ranch

1285 Nine Mile Road

Olimont, Montana 59466

Jim & Kathy Bjorkman 406-937-4815

www.kickinghorseranch.com krankin@northerntel.net

Jeanette Rankin 406-937-3728

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 57

JUNIOR EDITORIAL

A Lesson in Carcass Quality

By Grady Hammer

“B

eef. It’s what’s for dinner.”

Or, at least that’s what I had for supper every night growing up.

But before we get to enjoy that big, juicy steak, a lot has to go right along the beef supply chain to get a high quality cut of beef onto someone’s plate. While visually evaluating cattle is something I enjoy doing, it is imperative that we combine phenotype and carcass qualities to produce the best beef possible.

It’s our job as producers to provide what the consumer values most: a satisfying beef eating experience. Seedstock producers need to provide the commercial cattle producers with efficient feeding genetics that produce top dollar on the rail. In order to understand what’s needed for a positive beef eating experience, let’s take a look at how we determine carcass quality.

live animal evaluation with meat evaluation is always a challenge, even for the most astute. The challenge lies in grading the beef carcasses and determining how yield grade and quality grade affect carcass value.

Let’s talk quality grade! Quality grade is directly tied to consumer satisfaction. The most common divisions are Prime, Choice, Select, Standard. Also included in the quality grades are Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner grades designated for more mature carcasses.

Prime is the most desirable quality grade, and while the percentage of Prime product is increasing over time, it still makes up a small portion of the U.S. beef supply.

Cattle are also broken up into different maturities. These beef maturities are from A- E. After A and B maturity, it is extremely hard for carcasses to reach a desirable grade.

Getting to go to feedlots and see the different breeds of cattle and how they lay on finish is extremely interesting to me. For producers that send calves to the feedlot, they strive to produce calves that combine both yield grade and quality grade to generate the most money, and again, generate a satisfying beef eating experience that leaves consumers wanting more. Tying together

Iowa Breeders

Neola, Iowa

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

Al Schulz: 402-676-5292

58 | FEBRUARY 2020

Promote your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

Martens Gelbvieh

Gary Martens 2126 500th St • Walnut, IA 51577

712.764.5007 (H) • 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com

Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

JUNIOR EDITORIAL producers who retain ownership. Plus, both domestic and foreign consumers have used their pocketbooks to voice their desire for high quality beef. The U.S. is in the best position to provide a superior beef eating experience, so let’s utilize all the tools within the industry to make sure they receive a consistently highquality steak every time, because the success of our industry depends on it! FF

Yield grade predicts the percentage of the carcass that is closely trimmed, mostly boneless, retail product from the round, loin, rib, and chuck. The USDA Yield Grades are 1 through 5, with Yield Grade 1 yielding the highest percentage retail product and Yield Grade 5 having the lowest percentage retail product. Measurements that influence Yield Grade include backfat, measured between the 12th and 13th ribs and three-fourths up the length of the ribeye on the outside surface, along with ribeye size.

Judging animals on the hoof can be quite challenging.

Taking into consideration the visual indicators, genetics, as well as breed type, we can make an estimate of the cattle’s performance on the rail. Performance on the rail adds more profit for the feedyard or commercial cattle

It’s That Time Again!

Wilkinson Gelbvieh

Private

Treaty

Bull

Sale

ucing d o r p s 33 year ntry Big Cou hines ac m g n i d e e br

at the Ranch in Model, Colo.

Kick-Off begins Saturday, March 28th • Genomically Enhanced EPD’s • Red and Black • All Polled • PAP tested • Ultrasounded

Bulls are culled on structure, disposition and performance.

The bulls are being fed at home in a 3 acre trap and are available for viewing any time.

• Contact Bill Wilkinson anytime at (719) 680-0462 • Lunch provided at noon on the 28th Bid Off begins at 1:00 pm

For more information: Visit us on the web:

www.wilkinsongelbvieh.com Find us on FaceBook:

Wilkinson Gelbvieh Ranch

Catalogs will be available the first week of March.

See our website or FB for a link to the videos of the bulls.

Find us on Facebook

Focusing on Function – in the pastures, in the feedlot and on the rail

AGA Member since 1986

Bill, Nancy & Sydney 23115 Co. Rd. 111.3 Model, CO 81059 (719) 846-7910 (719) 680-0462 bnwbulls@bmi.net Commercially Focused

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 59

NEWS

Pass Along Valuable Information to Prospective Buyers Through Feeder Finder Program

By Rebecca Mettler

T

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) understands that information about feeder cattle is more valuable than ever. With that understanding in mind, the association created Feeder Finder in 2015, which is a service that assists commercial producers in marketing their load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer®-influenced feeder calves.

Through Feeder Finder, the AGA can take the information from a commercial producer when selling at local sale barn, through a video sale, or private treaty and disperse that information to the feedyard buyer.

The ultimate goal of the program is to assist commercial producers gain as many premiums as they can and provide them with as many services as possible to make their operations more profitable.

Listing cattle on the Feeder Finder is free of charge and information is sent out in an email blast to over 250 feedyards across the country. Information such as vaccination programs, breed composition, color, feed regimen, contact information, and historical carcass data from the ranch can be detailed.

Feeder Finder is a unique opportunity to provide the commercial producer with an avenue to build a relationship with a buyer that maybe they haven’t had the opportunity of doing in the past.

For more information, please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333, or to sign your feeder cattle up for Feeder Finder, go to Gelbvieh.org/exchange/feederfinder. FF

11TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 20, 2020 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA

All bulls are feed efficiency tested and ultra sounded.

Heifers have GE EPDs.

Michael Bauer MJBC Gelbvieh Audubon, IA 712-304-4320 Mjbauer4320@hotmail.com Gary Martens Martens Gelbvieh Walnut, IA 712-764-5007 martensgl@yahoo.com

Call Cody Fry at Creston Livestock Auction (641-344-5082) at least 2 days before sale to qualify bid numbers.

60 | FEBRUARY 2020

Carl Reiste Rafter R Gelbvieh Adel, IA 515-490-3561 creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com

For online bidding: www.LMAauctions.com and click on www.crestonlivestock.com

OVER 400 Angus, Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls will sell in Seedstock Plus Sales this spring!

Arkansas Bull & Female Sale

North Missouri Bull Sale

Hope Livestock, Hope, AR March 7, 2020 75 - 2 year old & 18 month old bulls!

Large selection of Seedstock Plus Influence females!

Breds, Pairs & Opens!

February 22, 2020 Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO Selling 125 - 18 month old bulls!

ALL BLACK! CALL TOLL FREE FOR YOUR CATALOG TODAY 877-486-1160

ALL SALES! Bid & Buy at:

email: john@seedstockplus.com

DVAuction

South Missouri Bull & Female Sale

March 28, 2020 Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, MO Selling 175 - 18 month old & yearling bulls!

ALL BLACK! 50 Open Gelbvieh & Balancer Heifers!

• • • • • • •

RED REWARD Bull & Female Sale

March 14, 2020 Wheeler Livestock Auction Osceola, MO Selling 60 RED Gelbvieh & Balancer bulls and 50 RED open heifers Guaranteed Sight-Unseen Purchases!

Let us help you find the bull to fit your program & needs!

Free Trucking on every bull! No fine print!

The best disposition & soundness sort!

Extensive Data & Genomic EPDs! All Bulls Are Semen & Trich Tested!

Over 200 RFI tested bulls sell in these sales!

Videos of sale bulls on website the week before the sale! www. dvauction.com or www.seedstockplus.com

Saturday, March 28, 2020 • 1:00 PM ET

g n i ll e S Selling 35 ts o L 5 6 Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

Chenault Ag Center • Mt. Sterling, KY

Many Homozygous Black and Homozygous Polled Several bulls sired by the calving ease, maternal specialist Godfather 575C

Selling 30

Gelbvieh & Balancer Females Semen auction to benefit the Jimmy Christopher Scholarship Fund. Please bring your semen tank to support the Juniors.

Some of the breed’s top A.I. sire will be offered.

Sale managed by

An impressive group of Black Impact sons sell

Many of Balancer bulls are sired by EGL Lifeline B101

Slaughter Sale Management Heifer acceptable bulls sired by Blue’s Impact sell

For catalog or information contact:

David Slaughter

162 Hastings Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 Phone: (270) 556-4259 E-mail: hmslghtr@aol.com

Several Carolina Leverage sons sell Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Show 1:00 PM ET, Friday, March 6, 2020

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Sale 11:30 AM ET, Saturday, March 7, 2020

Junior Heifer & Steer Show 8:00 AM ET, Sunday, March 8, 2020 Selling 30 Lots: Bulls • Bred Heifers • Open Heifers • Cow/Calf Pairs

2019 Beef Expo Champions

GRAND CHAMPION GELBVIEH BULL

GRAND CHAMPION BALANCER BULL

GRAND CHAMPION GELBVIEH FEMALE

GRAND CHAMPION BALANCER FEMALE

Bee Lick Fielding Exhibited by Reynolds Bee Lick Gelbvieh Purchased by Circle R Gelbvieh

Caroline 537C Exhibited Pleasant Meadows Farm Purchased by Dyer Farms

Sale co-sponsored by: The Kentucky Gelbvieh Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Power Play E51 Exhibited by Green Hill Gelbvieh Purchased Zac Bray

Ms Bandoleer 807F Exhibited by D & M Farms Purchased by R & D Owen Gelbvieh

Sale Managed by: Slaughter Sale Management David Slaughter 162 Hasting Lane • Fredonia, KY 42411 270-556-4259 Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

STAFF EDITORIAL

Long-Term Impact of Bull Selection Requires a Thought-Out Decision

By Will Fiske

P

urchasing a new herd bull is a decision that is too often made as an impulse reaction rather than with carefully planned execution. When we think about the gravity of the decision and the lasting implications the bull will have on a cowherd, it’s collectively one of the most influential investments in our business. Our business is beef. The bull we choose dictates not only the pounds of beef weaned next year, in the form direct progeny, but if daughters are kept he will influence the herd’s production for 20+ years.

An investment with a 20-year return is significant. When we approach a banker for a 20-year loan on any type of agriculture related expense, we’re greeted with the responsibility of providing a business plan around the opportunity for that expense to generate value. Identifying and selecting a bull should be completed with the same due diligence.

The amount of technology and information around the purchasing decision of a bull continues to grow. So many pieces of information make sorting through bulls feel overwhelming and raise the risk of overlooking vital details. However, purchasing a bull can be broken down into a two-stage decision. Where the first stage consists of evaluating the cowherd and system in which the bull is to be placed in, and the second stage entails evaluating the bull himself.

Sega Gelbvieh Pound-Makin’ Genetics Bull sale – March 7, 2020

Put Pounds on the Truck!

And Quality Carcass on The Rail

A Powerful Set of Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls Steve & Gail Fiolkoski 16509 WCR 86 • Pierce, CO 80650 Gail’s Cell: 970/590-4862 • Steve’s Cell: 970/381-0600 Email: gafiolk@aol.com • www.segagelbvieh.com Like us on Facebook @segagelbvieh

64 | FEBRUARY 2020

Red or Black • All Polled • PAP Tested Bulls available to view at 10:30 AM Lunch at noon • Sale at 1 PM.

Sale catalog online at: www.segagelbvieh.com

Stage 1: evaluating the cowherd and system Sires are selected to increase income. Income is affected by how the traits or characteristics of a bull cause short-term and long-term results.

However, it’s the beef operation’s system that determines how the results are valued and how the cattle producers are actually generating dollars from the results. Identifying your beef operation’s system is an easy place to start. A system or breeding objective is designed to generate specific qualities that are valued by the market endpoint.

Traditionally, a cow-calf system is designed to enhance either terminal or maternal qualities. Though the two are interconnected they can be prioritized. If you sell your cattle at finished weights your system is terminally focused. If you keep or sell females as replacements, then your system is maternally focused.

The more we can describe about our market endpoint the more effective we can be with bull selection and thus more profit we can generate. Describing the intended market also allows you to strategically prioritize the available information on a bull.

Once you’ve identified your system/breeding objective you can utilize cowherd information and records to assess economically relevant production areas. This assessment can provide information to measure areas of performance and profitability in your herd, further aiding in the selection of the right bull for your needs.

Stage 2: evaluating the bull

Raile Gelbvieh/Balancer® Bull Sale Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, CO Thursday, March 12, 2020 • 12:30 PM MST

Selling 45 Yearling Bulls Ultrasounded, DNA Tested, Tested BVD Negative, Semen Tested First Year Breeding Season Guarantee Free Board Until April 1st

Continually ask yourself the question, how does the bull meet my needs? Will the bull compliment the strengths of my herd while improving the weaknesses? Prior to sale day the genetic merit of each bull can be compared and contrasted by studying the information in the sale catalog. Specifically, expected progeny differences (EPDs), economic indexes, and actual performance information are the best tools to evaluate the genetic merit of a bull. When contemplating between an EPD and an animal’s actual record, selection is more precise and more genetic progress can be achieved when the EPD is used. Unlike actual performance measurements, EPDs represent what can be passed on through genetic merit and exclude environment’s role in actual performance.

Take time to fully understand the intended uses of EPDs and economic indexes, depending on your breeding objective, they are not of equal value. The number of EPDs to sort through can make the process cumbersome.

Economic indices are comprised of EPDs which are appropriately weighted with their respective economic significance to cause permanent genetic change and profitability in a specific area. Economic indices were developed to be used by commercial cattle producers so they may efficiently make genetic progress in areas valued by the market endpoints. Visit Gelbvieh.org to learn more about American Gelbvieh Association EPDs and indexes.

The bull’s phenotype and visual appraisal is equally important to his genetic data. Arrive to the sale plenty early to visually evaluate each animal. Key areas include: structural soundness, foot and leg quality, frame size, appropriate body condition, and desirable performance attributes such as muscling. Collectively use visual evaluation with genetic data to narrow down the list

Balancer Sires: RAIL King Jams 3127A RAIL Mr Brilliant 401B DLW Edison o45B BAG Outback 4D EGL Enterprise E080 BABR 114Y ET

RAIL Garth M 993G

RAIL King James 3127A

AI Sires: JRI Pop A Top 2 ETN TAU Weight Up 98E RB Absolute Advantage JRI Probity 254D28

Email for a catalog

Matt & Sarah Raile • Delbert & Marilyn Raile 755 Road U • St. Francis, KS Delbert cell • 785-772-1141 Matt cell • 785-332-8399 Home • 785-332-2756

www.railegelbvieh.com • email: dmraile@gmail.com THE PROFIT PICTURE | 65

STAFF EDITORIAL of bulls which best suit your operation’s breeding objective. By the time the auction starts, have a plan and stick to it.

Both stages of bull purchasing require a considerable amount of homework and preparation.

Remember, the time invested in collecting information and weighing appropriate options creates more rewards and reduces the down-side risk associated with poor planning. Maintaining an open line of communication with your seedstock provider is also key, making the decision-making process that much easier and efficient. Selecting the right bull is like selecting the desired return on your investment for your business.

How profitable do you want to be in the next 20 years? FF References: Beef Sire Selection Decision Flow Chart Bullock, Darrh; Rolf, Megan (2019) Beef Sire Selection Recommendations. Retrieved from Extension.org : https://beef-cattle. extension.org/beef-sire-selectionrecommendations/

66 | FEBRUARY 2020

Markes Family Farms REGISTERED PUREBRED GELBVIEH WINTER PRIVATE TREATY OFFERING

V 28 PUREBRED BULLS V Quantity

Age

Birth Date

Price

11 17

24 months 18 months

Feb./March 2018 Sept./Oct. 2018

$1800 $1800

A great selection of Registered Purebred Gelbvieh Bulls!

We price our cattle to sell quickly!

Our herd is the product of 41 years of careful Gelbvieh breeding and we invite you to come take a look.

We price our cattle to sell quickly and we look forward to your phone call.

Whenever you think of Gelbvieh Cattle, think of Markes Family Farms!

CALL TODAY FOR THE BEST SELECTION! TRUCKING AVAILABLE • WE SHIP CATTLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!

Whenever you think of Gelbvieh Cattle, think of

Markes Family Farms Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder

EDITORIAL

Milk EPD Explained

By Tonya Amen, Ph.D., AGA Breed Improvement Consultant

O

ne of the EPDs that I receive the most questions about is the MILK EPD, so the topic of this month’s article will include discussion of the MILK EPD and its counterpart, the Total Maternal EPD. Milk and Total Maternal EPDs are important in bull selection when replacements will be retained in the herd, but they are two EPDs that are sometimes not understood.

Milk EPDs: Unlike direct growth EPDs like weaning weight that predict the weight difference in the own progeny of bulls, Milk EPDs are expressed slightly differently. Milk EPDs reflect the maternal ability of an animal’s daughters and are expressed as additional pounds of calf weaned by a bull’s daughters due to maternal effects.

When choosing the appropriate EPD range for the Milk EPD, one needs to consider the feed resources and environment of the operation in which the bulls’ daughters will be expected to perform. In other words, more milk is not necessarily better as heavier milking cows may require more nutritional inputs to maintain body condition and reproductive efficiency. In addition, for commercial producers, breed needs to be an important consideration when evaluating milk EPDs. Some popular U.S. breeds have trended significantly higher for Milk EPDs in recent years and some moderation may be important if replacements are to be retained.

Total Maternal (TM) EPDs: Like milk EPDs, TM EPDs are expressed as the predicted weaning weight differences of bulls’ maternal grand-progeny. Total Maternal EPD predicts the total difference in weight of bulls’ daughters’ calves at weaning – due to both the maternal ability of the daughter (Milk EPD) as well as the genetics for growth that she passes on (1/2 the weaning weight EPD). Because it includes both direct and maternal impacts on growth, TM is the best predictor of how daughters of a bull will perform in terms of weaning heavier calves.

Even if Total Maternal is not published in a sale catalog,

68 | FEBRUARY 2020

it can be calculated by simple arithmetic: ½ WW EPD + Milk EPD = Total Maternal.

To illustrate the differences in WW, MILK and TM, let’s use the example below.

Table 1: Weaning growth EPD example.

WW EPD

Milk EPD

Total Maternal EPD

Sire A

72

15

51

Sire B

55

21

48.5

Assuming Sire A and B are used in the same environment and bred to genetically similar females, we would expect Sire A’s calves to average 17 pounds heavier at weaning than Sire B’s calves.

Now, let’s assume that we retain daughters from both bulls in the herd and they are bred to genetically similar bulls. When weaning time rolls around, we’d expect Sire A’s daughter’s calves to weigh 2.5 pounds more, on average, than Sire B’s daughter’s calves. Indeed, Sire B had a higher Milk EPD, and his daughters probably produced more milk than Sire A’s daughters, but that “better” maternal environment provided by Sire B’s daughters was not enough to overcome the genetics for growth that were passed on by Sire A’s daughters.

In the BOLT-powered national cattle evaluation that the American Gelbvieh Association participates in through International Genetic Solutions (IGS), WW, MILK, and TM EPDs are a product of a multi-trait evaluation. This evaluation uses all performance information on the growth traits (birth through yearling) along with pedigree and genomic information.

For most young sires, pedigree along with their own birth, weaning and yearling weights may be all that is available for the evaluation, though many now also have genomic results. It is important to note that in the current evaluation, a negative correlation is used between direct and maternal growth. This means that young animals that are outliers for direct growth traits (WW and YW) may have lower-than average Milk EPDs until and unless they have maternal grand-progeny weaning weights that suggest they are curve benders for the traits.

A benefit of the IGS partnership is that the quantity of data generated by the partner breeds has made possible new research to update the variance components of the growth EPD model, which will give us new and more reflective correlations between direct and maternal growth. We anticipate results from this research to be implemented sometime in the new year. FF

10th Annual Production Sale Sunday, February 16, 2020, 2:00 (CT) at the Ranch, Clearbrook, MN Please join us Saturday, February 15 for our Open House and view the sale offering

90 Lots Sell

55 Gelbvieh, Balancer, Angus and Red Angus Bulls 35 Gelbvieh, Balancer and Red Angus Bred Heifers

LRL Thielen G97 ET Black Homo Polled 50% Balancer Bull Sire: JKGF Ditka C85 Dam: TJB Anissa 921U ET His combination of depth, width and correctness is unmatched. Thielen G97 ET is also a maternal brother to the 2020 Balancer Futurity Champion/National Champion Balancer Bull. 2 full ET brothers sell

LRL Ten Speed G82 Homo Black Homo Polled 63% Balancer Bull Sire: JKGF D007 ET Dam: LRL C28 Tremendous EPD strength, 96 BW ratio, 106 WW ratio, The Whole Package. Incredibly thick and attractive bull out of a super productive young cow.

Top 10% marbling, 20% calving ease.

LRL Fleck G93 Homo Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: DDGR Coach 57E Dam: LRSF Sarah Z5 ET True calving ease bull with excellent volume and thickness.

Top 10% calving ease and top 35% low birth.

LRL Phantom G192 ET PB 88% Homo Black Homo Polled Gelbvieh Bull Sire: JKGF New Horizon C51 ET Dam: OSOF Jo-Leen 9801W As deep bodied, soft made and easy moving a bull as you’ll find in the Gelbvieh breed. Incredibly balanced EPD’s with 14 of 16 traits above breed average. Outcross pedigree to Lazy TV Sam.

LRL Heather F52 Homo Polled 50% Balancer Sire: VGW Direct Drive 512 Dam: LRL Heather B69 Deep bodied feminine performance bred heifer. Top 15% performance, 20% marbling and 25% stayability.

LRL Sarah F49 ET Homo Black Homo Polled 63% Balancer Bred Heifer Sire: JKGF Ditka C85 Dam: LRL Sarah D248 Our lead bred heifer sired by Ditka C85 is loaded with performance, style and depth of body. Top 10% growth.

Dan Larson David Larson Mark Larson Matt Larson

402-560-4052 218-766-3323 218-766-3690 701-371-8305

www.lostriverlivestockmn.com 12866 Lindberg Lake Road Clearbrook, MN 56634

EDITORIAL

Top 12 Things to Consider Before Building a Cattle Handling Facility

By Robert Wells, Ph.D. Livestock Consultant, Noble Research Institute

T

he cattle handling facility is at the heart of most every ranch. The quality of the facility and its ease of use can determine the enjoyment or frustration of use and dictate how often you work cattle through it. Properly designed and thought-out facilities will be safe for the producer and animal, handle cattle with ease, require a minimal number of personnel, and allow for cattle to be worked in a timely fashion.

There are multiple design principles that can be used, depending on the cattle-handling abilities of the personnel and their ability to understand “cow psychology.”

Here are the top 12 factors you should consider prior to building a new facility.

1. USE TYPE Consider the species and type or class of animal for which the working facility will be used. Will it only be used for cattle, or will you need to handle goats and sheep, or horses, in addition to cattle? If it’s only cattle, will it be used only for a stocker operation, or will you need to process cows, bulls and calves through the chute as well? The size of cattle worked will dictate how wide of a raceway you need. Finally, do you plan to rope and drag calves, or process through a chute? Roping and dragging calves will require an area large enough to do so.

2. BUD BOX OR SOLID-SIDED, CURVED DESIGNS Both Bud Box and solid-sided, curved designs are effective.

In general, the curved, solid-sided-fence facility, in my opinion, allows the cattle handler to make mistakes and recover without adversely affecting cattle flow. If you are in the wrong position yet the animal cannot see you because of the solid side, it may not affect the movement of cattle. A drawback to this style is it is more complicated and costly to build because of the curves and the added expense of the solid-sided fences.

The Bud Box system uses the animal’s instincts to your advantage. It works on the principle that animals will want to return to where they have been if they cannot proceed further.

When they turn around and head back in the direction that

70 | FEBRUARY 2020

they came from, the animal is diverted down another alley or raceway leading up to the working chute. The drawbacks to this system are that it is typically not recommended for novice cattle handlers, and if handlers are out of place, they can impede cattle movement.

3. LOCATION It’s all about the location. The working facility should be central to most pastures and easily accessed, either using lanes or along adjoining fences that help funnel cattle into the facility.

Having a corral situated where cattle have to routinely enter and leave on their own will facilitate penning them on working day.

One example is a catch pen situated between pastures that cattle must walk through when rotating from one pasture to the other.

It could be a central watering location or where feed and hay are fed to the animals. If you plan to use the facility to hold sick or freshly received animals for a few days, then having shade from trees along the fence might be beneficial.

4. MATERIALS There are numerous materials that a set of working facilities can be built out of: drill stem pipe, highway guardrails, cable, sucker rod, cattle panels, wood. All have their benefits and drawbacks. In general, metal building materials will probably outlast wood. Cable fences are not well-suited for working and crowding facilities. They flex too much and can allow calves to get through. Likewise, if you have to quickly climb a fence to get away from an aggressive animal, cable fences will not support your weight well enough to allow you to quickly escape.

Make sure any drill stem you purchase is not magnetized, as it makes welding difficult. Also, make sure the drill stem is not radioactive or excessively rusty if it has been used in drilling activity. Graduated cattle panels have smaller hole sizes on the bottom of the panel, making them difficult to climb when in a hurry. If using sucker rod, consider welding a clip over the rod to the line post. Experience has proven that welding a sucker rod only to a post will result in a broken weld. continued on page 72

EDITORIAL

7. SLOPE

continued from page 70

The working facility should have a small degree of slope to allow drainage during and after rainfall events. The slope should not be so great that erosion or channeling will occur after the grass has been trampled down. Additionally, consider the degree and direction of the slope when planning where you will back up a trailer to the pens. Backing across a slope when muddy may result in the trailer sliding sideways. Trying to pull up a muddy slope when loaded may be difficult, too.

5. UTILITIES Having access to electricity and water is beneficial but not necessary. If you plan to use an electric branding iron, access to land-line electricity will eliminate the need for a costly and loud generator. If you have electricity available, you can have a small room located next to the chute to store medicine and vaccines in a refrigerator. Additionally, you can have hot water to help clean up the equipment after use.

8. CALF CHUTE, PALPATION CAGE, GATES Buy a chute that is large enough to handle your largest animal, including your bull. It may be necessary to restrain the bull to treat a foot or to conduct a breeding soundness exam. Remember, bulls are longer and thicker than a cow.

Many of the economy-type chutes are not designed to hold a bull. Also plan for a palpation cage at the end of the chute

6. COVER AND SHADE It is beneficial to have cover over the working chute in case you have to work the cattle in extremely hot or inclement weather. Additionally, you may decide to have a portion of the pens covered in case you need to hold a quarantined or sick animal in the facility for a length of time.

continued on page 76

One of the West’s most outstanding offerings of yearling and coming two-year-old Gelbvieh, Angus and Balancer® Bulls

25th Annu al Bull Sale

Functional, powerhouse sons of these great sires sell!

– Pr ob le m -fr ee Ca

tt le –

March 7, 2020 Sale starts at 1:00 P.M. SUREFIRE

FLAT TOP

CED

BW

WW

YW

DOC

MILK

MAR

CED

BW

WW

YW

DOC

MILK

MAR

15

-0.3

57

107

30

32

1.35

15

-2.3

54

120

16

36

0.59

Our program emphasizes Calving Ease, Structural Soundness, Udder Quality, Growth and Moderate Framed, Easy Keeping Cattle.

First year breeding season guarantee for injury and mortality on all bulls.

SIRES REPRESENTED: SANDPOINT BUTKUS X797, CONNEALY CAPITALIST, MYTTY IN FOCUS, DEER VALLY ALL IN, POST ROCK WESTERN 143Y1, POST ROCK PASSION 160Z1, SAV FOREFATHER 3024

Burley Auction Yard , Burley, Idaho Lunch provided at noon

80 Bulls

Sell!

30 coming 2-year-old s and 50 yea rlings Free delive ry up to 300 miles

Cordell and Patty Sheridan

Phone: 208.430.5532 www.sheridancattle.com • email: cordell5532@gmail.com

72 | FEBRUARY 2020

CRAN Fiona F812 ET

Champion Female | 2019 NAILE Open Show Res. Champion Female | 2020 NWSS Jr. Show Congratulations to Casey Martin, IL! Sired by CIRS Overdrive

When females like this...

combine with bulls like these...progress is made.

DLW TPG Jackpot 7551B

EGL Roundhouse B019

Join Us!

CIRS Overdrive

Young Dale Believe 46B

S Whitlock 179

16th Annual Genetic Progress Sale SATURDAY / MARCH 28, 2020

We look forward to seeing you in Rugby for our annual bull and female sale! More than 50 bulls by the sires represented above will be offered, as well as an outstanding group of replacement females and several show prospects. Please call us to request a sale catalog or visit our website to view the online sale catalog.

Can’t be with us on sale day? Real time bidding is available! Visit DVAuction.com for details.

Rugby Livestock Auction / Rugby, ND

ROBERT AND BILL ARNOLD • ESMOND, ND PH: 701.720.8823 or 701.624.2051 • rlagelbvieH@aol.com

WWW.CRANVIEWGELBVIEH.COM

GELBVIEH& BALANCER Crossbreeding is easy with

®

PERFORMANCE

Gelbvieh and Balancer® increased longevity, added fertility, and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed.

PRODUCTIVITY

PROFITABILITY

The crossbred female is 30% more productive over her lifetime. More productivity and added longevity equates to more money in the bank.

A Gelbvieh and Balancer crossbreeding program through heavier weaning weights, feed bunk heavier, faster gaining feeder cattle.

“We like the docility, fertility and stayability of the gelbvieh-influenced female.” www.gelbvieh.org

-Harry Haythorn, Haythorn Ranch Co., Maxwell, Neb.

CATAPULT YOUR PROFITS TO THE NEXT LEVEL! TENDERNESS CALVING EASE GROWTH CARCASS DOCILITY FERTILITY

FELEX JMR 825F

AMGV1416644 • PB88 • 04/23/18 Homo Polled • 10 for TENDERNESS Sire: JRI Profit Producer 254B32 Ranking within the top 15% of the breed for CED, WW, YW, HP, CW & FPI

FELIX SEMEN AVAILABLE

through: Cattlemen’s Connection • 800.743.0026 Bull Barn Genetics • 800.535.6173

Semen also available on these Bar JR herd sires: JMR 704E, JMR 705E, JMR 713E, JMR 802F, JMR 606D, JMR 501C & KHR 09W

MATERNAL POWER IS GELBVIEH

Bulls and Females sold private treaty.

Small quantity, but TREMENDOUS QUALITY!

Gelbvieh RAISED ON MAMA’S MILK AND GOD’S GRASS

50 Goose Creek Rd. | Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net | www.BarJRGelbvieh.com

EDITORIAL

continued from page 72

out of the alley and into the pens. Additionally, the alley can be used to hold cattle temporarily.

to allow a safe access area for a veterinarian so he or she doesn’t have to worry about getting run over by the next cow in line. The cage will also be handy if you have to treat a hind foot.

12. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Design the facility with options. It is much easier to work 2- to 3-month old calves in a calf chute than in a large, cow-sized chute. Do not skimp on gates! Make sure they are heavy and well-built. Plan on gates between adjacent pens and from the alleys. Having gates between pens allows you to open up adjacent pens to create one large pen when needed. Use headers across the top of the gate to ensure it stays in line and does not sag, so it opens and closes as it should. Make the headers high enough that you can drive equipment or ride horseback under them.

9. ACCESS TO ROADS You should plan to have all-weather road access to the working facility to enable you to load and unload cattle even in rainy conditions. However, placing a set of corrals right off a county road could enable cattle thieves to bait your cows into the pens and easily and quickly load out and steal animals, so keep that in mind.

10. SIZE The size of the facility will be determined by the activities needed and how long you plan to hold cattle there. If you are just using the pens as a holding area while working the cattle, each cow-calf pair will require a minimum of 35 to 45 square feet. The larger the calf while on the cow, the more room that will be required.

11. NUMBER OF PENS One of the biggest design mistakes we see is a facility without enough holding pens. It is always good to plan to have at least one more pen than you think you need. At the minimum, three pens are needed. You will need one large pen to hold the cattle when they are first caught, and then preferably two more to sort calves and cows into. This will also allow you to have an open pen to catch the animals after they have been worked so that they do not get mixed with unprocessed cattle. Designing an alleyway alongside the pens that leads to the chute allows you to sort animals

76 | FEBRUARY 2020

Build with flexibility in mind: Design the facility so that expansion will not require a major overhaul.

Make the design modular so more pens can be added alongside existing alleys.

Make the raceway leading to the chute adjustable to enable it to be wide enough for cows, but can be adjusted down so that a calf cannot turn around in it.

Do not design the facility so that the chute turns out into the pasture. If you miss a head catch on an animal, you cannot easily recycle it back around.

Set all posts at least 3 feet down into concrete.

If concrete is used under the chute, extend it at least 6 to 8 feet past the front of the chute. Make sure the concrete is heavily grooved to provide traction even when covered with mud and manure.

Reduce shadows that go across alleys by running alleys east and west if possible. Cattle do not have depth perception and may view a shadow as a hole or trench, causing them to balk.

VISIT, PLAN, VISUALIZE As you design your handling facility, go see as many other working facilities as possible in person. Talk with the people who use them and ask what they like and what they would change. Draw your design out on paper, and then lay it out on the ground to scale. Use marking paint and survey flags to help you visualize the layout before building. Then walk through the layout as you would when working cattle.

It is far easier to make adjustments in the planning stage than after everything is built. FF Source: Noble Research Institute

EDITORIAL

Burning Your Bottom Line: How Hot Hay Changes Forage Quality Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

H

ay put up too wet can lead to a number of issues, most notably mold and heat. Moisture keeps otherwise dormant microbes and fungi active, decreasing forage quality and creating heat. Too much heat can actually create a risk of combustion.

However, even heat that doesn’t get to the level of combustion can start to cause issues with our hay.

Since hay is not protected from oxygen like most of our anaerobic fermented feedstuffs (silage, haylage, etc.), high temperatures, moisture, and oxygen allow aerobic bacteria to grow, using plant protein and sugars for growth and producing carbon dioxide, water, and heat.

Too much of this and temperatures can rise high enough to kick off a process called the Maillard reaction.

Even if you’ve never heard of the Maillard reaction before, you are probably familiar with it. First described in 1912 by the French chemist Louis-Camille Maillard, the Maillard reaction is the browning process that happens between amino acids (proteins) and sugars under heat. We use it all the time when cooking. From searing a steak to baking bread, the Maillard reaction is what produces that flavorful browned or golden outer portion of most cooked foods.

So what does this have to do with hay? While it’s typical to have bales generate heat after harvest due to the curing process, too much moisture has the dual issue of: 1) helping trap heat already created instead of letting

80 | FEBRUARY 2020

it dissipate quickly, and 2) acting as a catalyst for the Maillard reaction once it kicks off at around 170°F. The Maillard reaction takes normal proteins and sugars and changes them through a series of chemical reactions into something called the Maillard polymer. The resulting hay is sweet/tobacco smelling and golden/caramel in color. And cows love it! Just like I can’t turn down a perfectly seared steak, the result of the Maillard reaction in hay is a treat for cows.

Why is this an issue? The problem is that the resulting Maillard polymer, while tasty to our animals, isn’t great nutritionally. The chemical reactions actually have tied up proteins and lowered the forage’s true crude protein content. A standard crude protein feed analysis won’t be able to pick up this difference though and will report the number like nothing is wrong, causing us to overestimate the available protein in our forage and under feed our animals.

Luckily, the solution is fairly simple. If you suspect you have bales that have had some caramelization occur, add on a test for Heat Damaged Proteins (HDP) or Acid Detergent Insoluble Crude Protein (ADICP). While adding a bit more to the cost of the forage analysis, this additional test will show how much unavailable protein content there is due to the Maillard reaction and rations can be adjusted accordingly. At some labs, this test will continued on page 84

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SALE CHAIRMAN: MARK HOPFER 541.863.2147 • hopfer@frontier.com

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Sale Opens MARCH 30 Sale Closes APRIL 5

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FU

2020 ROUTE 66

July 5 – 10 Springfield, MO

JEFF STANSBERRY • 615.479.1852 bidontheblockcom@gmail.com RANCE LONG • 918.510.3464 rlong@rancelong.com

EDITORIAL

SUMMARY

continued from page 80

also be shown with the adjusted Crude Protein content after damage has been factored in.

While we are on the look-out for hay that could be heat damaged, it’s also a great time to look bales over for excessive mold growth. The same wet conditions that allow the Maillard reaction to occur can also be great for mold. While not always toxic, mold can reduce hay quality and palatability, so allowing animals the freedom to pick through heavily molded bales is a great option.

If you want more information on considerations to take when working with moldy hay, check out the November BeefWatch article “What to Do with Wet Hay” by Extension Educator, Hannah Greenwell, and myself.

After last winter’s cold and a wet summer, using every last bit of hay available to its fullest potential is going to be important. Testing forage quality of your hay, whether it’s your own or purchased, is a critical first step to optimizing hay use, but make sure to take a closer look when taking those samples. Keep an eye out for signs that a Maillard reaction could have occurred and if significant, running the additional HDP test will be essential. With a true idea of available Crude Protein, making the right decisions on how much hay to feed this winter and when to start supplementing will be that much easier.

•

High temperatures in bales (>170°F) can result in reactions between proteins and sugars called the Maillard reaction.

•

Hay impacted by Maillard reactions will be sweet/ tobacco smelling and brown/caramel colored.

•

While highly palatable, the reaction creating this hay ties up protein, making it unusable for animal digestion.

•

If significant signs of Maillard reactions are seen in your hay, add a Heat Damaged Protein (HDP) test to your forage analysis to get accurate crude protein contents for feeding decisions.

•

Caramelized hay also has a high likelihood of containing larger than normal amounts of mold growth. Feeding free choice is a good option to minimize risk when feeding moldy hay. FF

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tennessee, Arkansas & Oklahoma Breeders Martin Cattle Company

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton Charles & Sue Hampton 839 Davistown Rd. • Celina, TN 38551

931-243-3213 H • 931-510-3213 C hampton@twlakes.net Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

84 | FEBRUARY 2020

David & Rita Martin Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder Chris Markes 580-554-2307 Chris@MarkesFamilyFarms.com Excellent bulls available.

We sell 80 bulls a year all over the country.

Come see why!

Transportation available.

256 Boyce Road Judsonia, AR 72081 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

GRUND BEEF GENETICS

GRU GUNFIGHTER 402G Sire: DLW Cricket 2005C Dam: GRU Ms Big Dog 402B Black • Polled Homo 63% Balancer Top 2% of breed for WW & YW Top 10% of breed for CW & REA Top 25% of breed for MB

• Moving the Industry Forward •

Come join our list of satisfied

customers that sell market topping feeder and fat cattle.

CED 14

BW 1.1

WW 80

YW 120

MK 17

TM 57

CEM 8

INTEGRITY

CED 11

BW 1.0

WW 76

YW 115

MK 24

TM 62

CEM 6

than

professing

them.

REA MB FPI 0.72 0.51 88.27

HP PG30 6.12 0.68

ST 15

YG -0.21

CW 11

REA MB FPI 0.46 0.51 86.51

Sire: DLW Cricket 2005C Dam: GRU Ms Annie 334A (Sam U451) 50% Balancer Homo Black • Homo Polled Ranks in the top 15% breed for WW, YW, MK, TM, PG30, ST & CW CED 11

BW 0.0

WW 71

YW 109

MK 26

TM 62

CEM 6

HP PG30 3.89 1.78

ST 18

YG -0.05

CW 50

REA MB FPI .052 0.48 82.86

GRU GENERAL 317G

COUR AGE over comfort; choosing what is RIGHT over what is fun, or easy; choosing to PR ACTICE rather

CW 42

GRU GENERATOR 334G

Sire: 3F Epic 4631 Dam: GRU Ms Impact 317A 50% Balancer Ranks in the top 5% of the breed for CED, WW, YW, CEM, CW, MB & FPI

choosing

values

YG -0.12

Sire: RAB Bieber Hard Drive Y120 Dam: DCH Hille C272 Homozygous Polled 50% Red Balancer Ranks in the top 10% of the breed for WW, YW, TM, YG & FPI. Top 25% for MB

/in'tegrәdē/ n.

our

ST 13

GRU GOLDEN BOY 272G

25th ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE February 26, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. CT Oakley Livestock, Oakley, KS 85 Balancer®, Gelbvieh, Red Angus & Angus

HP PG30 3.93 -0.08

CED 19

BW -0.5

WW 78

YW 119

MK 14

TM 53

CEM 12

HP PG30 2.41 0.51

ST 14

YG 0.14

CW 66

REA MB FPI 0.60 0.68 92.98

GRU GRAND PLAN 744G Sire: Twister 451B Dam: GRU Ms Elaine 744E Homo Black • Homo Polled 88% Purebred Top 1% of the breed for ST & CW. Top 3% for WW, YW & FPI CED 12

BW 0.2

WW 75

YW 111

MK 15

TM 52

CEM 5

HP PG30 2.25 -0.27

ST 20

YG -0.16

CW 47

REA MB FPI 0.80 0.31 80.48

GRU GREAT ENCOUNTER 765G Sire: GRU Early Encounter 536E Dam: GRU Ms Breakout 765E 50% Balancer Ranks in the top 10% of the breed for WWY, YW, MK, TM, CW & FPI. Top 20% for HP, REA & MB

GRUND BEEF GENETICS 302 Ash Street, Sharon Springs, KS Jerry Grund • 785.821.1022 grundbeefgenetics.com

CED 12

BW 1.1

WW 75

YW 118

MK 25

TM 63

CEM 8

HP PG30 8.44 0.83

ST 10

YG -0.06

CW 40

REA MB FPI 0.66 0.56 86.72

BREEDERS CORNER KANSAS

Judd Ranch Inc.

Bar Arrow Cattle Company

Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger Judd & Family Brent & Ashley Judd 423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177

LIZ OSWALD 620.662.0862 (h) ANDY OSWALD 620.662.5489 (o) 620.664.4692 (c)

HUTCHINSON, KS

CORY HOFFMAN Herdsman 620.960.1189 (c) oswald.j@sbcglobal.net

S ie elbv

John & Carla Shearer

620.628.4621

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

diamond v gelbvieh Randy odle

POST ROCK CATTLE COMPANY 3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 Bill Clark: 785.792.6244 Leland Clark: 785.792.6208 Fax: 785.792.6250 Email: prcc@twinvalley.net

Promote Your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

Orrin & Kevin Holle Oberlin, KS 785.626.0081

WWW.KANSASBULLS.COM

86 | FEBRUARY 2020

Specializing in Forage Raised

Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

Timothy Mulroy • 785-640-6401 Mayetta, KS • tim@blackgoldinc.biz

1210 G Rd. Stockton, ks 67669 785.737.3319 diamondv@live.com Building Gelbvieh Genetics since 1989

Holle Gelbvieh

B/F Cattle Company For information, contact:

2815 Navajo Rd. • Canton, KS 67428 circle_s@hometelco.net 620.654.6507 (John Cell) • 620.654.6731 (Johnny Cell)

e-mail: knappa@swbell.net

Culling practices on cows/bulls second to NONE!

h

“Where workin’ cattle and eye appeal come full circle”

Purebred A.I. Seedstock Bulls and Heifers Available.

Al, Mary & Nick Knapp Cell: (913) 219-6613 18291 158th Street H: (913) 724-4105 Bonner Springs, KS 66012 FAX: (913) 724-4107

MISSOURI

Stuar t Jar vis

G

MIDWEST STATES

Call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

660 • 492 • 2808

Selling 100 Black and Red, Gelbvieh and Balancer® BullS

BEA 934G • BA75 • WW: 712 lbs.

BABR 9336G • BA38 • WW: 725 lbs. BABR 9311G • PB88 • WW: 761 lbs.

BEA 738G • BA38 • WW: 722 lbs.

BABR 9316G • BA38 • WW: 746 lbs.

BEA 931G • BA38 • WW: 708 lbs.

BEA 9339G • BA50 • WW: 726 lbs.

Bea 9341g • BA50 • WW: 718 lbs.

BABR 9321G • PC75 • WW: 764 lbs.

40th Annual Bull Sale • Monday, February 24, 2020 1:00 p.m. CST (Lunch at 11) • At the Ranch • 20453 Cendak Rd, Pierre, SD

Jim & Barb Beastrom: 605-224-5789 • Wes & Brittney Spencer: 605-280-0204 • Shad & Brandy Ludemann: 605-280-3915 Find us on Facebook @BeastromRanch • Live online bidding at DVAuction.com

Born to Breed, Bred to Perform

Catalog & Videos at BeastromRanch.com & DVAuction.com

BREEDERS CORNER

MIDWEST STATES

NEBRASKA

Mark & Patty Goes 39414 SW 75th Rd. Odell, NE 68415 (402) 766-3627

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-842-3225 • 417-529-0081(cell)

GELBVIEHV BALANCERV ANGUS

Private Treaty Bull & Heifer Sales • Orchard, NE Val Livingston • www.88ranch.com • 402-655-2288

Squeakin’ By-LK Farms Gelbvieh Bulls Black

Kyle & Lori Kuker Shubert, NE

Balancer Females Red

402-883-7246

402-883-2366 402-245-7512 sqblkfarms.com Facebook.com/sqblkfarms sqblkfarms@gmail.com

J. J. Boehler

NOWACK

70948 L Rd. , Orleans, NE 68966 308-473-7342 • 308-999-0207

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

Gilbert & Debra

573.280.4633 573.646.3477 Bulls marketed through Seedstock Plus Go to seedstockplus.com for sale dates, catalogs & videos

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163

Jeff Swanson • 308/337-2235 10908 724 Road • Oxford, NE 68967 Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

(H): 308-587-2293 • (C): 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net

ROCKING GV GELBVIEH

Eldon Starr: 1-800-535-6173 or Rich Johnson: 402-368-2209

Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Wehner 22533 Spencer Lane Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-7502

F LY I N G H G E N E T I C S

Polled Fullblood Gelbvieh Cattle

Nebraska & Missouri Kyle Helms – NE Cody Helms – NE/MO 308-962-6940 303-842-9071

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

Missouri Office 417-309-0062

Visit us at– www.flyinghgenetics.com Flying H Genetics

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

www.rogersvfg.com P.O. Box 51 Mendon, MO 64660 (660) 272-3805 (O) (660-375-7266 (C)

Bulls For The BeeF Business

Ronald RogeRs

Scott Wolf Travis Wolf 308.537.3588 308.529.3733 Gothenburg, NE • wolfgelbvieh@gmail.com www.facebook/wolfgelbvieh.com

Gelbvieh F Balancer F Red Angus F Angus F Angus Hybrids Randy & Leslie Lemke 1757 Road 2500, (H) 402-756-7090 Lawrence, NE 68957 (C) 402-469-2284 rllemke@gtmc.net www.lemkecattle.com

email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

Myron & Valerie Bahm 21640 Lawrence 2192 Aurora, MO 65605 417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

88 | FEBRUARY 2020

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SOUTHERN STATES ALABAMA Clear SpringS Cattle Company Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bulls for sale

for information contact: Katie Gilmore: 850.982.5690 Larry Sullivan: 850.982.1345 RED • BLACK • YEARLING • 2-YEAR OLD

Kittle Gelbvieh Farms Q u a l i t y B l a ck & R e d G e l b v i e h C a t t l e

Dustin Kittle

816 Co. Rd. 36 Geraldine, AL 35974 Cell (256) 996-5822 www.kittlefarms.com

BREEDERS CORNER ARKANSAS

H ODGES R ANCH

Neal

(870) 426-4469 or (870) 704-9450

15702 Hodges Rd., Omaha, AR 72662 Hodgesranch@live.com

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer Genetics Available Private Treaty Sales

OKLAHOMA LeGRAND Ed & Alberta LeGrand

809 S. Redlands Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74074

405-747-6950 • alane@c21global.com

Homo. Black, Homo. Polled • Breeding Stock Available

Koehn Cattle Co. Martin Cattle Company David & Rita Martin

256 Boyce Road Judsonia, Ar 72081 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

Patrick Koehn

73243 Carter Rd., Goltry, OK 580-541-2633 koehncattlecompany@gmail.com

Gelbvieh Genetics at Work

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

EXCEPTIONAL Duane Miller

Cell: 870-844-5664 duane83@centurytel.net www.millergelbvieh.com

BULLS & HEIFERS

TRUCKING AVAILABLE

SEND HIS CREDENTIALS WITH HIM...

Transfer the registration on the bulls you sell and give your customers the tools to become more profitable.

• Provides access to value added marketing services for customer’s calves • Commercial customers receive a free 1-year subscription to Gelbvieh World and the Profit Picture • Allows customers to track pedigree information to manage inbreeding and maximize heterosis

1001 S. 70th Street., Ste. 215 Lincoln, NE 68510 303-465-2333 • www.gelbvieh.org

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 91

Genetic POWER

11th Annual Sale SATURDAY, MARCH 14 1:00 PM CST • SPRINGFIELD, MO

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bull Sale JKGF F964

SPRINGFIELD LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTER

JKGF F822

Homo Black Homo Polled 75% Balancer Sire: JKGF Ditka C85 Dam: JKGF Miss Fortune C22 ET

JKGF F67 Homo Black Homo Polled 50% Balancer Sire: Basin Payweight 1682 Dam: JKGF Bella C155

JKGF F825

Homo Black Homo Polled Purebred 94% Sire: JKGF New Horizon C51 ET Dam: JKGF Miss Jacey C15 Homo Black Homo Polled Purebred 94% Gelbvieh Sire: JKGF Final Frontier Dam: JKGF Blara B67

JKGF F149

• All bulls semen tested • All bulls sell with first breeding season guarantee • All bulls sell with Genomic Enhanced EPDs

Homo Black Homo Polled 50% Balancer Sire: JKGF Ditka C85 Dam: JKGF Miss Fortune C149 ET

Selling 60 Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls FALL 16-18 MONTH OLD BULLS • SPRING YEARLING BULLS Many bulls selling are homozygous black and/or homozygous polled.

J & K GELBVIEH FARMS, INC. Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 618-521-8620

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

GUEST SELLERS

Ertel Cattle Co Ginger Ertel 660-234-5265 Kittle Farms Dustin Kittle 256-996-5822

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371

BREEDERS CORNER

SERVICE CENTER All your A.I. needs!!

Bull Barn Genetics 35 Years in business

• Gelbvieh • Angus • Red Angus • Simmental • Club Calf • Salers • Shorthorn • Dairy • Charolais • Hereford

• Sheaths • Gloves • Cito Thaw Units • Tanks • A.I. Kits • Arm Service

Ronn Cunningham AUCTIONEER P.O. Box 146 • Rose, OK 74364 918-629-9382 cellular

Eldon & Kathy Starr

210 Starr Dr • Stapleton, NE 69163 bullbarn@bullbarn.com 800-535-6173 www.bullbarn.com

Dan McCarty • Auctioneer • • Professional Ring Service • 970-481-5217

Cattlemen’s Connection

Specializing in

• Gelbvieh Semen Sales • Consulting • Order Buying (all purchases guaranteed) Roger & Peg Gatz (785) 742-3163 Call Toll-Free:1-800-743-0026

Visit our Web Site: www.cattlemensconnection.com

Are you a livestock photographer, an auctioneer, aspire to be a sale manager or graphic designer?

Put your ad in Service Center and promote your services!

Place your ad today!

303-465-2333

SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION SUBSCRIPTION RATES: A one-year subscription to Gelbvieh World may be purchased for $35.

Members of the AGA pay $35 of their membership dues to receive a subscription to Gelbvieh World.

Gelbvieh World mails on or around the 25th of the month prior to publication date.

Canada and Mexico - $60 U.S. for one-year. Other foreign - $85 U.S. for one-year.

Gelbvieh World Advertising Rates

CLOSING DATE: Ad materials and editorial deadline is the 25th of the month two months prior to publication date. (December issue deadline is October 25th). Ads for sale dates prior to the 15th of the month of publication are discouraged.

Full Page $780 1/3 Page $392 Column inch $30

For Feb./Sept. (Commercial Editions) and June/ July (Herd Reference Edition) please call for deadline information.

STANDARD ISSUES: Full Page $717 1/2 Page $454 1/3 Page $347 Column inch $30

2/3 Page 1/2 Page Isand 1/4 Page

$562 $482 $268

Feb./Sept. Commercial Profit Picture 1/2 Page 1/4 Page

Color: Four Color $300 additional One Additional color $150 additional

$504 $309

ADVERTISING CONTENT: The Graphic Designer and/or the Director of Administration reserve the right to reject any or all advertising on any reasonable basis. Gelbvieh World and/or American Gelbvieh Association assumes no responsibility for the advertising content as submitted. Advertisers assume all responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted advertising containing pedigrees or statements regarding performance. Advertisers shall indemnify and hold harmless Gelbvieh World and American Gelbvieh Association for any claims concerning advertising content as submitted.

Call today: 303/465-2333

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 93

BREEDERS CORNER IOWA

UPPER MIDWEST STATES

MINNESOTA

u

Brandywine Farm

u

Dennis & Sherry Gustin Mandan, ND • 701/663-7266 email: gustindd@gmail.com Family www.gustinsdiamondd.com Al and Peggy Gustin

Tom Scarponcini 30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

GS

Ridge Top Ranch Neola, Iowa

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin: 402-510-8103 Al: 402-676-5292

Ricky Linquist th

Street inquist 1135 190 inquist Fonda, IA 50540

arms (712) 288-5349 arms Gelbvieh & Red Angus

Email: rickylin@ncn.net www.linquistfarms.com

Gelbvieh

SFI Schafer Farms, Inc.

Balancer®

37740 240th Ave., Goodhue, MN 55027 Brian Schafer Lowell Schafer 1-888-226-9210 651-923-4587 brian@schaferfarm.com www.schaferfarm.com Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Dean Swenson

17513 Hwy 10 Little Falls, MN 56345 swen@centurylink.net (h) 320.632.5848 • (c) 320.630-5536

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

LONE OAK

Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World Call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

SOUTH DAKOTA

Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch

C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

Promote Your Operation

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle Bulls • Heifers • Embryos • Semen

hornsandthorns@netins.net

(319) 489-2275 (319) 480-1564

NORTH DAKOTA

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

Ph: 605-224-5789 • 605-280-7589 (Cell) jimbeastrom@mncomm.com • www.beastromranch.com

Martens Gelbvieh

Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C)

Gary Martens 2126 500th St • Walnut, IA 51577 712.764.5007 (H) • 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com lori.maude@gmail.com

Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

HH H

Bulls and Heifers for sale Private Treaty

94 | FEBRUARY 2020

Hermosa, SD

Annual Bull Sale 3rd Saturday in December.

Triple H Farms Roy & Nancy Holste 3113 260th Street Clarinda, IA 51632 712-303-0263 • 712-303-1947 tripleh1@unitedwb.coop

Ranch 605.255.4448

6700 County Rd. 19 S. Minot, ND 58701 (701) 624-2051 (H) (701) 720-8823 (C)

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

34261 200th Street, Highmore, SD 57345 AJ Munger 605-521-4468 Commercial Sales Andy LeDoux 785-527-3188 Registered Sales 1-855-303-BULL • www.eaglepassranch.com

UPPER MIDWEST STATES

BREEDERS CORNER

NORTHEAST STATES

Send his credentials with him...

ILLINOIS J & K GELBVIEH FARM, INC. Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 618-521-8620 • jkgf88@frontier.com

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCER®

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March

Brian & Dee Dee 605-649-9927

Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-6262

www.Balancerbulls.com

INDIANA

Transfer the registration on the bulls you sell and give your customers the tools to become more profitable.

• Provides access to value added marketing services for customer’s calves • Commercial customers receive a free 1-year subscription to Gelbvieh World and the Profit Picture • Allows customers to track pedigree information to manage inbreeding and maximize heterosis

3 G Ranch

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

OHIO Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney 605-852-2131

kvolek@venturecomm.net

Get ready for upcoming sales!

Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

1001 S. 70th Street, Suite 215 Lincoln, NE 8510 303-465-2333 www.gelbvieh.org

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 95

BREEDERS CORNER KENTUCKY

SOUTHEAST STATES

TENNESSEE

Coles Bend Cattle Company

Raising registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle since 2000.

Trent Jones Smith Grove, KY • 270.590.5266

NORTH CAROLINA Quality Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer Cattle

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

ClinCh Mountain Gelbvieh

John & Liz Loy (865) 687-1968 (865) 235-8869 (C)

7611 Dyer Rd. Luttrell, TN 37779 j.b.loy@att.net

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton • Charles & Sue Hampton 839 Davistown Rd. Celina, TN 38551 931-243-3213 H 931-510-3213 C hampton@twlakes.net

www.knollcrestfarm.com knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com Office (434) 376-3567 Fax (434) 376-7008 James D. Bennett 434/376-7299 Paul S. Bennett 434/941-8245 Jim G. Bennett 434/664-7935 Brian R. Bennett 434/664-8309 Dalton G. Bennett 434/664-7946 PO Box 117 • Red House, VA • 23963 Total Performance Bull Sale • Dec. 6, 2019

W L

H

F

Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 C 276/620-4271 lwhf@wiredog.com

(336) 964-6277

ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

Tucker Farms Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle CCRO CAROLINA EXCLUSIVE 1230Y

CCRO CAROLINA LEVERAGE 3214A

THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND EYE APPEAL.

ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE 2ND SATURDAY IN NOV. Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round.

BULLS FOR SALE 640 McAdams Loop Jacks Creek, TN 38347 TuckerFarmsTN@gmail.com

Milton Tucker 731-608-5274

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

VIRGINIA REGISTERED POLLED GELBVIEH Walter & Lee Teeter 1380 French Belk Rd. • Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784

Promote for Success!

Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: March Gelbvieh World Ad deadline: February 4 Call 303-465-2333 today!

96 | FEBRUARY 2020

C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC

Roger Morris • C.W. Moss 928 Morris Road Appomattox, VA 24522 434.574.6592 Roger Morris C.W. Moss 434.315.4294 434.391.4458

Gale Rippey Farms SPECIALIZING IN COMMERCIAL BALANCER® FEMALES

Galax, Virginia

276.233.0999 • grippey@embarqmail.com

Promote Your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

For information about advertising, call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

American Gelbvieh Association

Carcass Data Collection project TIPS FOR SUCCESS 1. Eligibility •

•

Verify that calves are sired by registered Gelbvieh or Balancer bulls for: age and breed composition

2. Pre-harvest Data Collection •

Complete the digital enrollment form and submit with DNA samples

•

All calves must have an EID and DNA sampled with a TSU

3. Harvest Data Collection •

Cattle must not exceed age maturity A at time of harvest

•

The participant must have access to the harvest data

4. How to Participate?

•

•

Verify cattle meet the minimum project requirements at 303.465.2333 or Gelbvieh.org for more info

meeting modern industry demands For decades United States consumers have continually recognized the value of superior beef products. Such recognition has driven the growing demand of a superior beef eating experience on a national and global scale. The American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) commitment to the consumer and meeting modern industry demands has led to the launch of the Carcass Data Collection Project.

The Carcass Data Collection Project is designed for AGA members and their customers. This project is a breed improvement directive, providing vital genetic information to re-charge the carcass database and enhance the predictability of current selection tools. AGA will pay genotyping costs of participating calves, genomic analysis will be completed by Neogen GeneSeek. Recognizing the increased expectations of commercial cattlemen, the AGA is dedicated to delivering the industry with the genetics that are smart, ranch to the rail.

REWARDS and benefits • Larger carcass record database • More powerful genetic improvement tools • Increase predicting power of the genomic panels • Enhanced economic indexes • Improved carcass EPD accuracies

BREEDERS CORNER ARIZONA

WESTERN STATES

MONTANA

The Prosser Family

WASHINGTON

Quality livestock that Work for you Quarter Horses Want to Please Strong Bone Intelligent Athletic

Gelbvieh Carcass Quality Calving Ease Tenderness Docility

1496 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

LEDGERWOOD GELBVIEH Gelbvieh • Red Angus • Balancer® Pete & Samee Charriere

FL

2633 Hwy 12 East • Clarkston, WA 99403

509-566-8805 • LedgerwoodGelbvieh@gmail.com “Seedstock that work for the commercial cattleman

928/289-2619•928/380-5149cell Winslow, AZ

www.bartbar.com • info@bartbar.com

WYOMING

9/9

RFI Tested Balancer®, Gelbvieh & Angus Bulls Sell Annually in April at the Ranch

Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh

COLORADO

Wesley Brown

3794 Rd. 215 • Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-351-6453 • ninebar9@hotmail.com Purebred Bulls, Heifers & Select Embryos Performance BRED in, Not FED in!

Dave & Dawn Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425

(970) 323-6833

www.bowkranch.com

Females for Sale Private Treaty “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh Angus & Balancer® Bull Sale Fri., February 28, 2020 • Montrose, CO

Jim Roelle

Stay Connected!

Keep up to date with shows, sales and other events by visiting www.GELBVIEH.org

Be sure to Like us on Facebook And look for new videos on our YouTube channel

38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

(H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

NEVADA

We want to keep up with AGA members.

Please send in information to be included in the Gelbvieh World, the Profit Picture and on our website: • • •

•

Items for Events of Interest News for Information Exchange Dates for upcoming shows and field days.

State Association news

Plus, add us to your mailing lists when sending out sale catalogs.

Dick & Jean Williams P.O. Box 156 Orovada, NV 89425 775•272•3442

“Pounds Make Profit in Your Pocket” Bulls & Heifers Private Treaty

98 | FEBRUARY 2020

Send all items to: Gelbvieh World 1001 S. 70th Street, Suite 215 Lincoln, NE 68510 lynnv@gelbvieh.org

Consistency and Quality from a Powerful, Maternally oriented cowherd.

Overmiller Production Sale 50/50 Homo Polled #2 WW Bull sired by OGSG Enshrined 028E

February 15, 2020 1pm at the Ranch Selling:

25% Homo Black, Homo Polled, top 10% for WW & YW. Soggy Soft made 18 month old Balancer

by Balco Hot Lotto

80 Gelbvieh, Balancer, & Red Angus Bulls ~ 12-18mo. old 60 Open Heifers

50/50 Homo Polled maternal brother to AI sire Enshrined, sired by OVER Draft Pick 9 EPD’s in the top 30%.

View Cattle and Sale on DVAuction.com

50/50 Homo black, Homo Polled, top 25% for BW, WW, YW, MLK, TM, STAY, REA, & CW Raised by 12 yr old dam x Everelda Entense cow family.

OVERMILLER Gelbvieh & Red Angus

Red Angus by OVER Draft Pick top 1/3 for CED, BW, WW, YW, REA

Kelly & Risa 785-389-3522 Brent & Brittany 785-389-1959 4062 O Road Smith Center, KS 66967 www.overmiller.com

75% Gelbvieh, Homo Black, Homo Polled outcross genetics

EVENTS OF INTEREST February 2020 Feb. 3

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

Feb. 11 Feb. 14

Feb. 15

Feb. 16

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

Feb. 19

Feb. 20

Feb. 20

Feb. 21

Feb. 22

Feb. 22

Feb. 22

Feb. 24

Feb. 24 Feb. 26

Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Feb. 29

Taubenheim Gelbvieh 30th Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE Prairie Hills Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Gladstone, ND Pacific Northwest Gelbvieh/Montana Gelbvieh Association Online Semen Auction 47th Annual Gelbvieh Gold Sale, Des Moines, IA Lemke Cattle 14th Annual Bull & Female Sale, Lawrence, NE Overmiller Gelbvieh & Red Angus Annual Production Sale, Smith Center, KS 10th Annual Lost River Livestock Production Sale, Clearbrook, MN Eagle Pass Ranch the Source for Hybrid Vigor Bull Sale, Highmore, SD Cedar Top Ranch 42nd Annual Maternal Empire Bull Sale, Burwell, NE Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Gelbvieh Show, Kearny, NE Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Kearny, NE Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND Nebraska Cattlemen’s Gelbvieh Female Sale, Kearney, NE Swanson Cattle Company 33rd Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Kingsville, MO Squeakin’ By-LK Farms 4th Annual Production Sale, Shubert, NE American Rancher Spring Gelbvieh & Balancer® Episode Beastrom Ranch 40th Annual Bull Sale, Pierre, SD Grund Beef Genetics 25th Annual Production Sale, Oakley, KS Plateau Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Brush, CO 29th Annual “Pot of Gold” Bull Sale, Montrose, CO Post Rock Cattle Company’s Cowman’s Kind 2020, Barnard, KS

March 2020 Mar. 2

Mar. 2

Mar. 3

Hojer Ranch 28th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Lake Preston, SD MLM Gelbvieh Open House and Private Treaty Kickoff Sale, Superior, NE Warner Beef Genetics “Genetic Investment” Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE

100 | FEBRUARY 2020

Mar. 6 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 31st

Annual Bull Sale, Ponteix, SK Canada Mar. 6 Chimney Butte Ranch Annual Production Sale,

Mandan, SD Mar. 6-7 Kentucky Beef Expo Gelbvieh & Balancer Show &

Sale, Louisville, KY Mar. 7 Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull &

Female Sale, Carthage, MO Mar. 7 Judd Ranch 42nd Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus

Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Mar. 7 Flying H Genetics 40th Annual “Roughage N’

Ready” Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Mar. 7 SEGA Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Pierce, CO Mar. 7 Seedstock Plus Arkansas Bull & Female Sale,

Hope, AR Mar. 7 Sheridan Ranch 25th Annual Bull Sale, Burley, ID Mar. 7 Thorstenson’s Lazy TV Ranch 39th Annual

Production Sale, Selby, SD Mar. 12 Raile Gelbvieh/Balancer® Bull Sale, Burlington, CO Mar. 13 Loveless Gelbvieh Quest of the West Cattle Sale,

Spanish Fork, UT Mar. 14 Seedstock Plus Red Reward Bull & Female Sale,

Osceola, MO Mar. 14 11th Annual Genetic Power Gelbvieh & Balancer

Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Mar. 14 Midwest Beef Cattle Consultants 17th Annual

Open House and Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, IN Mar. 14 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh & Rafter C Reds Cattlemen’s

Kind Private Treaty Sale, Pomeroy, WA Mar. 14 Rippe Gelbvieh 21st Annual Bull Sale, Belleville, KS Mar. 14 11th Annual Genetic Power Bull Sale,

Springfield, MO Mar. 19 Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale,

Great Falls, MT Mar. 20 11th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer

Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Mar. 21 Black Gold Genetics 14th Annual “Share the Gold”

Bull Sale, Pritchett, CO Mar. 21 Lone Oak Cattle 8th Annual Bull Sale,

Mechanicsville, IA Mar. 21 Flying H Genetics 23rd Annual Grown on Fescue

Grass Bull & Bred Hiefer Sale, Butler, MO Mar. 28 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Bull & Female Sale,

Mount Sterling, KY Mar. 28 Cranview Gelbvieh 16th Annual Genetic Progress

Sale, Rugby, ND Mar. 28 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale,

Carthage, MO Mar. 28 Harriman Santa Fe “Top of the Breed” Bull & Bred

Heifer Sale, Windsor, MO Mar. 28 Oklahoma Gelbvieh Association 29th Annual Select

Sale, Tulsa, OK

EVENTS OF INTEREST

Mar. 28 KT Cattle Bull Sale, Marana, AZ Mar. 28 Wilkinson Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bull Sale

Kick-off, Model, CO Mar. 29 AGJA 2nd Annual Online Auction Opening Mar. 30 95th Southwest Missouri All-Breeds Performance

Tested Bull Sale, Springfield, MO

April 2020 Apr. 2 & 3 Midland Bull Test – The 2020 Final Sort Bull

Sale, Columbus, MT Apr. 4 B/F Cattle Company Spring Maternal Integrity

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Butler, MO Apr. 5 AGJA 2nd Annual Online Auction Closing Apr. 11 Bar T Bar Ranches Inc. Annual Bull Sale, Winslow, AZ Apr. 11 Knoll Crest Farm 2020 Spring Bull & Female Sale,

Red House, VA Apr. 18 SoKY Select Gelbvieh Sale, Bowling Green, KY Apr. 18 Bar T Bar Ranches Annual Bull Sale, Winslow, AZ

July 2020 July 5-10 AGJA Route 66 Classic, Springfield, MO

July 24 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch

Cattle Tour & Customer Appreciation Day,

Ponteix, SK Canada

October 2020 Oct. 10 30th Annual Judd Ranch Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red

Angus Cow Power Female Sale, Pomona, KS Oct. 24 Flying H Genetics 24th Annual Grown on Grass

Bull & Bred Heifer Sale, Butler, MO Oct. 25 2nd Annual T Bar S Cattle Company “Focused on t

he Future” Bull & Female Sale, Billings, MO

November 2020 Nov. 7 Dobson Ranch 2nd Annual Building Your Future

with Foundation Female Sale, Perkins, OK Nov. 7 B/F Cattle Co Fall Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh &

Balancer Bull Sale, Butler, MO Nov. 20 Butler Creek Farm Power in the Blood V Online

Female Sale Nov. 28 4th Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale,

SQB

Squeakin’ By ~ LK Farms 4th Annual Production Sale February 22, 2020 Squeakin’ By ~LK Farms Kyle and Lori Kuker 64636 719 RD Shubert, NE 68437 Sqblkfarms.com www.facebook.com/sqblkfarms sqblkfarms@gmail.com (402) 883-7246 (402)245-7512 (402) 883-2366

Gelbvieh ~ Balancers Black ~ Red Bulls~ 18 mo/yearlings Bred Heifers/Pairs Replacement Heifers

Bidding starts at 7:00 am on February 21, 2020 and ends at 7:00 pm on February 22, 2020. View/ bid on lots at DVAuction.com

THE PROFIT PICTURE | 101

AD INDEX

3 G Ranch............................................95 ABCS Gelbvieh...................................94 AGA.............................................. 74, 97 Allflex...................................................21 American Rancher.............................13 B/F Cattle Company.................... 41, 86 Bar Arrow Cattle Company....... 19, 86 Bar JR Gelbvieh...................... 40, 75, 98 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc................... 78, 98 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch.......... 87, 94 Black Gold Genetics...........................45 Blackhawk Cattle Co..........................29 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational........62 Boehler Gelbvieh................................88 Bow K Ranch............................... 27, 98 Brandywine Farm...............................94 Bull Barn Genetics....................... 34, 93 Canadian GV Assn.............................93 Cattlemen’s Connection................ 1, 54 C-Cross Cattle Company..................96 Cedar Top Ranch........................88, BC Chimney Butte Ranch................. 81, 94 C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC..................96 Circle S Ranch.....................................86 CJ&L Livestock...................................94 CKS Gelbvieh......................................29 Clear Springs Cattle Company.........91 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh................96 Coles Bend Cattle Company.............96 Cranview Gelbvieh...................... 73, 94 Cunningham, Ronn...........................93 Danell Diamond Six Ranch...............98 Davidson Gelbvieh.............................11 Diamond L Farms..............................91 Diamond V Gelbvieh.........................86 Dobson Ranch....................................34 Eagle Pass Ranch.......................IFC, 94 Flying H Genetics...................... 88, 103 Gale Rippey Farms.............................96 Gelbviehauction.com.........................82 Genetic Power Bull Sale.....................92 Grand Valley Gelbvieh................ 30, 53

102 | FEBRUARY 2020

Green Hills Gelbvieh..........................96 Grund Beef Genetics..........................85 GS Ridge Top Ranch................... 58, 94 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh.... 83, 94 Hampton Cattle Company......... 84, 96 Harriman Santa Fe...................... 47, 86 Hart Farm Gelbvieh...........................86 Hilltop Farms................................. 9, 88 Hodges Ranch.....................................91 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch........... 31, 77, 95 Holle Gelbvieh....................................86 J&K Gelbvieh Farm............................95 J Bar M Gelbvieh................................88 Judd Ranch, Inc..................... 54, 55, 86 Kentucky Beef Expo...........................63 Kicking Horse Ranch............ 40, 57, 98 Kinsley Feeders...................................37 Kittle Gelbvieh Farms........................91 Knoll Crest Farm........................... 3, 96 Koehn Cattle Co.................................91 Land of Oz/ John C Oswald..............86 Lambert, Doak....................................93 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh........................98 Lemke Cattle.......................................88 Linquist Farms............................. 42, 94 Little Windy Hill Farms.....................96 Lone Oak Cattle........................... 17, 94 Lonesome Dove Ranch......................11 Lost River Livestock...........................69 Loveless Gelbvieh...............................79 M&P Gelbvieh....................................88 Markes Family Farms............ 67, 76, 91 Martens Gelbvieh........................ 58, 94 Martin Cattle Company.............. 84, 91 McCarty, Dan......................................93 McMahan Cove Gelbvieh..................90 Midland Bull Test...............................51 Miller Gelbvieh...................................91 Mitchell Marketing Service...............93 MLM Gelbvieh....................... 30, 56, 88 Mulroy Farms......................................86 Murray Farms.....................................35

Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh.....................98 Nowack Cattle Company...................88 Oklahoma Select Sale.........................49 Overmiller Gelbvieh..........................99 Plateau Gelbvieh.................... 30, 46, 98 Post Rock Cattle Company.... 24, 25, 86 Pot of Gold Sale........................... 30, 71 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh.................... 5, 94 Raile Gelbvieh.............................. 30, 65 Rippe Gelbvieh....................... 30, 42, 43 Rocking GV Gelbvieh........................88 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh............88 Roitsch Cattle Company....................53 Sandy Knoll Farm...............................46 Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay......98 Schafer Farms, Inc..............................94 Seedstock Plus.............................. 61, 93 Seedstock Plus Genetics....................93 SEGA Gelbvieh...................................64 Sheridan Ranch...................................72 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale...................60 Squeakin’ By-LK Farms............ 88, 101 Swanson Cattle Company........ 88, 104 SweetPro..............................................89 Swenson Gelbvieh....................... 31, 94 Taubenheim Gelbvieh........................88 The 88 Ranch.......................................88 Thorstenson Gelbvieh................... 7, 95 Thull Gelbvieh Farm..........................95 Triple H Farms....................................94 Triple K Gelbvieh................................86 Tucker Farms......................................96 Volek Ranch................................. 31, 95 Warner Beef Genetics ....................IBC White Oak Farms...............................88 Wildwood Acres.................................95 Wilkinson Gelbvieh.................... 59, 98 Wolf Gelbvieh.....................................88

I S YO U R V I S I O N

20/20 Join us for our 20/20 Bull and Female Sales!

300 Red and Black Bulls & 100 Females Sell!

Sat., March 7

At the Ranch North of Arapahoe, NE

Sat., March 21

BALANCER ®

|

GELBVIEH

Sat., Oct 24

At the Bull Barn Butler, MO

Visit our web site for details! |

FLYING H GENETICS

At the Bull Barn Butler, MO

Kyle Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Bryan Helms, NE 307.840.0920 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500 Cody Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Missouri Office 417.309.0062

FLYINGHGENETICS.com FLYINGHGENETICS

SIMANGUS TM

|

SIMMENTAL

|

FUSION TM

|

ANGUS

|

RED ANGUS

GeneticINVESTMENT WARNER BEEF GENETICS

Bull Sale

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 • 1:00 PM ( CST ) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 16 -0.9

75

115

CW REA

MB

FPI

21 0.00 46 0.61 0.63 91.05

DLW 3107F 38% Balancer® Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled LD Capitalist 316 x DLW Ms U271 3048A ET

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 9

1.3

68

111

CW REA

MB

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 12 1.1

65

97

CW REA

MB

FPI

24 -0.31 17 0.87 0.34 75.83

DLW 2510F 94% PB Gelbvieh Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled DLW TPG Jackpot 7551B ET x DLW Ms Wardon 2510Z ET

FPI

25 -0.06 40 0.74 0.64 83.31

DLW 3513F 38% Balancer® Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled DLW TPG Jackpot 7551B ET x Maplecrest Rita K0131

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 16 -0.6

73

117

CW REA

MB

FPI

18 0.00 44 0.50 0.39 83.42

DLW 4316F 38% Balancer® Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled HA Cowboy Up 5405 x CCRO CCROSS Carolina 4316B

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 15 0.3

74

117

CW REA

MB

FPI

18 -0.03 37 0.42 0.39 82.89

DLW 2310F 50% Balancer® Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled HA Cowboy Up 5405 x DLW Ms Wardon 2510Z ET

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 17 -1.8

64

90

CW REA

MB

FPI

16 -0.14 24 0.50 0.29 76.97

DLW 6703F 50% Balancer® Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled EGL EGL Lifeline B1010 x DLW TPG Ms Edison 6703D

Bulls bred right and fed right FOR TODAY’S PROGRESSIVE CATTLEMEN. 40 Age-Advantaged 18 month olds and 85 Spring Yearlings. Offering high quality bulls in volume.

SIGHT-UNSEEN SATISFACTION - VOLUME DISCOUNTS - FULL GUARANTEED.

GELBVIEH, BALANCER® AND ANGUS BULLS

Selling 125 lots.

Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

WARNER BEEF GENETICS Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

Dan Warner: 308.962.6511 Monte Warner: 308.962.6136 Darren Warner: 308.824.2950

42ND ANNUAL

MATERNAL EMPIRE A BULL SALE S

FEBRUARY 18, 2020 • 12:30 PM BURWELL, NE

SELLING 200 COMING 2-YEAR OLD BALANCER, ANGUS & RED ANGUS BULLS

CEDAR TOP RANCH is your

PREMIER SOURCE for RANGE DEVELOPED 2-YEAR OLD BULLS! V Featuring 55 ET BULLS from

AGE & PRODUCTION PROVEN DAMS

CEDAR TOP RANCH Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-530-3900 (Scott) • 308-530-2720 (Austin) email: cedartopranch@yahoo.com Follow us at Cedar Top Ranch on Facebook!

Do One Thing... Do It Well...We Raise Beef Cattle