September 2018 Profit Picture

September 2018 | www.GELBVIEH.org

GIVE FEEDER CALVES THE BALANCER EDGE ®

DETAILS ON PAGE 70

GENETICS THAT THRIVE ACROSS THE US SELLER, PUT ON YOUR BUYER’S HAT!

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

Join Us

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Free to Attend

Provided Lunch 12:30 p.m.

NASHVILLE AIRPORT MARRIOTT

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 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 provide insight on how good genetics and management pay off through the beef supply chain. Visit www.gelbvieh.org for more information.

28th Annual Judd Ranch

Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus

Cow Power Female Sale Saturday, October 13 • 12:00 noon • Pomona, Kansas One hour SW of Kansas City • Free Trucking in U.S. on Purchases of $20,000+

208 Homozygous Polled Females Sell (46 Homo Black/Homo Polled)

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 19 of the past 20 years (1998-2017) as the breeds #1 Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction breeder and owner.

Plus cows that produced 280 bulls that sold in our March bull sale, with an 79 lb. average birth weight/875 lb. average weaning weight.

Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Ranch when 223–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.

Catalog online at www.juddranch.com

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

Contents NEWS

FEATURES Gelbvieh-Influenced Cows Thrive Throughout the Country

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Environments across the U.S. are vastly different, but commercial beef producers in each area have found ways to incorporate Gelbvieh genetics into their cowherd and have experienced success in such an endeavor. By Angela Vesco, Tom Strahm, and Rebecca Mettler Over the Fence with Lee and Stacy Marriott, Rocking M Ranch, Stover, Missouri 16 Meet the Marriott family, who have been raising Gelbvieh-influenced commercial cattle in central Missouri since 1988. By Tom Strahm Crossbreeding: So Much to Gain

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By Rebecca Mettler Sell Better by Thinking Like a Buyer Learn from Clint Berry, Superior Livestock Auction representative from Gainesville, Missouri, about the numerous ways to capture feeder calf value.

By Rebecca Mettler

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The American Gelbvieh Association Releases BOLT-Powered EPDs

13

Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ Bulls Included in Integrity Beef Alliance Program 26 Marketing Feeder Cattle with AGA Feeder Finder

34

Gelbvieh Association, IMI Global Release BalancerÂŽ Edge Source and Age Verification Program 70

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION The Profit Picture is the commercially-focused 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 2018

Subscribe online at www.gelbvieh.org/news/publications/ profit-picture/

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE

EDITORIAL Genetics for the Real World

By Scott Starr, AGA President More Accurate Genetic Predictions with New Genetic Evaluation

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

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28

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Good News in the Endless Cycle of Negativity

By Rebecca Mettler

36

Sharing the Right Message

By Grace Vehige, AGJA President

42

Five Tips to Improve Your Business on Facebook

By Kelsi Christian

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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 Instagram: americangelbvieh

Megan Slater Director of Operations and Public Relations megans@gelbvieh.org (ex. 485)

Lynn Valentine Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator/Graphic Design lynnv@gelbvieh.org (ex. 486)

Angela Vesco Director of Breed Growth angelav@gelbvieh.org (ex. 484)

Rebecca Mettler Editorial Content Coordinator rebeccam@gelbvieh.org 940-255-5471

Tom Strahm Commercial Marketing Director tom@gelbvieh.org 785-547-7999 Taylor Buckley Data Service Coordinator taylorb@gelbvieh.org (ex. 479)

4 | September 2018

Kelsi Christian Mulitmedia Coordinator kelsi@gelbvieh.org (ex. 482) Taylor Evans Member and Youth Program Coordinator taylor@gelbvieh.org (ex. 481)

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Places to Be

84

Ad Index 86

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS

Wildfire Season

By Angela Vesco

ASSOCIATION STAFF

Contact Us

Western Breeders

73

Southern Breeders

75

Midwest Breeders

76-77

Upper Midwest Breeders

80-81

Northeast Breeders

81

Southeast Breeders

83

Service Center

85

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Scott Starr, President (2016) Stapleton, NE • 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net John Carrel, Vice President (2017) Columbus, MT • 406-322-5991 lauriecarrel@live.com

Klint Sickler, Secretary (2017) Gladstone, ND • 701-483-5250 klintsickler@hotmail.com Walter Teeter, Treasurer (2017) Mt. Ulla, NC • 704-236-7980 waltert@republicrefrigeration.com

DIRECTORS Dustin Aherin (2018) Phillipsburg, KS • 785-302-1252 dgaherin@vet.k-state.edu

Dan McCarty (2018) Rifle, CO • 970-481-5217 mccartycattle@hotmail.com

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

Andrea Murray (2016) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

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

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

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

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

Jeff Loveless (2018) Spanish Fork, UT • 801-623-8308 olranch@aol.com

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

Derek Martin (2018) Bucklin, KS • 620-397-6752 dmartin@kinsleyfeeders.com

Feature

Gelbvieh-Influenced Cows Thrive Throughout the Country

By Angela Vesco, Tom Strahm and Rebecca Mettler

W

hat makes a cow a good cow? She needs to produce a heavy calf at weaning each year and breed back without fail or tardiness. And, to be an efficient cow, she needs to do all this on the resources available on the farm or ranch with minimal supplementation. Cowherd efficiency is a major factor for the success of a cow-calf operation. Matching the cows to the environment is a necessity; that’s the bottom line.

The United States is an extremely geographically diverse country ranging from year-round hot and humid conditions to bitterly cold winters. While the environments of each section of the country highlighted in this article are vastly different, commercial beef producers in each area have found ways to incorporate Gelbvieh genetics into their cowherd and have experienced success in such an endeavor.

The Southeast Southeast cattle production calls for heat tolerance, disease and pest resistance, and an overall hardy cow.

Brahman influence is the most common, however, introducing genetics from other beef breeds, both Continental and British, can positively impact the fertility and speed up the rate of maturity in the cowherd.

Producers will testify that the crossbred cow has more hardiness and the durability to thrive in demanding environments for the extent of their lifetime, when compared to a straightbred cow. Crossbreeding is a great management tool to provide producers in the Southeast with adaptable females that also excel in the everimportant production goals.

Adams Ranch is a fourth generation cattle operation headquartered in Fort Pierce, Florida. The ranch was founded in 1937 by Alto Adams, Sr. His son, Alto “Bud” Adams, fell in love with the ranch and raising cattle. Bud returned to the ranch after college, and started managing the operation in 1948. He started to use Hereford bulls on Brahman cows and liked the results.

Eventually, under his leadership, Adams Ranch developed and founded the Braford breed, which is recognized as the first American cattle breed developed east of the Mississippi River.

Today, Bud’s vision and legacy is carried on by his children and grandchildren, who currently manage and work on the operation. In 2017, the ranch was listed 17th on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association list of top 25 cow-calf operations.

Located in south-central Florida, the ranch is subjected to the challenges of raising cattle in a sub-tropical environment. Heat, high humidity, insects, and drought, in addition to floods and tropical storms, make cattle ranching a daily challenge. Bud continually looked for ways and opportunities to improve the cattle he was producing.

He read and studied Continued on page 8

6 | September 2018

Feature

the research conducted by the Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Nebraska. He became inspired to develop his own heat tolerant composite cattle. He wanted to continue to improve the quality of the cattle, and maximize heterosis. In addition to improving fertility and the maternal ability of the cattle, he also wanted to increase the carcass quality and the red meat yield of the cattle he was producing. He tried numerous different breeds, but he really liked the results of using Gelbvieh bulls on the Braford cows. “This cross improved the milking ability, as well as increased the muscling in the cattle,” says Billy Adams. This composite was named ARGEL® and is half Gelbvieh, five-sixteenths Hereford, and three-sixteenths Brahman.

Annually, Adams Ranch sells 1,500 to 1,800 head of commercial bred heifers. These heifers are bred for fertility, longevity, productivity, heat tolerance, and disease resistance. Many of them offer the benefits of the inherent characteristics of Gelbvieh genetics.

“The Gelbvieh-influenced cattle work very well in our environment. We see an increased pregnancy rate in our heifers because of their early puberty and early maturity.

They are heat tolerant and have good milking ability. We like their overall productivity and adaptability,” Billy Adams said.

Billy Adams currently oversees the breeding operations at the headquarters ranch. He is not a blood relative but says, “I feel like and am treated just like family!”

Adams Ranch started breeding their own composites in 1990. They have created a second composite that includes Gelbvieh as well. ABEEF® cattle are one-fourth Gelbvieh, one-fourth Red Angus, five-sixteenths Hereford and threesixteenths Brahman.

Continued on page 10

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

A nnual Production Sale – March 21, 2019 Western Livestock Auction • Great Falls, MT

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

1285 Nine Mile Road

Olimont, Montana 59466

Jim & Kathy Bjorkman 406-937-4815

www.kickinghorseranch.com krankin@northerntel.net

Jeanette Rankin 406-937-3728

8 | September 2018

Feature

The Midwest

The Midwest and Plains regions make up the heart of America and can also be considered the heart of the beef industry. For the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breed, the mid-section of the country is home to the largest concentration of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. In fact, the top four largest states for registered Gelbvieh and Balancer cows are in the Midwest. From the Sandhills of Nebraska to the fescue fields of Missouri, commercial cattlemen and women find that Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics work very well.

Kurt Johnson is part of a multi-generational ranching family that runs a commercial cow-calf operation in north central Nebraska. He is the fourth generation of Johnsons to ranch near Stuart, Nebraska, dating back to 1929.

For Harry Haythorn, of Haythorn Ranch Company near Maxwell, Nebraska, longevity is a key trait he’s found positively influenced by Gelbvieh genetics.

“The stayability and longevity of these replacement females is big for us because we are a cow-calf operation.

We have been trying to keep back more of our homeraised heifers as replacements instead of going out and buying them. We need to have good replacement females because eventually these cows produce more future replacements. Docility and good dispositions are another benefit that we see. We like moderate framed, easykeeping females that are structurally sound with good udders. We want females that will last 10 to 12 years,” Haythorn said.

The Haythorn family not only matches the cow type to the environment, but tries to most closely match the cow production cycle to the environment for optimal efficiency.

Today, the family runs approximately 500 commercial cows, and utilizes Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics to help accomplish their beef production goals.

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. The Johnsons have been very happy with the results they have found in these cows while maintaining performance and growth in their calf crop.

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.”

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“It is very important to us that cows rebreed in a timely manner to maintain a 45 to 60 day calving period for us. We are trying to match our production cycle to the environment and climate that we operate in with the resources that we have available. We rotationally graze our pastures from May through the winter. We feed protein supplement cubes with the hay that we raise to winter these cows,” according to Haythorn.

The Southwest The Southwest can be a demanding environment to raise livestock. The Southwest is a desert land that depends on the summer monsoon rains to produce vegetation for year-round cattle grazing. To raise cattle in this environment it takes a hardy, moderately conditioned cow that can navigate the cactus and brush to find the right feed Continued on page 12

THORSTENSON’S Lazy TV Ranch

Save the Date

38th AnnuAl

PRODUCTION SALE SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 • AT THE RANCH – SELBY, SD SELLING 220 GELBVIEH, BALANCER® & ANGUS BULLS

The Sale you CAN’T AFFORD to miss!

• AFFORDABLE – In 2018, 120 Balancer bulls averaged $4,508 – with a range from $2,500 to $10,000 • UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED through first breeding season • VOLUME DISCOUNTS

LAZY TV TWISTER E165 – Our 2018 High-Selling Black Balancer Sold to Dale Gasho Ranch, Beach, ND, for $9000 BA63 • Homo Polled • BW: 3.3 WW: 98 YW: 162 Milk: 17

Lazy TV Big Drive E301 – Our 2018 High-Selling Red Balancer Sold for $10,000 to Leo Guaderman, Glenfield, ND, for $10,000 BA25 • Homo Polled • BW: -3.3 WW: 71 YW: 111 Milk: 33

Lazy TV Hard Drive E235 Another 2018 High-Selling Red Balancer Sold for $9500 to Richard Jore, Watford City, ND BA25 • Homo Polled BW: -2.1 WW: 84 YW: 130 Milk: 28

2980 Cedar Rd, Selby, SD 57472

VAUGHN & WENDY 605-649-6262

BRIAN & DEDEE

605-649-9927 VWTHOR@SBTC.NET

BALANCERBULLS.COM

Lazy TV Ranch

Feature

It isn’t unheard of to go a full year with hardly any rain in southern Arizona where Kyle Best ranches. All the cows on Best’s ranch are home-raised. The environment is so demanding that bringing in outside replacements does not work. Outside heifers wouldn’t know what to eat, unlike the heifers that were raised on the range learning from their mommas.

Cows cannot be over conditioned, or else they would fall apart. Instead, cows must be moderate framed and moderately fleshy. The body condition score scale is interpreted differently in Arizona than it would be in Kentucky on what the ideal cow would score. Therefore, feed efficiency is a major selection criterion for ranchers.

Best says that the ideal cow on his ranch weighs 900 to 950 pounds. In northern Arizona, near Flagstaff, where Kit Metzger ranches, there is slightly more forage. Metzger’s ideal cow weighs about 1050 to 1100 pounds.

and travel long distances to water.

The thriftiness and hardiness of these cows are incredible. To the unfamiliar eye, the Arizona desert would look like there is nothing for the cows to eat. When in fact, there is forage for the cattle, they just have to travel more to get it. In times of drought when there isn’t much grass available, the cattle know what other plants they can consume to get the nutrients they need. These cows typically do not get fed any hay. They have to utilize the range to meet their nutrient requirements.

Structure is extremely critical in the Southwest, maybe emphasized more in this region than other parts of the country simply because of the ground these cows must cover just to get to water each day. That distance is usually a minimum of two miles one way and is full of rocky ground.

12 | September 2018

Managing cows for reproduction can be somewhat of a demanding task for ranchers in Arizona just because of the amount of land these cows run on. It isn’t always that easy to gather up the cows and bring them in to AI and then bring them back in to preg check. Dan Major in Prescott, Arizona, has been able to improve the breed up rate of his cows by using Balancer bulls in his herd and also by being one of the few ranchers in his area to preg check his cows.

Best has also had the same success with his heifers since he started utilizing Gelbvieh genetics.

“We have seen a heck of a difference in our replacement heifers since we started using Gelbvieh genetics. We will keep 300 heifers and turn them out bred and we won’t see them until they come back in with a calf in the spring and 95 percent will come in with a baby and you don’t have to pull calves” says Best. FF

The American Gelbvieh Association Releases BOLT-Powered EPDs

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he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) officially released the BOLT-powered expected progeny differences (EPDs) the morning of Monday, August 6, 2018. The transition to this new single-step method of EPD calculation changes the way genomic information is incorporated into the AGA’s database and makes carrying out weekly evaluations possible.

The AGA is a part of International Genetic Solutions (IGS), which is a collaboration between several North American beef breed associations. IGS invested in the new BOLT software, which brings with it the single-step genetic evaluation, a new, more streamlined method for incorporating genomic results into EPDs. The new genetic evaluation provides more predictive EPDs, better use of genomics, more accurate accuracy reported with EPDs, all with weekly evaluations.

Producers receive more value for their genomic investment with BOLT-derived EPDs. BOLT technology is a significant improvement over the old “blending” method previously

News

used in AGA genomic-enhanced EPDs. All the data available on animals (pedigree, performance, genomics) is now used simultaneously for a more efficient EPD calculations process.

In addition to migration to the BOLT software, several improvements and upgrades to the carcass EPDs have been employed. Advances in technology related to carcass traits have allowed for better use of more information to be incorporated into the EPDs. Correlations between carcass and ultrasound have also been updated and these model improvements lead to a slight increase in accuracy for carcass EPDS. Several years of development, programming for system automation, and multiple test runs have lead up to the widely anticipated BOLT release by the IGS team. The advancement to BOLT technology falls in line with AGA’s goal to provide its members and commercial customers with the best available selection tools to allow them to make the best possible decisions to move their operations forward. FF

The Profit Picture | 13

Editorial from the Board

Genetics for the Real World

By Scott Starr, American Gelbvieh Association President

A

s I think about the global beef industry versus the U.S. beef industry, it becomes kind of a blue collar versus a white-collar thought. By this I am not in the slightest insinuating that the U.S. beef industry is not a hard-working, labor-intensive industry, but let us think big picture for a while. The U.S. beef industry is the white-collar product of the worldwide beef industry. Our beef is the highest-end product consumed worldwide. The U.S. has the infrastructure, the capability to feed, and genetics to produce the highest value beef. We have created a consistent high-quality product that demands a premium. So this begs the question: How do we expand our market and decrease our inputs, all while producing a satisfying eating experience for a more demanding consumer? Now that’s a loaded question. It requires many moving parts working together in complete synergy. Where, and how, can we as producers fit into the solution to help ensure our success and our continued future as a world leader in the beef industry?

First, I believe the seedstock breeders must intelligently select genetics that fit into all aspects of the industry. Analyze cattle on foot to make sure they fit into the given environment and are quality cattle.

Use scientific tools available, e.g., expected progeny differences (EPDs), herd ratios, feed efficiency data, dam reports, carcass data, feedlot data, and fertility data to make sound breeding decisions. Bottom line, we need to produce environmentally adapted and genetically superior cattle for the beef industry.

One great cattle breeder once told me that when selecting a herd bull to “look at him and imagine him as if you had 100 steers that looked like him, and if that is what the feeding industry wants, then put him to use.”

Another elite cattleman once told me before I could ever sell a bull I needed to feed a few pens of cattle. Only then would I not have problems raising bulls that the industry needs. I have taken this advice and it really

14 | September 2018

works. I encourage all seedstock breeders to take note.

When selecting herd bulls, utilize all available scientific data, and evaluate them based on real world quality and their ability to pass on those inherent traits. That’s no small feat to accomplish, but if done right, you will have done your part to secure the future success of the U.S. beef industry.

Next is the commercial cow-calf sector, which is the largest and most diverse in as many aspects as you can imagine. The commercial cattle producer has just as big of a daunting task, but in different ways. They must first select bulls designed to propel their product (steers and heifers), and ultimately help propel the U.S. beef industry forward. Advancement needs to happen for the

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e must all work together to feed data back and forth from the feeding sector to help the first two steps in the production chain make better decisions. We all have the ultimate goal of consumer satisfaction.

U.S. to maintain the separation of product value from the rest of the world beef supply. However, that might be the easy part. The commercial beef industry must also mass-produce these cattle in a consumer-driven environment that asks more and more input on how cattle are raised.

Plus, cow-calf producers have to maintain sustainability and profitability of their operations. These cattle must be what the consumer, the feeding industry, and the packer wants and demands. Some of the best

commercial producers have extensive data on their cattle and use it to help market their product. In addition, they must make replacement females that fit their environment. They make a living by tying two aspects of the industry together: maternal and feeding.

The feeding industry is the most data driven, and rightfully so. The cattle must feed, gain, grade and be profitable. Simple… right? Only if the first two sectors do their job, and the weather and markets cooperate.

We must all work together to feed data back and forth from the feeding sector to help the first two steps in the production chain make better decisions. We all have the ultimate goal of consumer satisfaction. If you like the product you are consuming, you will consume more.

What is really unique about all of these working parts is that Balancer® and Gelbvieh-influenced cattle fit all of these integral parts better than any other straight-bred or composite beef animal. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have more fertility and moderate mature size than any other breed, which helps provide the commercial cowcalf producer much needed profitability. Second, they are the best-footed cattle, with genetics for muscle and marbling, thus helping with the feeding and grading part of the puzzle. They have genetics to excel at consumer satisfaction because of the extensive DNA testing done by seedstock producers to improve tenderness. All of this adds up to the most balanced cattle available and certainly answers the question of how we keep this country on top. The “where” is answered by the commercial cowman seeking Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics from a seedstock producer that is creating commercially-demanded cattle that fit the entire beef industry.

My thoughts for the day: If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. stands for “First Attempt In Learning.”

End is not the end; in fact, E.N.D. stands for “Effort Never Dies.” And, if you get no as an answer, remember N.O. stands for “Next Opportunity.” Stay positive because negativity will always die a slow death. I used to think old age was all in my head, but now it’s in my joints, too. FF

The Profit Picture | 15

Over the Fence

Over the Fence with Lee and Stacy Marriott, Rocking M Ranch, Stover, Missouri

By Tom Strahm

T

he Rocking M Ranch, located in central Missouri near the community of Stover, is owned and operated by Lee and Stacy Marriott. Lee and Stacy were married in 1988, and together they have been raising kids and commercial Gelbvieh cattle ever since! Today, this diversified operation includes multiple enterprises with all four of the grown Marriott children involved in the cow-calf operation as well other aspects of the family’s endeavors.

finally are producing enough top quality heifers to be able to sell really good ones while still keeping our own replacements for our herd.”

Marriott Family. Back row (left to right): Randy and Morgan McCoin, Dustin and Kelly Humphrey, Trey Marriott, Bailey Marriott and Joe Popejoy. Front row (left to right): Stacy Marriott, Rowen McCoin and Lee Marriott.

How were you introduced to Gelbvieh cattle?

Currently, the Marriott family is running approximately 450 spring-calving cows, and 150 fall-calving cows. They primarily run Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls. They have focused on maintaining the maternal strengths of the Gelbvieh female and have always kept their own replacement females. In recent years, they have been selling open replacement heifers, and a few bred replacements. Stacy says, “We feel like we

16 | September 2018

Stacy grew up in northeast Wyoming and her exposure to Gelbvieh cattle occurred early in life. Her family ran Gelbvieh-cross commercial cows, and ran a small purebred Gelbvieh herd as well.

“We were neighbors to the Kummerfeld family’s 101 Ranch in Moorcroft, Wyoming. They produced purebred Gelbvieh cattle, and our ranch used Gelbvieh bulls on our commercial cows,” Stacy explains.

Lee was born and raised in Missouri, and today the family lives on the ranch where he grew up. When Lee and Stacy married in 1988, they purchased a group of Gelbviehcross cows and a Gelbvieh bull to start their herd.

REGISTERED GELBVIEH CATTLE

Our foundation is designed and built on 35 years of A.I. breeding.

REDS • BLACKS • PUREBRED • BALANCER

FEMALES AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY

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

What are some of your family enterprises in addition to the cow-calf operation?

The Rocking M Ranch is a very diversified operation, and tries to utilize all its available resources. In addition to the commercial cows, the family operates a cattle backgrounding yard, a custom turkey loading operation, a custom fence building business, and a western store located in Stover.

Daughter Bailey, 27, helps manage the Rocking M Emporium western store, and works on the ranch with the cowherd. Morgan, and her husband Randy McCoin, both work on the ranch. Morgan handles human resources and record keeping for the ranch and the turkey loading business. Their son Trey, 23, is on the ranch full time. He helps in all aspects of the business including the cowherd, the backgrounding yard, cattle hauling and turkey loading. Kelly and her husband Dustin Humphrey, live in Clinton, Missouri. They help on the ranch during weekends, and whenever else is possible. “All our kids and their spouses are very involved in the cow-calf operation, and are working toward building the best cowherd we can,” according to Stacy.

Semen will be available next spring on our new herdsire JOB Danell Napoleon 01E, sired by Bolton Pay Day 45C.

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

Selling February 22, 2019 in the “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bull Sale 100 YEARLING BULLS SELL! David & Dawn Bowman • Andrew & Sarah Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 • (970) 323-6833 •

WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM The Profit Picture | 17

Over the Fence

What are some of the characteristics you appreciate about the Gelbvieh breed?

The Marriotts absolutely love the maternal ability of their Gelbvieh-influenced females.

“Longevity and great disposition are also some of the traits that we value in our cows. We wean and background our home-raised calves. The growth and performance is there along with all the maternal ability.

To us, they are the perfect cross,” Stacy said.

Replacement females are selected based on their own performance, phenotype and disposition, and the production record of her dam as well.

“By culling deeply, utilizing pelvic measurements, and reproductive tract scores and then culling again, we have been able to retain what we feel like are top notch heifers for our own herd,” Stacy said.

Lee adds, “The Gelbvieh breed has made so many positive changes over the years, while still keeping the attributes that we value. The breed hasn’t given up maternal ability, or productivity in my mind. The breed just keeps improving.”

How do you market your home-raised calves?

“We market our calves direct and ship off the ranch. We have a couple of buyers that have purchased our steers the last few years. They know what these Gelbvieh-cross calves are capable of achieving. We have a complete and comprehensive vaccination program.

The calves are vaccinated, weaned, and backgrounded.

Typically, we sell our spring-born calves in February and March. They are less than a year old and weigh 850 to 900 pounds. The calves leave our place and go right to the feedlot, ready to gain. Over the years, we have seen better gains and more uniform calves. That’s what we are looking for in our cowherd, and we think Gelbvieh genetics are the key to that,” Lee explains.

What are some of your selection criteria for bulls, and for replacement females as well?

“We have been working diligently over the years to produce the best cow we can. We have selected bulls more for the maternal side, and milking ability, based on their pedigrees and EPDs, while also looking for weaning to yearling growth. We like bulls to have moderate levels of growth and performance and to be structurally sound and phenotypically correct with muscle and volume.”

To stay in the Rocking M herd, females must be moderate framed and easy fleshing. Their cows need to breed up early, and then rebreed every year, of course.

18 | September 2018

What are some of your goals for the future?

Rocking M Ranch’s goal is to expand the number of quality replacement heifers sold to other commercial producers. Over the next 10 years they hope to build a strong replacement heifer market, and offer larger numbers of heifers for sale off the ranch.

“Raising cattle is what our family loves! With the help of our kids, and their families, we plan on continuing to raise Gelbvieh cattle here in Missouri,” Lee said. FF

C omplete C ow H erd d ispersal November 10, 2018 • Springfield, MO In conjunction with the

Heart of America Gelbvieh Female Sale

o ffering f all p airs , s pring p airs B red H iefers & o pen H eifers

After 22 years breeding the best in Gelbvieh Genetics we enter a new Chapter in Life and are offering you a chance to capitalize on our Genetic Program.

We are retaining all bulls to serve our bull customers.

Al & Mary Knapp Family Basehor, KS 66007 Al: 913-219-6613 Mary: 816-835-4976 www.triplekgelbvieh.com

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

Feature

Crossbreeding: So Much to Gain

By Rebecca Mettler

L

everaging the benefits of crossbreeding can be a simple way for producers to better maximize cowherd productivity and efficiency through heterosis.

Crossbreeding creates hybrid vigor or heterosis, which is caused by the presence of specific gene combinations in the crossbred offspring’s genetic profile.

By definition, heterosis is the increase or decrease in performance for a particular trait when compared to the average of the two parent breeds.

Whether producers implement breeding strategies to add individual heterosis to their calf crop, or maternal heterosis to their cowherd, advantages can be realized at a fairly rapid pace.

Maternal Heterosis Maternal heterosis is achieved by utilizing a crossbred female in the cowherd. For starters, a 6 percent increase in calving rate with F1 cross females (first generation cross between two unrelated populations) can be gained.

“If you are at an 80 percent calving rate, with maternal heterosis you can bump that up to as much as 86 percent,” according to Robert Wells, Ph.D., Noble Research Institute livestock consultant and Integrity Beef Alliance executive director.

The ability to improve calf weaning weight by 18 percent through maternal heterosis can have a pretty significant impact on ranch operations, too.

Plus, if a cow-calf producer can keep a cow around 25 percent longer by utilizing crossbreeding, that will significantly impact their bottom line pretty fast.

Producers are looking at weaning four or five calves from a cow before they break even, according to Wells.

“The most expensive thing to do is hire a new employee and train a new employee. When I talk about that new employee I’m talking about the virgin heifer that has to be developed from a calf or bought as a bred heifer.”

20 | September 2018

Wells cautions producers to fit the cow to the environment. Bigger cows can affect the stocking rate; instead of thinking about cows per acre, think in pounds of cow weight per acre.

“If you don’t pay attention to stocking rate, you are going to have to pay attention to supplemental feed requirements, regardless.”

Individual Heterosis Individual heterosis is the ability for crossbred offspring to perform better than their purebred parents.

Several traits can be affected through individual heterosis, including, calving rate, survival to weaning, birth weight, weaning weight, average daily gain, and yearling weight, etc.

What Heterosis is Not Crossbreeding is not a “fix all” product, nor a silver bullet. Heterosis will not make up downfalls such as poor animal husbandry and management. Heterosis will also not make up for poor bull or cow selection. The adage “garbage in, garbage out” still applies.

Producers must be able to manage their operations for the benefits of heterosis.

They need to be able to manage the increased weight of those calves and give them the ability to express their true genetic potential, according to Wells.

Running Through Crossbreeding Scenarios We know crossbreeding works, but what do the figures look like in a real-life scenario? Let’s take a minute and look beyond the possible percentage increase or decrease in performance once crossbreeding is implemented.

As an example, a cow-calf producer starts out with

Feature

100 head of cattle in a straightbred cowherd that weans off 525-pound calves with an 82 percent weaning rate each year.

gains associated with crossbreeding if a preconditioning program is implemented; or take that one step further and retain ownership through to the feedyard.

If a simple switch to an outcross sire breed is made, which means that the breed of bull is not related to the cowherd, the resulting offspring will exhibit individual heterosis. Those crossbred calves will exhibit, on average, a 5 percent increase in average weaning weight, which equates to 551 pounds at weaning.

“You can take advantage of the other heterotic effects of growth rate increases if you put them through a preconditioning program.”

“That’s an increase of 2,152 pounds and all you did is change the bull breed. We aren’t even talking about going to a better quality bull, just switching bull breeds.”

Taking that a step further, how does a crossbred cow bred to a third terminal bull breed affect productivity and profitability? The weaning rate is increased by 9 percent and the weaning weight increases by 11 percent, which equates to a 656 pound average weaning weight.

To summarize, with just the bull effect, producers can realize upwards of $5,725 increased income. With a crossbred cow plus a third terminal bull breed, profitability increases can reach up to $40,000 annually (spring 2018 market prices) on a 100 head cowherd, which has an enormous impact to an operation’s bottom line. FF

“That seems like a lofty goal, but I have producers that implement this type of program and they have seen similar increases in weaning weight,” Wells said.

Producers can also realize the benefits of post-weaning

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 28, 2019.

Livestock Exchange,LLC., Brush, CO.

ulls

B 100

28 th An

nu

al

100 YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer® FEB. 22, 2019 • 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 | 21

Fast Facts

Who we are:

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is a beef cattle breed association dedicated to recording, promoting, and improving Gelbvieh-influenced cattle.

The AGA was started in 1971 and now consists of approximately 1,100 members with a registry database that contains over 1 million animals including approximately 40,000 currently active Gelbvieh, Balancer®, and Gelbvieh-influenced cows.

The Strengths of Gelbvieh: The Gelbvieh breed is well known throughout the industry for their maternal strengths and superior growth. With these attributes, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle fit well into a crossbreeding system and provide genetics that work for the commercial cattle business.

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

the balance of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus.

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

Plan to Attend the 4th Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup Plan to attend the 4th Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at the Nashville Airport Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee, during the 48th Annual American Gelbvieh Convention “Meeting Modern Industry Demands: Raising the Bar.” A free meal will be served at 12:30 p.m., 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.

Looking to Buy Bulls this Fall?

If you’re a producer looking to purchase new genetics for your herd this fall, use www.gelbvieh.org as your goto resource for Gelbvieh and Balancer sale information.

The events calendar can be found under the Exchange tab on the website homepage. Also, don’t forget to check out the sale catalog page on the AGA website at gelbvieh.org/exchange/sale-catalogs to view upcoming sale catalogs posted by AGA members. A listing of the upcoming sales and AGA events can be found on page 84 of this edition.

What is a Balancer®?

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

Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with

22 | September 2018

CED 7.2 90%

BW 2.0 70%

WW 73 20%

YW 112 10%

MK 34 3%

TM 71 1%

CEM 2 85%

YG -0.43 65%

CW 26 3%

REA 1.05 3%

MB 0.54 1%

FPI 85.01 1%

News

Beef Improvement Federation Meeting Summary

By Matt Spangler, UNL Associate Professor and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

T

he 2018 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) meetings were recently held in Loveland, Colorado, with over 600 people in attendance. This year’s meeting marked the 50th anniversary of BIF. With this milestone came an opportunity to reflect back on accomplishments made and given thought relative to the direction of activities going forward.

One opportunity that was raised throughout several talks during the meeting was the need to collect phenotypes that are economically relevant but have largely only been collected in research settings.

Examples include animal health, healthfulness of beef products, and sensitivity to environmental stress.

Bull Barn Genetics

For all your AI needs:

Other phenotypes such as routine carcass data and female fertility have some available EPD, but additional phenotypes are critically needed.

Discussion of the need to collect these data and the need to engage other sectors of the industry (commercial cow-calf, feedyards, packing plants) in genetic improvement of beef cattle was clearly identified as a priority. Dr. Dorian Garrick clearly outlined a listing of traits that should receive focus going forward in his talk entitled Focus On Traits Not Considered. In his Thursday morning wrap-up talk, Dr. John Pollak clearly charged BIF with the task of bringing new ideas relative to novel traits to fruition as the organization outlines goals for the next 50 years.

Several talks highlighted accomplishments of breeds that have now released “single-step” genomic evaluations for the first time. Interestingly there was much discussion on shifting organizational focus to help make selection decisions simpler.

• Gelbvieh

• Salers

• Angus

• Shorthorn

• Red Angus

• Dairy

• Simmental

• Charolais

• Club Calf

• Hereford

• • • • • •

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

Eldon & Kathy Starr

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

24 | September 2018

As usual, there were several informative talks at the annual BIF meetings. Recorded talks can be accesses at http://www.bifconference.com. Proceedings papers are available at http://www.beefimprovement.org. The 2019 BIF meetings will be held in Brookings, South Dakota, June 18-21. FF Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

INVEST IN YOUR GENETICS, NOT IN YOUR FEED ~Performance Cattle with the Maternal Advantage~ At Gustins Diamond D Gelbvieh the performance is bred in and not fed on. For more than 35 years we have avoided creep feeding so we could select our best producing females that have stayability. We pride ourselves on selecting performance cattle with eye appeal and excellent dispositions.

The data is in and the females at Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh beat the averages: -In 2017 our herd ranked 2nd in the nation for having bred 71 Dams of Merit and Distinction. number

Gustins DiamonD D % of

AGA % of

of Cows

Cows assesseD

national CowherD

Dams of merit

59

14.75

5.8

Dams of DistinCtion

12

3

1

Contact us, watch for our consignments to the North Dakota Golden Rule sale or mark your calendar for our next production sale on February 21, 2019 to take advantage of years of selecting for maternal superiority.

A Few Snapshots of our Outstanding Pairs in 2017:

Dennis, Sherry and Jessica Gustin Al and Peggy Gustin Steve and Katie Stensgard • Richie and Sarah Heinrich 5135 Hwy 6 • Mandan, ND 58554 Dennis: 701-663-7266 or 701-400-3483 Sarah: 701-400-3563 • Richie: 701-320-6484 gustindd@wildblue.net • www.gustinsdiamondd.com

News

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls Included in Integrity Beef Alliance Program

T

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the acceptance of Gelbvieh and Balancer® bulls for use in the Integrity Beef Alliance program. The Integrity Beef Alliance simplifies cow-calf producer management decisions and increases the marketability of calves through the production of high-quality, uniform, preconditioned cattle. The Gelbvieh and Balancer breed is the latest breed to be accepted as a sire choice for calves entering the terminal calf program and joins five approved bull breeds: Angus, Beefmaster, Charolais, Hereford, and Red Angus.

“The Integrity Beef Alliance is looking forward to a successful partnership with the American Gelbvieh

DOBSON RANCH

SO

N RA

NC

AW

C I T Y,

O

K

DO

K

H

J

J

B

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

26 | September 2018

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

Association. It brings progressive genetics that fit well with Alliance goals. The Integrity Beef Alliance will allow Gelbvieh breeders to have a platform where they can be recognized for superior genetics and high quality management,” says Robert Wells, Ph.D., Integrity Beef Alliance executive director and Noble Research Institute livestock consultant.

The AGA is proud to begin this new partnership with such a progressive organization as the Integrity Beef Alliance. “We are very excited about the acceptance of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics to be used in the Integrity Beef Alliance program. The AGA works to increase the use of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in responsible and sustainable global beef systems. This

We invite you to attend our upcoming Production Sales

SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Fall Female Sale December 1, 2018 Spring Bull Sale • March 2, 2019

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

News

production system that produces the highest quality calves possible for the next supply chain owner and consumer while improving returns for ranchers through value-added traits and continued sustainability.

Integrity Beef emphasizes progressive, sustainable management methods, ranch stewardship and humane care of all livestock. FF

goal of the AGA creates a commonality between the two organizations that makes for a synergistic relationship,” says Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director.

Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls fit well into the Integrity Beef Alliance program because of their ability to sire calves excelling in growth and performance at weaning time. Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced calves carry that performance advantage into the feedlot with increased feed efficiency along with high percent retail yield on the rail. Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics are also well known throughout the industry for their superior mothering ability, which is advantageous for commercial producers who retain their own replacement females.

Established in 2000 by the Noble Research Institute (formerly the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation) in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Integrity Beef is a comprehensive beef

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders 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

SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

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

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

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

The Profit Picture | 27

Staff Editorial

More Accurate Genetic Predictions with New Genetic Evaluation

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

L

ong known for their value in crossbreeding systems, Gelbvieh sires add pounds and carcass value, and their crossbred daughters will have longevity, fertility, and maternal ability in the cowherd. With the launch of new, more powerful, accurate, and comparable BOLT-powered EPDs, it’s never been easier to select Gelbvieh genetics to meet the needs of your operation.

summer’s updates allow data on animals in contemporary groups without phenotypic variation to be used. This means many thousands of calving scores and birth weights are available for genetic prediction in the BOLT-powered EPDs, reducing bias and providing you with CED and calving ease maternal (CEM) EPDs with even more power to predict the difference in ease of calving in heifers.

By way of review, expected progeny differences (EPDs) are our best estimate of an animal’s genetic worth as a parent and allow you to compare bulls based on their anticipated progeny performance for various traits of interest. Classically, EPDS have been computed by breed associations from all available pedigree, performance, and progeny data. In recent years, genomic results have also been introduced to add earlier accuracy to EPDs. Also, the largest partnership in the U.S. purebred beef industry has come together.

Table 1: CED Percentile Rank Comparison between previous (SP18) and new (BOLT) EPDs.

Through International Genetic Solutions (IGS), the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) joins other North American beef breeds for a joint genetic evaluation. This partnership benefits the commercial beef industry by providing EPDs backed by millions of pedigree, performance, and genomic records, which are directly comparable across the partner breeds.

This summer the IGS partner breeds have begun releasing updated EPDs powered by a new, more powerful software program (referred to as BOLT) and using the latest in genetic evaluation models and techniques. Of specific interest to the commercial industry, calving ease and carcass EPDs received significant updates that make them more accurate and powerful predictors of ultimate progeny performance.

Table 1 shows the new percentile ranks for calving ease direct (CED). In addition to the way in which genomic results are handled in the evaluation, a significant change in the performance data was also made. In the past, if breeders submitted calving scores on heifers and there was no variation in the scores (all the heifers calved unassisted, for example), the performance information could not be used. This

28 | September 2018

Gelbvieh Active Sires

Gelbvieh Non-Parents

Balancer Active Sires

Balancer Non-Parents

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

High

26

24

24

22

26

27

26

26

Average

12

9

12

10

13

12

13

12

Low

-1

-11

-1

-8

1

-1

0

-3

1%

22

19

19

16

21

22

19

20

10%

16

14

15

13

17

17

16

16

25%

14

12

14

12

15

15

14

14

75%

9

7

10

8

10

10

11

10

As the U.S. market has increasingly awarded quality grade and premiums for high grading cattle have increased, marbling is a trait that Gelbvieh breeders have placed special emphasis on in recent years. Figure 1 shows the progress that has been made using the tools previously available. EPDs released this summer will allow for even more rapid improvement.

Figure 1: Marbling genetic trend for AGA. Table 2 and 3 show the new percentile ranks for carcass weight (CW) and marbling (MARB).

The suite of carcass traits also received significant updates that allow better use of data, leading to EPDs with more predictive power. The correlations between ultrasound

data and the related carcass trait were updated. In addition, instead of computing each carcass EPD separately, now traits with genetic correlations are run together in a multi-trait evaluation.

Post weaning gain, yearling weight, carcass weight, ultrasound ribeye area (REA) and carcass REA and their genetic correlations are used together to arrive at CW and REA EPDs. Ultrasound fat thickness, carcass fat thickness, ultrasound intramuscular fat, carcass marbling, and their appropriate genetic correlations are used together to produce fat thickness (FT) and MARB EPDs. These updates deliver EPDs that more accurately predict differences in performance of bulls’ progeny for the carcass EPDs. Table 2: Carcass Weight Percentile Rank Comparison between old (SP18) and new (BOLT) EPDs. Gelbvieh Active Sires Gelbvieh Non-Parents High

Balancer Active Sires

Balancer Non-Parents

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

39

83

41

73

61

74

61

80

Average

8

28

8

28

20

30

19

30

Low

-27

-26

-19

-21

-17

-14

-19

-18

1%

30

62

23

52

49

62

43

53

10%

19

44

16

41

35

46

31

42

25%

13

36

12

35

27

38

25

36

75%

2

17

4

22

12

22

13

23

Staff Editorial

Table 3: Marbling Percentile Rank Comparison between old (SP18) and new (BOLT) EPDs. Active Sires

Non-Parents

Gelbvieh Active Sires

Gelbvieh Non-Parents

Balancer Active Sires

Balancer Non-Parents

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

SP18

BOLT

High

1.36

2.17

1.25

1.84

0.59

0.65

0.61

0.73

1.00

1.36

1.05

SP18 1.43

Average

0.15

0.14

0.21

0.07

0.01

-0.20

0.04

-0.17

0.31

0.22

0.31

0.22

Low

-0.52 -0.95 -0.43 -0.93 -0.52

-0.95

-0.43

-0.93

-0.31 -0.56 -0.43 -0.58

1%

0.79

1.28

0.71

0.79

0.40

0.24

0.33

0.23

0.83

0.91

0.72

10%

0.47

0.73

0.48

0.45

0.18

-0.01

.017

-0.01

0.57

0.56

0.53

0.51

25%

0.29

0.42

0.34

0.26

0.09

-0.11

0.10

-0.10

0.43

0.39

0.42

0.36

75%

-0.02 -0.19

0.05

-0.15

-0.07

-0.30

-0.03

-0.25

0.16

0.03

0.19

0.06

0.79

Change can be difficult and often leads to many questions – I hope this brief update has helped answer some questions you may have. The goal with this change is to provide the cattle industry with the best-available selection tools to allow you make the best possible decisions to move your operations forward. FF

10TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 16, 2019 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA

All bulls are feed efficiency tested and ultra sounded.

Heifers have GE EPDs.

Michael Bauer MJBC Gelbvieh Audubon, IA 712-563-2704 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.

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

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

The Profit Picture | 29

Staff Editorial

Wildfire Season

By Angela Vesco

A

s I write this, it is the middle of August and I have just returned from a two-week trip in the western states. I attended the Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale in Winnemucca, Nevada, and visited breeders and commercial producers in Idaho and Utah. It’s safe to say the main topic of conversations was wildfire season.

For the West, wildfire season is an annual late summer occurrence. It’s never a question of if we are going to have wildfire season, it is a question of how bad is it going to be this year. And the answer to the latter question this year is, it’s pretty bad and it has started early. The West has been battling fires since June.

There is currently smoke in the air in nearly every western state because of so many fires. As of July 30, there have been over 1.2 million acres burned and that number continues to grow every day with at least 98 fires contributing to the number of acres burned.

We hear about these fires when they start to threaten homes, but we really don’t hear about what actual damage has been done when the fires are out

on public lands where there isn’t a population of people. A lot of this ground is where ranchers run their cows in the spring and summer with Bureau of Land Management and/or Forest Service permits.

W

ildfires not only show us community spirit, but they also teach us a valuable lesson: be proactive by always having a back-up plan.

With the U.S. government owning roughly 50 percent of land in the western states, private land can be hard to come by to run cows for the entire year.

Ranchers depend on the public lands to raise their cattle. Whenever there is a fire on the public lands,

Tennessee, Arkansas & Oklahoma Breeders Martin Cattle Company

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

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

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

30 | September 2018

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

We sell 80 bulls a year all over the country.

Come see why!

Transportation available.

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

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

ranchers typically do not get to use that land for at least another year or two after the fire because of government regulations. So where do the ranchers go with their cows when it comes time to turn out?

If there is one positive aspect of devastating wildfires, it is the support that we see from the communities through donations, offering places for cattle to go, and help cleaning up the ashes. Wildfires not only show us community spirit, but they also teach us a valuable lesson: be proactive by always having a back-up plan.

If it is a good year for rainfall and you had a bountiful harvest, keep that extra feed at the end of the season. You may need it next year when it is drier or someone else somewhere might need that feed more than you. Consider your stocking rate. Are you grazing your ground at capacity?

Would you be able to abstain from grazing a pasture or allotment as intensely to have it for next year or for your neighbor to use in their time of need?

There are so many things that we can do to be proactive; we just have to take the time to do it.

It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

And sometimes Mother Nature deals you a hand that you couldn’t have prepared for and you get through it and learn how you can be proactive for next time. FF

The Profit Picture | 31

Top 100 Bull & Female Production Sale At the Ranch, Biscoe, NC

Saturday, November 10, 2018 • 12:30 PM (EST) CCRO 0300X

CCRO Another Man’s Gold 0300X has sons and daughters in eight purebred operations.

SH

LLS E S E

!

CCRO 3328A

CCRO Carolina 3328A Selling a Powerful 94% Leverage son from this Proven Donor Dam!

The Herd that consistently produces cattle with Performance, Carcass and Eye Appeal

Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

CCRO 1309Y

CCRO Belle of the Ball 1309Y has generated over $130,000 in sales,and is the dam of Carolina Leverage 3214A.

S

ELL S E H

S!

CCRO 3313A

CCRO Carolina 3313A Selling a 75% herd sire by Colton 292X with impressive Depth, Volume and Thickness from this excellent female!

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, owners

phone: 336-381-3640 cell: 336-964-6277 fax: 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com www.ccrosscattle.com

The LARGEST selection of Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics in the Southeastern U.S.

Register and bid at:

Check out the breed leading EPD’s on these elite lots at www.ccrosscattle.com!

News

Marketing Feeder Cattle with AGA’s Feeder Finder

By Kelsi Christian

N

o doubt about it, technology is changing how we live and therefore is changing how we work.

Technology has even tremendously changed the way the beef industry markets feeder cattle over the past 15 years. Producers can choose to market their cattle through live auctions, private treaty, graded sales, marketing alliances, video auctions, Internet auctions, or retain ownership through the feedlot. All of these options have placed 11.3 million head of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. as of July 1, 2018, according to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service.

With that large number, it would be easy for load lots

to slip through the cracks of recognition.

With that being said, there are many ways to promote the sale of feeder calves, including paid advertisement and word of mouth. But did you know there is a FREE email service that allows you to promote your load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced calves to over 400 buyers across the United States. Did I mention the service is FREE? Simply fill out the form on www. gelbvieh.org with information such as number of head, base weight, breed type, vaccination program, etc.

Then click submit and an email will be sent to over 400 potential buyers located across the United States.

Have you ever fed out Balancer-influenced calves?

MARKET YOUR FEEDER CATTLE

MARKET LOAD LOTS OF GELBVIEH AND BALANCER® INFLUENCED CATTLE FOR FREE! FILL OUT THE FORM ON WWW.GELBVIEH.ORG OR CONTACT THE AGA STAFF WITH YOUR CATTLE’S INFORMATION. FEED YARDS AND POTENTIAL BUYERS ACROSS THE U.S. ARE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL WHEN CATTLE ARE AVAILABLE VIA AUCTION OR PRIVATE TREATY.

“Feeder Finder helped sell my calves on the video!”

Roger Schroeder, Rancher, Wyoming

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

34 | September 2018

Producers from around the United States are overly satisfied with the feedlot advantages offered by Balancer cattle. “My Balancer sired cattle graded 90 percent Choice, fewer YG 4s and more carcass weight, adding up to more profit,” said Scott Hamilton from Hamilton Farms in South Dakota. If you’re ready to start buying Gelbvieh and Balancer feeder cattle and seeing these results you can sign up for Feeder Finder for free to receive email alerts and locate feeder cattle for sale near you on www.gelbvieh.org.

News

The AGA works towards promoting the breed every day and is here to help our members and their customers achieve success. Since January 1, 2018, 16,269 Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder calves have been listed on Feeder Finder with a list of buyers that is continuously growing. “Feeder Finder helped sell my calves on the video,” said Roger Schroeder, a rancher from Wyoming. It’s time to take advantage of this technologically driven world and promote your feeder calves. FF

Lone oak CattLe Our PASSION here at

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

7th Annual Bull Sale • March 16, 2019 • 50 Bulls & 50 Females

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

WW Heifers available for viewing anytime, and for sale after October 1 WW • 40 Black Angus and Gelbvieh cross heifers • AI’d on 5-17-18 to these top sires: Basin Payweight 1682, Barstow Atlas, Musgrave Avitar, LD Capitalist 316, Connealy Thunder and Hamilton Lute 116D. • Pasture exposed to Hamilton Lute 116D and a top Garett Emblazon 457D son!

• 20 Red Angus and Gelbvieh cross heifers pasture exposed to a top Hard Drive Son!

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 319-480-1564 hornsandthorns@netins.net www.loneaokcattleiowa.com

The Profit Picture | 35

Staff Editorial

Good News in the Endless Cycle of Negativity

By Rebecca Mettler

W

e live in a world of negativity, or at least that’s the story we get from the news. But what we know out in the country is that headline news isn’t always the big news in rural areas, and for that we are fortunate. Yes, I’ll admit there are always challenges in the beef industry, but there is also a lot to be thankful for. Even with the markets dealing with a large supply, current beef demand is good. No, margins aren’t expected to be high-flying, but positive numbers should be seen in the last half of 2018, according to market experts.

I’m also crossing my fingers that fall will bring some relief for those areas of the country that are in desperate need of rain. I live in Missouri and for the duration of the summer a majority of the state has been impacted by drought of some degree. Looking at the drought map, I know there are other places in need of rain, too. Let’s hope and pray for good news and a good bit of precipitation!

Speaking of spreading good news, I am fortunate enough to be friends with someone who believes in the power of positivity. This individual takes time out of her busy weekday mornings to send out an inspirational quote, story, or picture delivered through a group share phone app. I am absolutely in awe of her dedication because she hardly ever misses a post and I’ve been following her for over a year now! The moral of this story is to find someone to add positivity into your life.

In keeping with her theme, I’ve assembled some of my favorite quotes related to agriculture and the rural way of life. It’s important to be reminded of our good fortunes and if we’re in need of a boost, these can get the job done.

36 | September 2018

“I “L “N “C “F

do not believe there was ever a life more attractive than life on a cattle farm.” – Theodore Roosevelt ive a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.” – Unknown Author o hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” – Winston Churchill

ourage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” – John Wayne

arming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the cornfield.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

“A

griculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.” - George Washington

The quotes above are just a small sampling of the positivity surrounding agriculture and the rural way of life. I’ll admit, a lot of these quotes are from historical figures, but positivity is still alive and well in the agriculture industry. At the core, farming and ranching are occupations for optimistic people; if not, there would be even fewer farmers and ranchers in the industry that I’m blessed to call home. FF

2nd Annual

Boys from the South Bull Sale Gelbvieh • Balancer® • Angus Bulls Saturday, december 8, 2018 • 1:00 Pm ct JameS e. Ward ag center, Lebanon, tn

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

FMGF Blue’s Impact 001X

BCFG Hillybilly Hero 71Z

GHGF Shear Force 81A

Progeny from these Proven Herd Sires and Gelbvieh Influenced Commercial Females sell!

BCFG Butlers Bismarck 512Z

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

Saturday, September 29, 2018 • 1:00 PM ET Chenault Ag Center • Mt. Sterling, KY

Selling 50% Embryo Interest in these Elite Donors.

The final bid may be Doubled for Full Ownership!

Ms Fortune 63X is a homozygous black, homozygous polled donor out of the great Ms Highlight 767T donor. She has always produced top quality offspring with substance and eye appeal. Her flush to Black Impact will be sale features in the spring 2019 Bluegrass Invitational Sale. She is due to calf 11/8/2018 to Godfather 575C.

Ms Highlight 64X is a homozygous black, homozygous polled donor that doesn’t miss. Her mating to Watchman produced the $9,750 Ms S & S Watchman 453B and and her mating to Alumni the $6,000 Ms S & S Alumni 572C. Note her grand dam is the $20,000 Ms Nero 121A donor. She is truly a female to build a program around. She is due to calf 11/6/2018 to Godfather 575C.

Selling spring possession of 3G Bandoleer 458B. Bandoleer 458B has proven to be a tremendous herd sire whose offspring excel in growth, structural correctness, and eye appeal. He is flawless in his makeup and youthful in the pasture.

Bar None Ms Astro 807A is a homozygous polled Astro daughter out of EGL P016. Simply put, she is flawless. She is the kind of female you can build a program around. She is due to calf 10/26/18 to Lazy TV Sam.

Bar None Ranch dispersal Gentle G Farm spring herd dispersal

Sale managed by

Slaughter Sale Management For catalog or information contact:

David Slaughter

162 Hastings Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 Phone: (270) 556-4259 E-mail: hmslghtr@aol.com Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

CED 20.9 1%

BW -2.7 5%

WW 60

YW 87

MK 33 2%

TM 64 4%

CEM 10 10%

HP 9.59 5%

PG30 5.01 2%

ST DMI YG 14.5 -0.038 -0.29 20% 20%

CW 20

REA 0.61 30%

MB 0.27

FT ADG RFI $COW FPI EPI -0.06 -0.018 -0.079 113.40 79.09 80.84 10% 15% 30%

Godfather puts all the pieces in one package. He ranks in the top 20% or better in the breed for 11 different traits.

Godfather offers the beef industry power, performance and maternal strength in a vary structurally correct eye appealing package. Godfather’s first calves are on the ground and he is truly a calving ease sire.

His sire group ratioed 92 in a 5 A.I. sire contemporary group.

discount! $25 per unit on orders a ofSpecial 20 or more for orders placed before October 1, 2018.

News

Mixed Seeding of Winter and Non-Winter Hardy Annual Forages

By Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist

A

ugust to early September is a time when some producers are planting various annual forages or cover crop mixtures for fall forage. This typically includes non-winter hardy small grain cereals such as oats and spring varieties of triticale, barley, or wheat. Brassicas such as turnips, rape, or kale can be mixed with these small grain cereal grasses. Most brassicas have high energy content even when mature and tend to maintain their quality later into the winter than the small grain cereal grasses.

40 | September 2018

Another option to this practice can be to plant a mixture of winter hardy and non-winter hardy species in order to have both fall and spring forage from a single planting operation. Common winter-hardy species include cereal rye, winter wheat, triticale, or barley. Any of these, paired with a non-winter hardy species, can result in several different two-way combinations.

Several two-way non-winter hardy and winter hardy mixtures were evaluated in recent plot trials at the UNL West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte (Table 1). For each species in the mix, they were planted at one-half the seeding rate of what would be used for a monoculture planting. In a rye and oats mix for example, oats were seeded at a rate of 1 ½ bushels per acre and rye at 1 bushel per acre. Monocultures of the different species seeded at the full rate were also included for comparison purposes.

Including the non-winter hardy species (oats, spring triticale, turnips) significantly increased fall forage yield in all cases. Spring yield of the winter hardy species (rye and winter triticale) in monocultures at full seeding rate was higher than their respective yield in the two-way mix. Overall, total yield of winter hardy and non-winter hardy mixtures was similar to that of the winter hardy monocultures. While the non-winter hardy forages could be replanted in the spring, mixing the nonwinter hardy and winter hardy species in a late summer planting will result in more fall forage and a moderate amount of early spring forage from the winter hardy species; all from a single planting operation. FF

The Profit Picture | 41

Junior Editorial

Sharing the Right Message

By Grace Vehige, American Gelbvieh Junior Association President

Y

ou don’t have to be an avid social media user to know that there are times when the message of agriculture becomes a little skewed. It wasn’t always this way, but unfortunately, that’s the way the game is played now. There are people and organizations that continuously criticize and falsify the agriculture industry, as I’m sure you know. It is so easy to spread misconceptions and inaccuracies because of modern day technology and social media. With just a few words, short seconds of video, or strategic photographs, a subject can be misconstrued by a single person or group and with a single gesture or click.

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

I was sitting in my animal science class when a guest professor lectured us about animal welfare versus animal rights. This professor started his lecture in the strangest fashion, but I can’t help but recognize the message he was trying to share. He started with a slide called “doc’s definitions”, and it read “Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. Dumb is the lack of faculties/ ability to comprehend. Stupid is knowing but still making poor decisions. Wisdom is acquired when we consciously stop making poor decisions.”

I

nstead of sharing negative posts and attempting to right the wrong, we need to ignore them and do our best to not draw attention to them, which is what they are intended to do. As agriculturalists, we must be strategic with how we share our message.

Feed Efficiency

• 18 years of carcass and feed efficiency data gathered.

• RFI data gathered on sale bulls through GrowSafe systems.

Genetic Data • Ultrasound data collected on bulls and heifers.

• Every bull sells with Genomic Enhanced EPDs. Look for SKF bulls at the Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale Oct 20, 2018, Sandy Knoll Farm Carthage, MO Brian & Leon Dunn St. John, KS 67576 620-786-4039 (Brian Cell) 620-549-6516

42 | September 2018

When inaccurate messages and posts about agriculture are launched online and on social media outlets, it is natural for us to want to correct the false statements and clarify our side of the story. One of our first instincts is to be defensive. Recently I have seen a lot of this on Facebook. There is a specific video that recently went viral targeting 4-H and FFA organizations and completely misrepresented both.

Immediately, people began to share the post and their story about how 4-H and FFA taught them everything they know and how they wouldn’t be who they are without either organization. I will be the first to say that these organizations are truly great, and words cannot do them justice for the impact they are able to

have on young individuals. However, I have learned that by sharing these negative posts, even if we also share our positive message, the anti-agriculture groups are gaining momentum.

Junior Editorial

this. When posting photographs and videos, I advise you all to be cautious of what you are really posting.

What looks like cattle in a feedlot to us may not look the same to someone else. It’s instances like this when we need to think about how we are representing ourselves and our industry.

My time as an agriculture communications student has given me a new perspective on sharing the message With all this in mind, of agriculture. Instead of I urge you all to continue sharing negative posts sharing your agriculture and attempting to right griculture is a part of who we are, so story. We have a long way the wrong, we need to to go, but I am confident ignore them and do our there should be no reason to back best to not draw attention that we can only go up down from sharing our story; we just from here. Have pride to them, which is what need to be careful how we do this. in our association and they are intended to do. for our industry, and As agriculturalists, we whatever you do, never must be strategic with stop believing in what we do; I know I won’t. FF how we share our message. The easiest way to share our message is for you to share your story. Be proud of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Share messages and photographs. Agriculture is a part of who we are, so there should be no reason to back down from sharing our story; we just need to be careful how we do

A

The Profit Picture | 43

News

Is Beef Cattle Temperament Important in Your Operation?

Timothy Page, Ph.D., Animal Sciences Professor, Louisiana State University

A

re beef cattle disposition and temperament important to a successful operation? Research and my lifetime of experiences have proven to me that docile cattle are more fertile, have higher daily gains, are more feed efficient, healthier, and produce higher quality and better yielding carcasses.

How many of you have experienced cattle that are flighty, high headed, hard to pen, and just downright mean and dangerous to other cattle and people? In today’s industry there are several tools that we can use to determine which cattle possess good temperament versus cattle with bad temperament. Research and producers have long used chute exit velocity, chute temperament, and visual observance when determining cattle disposition.

I help many producers select replacement heifers. I don’t care how good a heifer is (ultrasound scan data, visual score,

soundness, femininity, balance, broodiness, boldness), if they act up in the chute, she is gone. If a cow is ill tempered, her calf will be too and she needs to be culled. Temperament is fairly high in terms of heritability (40%).

One recent study over 47,000 feedlot cattle were evaluated for average daily gain, feed conversion, morbidity, mortality, quality grade and tenderness. This study showed that docility is worth over $70 per head. That would mean that 75 head of calves in one pen in the feedlot might be worth $6,000 more just because of docility. Because of increased profits, cattle safety, and worker safety, we should be advising beef cattle producers that selection for disposition and temperament should be high on their list of keeping and culling replacement heifers and cows. FF Source: Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

Gelbvieh Genetics for this Generation & the Next Look for bulls at the

Red River Bull Sale

(CST)

NOV. 17, 2018 • 1:00 PM Wichita Livestock Sales Co. • Wichita Falls, TX

Matt & Andrea Murray 20055 N 2730 Rd. • Kingfisher, OK 405-368-9601 (Andrea’s Cell) murrayfarm@pldi.net Bulls for sale by private treaty year round.

46 | September 2018

News

BeefTalk: Let the Cow Save You Money and the Bull Make You Money Kris Ringwall, NDSU Extension Service

A

recent conversation regarding economic drivers in the cow-calf enterprise left me with a lot to think about.

Let me summarize: The thoroughfare to consumers begins with the conception and birth of a calf that slowly morphs into beef. The beef industry is huge, so reflecting is good as the calf moves from the cow-calf producer to other beef enterprises throughout the beef chain.

Much like the source of a mighty river, at some point, only melting snow or raindrops were present. Mighty rivers do not become majestic if the snow does not melt or the rain does not fall. Everything starts somewhere, albeit small, and needs to grow. The cow-calf industry is no different.

Let us consider some thoughts regarding the cow-calf enterprise. Generally, the cow-calf producer has had some cushion between total expenses and market price (positive cash flow). Expenses, however, loom on the horizon as historically high, and given the relative low rates of return on investment, along with the challenges of finding adequate labor, some cattle producers are

giving up the reins.

What steps can producers take to improve profitibility and, ultimately, return on investment?

Almost anybody can buy a cow and bull, and produce a calf, but that is not the definition of a cow-calf enterprise. The operation needs to have some scale, and I usually review data that involve operations of 50 or more cows. But today, even 100 cows probably are below the threshold of “economy of scale.”

I will be the first to state loudly that the cow-calf business has many economic drivers, and “economy of scale” does not have to be one of them. Why? Cow producers like cows and enjoy the lifestyle of raising beef. But a positive cash flow will put more smiles on the producers’ faces.

That being said, how do we do that? Here are some thoughts.

First, recognize the environment one is in and quit Continued on page 48

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh • Join us as we host the ND Gelbvieh Association Field Day on September 22, 2018. Membership meeting at 11:00 am with cattle tours starting at 1:00 pm. Check out our Facebook page and website for more details.

• Bred and open replacement females for sale by Private Treaty • Bulls for sale by Private Treaty-watch for pictures and pedigree information on our website in early 2019

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

News

fighting it. Building to beat Mother Nature is futile; feed the cows, breed the cows and calve the cows when the weather is right.

The weather is right when cool-season grasses are growing actively. As a consequence of calving when the grass grows, a shift occurs when the third trimester of pregnancy starts, creating the opportunity for alternative winter forage programs.

At the Dickinson Research Extension Center, we turn bulls out on Aug. 1. The third trimester starts Feb. 12, and calving starts May 7. Winter feeds costs, which are 70-plus percent of the total cow-calf costs, have the potential to decline significantly, depending on the extent that “extensive winter forage” is utilized.

Second, recognize the importance of monitoring cow size. The maintenance of excessively large cows has proven difficult to offset with increased weaning weights. The center has targeted mature cow size at 1,100 to 1,300 pounds. Although individual calf weights will be lighter, total calf weight based on calves produced per acre will be greater, resulting in more total pounds of calf.

Third, recognize the importance of good bull selection using technological advancements that improve accuracy. Generally, keep expected progeny differences (EPDs) above the 50th percentile within the desired traits and breed. As matter of practicality, become comfortable with bulls that are above the 50th percentile but may not exceed the upper 30th percentile for commercial production.

Fourth, recognize the value of breeding systems, maximizing the traits of interest in the terminal sire program while balancing appropriate traits on the maternal side. Let the cow save you money and the bull make you money.

At the center, 1,100- to 1,300-pound cows bred to bulls above the 50th percentile for growth and marbling and in the upper 10th percentile for rib-eye area have an advantage of $26 per acre of ranchland over traditional cows. The calves are summered on forage, and after a short feedlot stay, they are harvested at an average weight of 1,450 pounds, with 94 percent at the Choice grade at an average Yield Grade of 2.9.

The search for the next generation of cow-calf producers has a tremendous opportunity for success, provided some simple targeted goals based on real numbers are put in place. Efficient beef production starts when the bull mates with a cow and biological efficiency mates with economic efficiency.

And just like the majestic river that starts with a few raindrops and a small stream, beef production needs to start with the cow-calf producer. Fishing in the big river may catch some big fish, but do not let fishing tales run the operation.

For new cow-calf producers, the single biggest mistake made is the tendency to work hard physically and set aside the homework. Each cow-calf enterprise is a unique business, and businesses need records. Focus, listen and learn. May you find all your ear tags. FF

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

48 | September 2018

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 21, 2019

Source: NDSU Extension Service

Staff Editorial

Summer Feeder Calf Sale Recap

By Angela Vesco

T

the Balancer-influenced calves, the representatives selling calves, and the people who feed these calves.

Balancer®-influenced calves sold at every sale and sold either at or above the average market price.

Balancer recognition is quickly gaining more and more popularity; crossbred calves are in demand!

All the Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced calves that were sold on these video sales were promoted on the AGA’s FREE Feeder Finder service. Feeder Finder is an email marketing tool used to promote load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle feedyards all across the country. To sign up to recieve these emails or promote your load lot of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influence calves, please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333 or email info@gelbvieh.org. FF

he 2018 summer run of feeder calf video auctions has been a success for the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA). The AGA traveling staff made it to the four major Superior Livestock Auction sales: The Big Sky Roundup in Billings, Montana; Week in the Rockies in Breckenridge, Colorado; Video Royale in Winnemucca, Nevada; and The Big Horn Classic in Sheridan, Wyoming. Staff also attended the Western Video Market sales in Reno, Nevada, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the Cattle Country Video sale in Gering, Nebraska.

The Balancer message was in front of over 700,000 head of feeder cattle this summer. At these events the AGA staff sets up a booth in the trade show to display promotional material and also take advantage of the opportunities to network and meet the producers raising

Commercial producers from around the area where the sale is being held come watch their cattle sell, enjoy a nice steak dinner, and other various social events.

These sales are also a great opportunity for seedstock producers to promote their operation and support customers who are selling on these videos.

Iowa Breeders

Neola, Iowa

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

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

50 | September 2018

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

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

Feature

Sell Better by Thinking Like a Buyer

By Rebecca Mettler

C

oming up with ways to add value to feeder cattle can sometimes be accomplished by simply thinking about the situation from another angle.

Most of the time, producers are so Clint Berry focused on getting money back into their pocket that they don’t think about how to make it more appealing for someone to buy their product.

“Don’t think about it from a seller’s position, but from a buyer’s position. Think of it from the mindset of what’s marketable and what can capture value,” said Clint Berry, Superior Livestock Auction (SLA) representative from Gainesville, Missouri.

In Berry’s mind, adding value to feeder cattle begins with calf health. Producers should be aggressive in their vaccination programs and deworming protocols and have the proper nutrition in place to enable a healthy immune response to modified-live vaccines. Not only are producers creating a healthy calf on their operations, but provide calves with a healthy start as they move through the supply chain.

“Regardless of genetics, if calves become unhealthy and die, they aren’t profitable.”

Initiating a preconditioning program is a beginning step in capturing value. SLA has been tracking data for years regarding the value of preconditioning programs. The basic Superior VAC 45 preconditioning program has a minimum of two rounds of modified live respiratory vaccine and clostridial (commonly called black leg) and one round of pasteurella, along with a 45-day weaning minimum.

52 | September 2018

“Superior’s data collected each year shows that on average, VAC 45 calves will bring about $10/cwt more.

So on a 6-weight calf that’s an extra $60/head, plus you get the added benefit of the weight gain throughout the weaning process.”

In all, a preconditioning program can put $50 to $100 more into producers’ pockets while creating cattle with a greater amount of repeat interest due to a buyer’s experience of better overall health of the cattle, which helps capture more value for the producer in the long term, according to Berry.

Profit Driver Considerations Profit drivers on the ranch start with the cow, once maternal traits, including longevity and fertility are secured, then comes the growth traits. After all, cattle producers get paid for pounds.

Berry challenges producers to breed feedyard and packer profit drivers into their calves. Profit drivers for the feedyard include post-weaning growth traits, feed efficiency, and health; health is always crucial. On the other hand, the packer sector cares about carcass merit, both from quality and yield standpoints.

“Commercial ranchers can’t always make it their top priority, but should be making the right decisions within the overall picture to improve carcass merit,” Berry said.

“Ultimately, we are in the beef business; everything we raise has to be eaten at some point.”

What’s next?

Calf health, nutrition, and genetics are the three critical legs of calf value, according to Berry.

Once producers have put in place those three legs, then they need to focus on capturing added value by looking at how they are marketing their calves.

Reno in his working clothes!

Big Star on the job!

He Sells!

He Sells!

CED 11.4

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WW 90

YW 136

MK 24

OZZ RENO 76B TM 70

CEM HP PG30 ST YG CW 7 4.28 1.62 14.3 -0.10 19

AMGV1320699 • BA38

REA MB FT FPI 0.42 0.38 -0.01 89.10

CED 11.7

BW 1.8

WW 69

GGGE BIG STAR 487B YW 107

MK 24

TM 58

CEM HP PG30 ST YG CW 6 16.44 0.38 16.7 -0.22 18

AMGV1288657 • BA50

REA MB FT FPI 0.75 0.00 -0.01 68.62

Feature

Proper marketing starts with the basics. First, make sure the livestock marketing representative knows when the producer’s calves are being sold. Some producers work hard 364 days in a year and decide on a whim to take their calves to town the day of the sale.

“That’s just not a good business practice,” Berry said.

Beyond the basics, there are a plethora of marketing programs to assist producers with capturing value. For instance, source and age programs are a good way for producers large and small to add value to their calves.

“Even for a smaller producer taking calves to the livestock market and selling in commingled groups, you want the buyer to know where those calves came from.

You don’t want your good calves to get lost in the crowd.

You want for those calves to be identified back to you.”

“The challenge for sellers would be to pick which program to participate in. The market is a lot like a river; it is always changing. What creates value or discounts value is always changing.”

However, if a producer is taking the time and paying for source and age or other specialty programs, make sure the place marketing those calves is equipped to honor those programs, cautioned Berry.

Taking it a step further, producers who set up their calves as non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC) or all natural cattle provide flexibility down the supply chain.

Feedyards can choose to continue feeding calves as NHTC or all natural, or if the market dictates more

54 | September 2018

profitability with added pounds captured by feeding technology, the feedyards can act accordingly.

Another tip: make it convenient for the buyer to purchase calves. It might not be fair, but it’s easier for buyers to purchase whole truckloads or even whole penloads of calves of the same type, kind, and breed makeup. If this is something a producer can’t do on their own, maybe group calves together from neighboring farms or ranches with matching genetics, herd health and management practices.

As far as the future, Berry predicts that calf marketing will become more streamlined, with a heavier influence on buyer convenience.

Berry also anticipates a move towards larger price swings, which he believes is better for producers who are investing in better genetics and management. The industry continues to differentiate between the good, the better, and the best calves. It is not unusual to see $20, $30 or even $40 price swings on cattle sold via SLA within the same region and weight class.

In the end, no matter what producers do, they are building a reputation; it’s either a good one or a bad one.

“There’s enough uncontrollable factors in the industry: the cost of inputs, export variables, etc.,” Berry said. “If you will control health, nutrition and genetics, at least you are doing as much as you can. If the buyer takes your calves and makes money, they will be more aggressive to buy your calves next year.” FF

Markes Family Farms REGISTERED PUREBRED GELBVIEH FALL PRIVATE TREATY OFFERING

V 68 BRED FALL COWS V These started calving August 18, 2018

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These are being preg checked in October and will calve in February/March 2019

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V 112 PUREBRED BULLS V

Quantity

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A great selection of Registered Purebred Gelbvieh Bulls We price our cattle to sell quickly!

V 44 PUREBRED HEIFERS V

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Staff Editorial

Five Tips to Improve Your Business on Facebook

By Kelsi Christian

I

t’s free, you can increase your business exposure to over 2 billion users, and it’s a great spot to build brand loyalty.

That’s right; I’m talking about Facebook. It is currently the most popular social media site, and it’s relatively simple for businesses small or large to take advantage of connecting with their current customers and building new relationships, whether you are in the commercial or seedstock sector. Your customers and target audience has gone digital, so if you’re not already there, it’s time for your farm or ranch to join them.

Cattlemen and women aren’t widely known for being social media marketing experts, so here are five simple steps to improve your business presence on Facebook.

Step 2: Post a Variety of Content Keep your Facebook page interesting by posting a variety of content. Followers are less likely to get involved and read your posts if you always post a status update with no attachment or if you only ever post videos. Your page is more likely to reach maximum engagement if you post a mixture of videos, pictures, text, and links. Use Facebook to post videos of your weaned calves; it doesn’t matter if you are selling them at the local sale barn, on a video auction, or direct sale, it’s important to get your name out there as a source of high quality calves. Or, if you direct sell replacement females to local producers, advertising through a Facebook page would be a great addition to marketing efforts.

Step 1: Post Consistently At this point, you may feel on top of the game because you created a Facebook back in 2009.

Unfortunately, if you have only posted on it a handful of times, it’s doing you no good. To maximize your business on Facebook, you must post consistently, which equates to at least three times a week. This will increase your visibility with your target audience. But who has time to take out of their busy schedules to post on Facebook? Don’t worry; Facebook has an awesome feature that allows you to schedule posts to be sent out automatically in the future. Write up your post and add any attachments to it just like you would create any other post; now, instead of clicking publish, you will click the blue arrow next to the publish button. This is a drop-down menu with the option to schedule your post to be automatically sent out at whatever time you pick.

Now your business can be posting consistently, but you only have to sit down once to schedule all your posts for the week or even month in one sitting.

56 | September 2018

Step 3: Provide Value to your Customers One common reason why people dislike Facebook today is because they are continually being advertised and sold stuff through this popular social media platform. This is also a reason why people will unfollow your business page.

Using Facebook for more than just advertising and selling is essential. To be favored by your audience you must provide them value on Facebook. While yes, you should be

Staff Editorial

using it to advertise and sell, you should still be providing value. A good rule of thumb is for every four posts to a business page, only one should be trying to sell something to your audience.

Posting a picture to introduce someone who plays a vital role in your operation, or asking a question to start a conversation would be examples of non-sale Facebook posts. You could even spotlight your favorite herd bull that sired this year’s calf crop. None of these posts are directly selling a product to your audience, but instead, are building

relationships and making your business more authentic.

Step 4: Engage with your Audience Engagement is key. Engagement is what keeps a page relevant and gains exposure to new people. To stay engaged on Facebook simply like others posts and

58 | September 2018

comment back when people interact with your posts.

Your goal should be to start conversations and keep them going. Use this platform to interact with other businesses, customers, organizations, and industry leaders by commenting and getting involved in the conversation.

Step 5: Explore Facebook Insights Facebook is on your side, and they want your business page to be successful. Utilize the Insights tab that is on your business Facebook page to get customized details that will improve your exposure.

For example, Facebook tracks your followers and knows when they are online. So, next time you have an awesome post make sure to post it during the time of day that your audience is online. How do you find out this information? Go to your Facebook business page; the Insights tab located at the top of the page, next you will click “Posts” and then “When Fans Are Online”. You can also explore the Insights tab to find things out such as the most popular types of post that you have, and the demographics of your followers.

With these five simple steps, your business Facebook page could be on its way to reaching the full potential of exposure. FF Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the July 2018 Gelbvieh World.

Editorial

Assemble a Calf Crop Resilient to the Challenges of Disease

By Justin Kieffer, DVM, Clinical Veterinarian, Assistant Professor, Office of the Attending Veterinarian and Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University

N

ow that calving is completed, the days are longer, and the grass is growing (hopefully), it is time to start preparing for the weaning and eventual sale or feedlot finishing of your calf crop and development of your replacement females. Once the cow calf pairs have been kicked out to pasture in the spring, there is a tendency to put off or ignore the steps needed not only to set the feedlot calf up for success, but also to lay the groundwork for proper health for your new heifers.

Management techniques such as castration and dehorning should take place as soon as possible. Waiting too long to remove the testicles, either by banding or cutting, increases the risk of bleeding and infection, and knocks the calf off feed for an extended period of time. The smaller the calf, the less attached they are to their testicles. Removal of horns, if present, can be done at birth or shortly thereafter using caustic dehorning paste on the horn buds. If scooping of the horns is the method you employ, make sure to do this before the horns reach 2 inches in length to avoid having an open sinus cavity in the head, which is prone to infection and fly-strike. In both of these techniques, pain control for these procedures is highly recommended and easy to perform. This is critical both from a welfare perspective, and to keep the calf on feed during the healing process.

Vaccinations are also a critical aspect of calf prep that are often misunderstood or under-utilized. As you may know, when a calf hits the ground they have no immune globulin proteins circulating in their blood stream to help fight infections. All of their initial immune globulins come from the colostrum at the first feeding, which needs to take place ideally within the first six hours after birth. The ability of the calf to absorb immune globulins past 24 hours of age is almost zero. These proteins are made by the dam, and concentrated in colostrum prior to birth, this is why vaccination of pregnant cows is essential in providing immunity for the calf. Once the calf is up and nursing, those immune globulins provide immediate resistance to disease.

As the calf ages, the colostral immune globulin levels start to drop off over time, and are mostly gone by around 3-4 months of age. This is an important concept to understand for

60 | September 2018

two reasons: First, giving the calf an injectable vaccine before this time frame means that any antigens for diseases you are vaccinating for (IBR, BRSV, PI3, etc.) will be neutralized by the immune globulins delivered in the colostrum. Essentially, if you have vaccinated the pregnant cow for those same diseases, and the calf nursed properly, there is no need to deliver those same vaccines to the calf prior to 4 months of age.

The second reason not to give an injectable vaccine before this time frame is that the calf’s immune system is not ready to see and react to the vaccine. It takes time for the white blood cells responsible for the development of a systemic immune response to learn their jobs and be able to react to invading bugs. One important exception to the use of vaccines in young calves is the use of intra-nasal vaccines. These vaccines provide a localized immunity in the nose very quickly, and are not interfered with by colostral immunity. This is why these vaccines can be given immediately after birth, and at any time in the production cycle safely and effectively.

Timing of vaccines is also imperative. For example, when the first round of a vaccine is given to a 5 month old steer calf, it takes time for the responsible white blood cells to find that vaccine and take it to the lymph nodes where antibodies can be produced. This process on average takes about 21 days. This is why most vaccines are labeled with directions indicating at least a one-month wait before administering a booster shot. If we give the booster shot before the immune system has had time to create antibodies and a memory of the bug, we will not have that second strong immune response from the booster.

Completion of these management techniques and vaccine protocols prior to the stress of weaning, comingling and transport will help you assemble a calf crop more resilient to disease challenges. Combined with a low stress weaning technique carried out 6 weeks prior to leaving the farm, this type of strategic planning for superior health provides a calf for which buyers will want to pay a premium. Consult with your herd veterinarian to design a vaccination and calf management plan that fits your type of operation. FF Source: OSU Extension

AGA EPDs

AGA EPD Dictionary

E

quipping commercial producers with all of the tools necessary to make smart bull buying decisions requires the American Gelbvieh Association to provide background information on selection criteria. Below is an exhaustive list of the expected progeny differences (EPDs) and index values provided by the AGA along with a definition of each trait that is measured. Since AGA’s release of BOLT-powered EPDs on August 6, 2018, the majority of EPDs are BOLT EPDs, which means that Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals BOLT EPDs can be directly compared with other animals in the registries of other partner breed associations within the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) group. Gelbvieh and Balancer EPDs that are excluded from BOLT include: heifer pregnancy, 30-month pregnancy, and dry matter intake. The $Cow, efficiency profit index, and FPI™ indices are unique to the AGA and are not comparable across breeds.

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

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

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

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

Heifer pregnancy (HP): Predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant as firstcalf heifers in a regular breeding season, expressed as a percent. A higher value of this EPD is favorable,

62 | September 2018

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 firstcalf 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 years 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.

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AGA EPDs

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

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

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

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 returns comparatively higher weaning weights on her calves. TM Index = MK EPD + ½ WW EPD.

64 | September 2018

$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, which stands for feeder profit index, is 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

Editorial

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Insurance Performance 2008-2017 A Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance contract that protects against unexpected down swings in the national cattle market price could be used as a risk management tool.

By Jay Parsons and Jim Jansen, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

L

ivestock producers have many of the same risk management insurance needs as crop producers.

Price and market uncertainties pose a significant risk to cattle producers with a substantial amount of money invested in breeding livestock, land, and other infrastructure. Price protection through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures contracts can introduce financial burdens in the form of margin calls and may not be a good option for many smallerscale producers. A Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance contract that protects against unexpected down swings in the national cattle market price could

be used as a risk management tool for these producers to protect their investment.

Like most insurance products, producers should not purchase LRP hoping to collect on it. All else being equal, the preference is for good, strong market prices to prevail along with solid returns on investment. Nevertheless, it should be of interest to producers considering LRP as a part of their market risk management plan to see how LRP has performed over the years. LRP is available in many forms, terms of length, and coverage levels.

For the purposes of this article, we analyzed all five LRP cattle products available in Nebraska from 2008-2017. We looked at a 13-week coverage endorsement taken out on August 6 (or the subsequent Monday if August 6 was on a weekend) of each year at the highest coverage price available. This resulted in an ending date of November 5-7 of each year. This is the shortest time frame a producer could look at insuring yet this year for calves coming off of grass this fall. The premiums reported here are the producer premiums after

66 | September 2018

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.

Editorial

the 13% subsidy has been paid by the USDA. The results for LRP-Feeder Cattle coverage on Steers Weight 1(< 600 pounds) is presented in Table, page 66. The results for LRP-Feeder Cattle coverage on Heifers Weight 1 (< 600 pounds) is presented in Table 2, page 66. The results for LRP-Feeder Cattle coverage on Steers Weight 2 (600-900 pounds) is presented in Table 3, page 66. The results for LRP-Feeder Cattle coverage on Heifers Weight 2 (600900 pounds) is presented in Table 4. And, finally, the results for LRP-Fed Cattle coverage on Steers & Heifers (> 900 pounds) is presented in Table 5.

For each of the LRP-Feeder Cattle products, indemnities were not paid in the five consecutive years from 2010-2014 during the price run-up in the cattle markets. However, over the ten years analyzed, total indemnities paid out were greater than producer premiums collected by an average of $1.18 per cwt. for Steers Weight 1, $1.07 per cwt. for Heifers Weight 1 and Steers Weight 2, and $0.96 per cwt. for Heifers Weight 2. The indemnity ratio for each of the four products over these ten years was 1.33 meaning that if a producer consistently insured the same quantity each year, each $1.00 in premiums paid into program would have yielded $1.33 back in indemnities. For example, a producer insuring 48,000 pounds of Steers Weight 1 each year would have paid out $17,011 in premiums over 10 years and received $22,666 in indemnities over that same time period. Over the ten years, actual ending values were greater than expected five times and less than expected five times but the most a producer can lose with LRP is the premium they pay for it while the indemnity they may receive is whatever is necessary to

68 | September 2018

get them back to their coverage price value. The large payouts in 2008 are an example of LRP indemnities providing considerable risk management protection for the premiums paid into it.

The results for LRPFed Cattle were a little less positive in terms of insurance but more positive in terms of the market outcomes. In six out the ten years, the actual ending price value exceeded expectations. However, that led to only three out of ten years where the LRP insurance indemnity exceeded the producer premium. Even with that, however, the average net result for the LRP-Fed Cattle product analyzed over the ten years was a positive $0.27 per cwt. The indemnity ratio was only 1.08 meaning for every dollar collected from producers in premiums, $1.08 was paid out in indemnities.

It is important for producers to remind themselves why they might want to buy any insurance product.

Its primary purpose is to provide producers with a tool to protect against unexpected downward price movements in the national market. In 2008 and again in 2016, LRP insurance was clearly doing its job by providing producers who purchased a 13-week policy in early August with price coverage for early November sales level that allowed them to net out a better return in a challenging market situation. However, guessing which way the market is going to move can become a dangerous game with serious consequences. That is why producers who are concerned about the markets moving against them are encouraged to consider LRP insurance as a regular part of their market risk management plans and not just pick and choose which years to consider it. Some years there may not be something available that meets their needs but, assuming there is, producers should then choose a coverage level they are comfortable with that meets their risk management objectives and goals for protecting returns. FF Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

News

Gelbvieh Association, IMI Global Release Balancer® Edge Source and Age Verification Program

T

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce a recent partnership with IMI Global and introduce Balancer® Edge, a source and age verification program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls.

The Balancer® Edge program requires a minimum of 75 percent of the sires used on an operation to be registered Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls, and these bulls must be a minimum of 25 percent Gelbvieh genetics.

The verification process for this program requires producers to submit first and last calf born date, head count support and registration papers of the sires to verify Gelbvieh genetics.

The Source and Age Verification (SAV) program has been in practice in the beef industry since 2004, and continues to play an important role in adding value for U.S. beef producers. Balancer® Edge meets the SAV base requirement for cattle to be eligible for marketing into the China Export Verification program, the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) program for the EU, Verified Natural Beef, and others. In addition, Balancer® Edge documentation is eligible for establishing age of animals at the processor and is also now an accepted method of determining maturity of animals for grading purposes – ensuring they fall into the A maturity category if they are under 30 months of age at harvest.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Balancer® Edge program to add new market opportunities to their progressive producer base,” said Doug Stanton, vice president of business development at IMI Global. “Buyers continue to push for more options when it comes to cattle marketing. They are looking to maximize their value opportunity with an animal by having many directions to go with it, and verification programs add that kind of flexibility. The Balancer Edge program will open new doors for producers to access markets they may not have been eligible for before, bringing more value back home to the ranch.”

70 | September 2018

IMI Global has been offering verification services to the beef industry since 1996 and is the uncontested leader in those services today. IMI is an accredited, independent verification company who evaluates specific attributes or practices associated with livestock production and provides an unbiased assessment of the ability of any animal or group of animals to meet those specific standards or claims. As a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc., IMI is able to offer beef producers a wide range of program offerings, including Source and Age, NHTC, Verified Natural Beef, GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare, grass-fed, organic, and many more.

The need for transparency in food production is only growing, and market options continue to reflect that. Whether it be the ask of high value trade partners, or those here domestically, verification programs tied to value-added markets are increasing every day. The Balancer® Edge SAV program is easily bundled with NHTC, Verified Natural, GAP 5-Step Animal Welfare, and more.

“Balancer® Edge provides the opportunity for producers utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics to participate in a breed-identified program and have their production practices verified to be able to add value and gain additional marketing opportunities for their cattle,” said Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director. “In addition, IMI Global’s recent partnership with the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator™ allows producers to quantify the genetic merit of the animal’s they are selling.” FF

Source & Age Verification Program for Feeder Cattle Sired by Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bulls

BALANCER EDGE

®

$3.00/hd STEP 1: Gather calving records documenting the first and last calf born for the season. Have a head count of your cows. Have copies available to show IMI Global representative.

STEP 2: Fill out the form on www.gelbvieh.org to apply for Balancer® Edge and order tags.

STEP 3:

Send form via mail or email: IMI Global 202 6th Street, Ste. 400 Castle Rock, CO 80104 info@imiglobal.com

Value added options available: NHTC Verified Natural GAP Certification

*Additional auditing and cost may be involved

STEP 4:

Participate in a phone audit and off-site records review.

STEP 5: Market calves with the Balancer® Edge program.

www.gelbvieh.org | 303.465.2333

Commercial Programs

Programs Made for the Commercial Industry The commercial beef industry is at the heart of what goes on at the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA). We know that the success of our member seedstock producers and the Association as a whole is dependent upon the success of the commercial cattle producer.

Because of that ever-important relationship between beef industry sectors, the AGA believes in developing programs specifically for commercial producers. Please take the time to learn about these programs, and let us help your operation maintain and build upon its successes. Please contact the AGA office at 303-465-2333 for more information on these unique programs geared to our most valued asset: the customer.

Smart Select Service:

Smart Select Service will organize the data in way to identify inefficiencies in the cowherd. Managing data can sound intimidating at times, but that is where the AGA comes in to help. The program does the data management, and the AGA staff is there to discuss data results and help producers understand how to utilize the program to better manage their cowherds.

Feeder Finder:

Smart Select Service is a data management program provided to commercial cattlemen and women by the AGA. The program gives commercial producers the insight into their cowherd that they may have not of otherwise had. Users of Smart Select Service can track the data of their cowherd to assist them in making selection decisions with the goal of retaining the best females possible. At just $1 annual fee per head with no breed restrictions, it’s a cost-effective way to better understand and track the performance of individual animals and on a herd basis.

The objective of Smart Select Service is to help commercial herds become more efficient and successful. Efficiency is becoming more important and crucial to the success of any cattle operation. Producers record and input cowherd data measurements, then

72 | September 2018

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. Contact the AGA at 303-465-2333 for more information.

Continued on page 74

Breeders Corner

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American Gelbvieh Association | www.gelbvieh.org | info@gelbvieh.org | 303-465-2333 The Profit Picture | 73

Commercial Programs

Igenity® Gelbvieh DNA Panel:

Balancer® Edge Source and Age Verification Program:

The AGA is proud to offer DNA products for commercial producers designed specifically for Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The recently updated panel for Gelbvieh-influenced replacement females is called Igenity® Gelbvieh.

The AGA just announced a partnership with IMI Global to introduce Balancer® Edge, a source and age verification (SAV) program for feeder cattle sired by Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls.

The maternal and production-oriented traits offered with this test are calving ease direct, stayability, feed efficiency, mature weight, and post-weaning gain. The carcass-oriented traits were selected particularly on their relevance in the Gelbvieh breed and their impact on the production of quality consumer products. Carcass traits include marbling and tenderness. The scoring system provides a score between 1 and 10 for each trait.

The Balancer® Edge program requires a minimum of 75 percent of the sires used on an operation to be registered Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls, and these bulls must be a minimum of 25 percent Gelbvieh genetics.

The verification process for this program requires producers to submit first and last calf born date, head count support and registration papers of the sires to verify Gelbvieh genetics.

This panel also includes the option for parent verification at no additional cost, provided the potential sire(s) have parentage markers on file at the lab. This aspect of the panel is helpful not only for identifying an animal’s sire, but also to determine which bulls are most productive when turned out in your cowherd. Producers who calve with multi-sire pasture groups can gain valuable knowledge on the performance of their calf crop with the use of parent verification.

Balancer ® Edge meets the SAV base requirement for cattle to be eligible for marketing into the China Export Verification program, the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) program for the EU, Verified Natural Beef, and others. In addition, Balancer Edge documentation is eligible for establishing age of animals at the processor and is also now an accepted method of determining maturity of animals for grading purposes – ensuring they fall into the A maturity category if they are under 30 months of age at harvest.

For more details on the newly released program, please turn to page 70 of this magazine. F

74 | September 2018

Southern States

Breeders Corner

ALABAMA 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

ARKANSAS

H ODGES R ANCH

Neal

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

Martin Cattle Company David & Rita Martin

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

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

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

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer Genetics Available Private Treaty Sales

Duane Miller

Cell: 870-84405664 duane83@centurytel.net www.millergelbvieh.com

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

The Profit Picture | 75

Breeders Corner KANSAS

Midwest States

Holle Gelbvieh

Orrin & Kevin Holle Oberlin, KS 785.626.0081

Bar Arrow Cattle Company

WWW.KANSASBULLS.COM

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

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

HUTCHINSON, KS

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

S

G

ie elbv

John & Carla Shearer

620.628.4621

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

diamond v gelbvieh Randy odle

Harriman Santa fe

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

#1 Active Balancer Sire “B006” Marb & Feeder Profit Index (feedlot performance, carcass merit)

Balancer & SimAngus Bulls & Females

Bob Harriman (660) 492-2504

Private Treaty Listing www.bhsf.us

bharriman39@hotmail.com

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

76 | September 2018

660 • 492 • 2808

Top of the breed sales (every day)

Send his credentials with him...

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

Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

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

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

Judd Ranch Inc.

Specializing in Forage Raised

For information, contact:

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

B/F Cattle Company Culling practices on cows/bulls second to NONE!

h

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

e-mail: knappa@swbell.net

MISSOURI

Stuar t Jar vis

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

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

Breeders Corner

Midwest States

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

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle

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

GELBVIEHV BALANCERV ANGUS

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

Squeakin’ By-LK Farms Gelbvieh Bulls Black

Kyle & Lori Kuker Shubert, NE

Balancer Females Red

402-883-7246

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

J. J. Boehler

NOWACK

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

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

Gilbert & Debra

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

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

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

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

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

ROCKING GV GELBVIEH

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

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

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

Polled Fullblood Gelbvieh Cattle

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

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

Missouri Office 417-309-0062

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

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

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

Bulls For The BeeF Business

Ronald RogeRs

email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

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

417-753-3578(h) • 417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

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

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

For information about advertising, call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333 The Profit Picture | 77

News

Historical Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ Genetic Trends

T

he graphs below illustrate the genetic trends for Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ registered animals based off of the new multi-breed genetic evaluation powered

by BOLT. The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is proud of the dedicated Gelbvieh and Balancer breeders who have made genetic advancement of the breed a priority. Over the years, the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed has made tremendous strides

78 | September 2018

in specific to areas of focus documented in current and previous association strategic plans, including, moderation of birth weight, increases in marbling and continued focus on maternal superiority. FF

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

Provides 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 IOWA

Upper Midwest States

MINNESOTA

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

Brandywine Farm

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

Tom Scarponcini 30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

GS

Ridge Top Ranch Neola, Iowa

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

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

Ricky Linquist th

Street inquist 1135 190 inquist Fonda, IA 50540

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

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

Gelbvieh

SFI Schafer Farms, Inc.

Balancer®

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

u

u

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

Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Dean Swenson

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

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

SOUTH DAKOTA

LONE OAK

Promote Your Operation

C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

hornsandthorns@netins.net

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

Martens Gelbvieh

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

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

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

80 | September 2018

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

NORTH DAKOTA Chimney Butte RanCh

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

HH H

Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch

Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C) Julie Maude 605.381.2803 (C) lori.maude@gmail.com

Hermosa, SD

Annual Bull Sale 3rd Saturday in December.

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

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

Upper Midwest States

Breeders Corner

Northeast States

Send his credentials with him...

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

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCER®

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

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

Brian & Dee Dee 605-649-9927

Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-6262

www.Balancerbulls.com

INDIANA

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

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

3 G Ranch

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

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

kvolek@venturecomm.net

We want to Keep up with AGA members.

Please send in information to be included in the Gelbvieh World, the Profit Picture and on our website: • Items for Events of Interest • News for Information Exchange • Dates for upcoming shows and field days.

• State Association news

Plus, add us to your mailing lists when sending out sale catalogs.

Send all items to: Gelbvieh World 350 Interlocken Blvd., Ste. 200 Broomfield, CO 80021 lynnv@gelbvieh.org

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

The Profit Picture | 81

Editorial

The Environmental Disease Called Pinkeye Russ Daly, DVM, DACVPM Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian SDSU Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department

H

ave you ever thought about how some years get labeled “bad years” for a certain animal disease? There is still talk of how early 2018 was a “bad year” for calf scours. Likewise, there are “bad years” for calf pneumonia and even “bad years” for breeding on pasture.

What is it about those “bad years”? Are there years when there are just a lot more germs around for some random reason?

The reasons behind cattle diseases exploding in certain years and not others have to do with the fact that our animals are beholden to their environment. Climatic conditions such as snow, rain, heat, or humidity can affect the ability of the animal to resist a certain disease or succumb to it. Additionally, weather conditions can be beneficial to the growth and survival of certain illness-causing germs or they can be detrimental. This is illustrated by the concept of the “epidemiologic triad” – the concept that the interaction among the animal, the germs, and the environment affects whether an animal gets sick or stays healthy. Cattle are among the domestic animals most affected by our fickle weather conditions here in the Northern Plains.

Plentiful moisture in parts of the area during the summer might contribute to what could be called a “bad year” for a certain cattle disease: pinkeye.

Not unfamiliar to cattle producers, pinkeye is a bacterial infection of the surface of the eye. What starts out as red, weepy eyes quickly progresses to severe inflammation and an eatingaway of the clear portion of the eyeball. It’s a painful problem for affected cattle; left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Different types of germs have been identified in affected eyes, with Moraxella bovis being the one most commonly found.

So what makes it a potentially “bad year” for pinkeye? Again, it’s not simply because there are more germs around. In fact, cattle pinkeye is quite different from some diseases where just being exposed to the germ equates to an illness (influenza, for example). Researchers tell us that pinkeye germs can be found in the eyes of normal cattle. What’s more, when they try to artificially create the disease experimentally, they can’t do it by just squirting the bacteria in the calf’s eye. It’s not just the germ;

82 | September 2018

there has to be something more.

That something more is irritation. The normal eye is very good at resisting infection. In order to cause infection and inflammation, pathogenic bacteria have to stick to the eye surface, multiply, and release enzymes that damage the cornea.

But this surface is constantly washed by tears, which also contain antibacterial substances. Simple blinking also brushes bacteria off the cornea. Even if some of the bacteria happen to stick, the cells of the cornea (the clear portion of the eye) turn over every 5-7 days.

But irritation to the eye surface is just the chink in all this armor that Moraxella is waiting for – and the opportunities are plentiful during moist summers. Tall grass can scratch the eye surface, and pollen is an additional irritant. Flies and other insects become more plentiful, and they are particularly drawn to tears and gunk that forms in the corner of the eye, causing more irritation. Even strong sunlight provides an irritation that the bacteria can take advantage of.

Because bovine pinkeye can’t easily be replicated by simple exposure to the bacteria, it could very well be considered an environmental disease. Reducing the pinkeye risk for pasture cattle means addressing their environment.

The role of the bacteria should not be entirely discounted, however. Pinkeye tends to affect multiple cattle in a herd. When the bacteria is successful at infecting an animal, there’s more of it around to spread to another by flies or direct contact. Exposure to higher bacterial numbers means less of an irritation is needed for an infection to start.

It’s easier said than done, but controlling the environmental aspects of pinkeye through fly control shade, and clipping tall grass should be considered. While the success of pinkeye vaccines is erratic, they should also be discussed with your veterinarian. Just because the environmental aspects of pinkeye may be hard to control, producers should still do what they can to protect cattle from this painful, productionrobbing disease. FF Courtesy of igrow.org

Breeders Corner

Southeast States KENTUCKY Coles Bend Cattle Company

Raising registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle since 2000.

Trent Jones Smith Grove, KY • 270.590.5266

NORTH CAROLINA Quality Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer Cattle

TENNESSEE Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

ClinCh Mountain Gelbvieh

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

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

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

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

Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

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

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

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

(336) 964-6277

ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

CCRO CAROLINA EXCLUSIVE 1230Y

CCRO CAROLINA LEVERAGE 3214A

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

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

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

ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE 2 SATURDAY IN NOV. ND

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round.

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

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

Promote for Success!

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

www.knollcrestfarm.com knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com Office (434) 376-3567 Fax (434) 376-7008 James D. Bennett 434/376-7299 Paul S. Bennett 434/941-8245 Jim G. Bennett 434/664-7935 Brian R. Bennett 434/664-8309 Dalton G. Bennett 434/664-7946 PO Box 117 • Red House, VA • 23963 Total Performance Bull Sale • Nov. 30, 2018

W L

H

F

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

LITTLE WINDY HILL

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

The Profit Picture | 83

Places to Be

September 2018 Sept. 3 Sept. 15

Sept. 22

Sept. 26 Sept. 29

AGA office closed for Labor Day Seedstock Plus Showcase Sale XIII & 10th Annual Customer Appreciation Sale, Kingsville, MO North Dakota Gelbvieh Association Annual Field Day, at Golden Buckle Gelbvieh Ranch, Medina, ND Eagle Pass Ranch Bull Sale, Dos Palos, CA Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Fall Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY

October 2018 Oct. 12

Oct. 13

Oct. 13

Oct. 20 Oct. 20

Oct. 27

J Bar M Gelbvieh Complete Female Dispersal Sale, Neosho, MO Judd Ranch 28th Annual Cow Power Female Sale, Pomona, KS Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh Open House Private Treaty Kick-Off Fall Bull Sale, Mendon, MO Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale, Carthage, MO The Land of Ozz John C. Oswald & Sons Dispersal Sale, Hutchinson, KS Warner Beef Genetics “Genetic Opportunities” Female Production Sale, Arapahoe, NE

November 2018 Nov. 3 TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer 7th Annual Bull Sale,

Chickamauga, GA Nov. 3 Seedstock Plus RED REWARD “Fall Edition” Bull &

Female Sale, Humansville, MO Nov. 3 B/F Cattle Company & Cleland Cattle Company Fall

Maternal Integrity Bull Sale, Butler, MO Nov. 10 C-Cross Cattle Company Top 100 Bull & Female

Production Sale, Biscoe, NC Nov. 10 22nd Annual Heart of America Gelbvieh Association

Show-Me Plus Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale,

Springfield, MO Nov. 10 Triple K Gelbvieh Complete Cow Herd Dispersal Sale

in conjunction with HAGA Sale, Springfield, MO Nov. 10 2018 NAILE Gelbvieh & Balancer Junior Show,

Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, KY Nov. 15 2018 NAILE Gelbvieh & Balancer Open Show,

Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, KY Nov. 17 Red River Bull Sale, Wichita Falls, TX Nov. 24 Kansas Gelbvieh Association Pick of the Herd Sale,

Salina, KS Nov. 28-30 48th Annual AGA National Convention,

Nashville, TN Nov. 30 Knoll Crest Farm Total Performance Bull Sale,

Red House, VA

December 2018 Dec. 1 Dec. 3

SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Fall Female Sale, Pierce, CO Taubenheim Gelbvieh Elite 11 Female Sale, Amherst, NE

84 | September 2018

Dec. 5 Dec. 8

CJ&L Livestock 5th Annual Bull Sale, Hermosa, SD 2nd Annual Boys from the South Bull Sale, Lebanon, TN

February 2019 Feb. 4

Feb. 8 Feb. 9

Feb. 16

Feb. 19

Feb. 21 Feb. 22

Feb. 23

Feb. 23

Feb. 23

Feb. 28

Taubenheim Gelbvieh 30th Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE Lemke Cattle Annual Production Sale, Lawrence, NE Prairie Hills Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Gladstone, ND Overmiller Gelbvieh & Red Angus Annual Production Sale, Smith Center, KS Cedar Top Ranch 41st Annual Maternal Empire Bull Sale, Burwell, NE North Dakota Golden Rule Sale, Mandan, ND 28th Annual “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Montrose, CO Swanson Cattle Company 32nd Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE Post Rock Cattlemen’s Kind Bull & Female Sale, Barnard, KS Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Kingsville, MO Plateau Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Brush, CO

March 2019 Mar. 2 Mar. 2

Mar. 2

Mar. 2

Mar. 2

Mar. 4

Mar. 5

Mar. 9 Mar. 9

Mar. 12

Mar. 16

Mar. 16

Mar. 21

Mar. 23

Mar. 23

SEGA Gelbvieh Spring Bull Sale, Pierce, CO Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus 38th Annual Production Sale, Selby, SD Judd Ranch 41st Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Seedstock Plus Arkansas Bull & Female Sale, Hope, AR Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO Hojer Ranch 27th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Huron, SD Warner Beef Genetics “Genetic Investment” Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Genetic Power Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Seedstock Plus Red Reward Bull & Female Sale, Humansville, MO Bar Arrow Cattle Company 29th Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS Lone Oak Cattle 7th Annual Bull Sale, Mechanicsville, IA 10th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls, MT Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull Sale, Carthage, MO Cranview Gelbvieh 15th Annual Genetic Progress Sale, Rugby, ND

Breeders Corner

Service Center All your A.I. needs!!

Bull Barn Genetics 35 Years in business

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

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

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

Eldon & Kathy Starr

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

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

Cattlemen’s Connection

Specializing in

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

Visit our Web Site: www.cattlemensconnection.com

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

Put your ad in Service Center and promote your services!

Place your ad today!

303-465-2333

Subscription and Advertising Information SUBSCRIPTION RATES: A one-year subscription to Gelbvieh World may be purchased for $35.

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

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

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

Gelbvieh World Advertising Rates

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

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

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

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

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

$562 $482 $268

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

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

$504 $309

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

Call today: 303/465-2333

The Profit Picture | 85

Ad Index

3 G Ranch........................................... 81 ABCS Gelbvieh.................................. 80 AGA.........................IFC, 34, 63, 71, 79 American Rancher............................ 61 B/F Cattle Company.......................... 76 Bar Arrow Cattle Company.......76, 87 Bar JR Gelbvieh......................15, 48, 73 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc......................... 73 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch................ 80 Bluegrass Invitational........................ 38 Boehler Gelbvieh............................... 77 Bolton Cattle Ranch.......................... 73 Bow K Ranch...............................17, 73 Boys from the South Sale.................. 37 Brandywine Farm.............................. 80 Bull Barn Genetics.......................24, 85 Butler Creek Gelbvieh Farm............ 37 Canadian GV Assn............................ 85 Cattlemen’s Connection.................... 85 C-Cross Cattle Company.....32, 33, 83 Cedar Top Ranch........................77, BC Chimney Butte Ranch....................... 80 C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC................. 83 Circle S Ranch.................................... 76 CJ&L Livestock.................................. 80 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh............... 83 Coles Bend Cattle Company............ 83 Cranview Gelbvieh......................23, 80 Cunningham, Ronn.......................... 85 Danell Diamond Six Ranch.............. 73 Diamond L Farms............................. 75

86 | September 2018

Diamond V Gelbvieh........................ 76 Dobson Ranch................................... 26 Dromgoole’s Heaven......................... 75 Eagle Pass Ranch........................... 5, 80 Flying H Genetics.............................. 77 Gelbviehauction.com........................ 67 Golden Buckle Gelbvieh................... 47 Green Hills Gelbvieh...................37, 83 GS Ridge Top Ranch......................... 80 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh...25, 80 HAGA Sale......................................... 57 Hampton Cattle Company.........30, 83 Harriman Santa Fe......................43, 76 Hart Farm Gelbvieh.......................... 76 Hilltop Farms...............................40, 77 Hodges Ranch.................................... 75 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch...........27, 49, 81 Holle Gelbvieh................................... 76 J&K Farm......................................59, 81 J Bar M Gelbvieh.........................51, 77 Judd Ranch, Inc............................. 1, 76 Kenyon Cattle LLC............................ 50 KGA Pick of the Herd Sale............... 69 Kicking Horse Ranch..............8, 48, 73 Kittle Gelbvieh Farms....................... 75 Knoll Crest Farm............................... 83 Koehn Cattle Co................................ 75 Land of Oz/ John C Oswald.......53, 76 Lambert, Doak................................... 85 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh....................... 73 Lemke Cattle...................................... 77 Linquist Farms................................... 80 Little Windy Hill Farms.................... 83 Lone Oak Cattle...........................35, 80 M&P Gelbvieh................................... 77 Markes Family Farms............30, 55, 75 Martens Gelbvieh........................50, 80 Martin Cattle Company..............30, 75 McCarty, Dan..................................... 85 Miller Gelbvieh.................................. 75 Mitchell Marketing Service.............. 85 MLM Gelbvieh.............................21, 77 Mulroy Farms..................................... 76 Murray Farms.................................... 46 Nowack Cattle Company.................. 77 Pennington Seed................................ 13 Plateau Gelbvieh..........................21, 73

Post Rock Cattle Company.......... 9, 76 Pot of Gold Bull Sale......................... 21 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh........................ 80 Raile Gelbvieh.................................... 21 Ridinger Cattle Company................. 65 Rippe Gelbvieh................................... 21 Rocking GV Gelbvieh....................... 77 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh.....31, 77 Sandy Knoll Farm.............................. 42 Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay..... 73 Schafer Farms, Inc............................. 80 Seedstock Plus Genetics................... 85 Seedstock Plus....................7, 44, 45, 85 SEGA Gelbvieh.................................. 26 Slaughter Sale Management.......38, 39 Southwest Iowa Bull & Female Sale.29 Squeakin’ By-LK Farms.................... 77 Swanson Cattle Company..........77, 88 Swenson Gelbvieh.......................27, 80 Taubenheim Gelbvieh.................41, 77 The 88 Ranch...................................... 77 Thorstenson Gelbvieh.................11, 81 Thull Gelbvieh Farm......................... 81 TJB Gelbvieh & Balancer.................... 3 Triple H Farms................................... 80 Triple K Gelbvieh.........................19, 76 Volek Ranch.................................27, 81 Warner Beef Genetics ................... IBC White Oak Farms.............................. 77 Wildwood Acres................................ 81 Wilkinson Gelbvieh.......................... 73

Bar arrow Genetics...increasinG success at the Feedlots

increasinG MarBlinG

increasinG riBeye

increasinG FPi

PerForMance Maternal aBility carcass PuttinG the whole PackaGe toGether

29 ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE TH

March 12, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ At the Ranch

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

Making the cowman kind...

It’s the tradition

32nd Annual Production Sale February 23, 2019 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, easy CALVING 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

Genetic OPPORTUNITIES

WARNER BEEF GENETICS

FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE:

October 27, 2018 • 1:00 PM (cst) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE

Please Join Us

for this elite female offering

Selling 100 Females

A select group of proven Donor cows - including a full sister to New Frontier and Alumni!

• 60 Registered Bred Heifers- many ET sisters to our top bulls in 2018 sale!

• 10 Elite Fall Pairs- the very best purebred and balancer females with a lifetime of production ahead of them.

• 10 Fancy heifer calves: Sired by the best bulls in the breed and with looks to make your mouth water!

• 30 Commercial Bred heifers and heifer calves- the kind to build a cowherd with.

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

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. les Co a S k c vesto i L a t hi lls, TX e Wic a h F T a t it A exas!

Wich e in T l

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a ® bull s r e c n a

Bal

BSF Hot Lotto 1401

Red River Bull Sale

DLW Edison 6718X

Sale Nov. 17 at 1:00 PM Lunch at 11:00 AM

turing eaAge F•100 Advantage Balancer

& Angus bulls •Combining the best of the Gelbvieh & Angus breeds •Stout bulls with added calving ease, growth & docility ®

Basin Payweight 1682

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

Dan Warner 308-962-6511 dan@warnerbeef.com

Scott Starr 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@yahoo.com

Andrea Murray 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

Visit www.redriverbullsale.com to request a catalog.