September 2016 Profit Picture

American American Gelbvieh Gelbvieh Association Association 10900 Dover Street 350 Interlocken Blvd. Suite 200 Westminster, CO80021 80021 Broomfield, CO

PRSRT STD PRSRT STD U.S. Postage U.S. Postage

PAID PAID

Columbia MO Columbia MO Permit No. 353 Permit No. 353

Keys to Cowherd Efficiency Practical Application of Technology

September 2016 | www.GELBVIEH.org

Meeting Modern Industry Demands In this Issue:

edar op anch C T R

Good ranchers always ride good horses and have productive, hard working cows eating their grass. At Cedar Top we demand both!

Over 50 Years of A.I. Service Continual whole herd A.I. since 1965.

Cedar Top Ranch doesn’t follow fads or choose extreme genetics.

We offer consistent, sound genetics that will help build your program for the long haul.

Cedar Top sired calves have topped Superior and other video markets for over 20 years.

Get bulls with market topping genetics that will produce daughters with stayability and productivity Selling 200 Coming 2-year-old Balancer® Bulls Third Tuesday of February • February 21, 2017

Call us today for more information.

Cedar Top Ranch

Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-587-2293 • 308-530-3900 (C) email: cedartopranch@gpcom.net

26th Annual Judd Ranch Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus

Cow Power Female Sale Saturday, October 8 • 12:00 noon • Pomona, Kansas One hour SW of Kansas City • Free Trucking in U.S. on Purchases of $20,000+

There are cows; then there are females like this beautiful Judd Ranch first calf heifer with her powerhouse bull calf. The difference: fertility, maternal ability, performance, eye appeal, teat and udder structure. The list goes on and on, including Judd Ranch being honored 17 of the past 18 years (1998-2015) as the breeds #1 Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction breeder and owner. Plus cows that produced 286 bulls that sold in our March bull sale, with an 82 lb. average birth weight/859 lb. average weaning weight.

Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Ranch when 100–plus Judd Ranch (spring & fall/bred & open) females will be sold at auction. A vast majority of the offering will be homozygous polled and every female is Judd Ranch bred and raised.

Put a Judd Ranch Female to work in your herd and see the difference Call Cattlemen’s Connection Toll-Free 1-800-743-0026 for your sale catalog.

Judd Ranch Inc.

Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger Judd & Family Brent, Ashley Judd & Family 423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371 or 785/566-3770 Visit our web site: www.juddranch.com

$$$ProfitPartners Gelbvieh

Realizing the Value

Contents FEATURES

NEWS

Breed Associations: Thing of the Past or Key to the Future? 6

The Future of Cowherd Profit and Efficiency

36

Since breed associations formed in the early 1900s, they have evolved to handle large amounts of data for members and customers alike. Where will they be in the future? By Kari White

Online Marketing Tools Directory

40

Fall 2016 Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ EPDS

42

Is Modern Management Technology Worth It?

10

Discover the Smart Choice for Future Replacement Females 62

Take an in-depth look at the management tools available for commercial producers. By AGA Staff Over the Fence with Edwin Chaney, Misty Meadows LLC, South Boston, Virginia 12 From commercial cow-calf to specialty meats and farm produce, Misty Meadows has it covered. By William McIntosh Interpreting the Catalog

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION 50

By Megan Slater and William McIntosh Tour Brings U.S. Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ International Exposure 74 Costa Rican cattle producers travel to the U.S. to discover new genetic opportunities for their cattle operations. By Angela Vesco

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

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, 350 Interlocken Blvd., Suite 200, Broomfield, CO 80021.

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

Also, visit www.GELBVIEH.org to subscribe to our new The Profit Picture Enewsletter, to receive montly news updates.

Name_________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________

Cover photo taken by Kristian Rennert.

2 | September 2016

City, State, Zip: _________________________________ Subscribe online at www.gelbvieh.org/communication/ subscriptionssignup.html

Selling 25 Purebred Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Gelbvieh Influenced Replacement Females.

Genetics that Add Tenderness and Growth to Your Cowherd!

Midwest Beef Alliance Female & Bull Sale October 15, 2016 • 12:30 PM

Mid-Missouri Livestock Center• Marshall Junction, MO • Just South of I-70 on U.S. Highway 65

Selling 17 Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bulls.

17 months to 2 years of age.

Sale Catalog and Videos of our sale lots will be on our website 7 days before the sale.

www.RogersVFG.com

Let us show you how Rogers Valley Farm genetics can improve the performance of your herd.

Call Ronnie Rogers at 660-375-7266.

Ronnie Rogers (660) 375-7266

P. O. Box 51, Mendon, MO 64660 • Email rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com • www.RogersVFG.com

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE

EDITORIAL Owning Maternal Efficiency

By Neal Pearson, AGA President

16

The Cattle Business: You Get Out of It What You Put into It 20

By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director Welcome to the New Profit Picture

By Rebecca Mettler

22

Consolidation in the Beef Industry

By William McIntosh

28

A Young Producer’s Perspective

By Morgan Winchester

38

350 Interlocken Blvd., Suite 200 Broomfield, CO 80021 Main phone: 303-465-2333 Fax: 303-465-2339 www.GELBVIEH.org info@gelbvieh.org Facebook: American Gelbvieh Association

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Myron Edelman Executive Director myrone@gelbvieh.org (ex. 480) Terisa Abrahams Office Operations Coordinator terisa@gelbvieh.org (ex. 479)

Mary Bea Martin Member Services Specialist Junior Activities Coordinator marybea@gelbvieh.org (ex. 481) Kari White Genetic Programs Coordinator kario@gelbvieh.org (ex. 483) Kim Rounds Data Services Specialist kim@gelbvieh.org (ex. 482)

4 | September 2016

Lynn Valentine Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator/Graphic Design lynnv@gelbvieh.org (ex. 486) Rebecca Mettler Editorial Content Coordinator rebeccam@gelbvieh.org 940-255-5471 Megan Slater Public Relations Coordinator megans@gelbvieh.org (ex. 485) William McIntosh Marketing Coordinator williamm@gelbvieh.org 502-867-3132 Angela Vesco Commercial Marketing Specialist angelav@gelbvieh.org (ex. 484)

Contact Us

4

Places to Be

84

Ad Index 86

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS Midwest Breeders

56-57

Upper Midwest Breeders

64-65

Northeast Breeders

65

Southern Breeders

69

Western Breeders

71

Southeast Breeders

73

Service Center

82

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Neal Pearson, President (2015) Lake City, SD • 605-448-5653 njpearson@venturecomm.net

Duane Strider, Secretary (2015) Asheboro, NC • 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com

Scott Starr, V. President (2016) Stapleton, NE • 308-587-2293 cedartopranch@gpcom.net

Grant Thayer, Treasurer (2014) Ramah, CO • 303-621-2058 grant@jumpingcowgelbvieh.com

DIRECTORS Emily Griffiths (2014) Kendallville, IN • 260-242-1552 ejgriffiths.eg@gmail.com

Dustin Rippe (2015) Belleville, KS • 316-323-4874 dustin.rippe@yahoo.com

Dennis Gustin (2016) Mandan, ND • 701-663-7266 gustindd@wildblue.net

Lowell Rogers (2015) Seminary, MS • 601-270-4152 lrdrsmiley@gmail.com

Bob Hart (2014) Kansas City, KS • 816-225-8530 bhart@hartfarm.net

Randy Sienknecht (2016) Gladbrook, IA • 319-290-3763 rmsink1209@msn.com

Andy LeDoux (2015) Agenda, KS • 785-732-6564 ledouxranch@hotmail.com David Martin (2014) Judsonia, AR • 501-728-4950 martincattleco@windstream.net Andrea Murray (2016) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

Jeff Swanson (2016) Oxford, NE • 308-290-3763 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com Walter Teeter (2014) Mt. Ulla, NC • 704-236-7980 waltert@republicrefrigeration.com

Cattlemen’s Connection

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Feature

Breed Associations: Thing of the Past or Key to the Future?

By Kari White

A

ny cattle producer knows that margins are getting increasingly tighter even in the most successful beef operations. Savvy producers are constantly assessing inputs into their business, looking for places to become more efficient. It’s at times like these breeders may ask whether being part of a breed association worth the cost.

EPDs, breed associations have begun to incorporate huge amounts of genomic data into their evaluations.

Such data helps explain more variance for each trait, leading to higher accuracy selection tools for producers. High accuracy genomic-enhanced EPDs benefit commercial producers by reducing risk when it comes to buying young bulls for breeding. Genomic enhancements are often the equivalent of several calving records, making the performance of animals more predictable. Genomic data was traditionally cumbersome to incorporate into genetic evaluation because of the high volume of data. Now, however, large

Breed associations in the United States formed in the early 1900s as a way to keep track of pedigrees for purebred animals. Since that time, breed associations have evolved to store and process huge amounts of data used for large-scale genetic evaluation on every animal in the database. Such evaluations are beneficial for every sector of the beef industry, as high performing seedstock for economically reed associations have evolved to store relevant traits can speed genetic improvement in and process huge amounts of data used commercial animals bound for the food supply for large-scale genetic evaluation on every chain. Economically relevant traits have grown to include not only end-product traits, such as animal in the database. Such evaluations carcass weight or rib eye area but also include are beneficial for every sector of the traits to measure cowherd efficiency, such as beef industry.

Stayability or Heifer Pregnancy. Such traits are vital to the bottom line of any operation, ensuring the most efficient animals possible remain in production. Efficiency in this way evaluations are moving toward methods to incorporate decreases the cost of production by decreasing input genomic data all in one step. This so-called “onecost derived from developing heifers who don’t breed step” method will revolutionize genetic evaluation by or buying replacements for animals that remain in the using both genetic and pedigree data at the same time, herd only a short amount of time. Further efficiency creating a more accurate evaluation for all animals. Such for commercial producers can be found in seedstock a transition is possibly the greatest advancement in beef evaluations that are comparable across many breeds, cattle evaluation in over 20 years. such as the International Genetic Solutions multi-breed Breed associations are also transitioning to collect evaluation. Such evaluations make Expected Progeny more data from the commercial sector. Traditionally, Differences (EPDs) comparable across breeds such as the data flow stopped after animals were sold into Gelbvieh and Balancer®, Simmental, Red Angus, and the commercial market. Now, however, commercial Limousin, making the search for the right bull even programs are being developed to collect performance easier for commercial producers. data from the cowherd that can be used to give In addition to traditional genetic selection tools like information on seedstock animal performance. All

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6 | September 2016

Program Genetics FEBRUARY 25, 2017

COWMAN’SAstronaut KIND BULL AND FEMALE SALE BARNARD, KS will 2016’s high-sellhave the largest sire group of purebreds this year. You’ll be very impressed.

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0.45 -0.06 59.36

POST ROCK ASTRONAUT 157A

ing donor to 4T Ranch in OK. Outstanding ET sons by Astronaut and Ten X will highlight this year’s sale offering.

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0.48 0.26 86.28

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0.43 -0.47 62.53

The “Carcass Cow” will have over one dozen sons selling sired by: Jackpot, Ten X, and Astronaut.

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0.89 0.10 74.77

CCRO MS C-CROSS EC/7309T

TWIN OAK FOCUS 277Y Power Stroke will be new sire group this year. He will offer excellent calving ease and quality.

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POST ROCK TWILA 245W2 Focus 277Y will have many homo-black, homo-polled balancer sons selling this year. They represent years of genetic selection for calving ease, performance, and carcass.

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POST ROCK POWER STROKE 95B1

Power house donor female out of Post Rock Silver’s mother.

She has an outstanding set of ET sons sired by Astronaut, Gravity and Top Producer who will be full siblings to Meredith’s supreme ch. bred and owned female at this year’s Jr. National.

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POST ROCK WILMA 294Z8

POST ROCK CATTLE COMPANY

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH... ALWAYS and

NEVER are words you should ALWAYS remember to NEVER use.

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 “Where calving ease, performance and eye-appeal come together.”

Feature

sectors of the industry can benefit greatly from this type of integration, as more information leads to more accurate selection tools to accelerate genetic improvement. Commercial producers can even add genomic information to their herds through ultra-lowdensity panels that test for useful subsets of genomic data. Having both genetic and performance information all in one place on animals enables commercial producers to pull reports that indicate the performance of each cow and how useful they are to the herd.

With the ever changing markets, some seedstock breeders may be looking for alternatives to breed associations to calculate their selection tools, such as a within-herd evaluation. While such alternatives may seem appealing to some breeders, the argument could be made that such evaluations only increase expense for producers. Breed association evaluations have the benefit of cutting edge technology, input from industry leaders in animal breeding and genetics, constant quality control, and continuous research into novel economically relevant traits. Very few (if any) withinherd evaluations have access to such advancements. If the goal is to provide reliable, easy to use selection tools to the commercial producer for industry-wide genetic advancement, multi-breed association evaluations are an obvious choice.

So, while some producers might be questioning if it’s worth the cost to be part of a breed association, maybe the real question is: can they afford not to be?

More importantly, can our commercial beef industry stakeholders afford to miss out on the valuable genetic information breed associations provide to maximize efficiency in their operations? FF

SAME COWS • MORE POUNDS Keep profits strong in a declining market by having more pounds to take to town.

Use a Gelbvieh or Balancer bull from Gustins Diamond D Gelbvieh to add performance and eye appeal with breed leading genetics.

GELBVIEH

Lazy TV Sam U451, DLW Alumni 7513A, CCRO Leverage 3214A and watch for sons of the high selling bull from our 2015 sale DDGR Nobleman 79B

ANGUS

SAV Resource 1441, Connealy In Focus 4925 and Connealy Right Answer 746

RED ANGUS

HXC Conquest 4405P

A purebred DDGR Nobleman 79B son at 4.5 months of age.

Plan to attend our 2017 production sale where you can add these outstanding genetics to maximize profits in your herd.

Dennis, Sherry and Jessica Gustin Steve and Katie Stensgard

Al and Peggy Gustin Richie and Sarah Heinrich

Dennis: 701-663-7266 or 701-400-3483 Sarah: 701-400-3563 • Richie: 701-320-6484 gustindd@wildblue.net • www.gustinsdiamondd.com

8 | September 2016

Feature

Is Modern Management Technology Worth It?

By AGA Staff

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eef cattle breed associations are proving that they can, and will service the beef industry far beyond the seedstock sector. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) provides many services to the commercial cattle producer. As any business owner knows, you are not successful unless your customers are successful and satisfied. So why not provide the AGA members and their customers the tools necessary to be successful?

S

mart Select Service gives the commercial producer the power to select the best breeding stock they have be the future leading females.

The beef industry has known for years the importance of collecting data at the seedstock level but is also finding the value in gathering information for commercial operations as well. Collecting information can help find the management practices that are producing the best results as well as the inefficiencies in the operation. Addressing those inefficiencies is sometimes as simple as cutting spending, other times, it means using modern technology to help manage the operation. Then there is always the conversation that starts with the question, “Is it worth it?”

Before answering that question, we first must consider what modern technologies are available to the commercial cattle producer. The answer, Smart Select Service and the Maternal Edge DNA panel, both provided through the AGA. Smart Select Service and the Maternal Edge DNA panel complement each other very well concerning breeding selection and herd management.

10 | September 2016

Smart Select Service gives the commercial producer the power to select the best breeding stock they have to be the future leading females. Our visual evaluation of animals and our intuition does serve us well when selecting high-quality animals. However, there are those unforeseen traits that can be discovered by using Smart Select Service. Measuring weights, tracking growth, following top producing bloodlines, and many other traits can tell a producer so much about their cows. In these past few years, bull prices have stimulated the question, “Are these bulls I’m investing in truly producing the quality of calves I have selected him for?” Tracking the progeny’s performance will show what that bull or bulls are actually producing. Smart Select Service will manage the herd data, but how do know the to program is worth having? The data collected is run in the National Cattle Evaluation along with all the registered cattle from breed associations in the multi-breed evaluation. What that means in the commercial herds will have genetic tools, feeder profit index (FPI) and stayability score, which are more accurate because they are compared against more animal’s performance data. Producers can use the FPI to identify the females that will produce progeny that may be more productive in the feedyard. Stayability score can be used to select the most productive females to stay in the herd up to at least six years of age. This program opens up so many opportunities for producers. So many incredible things are discovered from data that puts thoughts into a different perspective and redirects how cattle are managed. One of the most interesting facts of Smart Select Service is that it is available to any breed of cattle. This is possible because the AGA runs the data through the multi-breed evaluation.

The Maternal Edge DNA Panel is a great tool to follow up with Smart Select Service. The low-density DNA panel is designed to select Gelbvieh-influenced females to be the top replacement heifers. The Maternal Edge DNA profile evaluates heifers on six traits: calving

ease, maternal calving ease, weaning weight, yield grade, marbling, and carcass weight.

DNA testing tells us what our eyes fail to see when we are standing in person looking at that animal.

DNA testing is becoming more important because it is verification. As cattle producers head to bull sales, they see more bulls with Genomic-Enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs). When producers are buying young bulls with GE-EPDs, they are buying bulls will more accurate EPDs than a bull without GE-EPDs. Some commercial producers now expect to see the GE-EPDs and will only buy bulls with genetic testing. So if producers expect to see the genetic information on their bulls, why should producers settle for anything less on the females in their herd. The most elite females and males, AI sires and donor dams, have DNA testing to anticipate that their genetics are going to be very repeatable and predictable.

If the beef industry follows the example of the pork and poultry industry, advancing genetic progress will become the forefront of every selection decision.

Feature

looking at the initial investment, Smart Select Service

D

NA testing tells us what our eyes fail to see when we are standing in person looking at that animal.

is only a $1 per head. Now that seems like a reasonable enrollment fee doesn’t it? But is that really the only interpretation of that question, the initial investment?

Another way to answer that question is to think about the value of getting to know each individual animal. If a producer knows each animal and has the phenotype and genomic data to back up breeding and management decisions to become more efficient, what value can you place on that? FF

To answer the initial question, “Is it worth it?” When

to big t c a e to r market? w o h re le Not su in the catt swings

Stay the CourSe!

100 bred heifers for sale this fall.

Call to view the heifers in October.

Fads and market swings come and go.

Cattle built with soundness and longevity will be around when things correct.

Don’t miss the opportunity to upgrade genetics at a reasonable price.

Bull Sale MarCh 18, 2017

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric & Heather Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306 hornsandthorns@netins.net 319-489-2275 • 319-480-1564

The Profit Picture | 11

Over the Fence

With Edwin Chaney, Misty Meadows LLC, South Boston, Virginia

By William McIntosh

E

dwin Chaney along with his wife, Tracey, and their children Eddie and Lauren own and operate Misty Meadows Farm, a commercial cow-calf operation in South Boston, Virginia. Edwin is the fourth generation to operate Misty Meadows Farm, which was established by his great-grandfather. In the past 10 years, they have grown their cowherd from 50 to 150 head and are still expanding. The Chaney family is thinking outside the box to make their program even more profitable. The Chaneys started selling all-natural freezer beef, branded Misty Meadows LLC, in 2012 and have learned a lot in the past four years. Along with all-natural beef, Misty Meadows also sells honey and eggs.

which has worked well for us. We also have a farm-to-table restaurant that purchases our beef. They will have different features each day on the menu. Tracey also does a lot of promotion on our Facebook page.

What is your goal for Misty Meadows LLC? Our goal at Misty Meadows is to establish one-on-one relationships with our customers who value top quality, age and source verified, hormone and steroid-free beef.

We plan to distribute our top-quality products by home delivery or pickup.

How did your customers like your first product?

We received good reports from two of the steers.

We did have some complaints from the third steer; the customers said the steaks were tough. Tenderness is something we keep an eye close eye on now. Since that steer in the first group, we haven’t had a complaint.

Why did you start a freezer beef business?

We have always fed and processed our beef for our family. In 2012, we were looking for ways to make the farm more profitable. We thought we would feed a few extra steers and sell the beef. We started with three Gelbvieh/ Angus cross steers the first year and have been steadily increasing that number ever since. People in this area want to know where their food comes from; they want to know what went into it and that it was raised humanely, and they are willing to pay a premium for that.

How do you market your beef?

We travel to two different farmers markets a week,

12 | September 2016

Over the Fence

What do you do to ensure a tender product?

I had been reading about tenderness testing for awhile, and I was interested to know if the test really worked. I took DNA samples of the first three calves we processed just before they were harvested. When we got the complaints about the steaks being tough, I wanted to know why. The calves we from the same cowherd, they were the same age they were managed and fed the same.

Why would two of them be good and not the third? I sent the DNA test into Geneseek because I wanted to know more. The test results came back and the steer we had problems with scored a 4 compared to the others who scored 9 and 7; the tenderness test ranks animals on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most tender. That made me a believer in DNA testing.

How do you use DNA information now?

southern Virginia. We market our cattle together through the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association’s Tell-O-Auction in July. In 2013, we started selling all-natural calves and have seen a premium for it. This year, our steers brought $24 cwt. more that the same weight calves at the local sale barn.

That works out to be about a $150 per head premium. We have been selling with the group for several years now and have been pleased with how the calves have sold. There are about six of us that are selling the all-natural calves now.

We all calve about the same time of year and use Gelbvieh, Balancer® or Angus bulls. All of our calves are sold with two rounds of shots and weaned for at least 45 days.

The Chaney family has identified a demand in their local market and is working hard to fill that demand for home-raised, all-natural beef. They have embraced the latest technology to help them produce the kind of beef their customers desire. FF

I DNA tenderness test the steers I want to feed out and will sell at market anything whose scores are in the bottom third for tenderness. I also tenderness test my replacement heifers and will cull based on the score. For the past few years we have been testing cows and grouping cows based on the DNA test scores and now are selecting sires based on tenderness scores. The tenderness score isn’t everything to us, but it is important. We also pay a lot of attention to ribeye area and marbling as well as growth. For the past several years we have retained a lot of heifers, so maternal traits have really become important.

Where do you market the rest of your calves?

We are members of the Southern Beef Alliance here in

The Profit Picture | 13

Editorial from the Board Owning Maternal Efficiency

By Neal Pearson, AGA President

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hen time allows, I like to catch up on some reading. Recently the coverage of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) meeting and other articles of interest that pertain to beef production have caught my attention. As I looked back to these articles I realized that some of the main topics discussed in these articles are things that Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle are known for.

and mature size in the commercial cow-calf industry.

The US Meat Animal Research Center data has proven that Gelbvieh cattle excel at these two traits. With the current production costs and the level of profitability diminished compared to previous years, we now see the importance of maternal efficiency traits such as pounds weaned per cow exposed and mature size.

There are several factors that go into the pounds weaned per cows exposed trait. The single most important is fertility. Fertility is without a doubt the number one factor affecting profitability. The higher

In the last long-range strategic plan adopted by the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Board of Directors, the number one priority was to “own maternal efficiency.” To do this required the development of a new set of index values that measured cow productivity, thus $Cow, and a new expected progeny difference (EPD) for Stayability or our commercial producers, the AGA were developed. To improve the accuracy of developed the $mart Select Service these genetic tools the board in its July 2016 program, so they too can identify those cows meeting adopted the recommendation of the breed improvement committee to transition that are the most productive and in turn the immediately to the Colorado State University most profitable. In addition, they will also be Consecutive Calving (CSU CC) model with an able to track genetic progress over time. investigation into the IGS Random Regression model. The correlation between the current model and the CSU CC model is between .70 and .82, which suggests the CSU CC model percentage of cows bred means more calves to sell. But is a positive improvement for animals in the AGA just having more calves to sell does not necessarily mean database and is more reflective of lifetime productivity one’s profit level will increase. A Gelbvieh-influenced and will improve the accuracy of the $Cow Index as cow’s ability to breed back quickly allows for more calves well. An additional component to the $Cow Index and to be born early in the calving period. Calves born the Stayability EPD is the Preg 30 EPD. One goal of the earlier are heavier at weaning and contribute more to AGA is to strengthen the Preg 30 EPD by making the the profitability of the cowherd than do the later calving reporting of heifer exposure data mandatory for all AGA cows which drag down profitability even though the members. average for the entire cowherd is at a profitable level.

I mention this because the BIF meeting that took

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place in June, along with a recent article by Harlan Hughes in BEEF magazine, placed a strong emphasis on maternal efficiency. Specifically, as maternal efficiency relates to pounds weaned per cow exposed

16 | September 2016

For a cow to become profitable, she must first be bred as a heifer, hence the importance of the Preg30 EPD. This EPD identifies those genetics that have the ability to conceive in the first breeding cycle and again

after the first calf. Next, comes Stayability, the ability to stay in the cowherd over an extended period of time.

For most cows, the profit-bearing years may not come until she reaches 6 or 7 years of age, and then only if she maintains an early calving date. As was stated before, Preg30 and Stayability are part of the $Cow Index, which will identify the most productive cows in the herd. Therefore it is imperative that we collect production data as well as conception data, to not only maintain our position of leadership in the industry but to make it stronger. Maternal efficiency will always be a component of our long-range plan and we plan to pass that maternal efficiency to our commercial customers through the genetics of the Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls they purchase year after year.

For our commercial producers, the AGA developed the $mart Select Service program, so they too can identify those cows that are the most productive and in turn the most profitable. In addition, they will also be able to track genetic progress over time.

According to GeneSeek, the DNA lab used by

the AGA, the volume of orders submitted by the membership is one of the highest of all breeds, which speaks to the AGA membership’s commitment to advancing the genetics within the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed. So far in our current budget year to date, the dollar amount exceeds $300,000. That correlates to roughly 6500 animals being tested, of which the largest percentage will be the bulls our members offer for sale. This is important from the standpoint of the ability to track genetic progress through the use of known parentage and genomic-enhanced EPDs when commercial producers use these bulls. As with any new technology, the results will not be known immediately, but over time a trend line will be established as a base to make further improvements in the maternal efficiency and profitability of the cowherd. FF

Genetic Tools for Ranchers

8TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 17, 2017 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA

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

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

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

The Profit Picture | 17

Staff Editorial

Summer Feeder Cattle Prices Hold Steady During Downtrend of Cattle Cycle

By Angela Vesco

T

his summer’s video feeder calf sales run is coming to a close. With only a few sales left before the fall deliveries commence, prices have held steady throughout the summer staying around $140.00 cwt. Throughout the summer American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) staff has been traveling to the video sales all across the country sponsoring the sales and meeting cattle producers. The Gelbvieh and Balancer® booth was set up at both Superior Livestock Auction and Western Video Market auctions this year.

The summer run began June 15-16 with Superior Livestock Auction’s Corn Belt Classic in Council Bluffs,

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18 | September 2016

Iowa, with over 67,000 head offered. In the Rocky Mountain town Steamboat, Colorado, Superior Livestock Auction held the Week in the Rockies on July 11-15 selling 238,000 head. During the same week, further west in Reno, Nevada, Western Video Market held their biggest sale of the summer and offered approximately 76,000 head. In Winnemucca, Nevada, Superior Livestock Auction’s Video Royale offered 142,300 head of cattle during August 2-5. The total number of cattle marketed at the events attended by AGA staff comes to over 500,000 head. The table below summarizes the average prices of cattle sold at Superior Livestock Auctions.

Average prices of calves sold on SLA summer video sales wt (lbs) steers heifers 300-399 187.49 170.07 400-499 176.20 155.02 500-599 153.19 141.55 600-699 143.49 138.63 700-799 139.86 133.76 800-899 137.72 131.33 900-999 134.55 128.09 > 1000 132.36 125.75 Current market outlooks are reporting that even though there have been some small rallies in the cattle market, the beef industry is still on the downside of the cattle cycle. Market experts are predicting that lower cattle prices will continue into the coming years. Depending on future export opportunities, U.S. beef could serve the global demand, therefore, increasing the sale of beef.

However, with the recent herd expansion, beef production has increased. Experts are predicting that the increase in beef production will rise before export options become available, putting more pressure on the domestic supply and therefore potentially hurting cattle prices. FF

5th Generation Walworth County Ranchers & 3rd Generation Gelbvieh Seedstock Producers

Thorstenson’s Lazy T V Ranch Your Proven Seedstock Source 40+ Years Raising Gelbvieh Genetics Selling 200 Bulls At the Ranch • March 4, 2017

Bulls will be sired by industry-leading AI sires and these great pasture sires:

DLW Alumni 7513A • AMGV1257046 • PB88 BW WW YW Milk RE MB -0.1 77 111 34 0.75 0.23

Vigilante 2101Z • AMGV1232189 • HB75 BW WW YW Milk RE MB 0.9 81 114 20 0.49 0.01

Lazy TV Choice Cut A687 • AMGV1254750 • BA38 BW WW YW Milk RE MB -1.7 64 106 24 0.92 0.73

Conneally Big Money AAA17888826 Angus BW WW YW Milk MB RE 3.5 71 123 27 0.65 0.81

Vaughn & Wendy • 605/649-6262 Brian & DeDee • 605/649-9927 12980 Cedar Rd., • Selby, SD 57472

Fax: 605/649-7361 • E-mail: vwthor@sbtc.net

www.BalancerBulls.com

Like us Lazy TV Ranch on Facebook

Editorial from the Corner Office

The Cattle Business: You Get Out of It What You Put into It

By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director

D

o your cattle sell for the average price? Do you ponder the thought of why some cattle sell for more than other cattle selling on the same day, that are seemingly the same? The better question is, what steps are you taking to ensure your cattle are reaching their full marketable value?

The fundamental value drivers of cattle health, weight, growth, efficiency and carcass value really do not change. However, words like “value-added” have taken on many different appearances over time. Most of us remember the beginning of USDA process verified programs (PVP). The most common PVP was source and age verification that once automatically added dollars to the bottom line. Now that age verification is less of an issue, it is much more common to see documentation of certifications playing a role in the final price of cattle. Those certifications may include: certified all-natural, humane handling, or documented vaccination protocols, which are certainly all common practices developed over recent years. Perhaps, what is more interesting is that fewer producers capitalize on programs that set them apart from the average when cattle prices are at the highest point. As markets soften, ranchers are more likely to take extra steps to ensure their cattle bring the highest dollar amount possible.

Since prices peaked for the current market cycle back in 2014, ranchers and farmers are continuing to look for new mechanisms for putting distance between their cattle and the market average. What about science and prediction? Perhaps the most beneficial strategies for building prestige for producing the most sought after feeder cattle that demand better than average price or reputable high-level replacement females that garner premiums in the market can be found through genetic selection.

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) can assist producers with tools for management and genetic improvement through Smart Select Service (SSS).

20 | September 2016

Recording the data points is simple and something that most producers already do as routine management practices. Examples of data points that producers need to record to benefit from SSS are individual cow identification numbers and birth dates, from their ranchers can record as much information as is suitable for their own operations.

What predictive information is provided by SSS? Feeder profit index (FPI) is indicative of how feeder cattle will perform in the feedyard. FPI is calculated from EPDs that most producers use in the bull buying process. Cow-calf producers can compare their cattle to the rest of the Gelbvieh and Balancer® population for FPI (Chart 1) and make the decision of applying selection pressure for traits like growth, marbling and feed efficiency that directly impact the FPI measured in their cowherd through SSS. The mother cows on your ranch can also achieve a STAY score when enrolled in SSS; that is indicative of cow productivity over time. Applying selection pressure toward STAY EPD and the $Cow index will help increase that STAY score. (Chart 2)(Chart 3 $Cow Index) As you can see, obtaining the ability to measure your cows’ genetic progress may speed the rate of genetic advancement and keep pace with the Gelbvieh and Balancer population, which is steadily improving, indicated in the graphics.

Genetic information along with routine management information can all be recorded in $mart Select Service available through AGA. I think we can all agree that it takes more than one small practice to build the high-quality distinction cattle producers are striving to achieve. A modern beef industry demands sound practices in herd health protocols, historical performance as well as genetic advancement. Why not allow the AGA to assist you, through SSS, in documenting your sound management procedures and genetic progress? If you put into your cowherd the power of information, what you get out of

cowherd can be the difference between getting lost in the mass of average cattle and being recognized and paid for supplying the best possible cattle on the market. FF

Kenyon Cattle LLC & Little Sioux Gelbvieh/Red Angus Don’t miss our consignments to the upcoming Seedstock Plus Sales: Showcase Sale, Kingsville, MO, September 17

Chart 1 - FPI Genetic Trend

Red Bred Balancer by Conquest, Red Angus Conquest daughter and Watchman heifer calf. Fall Arnold daughter out of a sale topper last year. Plus other super open Balancer Females.

Fall Bull Sale, Carthage, MO, October 15 Bulls currently on test. 3 Purebred Red Angus sired by Conquest, Pinnacle and Beckton Warrier.

Balancers by Conquest, Cassanova and Watchman (2 ET full brothers) Chart 2 - Stayability Genetic Trends

Commercial Female Sale, Kingsville, MO, November 19 A select group of 10-15 Red Angus/Gelbvieh heifers bred to Purebred Red Angus for 28 day calving period.

All the above consignments are top notch individuals that I wish I could keep myself!

Chart 3 - $Cow Genetic Trends

Jack Welle 2645 180th Ave. Milford, Iowa 51351 Home: 712-338-2143 • Cell: 712-251-4641 E-mail: jwelle@evertek.net The Profit Picture | 21

Staff Editorial

Welcome to the New Profit Picture

By Rebecca Mettler

I

f you picked this magazine up and thought something might look a little different about this issue of The Profit Picture, you’re right. Welcome to the newly designed September edition of The Profit Picture!

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) constantly strives to improve the means in which we are providing our members, their customers and the entire beef industry relevant information regarding Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle. The Profit Picture is a free subscription magazine that has been around since 2009; it is published each February and now September, since we moved it up one month from its original October publishing date. The Profit Picture is just one way that the AGA services cattle producers within all segments of

the industry.

Probably the biggest change you will notice is the change in the size of The Profit Picture. We hope you will like this smaller sized publication, which is easier to handle and provides an improved reading experience compared to the previous tabloid-sized paper due to a higher quality paper and full-color throughout the magazine.

And while we’ve made some changes, we still have the same goal to provide our AGA membership, their customers and those interested in Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics with informative, thought-provoking material that they can take back to their operations.

Practical Cattle for the Progressive Producer

Learn more about our family operation during the South Dakota Gelbvieh Field Day Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, beginning at 1 p.m. (MST).

For more information call: Join us for an educational afternoon, cattle displays and supper to wrap up the day.

On display at the Field Day will be the bulls that will sell during our annual Dec. 17, 2016 sale.

We welcome you to join us for the day.

22 | September 2016

Lori Maude, 303-809-3789 Email: lori.maude@gmail.com Julie Maude, 605-381-2803 Ranch location: 15849 Lower Spring Creek Rd., Hermosa, SD Located 35 miles southeast of Rapid City

Follow CJ&L Livestock on Facebook.

The commercial industry is the lifeblood for AGA members’ operations. The AGA understands that without the support from the commercial cow-calf industry, our membership and thus our organization

industry education and also with programs to help manage and market Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The bottom line is that we know that the only way we can be a successful organization is by giving producers what they need to be successful in their own operations.

A

nd while we’ve made some changes, we still have the same goal to provide our AGA membership, their customers and those interested in Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics with informative, thought-provoking material that they can take back to their operations.

I hope you like what our publication has to offer.

Flip through the pages and enjoy! Also, look for the next installment of The Profit Picture coming to your mailboxes in February 2017, just in time for the spring bull sale season. FF

wouldn’t be where it is today. For this very reason, the AGA works hard to offer management solutions through

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The Profit Picture | 23

Editorial

Will TPP Survive the Political Rhetoric to Impact the Beef Industry?

By Angela Vesco

M

aybe you have heard of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, or maybe not.

The negotiations on TPP came to a close in February of 2016. TPP has the potential to open up more export markets to the beef industry and the rest of the agricultural industry.

The TPP is the first multi-lateral trade agreement of its kind. It is also the biggest and most important trade agreement in the history of the United States. Including the U.S, there are 12 countries involved in the agreement: Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, Chile, Brunei, Singapore, and New Zealand. The Pacific Rim region is where America exports a majority of its agricultural and manufactured goods.

If TPP is passed by Congress, it is said to have the ability to level the playing field for America on the global export front, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). In the current export market, America is at a disadvantage. The countries that are receiving the Made-In-America goods place tariffs on the products making the products more expensive for the countries’ consumers to buy. The Office of the United State Trades Representative states that the reasons for higher tariffs are a result of the United States not being included in past free trade agreements.

The high tariffs are the main point of the agreement that affects the agriculture sector. Japan, which is one of the U.S. biggest importers, has some of the highest tariffs the U.S. sees. Japan places a 38.5 percent tariff on U.S. beef, 20 percent tariff on U.S. ground seasoned pork, 21 percent tariff on U.S. soybean oil, and a 40 percent tariff on U.S. cheese. The TPP agreement works to remove a majority of the tariffs on the U.S. agricultural goods.

“TPP will lower the tariff on U.S. beef in Japan from 38.5 percent to 9 percent in 16 years, which is the greatest market access ever negotiated into Japan.

All other TPP countries will immediately repeal their

26 | September 2016

tariffs on U.S. beef or phase them out in a short time.

Consumers in these Pacific Rim countries are willing to pay a premium for cuts of beef that are less desirable to American consumers—cuts like beef tongue and offals,” said Kent Bacus, director of international trade and market access for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

The majority of U.S. beef exports go to Asian countries where some of the highest tariffs are seen.

According to beefusa.org, our top five export markets are Japan at $1.8 billion, Mexico at $1.1 billion, Canada at $900 million, Korea at $810 million, and Hong Kong at $800 million – the top three countries that import U.S. beef are included in the TPP agreement.

In addition to the removal of tariffs, expanding the agricultural export market it will bring more jobs and higher paying jobs to the U.S. “Opponents on the left attack TPP with unfounded claims that this trade agreement will only lead to the export of American jobs,” Bacus said.

A letter was sent to legislative leaders by 225 agricultural businesses and associations, including NCBA and state cattlemen’s associations. The letter stated, “The TPP is critical to the livelihood of the U.S. food and agriculture sector because it will create conditions that encourage economic growth and increased employment in rural areas and throughout the supply chain.”

The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is still awaiting action from the U.S. Congress. Bacus is disappointed in the current discussion of TPP and says, “Unfortunately the Trans-Pacific Partnership has become a political punching bag for the front runners of the 2016 presidential election with each candidate seeking to gain support from Rust-Belt voters in swing states who already have a negative view of trade. Instead of defending free trade and the value it brings to both

producers and consumers, politicians have opted to blame trade agreements for job loss instead of discussing more realistic causes like crippling tax policies, overregulation of industries, more preferable labor laws in Southern states, advances in automation and lower costs of production that have driven manufacturing jobs from Rust-Belt states.”

Burbank Cattle Co. Consignments to the Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XI Sept 17, 2016 * Kingsville, MO JEB 63B Homo Polled Non-Diluter Red Fall Bred Balancer sired by Red Oscar

The future of TPP ultimately depends on who our next President will be. Conversations on Capitol Hill say that TPP’s future will more than likely not be decided until there is a new administration in the White House.

However, according to news sources, President Obama is urging Congress to take action on it before he leaves the White House. Bacus says that if a vote were to happen in 2016, it would be post-Election day before Congress adjourns in December.

JEB 4B Homo Polled Homo Black Fall Bred Balancer sired by Overtime

“If TPP is not voted on in 2016, it is highly unlikely that we will see a vote on TPP or any other trade agreement for a few years. This would be a tremendous loss to the agriculture industry, specifically the U.S. beef industry, as it would send a signal to the rest of the world that the U.S. is closed for business and to seek free trade agreements with our competitors,” Bacus said.

JEB 69B Polled Non-Diluter Red Fall Bred PB88 GV sired by Reload

Bacus urges cattle producers to get involved, “As we enter the home stretch of election season you can rest assured that everyone seeking federal office will be asking for your support. It is important that these politicians understand the importance of trade to the beef industry and that we cannot afford to oppose TPP or try to renegotiate TPP in 2017. It is critically important that you attend town hall meetings and events where your officials will be in attendance and speak in support of TPP. Phone calls, emails, and letters are also an important means of engagement, but the most important thing is that you engage and urge a yes vote on TPP in 2016.” FF

MTB 511C ET Double Polled * Non-Diluter Red Spring Bred Balancer sired by Flat Iron *pending test result

MTB 508C ET Homo Polled Non-Diluter Red Spring Bred PB GV sired by Red Zade

Matt Burbank 660-734-2739

John Burbank 660-734-1165

The Profit Picture | 27

Staff Editorial

Consolidation in the Beef Industry

By William McIntosh

W

hen I was young, my mom and grandmother would take my brother and me to town once a week to get everything we would need for the week ahead. We always went on Wednesday afternoon right after lunch. We would go to the bank then off to Ben Franklin’s to pick up general household items.

Other stops included a shoe store, a clothing store, the pharmacy, a farm and garden store, and we always went to the grocery store last. Many Wednesdays we would have to make six or seven stops to get all we needed.

That’s a really, really long afternoon for two boys that would rather take a beating than go shopping!

In the last 35 years the vast majority of the stores we shopped at as a child have closed. As a matter of fact, the only two places that are still in business today is the bank and the farm store. What happened? Has Georgetown, Kentucky dried up and blown away? No, Georgetown has been one of, if not the, fasting growing towns in Kentucky for the last decade. So again, what happened?

If the town has five times the population today as it did in the 1980s, why have all those businesses closed? The answer is Kroger and Walmart. Mom and pop stores couldn’t compete with the mega stores. Today Walmart has condensed shopping to one stop. You can get your oil changed, buy mulch for the flower bed, get your hair cut, eyes checked, you can buy furniture and get a flu shot all before you walk out the door. On top of the convenience factor, Walmart can sell their products cheaper than mom and pop could. How can Walmart sell the exact same product cheaper than their competition? Economies of scale, that’s how. Economies of scale, in this case, means Walmart is selling such a large volume of product that they can make a store profit at less profit per unit. For example, a store sells a hammer for a profit of $1 per unit and sells 100 units is a total profit for the store of $100.

Now let’s say another store sells the same hammer and makes $.75 profit on 200 units that would be a total profit to the store of $150.

28 | September 2016

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “What does an article about a small town in Kentucky and Walmart have to do with the cattle business?” The answer is consolidation. Walmart has consolidated retail not unlike the consolidation we have seen in every segment of agriculture. We have watched the small row crop farmers either get bigger or quit. We have watched the small dairies either get bigger, quit or find a niche market to prosper. We have seen the pork and poultry industries controlled by a handful of companies. Just as in the example above, the farmer has had to get bigger to compensate for the lower profit margins. According to the USDA, there are 250,000 fewer cattle producers today than there were in 1986. We have seen the majority of those losses in the 1-99 head herds, which showed a 25 percent decline from 1993 to 2012. The average cowherd size has increased by 73 percent since 1986. The theme of all these numbers is fewer people are doing more.

Unlike the big retailer, we don’t have the luxury of setting our prices; the market sets commodity prices. But the fact remains that economies of scale play a huge role in agriculture production. Another way to deal with a shrinking industry is to be a low-cost producer. Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feed your cattle or vaccinate your calves; it means you should keep a very close eye on your overhead. Lowering input cost will allow you a larger profit margin. And lastly, change your commodity product to a value-added product. This change could entail several different things; you may need to start developing your heifer calves and selling them as bred replacement heifers, or maybe you align yourselves with an all-natural or grass-fed program. There always ways to add value if you’re willing to do it. The world never stops changing, and the beef industry isn’t exempt from that change. To be successful in the future, we must look ahead and try to position ourselves for the changes in years to come. FF

SIRES FOR THE COMMERCIAL CATTLEMAN 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 hones data • Crossbreeding • Get the benefit of heterosis and hybrid vigor here!

50% Balancer • AMGV 1115408 Homozygous Black • Homozygous Polled BD: 01.31.2009 • BW: 82 Adj. WW: 792 • Adj. YW:1,267 Rib Fat: 0.27 • REA: 11.90 • % IMF: 5.090 Top 5% of breed for MB & FPI Top 10% of breed for PG30 & YG Top 15% of breed for CED & BW Semen available through Bull Barn Genetics and Cattlemen’s Connection

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YW 105

MK 39

TM 68

CEM 10

PG30 4.25

ST 5

DMI 0.06

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CW 24

REA 0.26

MB 0.84

$Cow FPI EPI 37.48 96.07 102.79

50% Balancer • AMGV 1184487 Homozygous Black • Homozygous Polled BD: 03.09.2011 • BW: 78 Adj. WW: 707 • Adj. YW:1,128 Rib Fat: 0.19 • REA: 13.63 • % IMF: 3.850 Top 1% of Breed for YG & MB Top 2% for MK & HP Top 10% for CED, TM & FPI Top 15% for BW, CEM, PG30, $Cow & EPI Semen available through Cattlemen’s Connection

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$Cow FPI EPI 81.20 90.55 179.97

Fast Facts

The Gelbvieh Cow Influence

operations and on the rail.

Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle offer maternal superiority through increased longevity, added fertility, and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. In addition, Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer a reduced mature cow size, more maternal milk, greater calving ease and reach puberty at an earlier age.

The Balancer®

The American Gelbvieh Association was the first breed association to include a registry and genetic evaluation for hybrid. Balancer® cattle are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the remaining genetics consisting of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low 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

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Sales Check out the Places to Be page on page 84 to view upcoming Gelbvieh sales and events around the U.S.

2nd Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup Plan to attend the 2nd Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup being held on Thursday, December 1, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska during the 46th Annual American Gelbvieh Convention “Meeting Modern Industry Demands.” The symposium will kick off at 12:00 p.m. with a free lunch followed by the program featuring industry renowned speakers, which will be held from 1:00 p.m.to 4:30 p.m. The Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup is an educational symposium open to commercial beef producers, beef industry professionals and AGA members. FF

Colorado, Kansas,Montana & Nebraska Breeders Delbert & Marilyn Raile & Sons 755 Road U St. Francis, KS

Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 #7 Peetz, CO 80747 (H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

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

Next Bull Sale February 23, 2017.

High Plains Livestock, Brush, CO.

26 th A nnu

ll s

785-332-2756 785-332-4347 785-332-2219 785-332-6089 railegelbvieh.com email: dmraile@railegelbvieh.com

“Gelbvieh since 1973” 1OO Yearling Bulls Sell!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer®

Feb. 24, 2O17 • Montrose, CO • 12:OO Noon

www.gelbviehbulls.net Or call Mark at 970.249.1453 • Dave at 970.323.6833 Females Available

30 | September 2016

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

R

a

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Bu 100

Delbert cell Cody cell

Kathleen Rankin 406-937-4815 1285 Nine Mile Rd. • Oilmont, MT 59466 krankin@northerntel.net www.kickinghorseranch.com Performance cattle for the real world.

Our Annual Production Sale, March 16, 2017

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 rippe02@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.”

Mark your calendars for the third weekend in November, November 19 & 20 for our Open House.

We will be offering fall yearling bulls and heifers for sale private treaty.

Thanks to all of our customers, past, present and future for trusting in and purchasing Triple K Genetics.

We are honored to be your seedstock supplier!

Visit our new website at www.triplekgelbvieh.com and be sure to like us on Facebook.

At Triple K, we are building on a solid cow herd with continually improved genetic trends that produce real results in the pasture.

Al & Mary Knapp Family Basehor, KS 66007 913-219-6613 www.triplekgelbvieh.com

Feature

Genetic Geography: Analyzing Genetic Data by Environment

By Lindsey Robinson

H

anging on the wall in Jared Decker’s office at the University of Missouri is a graph of the results from a survey in BEEF magazine. The graph shows that beef producers are more likely to select animals using actual birth weight than use the genetic predictions (expected progeny differences, EPDs.) Decker noted that while this strategy works, it’s not the most effective tool to help producers reach maximum genetic potential in their herds.

Recently, the University of Missouri received a grant from the USDA for $2 million over three years.

The focus of the research grant is to look for gene-byenvironment interactions or in other words, which

December 3, 2016 SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Female Sale

Email: gafiolk@aol.com • www.segagelbvieh.com Like us on Facebook at SEGA Gelbvieh

32 | September 2016

“When we’re selecting an animal, we don’t want to be selecting their environment,” Decker said. “We want to be selecting on their genetics. EPDs are the best tool because they disentangle the impact of the environment from the actual genetic merit.”

In December 2008, a genotyping chip was developed that allows an animal to be tested for over 50,000 DNA markers. The information from the chip creates more accurate genetic predictions by comparing an animal with thousands of others to predict the genetic merits of an animal. Breed associations have started generating genomic data from these DNA tests. Each association has genotyped thousands of animals giving researchers over 170,000 cattle to analyze.

“While the traditional EPD should be a trusted tool of all cattlemen, they aren’t region specific,” Decker said.

“Using the genomic technology and data that breed associations have available, we hope to identify which animals are going to work best in which areas. The Gulf Coast environment in which we raise cattle in is very different from the Fescue Belt or the high elevations in the Rocky Mountains.”

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genetics work better in which environments. Decker, an MU assistant professor of beef genetics and extension, will serve as the project director for the study.

March 4, 2017 Bull Sale

One of the things researchers can do with the data is look historically at what selection has taken place and how that selection changed the DNA of a herd based on the environmental pressures around it. Analyzing what happened in the past to cattle in the Gulf Coast, researchers could see what traits make them more adapted to that region.

The first priority for Decker’s team is to take the existing information and create region specific EPDs. Dividing the country into nine or more regions, producers can better understand which animal will perform better in their production environment.

Feature

technology out in several different ways. As a part of the youth curriculum, there will be an essay contest relating to genetics in beef breeding. Students involved in the undergraduate class will have the chance to get involved through social media allowing them to share what they’re learning on a larger platform.

With this grant, Decker hopes to start a conversation with producers and begin to change perceptions on beef breeding technologies. By tackling a problem that concerns producers, the study will help producers maintain a sustainable herd.

“Its our goal to develop tools that will give the producers more confidence selecting animals that will work in their environment,” Decker said. “So, then when you go to purchase semen from an AI sire, the guess work is taken out of it and you have better estimates if that sire’s daughters will work in your specific region.”

When Decker bought a small farm in Missouri, he brought some of his family’s cattle from New Mexico.

Because of his first-hand experience transplanting cattle, he realized how big a problem fescue was for area producers.

This got him interested in how the fescue problem could be tackled using a genomic prediction typing approach.

Thinking bigger, he realized that if they could do it for the fescue region, they could do it for all regions and production environments.

According to Decker, the economic impact of animals not being adapted to the environment and the loss in production can be anywhere from $500 million up to a billon annually for beef producers. By identifying genetics that will work in specific settings and taking out the underperforming cattle, the grant research will help minimize loss and put money back into farmer’s hands. To create an economic impact, one part of the grant will focus on getting beef producers to adopt this new technology into their operations.

“The beef industry doesn’t see the same level of technology adoption and uptake as the swine or poultry industry,” Decker said. “So, our objective with this project is to educate the next generation of beef producers to fully embrace and properly use breeding tools.”

One objective of the project will be to develop a youth curriculum, an undergraduate curriculum, and an internship program to try to get the message about new

“In the beef industry we value passing on what we have to the next generation,” Decker said. “We value that tradition. One of the key things to do that, going forward, will be our ability to adapt to new technology. I’m hopeful our research will help generations to come.” FF Editor’s Note: Reprinted with permission from Missouri Beef Cattleman, the official publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

MURRAY FARMS Genetics for this Generation and the next.

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The Profit Picture | 33

Editorial

Thinking Ahead to Fall Calf Marketing

By Ken Olson, Professor & SDSU Extension Beef Specialist

B

eing prepared with a marketing plan will allow you to take fullest advantage of prices and maximize the value received for your calves.

Cash & Futures Markets A first step in market planning for calves this fall is to stay on top of markets, both cash and futures. While the cash markets are important at telling you where the market has been and to compare market strength among various options, the futures market has traditionally been the best predictor of where the market has been expected to go. This means both cash and futures markets should be monitored. The futures market provides tools to consider alternative market dates and options. For example, a question to consider is whether to sell your calves at weaning or to background them until they reach a predetermined larger weight at a later date. In other words, should a person sell their 500 lb. calves at weaning in mid-October, or should they background them to 700 lb. to be sold in mid-January? Using cost and availability of feed and projected price for each weight of calves at each date, a person can calculate which option will provide the greatest net profit.

Volatility & Risk Management Despite the historic value of the future market, there has been a lot of recent news about volatility that has created concerns about its continued viability as a tool for tracking the market and serving as a risk management tool. While this concern is real, it is not a reason to believe that its value is lost and abandon it; it simply means caution needs to be used.

Developing a relationship with a commodity broker to gain assistance with understanding market fundamentals would be valuable.

An obvious potential downside of retaining ownership is its exposure to the risk of ownership beyond weaning.

However, risk management tools are readily available and can provide protection from downward movement in the market while the cattle are on feed. Many cattle feeders will include assistance with risk management as part of their services for feeding cattle. Shopping for the right cattle feeder to contract should involve checking out their risk management services.

34 | September 2016

Another concern with retaining ownership is the uncertainty about how your cattle will perform and their price value at slaughter if you have never followed them to slaughter before. Do your cattle grade well so they will draw premiums on high-quality price grids? Or should they be targeted toward other pricing options? Not knowing how they will perform will make it somewhat challenging to calculate their profit potential at slaughter. It doesn’t mean it can’t be done; it just makes the results less certain.

Calf Value Discovery Programs One option to get a handle on post-weaning performance and carcass traits without taking the risk on the entire herd is to experiment with retained ownership on a subset of calves.

Many Land Grant University Animal Science Departments have programs that small groups of calves can be enrolled in that provide reports about feedlot and carcass performance.

SDSU’s program that does this is called Calf Value Discovery.

Enrolling a representative subset of your calves can provide the information for future calculation of their value if ownership is retained. This information can also be used to focus retained ownership programs (if chosen) toward capturing their highest value (e.g. high quality vs. high yield pricing grids).

Other valuable information about your calves can be gained from these programs as well. For example, if you learn that they don’t perform well in the feedlot or grade well when harvested, then you can alter your breeding program/bull selection to improve the deficiencies. Or, if they do perform and grade well, you can use that information as a marketing tool if you use a marketing outlet that allows interaction with potential buyers (e.g. direct sales), to promote the “added value” of your calves.

The Bottom Line I have described opportunities that can be gained from putting forth the effort to make a variety of calculations. This task can appear challenging to anyone that hasn’t done it before.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help to learn how to do them. FF Courtesy of igrow.org

•Fifteen ET bulls 21 months old •45 yearling bulls with 37 ET bulls in group •Visit our website to receive updates and request catalog

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The Future of Cowherd Profit and Efficiency

By Rebecca Mettler

C

attle producers are always on the lookout for ways to keep the profit margin in line with their operation’s goals. Long term success of the operation is essential in the quest for maintaining profitability through cowherd management. Producers can start the profit management process by identifying factors that they can’t control as an individual manager or owner.

Other factors that producers can’t control are the rising value of land, the cost of leasing land or the compensation rate for adequately skilled labor. In the short term, producers also won’t be able to control the biological limitations of the cow, as Mathis explained to the attendees of the Beef Improvement Federation meeting in Manhattan, Kansas earlier this summer.

“As a single manager, you can’t control commodity prices or the average price of calves in the country. You can guarantee premiums and get the best ones but the base that those premiums and discounts come from is from across the average,” said Clay Mathis, Ph.D., director and endowed chair of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.

But, there are profitability factors that can and should be controlled. It’s just a matter of placing focus on particular efforts that make the biggest impact.

“The greatest opportunity and lesson for cost-effective performance improvement and profitability will be those decisions that make a big difference in the production system mode.”

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36 | September 2016

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

One of those single decisions that can make a tremendous difference is crossbreeding.

“We’ve been talking about it for years, but we still see where it can be utilized more for improvement,” Mathis said.

“Crossbreeding is still not utilized at the level it could be.”

The benefits of crossbreeding are documented throughout the course of modern agriculture. Some of those benefits include improvements in fertility, increases in calf weaning weights and age at weaning. Crossbreeding also improves cow longevity and at the same time decreases the number of replacement females needed, which opens up more forage availability to run more cows since fewer replacement females will need to be developed.

Along with market price, weaning rate and weaning weight are the top drivers in the cow-calf production revenue equation.

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Data analysis over a 20-year period showed that in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, experienced zero pounds of improvement for pounds weaned per cow exposed.

going into the future for the beef industry.

“That’s disturbing. Why is that there is no change at the cow-calf level. We know that it’s not limited by a potential for growth,” Mathis said. “The growth comes down from the seedstock to the commercial level. But aside from production, why have we not seen reproductive performance improve?”

Price volatility also must be considered as a challenge facing the industry in the future.

He said that it comes down to the fact that we have more potential for improvement in management than we do in genetic improvement. Bottom line, good genetics must be accompanied by great management.

“Now I didn’t say that genetic improvement isn’t important, because I do believe that it is. But, we need to work on management at the cow-calf level first.”

Producers need to ask themselves how can they increase, cost effectively, the pregnancy rate and weaning rate.

And while there is no universal answer to the question, the decision must be weighed by the marginal value of improving and the marginal cost of increasing reproductive performance.

“If we are below 90 percent pregnancy rates in some areas there might be some opportunity to increase by 5 percent and be cost effective. In some areas, it might not be the case of being cost effective. The marginal cost of weaning a calf crop greater than 85 to 90 percent might be cost prohibitive.”

“If the labor market gets tougher, we may need to pay those people more, and that will cost us. We may employ fewer, but better employees to lower the overall cost.”

“We need to manage price risks efficiently and can’t put it off because if we do, it will come back to bite us,” Mathis said The market volatility seen over the last few years has included the record highs, dramatic drops, and every market environment in between. Mathis believes that producers have to be diligent in capturing those ups and managing price risk when prices go down.

Like most instances, there’s no silver bullet and no onesize-fits-all approach for the future of the beef industry.

Mathis concluded that it’s the great decision-making skills and the mindset of managers that have been successful in the past that will continue to make their operations successful in the future. FF

Building for the Future

Mathis further explains that if there are upper limits to cost-effective increases in performance, then a producer has to think more about how to manage the operation to have the same outputs with fewer inputs; and that all depends on the future business environment for cow-calf producers.

Calving out first-calf heifers can require significant amounts of added labor each year. With today’s genetics producers can calve a lot more heifers without assistance and in turn lower labor costs.

Something as simple as feeding hay can make a big difference in the bottom line for a cow-calf producer. Mathis explains that the practice is done in some environments where it may not be required. Feeding hay changes the cost landscape of an operation by increasing labor, equipment, which is depreciable, and requires storage facilities.

As previously stated, labor is also one of the top concerns

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The Profit Picture | 37

Junior Editorial

A Young Producer’s Perspective

By Morgan Winchester

G

rowing up in the center of cow-calf country, I have gained respect and understanding for cattle breeders and for the amount of time and the work put into each calving season. I’m also reminded that I am thankful for the Gelbvieh breed because I have learned the importance of raising the right breed fit for the environment. Choosing the right breed for an operation will help make your herd best for the goals and purposes you set for your operation.

I have grown up on our family’s farm that was started by my great-grandpa and has been passed down to family members since then. My uncle currently runs the farm with the help of my younger brother and cousin. We now run around 200 head of registered and commercial Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle. It is a family farm where we all contribute to helping out any way we can, not only do we raise cattle but each of the grandkids show at both national and local fairs. All my life I’ve grown up around Gelbvieh cattle and have learned the ins and outs of the breed from the cowcalf operation standpoint to the showing standpoint as well. With all that being said, that’s why I know and believe that the Gelbvieh breed is one the best choices you can make putting it in your herd. Gelbvieh can have such a significant impact in the cow-calf industry and to the producers. Here in Missouri, we have warm summers and cold winters and some unpredictable weather changes in-between, Gelbvieh cows adapt easily to the different weather. The most important thing about putting this breed into your cow-calf operation is their maternal qualities that include fertility, milk and calving ease. Gelbvieh were used in Germany as milk cows before they were brought over to the United States, which makes sense that they have a good milk yield. Not only is Gelbvieh good from the mothering standpoint but also in the growth and replacement side too. The breed is also known for their weaning and yearling growth as well. Not to mention they are known for more

38 | September 2016

pounds of calf weaned per cow. Now, why would you not want this breed in your cow-calf operation?

I have witnessed first hand this breed having a positive impact on our family’s herd. So when it came time for me to start my own herd, there was no doubt in my mind that I would start my herd with Gelbvieh cattle. That year I took out a USDA loan and bought my first few cows to start my herd. From there, I watched the amazing abilities of this breed and got to witness it in my operation. One vivid memory was when I watched one my first-calf heifers give birth to twins in the middle of winter. To most producers, red flags would start popping up in their head when I said a first-calf heifer having twins in the midst of winter. My uncle, cousin, and brother went out and moved the new mom and babies into the barn to keep them warm and he watched them as the days went on. Him and I watched them grow day by day. We watched a new mother claim, raise and care for both of her calves. From this experience and many others, is why I am confident in the Gelbvieh breed and the positive influence and impact it can make in the cow-calf industry and a producer’s herd. With their natural abilities and traits, there’s no doubt that Gelbvieh cattle would make a difference in anyone’s cow-calf operation. FF

New, Up & Coming Herd Sires

TAU Mr. Leader 35C

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TATTOO

CED

BW

WW

YW

MK

TM

CEM

HP

PG30

ST

TAU 35C HTFB B419 AAD 5028C HTFG A605 BABR 3400A BABR 4241B

13 6 8 12 16 10

1.3 3.2 2.5 -0.2 -0.3 1.7

75 82 84 72 87 75

108 124 133 113 135 109

26 29 23 25 21 24

64 70 65 61 64 62

9 11 4 5 11 6

1.93 1.64 5.52 7.44 4.38 5.33

0.88 0.45 3.75 2.57 0.53 0.28

7 3 6 4 4 0

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DMI

YG

CW

REA

MB

-0.02 0.60 -0.12

-0.30 -0.57 -0.50 -0.50 -0.33 -0.45

35 48 52 36 49 36

0.60 0.59 0.66 0.53 0.40 0.37

0.30 -0.40 0.05 0.14 -0.10 0.24

$Cow

FPI

EPI

62.72 58.37 33.05

80.76 65.30 78.64 78.07 81.12 78.59

123.37 94.02 71.05

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News

Online Marketing Tools Directory

Feeder Finder

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) offers many online services for members and their customers to use when marketing their Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle.

For individuals with load lots of feeder calves to sell, the AGA offers it’s new marketing tool, Feeder Finder, which is a resource to find Gelbvieh and Balancer® influenced feeder cattle.

Feeder Finder helps market load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced feeder cattle by sending an email with information about the cattle to over 200 feedyards across the country. To market your cattle through Feeder Finder, simply fill out the Feeder Finder form found under the Exchange page on www. gelbvieh.org or contact the AGA’s marketing coordinator, William McIntosh at 502-867-3132 or the AGA’s commercial marketing specialist, Angela Vesco at 303-465-2333.

Exchange – Females, Bulls, and Feeder Calves Whether you are a producer of registered seedstock looking to sell Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls or a commercial producer looking to sell Gelbvieh-influenced replacement females, the AGA’s online exchange can help. The Exchange on www. gelbvieh.org helps connect sellers with interested buyers of Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. Using the online exchange is easy and allows sellers to post detailed information and photos of their offering. Sellers can list cattle for sale in three different categories, females, bulls, and feeder calves. To post animals on the exchange contact Megan Slater at the AGA office at 303465-2333 or email megans@gelbvieh.org to obtain a login and password. The AGA Exchange is one of the most visited pages on the AGA website so be sure to look into it today.

Online Sale Catalogs and Upcoming Events The AGA also offers a page on www.gelbvieh.org where breeders can post their sale catalog online. Once a catalog is online, it not only helps the breeder promote their sale but it also helps commercial customers find sales in their area and the offering in those sales.

Another tool, to help both sellers and buyers is the AGA’s upcoming events, which can be found on www.gelbvieh.org and in the Gelbvieh World and the Profit Picture publications.

Performance cattle for the real World dedicated to Gelbvieh for over 40 Years Over 35 Years of Performance Testing

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40 | September 2016

PRODUCT INFORMATION NADA 141-299, Approved by FDA.

(Florfenicol and Flunixin Meglumine) Antimicrobial/Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug For subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older or in calves to be processed for veal.

BRIEF SUMMARY: For full prescribing information, see package insert.

INDICATION: RESFLOR GOLD® is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis, and control of BRD-associated pyrexia in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin.

WARNINGS: NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing.

Consult a physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation.

Consult a physician immediately. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains more detailed occupational safety information.

For customer service or to obtain a copy of the MSDS, call 1-800-211-3573. For technical assistance or to report suspected adverse reactions, call 1-800-219-9286.

Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes.

The effects of florfenicol on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Toxicity studies in dogs, rats, and mice have associated the use of florfenicol with testicular degeneration and atrophy. NSAIDs are known to have potential effects on both parturition and the estrous cycle. There may be a delay in the onset of estrus if flunixin is administered during the prostaglandin phase of the estrous cycle. The effects of flunixin on imminent parturition have not been evaluated in a controlled study. NSAIDs are known to have the potential to delay parturition through a tocolytic effect.

RESFLOR GOLD®, when administered as directed, may induce a transient reaction at the site of injection and underlying tissues that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter.

RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment.

Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Use of florfenicol in this class of cattle may cause milk residues. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

Consumers count on the care you provide to make sure that your animals are healthy and comfortable.

And when an animal does get sick, Resflor Gold® (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine) helps you do both of those things. Resflor Gold effectively targets the most common causes of BRD – and it provides relief from the fever that comes along with it.

High-quality food starts with the right care. Visit ResflorGold.com/Gelbvieh to learn more.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment. This product is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin. Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes. The effects of florfenicol and flunixin on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. When administered according to the label directions, RESFLOR GOLD may induce a transient local reaction in the subcutaneous and underlying muscle tissue. Brief summary available on adjacent page.

2 Giralda Farms • Madison, NJ 07940 • merck-animal-health-usa.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright © 2015 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

7/15 BV-RG-53719

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Transient inappetence, diarrhea, decreased water consumption, and injection site swelling have been associated with the use of florfenicol in cattle. In addition, anaphylaxis and collapse have been reported post-approval with the use of another formulation of florfenicol in cattle.

In cattle, rare instances of anaphylactic-like reactions, some of which have been fatal, have been reported, primarily following intravenous use of flunixin meglumine.

Made in Germany Intervet Inc. Roseland, NJ 07068 ©2009, Intervet Inc. All Rights Reserved.

May 2009 US 3448_IV

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Fall 2016 Gelbvieh and Balancer® EPDs Released

E

xpected Progeny Differences (EPD) breed averages and percentiles are available for active Gelbvieh sires, active Gelbvieh dams, Gelbvieh non-parent calves, active Balancer sires, active Balancer dams, and Balancer nonparent calves. Below are the current EPD averages for each category along with definitions of each EPD and index value:

EPD can be vital to a rancher looking to decrease the amount of calves pulled in his herd.

Milk (Milk): The genetic ability of a sire’s daughters to produce milk expressed in pounds of weaning weight.

Calving ease maternal (CEM): Represented as percent of unassisted births in a sire’s first-calving daughters. A higher number represents more favorable calving ease. This EPD is important to a rancher’s bottom line because it predicts which animals produce daughters with a genetic pre-disposition to calve unassisted as heifers.

Heifer pregnancy (HP): Predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant as first-calf heifers in a regular breeding season, expressed as a percent. A higher value of this EPD is favorable, meaning that a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters get pregnant as first calf heifers compared to other sires in his contemporary group.

30-month pregnancy (Pg30): Predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant and calve at three years of age, given that they calved as first-calf heifers.

This EPD is expressed as a percent, again, with a higher number being more favorable meaning a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters will calve at three years of age, given they calved as first-calf heifers.

Maternal Traits Calving ease direct (CED): Percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. A higher number is favorable, meaning better calving ease. This

42 | September 2016

Stayability (ST): Predicts the genetic difference, in terms of percent probability, that a bull’s daughters will stay productive within a herd to at least six year of age. The stayability EPD is one of the best measures currently available to compare a bull’s ability to produce females with reproductive longevity.

Growth Traits Birth weight (BW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth weight of the calf.

Weaning weight (WW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for weaning weight (adjusted to age of dam and a standard 205 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to weaning.

Yearling weight (YW): Predicts the expected difference, in pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted to a standard 365 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to yearling.

Carcass traits Yield grade (YG): Differences in yield grade score, which is a predictor of percent retail product. Smaller values suggest that progeny will have a better lean to fat ratio.

Carcass weight (CW): Differences in pounds of hot carcass weight, adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint.

Ribeye area (REA): Differences in ribeye area in inches between the 12th and 13th rib. Greater ribeye areas are preferable.

Marbling (MB): Predicts the differences in the degree of marbling within the ribeye as expressed in marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades.

Fat (FT): Differences for fat thickness, in inches, for a carcass over the 12th rib, smaller numbers of fat thickness are preferable as excess fat can be detrimental to yield grade.

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an accompanying accuracy. A greater TM value means a mother that returns comparatively higher weaning weights on her calves. TM Index = MK EPD + ½ WW EPD. $Cow: Represents the genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity. $Cow will serve producers in selecting bulls that will sire daughters with stayability and reproductive efficiency as well as other traits that lead to profitability in a production system, such as milk, calving ease, moderate mature weight and the ability of calves to gain. A female’s genetics also influence the performance of her calves in the feedlot and at slaughter, so traits such as feed efficiency and carcass value are also included in $Cow. Efficiency profit index (EPI): An economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI provides slight negative pressure on intake, while keeping gain at a constant value. By selecting on this index, producers will be able to find those animals that gain the same amount as their contemporaries while eating less.

Feeder profit index (FPI): 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 standpoint. Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries. As a terminal index, little emphasis is put on maternal traits such as stayability and calving ease. FF

Efficiency traits Dry matter intake (DMI): Represents the average daily dry matter intake per day consumed in pounds. A negative, or lesser value, is more favorable. For example, Bull A has a DMI EPD of .15 and Bull B has a DMI EPD of -.20, so the progeny of Bull B consume, on average, .35 pound less dry matter per day than progeny from Bull A.

Indexes Total maternal (TM): An index that combines growth and milk information as a prediction of the weaning weight performance of calves from a sire’s daughters. As an index, this value is not reported with

The Profit Picture | 43

News

Manage Cows for Reproductive Success

By Rebecca Mettler

I

t’s never too early to start preparing for next the breeding and calving season. Proper planning requires producers to think about how they are going to manage cows for reproductive performance, which should include a vaccine protocol that protects against reproductive diseases.

Each year cattle producers face a different set of challenges when it comes to the health of their cows. This year is no different, according to Nathan Voris, DVM, senior marketing manager for cattle vaccines with Zoetis.

“One thing that is unique right now compared to the landscape from five years ago even, is that we have one of the youngest beef cow herds in recorded history,” Voris said.

He explained that during the drought years producers culled heavily and got rid of a lot of their more mature cows. Now the herd rebuilding process is in full swing and there are more young replacement females in the herds across the United States.

“We need to make sure we aren’t treating heifers like they are mature cows . So from a vaccination standpoint we need to be especially aware of lepto-harjo bovis and rotavirus,” Voris said.

Cattle gain a stronger immunity as they age so common diseases can cause more problems for the younger females in the herd. Lepto-harjo bovis is known to be a contributor in early reproductive losses. The disease can cause embryonic death, delayed breeding, abortion, weak stillborn calves and unexplained infertility. Likewise, heifers are less efficient in passing their protective immunity to their calf through colostrum. Calf scours, most commonly caused by rotavirus, can cost you around 20 pounds of weaning weight per calf.

There are also other special considerations that must be followed prior to breeding for replacement females if a modified-live vaccine (MLV) regiment is in place in the operation. Heifers must receive two doses of modified-live vaccine between weaning and 30 days prior to the start of the breeding season.

46 | September 2016

It’s also important to know whether mature cows have previously been vaccinated with a modified-live vaccine; pregnant cows can only be given a modified-live vaccination if they were vaccinated with modified-live vaccine pre-breeding.

Know what to give.

Throughout the pregnancy, a calf fetus relies on the dam’s immune system for disease protection. Cows need to be vaccinated against common diseases in order to pass along immune protection. Paying close attention to the type of vaccines given for reproductive protection is essential.

Voris believes that there is a lot of confusion around what type of protection is provided by different vaccines, which is something that producers should be paying close attention to. Vaccine labels give information on both how to use the vaccine and what type of protection the vaccine has been demonstrated to provide. He said to truly be a reproductive vaccine it must be classified as one that provides fetal protection (FP).

As an example, Voris said to look for the following words on a vaccine label: “abortion caused by IBR” and “persistent infection caused by bovine viral diarrhea (BVD).” The key words to look for on a label are abortion and persistent infection, which classifies the vaccine as a reproductive vaccine. If the label says “disease caused

by IBR” or “disease caused by BVD,” that indicates the vaccine has not been manufactured to protect against the reproductive forms of these diseases thus making it a respiratory vaccine.

Choosing the correct vaccines and vaccination protocol to implement in a producer’s herd is something that requires a lot of thought and should reflect the disease pressure in the area. Voris suggests producers seek professional advice from a local veterinarian to ensure a successful herd health management plan.

“It’s important to have a vet on your team that knows the infection pressure in your area and can help you

develop the right vaccination protocol that will fit your operational needs,” Voris said. FF

News

Common Reproductive and Respiratory Diseases in Beef Cattle Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD): can cause both respiratory and reproductive disease in cattle. In pregnant cows, BVD can lead to embryonic loss, abortion and birth defects. Persistently-infected calves are born as a result of a BVD infection during gestation and continually shed the BVD virus throughout their lifetime, thus infecting other cattle.

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Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR): Commonly referred to as “rednose” and can cause both respiratory and reproductive disease in cattle. In pregnant cows, IBR can result in infertility problems and abortion.

Lepto-harjo Bovis: A primary cause of bovine leptospirosis and a leading contributor to reproductive losses. Infected cattle appear normal yet can shed bacteria for months. Causes embryonic death, delayed breeding, abortion, weak stillborn calves and unexplained infertility. FF

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WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM The Profit Picture | 47

News

Differences in high- and low-profit beef producers influenced by record keeping, cost management By keeping detailed records, producers can know how to best manage their costs in a market where they don’t set the prices.

the medium-profit category when all costs – not just variable costs – are factored in.

rofitability in cow-calf production can vary widely, so knowing what practices help support your operation can be crucial for a beef producer.

“Using the KFMA data – the returns over total costs over the past 40 years – there were six years that had a positive (average) return,” he said. “The other 34 years resulted in a negative return per cow.”

P

Dustin Pendell, Kansas State University livestock economist and co-author of the Analysis of 2010-2014 Kansas Farm Management Association Cow-Calf Enterprise, along with co-authors Youngjune Kim and Kevin Herbel, analyzed the differences between low-, medium- and high-profit cowcalf producers.

The report was written as an update to a similar publication that analyzed cow-calf enterprises from 2008-2012, and data were compiled from available information about revenue and expenses from producers enrolled in the Kansas Farm Management Association.

Keeping thorough records of your costs and revenue is one of the best ways to control your profitability, the analysis found.

Returns over variable and total costs In 2014, Kansas beef producers saw their largest average annual return since 1975 at $589.50 per head, according to KFMA data. Six years previously, in 2009, the average annual return was at its lowest in the past 40 years at minus $76.40 per cow.

“What we saw in 2009 was the lowest inventory, and what we’re seeing now is that the cow-calf herds are being rebuilt,” Pendell said. “We’re starting to see the cattle numbers increase, but there are other factors that are contributing to the difference in average returns as well.”

When only six years of the past 40 years are profitable, staying in business may be a challenge, according to Pendell.

“However, if you’re keeping records, that allows you to make better-informed management decisions,” he said. “And, if you’re able to make better-informed management decisions, hopefully in those bad years you are in the positive.”

Cost management is key The purpose of the analysis was to break down the different factors between high-, medium- and low-profit cow-calf producers, Pendell said. Over a five-year span (201014), researchers broke down the profitability of cow-calf enterprises, ranked them from highest to lowest profitability, divided them into thirds and analyzed the different practices of each group.

The highest-profit beef producers tended to allocate a higher percent of their labor to livestock production when compared to crop production and tended to be more specialized. They also had larger herds, slightly heavier cows at selling time and generated 16 percent, or close to $134, more revenue per head.

“From a management standpoint, if producers track their records they can use those records to figure out if there’s any opportunity for improvement, and that’s probably going to come on the cost side,” Pendell added.

Several reasons account for the almost $670 difference in average return per cow between 2009 and 2014, he said. Along with cow-calf herds rebuilding the past few years, decreases in beef demand from 2008-09, a widespread drought in 2012 and an increase in beef demand in 2014 all contributed to the fluctuations within a relatively short timespan.

Additionally, producers who specialized more in livestock production relative to crop production tended to have lower costs, although the reasons why need to be studied further, he said.

A high correlation exists between net returns over total costs and net returns over variable costs, according to Pendell.

For instance, a medium-profit producer is likely to remain in

“What we expect to see in the 2015 average net returns is probably not going to be as high as the 2014 returns, but we might see our second highest in the last 40 years,” he added. FF

48 | September 2016

When data from 2015 becomes available, it will be added to the study, Pendell said.

Join Us

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 Free to Attend Provided Lunch 12:00 noon

LINCOLN MARRIOTT CORNHUSKER HOTEL LINCOLN, NE Symposium 1:00 p.m.

All cattlemen and women are invited to attend this FREE educational symposium and provided lunch. Listen to industry leading speakers discuss adding value to your cowherd in today’s modern beef industry. Visit www.gelbvieh.org for more information.

Convention sponsored by:

Feature

Interpreting The Catalog

By Megan Slater and William McIntosh

W

ith fall sale season upon us, sale catalogs may be arriving in your mailbox, if they haven’t already.

When looking through a sale catalog to find the next genetics for your herd, it is important to know what everything means in a sale catalog and how to use that information to find the best genetics to fit your operation’s goals and needs.

It is important to note that not all sale catalogs are the same, the layout and even the information printed in them may vary from breeder to breeder. At the very least, all sale catalogs should contain the following information on each registered animal that is for sale: pedigree, birthdate, and breed percentage. Often breed percentage will be listed as either a Gelbvieh or a Balancer animal and may even have the breed percentage broken out, for example, 50% Gelbvieh and 50% Angus if the animal were a Balancer®.

One of the main reasons several of us look at sale catalogs is for the expected progeny differences (EPDs). It has become a common practice for bull buyers to use EPDs as a tool for helping them select their next herd sire. In fact, in a recent survey done of Gelbvieh and Balancer nonmember bull buyers, only 18 percent of those surveyed said they do not use EPDs when selecting their next herd sire.

Most sale catalogs will contain EPDs such as calving ease, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, milk, and some carcass trait EPDs such as carcass weight, ribeye area and marbling. Some sale catalogs also print indexes such as AGA’s feeder profit index (FPI) and $Cow.

When looking at EPDs of a potential herd sire, it is important to have something to compare them to in order to know where they stand within the breed. For this reason,

50 | September 2016

several sale catalogs publish breed average EPDs, allowing bull buyers to compare their prospective bull’s numbers to that of the average of the breed. If the sale catalog does not contain these breed averages, they can be found on www.gelbvieh.org on the EPD Info page under the Genetic Technology section. Having the breed averages available when looking through a sale catalog is very useful when selecting animals to purchase. Keep in mind, most animals sold through a production sale would be considered nonparents; therefore EPDs of those animals must also be compared to the breed average for non-parents.

Many breeders recognize the importance of their customers wanting to compare animals they are selling to the rest of the breed, and that is why some sale catalogs publish percentile ranks on each animal’s EPDs. Percentile ranks for EPDs compare how the animal’s EPDs rank amongst the rest of the breed. The lower the percentile rank, the better that animal’s EPD is. For example, if an animal has a 2 for percentile rank for the weaning weight EPD, they are in the top 2 percent for the weaning weight EPD within the breed. Both breed average EPDs and percentile ranks are useful tools for determining where your herd sire prospect stacks up amongst of the breed.

Looking at individual EPDs, calving ease is one of the most important traits to cattlemen and women when considering their next herd sire. In the same survey mentioned above, Gelbvieh and Balancer non-member bull buyers ranked calving ease the most important trait they select for when choosing their next herd sire. Calving ease is the percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. A higher number is favorable, meaning

better calving ease. This EPD can be vital to a rancher to decrease the amount of calves requiring assistance during birth in the herd. Often, some bull buyers use birth weight for this same reason, however, calving ease is a more accurate indication when looking for an easy calving sire.

When selecting on growth traits, such as weaning weight and yearling weight as well as the milk EPD, the environment will need to be something that is highly considered when choosing how your next herd sires perform in these areas. If your operation is located in an area where the grass is abundant, a higher milk EPD would be acceptable, however, in areas where the grass is not so plentiful, a higher milk EPD may not be suitable for the environment.

Carcass trait EPDs such as carcass weight, marbling, and ribeye area are commonly found in several sale catalogs.

Carcass weight predicts the differences in pounds of hot carcass weight and is adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint. Ribeye area predicts the differences in ribeye area in inches between the 12th and 13th rib. Marbling predicts the differences in the degree of marbling within the ribeye as expressed in the marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades.

Another set of numbers you may see in the EPD section of a sale catalog, are index values. Indexes are tools that allow producers to select for several EPDs at once, making selections more efficient than selecting on one trait a time. Indexes weight traits based on their importance to a producer’s bottom line by using a trait’s economic and genetic value. Indexes are a good way to put selection emphasis on traits that are economically relevant. Two of the more popular indexes that are seen in Gelbvieh and Balancer sale catalogs are: $Cow and FPI. $Cow represents genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity.

Feature

AGA GE-EPDs icon or simply just written “GE-EPDs”. This means the animal’s EPDs have been genomic-enhanced through a DNA test and therefore are now more accurate as a non-parent animal than what they would have been if they were not genomic-enhanced.

In addition to EPDs, some catalogs may list actual

data from the animal such as their birth weight or weaning weight. Although actual data can be helpful to look at, EPDs are a better indication of how the animal’s progeny will perform. The catalog may also state if the animal is homozygous black or homozygous polled if that information is known.

Sale catalogs are full of several pieces of information that help customers make informed decisions and about their purchases. Obtaining the sale catalog in advance and having the ability to study the sale catalog prior to the sale is an important part of to making the right decision for your herd. FF

FPI is also 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 standpoint.

Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries. As a terminal index, little emphasis is placed on maternal traits such as stayability and calving ease.

When looking at EPDs in a catalog, you may notice an

The Profit Picture | 51

News

The U.S. Beef Market in 20 Years

By Rebecca Mettler

T

he global and domestic landscapes for U.S. beef products are ever changing. Currently, the United States depends on domestic demand to pick up 85 percent of beef consumption, while 15 percent of U.S. beef is exported. What about the future? Where U.S. beef stands in the marketplace 20 years from now will depend a lot on what we, as an industry, do now to prepare for the future.

One key to determining the future of the North American beef industry includes identifying and understanding where the U.S. and Canada hold absolute advantages, comparative advantages and comparative disadvantages in today’s market, according to Glynn Tonsor, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University (KSU).

A comparative advantage is defined as the ability of an

individual or group to carry out a particular economic activity more efficiently. Tonsor explained to the attendees of the Beef Improvement Federation meeting in Manhattan, Kansas, earlier this summer that North America, as a whole, has a competitive advantage in producing high-quality, grain-fed beef that is trusted to be a safe and wholesome product. But, the competitive advantage stretches beyond the improved eating experience of North American beef compared to its global grass-fed counterparts.

“Another part of that is that there’s a lot of infrastructures that leaves the rest of the world envious,” Tonsor said.

North America has the most modern beef industry with the strongest research, outreach and education. However, to keep those competitive advantages and gain upon them during the next 20 years, the U.S. and Canadian beef industries must not forget some of the comparative disadvantages.

North American beef is not the lowest cost producer when compared to other proteins or other beef producing countries around the world.

“A pound of grass-fed beef in the southern hemisphere can be produced cheaper. Now it’s more than just about cost, but you can’t lose sight of that,” Tonsor said.

The U.S. beef industry also must consider the fragmentation in communications between sectors as well as the disagreements regarding the value of a traceability system as competitive disadvantages, according to Tonsor.

Fragmentation can also occur when speaking to the diversification of the cattle industry in the U.S. “Go from north to south, east to west, we see immense differentiation,” said Ted Schroeder, Ph.D., agricultural economist, and director of the Center for Risk Management Education and Research at KSU. Such diversity is in place because different environments call for different types of cattle. Genetic diversity has been a challenge of integrating a business vertically, but it also creates opportunities for the industry to capitalize on, according to Schroeder.

As previously stated, a vast majority of the demand for U.S.

52 | September 2016

News

beef comes from domestic consumers.

“Look at the domestic customer, I’d be remiss not to mention that that’s where our value propositions are, and that’s where our prosperity rests,” Schroeder said. “Look at the domestic consumer, 85 to 90 percent of the beef is consumed domestically. We absolutely have to have a robust domestic consumer market.”

Schroeder also cautions that the industry must not sit back and become complacent when it comes to the domestic market.

The domestic landscape for beef is shifting as the demographics of the country change; in the long run consumer preferences and expectations of U.S. beef products will also change.

“When we make investments we must keep in mind the domestic consumer market has to be receptive to what we are doing. Whether it’s a new technology or any management practice strategy, the consumer has to enjoy and benefit from what we are doing in the production sector if we expect to be prosperous,” Schroeder said.

with the U.S., Brazil is a very energetic, young and competitive industry that will be a formidable competitor to the U.S. In the end, pressure from outside competitors and an inability for an improvement in communication between and within each sector of the beef industry could prove to be the critical factors hindering opportunities for industry success.

Tonsor also hypothesized that the future will hold more opportunities for points of differentiation with beef products.

Such possibilities include additional grid opportunities, tenderness claims, technology or production practice claims or traceability claims for examples. However, that theory posed the question of whether or not the industry can become specialized without fragmenting. Can we seize the opportunity that our industry’s diversity provides us with to obtain our goals in the future?

“I’m putting that out there as the key question because I believe that we need to think of this going forward with our genetic advancements and so forth,” Tonsor said. FF

It’s true that the domestic market is the backbone of the U.S. beef industry, it’s the export market that offers the most opportunity for expansion in the future. The prospect of expanding exports goes back to the beginning thoughts of competitive advantages; North America can produce the highest quality beef in the world and are most adept at doing that. The keys to the export markets are centered on favorable trade agreements for the U.S. as well as targeting the correct global customer Neola, Iowa base.

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer “We must target consumers that can Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales afford and want our product,” Schroeder Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics said. “And especially consumers in certain Kevin Gunderson: Al Schulz: countries within the upper echelon of their 402-510-8103 402-676-5292 country’s economy.”

Iowa Breeders

To capitalize on the opportunities presented to the U.S., Tonsor and Schroeder believe that we must refrain from being content with status quo.

Kenyon Cattle LLC & Little Sioux Gelbvieh/ Red Angus

“We have major competitors that are not standing still and waiting for us to get our act together,” Schroder said.

• Bulls for sale at Seedstock Plus Sales • Females for sale Private Treaty Jack Welle 2645 180th Ave. Milford, Iowa 51351 Home: 712-338-2143 • Cell: 712-251-4641 E-mail: jwelle@evertek.net

Take Brazil, for example; the country is expanding its cattle feeding. Although it’s not going to compete on an equal scale

Rafter

R

Gelbvieh

Reiste Family • Adel, IA Since 1982 Purebred & Balancer Cattle

Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale March • Creston Livestock • Creston, IA

515.490.3561 (C) • 515.993.4381 (H) creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com

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

The Profit Picture | 53

News

Economics of Rebreeding Non-pregnant Females

T

his article is a summary of the 2016 Beef Report “Economics of Rebreeding Non-pregnant Females”.

Aline G. Da Silva, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Don C. Adams, John Nollette, Andy Applegarth and Rick Funston were collaborators on this research study and report. The report is summarized by Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator.

In Nebraska, spring calving is the prevailing cow-calf production system and non-pregnant (“open”) females are often sold in October and November as cull cows.

The late fall also tends to be when seasonal cull cow prices are lowest for the year. The spring historically is a more favorable market for cull cows as well as pregnant fall calving cows. The University of NebraskaLincoln conducted a budget simulation analysis for a 5 year period to compare the economics of selling nonpregnant spring-calving cows immediately after being diagnosed in the fall or rebreeding these cows to be sold as pregnant fall calving cows in the spring.

Spring-born, crossbred females at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL) and the West Central Research and Extension Center (WCREC) identified as being non-pregnant after the spring breeding season were utilized over a two-year-period for this analysis.

The females from GSL were approximately 80%, 20 to 32 months of age, while the females from the WCREC were all approximately 20 months of age. Estrus synchronization with a 60 day natural service breeding season was utilized at GSL for rebreeding. Pregnancy diagnosis utilizing ultrasound occurred 30 days after the end of the breeding season. At the WCREC, heifers were estrus synchronized and a timed artificial insemination protocol used for rebreeding after which heifers were placed with bulls. Ultrasound was used to determine pregnancy 135 days after artificial insemination.

Based on the results of these two scenarios, a partial budget analysis was performed. The economics of selling non-pregnant females right after pregnancy testing in October/November or keeping these females and rebreeding them to be sold as pregnant fall-calving cows in April was evaluated. Historical market price data from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service from

54 | September 2016

2010 to 2015 was used in the analysis for feed and for cow or heifer values.

The analysis demonstrated that for 4 out of 5 years, from 2010 to 2015, retaining young, non-pregnant females for rebreeding was profitable, even at modest pregnancy rates of 50 percent. The only year that this management practice was not profitable was during the drought of 2012/2013 when low bred cow prices and high feed costs would have resulted in a significant loss. For all other years, the combination of increasing cull cow prices from November to April along with a greater market price for pregnant females resulted in a positive return when pregnancy rates were 50 percent or greater. For both the GSL and the WCREC scenario, as pregnancy rates increased over 50 percent, so did the level of profitability for retaining non-pregnant females for rebreeding.

In summary, rebreeding non-pregnant, young females was shown to be profitable four out of five years under this budget analysis. Producers with non-pregnant young females that come from a spring-calving program may consider rebreeding these females for fall calving as an opportunity to add value to them. Feed costs, bred cow prices and the long term cattle market price cycle should be considered when producers evaluate this option.

For more information on how this budget analysis was conducted, refer to “Economics of Rebreeding Nonpregnant Females” (http://go.unl.edu/v0bh) found in the 2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. FF Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Breeders Corner

Midwest States

KANSAS

Bar Arrow Cattle Company

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

HUTCHINSON, KS

KEN SCHMUCKER Herdsman 620.960.1189 (c) oswald.j@sbcglobal.net

Specializing in Forage Raised Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Culling practices on cows/bulls second to NONE! For information, contact:

Stuar t Jar vis

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

660 • 492 • 2808

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661 e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177

S

Gel

B/F Cattle Company

bvie

h

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

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

620.628.4621

620.654.6507 (John Cell) • 620.654.6731 (Johnny Cell)

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

Harriman Santa Fe (Bob)

Montrose, MO • 660-492-2504

John & Carla Shearer 2815 Navajo Rd. • Canton, KS 67428 circle_s@hometelco.net

The #1 Marbling and #1 Feeder Profit Index bull in the Gelbvieh/Balancer breed.

A new standard of value & efficeincy, also the top 1% CED, and top 1% YW. His 4 yr old dam has a perfect udder & 3rd calf by 1st service AI. Call for semen on BHSF Profet B006, AMGV1316506.

“Top of the Breed” Bull Sale, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 • Windsor Livestock Auction Balancer • SimAngus • 18 mo forage developed Over 100 Balancer and SimAngus bulls on test for March 25, 2017 Bull Sale Call for Private Treaty bulls and bred heifer mates.

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

bharriman39@ hotmail.com 54 years of progressive, reputable, commitment to superior beef cattle breeding.

diamond v gelbvieh Randy odle

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

•

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 e-mail: knappa@swbell.net

MISSOURI Judd Ranch Inc.

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

56 | September 2016

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-642-5871 • 417-529-0081(cell)

Breeders Corner

Midwest States NOWACK

NEBRASKA

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

Mark & Patty Goes

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

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

Gilbert & Debra

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

Gelbvieh V balancer V anGus Private Treaty Bull & Heifer Sales • Orchard, NE

Val Livingston • www.88ranch.com • 402-655-2288

ROCKING GV GELBVIEH Polled Fullblood Gelbvieh Cattle Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Wehner 22533 Spencer Lane Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-7502

Jeff Swanson • 308/991-0727 10908 724 Road • Oxford, NE 68967 Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February www.swansoncattleco.com

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

J. J. Boehler

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

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

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 (H): 308-587-2293 • (C): 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net

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

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

Ronald Rogers email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

FLYING

Gelbvieh SprinG Flood ranch balancer® Jim & Sherri Michaletz 1397 Spring Flood Rd Goodman, MO 64843 417-364-5297 (O) 479-366-1234 (C) Email: jmichal@netins.net www.springfloodranch.blogspot.com

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

Myron & Valerie Bahm 4375 White Oak Rd Fordland, MO 65652

417-753-3578(h) • 417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

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

H

GENETICS

Nebraska & Missouri

Kyle Helms - NE 308/962-6940 kyle@flyinghgenetics.com

Cody Helms - NE/MO 303/842-9071 cody@flyinghgenetics.com

Aaron Ishmael - MO 417/309-0062 aaron@flyinghgenetics.com

Visit us on the web & Facebook! www.flyinghgenetics.com

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

Stay Connected!

Bulls For The BeeF Business

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

Keep up to date with shows, sales and other events by visiting www.GELBVIEH.org

Promote for Success!

Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: November Gelbvieh World Early copy deadline: September 23 Regular rates deadline: October 3

Call 303-465-2333 today!

The Profit Picture | 57

Editorial

BeefTalk: The Future of Beef: We Need to Get it Right!

We need to guide beef production and other farm and ranch production into the future.

By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

T

he Native American saying, “We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children,” is a reminder that we need to think ahead.

Sustainable beef production is a lot more than a phrase; in fact, it’s the future. And the future belongs to our children, so we need to get it right.

Our children born today may have our grandchildren in 2041. Our grandchildren may have our greatgrandchildren in 2066. And our great-grandchildren may have our great-great-grandchildren in 2091. As distant as it sounds, the birth of our great-great-great-grandchildren will occur early in the next century, 100 years from today.

We can agree: Our children are the future. A few of us might actually still be here, enjoying beef. Most certainly, some of our children and grandchildren, many of our great-grandchildren and almost all of our great-greatgrandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren will be here.

Our decisions today are for those who come after us.

Our correct thoughts and actions will prepare the world for them; our mistakes will take a bit of the world away. So in our own space, we need to do what we can. In this case, we need to guide beef production and other farm and ranch production into the future.

What makes up the “beef industry”? The “beef industry” is a comingling of many components. So what does this mean? Who is the “beef industry”? Who do we need to put around the table to adequately discuss and ensure sustainable beef production long into the future?

Let’s set the table and invite our guests. The obvious invitation goes to a beef producer; after all, we are based in the production of beef. Plant life is paramount to the balance of our farm and ranch, so let us invite our neighbor who raises plants. Animals and plants must have healthy soil, so let’s invite someone who knows soil and the associated biology that soil contains.

58 | September 2016

Just as we eat, we must feed the organisms that live in the soil. Their food, a mixture of elements derived from the recycling of the many plants and animals, needs water and air, so we certainly need to have someone who understands water and someone who will provide insight into clean air.

Although we often stop there, those guests make up an incomplete list. What about the energy (renewable and nonrenewable) needed to start and enhance our desire to sustain our farm and ranch, to protect the quality of our air, water and soil? Let’s invite someone who has a good understanding of energy.

And who will consume the results of our production?

The consumer should be at the table to reflect not only the desire to obtain the food the farm and ranch produces, but also the opportunity for shared use of space as our separate but integrated lives utilize air, water and soil for food and fun.

Two more chairs need to go to someone who understands wellness and someone who knows leisure.

Wellness integrates our personal lives with work because our own individual and family wellness reflects the balance we each place on raising beef and integrating family and friends.

A well person is most likely a happy person. And a balance of work and leisure is critical to our long-term success and development of relationships with our own children and their children. We should have someone invited to make sure we know and understand the fullness of life, not just work.

The chairs around the table are almost full, so some order may be advised to handle issues or recommend solutions if a difference of opinion arises. Let’s invite someone with the organizational skills to focus our discussion on the topic at hand, the sustainable future of continued on page 60

Editorial

Beef Cattle Institute provides online resource for upcoming Veterinary Feed Directive changes

By Kansas State University Extension

T

he Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University has developed free online modules covering information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Veterinary Feed Directive and how it will affect cattle producers.

Striving to provide the most up-to-date information on upcoming changes in regulations related to the Veterinary Feed Directive, the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University is offering a new online resource – for free.

The BCI partnered with animal health experts Mike Apley of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Brian Lubbers of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, to create an online informational module that answers frequently asked questions regarding the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug

continued from page 58 beef production, and to provide balance and a buffering of our demands upon air, water and soil. That being said, the table is full.

But wait, what about all those people around the world, the differing cultures that provide the backdrop, the color and diversity to our daily lives? We need someone who knows cultural impacts and how they may spin the very essence in the human interactions we so need to properly address long-term sustainability.

The table is most certainly full and the discussion ready to commence. But wait, who will bless the meal? Finally, the last guest arrives, the blessing is given and the table of 12 is now full. The inclusiveness of philosophies, traditions, spirituality and beliefs brings the diversity of the table to completion.

60 | September 2016

Administration. Changes to the regulations as a result of the directive are scheduled to take place Jan. 1, 2017.

According to Lubbers, K-State has been heavily involved with face-to-face meetings regarding the VFD, but the online modules will give producers and veterinarians an opportunity to gain foundational knowledge on their own time.

“The biggest thing for producers and veterinarians is really the planning,” he said. “We don’t want people to get to January 1 and be surprised by what they can and cannot do. I encourage producers to start the discussion with their veterinarians on what is impacted, how it may change, as well as the process.”

The free informational modules for beef producers and veterinarians can be found online at www. beefcattleinstitute.org/vfd-mod/. FF

One asks, “How did this all happen?” But we are speaking of 100 years. New thoughts become old thoughts; old thoughts renew themselves. Truly, if new sustainable thoughts are to evolve, then the table must represent the total “beef industry.” And total means input from the many tugging directions that impact the “beef industry.” Enjoy the diversity, the openness yet challenges, always keeping our children first.

May you find all your ear tags. FF Source: NDSU Extension Service

Plan now to attend!

20th Annual Heart of America Gelbvieh Association

Show-Me PluS Gelbvieh & balancer® Sale

OVER 100 FEMALES SELL

Saturday, November 12, 2016 • 1:00 PM Selling 65+ lots of prime registered Gelbvieh & Balancer® females.

• Cow/Calf Pairs • 3 in 1 Packages • Bred Cows • Bred and Open Heifers

Bred Females

Selling an elite group of 10 hand-picked Gelbvieh & Balancer® herdsire prospects.

12 Balancer® bred commercial Heifers.

Last year’s sale attracted buyers from 7 states!

All females and bulls selected on the farm by sale consultant from the top-end of each consignor’s herd.

Cow/Calf Pairs & 3 in 1s

Total Herd Dispersal. Selling 40+ pairs of Red Gelbvieh and Balancer® females.

A complete dispersal of Hart Farm Gelbvieh including all females, herdsires, bulls, embryos and semen.

To request a sale catalog: Visit www.MissouriGelbvieh.com 10 Top-end Bulls

Sale Consultant JR Adcock • Bittersweet West • 785-547-6781 This sale will be broadcast live on the Internet.

Real time bidding and proxy bidding available.

www.dvauction.com

Videos on select lots available on DVAuction week of sale.

Open Heifers

HAGA Sale Committee Co-Chairs: Austin Rash • 660-888-2536 Bob Hart • 816-225-8530 austinrashgelbvieh@gmail.com

bhart@hartfarm.net

News

Discover the Smart Choice for Future Replacements Females

By Angela Vesco

T

his past spring the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) had its inaugural episode of “The American Rancher” on RFD-TV. The 30 minute segment showcased the attributes of the breed and how successful commercial producers have been raising the cattle. The episode also highlighted programs and services the association has to help the commercial producer market and manage the cowherd.

On Monday October 3rd, 2016 at 8 p.m. the AGA will have another episode, this time focusing on the productive Gelbvieh and Balancer female. The episode will highlight her maternal strengths of raising fast growing calves, consistent reproductive soundness, and long lasting performance. Hear from commercial producers as they share the success they have had raising Gelbvieh and Balancer® cows. In addition to the maternal strengths, the episode will feature modern

management technologies to select the best replacement females as possible. Industry professionals and AGA staff will discuss the programs Smart Select Service and the Maternal Edge DNA panel and the technology behind them. These are tools offered by the AGA to track the performance of females and test their DNA to give the commercial producer accurate information to make sound breeding decisions. Smart Select Service is available to any breed of cattle and helps the commercial cattle producer use data to make smart breeding and management decisions.

Also, be sure to check out the commercials of breeders promoting their operations and upcoming sales. Mark your calendar for Monday, October 3, 2016 at 8 p.m. CST on RFD-TV, channels Dish-231 and DirecTV – 345. For more information and the past episode visit www.gelbvieh.org. FF

DOBSON RANCH

We are offering all of our Gelbvieh, Balancer and Angus cows that are 4 years old, plus a few younger bred females.

Daughters of Black Impulse, Black Impact, RWG Traction 7412, 715T, BFCK Cherokee CNYN, CAR Bextor, SAV 8180 Traveler 004, Leachman Saugahatchee 3000C and others.

Also, a few Balancer heifer calves. They are AI’d to Power Built, Decade, TV Sam, Astro, Foster and turned out to Royal Traction 3B and Traction Impact 18B.

BS

ON

AN

www.yodersprairieacres.com

62 | September 2016

K

K

Contact: Chester Yoder chesteryoder@yahoo.com 330-231-0339 330-567-9232

CH

J

R

J

DO

Two RWG Traction 7412 sons, one is 2 ½ years old and one is 2 years old. One 18 month old Hille 102X son and one yearling TV Watchman son.

Breeding Gelbvieh genetics since 1971 AGA Member #1 Offering bulls for sale year round!

AW , O CITY

Dobson Ranch

Jim Dobson • 405.880.6173 John Dobson • 405.880.6661 Brian Rogers, TX Consultant 936-554-1600 12460 E. River Road Kaw City, OK 74641

Tune in to see how Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics are meeting the demands of the modern beef industry.

Our upcoming episode in October will feature the Gelbvieh and Balancer female and why genetic information is so valuable.

Join us on October 3rd, 2016 at 8pm CT on RFD-TV Channels: Dish 231 or DirecTV 345

Breeders Corner IOWA

Upper Midwest States

MINNESOTA

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

Brandywine Farm

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

Tom Scarponcini

30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

GS

Dwight and Christina Dockter Bailey, Cheyenne, Cierra and Dalton

Mattison Family Farm

Ridge Top Ranch

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer

Scott & Sonia Mattison Brianna, Nicole, Josh & Kallie 15995 Harvest Ave Lamberton, MN 56152 507-430-0505 • email: ssmattison@redred.com Purebred Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle

Neola, Iowa

Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

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

Gelbvieh

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

Schafer Farms, Inc. SFI

Balancer

4956 41st St. SE, Medina, ND 58467 701-486-3494 • gbgelb@daktel.com Visit www.golden-buckle-gelbvieh.com

u ®

37740 240th Ave., Goodhue, MN 55027 Brian Schafer Lowell Schafer 1-888-226-9210 651-923-4587 brian@schaferfarm.com www.schaferfarm.com

u

Dennis & Sherry Gustin Family Al and Peggy Gustin

Mandan, ND • 701/663-7266 email: gustindd@gmail.com www.gustinsdiamondd.com

Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

SwenSon Gelbvieh

SOUTH DAKOTA

Dean Swenson

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

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

hornsandthorns@netins.net

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

HH H

Triple H Farms Roy & Nancy Holste 3113 260th Street Clarinda, IA 51632

712-303-0263 • 712-303-1947

Bulls and Heifers for sale Private Treaty

64 | September 2016

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

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

ADKINS GELBVIEH

Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty Gerald & Sarah Adkins

(605) 354-2428 Cell gerald@adkinsgelbvieh.com www.adkinsgelbvieh.com

41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

NORTH DAKOTA

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

Chimney Butte Ranch

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

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

Doug & Carol Hille

www.bcvgelbvieh.com

3320 51st Street, Mandan, ND 58554 701-445-7383 or 701-220-2083 E-mail: chimneybutteranch@westriv.com Website: chimneybutteranch.com Annual Production Sale 1st Friday in March

Brent & Eve Vavra Nisland, SD • 605/257-2407

Breeders Corner

Upper Midwest States

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Julie Maude 605.381.2803 (C) Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C)

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March Brian & Dee Dee Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-9927 605-649-6262

cj_llivestock@yahoo.com Hermosa, SD Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics from a Trusted Source

www.Balancerbulls.com

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

34261 200th Street, Highmore, SD 57345

Steven A. Munger 605/380-0092 (cell) •

kvolek@venturecomm.net

605/229-2802 (office) 605/229-2835 (fax)

Nate Munger 605/943-5690 (office) Cowherd Manager 605/380-2582 (cell) www.eaglepassranch.com

WISCONSIN Russell Family Livestock

Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch

R S S L

Gelbvieh & Angus & Balancers

Private Treaty Sales • Bulls (Yearling & 2-yr.-old) & Heifers

Jeff & Susie Ellison

Mitchel & Edna Ellison 9020 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

9015 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

701.376.3238

701.376.3526

Proven Genetics with Balanced Traits!

Brooklyn, WI 608.455.1448 rrussell@ansci.wisc.edu facebook.com/RussellLivestock

Focused on Form & Function

Breeders Corner

Northeast States ILLINOIS “Realizing the Value”

Ron, Alicia & Family

INDIANA

OHIO

3 G Ranch

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Skyler Martin

1200 S. Blackhawk Rd. Oregon, IL 61061-9762 815•732•7583

MEMBER

Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

• Polled Purebreds • Red • Black

Double D Farm 9937 Warren Rd. Winslow, IL 61089 (815) 367-4116

Skyler Martin

1200 S. Blackhawk Rd. Oregon, IL 61061 (815) 732-7583

J & K GELBVIEH FARM, INC. Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907

618-521-8620

•

jkgf88@frontier.com

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCERS®

Fullblood Polled Gelbvieh Polled Hereford

Merle E. Lewis

James L. Lewis

812/863-7701 812/508-0014 RR1 BOX 1360 • SPRINGVILLE, IN 47462

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

We sell Breeding Stock Bulls & Females Chester Yoder

12353 Cty Rd 330 Big Prairie, OH 44611 chesyoder@yahoo.com 330-567-9232 • 330-231-0339 (cell)

For information about advertising, call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333 The Profit Picture | 65

Editorial

Handling Basics: Is time on your side?

By Heidi Carrol: SDSU Extension Livestock Stewardship Associate

Translating Time’s Impacts “This is the way we’ve always done it.” I need more than my fingers and toes to count how many times I’ve heard producers tell me this phrase. However, transportation and handling are not the times to maintain this mentality, especially when weather adds additional stress to the animals. Sources of stress (handling and transport) are additive in cattle. Cattlemen can have a positive impact on the amount of stress cattle experience by planning ahead, choosing the best time for required tasks, and allowing adequate time to get things done.

Implementing low-stress handling techniques from the

Markes Family Farms

Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program can minimize stress on both cattle and people, improve handling efficiency, and subsequently be beneficial to limit potential losses.

Handling Handling alone equals SHRINK! Shrink is a direct indicator of the stress cattle experience. No one wants to see pounds disappear from their cattle after handling or moving them, because pounds are money. Shrink is directly impacted by the amount of time an animal is handled. Simply moving cattle from pasture to corrals or sorting from pen to pen for 30 minutes can decrease

Total Industry Commitment Carcass Data • Fed cattle at Decatur County/Lincoln County Feedyards Benchmarked against 150,000 head for economic relevant traits.

Feed Efficiency • 17 years of carcass and feed efficiency data gathered.

• RFI data gathered on sale bulls on GrowSafe system.

A.I.

Selling Exceptional Bulls & Heifers Transportation Available

66 | September 2016

• Utilizing the very best genetics available through an aggressive A.I. program

Look for SKF bulls at the Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale October 15, 2016 Joplin, MO

Sandy Knoll Farm Brian & Leon Dunn St. John, KS 67576 620-786-4039

weight by 0.5-1%. This shrink percentage can quickly increase if people push cattle too fast or use aggressive handling techniques (yelling, over-pressuring flight zones, or excessive electric prod use). Taking time to handle cattle calmly, regardless of the task, minimizes the potential shrink loss and creates a safer working environment for both cattle and handlers. It is important to first plan enough time to accomplish a task, and also be aware of the weather forecast to avoid adding unnecessary stress during hot weather. Heat stress can increase shrink loss and challenge the animal’s immune system.

Transport Time

Editorial

processing can assist with vaccine response because their cortisol levels have returned to normal so the immune system can focus on providing the calf immunity. This rest period may be a few hours or more than 24 hours depending on the transport stress. Let the calves tell you when they are ready to be processed. Also note that as summer fades into fall, temperature fluctuations from morning till night throughout the haul, not just the daily high temperature, can have a dramatic impact on the shrink loss experienced by cattle.

Figure 1 (see page 68). Effect of time spent on truck and average ambient temperature during the journey on shrink of fat cattle during commercial long haul transport in North America (> 248 mi). Add 1.56% of BW for feeder cattle, 2.60% for calves, and 3.56% for cull cattle to the value from any point in the figure. Ambient temperature was the midpoint between the minimum and

Transport time is known to have a direct impact on cattle shrink. A simple estimate of transport shrink is a loss of 1% of body weight per hour transported for the first 4 hours on the road; then approximately 0.25% per hour for the next 8-10 hours of travel.

These estimates are during good weather. If you consider the impacts of temperature seen in Figure 1, the shrink percentage can quickly jump to 3-5% just for a short haul (~5 hours) during hot summer temperatures (30°C = 86°F) on fat cattle. Calf shrink ADKINS GELBVIEH is estimated at an additional 2.6% Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics above fat cattle percentages on the Bulls and Heifers for sale figure (so 5-8% shrink on a 5-hr haul by private treaty (605) 354-2428 Cell at 86°F). gerald@adkinsgelvbieh.com

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders

A feeder should think critically about how he is going to welcome calves at the feedyard to help them recover from this shrink, especially during hot weather. Ensure there is plenty of fresh hay and cool, clean water. Adding temporary stock tanks in pens will allow more animals a chance to drink at the same time to facilitate adequate rehydration as quickly as possible. Allowing calves to rest and start eating again before

www.adkinsgelbvieh.com

Gerald & Sarah Adkins

41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

605-852-2131 kvolek@venturecomm.net www.volekranch.com

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

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

The Profit Picture | 67

Editorial

calves, so providing a period of preconditioning before shipping them 400 miles can be beneficial on minimizing shrink loss and positively impacting their immune system prior to relocation.

Meat Quality Meat quality should also be considered when handling and transporting cattle, especially fat cattle. Dark, firm and dry (DFD) beef, or “dark cutters”, results when the animal’s glycogen reserves are depleted in the muscle before slaughter, which increases post-mortem muscle pH from a decreased production of lactic acid. Producers Figure 1 should be aware that dark cutters are an animal welfare consideration and can be used as an indicator of preslaughter handling stress, not just a monetary discount maximum values reported within each journey. Figure to your paycheck. In a Canadian study investigating from Gonzalez et al., 2012. multiple transport factors that can lead to DFD beef,

the gait of cattle (walk, trot, or run) at unloading was Table 1 shows a simple example of calculating found to impact the odds of producing dark cutters. the shrink loss for various factors on a 600-lb calf Cattle that ran off the truck were 1.46-1.49 times more transported approximately 400 miles; this example likely to produce dark cutters than cattle that trotted or was summarized by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, walked off the truck. Every person that handles cattle Food, and Rural Affairs. before slaughter has a direct impact on the meat quality or potential discounts, Factor Shrink (%) Amount of Shrink (lb) so ensure clear expectations of proper low-stress handling methods have been 30 min gathering/sorting 0.5 3.0 communicated to personnel sorting and Weigh and load 3.0 18.0 loading, but also the truckers that haul First 4 hr trucking 4.0 24.0 and unload them. FF Second 4 hr trucking 1.0 6.0 Travel distance (~400 mi) Total potential shrink

2.5 11

table 1

Table 1. Potential shrink on a 600-lb calf transported 400 miles This example would be comparable for cattlemen shipping calves from western to eastern South Dakota, with perhaps some variation in travel time. With the dry conditions out west there is talk about early weaning

68 | September 2016

14.6 65.6

Courtesy of igrow.org

Breeders Corner

Southern States

OKLAHOMA

ALABAMA Kittle Gelbvieh Farms

Poverty Hill Farms Rocky Bates

Purcell, OK • 405-990-9198

LeGRAND

Registered Gelbvieh and Angus

Q u a l i t y B l a c k & Re d G e l b v i e h C a t t l e

816 Co. Rd. 36 Geraldine, AL 35974 Cell (256) 996-4140 www.kittlefarms.com

Ed & Alberta LeGrand

809 S. Redlands Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74074

405-747-6950 • alane@c21global.com Homo. Black, Homo. Polled • Breeding Stock Available

Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer®

WYATT FARMS

Koehn Cattle Co.

ARKANSAS

H ODGES R ANCH

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

Eugene (870) 426-5333 Diana (870) 426-5334

Richard P. Wyatt

1917 24th Ave. S.W. Norman, OK 73072 405.761.1166 richardwyatt1166@yahoo.com

Patrick Koehn

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

Gelbvieh Genetics

at

Work

TEXAS

Neal (870) 426-4469

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls & Heifers Available Private Treaty Sales

EXCEPTIONAL

BULLS & HEIFERS

TRUCKING AVAILABLE

Jim & Pat Dromgoole 4403 Winding River Dr. • Richmond, TX 77469 Home

(281) 341-5686 • Ranch (979) 561-8144

www.dromgoolesheaven.com Show Cattle Managers: James & Shannon Worrell • (325) 258-4656

Get ready for upcoming sales!

Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

ln Linco2016 Meeting Modern Industry Demands

46TH ANNUAL AMERICAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION

LINCOLN, NE NOV. 30-DEC. 2 Visit www.gelbvieh.org for more information and to register online.

The Profit Picture | 69

s s e c Suc

Committed to the of the CommerCial Cattleman

Offering 100 cows and a select group of heifers for sale this fall by Private Treaty after November 1, 2016

Your Genetic Source for Cross Breeding, Efficiency and Profitability.

Annual Bull Sale • March 18, 2017 At the Ranch • Lake City, SD Neal Pearson:

605-448-5653 or 605-470-0448 njpearson@venturecomm.net

Kermit Pearson:

605-448-5596 or 605-380-6030

Chuck Ringkob:

605-470-0010

Breeders Corner

Western States

Send his credentials with him...

ARIZONA The Prosser Family

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

928/289-2619 • 928/380-5149 cell Winslow, AZ

• Commercial customers receive a free 1-year subscription to Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture

www.bartbar.com • info@bartbar.com

RFI Tested Balancer , Gelbvieh & Angus Bulls Sell Annually in April at the Ranch ®

COLORADO

Ken and Dale Flikkema 2 Mint Trail Bozeman, MT 59718

(406) 586-6207 (Office) (406) 580-6207 (Cell)

• Allows customers to track pedigree information to manage inbreeding and maximize heterosis

email: mcfarmsmt@gmail.com Black • Purebred & Balancer Cattle

NEVADA Dave & Dawn Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425

(970) 323-6833 www.bowkranch.com

Dick & Jean Williams

Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

(H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

P.O. Box 156 Orovada, NV 89425 775•272•3442

“Pounds Make Profit in Your Pocket” Bulls & Heifers Private Treaty

WASHINGTON 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

MONTANA Quality Cattle Black Gelbvieh and Balancer

Barry & Dena Bolton 406.538.5280 H 406.366.0162 C 515 Knapp Lane PO Box 826 Hilger, MT 59451

www.boltondoublebranch.com

9/9

WYOMING

Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh 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!

10900 Dover Street Westminster, CO 80021 303-465-BEEF (2333) www.gelbvieh.org

The Profit Picture | 71

Editorial

Pregnancy Checking Provides Management Options

By Bryan Nichols

C

hecking cows for pregnancy is nothing new, yet its adoption rates are still incredibly low. According to the 2008 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey on cow/calf management practices in the U.S., only 18 percent of all operations and 58 percent of operations with 200 head or more check cows for pregnancy status. The USDA is currently conducting an update to this survey. My hope is that we see adoption rates for this practice increase because there are many benefits to pregnancy checking and multiple options available to do so.

Knowing the pregnancy status of the cow creates additional management options. It essentially gives us a glimpse into the future so that management options can be analyzed and implemented now rather than several months from now. Maintaining an open cow for a year is rarely a sound decision. An open cow can be sold, retained as a stocker cow, or transitioned to a different calving season such as spring to fall. This knowledge allows the producer to make the best management decision given current market conditions. Without this knowledge, the producer is forfeiting a large amount of management control and potential profit.

Other potential benefits based on the method chosen are the ability to sort early calvers from late calvers, determine sex of the calf, identify reproductive abnormalities and provide time with your veterinarian to discuss overall herd health. The latter benefit may become more important for some individuals as the need for a veterinary feed directive goes into effect for some products in 2017.

There are three very good options for determining pregnancy in females: 1) rectal palpation, 2) ultrasound and 3) blood testing.

Rectal palpation is likely the most recognized method by producers. It gives immediate results so that animals can be sorted out of the chute. Accuracy of this method is generally very high at 45 to 60 days post-breeding. A downside is that the skill level of the technician must be

72 | September 2016

accounted for.

Ultrasound is another method and displays higher accuracy slightly earlier at 28 to 35 days post-breeding. It also gives immediate results so that animals can be sorted out of the chute. In addition, this method gives the ability to determine sex of the calf.

Both rectal palpation and ultrasound allow the technician to physically evaluate the reproductive tract and estimate age of the fetus.

Another method is the BioPRYN blood test. This method essentially removes the variable of operator skill level. The test’s ability to detect open females is 99 percent accurate, and its ability to detect bred females is 95 percent accurate. The blood must be drawn at least 28 days post-breeding and 75 days post-calving. The biggest advantage is the ease in which producers can learn to pull blood themselves and perform the test as their schedule allows. Downsides of the test are that all females must be individually identifiable. Since the blood must be tested, sorting out of the chute is not an option. Results are generally available within a couple days. Knowledge gained from this test is more limited than rectal palpation and ultrasound. It simply reports a female as bred or open.

The three methods are generally competitive in price.

The most important thing is that producers determine what information they want to ascertain through pregnancy checking, then choose the method that provides this information while being logistically feasible. FF Source: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

Breeders Corner

Southeast States

VIRGINIA

KENTUCKY

www.knollcrestfarm.com knollcrest@hughes.net

TENNESSEE NORTH CAROLINA

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Office (434) 376-3567 James D. Bennett Paul S. Bennett Jim G. Bennett Brian R. Bennett Dalton G. Bennett

Fax (434) 376-7008 434/376-7299 434/941-8245 434/664-7935 434/664-8309 434/664-7946

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

W L

Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

M & W Farms

H

F

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 H 276/637-3916 C 276/620-4271

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

Maryville, Tennessee

Quality Black Bulls & Heifers for sale Lynn Waters 3525 Tuckaleechee Pike Maryville, TN 37803

865.660.9227 lynnmwfarms@gmail.com

Dr. Daryl Wilson Tyler Wilson (276) 676-2242

Joe & Gwen Wilson (276) 628-4163

Registered (276) 614-0117 (C) Gelbvieh Cattle

17462 Fenton Dr., Abingdon, VA 24210 • TrebleWRanch@aol.com

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

R ROCKY TOP GELBVIEH T G Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle Sandy and Terry Gupton

4846 Potato Farm Rd • Crossville, TN 38571 865-250-1418 • rockytopgel@yahoo.com rockytopgelbviehfarm.com

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

Mick Ainsworth

1613 Derby Road P.O. Box 154 Jackson Springs, NC 27281 910-652-2233 Cell: 910-638-1142 Mick’s email: longleaf@etinternet.net Grass Grown • Carcass Quality & Performance

2157 Black Lick • Rural Retreat, VA 24368 Home: 276.228.6347 Registered No. 48890 Cell: 401.714.6812

Judith A. Sweeten

We want to Keep up with AGA members.

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The Profit Picture | 73

Feature

Tour Brings U.S. Gelbvieh and Balancer® International Exposure

By Angela Vesco

O

they have a moderate mature size. Thus allowing them n June 14, 2016, the LeDoux Ranch, Agenda, to be ideally suited for the needed increase in beef Kansas, hosted a group of 10 Costa Rican cattle production globally. Due to their increased efficiency producers as they toured U.S. beef cattle operations and and stayability, they can acclimate to a wide range of introduced them to Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle. The climates and regions.”

LeDoux family gave a tour of their ranch, which was the only Gelbvieh and International trips Balancer operation on such as this allow the the schedule and hosted U.S. to welcome cattle he trip allows potential buyers of the group for dinner. The producers from across U.S. genetics to see first-hand the Costa Rican group also the globe to showcase made stops at Angus, Red our beef industry. This cattle we have here in the U.S., and Angus, and Charolais trip was made possible in the process they are able to begin operations; after visiting, through the support of the group continued on to developing relationships that are government departments Montana. and private organizations. critical to doing future business with

T

When asked how do our the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds benefit from a tour like this, Andy LeDoux said, “The Gelbvieh and Balancer cow has an advantage over most beef breeds today. Not only do they have high fertility traits, but

74 | September 2016

cattlemen

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the American International continued on page 76

BACHMAN CATTLE FARMS

GAME CHANGER DISPERSAL

The Entire Gelbvieh Herd Sells.

November 28 Three Cedars Event Center Nevada, Missouri

Featuring the Complete Dispersal of our Gelbvieh/Balancer herd, plus select Red Angus genetics. A truly unique opportunity to acquire Game-Changing genetics of both the Gelbvieh and Red Angus breeds, including Gelbvieh/Balancer females AI’d to top Red Angus bulls or carrying cutting-edge Red Angus embryos. The best of both breeds will be offered in a variety of intriguing genetic combinations.

SELLING MORE THAN 100 LOTS

A Game-Changing event you won’t want to miss.

Herd Sires • Donors • Pairs • Breds Opens • Semen • Embryos

SALE MANAGEMENT: SEEDSTOCK CONSULTANTS SPECIALIZED SALES

2300 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23220 Keith Kissee | Cell: 817/821-6263 Ph: 804/353-2220 | Fax: 804/353-2221 kkseedstock@comcast.net www.kkseedstock.com

SCOTT & SUE BACHMAN 660/247-1112 scott_bachman@yahoo.com BachmanCattleFarms.com 17520 Hwy. JJ, Chillicothe, MO 640601

Feature

continued from page 74

Charolais Association organized the event. In the past, the organizers have sent producers and other beef industry stakeholders to Costa Rica for Americans to learn how cattle are raised in Costa Rica. However, this is the first trip to the U.S. for the Costa Rican cattle producers. KDA has a long history of sponsoring trips to and from other countries including Argentina, Uruguay, and Russia.

W

e feel Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have a place in the global market. The Costa Ricans are looking for a more efficient cow; we feel that the Gelbvieh and Balancer cow can provide that

The goal of the trip was to introduce Costa Ricans to the beef genetics available in the U.S. and provide them with information to take back to their own operations.

“The trip allows potential buyers of U.S. genetics to see first-hand the cattle we have here in the U.S., and in the process they are able to begin developing relationships that are critical to doing future business with our cattlemen,” said Billy Brown, agribusiness development coordinator for KDA, who was instrumental in arranging the trip. “They were able to see that our cattle were able to thrive in hot temperatures and eased their concerns over using European breeds in a tropical climate.”

The LeDouxs and the other cattle operations were chosen based on of not only the interests of the tour participants but also because of the operations’ successful breeding programs.

“We are lucky in Kansas to have so many great ranches for both commercial and seedstock production that we always have a wide variety to choose from,” Brown said.

Danielle LeDoux participated in a trip the KDA organized to Costa Rica this past winter. LeDoux

76 | September 2016

thoroughly enjoyed the trip thought that exposure for the breed she represented was very valuable.

“We feel Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have a place in the global market. The Costa Ricans are looking for a more efficient cow; we feel that the Gelbvieh and Balancer cow can provide that,” Danielle LeDoux said.

When asked why Costa Rica was chosen, in particular, Brown said, “In 2011, staff members from KDA, MDA, and AICA traveled to Costa Rica to evaluate opportunities for future genetic export. Through a collaboration with Costa Rican researchers, they determined there were opportunities to demonstrate enhanced efficiencies in production through the use of U.S. genetics on their Brahman cows, which is what led to the two recent missions to Costa Rica in 2015-2016 and this recent reverse mission. We used a USDA Quality Samples grant to export Charolais and Red Angus semen with which to breed to their Brahman cows. By using the field days to demonstrate the advantages of our genetics, we were able to convince these breeders to come to the U.S.” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey is a strong supporter of the international relationship.

McClaskey says, “Kansas is among the nation’s leaders in cattle and calf production, and respected around the world for our beef production. Opportunities to introduce an international audience to the quality cattle operations in Kansas support the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s commitment to encouraging the growth of the agriculture industry to international markets.”

Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle can survive in a number of different climates. The Southern Balancer® is the perfect option for the Costa Rican cattle producer.

Southern Balancers are Gelbvieh genetics crossed with Angus and Brahman genetics. This combination allows the cattle to tolerate the heat of the tropics more than the straight Bos taurus cattle.

The LeDouxs have set a great example of promoting the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds. Future tour collaborations are planned with Argentina, Uruguay, and Russia through the KDA. Contact KDA for more information on how you can be involved. FF

BULLS FOR SALE Gelbvieh & Balancer® • Red & Black Yearling Bulls • Fall Bulls • Select Older Bulls

AVAILABLE NOW BY PRIVATE TREATY

Contact Brad Ridinger: 303-810-0582 or visit RidingerCattleCo.com

Our breeding program philosophy is to balance growth, carcass and phenotype to produce bulls and females that excel in all environments for our customers. Our bulls are developed so they are ready to go out and do their jobs not only the first breeding season, but for many seasons.

Ridinger Cattle Company

Brad & Carol Ridinger 303-810-0582 www.RidingerCattleCo.com

Grant Thayer, Owner

303-621-2058 Grant@JumpingCowGelbvieh.com

Brad Ridinger, Manager

G E L B V I E H

Office: 719-764-2327 • Cell: 303-810-0582 Brad@JumpingCowGelbvieh.com

Follow us on Facebook for updates at Jumping Cow Gelbvieh and at Ridinger Cattle Co.

Editorial

Understand It’s Worth Before You Give it Away…The Value of Heterosis

By Bob Weaber, Ph.D., Cow-calf Extension Specialist/Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

T

he dramatic changes and volatility cow-calf production system input costs and calf values have many producers wondering about the value of heterosis in today’s beef industry pricing structure. Many producers are seeking ways to improve cow-calf production efficiency and profitability. Profitability may be enhanced by increasing the volume of production (i.e. the pounds of calves you market) and/or the value of products you sell (improving quality). The reduction of production costs, and thus breakeven prices, can also improve profitability. Better yet, improving the input:output ratio should enhance profit. For commercial beef producers, the implementation of technologies and breeding systems that increase the quality and volume of production and reduce input costs is essential to maintain or improve the competitive position of the operation. Some producers are thinking of establishing a more conventional straight breeding system to improve end-product value traits and want to understand the value they are giving up as they sacrifice heterosis, while other producers are considering the establishment of a planned crossbreeding system to capture the value of hybrid vigor. Either way, to make an informed decision, producers need to know the value generated in their herd by heterosis or hybrid vigor.

To fully understand the trade-offs, it is essential to know what it is you sell and how you sell it. The lure of premiums for high quality beef carcasses is appealing; it gets lots of trade publication promotion and it can be profitable. No doubt growing the top-line of the beef value chain and satisfying customers is important. That said, if you are producer that sells calves at weaning you have very limited opportunity to capture the value of selection pressure you place on end-product quality at the expense of other traits or loss in heterosis. It is also true that even if you own the cattle to harvest and are paid on a grid, you only get a fraction of the value of the improvement, albeit bigger than the calf premium. Conversely, the value of heterosis

78 | September 2016

affects every cow on your outfit and it is value that you can capture every year no matter how you sell calves. More importantly, it’s not a $20 or $40 or $60 premium per head you might get for selling calves or carcasses…the heterosis premium is much, much more.

The use of crossbreeding offers two distinct and important advantages over the use of a single breed. First, crossbred animals have heterosis or hybrid vigor. Second, crossbred animals combine the strengths of the parent breeds. The term ‘breed complementarity’ is often used to describe breed combinations that produce highly desirable progeny for a broad range of traits. With useful across breed EPDs and adjustment factors, we can effectively select for improvement in a wide range of traits including carcass traits, while seeking to build environmentally adapted cows that leverage the power and value of heterosis.

Improvements in cow-calf production due to heterosis are attributable to having both a crossbred cow and a crossbred calf. The two tables below detail the individual (crossbred calf) and maternal (crossbred cow) heterosis observed for various important production traits. These heterosis estimates are adapted from a report by Cundiff and Gregory, 1999, and summarize crossbreeding experiments conducted in the South-eastern and Midwest areas of the US. Heterosis generates the largest improvement in lowly heritable traits. Traits such as reproduction and longevity, essential for cow-calf profitability, have low heritability. These traits respond very slowly to selection but heterosis generated through crossbreeding can significantly improve an animal’s performance. The largest economic benefit (roughly 66%) of crossbreeding to commercial producers comes from having crossbred cows (Table 2.) Crossbreeding has been shown to be an efficient method to improve reproductive efficiency and productivity in beef cattle.

J Bar M Gelbvieh’s

GENETIC POWER...

Our cow power producing your BULL POWER.

VER LEE ANN 309M 50% Balancer® Donor Leachman Saugahatchee 3000C x Lee Ann 79D 751G ET Sons selling in Genetic Power Bull Sale sired by Good Night 715T and Watchman.

JEMG SILVER DOLLAR Z645 PB 88% Gelbvieh AI Sire - Homo Polled DCSF Post Rock Silver 233U1 x JEMG Lee Ann 650U AI sire that sold in a past Genetic Power Sale. Selling maternal brothers in our 2017 Genetic Power Sale. Semen available from Hojor Gelbvieh and MMS.

JEMG LEE ANN 650U 75% Balancer® Donor - Homo Polled RUP Lazy TV Hotfudge J357 x Lee Ann 650R Dam of AI sires JEMG Steakhouse and JEMG Silver Dollar Z645.

JEMG STEAKHOUSE Y527 PB 88% Gelbvieh AI Sire - Homo Polled JEB Polled Gizmo x JEMG Lee Ann 650U AI sire bred and raised by J Bar M Gelbvieh. Selling maternal brothers in our 2017 Genetic Power Sale. Semen available from J Bar M Gelbvieh and MMS.

DCSF POST ROCK RHONDA 76S2 PB Gelbvieh Donor - Homo Black KHR 38N x Post Rock Rhonda 250N2 ET Sons selling in 2017 Genetic Power Bull Sale sired by RWG Traction and Hank.

VER LEE ANN 963U 50% Balancer® Donor Leachman Saugahatchee 3000C x Lee Ann 79D 751G ET Sons selling in the Genetic Power Bull Sale.

J BAR M GELBVIEH

Jon & Edna Miller 28760 Norway Rd., Stark City, MO 64866 417-632-4925 home • 417-437-5250 cell Please no Sunday calls!

Watch for our bulls power selling in the Genetic Power Bull Sale on MARCH 11, 2017 in Springfield, MO.

Editorial

A variety of crossbreeding systems yield 20-30% improvements in weaning weight per cow exposed not including the additional value generated through sire selection within breed. This represents a substantial change in output given relatively constant input. Simple examples of a 23% increase in weaning weight per cow exposed using a terminal sire/F1 (two cross) cow can generate $200-250 additional revenue per cow per year. I’m not aware of any set of calves that have generated carcass premiums of $200 premium per cow exposed regardless of breed or grid. In today’s calf prices the value of heterosis for a herd of 100 cows is $20,000 to $25,000 per year and represents a decrease in breakeven costs of more than $35/cwt on 600 lb calves.

A well-constructed crossbreeding system can have positive effects on a ranch’s bottom line by not only increasing the quality and gross pay weight of calves produced but also by increasing the durability and productivity of the cow factory. As you make your decision to straight-breed or cross-breed make sure you don’t give away a couple hundred dollars per cow to make a $20-60 premium per calf sold at market or on the rail when you can go for both! FF

Top of the Breed Bull Sale Saturday, Nov 5, 1:00 PM

Selling 24 Balancers & 20 SimAngus

Adkins Jackpot 903W

Table 1. Individual Heterosis Trait

Units % Heterosis

Calving Rate, %

3.2

4.4

Survival to Weaning, %

1.4

1.9

Birth Weight, lb.

1.7

2.4

Weaning Weight, lb.

16.3

3.9

Yearling Weight, lb.

29.1

3.8

Average Daily Gain, lb./d

0.08

2.6

Table 2. Maternal Heterosis Trait

Units % Heterosis

Calving Rate, %

3.5

3.7

Survival to Weaning, %

0.8

1.5

Birth Weight, lb.

1.6

1.8

Weaning Weight, lb.

18.0

3.9

Longevity, years

1.36

16.2

Lifetime Productivity Number of Calves

.97

17.0

Cumulative Weaning Wt., lb. 600

25.3

Editor’s Note: An extended version of this article was first printed in the July 2016 Gelbvieh World.

80 | September 2016

BHSF Prophet B006

Call For Semen

# 1 Marbling EPD, Balancer / PB #1 YW EPD with CE of 19 or more, Balancer / PB #2 FPI, Balancer / PB

Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull Sale Saturday Nov 5, 1:00 PM Windsor Livestock Auction Windsor Missouri (660) 492-2504 ww www.pbgbulls.org

Saturday, September 24, 2016 • 1:00 PM ET Chenault Ag Center • Mt. Sterling, KY

Selling 7

ling l e S ots L

100

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

CCRO Carolina Molly 2304Z sells bred to Maverick for a fall calf.

She is a full sister to 2301Z who was the 2013 Gelbvieh Heifer Futurity Champion!

7 Sixteen To Eighteen Month Old Bulls Most are Confirmed Homozygous Polled Black & Homozygous Black Bulls Complete Performance Information and EPDs All Have Passed a Breeding Soundness Exam

Selling 90

Gelbvieh & Balancer Females

Donor Prospects Spring Cow/Calf Pairs Fall 3-in-1 Pairs Bred Heifers Show Heifer Prospects

3 Embryo Packages

Semen auction to benefit the Jimmy Christopher Scholarship Fund.

CIRS Eye Candy 2101Z sells bred to Traction for a spring 2017 calf. She was the 2013 NAILE Reserve Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female.

Ms S & S Maverick 868X sells with a High Definition bull calf at side.

Please bring your semen tank and support the Juniors.

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

Sale managed by

Ms Maverick 126Y was the $10,500 high selling pair in the 2015 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational. Her dam sells on September 24!

Slaughter Sale Management Ms Trouble 766S is a powerhouse, Highlight 066K donor. She Sells!

For catalog or information contact:

David Slaughter

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

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

Eldon & Kathy Starr

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

82 | September 2016

Gelbvieh World Advertising Rates STANDARD ISSUES: Full Page $683 1/2 Page $446 1/3 Page $341

2/3 Page 1/2 Page Isand 1/4 Page Column inch

Feb./Sept. Commercial Profit Picture Full Page $743 JR Page 1/2 Page $495 1/3 Page 1/4 Page $303 Column inch Color: Four Color One Additional color

$300 additional $150 additional

$551 $473 $263 $30 $578 $385 $30

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

Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XI & 8th Annual Customer Appreciation Sale!

September 17, 2016 * 1 p.m.

Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO

Selling 95 LOTS of Elite Gelbvieh & Balancer Females Open heifers, Bred heifers Spring & Fall Pairs Picks of the Herd

Bid & Buy at:

CATTLE USA.COM

view the catalog on-line at www.seedstockplus.com view the sale and bid on-line at www.cattleusa.com Request your catalog today! Toll Free Office: 877-486-1160 John Burbank cell: 660-734-1165

Places to Be

September 2016 Sept. 17

Sept. 24

Sept. 24

Sept. 28 Sept. 30

Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XI & 8th Annual Customer Appreciation Sale, Kingsville, MO South Dakota Gelbvieh Association Field Day, Hermosa, SD Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY Eagle Pass Ranch Fall Bull Sale, Dos Palos, CA Entry Deadline for AGA Photo Contest

October 2016 Oct. 3

Oct. 8

Oct. 10 Oct. 15

The American Rancher featuring the American Gelbvieh Association Judd Ranch 26th Annual Cow Power Female Sale, Pomona, KS LeDoux Ranch Future Focus Online Sale Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale, Carthage, MO

November 2016 Nov. 5 TJB Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale,

Chickamauga, GA Nov. 5 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull Sale,

Windsor, MO Nov. 12 C-Cross Cattle Company Fall Bull & Female Sale,

Biscoe, NC Nov. 12 20th Annual HAGA Show-Me Plus Gelbvieh &

Balancer Sale, Springfield, MO Nov.19-20 Triple K Gelbvieh Open House,

Basehor KS Nov. 24-25 AGA Office closed for Thanksgiving Holiday Nov.30-Dec. 2 46th Annual AGA National Convention,

Lincoln, NE

December 2016 Dec. 3 SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Female Sale,

Pierce, CO Dec. 23, 26 AGA Office closed for Christmas Holiday

January 2017 Jan. 1 Jan. 4 Jan. 5 Jan. 7

Jan.7 Jan. 8

Jan. 8

AGA Office closed for New Year’s Day NWSS Cattle arrival, Denver, CO NWSS Cattle check-in, Denver, CO NWSS Gelbvieh & Balancer Junior Show, Denver, CO NWSS Gelbvieh & Balancer Futurity, Denver, CO NWSS Gelbvieh & Balancer Pen Show, Denver, CO NWSS Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale, Denver, CO

84 | September 2016

Jan. 9

NWSS Gelbvieh & Balancer Open Show, Denver, CO

February 2017 Feb. 6

Feb. 11

Feb. 18

Feb. 21 Feb. 23 Feb. 25

Taubenheim Gelbvieh 27th Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE LeDoux Ranch Annual Production Sale, Agenda, KS Overmiller Gelbvieh and Red Angus Production Sale, Smith Center, KS Cedar Top Ranch Bull Sale, Burwell, NE Plateau Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Brush, CO Swanson Cattle Company 30th Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE

March 2017 Mar. 4

Mar. 4

Mar. 4

Mar. 4 Mar. 6

Mar. 7 Mar. 14

Mar. 15 Mar. 16

Mar. 18

Mar. 18

Thorstenson Lazy TV Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Selby, SD Judd Ranch 39th Gelbvieh, Balancer and Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 28th Annual Bull Sale, Ponteix, Saskatchewan, Canada Hilltop Farms Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO Hojer Ranch 25th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Huron, SD SEGA Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Pierce, CO Bar Arrow Cattle Company 27th Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS Eagle Pass Ranch Spring Bull Sale, Highmore, SD Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls, MT Midwest Beef Cattle Consultants, Brooks Farms, Inc., Ertel Cattle and Unsicker Farms 14th Annual Open House and Bull Sale, Carthage, Indiana Pearson Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Lake City, SD

Mar. 18 22nd Annual Central Montana Gelbvieh and

Angus Genetics Bull Sale, Lewistown, MT Mar. 25 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull Sale,

Windsor, MO Visit the online version of Places to Be at www.gelbvieh.org for additional dates on upcoming sales and more information on each event.

Editor’s Note: If you have sale or event information for this listing, please email the information to megans@gelbvieh.org. This includes tours, expos, field days and other Gelbvieh events. Places to Be at www.gelbvieh. org contains additional contact information for each event.

BULL & FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE Saturday, November 12, 2016 • 12:30 PM (EST) • At the Ranch, Biscoe, NC

EHE MS TWILA’S FOCUS W607 50% Balancer Donor MYTTY In Focus x DCSF Post Rock Twila 223M2 Selling sons of W607 with performance and carcass.

CCRO FORTUNE IN FOCUS 8361U 50% Balancer Donor MYTTY In Focus x JBOB 2564J Selling Choice of ET daughters sired by Peoples Choice Balancer Bull Futurity winner, DLW Edison.

CCRO ANOTHER MAN’S GOLD 0300X 75% Balancer Donor HYEK Black Impact 3960N x CCRO Fortune in Focus Selling a daughter sired by Carolina Exclusive 1230Y.

JCGR BAR GT COLTON 292X 63% Balancer Sire Homo Polled RID R Collateral 2R x Ms Perri B 2010R Selling sons and daughters of this proven sire.

CCRO EXCLUSIVE 1230Y Purebred Gelbvieh Sire Homo Black Homo Polled DCSF Post Rock Silver 233U1 x CCRO Ms C-Cross EC 7309T Selling sons and daughters with excellent performance and high carcass values.

CCRO LEVERAGE 3214A Purered Gelbvieh Sire Homo Black Homo Polled Lazy TV Sam x Dam: CCRO Belle of the Ball 1309Y Selling the first progeny of the $100,000 Leverage Sire.

100 LOTS SELL 50 GELBVIEH, BALANCER® AND ANGUS BULLS SELLING CHOICE OF 50 GELBVIEH, BALANCER® AND ANGUS BRED HEIFERS SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, owners Phone: 336-381-3640 Mobile: 336-964-6277 Fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com

www.mms.bz REGISTER AND BID LIVE ONLINE

Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371 Randy Sienknecht 319-290-3763 2262 C Avenue, Gladbrook, IA 50635

LiveAuctions TV

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF GELBVIEH & BALANCER®

GENETICS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

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3 G Ranch............................................65 ABCS Gelbvieh...................................64 Adkins Gelbvieh.......................... 64, 67 AGA.............................................. 49, 63 B/F Cattle Company...........................56 Bachman Cattle Farms................ 56, 83 Bar Arrow Cattle Company..............56 Bar IV Livestock.................................73 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc..........................71 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch.................64 Blackhawk Cattle Company..............65 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational........81 Boehler Gelbvieh................................57 Bolton Cattle Ranch...........................71 Bow K Ranch............................... 47, 71 Brandywine Farm...............................64 Bull Barn Genetics....................... 18, 82 Burbank Cattle Co..............................27 BV Ranch.............................................64 Canadian GV Assn.............................82 Cattlemen’s Connection................ 5, 82 C-Cross Cattle Company........... 73, 85 Cedar Top Ranch.......................IFC, 57 Chimney Butte Ranch........................64 Circle S Ranch.....................................56 CJ&L Livestock............................ 22, 65 Cranview Gelbvieh...................... 59, 64 Cunningham, Ronn...........................82 Danell Diamond Six Ranch...............71 DDM Gelbvieh....................................65 Diamond L Farms..............................69 Diamond V Gelbvieh.........................56 Dobson Ranch....................................62 Dromgoole’s Heaven..........................69 Eagle Pass Ranch................................65 Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch.....65 Flying H Genetics.......................57, BC Golden Buckle Gelbvieh................... 64 Green Hills Gelbvieh..........................73 GS Ridge Top Ranch................... 53, 64 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh..........64 HAGA Show-Me Sale........................61 Hampton Cattle Company......... 36, 73 Harriman Santa Fe...................... 56, 80

86 | September 2016

Hart Farm Gelbvieh.............. 24, 25, 56 Hartland Farm....................................56 Hilltop Farms............................... 39, 56 Hodges Ranch.....................................69 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch........... 55, 65, 67 J&K Farm.............................................65 J Bar M Gelbvieh......................... 56, 79 Judd Ranch, Inc. ........................... 1, 56 Jumping Cow Gelbvieh......................77 Kenyon Cattle LLC...................... 21, 53 KG Gelbvieh........................................36 Kicking Horse Ranch............ 30, 40, 71 Kittle Gelbvieh Farms........... 44, 45, 69 Knoll Crest Farm................................73 Koehn Cattle Co.................................69 Land of Oz/ John C Oswald..............56 Lambert, Doak....................................82 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh........................71 LeDoux Ranch............................ 56, 88 Lemke Cattle.......................................57 Leonhardt Cattle Company...............65 Linquist Farms....................................64 Little Pines Farm.................................37 Little Windy Hill Farms.....................73 Lone Oak Cattle........................... 11, 64 Longleaf Station..................................73 M&P Gelbvieh....................................57 M&W Farms.......................................73 Maple Hill Farm..................................65 Markes Family Farms............ 36, 66, 69 Martens Gelbvieh........................ 53, 64 Martin Cattle Company.............. 36, 69 Mattison Family Farm.......................64 Merck Animal Health........................41 Middle Creek Farms..........................71 Miller Gelbvieh...................................69 Mitchell Marketing Service........ 82, 85 MLM Gelbvieh............................. 30, 57 Mulroy Farms......................................56 Murray Farms.....................................33 Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh.....................71 Nowack Cattle Company...................57 Pearson Cattle Company...................70 Plateau Gelbvieh.......................... 30, 71

Post Rock Cattle Company.......... 7, 56 Pot of Gold Bull Sale..........................30 Poverty Hill Farms.............................69 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh...........................9 Professional Beef Genetics................80 Rafter R Gelbvieh...............................53 Raile Gelbvieh.....................................30 Register Farms....................................73 Ridinger Cattle Co..............................77 Rippe Gelbvieh............................. 29, 30 Rocking GV Gelbvieh........................57 Rocky Top Gelbvieh...........................73 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh....... 3, 57 Russell Family Livestock....................65 Sandy Knoll Farm...............................66 Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay......71 Schafer Farms, Inc..............................64 Seedstock Plus Genetics....................82 Seedstock Plus..................14, 15, 82, 83 SEGA Gelbvieh...................................32 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale...................17 Spring Flood Ranch...........................57 Swanson Cattle Company.......... 57, 87 Swenson Gelbvieh....................... 64, 67 Tabor’s 4T Ranch................................52 Taubenheim Gelbvieh................. 23, 57 The 88 Ranch.......................................57 Thorstenson Gelbvieh................. 19, 65 TJB Gelbvieh.......................................35 Treble W Ranch..................................73 Triple H Farms....................................64 Triple K Gelbvieh......................... 31, 56 Volek Ranch................................. 65, 67 Warner Beef Genetics ....................IBC White Oak Farms...............................57 Wildwood Acres.................................65 Wilkinson Gelbvieh...........................71 Wolf Gelbvieh.....................................57 Wyatt Farms........................................69 Wyndemere Farm LLC......................73 Yoder’s Prairie Acres................... 62, 65

Making the cowman kind...

It’s the tradition Our tradition is breeding balanced cattle that work for our customers. Bulls sound on their feet and legs with performance. Females that bring in big calves at weaning and are easy fleshing. Feedlot cattle that gain and grade.

HOME RAISED HEIFERS 3 YEAR CLOSEOUT AVERAGE • 96.7% Choice or Better • 48% CAB • Dry Matter Conversion: 6.0 • ADG: 3.36 • 64.2% Yield • Premiums = $5.21/CWT above market

30th Annual Production Sale February 25, 2017 Jeff Swanson

Ranch visitors always welcome!

308/337-2235 • 308/991-0727 (C) 10908 724 Rd. • Oxford, NE 68967 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com

Annual Production Sale SATURDAY, FEB. 11, 2017

means

beef

EGL LIFELINE B101 His first sons sell !

REG. #: 1298079 S A V FINAL ANSWER 0035 ESTELLE X014

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AHL FLAshbAck 446B

His first sons sell !

REG. #: 1667094 PZC TMAs FIRESTORM 1800 ET AHL DUCHEsS 42W

X

visit our new website --

www.ledouxranch.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK

GELBVIEH | BALANCER | RED ANGUS ANDy, DANIElLE, JW & JADy LEDoux DUStiN & TANNER AHERiN 365 AgENDA LANE | AgENDA, KS 66930

785.527.3188 - ANDy | 785.364.5999 - DANIElLE | 785.302.1252 - DUStiN

GeneticOPPORTUNITIES WARNER BEEF GENETICS

Female Production Sale

Saturday, October 1, 2016 • 1:00 PM ( CST ) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE DLW MS MATRON 4630B

63% Balancer® Donor, Homozygous Polled CTR Sandhills 0065X x DLM Ms Matron 802U She sells, as well as several maternal ET sisters.

BEA 7200T

50% Balancer® Donor Homozygous Polled EXAR Pay Stubb 405S x BEA 9094J She sells.

DLW 0318X

50% Balancer® Donor, Homozygous Polled GAR Predestined x FHG 318M She sells and a daughter sells. Top 1% for marbling.

Dam of AI sire DLW White Sands.

DLW 550C

50% Balancer® Female Homozygous Polled CTR Sandhills 0065X x DLW Ms Destiny 318X ET She sells and her donor dam sells. A maternal sister to DLW White Sands, AI sire.

K0131

Angus Donor GAR Predestined x GAR 14078 New Design 1063.

She sells and her daughters sell.

Please Join Us for this elite female offering.

70 GELBVIEH & BALANCER® FEMALES

120 Females Sell 50 GELBVIEH INFLUENCED COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service

www.mms.bz

Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371 Randy Sienknecht 319-290-3763 2262 C Avenue • Gladbrook, IA 50635

WARNER BEEF GENETICS Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922 Dan Warner: 308.962.6511 Monte Warner: 308.962.6136 Darren Warner: 308.824.2950 www.warnerbeef.com

Focused On The Future ... By Focusing on Families!

FAMILY SUCCESS DEPENDS ON GOOD CHOICES! FESCUE ADAPTED, QUALITY GUARANTEED BULLS ARE A GOOD CHOICE!

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CHOOSE FROM SUPERIOR GENETIC FAMILIES OCTOBER 22 AT THE BULL BARN EAST OF BUTLER, MO. Helping Build Family Successes Since 1949!

OUR FAMILY’S FOCUS ON PRODUCING AND REPRODUCING ONLY SUPERIOR GENETICS HELPS BUILD OUR CUSTOMERS SUCCESSES.

www.FLYINGHGENETICS.com

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Call, Text, email or click on our web site for more information

The Tradition Continues...

FLYING H GENETICS Aaron Ishmael, MO 417.309.0062 Cody & Casie Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Kyle & Kayla Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500

BALANCER ® | GELBVIEH | SIMANGUS TM | SIMMENTAL | ANGUS | FUSION TM | HEREFORD