Bottom Line Limousin’s Commercial Connection
Summer 2012
Volume 14, Issue 1
Management Practices To Add Value Methods for increasing buyer interest in your cattle and cash in your pocket
Herd Health Tips Grow heavier cattle, strategic deworming practices and choosing proper vaccinations
Mineral Supplementation Its role in feeder calf health and feedlot interest in your calves
H&T Bies Cattle Co. Finding profit with Limousin
Summer Marketing Advice Marketing considerations as you look to add margin to your operation
How Do We Stand? Spring highlights and what to expect this summer
Management Practices To Add Value by Joe Epperly Director of Commercial Marketing North American Limousin Foundation
Bottom Line is published four times per year by the North American Limousin Foundation 6 Inverness Court East, Suite 260 Englewood, CO 80112-5595 (303) 220-1693; Fax (303) 220-1884
www.nalf.org Executive Director - Mark Anderson Dir. of Communications - Brooke Bennett Dir. of Commercial Marketing - Joe Epperly
A
s the feeder cattle supply tightens in the United States, producers are enjoying record prices for their calves. However, with higher prices come higher expectations. Premiums have been paid in the past for different processes that add value for the feeder or backgrounder. In the current economic situation, we should not only look at the practices as opportunities for premiums, but as a way to minimize discounts. Your customers, feeders, backgrounders and packers, are becoming more particular in the cattle they purchase due to the extra capital needed in today’s cattle market and tight margins due to high feed costs.
It is important to understand the aspects that affect backgrounder and feedlot profit. Cost of gain (i.e. performance) and health are the two major factors affecting the feeder’s bottom line. The following are sections of production that can be focused on at the producer level to increase the chances for feeder profitability. Nutrition. The nutrition program is the backbone of an operation and it begins with the cow. Research has shown that calves that do not receive adequate nutrition in utero are more likely to have health issues throughout their lives. Cows must also have adequate nutrition and health in order to produce quality colostrum, which is one of the essential continued on Page 2
To view the current and past issues of Bottom Line, or if you’re not already on the mailing list, visit the North American Limousin Foundation website: North American Limousin Foundation 6 Inverness Court East, Suite 260 Englewood, CO 80112-5595
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Columbia MO Permit 353 BOTTOM LINE
www.nalf.org. SUMMER 2012
1