September 2017 Profit Picture

American Gelbvieh Association 350 Interlocken Blvd. Suite 200 Broomfield, CO 80021

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID

Columbia MO Permit No. 353

Targeted Feeder Calf Marketing Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ: Setting Industry Standards

September 2017 | www.GELBVIEH.org

In this Issue:

Cedar Top ranCh Covers all the Bases in the Beef Industry Red River Bull Sale

Nebraska Bull Sale

100 Age Advantage Balancer Bulls Saturday, November 18, 2017 Wichita Falls, TX

Selling 200 Coming 2-year-old Balancer Bulls Third Tuesday of February.

February 20, 2018 Burwell, NE

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr

212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-587-2293 • 308-530-3900 (C) email: cedartopranch@yahoo.com

27th Annual Judd Ranch

Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus

Cow Power Female Sale

Saturday, October 14 • 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 18 of the past 19 years (1998-2016) as the breeds #1 Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction breeder and owner.

Plus cows that produced 278 bulls that sold in our March bull sale, with an 82 lb. average birth weight/883 lb. average weaning weight.

Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 14, 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

Contents NEWS

FEATURES Defined Success with Gelbvieh Influence

6

Cowherd profitability depends on many factors. See how the Gelbvieh influence can positively impact ranchers’ bottom lines. By Rebecca Mettler Over the Fence with Kurt Johnson

10

The Johnson family shares their rich ranching history and provides a great example for other producers to learn from. By Tom Strahm Productive Females for the Long Term

Japan Slaps Tariff on U.S. Beef

40

IGS Feeder Profit Calculator

52

Measure the Ways Crossbreeding Pays

66

National Beef Quality Audit

80

26

Learn how to increase the likelihood of herd success with this year’s replacement females. By Rebecca Mettler Good Bulls Don’t Cost, They Pay

28

An in-depth look at the economics of buying high-quality bulls. By Kari White Enhanced Feeder Calf Marketing Current market factors and calf quality impact feeder calf value. See how to more successfully market your feeder calves this fall. By Rebecca Mettler

36

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION The Profit Picture is the commercially-focused tabloid publication published February and September 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.

Name_________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City, State, Zip: _________________________________ On the cover: Photo taken by Angela Vesco

2 | September 2017

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Contents IN EVERY ISSUE

EDITORIAL Plan for the Future

By Scott Starr, AGA President Back to the Basics: The Quick-list for Understanding EPDs

By Kari White

14

Contact Us

4

Fast Facts

22

Places to Be

84

16

Ad Index 86

A Demanding Modern Industry

By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director

20

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS

The Thermostat or the Thermometer?

By Angela Vesco

24

Southern Breeders

50

So I Bought a Registered Bull... Now What?

By Kim Rounds

32

Midwest Breeders

58-59

Upper Midwest Breeders

64-65

A Foundation for the Future

By Aubree Beenken

34

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) Angela Vesco Director of Breed Growth angelav@gelbvieh.org (ex. 484) Kari White Genetic Programs Coordinator kario@gelbvieh.org (ex. 483)

Kim Rounds Data Services Specialist kim@gelbvieh.org (ex. 482) Taylor Evans Member and Youth Programs Coordinator taylor@gelbvieh.org (ex. 481)

4 | September 2017

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) Tom Strahm Commercial Marketing Director tom@gelbvieh.org 785-547-7999

Northeast Breeders

65

Southeast Breeders

68

Western Breeders

74

Service Center

78

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Scott Starr, President (2016) Stapleton, NE • 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net Andy LeDoux, V. President (2015) Agenda, KS • 785-732-6564 ledouxranch@hotmail.com

Duane Strider, Secretary (2015) Asheboro, NC • 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com Walter Teeter, Treasurer (2017) Mt. Ulla, NC • 704-236-7980 waltert@republicrefrigeration.com

DIRECTORS John Carrel (2017) Columbus, MT • 406-322-5991 lauriecarrel@live.com

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

Leland Clark (2017) Barnard, KS • 785-792-6244 prcc@twinvalley.net

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

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

Klint Sickler (2017) Gladstone, ND • 701-483-5250 klintsickler@hotmail.com

Doug Hughes (2017) Max Meadows, VA • 276-620-4271 lwhf@wiredog.com

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

Andrea Murray (2016) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net Neal Pearson (2015) Lake City, SD • 605-470-0448 njpearson@venturecomm.net

Jeff Swanson (2016) Oxford, NE • 308-290-3763 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com

Feature

Defined Success with Gelbvieh Influence

By Rebecca Mettler

W

hat does it mean to raise a productive cow? Does she have to have a calf every year, produce a calf that meets or exceeds your expectations at weaning and breed back each season without fail? Chances are you answered yes to each of these questions and maybe even require a little bit more out of your cowherd.

Profitability on the farm or ranch starts with the cow.

Selecting the right cow for the environment plays heavily into the success of a cowherd. A cow that cannot maintain her body condition with the resources available has a greater probability of being open when the vet comes to pregnancy check. And every producer knows, an open cow is not a profitable cow.

Adding body condition to thin cows before breeding also requires more feed resources and more money.

Instead, having a moderate-sized cow that will maintain herself on forage and minimal supplementation is a goal that most cow-calf operations can get behind.

The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center data shows Gelbvieh females have the most moderate mature cow size of the four major Continental cattle breeds.

Producers across the country are finding the benefit of Gelbvieh and Balancer®-influenced females as a part of their breeding program to maintain a moderate framed female without forfeiting calf performance.

“Between 1,250 to 1,350 is the cull weight on our cows and we’ve gotten to where we are selling 900-pound calves at 10 months of age,” said Bill Far of XA Cattle, near Moorefield, Nebraska. “Why we choose Balancers is because cow efficiency is number one. They are low maintenance, whether it’s from the work end of it, or the feed end of it, they are really efficient.”

Maternal efficiency equates to maternal profitability.

Efficiency in the cowherd encompasses many factors.

Reproductive productivity and genetics are two key factors of maternal efficiency. For years, Gelbvieh and Balancer seedstock suppliers have been providing producers with genetics that directly impact economic efficiency.

Commercial producers who have been raising Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have witnessed substantial improvements in fertility and longevity of the cowherd while seeing increases in weaning weight coupled with low to moderate birth weights.

Bill Tucker, Tucker Farms, Amherst, Virginia, is quick to point out the ability for his Gelbvieh-influenced females to maintain their reproductive status, when stressed, better than any of the other breeds that they raise. This becomes very important during times of drought. His Gelbviehinfluenced females can maintain fertility at a full body condition score less than other breeds.

“That in and of itself doesn’t only translate to her longevity, but also her economic efficiency in times when we don’t perhaps have the ideal inputs, but we don’t have animals falling out of the system,” Tucker said.

Cow-calf producers need to raise cows with staying power. Selecting genetics with built-in stayability is something that will provide a good return on investment for cattle producers.

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) publishes

6 | September 2017

Program Genetics FEBRUARY 28, 2018

WITH INDUSTRY FOCUS

COWMAN’S KIND BULL AND FEMALE SALE BARNARD, KS

Among the most popular and high selling bulls in the 2017 sale was thus Basin Payweight son that combined a 97 BW, 103 WW, 114 YW, 116 IMF and 105 REA ratio’s. We will again have a large Payweight sire group to choose from.

Many 10X sons and grandsons sell in the annual “Cowman’s Kind” sale including bulls like this 10X X 7309T ET son that sold in the 2017 sale. Many ET sons of elite donors out of industry leading sires sell that represent our focus on having calving ease, performance, eye appeal and carcass genetics.

The tradition continues of selling every sound 6 year old cow as a sale highlight. This Connealy Industry X 223M2 daughter is an example of the power packed females that not only sell but are also the dam’s of the bulls selling.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH... Love your wife,

forgive your kids and do neither for your cows.

Former high seller in the 2015 sale. Power Built will have an awesome purebred and high percentage Balancer sire group in this year’s sale, both red and black. These bulls have the added rib, muscle and fleshing ability that’s hard to find.

A new and exciting sire group this year will be the Young Gun sons. Simply put come and expect the best and you won’t be disappointed.

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

Feature

a stayablity EPD that predicts the genetic difference, in terms of percent profitability, that a bull’s daughters will stay productive within a herd to at least six years of age.

According to a study (Brigham and Enns), Gelbvieh females in the AGA registry have more success staying in the herd at six years of age compared to females in the American Simmental Association and Red Angus Association of America registries.

Gelbvieh Influence Beyond the Cow Gelbvieh cattle are not only known for their maternal capabilities, but also for post-weaning growth. Combine the Gelbvieh breed’s positive post-weaning traits with the power of heterosis gained by crossbreeding, and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with.

The advantage of crossbreeding is apparent both in the feedyard and on the rail. Balancer bulls have the ability to increase carcass weights, and the industry demanded quality grades without sacrificing yield.

“If you are looking for calves that go to the feedyard,

8 | September 2017

in my experience, these composite calves grade well from a quality grade standpoint, and they also have favorable yield,” according to Wesley Welch, president and CEO of Spade Ranches, Lubbock, Texas.

Tucker uses Gelbvieh influence to add carcass weight, which is an important trait for him since his operation has been finishing out their steers for the last 22 years.

“We still get paid by the pound. Gelbvieh adds ribeye area, gainability and feed efficiency, which are all things we find highly valuable,” Tucker said.

Gelbvieh and Balancer seedstock suppliers are working hard to provide the industry with genetics to meet modern beef industry demands from the cow-calf to packer sectors. FF Sources: Brigham, B.W., Speidel, S.E., Enns, R.M., Garrick, D.J. (2007) Stayability to Alternate Ages Meat Animal Research Center Progress Report #22

Thorstenson’s Lazy TV Ranch Home of some of the Breed’s Top Genetics!

Super Maternal Great Disposition

Breed-Leading Performance

Calving Ease

37th Annual Production Sale Saturday, March 3, 2018 Selling 200 Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Angus Bulls

Like us on Facebook at Lazy TV Ranch

Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus

12980 Cedar Rd., Selby, SD 57472

Vaughn & Wendy

Brian & DeDee

605/649-6262 605/649-9927 Fax: 605/649-7361 • E-mail: vwthor@sbtc.net

www.BalancerBulls.com

Over the Fence

Over the Fence with Kurt Johnson

By Tom Strahm

K

urt Johnson is part of a multi-generational ranching family that runs a commercial cow-calf operation in north central Nebraska. Kurt is the fourth generation of Johnsons to ranch near Stuart, Nebraska, dating back to 1929. The family’s ranching roots run just as deep on his mother, Twila’s side of the family. Twila’s grandfather, Walter K. Smith, started out with Herefords in 1941.

Today, the family runs approximately 500 commercial cows, and utilizes Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics to help accomplish their beef production goals. The operation raises hay and enough forages to maintain the cowherd.

Twila and her husband, Ron Wherley, are still involved as Twila does all the recordkeeping and bookwork for the operation.

Over the Fence

found in these cows while maintaining performance and growth in their calf crop.

What are some of the advantages to the crossbred cow with Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics?

These cows can raise a good calf every year, and breed back with minimal inputs. A short calving season is very important on Johnsons’ operation.

Johnson family (l to r): Kurt, Amber, Paul, Mikayla, Twila and Ron Wherley Kurt’s children, Amber and Paul, are also returning to the ranch, becoming the fifth generation on the land.

Amber graduated from Wayne State, and is currently teaching junior high science and coaching athletics in Norfolk, Nebraska. Amber enjoys coming home to help during weaning, working calves, and moving cows.

Paul has recently returned to the ranch full time with his new bride Mikayla. Paul graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Paul is now working alongside Kurt to complete the daily responsibilities of running a ranch and raising cattle.

When and why did you start using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics?

“We started using 75 percent Gelbvieh bulls in 1994.

We had been using terminal cross sires on our cows, but we wanted to start keeping our home-raised heifers as replacement females,” Kurt said.

Kurt and Twila agree that there were many attributes of the Gelbvieh breed that led them to begin using Gelbvieh bulls. Fertility, maternal ability, longevity, and docility are all very important traits in a mother cow.

These females have good udder quality, but the Johnsons also wanted cows with moderate mature size and weight.

They have been very happy with the results they have

“We start calving in mid-March, and will be 85 percent done calving in 21 days. We are completely finished calving

by May 1. We wean our calves in October. Weaning weights are collected and recorded for each individual calf. The calves are taken home for weaning and backgrounding. The cows run on corn stalks from November through January. We pregnancy check all of our cows in the fall. Maternal ability, fertility, and longevity are all very important to us,” Kurt said.

Structural soundness is another requirement. The furthest summer pasture is 23 miles from home. The Johnson family has a two day cattle drive to move cows to stalk fields near the ranch headquarters after the calves are weaned. “Feet and legs are important. These cows have to be able to walk.”

What decisions make up your calf weaning and marketing strategies?

“We wean and vaccinate all of our calves. The calves are then backgrounded on a growing ration of wet distillers, homegrown roughage, and rolled corn. We want to grow and develop the calves, and add some frame but keep the cattle in desirable body condition for potential buyers.” The steers are sold at Bassett Livestock Auction in Bassett, Nebraska, and are usually marketed in January weighing 700-800 pounds.

Approximately 40 to 50 heifer calves are selected to be kept as replacements. The rest of the heifer calves are sold in mid-February.

Shane Kaczor, co-owner of Bassett Livestock Auction, explains that a large portion of the females are bought by other commercial cattle producers as replacements.

“I sort the heifers for sale as potential replacements how I would want to buy them,” Kaczor said.

“More of these heifers are sold as replacements than are sold as feeders,” says Twila. In recent years, replacement heifers have been sold into six states. Kurt

The Profit Picture | 11

Over the Fence

keeps in contact with the buyers and has numerous repeat customers.

What traits are important to you when selecting bulls, and how do EPDs influence your decisions?

The family tries to buy top-end bulls and wants each one to be a complete package. Semen is collected on several bulls the family uses as commercial herd sires, and thus these bulls are being used in seedstock operations as well. Johnsons look for moderate framed, heavy muscled, structurally sound bulls and evaluate the EPDs on each individual.

“We want bulls with moderate birth weight EPDs because we don’t want calving problems. We have to start with a live calf! We also want bulls with moderate maternal EPDs because these Gelbvieh and Balancer females are good milkers,” Paul said. “We look for bulls with good weaning weights because growth and

DOBSON RANCH

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

12 | September 2017

Dobson Ranch

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

performance are important to us. We don’t want to buy bulls with extremely high yearling weight EPDs because we want to maintain moderate mature sized cows.”

The Johnsons buy bulls that are between 18 and 24 months old. They are maintained on hay with salt and mineral. Bulls are given breeding soundness exams in the spring before being turned out with the cows.

What are some of your goals for the future?

Kurt and Paul have a couple of things in mind for future improvement of the herd.

“We would like to start a fall-calving herd. Also, we would like to start keeping more of the heifers, breed them, and then sell as bred replacement females,” Kurt said.

The family believes in continual improvement towards increased uniformity and consistency of their calf crop.

Like most ranching families, Twila’s primary goal is to continue passing the ranch on to future generations. FF

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

Editorial from the Board Plan for the Future

By Scott Starr, AGA President

A

ll of us in the cattle business own a pickup and we all have a “breed” (make) that we prefer to the others. However, there are some of us out there that believe owning the perfect ranch truck is only accomplished by combining parts and pieces of each of the major pickup brands: GM, Ford, and Dodge.

For example, my dad has a love for an ’87 Chevrolet pickup retrofitted with a 12-valve Cummins and the lock-out hubs off a Ford. He has made several of these relics and they hold up better than any of the “straightbred” pickups we have in use today on the ranch.

and/or bred on time. Producing young females that don’t get bred is like cutting the jugular vein on any operation; there is only so much time before you bleed out. Simply put, the Gelbvieh cattle were keeping us in the ranching business and they flourished through the ‘80s. Many of you who made it through the ‘80s know how tough times were. This instilled in me at a young age the importance of cow fertility and its impact on the ranch’s bottom line.

This same analogy can, and is used in the cattle business: it’s called crossbreeding. imply put, the Gelbvieh cattle were keeping us On our own operation in the ‘70s, we tried in the ranching business and they flourished many breeds and ended up with the Gelbvieh crosses (Balancer®) because they were the through the ‘80s. Many of you who made it ones that got bred early and stayed bred. through the ‘80s know how tough times were.

We wanted to like the Simmentals, but the winter of ’78-‘79 took many of them out and the durability of the Gelbvieh cattle simply took over. This trend continued to weed out the other experimental breeds Couple the fertility of the Gelbvieh breed with their and the total functionality of the Gelbvieh-influenced ability to raise a big calf you must include them in your cattle continued to excel. The Gelbvieh influence rose crossbreeding program. After all, pounds pay! Many to the top, first and foremost, by providing us efficient breeds will put pounds on the scale but none of them reproduction, which is essential for profitability in any have maternal strengths or fertility that compares to the operation. It is well established among cattle producers Gelbvieh breed. As the world population continues to who have experience raising Gelbvieh cattle that grow, we all have an obligation to provide more pounds Gelbvieh genetics offer the most fertility. The Gelbvieh on raw resources and we have found the Gelbvieh to breed has been a leader in helping further identify do this the best without much extra supplementation. I superior cattle for fertility and maternal efficiency. The think this is of utmost critical importance in the future.

American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) was the first to Hay and feed that is produced on the ranch has an come out with the $COW index, which incorporates all opportunity cost associated with it and if cattle can do it of the major components of reproduction: stayability without extra, they will lower input costs and maintain (ST), heifer pregnancy (HP), and 30-month pregnancy production, which equals more profit. I often say “corn (PG30). I hear many straightbred cattle breeders helps the cattle that can’t help themselves.” Use cattle complaining about their two year olds not getting bred

S

14 | September 2017

Editorial from the Board

that convert grass to pounds the most efficiently with the least amount of supplementation. However, never use genetics that are so low input that they keep you out of the profitably picture and buyer acceptance.

The other avenue of profit is how well cattle are accepted by the buyer. If you have watched the video auctions over the past two years, Balancer cattle have been on the top end of all cattle selling. At this summer’s Superior Livestock sale in Breckenridge, Colorado, Balancer cattle topped every weight division. Clearly, the feeders are wanting crossbred cattle and specifically Balancer cattle. Furthermore, all the closeouts I have seen

by Balancer cattle have been over 90 percent Choice or higher and 80 percent Yield Grade 1 and 2’s. Plus, if you feed cattle you know it is really how they yield and most of them are 63-66 percent. That pays the bills!

Gelbvieh or Balancer cattle complement genotypically better than any other Continental breed. Feel free to contact a Gelbvieh breeder or two in your area to discuss what has worked for their operation and for their customers in a given environment. We all know we don’t have the same environment and sometimes tweaking is the most profitable. Either way, if you buy Gelbvieh or Balancer bulls, your profit outlook will enlarge.

Reproduction, pounds and acceptance generate your ability to stay in business. And as always, hustle until you don’t have to introduce yourself. FF

This brings me to my point at the beginning: plan your future. If you have not already done so, you need to source some Gelbvieh or Balancer bulls. The facts are there – they are the most profitable to any ranching operation. Regardless of your cowherd base, the

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continues to be the production of high quality females...

If you are looking for a few replacements, or to upgrade your herd, our family invites you to come take a look!

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The Profit Picture | 15

Staff Editorial

Back to Basics: The Quick-List for Understanding EPDs

By Kari White

W

ith modern genetic evaluation constantly changing to include cutting-edge technology and novel sources of information on millions of animals with thousands of information points each, understanding expected progeny differences (EPDs) can sometimes feel like a moving target.

Luckily for the beef producer, there are some things about using EPDs for genetic selection that remain constant.

What an EPD means Simply put, an EPD is a prediction of how the progeny of an animal will differ from the mean performance of all progeny. In other words, an EPD tells us what part of an animal’s own performance it will pass down to its progeny.

For example, if a sire has a +1 for birth weight, we can expect his progeny to average 1 pound heavier at birth than the average birth weight. It is important to remember that the average for all EPDs is not 0, but rather is specific to the trait. The take-home point to remember is that EPDs tell us the performance of an animal as a parent relative to other animals that might be parents.

Where the information comes from Data used to create EPDs still comes from the animal’s own performance, its pedigree, and its progeny.

Performance points such as weight, carcass information, and calving information are used in the National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) to create EPDs for an animal each time.

If more information, such as extra weights or progeny gets added, that information will be factored into the calculation and the EPD will change. In recent years genomic information has been added as an additional piece of information on an animal, similar to adding extra progeny records. While genomic data is a wonderful tool to quickly add accuracy to EPDs, performance data is as vital as ever and should continue to be recorded.

Contemporary groups Since EPDs tell us the performance as a parent of one animal compared to another, it’s important to make sure

16 | September 2017

we are comparing animals fairly and accurately. To do this, animals are put in contemporary groups, which are groups of animals that have been performing in a similar environment. Contemporary groups are comprised of animals of similar age, the same sex, and have been managed the same. Grouping animals this way allows animals across herds, or even different years in the same herd, to be compared accurately.

Performance, ratios, and EPDs, oh my!

Looking at a catalog on sale day can sometimes be overwhelming because of the amount of information available. Between actual performance data (e.g. weaning weights), ratios, and EPDs all for the same trait, what should a buyer use? That all comes down to the amount of information included in each calculation. Actual performance data such as weights only tell us the animal’s performance for a trait, without taking environment into account. Without accounting for environment effects, performance is difficult to compare between animals. Ratios use more information, comparing an animal’s actual performance to that of its contemporaries.

Using ratios we can fairly compare animals of the same age, sex, and management. Ratios do not allow us to compare animals across herds, or even across years in the same herd.

EPDs use much more information, including the animal’s own performance, pedigree data, and progeny data. Contemporary grouping also allows us to use EPDs to compare animals across years and herds. So if you’re looking to minimize risk by using the most information to buy a bull, use an EPD! Below is a listing of all AGA EPDs and indexes with definitions:

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.

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

Markes Family Farms REGISTERED PUREBRED GELBVIEH FALL PRIVATE TREATY OFFERING

V 125 PUREBRED BULLS V Quantity

Age

Birth Date

Price

4 34 37 50

24 months 19 months 12 months 7 months

Sept./Oct. of 2015 Feb./March 2016 Sept./Oct. 2016 Feb./March 2017

$1800 $1800 $1800 $1500

A great selection of Registered Purebred Gelbvieh Bulls

V 18 PUREBRED HEIFERS V Quantity

Age

Birth Date

Price

18

12 months

Sept./Oct. 2016

$1500

These are old enough to breed this fall.

They will make an excellent set of cows!

Our 250+ purebred Gelbvieh cows produce an excellent set of cattle that we can offer to you.

Our herd is the product of 38 years of careful Gelbvieh breeding and we invite you to come take a look.

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

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

Whenever you think of Gelbvieh Cattle, think of

Markes Family Farms Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder

Staff Editorial

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.

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.

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

18 | September 2017

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.

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 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.

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

female PRIVATE TREATY Opportunity J Bar M Gelbvieh

J Bar M Gelbvieh of offering a private treaty opportunity to pick any five females from our herd that have the JEMG herd prefix. The gates are open for a first come first serve selling of five J Bar M Gelbvieh females with donors included. Opportunity offers many females from our ET Program and the donor females pictured below with JEMG prefix.

JEMG LEE ANN 650U

Homozygous Polled 75% Donor. Dam of JEMG Steakhouse and JEMG Silver Dollar Included in this private treaty offering.

DCSF POST ROCK RHONDA 76S2

Homozygous Black Purebred Donor.

Daughters included in this private treaty offering.

JEMG PRETTY WOMAN Y536ET

Homozygous Polled Purebred Donor.

Included in this private treaty offering.

VER LEE ANN 309M

Black Polled 50% Balancer Donor.

Daughters included in this private treaty offering.

VER LEE ANN 963U

Black Polled 50% Balancer Donor.

Daughters included in this private treaty offering.

Give us a call today for a complete listing of JEMG females offered for sale.

JEMG MISS LIBERTY A698

Homozygous Polled Purebred Female.

Included in this private treaty offering.

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 bull power selling in the Genetic Power Bull Sale on MARCH 10, 2018 in Springfield, MO.

Editorial from the Corner Office A Demanding Modern Industry

By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director

T

he third habit defined in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” bestselling book for personal and business training by Steven Covey is to “Put First Things First.” In other words, schedule the priorities that align with your goals and strategies that allow you to manage life and your business at the highest possible level.

Each morning, my daily routine includes reading agriculture news headlines and the stories that follow or at least the stories that seem to have relevance and/or interest. In my reading I have uncovered one irrefutable fact: the world’s beef industry has become very complex and full of potential distractions.

A great many headlines that we read every day are market and trade centric, which is of course, an important component of any business. Great strides have been taken in global beef trade. China, after a 14-year resistance, has again opened its border for trade and Japan’s regulations and tariffs continue to evolve. Trade and markets may also be impacted as our nation’s leaders revisit the North American Free Trade Agreement. Cattle markets cycle along with other commodity markets, which always lends weight to each producer’s annual marketing and sales decisions.

Government regulations impacting U.S. farmers and ranchers are continually making the headlines.

Considerations take place for rules regarding issues such as Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and important legislation for generational transitioning impacted by estate taxes.

Beef producers are also involved in the science and execution of producing beef that is accepted by consumers as a healthy dietary choice and to ensure that beef is produced safely as meat enters the world’s food supply. In that process, considerations for public acceptability of beef production practices also need our attention.

Ranchers and farmers have much more to consider than just politics, public perception, regulations, and markets. The day-to-day and year-to-year rigors of beef

20 | September 2017

production also include weather and climate. Headlines for the past few months have been filled with news about drought conditions in some areas of the U.S and wet, stormy conditions in others. A change in weather brings its own contemplations for marketing time period, herd size, cattle nutrition and the production capability of cattle in those areas.

Livestock operations have the obligation to keep pace with new management techniques, new available products, equipment, veterinary vaccines and the associated medication protocols.

Amid all of the complexity and potential distractions, we still have the same task: produce the most nutritious protein source and the most desirable eating experience in the world.

“That you are here, that life exists in identity, the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse,” Walt Whitman once said. Every day we get to contribute to the beef industry and get to make our own decisions of how to prioritize or which aspects of the business to “put first.”

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) considers what verse we, as an association and individual members of the AGA, would like to and are commissioned to contribute. Genetic advancement, continued scientific research, informative data, enhanced marketing avenues and available management tools are all considerations for breed registries in a modern beef industry.

The AGA strategic plan, “Meeting Modern Industry Demands,” has four principle goals, three of which speak directly to potential service to the beef industry beyond our own membership. Those three principle goals address herd management tools, the use of performance data from the commercial sector, available genetic tools, and marketing streams for both Gelbvieh and Balancer®_ sired feeder cattle and replacement-quality females.

The plan also speaks of the official transfer of ownership of bulls to our commercial cow-calf ranches. Why is that so

Editorial from the Corner Office

in the genetic evaluation as well as an increase in the total aggregate of genotyped (DNA tested) animals in our database. The more information included in EPD calculations, the more accurate and useful they become.

The strategic plan also focuses on the people in our business. AGA stakeholders include AGA members, American Gelbvieh Junior Association members, staff and customers at each stage of the beef industry. The plan addresses the importance of partnerships within our industry with entities that have shared values and principles.

Perhaps the verse that the AGA has to contribute to beef industry stakeholders is through programs and services designed to remove distractions from daily decision making processes. In a way, the AGA is helping producers so that they may in fact, “put first things first.”

The economic impact of farm and ranch receipts is more than $67 billion annually (National Cattlemen’s Beef

important? The registration provides an avenue for AGA to identify those customers utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer sires in order to provide assistance with the AGA tools and marketing programs. The registration of seedstock is crucial in genetic and ultimately beef industry production

• Breed Growth and Marketing Annual Goal o Increase non-member Smart Select Service users by 20 percent annually • Strategies for Breed Growth o AGA provides marketing assistance for non-member bull customers. o Develop feeder cattle and commercial female programs capable of adding value to Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle.

• Genetics and Information Annual Goals: o Annual Increase in animals with DNA panel  2 percent increase bulls  5 percent increase females o The AGA is aggressively involved in research that has economic relevance to the beef industry.

Association statistics) and producers need to be able to remain focused on improving their profitability.

I am convinced that we must stay focused in our quest to meet modern industry demands and stay focused on assisting producers in building cattle that fit the needs of a complex beef industry. We must remember that our industry is completely unique when compared to any other animal protein. The fundamental “first thing” that the entire beef industry needs to keep first is to provide the world with the nutritious beef eating experience we all seek. FF

efficiency advancements.

The Meeting Modern Industry Demands strategic plan also addresses continued pressure in the areas of genetic advancement with strategies to ensure accurate EPDs and selection indexes. Such advancements include participation in the multi-breed genetic evaluation, increasing the amount of phenotypic data included

The Profit Picture | 21

Fast Facts

3rd Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

The Balancer®

Plan to attend the 3rd Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup being held at 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Wichita in Wichita, Kansas, during the 47th Annual American Gelbvieh Convention “Meeting Modern Industry Demands: Setting the Standard.” A free meal will be served at noon so don’t miss out! The Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup is an educational symposium open to commercial beef producers, beef industry professionals and AGA members.

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.

The Gelbvieh Cow Influence 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.

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

Management Tools for Commercial Cattle Producers The AGA’s Smart Select Service (SSS) program provides genetic tools to aid commercial producers in the herd selection process. SSS is available to all commercial producers who would like to increase the value of their herds for the potential to increase profit. Enrollment is now available for females at $1 per head, which allows commercial producers access to a herd management database to manage all of their cowherd data. In addition, herd management reports will be made available to producers including herd summary reports, dam and progeny reports and herd sire reports.

For more information about the Smart Select Service, visit http://www.gelbvieh.org/genetic-technology/smartselect/ or contact Angela Vesco at 303-465-2333 or email angelav@gelbiveh.org.

Use Feeder Finder to Help Market Calves The AGA’s Feeder Finder service assists producers in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Whether you’re selling calves private treaty, through a video auction or at the local livestock market, let the AGA help get the word out to feedyards across the country. Each listing is sent presented to feedyards via an email blast and is placed on the AGA’s website. Contact the AGA at 303-465-2333 for more information.

22 | September 2017

60 Lots Selling at the

Boys from the South Bull Sale Gelbvieh • Balancer® • Angus Bulls Saturday, december 16, 2017 • 1:00 Pm ct JameS e. Ward ag center, Lebanon, tn

Green Hills Gelbvieh • Butler Creek Farm Offering Includes: 20 coming 2-year olds • 40 13-16 month olds

FMGF Blue’s Impact 001X

BCFG Hillybilly Hero 71Z

GHGF Shear Force 81A

BCFG Butlers Bismarck 512Z

CCRO Carolina Leverage 321A

Progeny from these Proven Herd Sires sell!

Butler Creek Farm Milton, TN

Michael, Barbi & Ethan 615.286.2799 (H) 615.351.1071 (C)

Zach & Autumn 615.286.1017 (H) 615.308.8628 (C)

Walter & Lee Teeter

1380 French Belk Rd. Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784 Lee’s Cell (704) 267-4638 Walter’s Cell (704) 236-7980 Justin’s Cell (704) 267-4074

Guest Consignor: Coles Bend Cattle Company Trent Jones • Smith Grove, KY • 270.590.5266

Staff Editorial

The Thermostat or the Thermometer?

By Angela Vesco

T

here are two producers who both raise commercial cattle in the same valley where the grass is tall and the cows are happy. These two guys go by the names Mike and John. Mike and John have both been raising cattle for a long time and in fact, are both the third generation on their family operations. They have grown up together and raise cattle nearly the same way.

When Mike goes to sales to buy bulls, he is not only looking for bulls that are functional; he is looking for bulls that have genomic data and will improve his herd.

He does his homework on the bull offerings before sale day. Mike is very particular about the bulls he buys; not just any one will do. He keeps track of his current bull battery and knows the average quality of traits in his cows and he looks for bulls that will raise that average.

Mike likes to crossbreed and take advantage of hybrid vigor. His calves wean off with above average weights, his cows are stouter made, and his cows breed back year after year. When Mike markets his calf crop every year, he makes sure that the calves are backed by a good vaccination program and are a part of a valueadded program. He also gathers all of the management and genetic information on his calves and uses that to promote his cattle. Because Mike puts all this work into raising his calves, he consistently has the top selling feeder calves. Then, he takes the extra step to get feedback from buyers on how the calves performed.

Mike also keeps up with the current industry news; he likes to go to producer meetings to learn about new opportunities, and to network with his fellow cattle producers.

Now John’s cattle management style is somewhat different. John goes to the bull sale down the road and picks up the cheapest, biggest bull he can buy. He looks through the catalog a day or two before sale day and has an idea of what he is looking for. He looks through the bulls on sale day and buys a few bulls that he liked.

24 | September 2017

John’s cows are decent cows, but they just don’t quite have the same impact phenotypically as Mike’s do. His weaning weights are very comparable to everyone else’s in the valley but never get to Mike’s average. John also has a basic vaccination program on his calves.

When it comes time to market his calves, he lets prospective buyers know that the calves are vaccinated.

John’s calves bring the average market price for the day.

If you asked John about how his calves have done in the feedyard, he could speculate but wouldn’t have specific information to share.

John picks up the occasional industry publication and only goes to producer meetings as a social call.

Do you what to be like Mike, the thermostat, who acts as an influencer within their environment; or like John, the thermometer, who is most affected by surrounding circumstances? FF

Feature

Productive Females for the Long Term

By Rebecca Mettler

S

etting up the replacement females to calve early in the calving season as first-calf heifers might be one of the best things a producer can do to ensure a cow’s long-term success in the herd.

“From a livestock production standpoint, heifers that become pregnant early in their first breeding season continue to do so over their lifetime and maximize lifetime production of the cow,” said Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., head of the animal science department at Texas A&M University.

Lamb estimates that only 30 percent of heifers that start out in the herd will still be in the herd to have a third calf.

With that statistic in mind, researchers like Lamb, have made it their professional goal to make beef production operations more economically efficient from a reproductive management standpoint.

To Lamb, pregnancy is the number one selection trait.

Pregnancy has a four times greater economic impact on an operation, which is more than any other production trait.

Before Lamb joined the faculty at Texas A&M earlier this year, he was the assistant director and professor at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida. There, Lamb and his collogues and students had a unique opportunity to take a loosely managed cowherd and track the progress made when specific management strategies were put into place and continued to monitor progress from 2007 to 2016.

Lamb’s research at the North Florida Research and Education Center can serve as an example of what is possible to improve cowherd efficiency. First, the group tightened up the breeding season. Lamb explained that simply shortening the breeding season could eliminate a lot of management problems.

“The long breeding season creates extra labor during calving season, offers no uniformity in the calf crop and ultimately decreases the value of calves at market,” Lamb said.

Next, researchers set up a strict set of expectation for their replacement females in order to increase the pregnancy rate of the herd: 1) Heifers must calve at two years of age 2)

26 | September 2017

Calve without assistance 3) rebreed as first-calf heifers.

“If we can get every heifer to do that, we will have a fairly productive beef cattle operation,” Lamb said.

Implementing strict rules for all females can have a large impact on total efficiency. Far bigger improvements can be made when whole herd decisions are made instead of focusing on individual animals.

“The important one that most people neglect is that the cow must calve with out assistance, and that includes our replacement heifers. That’s where our proven AI sires really help us out.”

Calving unassisted is such a important rule because data has shown that subsequent pregnancy rates in females that have required assistance is lower. Essentially, they are eliminating animals that have a chance to have lower the herd’s overall pregnancy rates.

Some production-related goals include the requirement that every female has to provide sufficient resources for the calf to reach its genetic potential. The calf must also be genetically capability to perform, which 50 percent of that responsibility falls back to the dam’s genetics.

Cows must also be able to maintain their body condition score for the operation’s conditions, and that goes for any operation.

“We don’t want to have to feed thin and fat heifers separately, but we understand there will be fluctuations in condition at different times of the year, and that’s OK.” And finally, the research center only kept heifers that became pregnant in the first 25 days of the breeding. Lamb realizes that sounds very strict, but USDA’s Meat Animal Research Center studies have confirmed that heifers that become pregnant in the first 21 days of the breeding season have a better likelihood of remaining in the herd when tracked to their ninth calving season.

Calving during the first 25 days of the calving season also results in heavier calves come weaning time. Stretched over nine calves, females that consistently calve at the front of the

Feature

calving season will wean about three-quarters of a calf more in weaning weight than those who become pregnant later in the breeding season. That’s a significant advantage!

of the breeding season. Heifer synchronization protocols and fixed-timed AI give every heifer a chance to become pregnant because it triggers estrous in non-cycling heifers.

In order to keep back enough heifers, the research center starts with 90 and keeps the 60 best females based on pregnancy in the first 25 days of the breeding season.

“Fixed-time AI gets about 15 more heifers pregnant per 100 heifers that you synchronize.”

“When we place the pressure for pregnancy, we are seeing economical advantages for that but it does mean that you have to make some tough decisions,” Lamb said.

Kick starting puberty in heifers through synchronization techniques is one way to help them attain puberty.

Attainment of puberty is one obstacle with replacement females. Body weight, age and genetics all play a role in attaining puberty.

“There’s a lot of advantage to synchronization. Don’t think of it only as a way to get semen into a cow. Think of it as a reproductive management tool to stimulate non-cycling animals to start cycling.”

Once the research facility began a focused effort to improve fertility, gross income increased 450 percent from 2007 to 2016. While that included increases in market prices received for the weaned calves, calf prices didn’t increase 450 percent, according to Lamb.

While it might be hard to implement all of these strategies into an operation over a short period of time, the practices are worth pondering. Progressive cattle producers should always be thinking of ways to increase their cowherd’s efficiency and profitability with the ultimate goal to experience long-term sustainability for their operations. FF

Intensified management makes it possible to increase the number of heifers becoming pregnant in the first 21 days

Colorado, Kansas & Nebraska Breeders Delbert & Marilyn Raile & Sons

Jim Roelle 38148 CR 49 #7 Peetz, CO 80747 (H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

755 Road U St. Francis, KS

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

Next Bull Sale February 22, 2018.

Livestock Exchange,LLC., Brush, CO.

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100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer® FEB. 23, 2018 • MONTROSE, CO • 12:00 NOON

www.gelbviehbulls.net

or call Mark at 970.209.1956 • Dave at 970.323.6833

FEMALES AVAILABLE

Delbert cell Cody cell

785-332-2756 785-332-4347 785-332-2219 785-332-6089

MLM Gelbvieh Marlin Meyer

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

railegelbvieh.com email: dmraile@railegelbvieh.com

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

R

Rippe Gelbvieh

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

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

The Profit Picture | 27

Feature

Good Bulls Don’t Cost, They Pay

By Kari White

R

anching for profit has long been a business of tight bottom lines. Savvy ranchers are always looking for ways to reduce costs and spread them over more production points for greater profit. In doing this, one area of expense that might come under question is the price for good bull genetics: is it really cost-effective to pay more for a genetically superior bull?

difference in average daily gain. The total increased value credited to increased weaning and yearling performance came to $176 per calf from bulls with known genetics. In cow terms, that comes to a $144.91 marginal return per cow per year when mated to bulls with superior genetics. In bull terms, a genetically superior bull who sired 125 calves over five years had an additional marginal income of roughly $18,113!

Bull prices change frequently with the ever-changing Those are impressive numbers, but it can still be markets, but investing in superior bull genetics routinely difficult to bite the bullet and write that large check comes at a higher cost. Research done through the for a bull on sale day. Large capital investments do Noble Research Institute by Steve Swigert, agricultural come with a certain amount of risk. Is the risk actually economics consultant, show an additional $31.09 cost that much greater for per cow for using known more expensive bulls bull genetics versus using with known genetics? a bull with unknown f bull buying is a game of dollars and According to an article pedigree and performance

by Troy Marshall in 2011 bought at a sale barn. In cents, purchasing a bull with known for BEEF magazine, further research, Swigert superior genetics from a seedstock the average service cost investigated bull costs per producer definitely pencils out. per cow at 25 cows per cow for three different year for a $4,500 bull is kinds of bulls: 1) bulls about $63.14/cow. With with unknown genetics the same assumptions, bought at a sale barn, the difference between a $3,750 bull and a $5,250 bull 2) bulls with known pedigree but limited performance on average cost per cow serviceded is $9/cow. When information bought from a neighbor, and 3) bulls with comparing that to the added value from increased calf known genetics with expected progeny differences performance at weaning, it doesn’t take very much for a (EPDs) bought from a seedstock supplier. Swigert found more expensive bull to start paying for itself. Based on the total annual economic bull costs per cow to be the calculation of actual costs of a bull per cow from Jim $23.45, $36.14, and $54.54, respectively, assuming each McGrann, Texas A&M emeritus professor, it only takes bull was mated to 25 cows a year for five years. an added 12 pounds of weaning weight to justify paying Clearly, using known bull genetics comes at a greater $5,250 versus $3,750 a bull. cost. The follow-up question, however, is if the greater

I

cost leads to greater returns. Swigert found using known bull genetics increased weaning performance of calves by roughly 100 pounds per calf. Pricing the value of increased weaning performance at $1.10/lb (in 2013), the value of increased performance came to roughly $110 per calf. The study further found an increase in yearling performance at $66 per calf, measured by

28 | September 2017

Buying bulls with unknown origin direct from the sale barn also comes with its own added risk, genetics aside. In an article by Laura Mushrush for BEEF magazine, Dr. Matt Spangler was quoted as calling the risks of such a purchase “multifold”. He points out you might be compromising your operation’s biosecurity since you have no idea what potential disease risks,

both reproductive and otherwise, come along with that bull. By comparison, when genetics are purchased directly from a seedstock provider, the buyer will have access to test results for various diseases such as persistently infected (PI) carriers of bovine viral diarrhea. Additionally, many bulls purchased directly from seedstock providers are often yearlings, or come with a virgin bull certificate in the case of older bulls over 18 months. This ensures the buyer will not be introducing damaging reproductive diseases into their cowherd. Spangler points out the uncertainty of buying bulls direct from the sale barn, “…You have no idea if the bull is even fertile, or if he’ll pass a breeding soundness exam”. Couple that with no real idea of how the bull will perform in terms of genetic potential as a parent, and Spangler concludes, “Even though the bull may be much cheaper, it could be a very expensive decision to make if he happens to be diseased, unfertile, or counterproductive to the rancher’s goals”.

Feature

from a seedstock producer definitely pencils out.

Comparatively, sale barn bulls with unknown origins and disease profiles are both high risk and potentially low producing. Despite a somewhat greater cost per cow, added value from greater weaning and yearling performance of calves coupled with greater security from potentially costly disease risks make buying seedstock bulls with known genetics a “no brainer”. FF Sources Swigert, Steve. “Buying known bull genetics adds value”.

October 2015. Noble Research Institute Ag News and Views.

Marshall, Troy. “How much can you afford for a bull”.

March 2011. Beef Magazine.

Mushrush, Laura. “Don’t play Russian Roulette with your cattle genetics”. February 2017. BEEF Magazine.

If bull buying is a game of dollars and cents, purchasing a bull with known superior genetics

Top genetics to lead you into the future...

Hilltop Farms Annual Bull & Female Sale March 3, 2018

HTFG Mr. Denver D634 ET

Balancer 63% • Homo Polled & Homo Black 2017 NWSS Balancer Futurity Bull Runner-up

Committed to raising quality seedstock Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO

417 842-3225 (Home) • 417-529-0081 (Elmers Cell) 417-529-7556 (Brads Cell) • 417-529-6436 (Bennys Cell)

The Profit Picture | 29

News

South Dakota AGA Member Joins Sustainable Beef Roundtable Discussion

E

agle Pass Ranch, an industry-leading beef genetics company based out of Highmore, SD, announced that it has been granted membership into the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB). This membership was approved at the recent USRSB general assembly meeting in Denver, Colorado. Eagle Pass Ranch becomes the first member from the Northern Plains region accepted into the USRSB and joins other cattle producers such as King Ranch, Simplot Land & Livestock, Hitch Enterprises, Cactus Feeders and Adams Land and Livestock. In addition to these cutting edge producers, the USRSB is made up of large retailers McDonalds, Wendy’s, Arby’s, WalMart and CostCo, plus the four largest beef processors, Tyson, JBS, Cargill and National. Allied Industry members and Civil Society members complete the Roundtable.

USRSB is an independent, multi-stakeholder, transparent

50 years of continual whole herd AI

effort focused on shaping the sustainability framework for the U.S. beef value chain. USRSB encourages and promotes continuous improvement in the U.S. beef value chain by identifying sustainability indicators, verifying methodologies, and generating field project data to test sustainability concepts.

The USRSB began in 2011 as an extension of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef with the goal to enhance the supply chain’s ability to produce environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable beef.

Eagle Pass Ranch has been supplying the beef industry with progressive beef genetics for over 25 years. The company annually markets over 500 bulls and females to cow/calf producers across the US, Canada, and Mexico, along with commercial heifers, semen and embryos at production sales held in South Dakota and California. FF

Performance cattle for the real World dedicated to Gelbvieh for over 40 Years

A nnual Production Sale – March 15, 2018 Western Livestock Auction • Great Falls, MT Offering 40 Bulls and 20 Heifers Red and Black • Purebred and Balancer

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

1285 Nine Mile Road

Olimont, Montana 59466

Jim & Kathy Bjorkman 406-937-4815

www.kickinghorseranch.com krankin@northerntel.net

George & Jeanette Rankin 406-937-3728

30 | September 2017

Staff Editorial

So I Bought a Registered Bull…Now What?

By Kim Rounds

O

Feeder Finder is a program designed to assist ver the years, several studies have showcased the producers in the marketing of Gelbvieh and Balancerpotential financial influence of adding a registered influenced feeder cattle. Filling out a quick, free form bull to a cowherd. Purchasing such a bull provides on the American Gelbvieh Association website assists significant positive economic impact, which in the end producers in marketing their load lots of feeder calves outweighs the initial purchase price of the bull. Also, on an e-blast sent out to 250 feedyards across the adding known genetics and verified performance data country and on the AGA website. Some of the questions back into a cowherd through replacement females sired also indicate qualification for premium programs and by these bulls is also of huge benefit. Many producers vaccination programs, which allows feedyards to easily already capitalize on these benefits by consistently locate cattle fitting their specific needs. buying seedstock genetics and are rewarded through increases in herd performance and improvements Another unique service that the AGA offers is in feeder calf market value. The benefits of buying a $mart Select Service. This program allows producers registered bull, or to manage their cattle any registered animal in an online database for that matter, reach for $1 per head per even further than true year and is open to n today’s world of technology, limitless data performance. any breed of cattle.

Gaining access to an association dedicated to promoting, improving, and tracking registered animals, is often an overlooked and underutilized tool for non-members and commercial producers.

I

access, and global market, there are more than just meticulously tracked pedigrees behind a breed association’s doors.

Breed associations are an ever-evolving resource with a foundation in tracking the performance records of a breed. But in today’s world of technology, limitless data access, and global market, there are more than just meticulously tracked pedigrees behind a breed association’s doors.

When it comes to the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA), buying Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics gains access to programs specifically designed to promote and improve the breed for any producer. Many of these programs are even unique to the Gelbvieh breed and are a first resource of their kind.

32 | September 2017

Many of the features of the online program are focused around herd management.

Vaccination protocols, breeding records, pregnancy checks, pasture rotations, and calving records can all be easily input into the online system, allowing access to the records anywhere or anytime through a smart phone or internet connection.

One key tool that Smart Select Service provides is herd reports that allow program members to compare and rank their individual animals based on performance to improve the average productivity of the herd.

Access to a knowledgeable staff is another feature gained when registered Gelbvieh or Balancer genetics are purchased. If questions arise regarding pedigrees, upcoming sales, or if a producer just needs help interpreting data and EPDs, the AGA staff is here to help.

Subscriptions to Gelbvieh World and The Profit

Staff Editorial

164 head - 99% Quality Grade Choice or Higher 91% Yield Grade 1, 2, or 3

#2 Actcive Cow Herd in the Gelbvieh Breed

Picture publications are also a part of the customer benefits, provided ownership of the animal has been officially been transferred to the new owner. It may seem trivial to receive a subscription to a magazine, but the magazine functions as a form of communication to producers about not only the happenings of the Gelbvieh community, but also of the beef industry.

Every month, articles are written or hand-selected based on the magazine’s focus and the relevance to the cattle industry. Not limited to just informational articles, there are also sales advertised and events promoted that pertain to Gelbvieh breeders and producers of Gelbviehinfluenced genetics.

Membership in the AGA provides seedstock producers access to resources to better serve their customers. With membership comes access to the AGA Online Registry Service, a compilation of data and pedigrees that acts as the heartbeat of the association. However, there is more to an association than strictly tracking data. There are features that cater to commercial cattlemen and women, allow data to be tracked and recorded on par with any online cattle management software available, and a staff dedicated to educating and enabling its members and their customers.

It is the purpose of a good breed association to constantly seek new ways to serve its membership and make Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics more appealing to all producers by procuring progressive data and providing services that can be found nowhere else. As cattle are asked to be more efficient each year and to produce an even greater product, breed associations must strive to match those changes step-for-step. FF

NWSS 2017 Champion Pen of 5 Balancer Bulls

Quality Beef Genetics Since 1980

D

D

M Taubenheim Gelbvieh M Dale & Jeannette

308.826.4771 - dtaubenheim@aol.com

Mike, Renee, Justin, & Tanner

308.233.4704 - j_tauby5@hotmail.com

23685 Sartoria Road-Amherst, NE 68812

www.taubenheimgelbvieh.com

The Profit Picture | 33

Junior Editorial

A Foundation for the Future

By Aubree Beenken

I

f you were fortunate to be raised in a small town you know how easy it is to become involved in a multitude of organizations. Growing up you can be a part of 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, National Honor Society, Student Council, breed organizations such as the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA), and countless other organizations. Youth programs are the backbone of American agriculture and they lay a foundation for the future by equipping youth with lifelong skills and connections that cannot be built within the walls of a classroom.

Through my involvement with multiple organizations I learned one of the most critical skills

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders

of all: communication. Standing up to deliver the FFA Creed, leading an advocacy workshop, or even giving a presentation at a 4-H meeting taught me the importance of being able to speak clearly, loudly, and in terms that my audience will understand. The ability to communicate becomes ever more important each day; whether it is talking to another producer, a veterinarian, a teacher, or a consumer. With each audience we address, our vocabulary changes and our body language shifts because the terms we use on the farm are foreign to some of the people living in our own communities. Youth organizations taught me that being able to communicate with others in understandable terms is crucial to preventing misconceptions and ensuring a positive image of the agriculture industry. Learning how to properly communicate has allowed me to share my beef story in an effective manner.

ADKINS GELBVIEH Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics

Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty

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

Gerald & Sarah Adkins

41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

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

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

34 | September 2017

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

A skill often overlooked, but a vital skill I gained from my years in different youth organizations is time management.

Growing up, I held leadership roles in many clubs that I was a part of and with all those leadership roles came a multitude of responsibilities that had to be fulfilled. The only way for me to be a successful leader was proper time management. Time management goes beyond just being a good leader.

It teaches you to balance time and work in a manner that is effective and efficient, which showcases many benefits when it comes to school, work, or even responsibilities on the farm. A future employer will notice when you can balance multiple tasks at once and still produce high-quality work. Learning how to properly manage time is important for

being successful in life at work, school, and at home.

Youth organizations instilled in me the importance of hard work and dedication. I remember spending hours practicing the FFA Creed or coming into school early for mock-job interviews, all to ensure I was fully prepared for my upcoming contest. These hours were not required or mandatory, but rather it was the extra effort I was willing to put in so I could be successful at whatever endeavor I was embarking on. Youth programs showed me how hard work and dedication pays off in the long run. Each day we have the choice to spend extra time studying EPDs to find the perfect match for the upcoming breeding, to take an extra fifteen minutes to practice showmanship, or even taking time to meet with a nutritionist to formulate the right diet for your animal in all stages of life. Our dedication to the beef industry, and our own cattle, make us willing to go the extra mile and put in extra hours because we know the time spent now will produce large rewards in the end.

Junior Editorial

Council this past summer. Youth programs have been, and will continue to be, the backbone of American agriculture by equipping youth with knowledge and skills to be successful. FF

My involvement with youth programs shaped me into the person I am today. I can stand up and speak in front of a group and be confident; I can share the events occurring on my farm to anyone no matter what background they may come from; I know how to balance my time to ensure all my obligations are met, and I have learned that hard work and dedication can go a long way.

While youth organizations may seem like another responsibility to squeeze into an already busy schedule, I ask that you take a moment to reflect on how you have been impacted by youth programs.

For me, my years spent in different youth programs laid a foundation for my future that allowed me to have a successful college career, an understanding of what lies outside my community, and even to my role at the Iowa Beef Industry

The Profit Picture | 35

Feature

Enhanced Feeder Calf Marketing

By Rebecca Mettler

F

eeder calf prices are notorious for dropping in the fall when the market is overrun with the slug of spring-born calves. Even though the price slump doesn’t happen every year, it’s important for cow-calf producers to be prepared for changes in the market and plan ahead with a marketing strategy.

several years, but Mourer explained that the terminology has changed in the last 18 months to two years. Talk used to be centered on the added premiums that selling preconditioned cattle garnered. Now the terminology has switched to a discount scenario if calves aren’t preconditioned.

Marketing high-quality cattle is the number one factor determining calf value. It’s one of the best defenses against price lags. High-quality calves are valuable during any time of the year, according to Gant Mourer, beef value enhancement specialist with Oklahoma State University Extension.

Healthy cattle are the norm now. If cattle aren’t managed to a certain level, discounts are incurred, according to Mourer. With more cattle on the market, progressive cattle ranches realize the value of management and technology.

“If you have a high-quality set of calves that perform well and you are known as a highly reputable producer, the lag in the markets don’t affect you as much,” Mourer said.

With that said, producers should still find the time to formulate a marketing plan a few months ahead of marketing. Figuring the value of gain versus the cost of gain is one of the most important tasks in determining a marketing strategy for any cow-calf operation, regardless of size or management strategies.

Mourer says producers must ask themselves how long they can grow calves cheaply. Feed resources are projected to stay relatively inexpensive in the shortterm. So, rather than selling calves in October or the first of November, it could be beneficial to hold them over until the end of November or the first of December, provided there is enough forage and labor to do so. But again, penciling it out and determining the cost/value is the only way to make for certain.

“Do the math. Do I need to hold them for 120 days or sell immediately after they are preconditioned?”

The same type of planning also goes into choosing a preconditioning program. Mourer explained that producers need to look at budgets, breakevens and determine scenarios to evaluate the value created by marketing with a certain program and endpoint.

Preconditioning programs have been around for

36 | September 2017

“If they use those resources, with the volatility of this market, we can quiet some of the volatility with the quality of our cattle,” Mourer said.

More Planning Creating an effective calf marketing plan requires some legwork to be done before weaning. First producers need to determine which marketing avenue calves will be sold through, whether it be a traditional livestock auction, video auction, or private treaty.

No matter what option a producer chooses, Mourer expresses the importance of relaying information about the calves to prospective buyers. As the industry evolves and becomes more technologically advanced, information is much more critical.

“If you spend time and money on your breeding program, genetics, and vaccination program, you have to communicate that when you market those calves,” Mourer said.

Enrolling calves in VAC-45 programs or special value-added sales with auctions is one way buyers ensure that calves have been through a preconditioning program. Calves must adhere to a specified list of requirements to be legible for the program. Mourer suggests producers start researching and inquiring about these value-added programs in August or September.

Communication a few days before the expected

Join Us

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 Free to Attend

Provided Lunch 12:00 noon

HYATT REGENCY WICHITA, KANSAS Symposium 1:30 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

sale day, even with a traditional livestock market, is important. Livestock auctions field reps will be able to make a plan and put the cattle in a timeslot for selling.

Scheduling delivery to the stockyards a few days in advance could also help save valuable weight, which can be lost during long hauls.

“If we get there a day or two before the sale, preconditioned calves can get in front of a water tank and feed bunk and gain back the shrink they lost in shipping.”

Program Goals A reputation for quality feeder cattle is most often built up over several years, whether producers are selling cattle private treaty or through the local livestock auction facility.

“Guess what? The beef industry is a very small community. Buyers can identify where the calves they buy come from and where they were purchased. They also are great record keepers; they know how often they had to treat cattle and the percent death loss.”

Bottom line, starting out with a healthy set of highquality calves will provide producers with a sound basis for high-value feeder calves. The rest of the marketing strategy is up to the producer to decide. Not every year’s the same; so don’t get locked into a habit of selling calves on the same day every year. Research the options and make the best decision for that given period. FF

“If a buyer purchases a set of your calves and they gain really well, stay healthy and perform on the rail, that person is going to remember you next year and compete to buy your calves.”

On the flip side, if the calves don’t perform well, have high mortality and morbidity rates, good luck next year.

Cattle Designed to Work Dry weather and short pastures have tested the herd this year, but they are meeting the challenge head on. Weather like this year sorts the best and most functional to the top.

Join us for the

4th Annual CJ&L Livestock Bull Sale December 16, 2017 Bulls available to view at 11 a.m. • Lunch at Noon Final bid-off at 1:30 p.m. MT • At the ranch near Hermosa, South Dakota Selling top-end purebred Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls, as well as open heifers (several junior show prospects)

Find us on Facebook CJ&L Livestock

38 | September 2017

Call for more information or to view prior to the sale.

Lori Maude • 303-809-3789 Email: Lori.Maude@gmail.com Julie Maude • 605-381-2803 Marvin Maude • 605-255-4448

Feature

Pass Along Valuable Information to Prospective Buyers by using Feeder Finder

By Rebecca Mettler

T

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

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

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

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

Feeder Finder is a unique opportunity to provide the commercial producer with an avenue to build a relationship with a buyer that maybe they haven’t had the opportunity of doing in the past, according to Angela Vesco, AGA director of breed growth.

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

The Profit Picture | 39

News

Japan Slaps High Tariff on U.S. Beef Export drop could lower calf prices Duane Dailey University of Missouri Extension

J

apan says “Whoa, go slow” on imports of frozen beef from the United States. To safeguard their own beef farmers, Japan raised tariffs on U.S. beef from 38.5 to 50 percent.

“Japan is our top beef buyer,” Brown adds. “It’s a strong market. Last year they bought $1.8 billion in beef and beef products.”

“This increases the price of U.S. beef for Japanese consumers,” says Scott Brown, University of Missouri beef economist. “Less foreign consumption increases beef supply here. In turn, that lowers prices all the way back to farms in Missouri.”

Foreign trade is important for all Missourians.

Agriculture ranks No. 1 as revenue source for the state. Cattle top the list. Last year the revenue for U.S. cows and calves was $67.8 billion. In comparison, feed grains returned $56 billion while the soybean crop hit $39 billion.

“We have an unexpectedly big supply of beef and a growing U.S. cow herd,” Brown says. “Any drop in exports puts pressure on beef prices here.”

Missouri ranks as the third state in the nation with 2 million cows. To show the efficiency of Show-Me farmers, calf numbers are second at 1.89 million.

40 | September 2017

News

The Profit Picture | 41

News

Ten percent of U.S beef goes to export.

and higher tariff.

Looking for a bright side of the news from Japan, Brown says the tariff bump covers only frozen, not refrigerated, beef.

“It’s time to get serious about making our own bilateral trade deal with Japan,” Brown says.

“Undoubtedly, we will send more non-frozen beef to Japan. But, they may reach a cap on that market as well.”

In other news, a recent report showed growth in consumer spending. While it only rose from 1.2 to 1.6 percent, any increase benefits all U.S. meat producers.

Nearby Australia appears to benefit from the cap imposed by Japan. However, they do not have a large beef supply. “Droughts cut their beef herds and beef exports.”

Another plus for U.S. beef producers is our highquality beef, Brown says. “Japanese prefer our corn-fed prime-grade beef. Australia doesn’t have the corn or beef quality,” Brown says.

The 50 percent tariff started Aug. 1. It ends March 31, 2018.

“More domestic consumption will be required if exports fall,” Brown says. “Increased demand is needed for our growing meat supplies.” FF Source: University of Missouri Extension

Australia does have one huge advantage. They recently signed a bilateral trade agreement that reduces the tariff on Australian beef headed to Japan.” They face no safeguard cap.

The U.S., on the other hand, cancelled trade talks for greater access under the Trans-Pacific Partnership. If TPP was in place, we would not have hit this import cap

Gelbvieh genetics for this generation & the next.

Red R

100 A iver Bu ge Ad vantall Sale • Nov g Wich e Bala .1 n ita Fa c lls, TX ers Se 8 ll

!

er son of Tour of Duty sell

anc Maternal sibs to this Bal

Matt & Andrea Murray • 20055 N. 2730 Rd • Kingfisher, OK • 405.368.9601 (Andrea’s Cell) Bulls sold private treaty, annually • Visitors always welcome

42 | September 2017

News It's time to book your Fall Sale Date!

Visit GelbviehAuction.com, BalancerAuction.com, or call Rance Long 918.510.3464 or Jeff Stansberry 615.479.1852 for details.The Profit Picture | 43

Editorial

Navigating the Sale Catalog

By AGA Staff

W

ith fall bull sale season just around the corner, commercial producers are preparing to purchase their next herd sire. Attending production sales more than likely means flipping through sale catalogs. There’s often a lot of information provided within the covers of a sale catalog. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has provided a few tips below for commercial producers to keep in mind when browsing this fall’s catalogs.

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

in the same contemporary group, in which the animals were managed similarly to account for environment.

Contemporary group includes animals born in the same herd, of the same gender, and born in the same season.

Unlike raw performance data, EPDs can be used to compare animals across different years in the same herd, and even across animals in different years in different herds. EPDs also include not only the animal’s own performance, but that of all closely linked relatives, including parents and siblings. The additional information used to compute EPDs makes them a great genetic selection tool to help minimize risk.

Some sale catalogs provide customers with breed average EPDs right there on the page. When looking at EPDs of a potential herd sire, it is important to have

NOTICE HERD REDUCTION SALE

We are offering some of our great females and bred heifers. We have 12 heifers that we are breeding for next year, so this is a GREAT opportunity for you to buy some of our TOP FEMALES!!!!

We will also be offering 2016 Fall and 2017 Spring Purebred and Balancer Seedstock Bulls out of VRT Lazy TV Sam U451, Decade 278U2, RWG Traction 7412 & YPA Traction Impact 18B. All but one are out of AI Sire's.

For more information visit our web-site and give us a call.

Contact: Chester Yoder chesyoder@yahoo.com 330-231-0339 or 330-567-9232 www.yodersprairieacres.com

46 | September 2017

Editorial

something to compare to, and to know where they stand within the breed.

Accuracy

Meaning

Breed averages for Gelbvieh and Balancer® sires, dams and non-parent animals can be found on www.gelbvieh. org on the EPD Info page under the Genetic Technology section, or can be obtained by contacting the AGA office.

Less than .40

Possibility of change with more information

.40 to .60

Some change likely, records on few progeny

.60 to .80

Small change possible, records on numerous progeny

Greater than .80

Not likely to change much

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

Percent Rank Percentile ranks compare an animal’s EPDs to similar animals, such as all Gelbvieh or Balancer non-parents for yearling bulls. These rankings can be incredibly useful for a potential buyer to see how a sale animal ranks against other animals they might be considering.

Rankings range from 1-100, with 1 being more desirable.

For example, if a yearling bull ranks in the top 1 percent of Gelbvieh breed for calving ease direct (CED), that

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh Herd Reduction • With half of our work force going off to college in addition to the drought, we have decided to reduce our registered & commercial herd • The gates are open to approximately 350 head & you have the opportunity to choose from 27+ years of breeding sound, productive cows with longevity & great disposition • Cows will all be ultrasounded • Listed in the top 20 Dams of Merit & Distinction owners & breeders for numerous years

Come visit anytime to view pairs, herd bulls and multiple generations of cow families.

Dwight, Christina, Bailey, Cheyenne, Cierra & Dalton Dockter Watch our website and Facebook 4956 41st St SE • Medina, ND 58467 page for more information as it becomes available.

701-486-3494 • gbgelb@daktel.com • golden-buckle-gelbvieh.com

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh

The Profit Picture | 47

Editorial

means only 1 percent of non-parent animals entered into the AGA registry are better than that animal for CED. By comparison, if an animal ranks in the 50th percentile for CED, that means 50 percent of nonparent Gelbvieh animals are more favorable than that animal for calving ease.

performance outcomes of using unproven animals in their breeding herd. Increasing accuracy on animals used for breeding stock is a great way to speed up the rate of genetic progress in any herd. Animals with genomic-enhanced EPDs within a sale catalog can be noted with the AGA GE-EPD logo. FF

Using percentile ranks as a tool for sire selection makes it easy to set “boundaries” on traits. For example, you may decide you want the next herd sire to have an EPD that is in the top 20 percent for weaning weight. If percentile ranks are provided in the sale catalog it makes it easier for you to narrow down the selection of bulls.

Genomic-Enhanced EPDs The addition of genomic data to an EPD calculation is comparable to adding another source of information, like progeny or pedigree records. Specifically on young animals with very little information, genomic data has the potential to greatly increase the accuracy of an EPD prediction. Confidence in an animal’s EPDs earlier in life means that buyers can more reliably predict the

9TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 16, 2018 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA Michael Bauer MJBC Gelbvieh Audubon, IA 712-563-2704 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.

48 | September 2017

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

Editorial

Pioneers of Progress Inaugural Production Sale

For the last 20+ years, we have built our cow herd by retaining and investing in the breed’s top genetics for growth and carcass traits, while maintaining our quality reputation for structural soundness and banner-winning phenotype. Here is your opportunity to capitalize on our investment!

Thursday, November 2, 2017 • Noon Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, CO Heifer Calves • Bred Heifers • Fall Pairs Yearling Bulls • 18-Mo. Old Bulls • Prime Older Bulls Embryos • Flush Opportunities • Semen

Sale Features 100+ Head!

Internet bidding at www.CattleUSA.com Many accommodations available in Burlington.

Ridinger Cattle Company, LLC Brad & Carol Ridinger • Deer Trail, CO • www.RidingerCattleCo.com Brad: 303-810-0582 • Carol: 303-517-1871 • Carol@RidingerCattleCo.com Follow us on Facebook at Ridinger Cattle Co. Visit our website, call, or message us to request a catalog. Updated information will be The Profit Picture | 49 posted on our website and Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you Nov. 2nd!

Breeders Corner ALABAMA

Southern States

ARKANSAS

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

Dustin Kittle

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

H ODGES R ANCH

Neal

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

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

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer Genetics Available Private Treaty Sales

OKLAHOMA LeGRAND Ed & Alberta LeGrand

809 S. Redlands Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74074

405-747-6950 • alane@c21global.com

Homo. Black, Homo. Polled • Breeding Stock Available

Koehn Cattle Co. Patrick Koehn

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

Gelbvieh Genetics at Work

EXCEPTIONAL BULLS & HEIFERS

TRUCKING AVAILABLE

TEXAS

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

50 | September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017 • 1:00 PM ET Chenault Ag Center • Mt. Sterling, KY

Selling 5

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls The bulls are homozygous polled, and either black or homozygous black.

Selling a full sister to CIRS 2101Z, the 2013 NAILE Reserve Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female. She has a tremendous Blue’s Impact heifer at side and confirmed bred back to Mr. S & S Astro 552C.

g n i ll e S ts o L 5 6

Complete Performance Information and EPDs are provided on all bulls. All Have Passed a Breeding Soundness Exam.

Selling 60

Gelbvieh & Balancer Females

Ms Maverick 126Y is a tremendous, proven homozygous black, homozygous polled donor. She sells!

Selling a Black Impact 3 year old daughter out of BIGC 766S.

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

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

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

Sale managed by

Slaughter Sale Management

For catalog or information contact:

David Slaughter

Blue’s Impact progeny will be included in the offering. He is proving to be a breed impact sire!

Selling a black, homo polled Astro son out of Ms Maverick 95X

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

News

IGS Feeder Profit Calculator™

By Angela Vesco and Tom Strahm

I

n an effort to identify the genetic value of commercial herds, International Genetic Solutions (IGS) launched the Feeder Profit Calculator™ (FPC).

The FPC is designed to predict current economic value of genetic selection and the management practices employed by an individual producer.

By utilizing this tool, commercial cattle producers can obtain a thirdparty validation of the potential value of their calves and gauge the impact of their genetic selections and management practices. This service and certification are being offered at NO COST to commercial producers.

Tennessee, Arkansas & Oklahoma Breeders “Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

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

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

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

We sell 80 bulls a year all over the country.

Come see why!

Transportation available.

Martin Cattle Company David & Rita Martin 256 Boyce Road Judsonia, AR 72081 H: 501.728.4950 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

Promote your Operation The above image displays the form that an AGA representative would fill out on behalf of the commercial producer to determine their calves relative total value.

52 | September 2017

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

Some of the items that the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator emphasizes and highlights are: • The value of preconditioning/vaccinating and weaning • The value of high indexing sires versus low indexing sires • The value of heterosis and breed complementarity There are two values that are generated from the FPC. The first value is the genetic value.

This number is calculated from a calf crop’s sire and dam genetic contributions. The dam’s genetic contribution can either be recorded as the general breed makeup or the direct sires of those dams, if that information is available. This data is obtained through the respective breed association that those bulls are recorded with.

The second value is the management value. Producers are able to record all of their management practices to impact this number. An extensive amount of information can be entered for any set of feeder cattle to produce a valuation and generate a certificate: • Producer name and contact information • Number and sex of calves • Expected sale date or delivery date • Average sale weight with weight range • Color and polled/horned/ dehorned status • Birthdate window • Weaned status and weaning date • Complete vaccination history with products and dates

News

• Deworming and implant history • Association and registration numbers of sires in bull battery

REGISTERED GELBVIEH CATTLE Our foundation is designed and built on 34 years of A.I. breeding.

REDS • BLACKS • PUREBRED • BALANCER CED BW WW YW MK TM CEM HP PG30 ST YG CW REA MB FPI

16 -0.2 96 136 48 96 13 6.08 0.18 8 -0.37 49 0.36 -0.02 90.47

top 4% top 4% top 4% top 1% top 1% top 2%

top 10%

top 1%

Mr Bow K 304A • AMGV 1246524 • Purebred Gelbvieh Homo Black • Polled • Sire: Sam U451 • Dam: Miss Bow K 850U Females and bulls for sale out of Mr Bow K 304A. At Bow K Ranch we emphasize moderate size, quality udders, and built in calving ease.

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

Selling February 23, 2018 in the “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale David & Dawn Bowman • Andrew & Sarah Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 • (970) 323-6833 •

WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM The Profit Picture | 53

News

• Breed composition of the cowherd • Association and registration numbers of sires in bull battery used as maternal grandsires • Source verification program • Special programs such as NHTC, All natural These two values are then added together to create an overall value as shown in the image to the right. The output of this calculator can easily be likened to the American Gelbvieh Association selection index FPI. Bulls that have stronger terminal merit rank higher on FPI. FPI has been a selection tool heavily utilized in the AGA. Based on the inputs, the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator calculates projections

We invite you to attend our upcoming Production Sales

Total Industry Commitment Carcass Data • Fed cattle at Decatur County/Lincoln County Feedyards Benchmarked against 165,000 head for economic relevant traits.

Feed Efficiency

• 18 years of carcass and feed efficiency data gathered.

• RFI data gathered on sale bulls through GrowSafe systems.

Genetic Data SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Fall Female Sale December 2, 2017 Spring Bull Sale • March 3, 2018

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

54 | September 2017

• Ultrasound data collected on bulls and heifers.

• Every bull sells with Genomic Enhanced EPDs. Look for SKF bulls at the Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale Oct 21, 2017, Sandy Knoll Farm Carthage, MO Brian & Leon Dunn St. John, KS 67576 620-786-4039 (Brian Cell) 620-549-6516

News in the following areas: • Quality Grade (percent for Choice and above) • Yield Grade (percent for 1, 2, and 3) • Carcass Weight • Average Daily Gain • Feed Conversion This marketing tool can be used to measure the terminal merit of a cowherd along with identifying strengths and weaknesses within herds to assist producers in determining where to apply selection pressure for advancement in genetic value of their respective operations.

IGS Feeder Profit Calculator is a comprehensive tool including most beef breeds and breed compositions. It leverages the power of the IGS database, which includes over 17,000,000 animals. USDA MARC data is used for breed differences.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a partner of IGS. International Genetic Solutions is a collaborative effort comprised of a total of 12 beef cattle breed associations throughout North America.

Iowa Breeders

To capitalize on this beneficial tool and find out how your cattle will perform with the FPC contact Tom Strahm or Angela Vesco at 303.465.2333. FF

Rafter Neola, Iowa

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

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

Al Schulz: 402-676-5292

Kenyon Cattle LLC & Little Sioux Gelbvieh/ Red Angus • 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

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 | 55

Staff Editorial

Get on Board with Smart Select Service AGA provides cost-effective data management for commercial producers in a user-friendly format.

By Angela Vesco

H

ow many times have you written down information on your cows when working them through the chute, sorting in the pens, or out in the pasture and then never look at the data again until you want to know something? Then when you finally find it, the paper is torn and the ink or graphite was smudged and you couldn’t read it. Or maybe the papers are in perfect condition but it is too late to get that data into the computer and analyzed before you go out into the pen to cull cows.

If you keep data on your cowherd such as weights or cow families, you could learn so much more about your cowherd than just what you see out in the pasture.

Analyzing your herd data could reveal to you which cow is your most productive and which cow is costing you the most money. Or, your personalized Smart Select Service account could tell you which cows consistently wean the heavier calves. Having data behind your management decisions can rapidly increase the productivity level of your herd. Faster genetic progress can be made by implementing data into your day-to-day management practices.

Every day it seems that the use of technology in the beef industry is getting faster and faster and you may wonder how are you going to keep up with it. Computers are being used more and more on the farm, in the tractor, and in the office. What tools are you going to need to be able to implement new programs into your operation?

Smart Select Service is a program that can help answer that question. Smart Select Service was launched two years ago as a service for commercial producers to track their cows, record their calves, and track weight and performance. With all the data that the producer enters into the system, the program creates reports that can be used to select the top performing cows to keep and breed, identify and cull the lower performing cows,

56 | September 2017

and select the best replacement heifers.

Also, another benefit is that the staff at the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) takes care of the data management for its Smart Select Service members. Scott Hamilton, commercial producer from Hitchcock, South Dakota, has been using Smart Select Service since its inception believes that, “you need a program like Smart Select to make it easier for the operator and let those people [AGA staff] manage the data for you.�

Smart Select Service is available for any breed of cattle. No matter what breed or breeds are on your operation, Smart Select Service can manage them.

The AGA is committed to serving the beef industry and Smart Select Service is a specific program to serve the commercial sector. For more information on Smart Select Service, or to sign up, please visit www.gelbvieh. org or call 303.465.2333. FF

GET TO KNOW YOUR COWS WITH SMART SELECT SERVICE $1 per head annually Available for any breed of cattle Access to knowledgeable staff

Gives genetic tools and herd reports to make sound breeding and management decisions Compares animals to the international multi-breed genetic evaluation, making the tools more accurate

We do the data management for you.

AMERICAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION | 303-465-2333 | WWW.GELBVIEH.ORG

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

Stuar t Jar vis

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

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

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

S

Gel

bvie

h

“Where workin’ cattle and eye appeal come full circle” John & Carla Shearer

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

2815 Navajo Rd. • Canton, KS 67428 circle_s@hometelco.net

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle

620.628.4621

Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-642-5871 • 417-529-0081(cell)

620.654.6507 (John Cell) • 620.654.6731 (Johnny Cell)

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

diamond v gelbvieh

•

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

Randy odle

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

MISSOURI

NOWACK

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

B/F Cattle Company

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

Specializing in Forage Raised

Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Judd Ranch Inc.

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

58 | September 2017

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

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

660 • 492 • 2808

Gilbert & Debra

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

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

Breeders Corner

Midwest States

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

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

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

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

GELBVIEHV BALANCERV ANGUS

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

email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

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

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

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

J. J. Boehler

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

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

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

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

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

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

417-753-3578(h) • 417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

FLYING

H

GENETICS

Nebraska & Missouri

Kyle Helms - NE

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

For information about advertising, call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

Cody Helms - NE/MO

308/962-6940 kyle@flyinghgenetics.com

303/842-9071 cody@flyinghgenetics.com

Aaron Ishmael - MO

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

417/309-0062 aaron@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 F Angus Hybrids Randy & Leslie Lemke 1757 Road 2500, (H) 402-756-7090 Lawrence, NE 68957 (C) 402-469-2284 rllemke@gtmc.net www.lemkecattle.com

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

Be sure to Like us on Facebook And look for new videos on our YouTube channel The Profit Picture | 59

News

AGA’s White Elected to BIF Board

T

he Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) held it’s 49th annual convention in Athens, Georgia, May 31 through June 3, 2017. More than 350 beef producers, academia and industry representatives were in attendance.

BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation. Following in it’s robust history of using science to benefit producers, the BIF is now the capstone for developing programs for improving the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production, according to the BIF website.

During the convention, the election of the BIF Board of Directors was held. Kari White, genetic programs coordinator with the American Gelbvieh Association was elected for her first term on the BIF board.

For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFconference.com. For more information about BIF, visit Beefimprovement.org. FF

60 | September 2017

2017-18 Beef Improvement Federation Board of Directors are (seated, l to r) are: Donnell Brown, R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas, president; Lee Leachman, Fort Collins, Colo., vice president; Marty Ropp, Allied Genetics Resources, Normal, Ill., past president; Jane Parish, Prairie, Miss., BIF executive director; Mark Enns, Colorado State University, BIF western region secretary; Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky, BIF eastern region secretary; Bob Weaber, Kansas State University, BIF central region secretary; and Lauren Hyde, American Simmental Association. Back row (l to r) are: Kari White, American Gelbvieh Association; Joe Epperly, North American Limousin Foundation; Josh White, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; Megan Rolf, Kansas State University; Tommy Perkins, International Brangus Breeders Association; Tommy Clark, Culpeper, Va.; Lex Carter, Pingree, Idaho; Joe Mushrush, Strong City, Kan.; Dan Moser, Angus Genetics Inc.; Jared Murnin, ORIgen Beef; Robert Williams, Pickens, Miss.; Jack Ward, American Hereford Association; and Mark Thallman, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. Not pictured are Matt Perrier, Eureka, Kansas; John Genho, Woodville, Va.; and David Bolduc, Canadian Beef Breeds Council.

Greater Cow Herd LonGevity

|

added FertiLity

|

More Pounds oF CaLF weaned

American Gelbvieh Association | www.gelbvieh.org | 303-465-2333

Feature

BeefTalk: Precondition Calves Regardless of Weaning Time The well-prepared, preconditioned calf rewards the producer, the buyer and, most importantly, the calf.

By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist NDSU Extension Service

N

ow is the time to start preparing calves for marketing with a sound preconditioning program developed in concert with your veterinarian.

Drier weather may mean selling this year’s calves earlier, so preconditioning your calves sooner rather than later makes good sense. Do not wait and, out of frustration, call the trucker and just send the calves to town.

Preconditioning calves prior to and at weaning is not a new concept. The North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association’s “Green Tag” program from the late 1980s explained the need in a printed brochure.

“Preconditioning includes a complete health management program which prepares the calves to better withstand the stress and adjustment they need to undergo when they leave the home farm or ranch in route to the

feedlot,” according to the brochure. “Calves are castrated in most cases, dehorned, vaccinated against common shipping and feedlot diseases, treated for grubs and lice and have the opportunity to accustom themselves to water troughs and feed bunks. Additional practices are encouraged which include implants that stimulate the natural growth processes, complete herd health programs within the cow herd and strong relationships with professional veterinarians and animal scientists.”

During the last 30 years, none of these principles have changed (although I must admit the word “grub” does not come up very often in conversation anymore) because the common sense benefits are real despite a list of excuses: lack of facilities, lack of labor and unwillingness to take on the risk.

In mid-July, the Dickinson Research Extension Center weaned a set of 45 calves, and today the calves are doing fine. The calves, while not happy, were in familiar surroundings with feed and water.

During this critical acclimation phase, they slowly got on with life and were introduced to commercial feed to encourage good feed intake.

Walking past them just the other day,

62 | September 2017

they were quick to run, but with a look back, they slowly came to the feeders. This period is critical because every hour that passes when calves do not eat and drink increases the probability that they will descend into a sick pen. Whether vaccinated or not, the necessities of life must be met.

Calves will be stressed as they are moved through the marketing chain, so they need to know to stop and grab a drink of water and bite of hay to stay healthy. Scared, high-headed calves, unable to slow down long enough to smell the feed and water, soon will become depressed, low-headed calves on their way out.

The thought among some producers is if one moves the calves fast enough, the end destination will adapt the calves, as well as pay the bill for any loss. That may work for some, but the well-prepared, preconditioned calf rewards the producer, the buyer and, most importantly, the calf.

The principles in that old brochure are still the same today. Protecting calves is paramount. This protection focuses on preparing calves for a smooth transition to their new home, along with a good calf vaccination program to help the calf remain healthy once exposed to newly encountered pathogens.

Feature

is called vaccination and is the reason calves need to be vaccinated. All the vaccine does is prime the system so some day, in the event of a real invasion, antibodies are ready to be called into action. This priming vaccination generally is followed by a second booster vaccination to fine-tune the system into making very specific antibodies for each incoming foreign substance.

With improved vaccinations available and more vaccination programs readily attainable, following the labels and protocols developed by the respective vaccine manufacturers is very important for producers. The end result is calves that can withstand the rigors of life without mom and adapt readily in whatever system the calf is placed.

No perfect preconditioning program, no perfect time to vaccinate, no perfect time to market exists, but as a producer, with the help of good professional health and management advice, the odds can be stacked in a favorable outcome for the calf.

May you find all your ear tags. FF

Start with a preweaning vaccination protocol and revaccination at weaning. Proper management enables cattle to withstand the daily issues of maintaining health and vigor, but a properly prepared and challenged immune system through appropriate vaccinations is critical to total herd resistance to local pathogens.

The basic concept of immunity is relatively simple. The body reacts to foreign objects by developing defensive antibodies. The key to good health is to have the proper “antibody” response present within the living system to combat invading viruses, bacteria or other foreign substances.

Each antibody (or immunoglobulin, if you like big words) is very specific, only consuming or catching one type of invading substance. This process

Montana Breeders Quality livestock that Work for you Performance + Safety = Profit from Pasture to Plate

“Gelbvieh since 1973”

Gelbvieh

Carcass Quality • Calving Ease • Tenderness • Docility

Quarter Horses

Want to Please • Strong Bone • Intelligent • Athletic 1496 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

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 15, 2018

The Profit Picture | 63

Breeders Corner IOWA

Upper Midwest States

MINNESOTA

u Brandywine Farm

u

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

Tom Scarponcini 30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

GS

Gelbvieh

Ridge Top Ranch

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer

Neola, Iowa

Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

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

Schafer Farms, Inc. SFI

Balancer®

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

inquist

th 1135 190 Street inquist Fonda, IA 50540

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

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

LONE OAK

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

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

NORTH DAKOTA

hornsandthorns@netins.net

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

SOUTH DAKOTA

Dean Swenson

C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

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

Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Ricky Linquist

Promote Your Operation

Chimney Butte RanCh

ADKINS GELBVIEH

Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty (605) 354-2428 Cell gerald@adkinsgelbvieh.com Gerald & Sarah Adkins www.adkinsgelbvieh.com 41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

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

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

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

Doug & Carol Hille

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

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 2017

Julie Maude 605.381.2803 (C) Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C) cj_llivestock@yahoo.com Hermosa, SD Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics from a Trusted Source

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

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

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

Breeders Corner

Upper Midwest States

Northeast States

Send his credentials with him...

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

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCER®

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

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

INDIANA

3 G Ranch

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

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

Brian & Dee Dee 605-649-9927

Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-6262

OHIO

www.Balancerbulls.com

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

kvolek@venturecomm.net

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)

350 Interlocken Blvd., Ste. 200 Broomfield, CO 80021 303-465-2333 www.gelbvieh.org

The Profit Picture | 65

News

Measure the Ways Crossbreeding Pays

By Drew Carlson and Megan Slater

N

ow more than ever, producers are trying to maximize outputs and herd performance all while reducing costs. Taking advantage of tools that allow for reduced costs and increased productivity and profitability is an essential worth to producers in today’s industry. One tool that has been utilized in the beef industry for several years, and one that has evident value in beef production, is crossbreeding.

Crossbreeding provides increased performance with minimal, if any additional costs to the producer.

Through the practice of crossbreeding, heterosis (or hybrid vigor) and breed complementarity are achieved within the herd. Heterosis can be defined as the superiority in performance of the crossbred animal compared to the average of its straight-bred parents.

When valuing heterosis, you essentially gain a dual advantage: individual heterosis and maternal heterosis.

Individual heterosis results in an increase of calf survival to weaning, along with increased growth.

Table 4 shows the increase in performance that can be achieved through individual heterosis. Through crossbreeding, calves have been seen to have a 3.9 percent increase in weaning weight and a 2.6 percent increase in average daily gain, all which translates to increased profits.

progeny. Improved fertility, increased calf survivability, greater cow longevity, and more pounds of calf produced are examples of maternal heterosis.

As seen in Table 5, a crossbred cow has been shown to have a 16.2 percent increase in longevity and has proven to stay in the herd longer than a straight-bred cow.

This table also reflects the increase in number of calves through a cow’s lifetime as we all as additional pounds of cumulative weaning weight and more profit for the producer. The effects of heterosis are greatest for lifetime production with a 30 percent improvement, longevity or herd-life with a 15 percent increase, and annual income improvement from heterosis at 23 percent.

The crossbred female is really where crossbreeding pays off. Traits that are most influenced by heterosis are those traits with low heritability, such as fertility traits. Traits that are most affected by heterosis can be seen below in the table below.

Traits

Similar to the definition of heterosis above, maternal heterosis is the advantage of a crossbred mother over the average of other purebred mothers. It refers to the combined improvement in traits from the dam that causes an increase in the performance of her and her

66 | September 2017

Fertility, Mothering Ability, Calf Survival Birth and weaning weight, milking ability, and feedlot gain Mature weight, carcass qualities

Heritability

Heterosis

Low

High

Medium

Medium

High

Low

Utilizing crossbreeding systems also allows for the opportunity to capitalize on breed complementarity.

This is the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of each breed type and applying those that complement each other. Breed complementarity is one of the best ways to describe the benefits of BalancerÂŽ cattle.

Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. They combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus to make an animal that meets today’s modern industry demands.

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female for any herd. So, why not reap the benefits of the heterosis advantage? FF

Balancer hybrids offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and the proper combination of British and Continental genetics in your cowherd in a straightforward and easy crossbreeding system.

Gelbvieh are also an ideal fit for a crossbreeding program because of their superior maternal characteristics such as longevity and fertility.

Gelbvieh females are known for reaching puberty at an earlier age and remaining in the herd longer. With these attributes, combined with performance gained through maternal heterosis, Gelbvieh-influenced cattle make the ideal

The Profit Picture | 67

Breeders Corner

Southeast States Mick Ainsworth

KENTUCKY

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

VIRGINIA REGISTERED POLLED GELBVIEH C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC

Grass Grown • Carcass Quality & Performance

Roger Morris • C.W. Moss 928 Morris Road Appomattox, VA 24522 434.574.6592 Roger Morris C.W. Moss 434.315.4294 434.391.4458

Coles Bend Cattle Company

Raising registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle since 2000.

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68 | September 2017

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Editorial

Low-Stress Weaning Written collaboratively by Adele Harty, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist and Ken Olson SDSU Professor & Beef Specialist

W

eaning is a stressful time for calves. This stress can contribute to reduced feed and water intake, which results in poor nutrition. The added stress of weaning can also depress the immune system, leading to greater risk for sickness and death. Any opportunity to reduce the stress of weaning has the opportunity to contribute to improved health and performance of calves, both during and after the weaning period.

Typical weaning involving the abrupt removal of the calf from the cow will create a highly stressful situation. Any weaning process that makes the separation more gradual will reduce the stress and therefore potentially improve health and performance of the calf. Examples of low-stress weaning methods include fenceline and two-step weaning.

time eating, and had greater weight gains compared to calves that were abruptly and completely separated from their dams. The increased weight gain was maintained through a 10-week timeframe post-weaning.

Additional research at Michigan supported the increased performance for the first 14 days and lower serum haptoglobin levels at day 5, however this performance did not continue through the study and there were no sustained performance differences based on weaning method. Haptoglobin is an indicator of stress, and is often present in the blood following stress. Thus, lower serum haptoglobin in fenceline weaned calves indicated they were less stressed after weaning. An additional study in Michigan evaluated calf behavior and found that the fenceline and two-step weaning methods appear to be less stressful on calves compared to abrupt weaning methods.

For fenceline weaning to be effective there are steps that need to be taken.

Fenceline Weaning Fenceline weaning methods are most frequently used in weaning on pasture as a means to decrease stress on the calves, potentially resulting in increased performance and immunity compared to abruptly weaned counterparts. Research in Utah indicated that fenceline weaned calves vocalized less, spent more

70 | September 2017

1. Place pairs in the pasture that the calves will be in following weaning so they become familiar with the fences and water in the pasture.

2. Upon weaning, place the cows in the pasture adjacent to the calves so they can see, hear and smell each other, but cannot nurse. o This may require some modifications to fences to ensure the cows and calves remain separated. o There are multiple options to fencing, which could be as simple or complex as desired.  A 5 strand barbed wire fence  A 5 strand electric if they have not been acclimated to electric fence prior to weaning.  A barbed wire fence with a single offset electric wire to ensure calves cannot reach through and nurse

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Bred to Bennett Y6 for Oct 6 calf

Service Sires used: Purebred: JKGF Chief Justice C205, Lazy TV Sam U451, JOB Danell TD Chico Loco 28Y Balancer: KCF Bennett Y6, EGL Lifeline B101, JRI Multitool 706A22, JRI Master Plan 254X95, JKGF Ditka C85 Angus: LD Emblazon 999, SAV Bruiser 9164 Red Angus: HXC Jackhammer, HXC Big Iron 0024X

Editorial

 Other options can work, but separation

must be maintained 3. It may be valuable to place a cull cow or yearling with the calves to decrease the amount they walk fences.

4. After a few days the cows and calves will move farther from the fence and not be as concerned about being weaned.

Two-Step Weaning Two-step weaning is another option for decreasing stress on the calves. The two-step process utilizes plastic nose tags that prevent the calves from nursing while they are in the same pasture as their dams. The calves are still able to eat forage and drink water.

The two steps to this process are: 1. Place plastic nose tags in all calves for 4 to 7 days. It is important to ensure they are placed correctly to minimize loss through falling out and calves figuring out how to nurse with them in.

2. After the 4 to 7-day period, remove the plastic nose tag and move the cows to a remote location.

Research from Canada shows that calves with nose tags do not bawl or walk any more than calves without

72 | September 2017

nose tags. They also spend as much time eating each day during the time the nose tags are in. When stage 2 starts (separation from dams), there is no increase in bawling or walking compared to stage 1 or prior to inserting the nose tags. Meanwhile, contemporaries that were abruptly weaned in the Canadian studies displayed dramatic increases in bawling and walking during the weaning process.

As indicated above, research in Michigan indicated two-step weaning was less stressful than abrupt weaning. Whether this reduced stress leads to long-term improvement in health and performance appears to be unknown and requires additional research. Despite this, even the reduction in stress during weaning may be worth the effort to use less stressful weaning procedures.

The Bottom Line Realize that less stressful weaning is not only an improvement for the calves, but may also be less stressful and more peaceful for cattle producers as well because of quieter cattle and a more peaceful environment during weaning. FF Courtesy of igrow.org

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Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

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74 | September 2017

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Editorial

Grazing Considerations in a Drought Year Establishing annual monitoring protocols gives you the ability to compare current conditions to previous years.

By Jack Arterburn, Nebraska Extension Educator

W

ith drought conditions intensifying across Nebraska, range and pasture growth is winding down, or in many cases has stopped. Now is a time when grazing decisions will impact next year’s forage production. This spring brought timely precipitation across portions of Nebraska providing plentiful cool-season forage. However, with the end of cool-season forage production in June and the start of warm-season forage growth came persistent dry conditions across the central portion of Nebraska.

This meant good to above average cool-season forage production followed by below average warm-season forage.

Now rangelands are reaching the end of growth for warmseason species as these grasses transition from leaf growth to seed production. This year’s forage production is nearly completed, leaving some producers short on grass going into the fall. The temptation may be to leave cattle on pasture taking more forage than is best for plant health and vigor. However, use caution because the stress of drought conditions combined with severe grazing can be severely impacting next year’s forage production.

If late-summer / early-fall rain comes causing a bump in cool-seasons species production, think hard about whether to graze it. Defoliation this late in the growing season limits the plant’s ability to store energy for green up next spring, costing forage production next year. Defer grazing if possible until after a killing frost. If you have no other choice but to graze, try to leave 3-4 inches of growth at the base of the plant and avoid grazing these same pastures next spring. Assuming adequate moisture is available next year, deferring grazing on these pastures will give these cool season grasses the opportunity to recover before being grazed again.

Now is the time to get out and take an inventory of pastures to see what forage is available. For the most part, what forage production is there now on upland range and pasture is all grazing managers should plan to graze until

76 | September 2017

next year’s growing season. Select a site away from water or mineral sites that is representative of the entire pasture.

Looking down at the soil surface, rather than out at the pasture, provides the better assessment of pasture/soil condition. Inspect not only the forage quantity, but, just as important, ground cover. Litter, or the grass laying on the soil surface, absorbs precipitation, reduces evaporation by shading the soil, and adds organic matter to the soil.

This makes a significant difference when every drop of precipitation counts. Also consider stubble height, also called “residual.” Residual, like litter, helps water infiltrate the soil, especially during heavy rains.

Conducting an assessment of pastures gives grazing managers a current assessment of where they stand.

Establishing annual monitoring protocols gives you the ability to compare conditions to previous years, providing an in-depth look into the impacts of drought on your forage.

Use this information to budget forage and plan accordingly.

Strategies to destock pastures early should be utilized to minimize the impact of drought conditions on rangelands.

Drought conditions should be an expected event.

Proactive planning and management of rangeland and pastures to minimized drought impacts to grass growth and vigor will help ensure rapid recovery when rain comes again. For more information on management of rangeland and pastures, see the Nebraska Extension Circulars “Skillful Grazing Management on Semiarid Rangeland” (http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/ assets/pdf/ec162.pdf) and “Integrating Management Objectives and Grazing Strategies on Semiarid Rangeland” (http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/ assets/pdf/ec158.pdf). FF Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

MEETING MODERN INDUSTRY DEMANDS. MAKING THE GRADE

“Balancer® cattle that we have had the opportunity to feed have stayed healthy throughout the feeding period, they’ve gone on feed fast, they’ve performed very well and they’ve hung up on the rail as good as any that we’ve fed.

In 2015 we had 100% Choice or better, 5% went Prime, and 53% went to branded beef programs with upper two-thirds choice criteria. We would be happy to take cattle like that all year long.”

- Jesse Landin McClymont Feedyard, Holdrege, NE

ADDING THE POUNDS DELIVERING THE VALUE “Gelbvieh-influenced cattle provide added carcass weight and at the end of the day we’re still paid on pounds. They also add ribeye, more gaining ability and feed efficiency, all things that are highly valuable.”

-Bill Tucker Tucker Family Farms, Amherst, VA

“I really like the Balancer® for their rate of gain and their muscling. I do buy some linebred Angus and when I compare them to my Balancers there is a definite difference in rate of gain and muscling. I watch my marbling very closely and I see no effect of lower quality grade. With so much linebreeding going on, we lose that heterosis which is that extra little kick that we don’t have to do anything, it’s just there!”

-Scott Hamilton Hamilton Farms, Hitchcock, SD

#1 3.47lbs 100% Choice or better Gelbvieh are

Average daily gain in the feedyard.

Reported by McClymont Feedyard, an Innovative Livestock Services Feedyard

for percent retail product (U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, progress report #22)

Many feedyards have reported Balancer-sired cattle that grade

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Figure 1. Mobility score of fed cattle entering the packing plants1

Figure 1.

3%

0.1%

Mobility Score 2

Mobility Score

Mobility Score 3

Description

The

1

Normal, walks easily, no apparent lameness

2

Exhibits minor stiffness, shortness of stride, slight limp, keeps up with normal cattle

3

Exhibits obvious stiffness, difficulty taking steps, obvious limp, obvious discomfort, lags behind normal cattle

4

Extremely reluctant to move - even when encouraged, statue-like

Source: North American Meat Institute (2015) 1 Because of rounding, percentages do not total 100.

96.8%

Mobility Score 1

Figure 2. Bruise severity (% of bruises observed) Bruise Severity (% of bruises observed) 77.0

80

Transportation, Mobility and Harvest Floor Assessments evaluated various characteristics that determine quality and value, including the number of blemishes, condemnations and other attributes that may impact animal value. The transportation and mobility assessments represented about 10 percent of a day’s production at each plant. The harvest floor assessment represented 50 percent of a day’s production – about 25,000 cattle. Research showed: ȇ

Nearly 97 percent of cattle received a mobility score of 1, with the animal walking easily and normally, with no apparent lameness (Figure 1);

ȇ

There was a decrease in black-hided cattle and an increase in Holsteintype cattle compared to the NBQA 2011, 57.8 percent vs. 61.1 percent and 20.4 percent vs. 5.5 percent, respectively;

ȇ

There were more cattle without a brand, more cattle with no horns, fewer cattle with identification, more carcasses with bruises, although bruising was generally less severe (Figure 2);

ȇ

The number of blemishes, condemnations and other attributes that impact animal value remain small; however, of livers harvested, more than 30 percent did not pass inspection and were condemned.

Industry efforts to address these issues since 1995 have been generally encouraging.

Bruise Size Key

70

Minimal

60 50

< 1 lb surface trim loss

Major

1-10 lb trim loss

Critical

> 10 lb trim loss

Extreme

Entire Primal

40 30 20.6 20 10 1.7 0

Minimal

Major

0.7 Extreme

Critical

Severity

Table 2. Percentage distribution1 of carcasses stratified by USDA quality and yield grades USDA Yield Grade

The Cooler Assessments captured data on quality and yield grade attributes and carcass defects (Table 2). It also provides a benchmark for future beef industry educational and research efforts. The 2016 research showed: ȇ

While the industry is improving the quality of beef being produced, that quality is being accompanied by an increase in size and fatness;

ȇ

Since 1995 there has been a continued increase in carcass weight. In 2016, 44.1% of carcasses weighed 900 lb or greater (Figure 3), which is 20.7 percentage points higher than in 2011. While total cattle slaughtered is the lowest in years, total beef production has increased.

This suggests a positive sustainability outcome, producing more beef with the same amount of resources;

ȇ

Heavier carcasses could result in an increased ribeye area which, in turn, could lead to a steak with an undesirable surface area. Consumers generally prefer thicker steaks with a smaller surface area.

ȇ

There was a dramatic increase in the frequency of Prime and Choice (Figure 4), and a decrease in the frequency of Select. One of the reasons for this is the increase in dairy-type carcasses. While the greatest proportion of carcasses were within the lowest third of the grade for both Choice and Prime, the majority of carcasses qualifying for Select were in the top half of the grade.

USDA Quality Grade, % Prime

Choice

Select

Other2

1

0.07

4.06

4.79

0.55

2

0.94

23.61

10.90

1.05

3

1.78

29.94

6.20

1.49

4

0.97

9.31

1.40

0.40

5

0.22

1.86

0.33

0.12

1Carcasses

with missing values for USDA quality or yield grades are not included.

2Other includes: Standard, Commercial, Utility, dark cutter, blood splash, hard bone, and calloused ribeye.

Figure6.3.

Frequency distribution by carcass weight group Figure Frequency distribution by carcass weight groups

Participants identified three categories for focused improvement: Food Safety and Animal Health ȇ Implement information-sharing systems, based on modern animal identification and record-keeping technologies, to improve global market access; ȇ

ȇ

Improve uptake of preventive health strategies and good cattle husbandry techniques to ensure future effectiveness of antimicrobials; Continue efforts to improve supply chain safety interventions.

16.0% 15

13.3% 11.0%

10

7.4% 6.0% 5

074 9 75 079 9 80 084 9 85 089 9 90 094 9 95 099 10 9 00 -10 49 10 50 -11 00 >1 10 0

70

069 9

65

0-

64 9

59 9

0.1% 0.2%

1.9%

0.8%

60

0

Weight Group (lbs)

Figure 4. Changes in Prime and Choice combined over time Changes in Prime and Choice Over Time

80 71%

70 61%

60 55%

40

1991

ȇ

Utilize advancements in genetic technologies to breed for carcasses with increased eating satisfaction, uniformity, and desirable endproduct specifications;

ȇ

Implement or refine sorting strategies to maximize uniformity of cattle, carcasses and end product. Systems to enable rewarding of increased uniformity should be developed.

Optimizing Value and Eliminating Waste ȇ Implement information-sharing systems, based on modern animal identification and record-keeping technologies, to assist in sending informed market signals to producers for greater (or lesser) valued carcasses and improve system efficiency; Increase industry-wide uptake of proven genomic technologies and invest in the development, testing and acceptance of techniques to improve traits more quickly.

55% 49%

50

Eating Quality and Reduction of Variety ȇ Develop more measurable information systems to increase supply chain coordination;

ȇ

3.1%

2.3%

0-

One essential need identified was for greater education and communication of BQA to the supply chain and consumers, and how increased certification of BQA followers could enhance respect for the program.

18.4%

55

In a December 2016 Strategy Session, more than 70 individuals representing every sector of the beef industry met to review results of the research and discuss industry implications. Outcomes from that meeting provide quality guidance to the industry for the next five years.

19.6%

20

<5 50

Instrument Grading Evaluation reviewed data that represented more than 4.5 million carcasses over a one-year period, and provided results that were similar to those observed through in-plant research, giving confidence to the increasingly prevalent assessments provided by instrument grading throughout the industry. The trends echoed those observed in 2011.

1995

51%

2005

2000

Year

2011

2016

Table 3. Target Consensus for Quality Grade, Yield Grade and Carcass Weight

LOST OPPORTUNITIES Lost opportunities are calculated for each audit to give perspective to the value of industry losses for not producing cattle that meet industry targets.

During the strategy workshop, participants set a target consensus for Quality Grade, Yield Grade and carcass weight. The target consensus is presented in Table 3. These goals, with the actual prevalence of each from the audit and summary prices for 2016, as reported by USDA, are used to calculate these values. Challenges arise each audit in this exercise as prices sometimes are not reported, or changes in data collection occur. New issues for 2016 include lack of yearly prices for lungs and tongues as well as no collection of tripe condemnations. The total lost opportunities for previous audits are adjusted to 2016 prices to give an accurate comparison between years (Table 4).

Quality Grade Grade

Target

Prime

5%

Upper 2/3 Choice

35%

Low Choice

35%

Select

25%

Standard/Ungraded

0%

Yield Grade Grade

Target

1

10%

2

45%

3

40%

4

5%

5

0

CONCLUSION

The beef industry has spent the last quarter century significantly improving the quality of its product. However, there’s no denying room for continuous improvement. While the data show that those in the industry have a valuable story to tell, it’s no help that many in the industry don’t fully know the best way to tell it.

Carcass Weight Range

Target

<600 lb

0%

600-900 lb

20%

801-900 lb

30%

901-1000 lb

50%

>1000 lb

0%

In conclusion, the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit observed a decrease in cattle with hide brands, presence of horns, and an increase in the frequency of Prime and Choice carcasses. However, it is evident further improvement is needed with liver condemnations and carcasses with bruising.

An important strategy for improved industry health and success was evident in the research: utilizing BQA and its principles to increase consumer confidence and enhance industry commitment would encourage greater beef demand, and improve industry harmonization. Carrying this BQA message throughout the industry all the way to consumers would benefit every audience.

Table 4. Lost opportunities in quality issues for NBQA-1991, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2011 and 2016 (using 2016 prices) 2016 2011 2005 2000 1995 1991 Quality Grade

-$15.75

-$30.44

-$26.62

-$29.66

-$33.23

-$33.14

Yield Grade

-$12.91

-$5.93

-$15.60

-$15.53

-$10.20

-$22.19

Carcass Weight

-$10.88

-$6.41

-$4.46

-$3.44

-$5.68

-$4.52

Hide/Branding

-$0.84

-$1.95

-$1.90

-$2.39

-$2.67

-$2.43

Offal

-$8.68

-$2.57

-$2.63

-$2.82

-$1.59

-$0.99

Total

-$49.06

-$47.30

-$51.21

-$53.84

-$53.37

-$63.27

The full Executive Summary and more information about the 2016 NBQA and previous audits can be found on the Beef Quality Assurance website at www.bqa.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: National Cattlemen's Beef Association Contractor to the Beef Checkoff 9110 East Nichols Ave. Centennial, CO 80112 303.694.0305 www.beefusa.org

Places to Be

September 2017 Sept. 16

Sept. 27 Sept. 30

Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XII & 9 Annual Customer Appreciation Sale, including herd reduction of Kenyon Cattle/ Little Sioux Gelbvieh and Four Winds Ranch, Kingsville, MO Eagle Pass Ranch Fall Bull Sale, Dos Palos, CA Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY th

October 2017 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 14

Oct. 21 Oct. 21

Oct. 28

Oct. 28

AGJA Calendar Booking Deadline American Rancher Judd Ranch 27th Annual Cow Power Female Sale, Pomona, KS Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale, Carthage, MO Midwest Beef Alliance Fall Bull & Female Sale, Marshall Junction, MO Flying H Genetics Roughage N’ Ready Fall Bull Sale, Butler, MO Warner Beef Genetics, Genetic Opportunities Female Production Sale, Arapahoe, NE

November 2017 Nov. 4 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull &

Female Sale, Windsor, MO Nov. 4 TJB Gelbvieh’s 6th Annual Bull Sale,

Chickamauga, GA Nov. 4 Pioneers of Progress Inaugural Production Sale,

Burlington, CO Nov. 11 Eagle Pass Ranch Fall Female Sale, Highmore, SD Nov. 11 C-Cross Annual Fall Bull & Female Sale,

Biscoe, NC Nov. 11 21st Annual Heart of America Gelbvieh

Association Show-Me Plus Gelbvieh & Balancer

Sale, Springfield, MO Nov. 15 NAILE 2017 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Heifer

Futurity, Louisville, KY Nov. 18 Seedstock Plus Influence Commercial Female

Sale, Kingsville, MO Nov. 18 Red River Bull Sale, Wichita Falls, TX Nov. 18-19 Triple K Gelbvieh Open House, Basehor, KS Nov. 24 Kansas Gelbvieh Association Annual Meeting,

Salina, KS Nov. 25 Kansas Gelbvieh Association Annual Pick of the

Herds Sale, Salina, KS

84 | September 2017

December 2017 Dec. 2 SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Fall Female Sale,

Pierce, CO Dec. 7-9 47th Annual AGA National Convention,

Wichita, KS Dec. 16 Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, TN Dec. 16 4th Annual CJ&L Livestock Bull Sale,

Hermosa, SD

February 2018 Feb. 5

Feb. 20 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 24

Feb. 24

Taubenheim Gelbvieh 28th Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE Cedar Top Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Burwell, NE Plateau Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Brush, CO 27th Annual Pot of Gold Bull Sale, Montrose, CO Swanson Cattle Company 31st Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE Post Rock Cattle Company Cowman’s Kind Annual Bull Sale, Barnard, KS

March 2018 Mar. 3

Mar. 3 Mar. 3

Mar. 3

Mar. 5

Mar. 6

Mar. 8

Mar. 10 Mar. 10

Mar. 13

Mar. 15

Mar. 16

Mar. 17

Mar. 24

Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus 37th Annual Production Sale, Selby, SD SEGA Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Pierce, CO Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO Judd Ranch 40th Annual Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Hojer Ranch 26th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Huron, SD Warner Beef Genetics, Genetic Investment Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Raile Gelbvieh/Balancer Bull Sale, Burlington, CO Genetic Power Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Midwest Beef Alliance Spring Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Bar Arrow Cattle Company 28th Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls, MT 9th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Lone Oak Cattle Annual Bull Sale, Mechanicsville, IA Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull & Female Sale, Windsor, MO

Ad Index

3 G Ranch............................................65 ABCS Gelbvieh.............................34, 64 Adkins Gelbvieh.................................64 AGA.................................. 37, 57, 61, 77 American Rancher.............................79 B/F Cattle Company...........................58 Bar Arrow Cattle Company..............58 Bar IV Livestock.................................68 Bar JR Gelbvieh.......................39, 63, 74 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc..........................74 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch.................64 Bluegrass Invitational Sale.................51 Boehler Gelbvieh................................59 Bolton Cattle Ranch...........................74 Bow K Ranch................................53, 74 Brandywine Farm...............................64 Bull Barn Genetics........................12, 78 Butler Creek Farm..............................23 Canadian GV Assn.............................78 Cattlemen’s Connection.................3, 78 C-Cross Cattle Company............68, 85 Cedar Top Ranch................. IFC, 59, 87 Chimney Butte Ranch....................... 64 C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC..................68 Circle S Ranch.....................................58 CJ&L Livestock.............................38, 64 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh................37 Coles Bend Cattle Company.............68 Cranview Gelbvieh.......................64, 75 Cunningham, Ronn...........................78 Danell Diamond Six Ranch...............74 Diamond L Farms..............................50 Diamond V Gelbvieh.........................58 Dobson Ranch....................................12 Dromgoole’s Heaven..........................50 Eagle Pass Ranch................................64 Flying H Genetics....................... 59, BC Gelbviehauction.com.........................43 Golden Buckle Gelbvieh....................47 Green Hills Gelbvieh....................23, 68

86 | September 2017

GS Ridge Top Ranch....................55, 64 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh..........64 HAGA Sale..........................................35 Hampton Cattle Company..........52, 68 Harriman Santa Fe.......................40, 58 Hart Farm Gelbvieh...........................58 Hartland Farm....................................58 Hilltop Farms................................29, 58 Hodges Ranch.....................................50 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch............25, 34, 65 J&K Farm.............................................65 J Bar M Gelbvieh..........................19, 58 Judd Ranch, Inc..............................1, 58 Kenyon Cattle, LLC............................55 Kicking Horse Ranch.............30, 63, 74 Kittle Gelbvieh Farms........................50 Knoll Crest Farm................................68 Koehn Cattle Co.................................50 Land of Oz/ John C Oswald..............58 Lambert, Doak....................................78 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh........................74 Lemke Cattle.......................................59 Leonhardt Cattle Company...............65 Linquist Farms....................................64 Little Windy Hill Farms.....................68 Lone Oak Cattle............................15, 64 Longleaf Station..................................68 M&P Gelbvieh....................................59 Maple Hill Farm..................................30 Markes Family Farms.............17, 50, 52 Martens Gelbvieh.........................55, 64 Martin Cattle Company...............50, 52 Midwest Beef Alliance.......................22 Miller Gelbvieh...................................50 Miller, Myron......................................71 Mitchell Marketing Service...............78 MLM Gelbvieh..............................27, 59 Mulroy Farms......................................58 Murray Farms...............................42, 87 Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh.....................74

Nowack Cattle Company...................58 Plateau Gelbvieh...........................27, 74 Pope Farms Gelbvieh.........................51 Post Rock Cattle Company...........7, 58 Pot of Gold Bull Sale..........................27 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh.........................65 Rafter R Gelbvieh...............................55 Raile Gelbvieh.....................................27 Register Farms....................................68 Ridinger Cattle Company..................49 Rippe Gelbvieh..............................27, 73 Rocking GV Gelbvieh........................58 Rocky Top Gelbvieh...........................68 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh......41, 59 Safety Zone..........................................31 Sandy Knoll Farm...............................54 Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay......74 Schafer Farms, Inc..............................64 SEGA Gelbvieh...................................54 Seedstock Plus Genetics....................78 Seedstock Plus.................... 5, 44, 45, 78 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale...................48 Spring Flood Ranch...........................59 Swanson Cattle Company...........59, 88 Swenson Gelbvieh........................34, 64 Taubenheim Gelbvieh..................33, 59 The 88 Ranch.......................................59 Thorstenson Gelbvieh....................9, 65 Thull Gelbvieh Farm..........................65 TJB Gelbvieh.......................................69 Triple H Farms....................................64 Triple K Gelbvieh..........................13, 58 Volek Ranch..................................34, 65 Warner Beef Genetics ..............87, IBC White Oak Farms...............................59 Wildwood Acres.................................65 Wilkinson Gelbvieh...........................74 Wolf Gelbvieh.....................................59 Wyndemere Farm LLC......................68 Yoder’s Prairie Acres....................46, 65

'

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· 100 Age Advantage Balancer bulls • Combining the best of the Gelbvieh & Angus b ee • Stout bulls with added calving ease, growth & docility • Backed by reputable breeders with 70+ years combined bull sale experience • 100% gaurantee, no questions asked

95% Black • 100% Polled • 100% AI Sired • And Multiple ET Progeny Sell!

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WARNER BEEF

_____ FARMS_

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Dan Warner 308-962-6511

Scott Starr 308-530-3900

Andrea Murray 405-368-9601

Making the cowman kind...

It’s the tradition

31st Annual Production Sale February 24, 2018 At the Ranch

Our tradition is breeding balanced cattle that WORK for our customers.

• Bulls that are SOUND on their feet and legs with PERFORMANCE • Productive females that BREED back and wean BIG calves year after year • Feedlot cattle that GAIN, GRADE, and CONVERT

NHOME RAISED HEIFERS 5 YEAR CLOSEOUT AVERAGEN 95.5% Choice or better • 46% CAB • 3.41 ADG • 5.90 Dry Mater Conversion

Ranch visitors always welcome!

Jeff Swanson

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

When it is time to move your program forward, we’ve got you covered.

Genetic OPPORTUNITIES FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE:

100 Elite Registered & Commercial Females October 28, 2017 • 1:00 PM (cst) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE RED RIVER BULL SALE 100 Age Advantage Balancer Bulls Saturday, November 18, 2017 Wichita Falls, TX

Genetic INVESTMENT BULL SALE:

120 Yearling Bulls March 6, 2018 • 1:00 PM (cst) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE

Your commercially focused, quality minded supplier.

Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922 Dan Warner • 308-962-6511 Monte Warner • 308-268-6020 Darren Warner • 308-268-2031

TRACTION’S DATA: GE CED BW

WW

EPD % RANK 15

10

54

90

-3.7

YW

2

79

MK

80

31

45

TM

58

75

YG

-0.46

20

REA

0.49

FPI

69.89

CEM CW MB

7

40

11

FLYING H

95 40

0.05

10

MR.TRACTION MR.T RACTION

AGA# 1278896 Purebred Gelbvieh

35

45B

SELLING SONS OF THESE PROVEN HERDSIRES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 Flying H Bull Barn – Butler, MO • 1:00 PM CST

Beef Maker 102Y

Professor 22W AGA# 1347406 Purebred Gelbvieh

Semen Available

Flying H Grand Slam 128D ET AGA# 1108539

ASA# 2594879

Superior Balancer® genetics for cows

Superior SimAngusTM genetics while moderating milk Beef Maker R13 X Shear Force 38K Homozygous Polled, Black

GE

CE

%

2

BW

WW

YW

MK

CW

RE

MB

GAR-EGL Protege X RITO 1I2 OF 2536 RITO 6I6 Polled, Homozygous Black API

TI

EPD 20.2 -2.6 69.5 113.6 23.6 33.8 1.16 0.71 172.6 89.8 10

20

15

30

25

2

5

The Tradition Continues...

2

2

GE

CE

BW

WW

YW

MK

CW

EPD

15

-1.1

69

104

27

30

%

25

30

50

50

50

55

RE

MB

FPI

1.24 0.49 87.57 1

25

25

www.FLYINGHGENETICS.com For more information, scan the code or go to our website, call or text us.

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FLYING H GENETICS

Cody & Casie Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Andrea Reinhart, MO 417.309.0062 Kyle & Kayla Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500

BALANCERS® | GELBVIEH | SIMANGUSTM | SIMMENTAL | FUSIONTM | ANGUS | RED ANGUS