2012 Spring Chianina Connection

Spring 2012

Connecting Chianina Genetics and the Commercial Cattleman A publication of the American Chianina Association

In This Issue:

• CHIANINA – The Versatile Composite Breed • Preparation Key For Successful Bull Purchases by Commercial Cattlemen • Protein Supplementation and Your Cowherd • Beckett Ranch – Raising Quality Chianina Cattle Their Customers Can Count On • Cow Math: Estimating Cow Herd Productivity

March 3, 2012 • 1 p.m. Sale • Noon Lunch Miller Livestock Barn • Miller, S.D. Selling 2 Fall Yearling Bulls 55 Yearling Bulls & 25 Bred Heifers Bulls sired by Advantage, Bismarck, Mile High, Northern Improvement, Double Down, In Focus and Simmental bulls Upgrade & Grizzly Heifers bred to MYTTY In Focus, Bismarck, Unbelievable & Northern Improvement

JSC Advantage 257T 2CA

2008 Reserve National Champion Chiangus Bull

Steve & Barb Melroe • Gwinner, ND (701) 678-2225 (H) • (701) 680-0622 (C) Jeremy, Bethany & Cash Lehrman – (605) 270-1067 Tyler & Darah Melroe – (605) 695-3295

Beckett Chiangus Troy, Tember & Kodee Beckett Miller, SD (605) 853-3284 (H) (605) 204-0394 (C)

CHIANINA – The Versatile Composite Breed

by Stan Comer, ACA CEO

T

here are several beef breeds and specific composites ness will be both challenging of those breeds competing for commercial bull and and exciting! I encourage you replacement female sales in the U.S. today. Many to study the genetics available of these breeds or their composite programs are single or to you and invest in Chianina double trait specific. The new beef production business composites for the smartest and highest returns you can and red meat product will have to be better, more costachieve with a happy consumer on the other end. efficient, healthy and consumer friendly as the rebuilding of the U.S. cattle inventory occurs over the next several years.

Production methods, breeding systems (genetics) and product enhancement will all play an important role in the rebuilding success of the beef industry.

No one breed can be everything to everyone. However, the uniqueness of the Chianina gene to blend with different Chiangus • Chimaine British breeds makes our composites the Hybrid Angus most versatile in different environments across the country.

Chianina composites, including Chiangus, Chiford, Red Chiangus and Chi7 Reasons a Ramsey Chiangus Hybrid maine, give them the unique ability to thrive and perform efficiently in a variety Breeding Bull will add More Value to Customer of environments while maintaining the YOUR Bottom Line: Focused on Value ability to put live, vigorous calves on the Traits & Services ground, gain rapidly and efficiently on 3 Customer-focused on economically forage and or grain/grain by-products, important traits finish at an early age (fewer days on feed) 3 Black-hided calves with Hybrid Vigor and produce a carcass with a consistent 3 Increased pounds of calf weaned per high quality grade and a low yield grade Bulls, Bred cow exposed from 8-25% making them the supreme beef animal.

Females and & 3 1st year structural soundness & fertility Cost of production has been and will Open Breeding guarantee be the single largest profit driver in the Heifers For Sale rebuilding process. Putting a live, healthy 3 Increased performance, feed efficiency & Now by Private calf on the ground is the first and most carcass grade and yield Treaty important piece of the puzzle. Fast effi3 Honest, hard-working cattle backed by cient growth comes next while producing honest, hard-working people an excellent end product and eating experience for the consumer.

Fertility, udder integrity and reproducProducers of Chiangus, Chimaine & Hybrid Angus Breeding Cattle tive longevity are three of the traits that Chianina composites are best known for.

The longer you can keep a cow producLincoln, Nebraska tive in your herd puts extra dollars in your Bill & Linda Ramsey pocket.

308.380.1549 The next several years in the beef busiwww.ramseychiangus.com • wramsey@neb.rr.com

RAMSEY

Chiangus

–– Ramsey Chiangus ––

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 1

Chianina Connection

Spring 2012

Connecting Chianina Genetics and the Commercial Cattleman

A publication of the American Chianina Association

Table of Contents

In This Issue: 3

5

7

9

12

15

17

Preparation Key For Successful Bull Purchases by Commercial Cattleman

by Bob Weaber, Ph.D Protein Supplementation and Your Cowherd

by Tyler Melroe, Hubbard Feeds Beckett Ranch – Raising Quality Chianina Cattle Their Customers Can Count On

by Heather Counts Blood Test Pregnancy Check

by Heather Smith Thomas Tune Into Fetal Programming

by Kindra Gordon Suspension Fences: Minimum Maintenance

by Heather Smith Thomas Cow Math: Estimating Cow Herd Productivity

by Justin Rhinehart, University of Tennessee Extension

Columns: 1

4

4 18

Chi Commentary: CHIANINA – The Versatile Composite Breed

by Stan Comer, CEO Chi Performance: Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Out of Business

by Tyler Humphrey, Director of Marketing & Performance Programs Upcoming Events Advertiser Index

Published by the American Chianina Association

P.O. Box 890 • Platte City, MO 64079 816.431.2808 • 816.431.5381 (fax) www.chicattle.org Staff

Stan Comer, CEO Heather Counts, ACJ Editor/Director of Shows & Activities Jennifer Roach, Registrar/Office Manager Tyler Humphrey, Director of Marketing & Performance Programs Holly Hiebert, Administrative/Membership Services Coordinator

Board of Directors

Rob Sheets, Chairman, At Large (2013) 8250 U.S. Hwy 52 W, Lafayette, IN 47906 (765) 583-4555 • rsheets462@aol.com Dennis Clarahan, Vice Chairman, Northeast Region (2012) 19425 280th Ave, Harper, IA 52231 (641) 635-2105 • dclar@iowatelecom.net Ken Culp III, Secretary, At Large (2014) 1065 Durham Lane, Nicholasville, KY 40356 (859) 881-9115 • ken.culp@uky.edu Don Esch, Treasurer, At Large (2012) 717 N 22nd. Rd., Unadilla, NE 68454 (303) 709-1595 • don@eschcattle.com John Higgins, At Large (2012) 9845 Statesville Rd., Watertown, TN 37184 (615) 273-2656 • higginjo@realtracs.com Jordan Holt, Northwest Region (2014) 13319 378th Ave., Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 380-1209 • jordan@midwestag.biz Mark Johnson, At Large (2013) 4620 Goldfinch Ave., Maurice, IA 51036 (712) 567-3986 • mpjchi@mtcnet.net

March 17, 2012

Held during the Ohio Beef Expo Selling approximately 30 head of show heifer prospects and bulls. For more information or to request a catalog, contact the sale manager.

Sale Manager:

Tyler Humphrey, Director of Marketing & Performance Programs Phone: 419.230.3450 • Email: acamarketing@earthlink.net

American Chianina Association

P.O. Box 890, Platte City, MO 64079 • 816.431.2808 Ron Kreis, Auctioneer • 740.683.3235

2 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

Art Pittman, At Large (2013) P.O. Box 336, Micro, NC 27555 (919) 284-5580 • apittman@eastcoastequip.com Ed Miller, At Large (2012) 8805 Fm 818, Big Spring, TX 79740 (432) 398-5348 • ecmiller26@hotmail.com Bryan Schaefer, At Large, (2014) Box 28, Des Lacs, ND 58733 (701) 725-4902 • bschaefer@srt.com Val Shields, Southeast Region (2014) 837 Dahms, Rd., Falmouth, KY 41040 (859) 654-4440 • vbsfarms@aol.com Brad Stoppel, Southwest Region (2013) 18361 Reservior Rd., Russell, KS 67665 (785) 483-2753 • jstoppel34@hotmail.com

Preparation Key For Successful Bull Purchases by Commercial Cattlemen

by Bob Weaber, Ph.D. Cow/Calf Specialist Department of Animal Science & Industry, Kansas State University

A

s the winter and spring bull-buying season approach, seedstock purchasers should do their home work to help ensure the bull(s) they purchase this year meet their needs. Preparedness is the key to making an informed purchase. Before you crack open the sale catalogs of seedstock suppliers, there are few resources and skills you should possess.

First, make sure you understand the use of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) and selection indexes. While EPDs are not the only selection information you should consider, EPDs are the most effective tools available to describe the genetic differences between animals within and across herds. EPDs are much more effective genetic predictors than actual or adjusted performance records. If an EPD is available for a trait it should be used instead of an animal’s own performance record for that trait. The EPD removes age and environmental effects that can bias a decision based on actual or adjusted performance records. Use Calving Ease (CE or CED) EPD, rather than birth weight (BW) EPD, if it’s available to select bulls that minimize calving difficulty. CE EPD calculations include BW data and other sources of information that affect dystocia.

Not all EPDs are the same, so make sure you know the appropriate information for the breed of cattle you are purchasing. For a useful reference on EPDs and other genetic topics see the Beef Sire Selection Manual (http://www. nbcec.org/producers/sire.html). Obtain the breed average EPDs and a percentile rank table available from the most current genetic evaluation for the breed of interest. Percentile rank tables can be found on most breed association websites. These tools will enable you to compare the relative genetic merit of individual animals to other animals in the breed.

Second, make sure you know what traits you would like to improve in your herd? What breed(s) fit in your mating system? If you are using a crossbreeding system make sure the breed you selected fits your objectives. Other factors to consider are: keeping replacement heifers, endpoints for progeny marketing (weaning, back-grounded or in the beef). Assessment of these factors will help point you to the best breed for your needs and the combinations of maternal/ growth/carcass traits that best fit your operation and environment. Be sure to apply selection to traits that have direct economic importance in your production system.

Third, set a realistic budget for bull purchases. Like most things in life, price is driven by quality. Evaluation of a seedstock supplier’s prior year sale averages will Four Keys to Successful Bull give you an idea Purchases of what to expect 1. Make sure you understand the in terms of puruse of Expected Progeny Difchase costs. That said, prices over ferences (EPDs) and selection the last 12 months indexes. indicate that seed2. Make sure you know what trait stock purchases you would like to improve in are substantially your herd. more expensive, 3. Set a realistic budget for bull some as much as purchases. $500 more, than 4. Get to know your seedstock in previous years. supplier and make sure he/she The increased knows you and your operational bull cost is goals. largely driven by increased development costs incurred by seedstock producers. The added purchase cost makes it even more important to make a well thought out decision.

Fourth, get to know your seedstock supplier and make sure he/she knows you and your operational goals. Seek out recommendations from your supplier well in advance of the sale. Once you receive the sale catalog make a short list of bulls (6-12 head) that fit your specifications. Arrive at the sale site early to inspect the bulls on your short list. Shorten this list of candidates based on conformation and updated data to identify your purchase candidates. Keep the sale order in mind. Stay focused on the bulls you selected earlier.

Sticking to your plan will avoid impulse purchases.

Remember: Failure to plan is planning to fail. Please contact your extension livestock specialist or me if you need help finding resources to aid in your sire selection activities.

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 3

Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Out of Business

by Tyler Humphrey, Director of Marketing & Performance Programs

B

reeders are constantly asking me the same question - “How can I get more money for my stock?” In my opinion, it comes down to a few key things. When it comes to selling bulls, females and commercial stock you must keep promotion, integrity and follow up in your game plan. You might be wondering what all of that has to do with simply selling some stock.

Promotion – Who are you? What are you selling? Where are you located? If a buyer does not know this information then essentially you do not exist. You can have a pasture full of the very best cattle in the country, but if no one knows where to find you… selling them will be a catastrophe.

Depending on the size of your operation and the method of sales you wish to use, there is a wide range of marketing options available. Whether it is a simple Facebook page or blog, all the way up to print advertising and multi-page web sites, you must do something to stay in the buyer’s sights.

Contact your breed association for additional help.

Integrity – When it comes down to it, integrity may be the best tool of all to help you sell your cattle and guess what?

It’s free! What is integrity? Well in the cattle business it’s

Upcoming Events January 15

27

29

Pen Bull & Female Show, National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colo., LCAA, 8 a.m.

Sale Cattle Evaluation, NWSS, LCAA, 10 a.m.

“Hybrid Advantage” Bull & Female Sale, NWSS, LCAA, 1 p.m.

Ft. Worth Stock Show Junior & Open Shows, Ft. Worth, Texas, Junior Show: 10 a.m.; Open Show: Noon Bellar Cattle Company Beautiful Beef Babes Sale, Wisner Auditorium, Wisner, Neb., 2 p.m. CST

February 1 4

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Ad/Copy Deadline: March ACJ Horsley Bros. Eastern Xposure XII, Green Oak Farms, New Paris, Ohio, 1 p.m. EST Iowa Beef Expo Chianina Classic Show & Sale, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, Iowa, Show: 11:30 a.m.; Sale: 5 p.m.

Willow Oak Best Black Bulls in America Sale, Rogersville, Tenn., 12 noon EST Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Chimaine/Chiangus Show & Sale, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney, Neb., Show: 11 a.m.; Sale: 2 p.m.

Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Junior Show, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney, Neb., 8 a.m.

4 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

things like reporting accurate birth weights and dates of birth. Also, selling stock that is in good health and sound structured and consequently standing behind that stock should something go wrong.

To make a long story short, treat your customers like you would want to be treated.

Follow up – Everyone enjoys a friendly phone call now and again, and your customers are no different. After the big sale, make sure you give them a call a few months down the road to see how their newly acquired stock has worked out for them. See what they liked about the cattle and didn’t like. This does two things; this lets them know they are dealing with someone who cares about them and their program as well as gives you free market research to help grow your program.

Take a few minutes to read these tips above and see how you can incorporate these simple steps into your program.

Just remember three simple things next time you don’t want to spend a little money promoting what you have worked so hard to create… Out of sight, out of mind, out of business.

March 3

17 24 31

Dakota Gold Production Sale, Miller Livestock Barn, Miller, S.D., 1 p.m.

The Chi Connection Sale, Ohio Beef Expo, Columbus, Ohio The Source Sale, Talmo Ranch, Talmo, Ga., 6 p.m.

Schaefer Chiangus Production Sale, Farmers Livestock, Bismarck, N.D., 1 p.m. CST

April

1 Ad/Copy Deadline: 2012 ACJ Herd Reference Issue 13-14 ACA Board of Directors Meeting, Platte City, Mo.

May 1

Entry/Ownership Deadline: National Junior Heifer Show

June

17-22 National Junior Heifer Show, Allen County Fairgrounds,

Lima, Ohio

October

1 Entry Deadline: ACA National Show 1 Consignment Deadline: ACA National Sale 26-27 ACA Board of Directors Meeting, Platte City, Mo.

Protein Supplementation and Your Cowherd

P

rotein is one of the nutrients we identify as essential to the survival of all living beings. Besides serving as an important element in the growth of young animals, it is also critical in tissue recovery, immune function, the production of hormones and enzymes, and as a source of energy when carbohydrates are unavailable.

Protein Types and Digestion Crude protein is used to indicate the protein content in our feedstuffs. It is the nitrogen content of a feed multiplied by 6.25. Because it accounts for all of the nitrogen, it not only measures the true protein in the feedstuff, but also accounts for non-protein nitrogen (NPN).

True proteins have varying levels of digestibility in the rumen, providing both rumen degradable proteins and those that have the ability to bypass the rumen and become directly available for digestion in the small intestine.

NPN in the form of urea is used as a low cost crude protein supplement which is degraded entirely in the rumen.

To maximize it’s use in the rumen, sufficient energy must also be available to the rumen microbial population.

These microorganisms eventually are passed out of the rumen and become available in the small intestine for digestion and absorption. In order for the efficient growth and productivity of any animal we must first consider the rumen itself.

The true advantage of a ruminant animal is it’s ability to harvest energy from highly fibrous feeds. In order for the rumen to function properly, we must ensure that it’s population of microorganisms are receiving a balanced diet of protein and energy. Deficiency results in reduced microbial protein production and forage digestibility.

Protein Requirement We’ve established that protein is critical for several functions, both for the animal and the rumen itself. We should also recognize that there are several factors which contribute to protein requirements of animals. This requirement is primarily affected by the stage of production (i.e. growing vs. mature or dry vs. lactating), weather, and genetics.

Because of differences relating to protein requirement, it is recommended to sort your cows into groups relative to their nutritional requirements. Younger cows will require higher levels of vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein

by Tyler Melroe, Hubbard Feeds

to accommodate for fetal growth, lactation, and their own growth.

Lactation is a critical factor when determining what is necessary for supplementation. Table 1 shows the CP requirements, in pounds, for a 1200 pound cow with peak milk production of 20 pounds. In this example weaning occurs in September. This changes the requirement to where supplementation can be delayed by as much as two months.

However, if weaning did not occur supplementation would be required much earlier.

While this example is of calving season and forages more typical to the Northern Great Plains, it should give you an idea of protein requirements of your cows relative to calving.

Table 1. Crude protein requirement of 1200 pound beef cow calving in March with peak lactation of 20 pounds compared to typical protein consumption of available forage in the northern plains.

Deficiencies We have long understood that sufficient protein and energy are necessary for the individual to perform properly.

However, today we have turned to another victim of nutrient deficiencies – the unborn fetus carried by the pregnant cow.

Fetal programming refers to the influence environmental factors the dam is exposed to has on the subsequent offspring throughout its lifetime. Deficiencies early in gestation can impact things like cell differentiation and the development of organs. However, deficiencies during mid and late gestation impact adipogenesis, myogenesis, and muscle hypertrophy.

Perhaps most interesting is the data that comes from the University of Nebraska, where they compared protein supChi Connection – Spring 2012 – 5

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Customers calves were sold the same week of each year.

At Clarahan Farms we produce cattle that have what it take to be profitable in the real world. Contact us today and see what Chiangus cattle can do for your operation!

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Protein Supplementation and Your Cowherd…Continued plementation during the final trimester on both grazing and hay fed cows. What they determined was that the use of supplemental protein to dams resulted in female offspring that had a greater proportion pregnant during the first 21 days of the breeding season and a greater overall pregnancy rate.

Yes, that’s right. Simply moving dams out of a protein deficient state has the proven possibility of improving the reproductive capability of the heifer calves born to them.

6 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

Conclusion When determining a supplementation strategy for you, understand what the needs of your herd are and the level of deficiency that may be occurring. Doing so can allow you to determine an economically feasible strategy to meet the protein needs of your cowherd.

Beckett Ranch – Raising Quality Chianina Cattle Their Customers Can Count On

by Heather Counts

I

n 1992 Beckett Ranch began utilizing Chianina genetics when they AI’d 13 cows to bulls like Sugar Ray and Sweet Willie, with a 100% conception rate. They had been utilizing Simmental and Charolais bulls but were not getting the premiums they desired at A line up of bulls that will sell March 3 at the Dakota Gold Production Sale in Miller, S.D. the sale barn. Black calves were Kodee also help on the ranch when they can. bringing a premium and they Marketing on the ranch is done mostly through club calf wanted a breed that would improve vigor and produce black and production sales. The Dakota Gold Production Sale, calves without sacrificing performance. always the first Saturday in March in Miller, S.D., is where “Fellow Chi breeder Roger Gerdes had a group of cows they market most of their cattle; usually selling 50 to 60 in a pasture next to the road between our ranch and Miller bulls and 25 bred females along with some select semen and we were impressed with the cattle as we would drive and embryo lots. Offering his customers the best genetics by,” says Troy. “After talking with Roger, we purchased a possible is important to Troy, and so for the past few years, bull from him in the spring of 1993 and later that fall purchased seven heifers from Jerry Adamson that were sired by Beckett Ranch has joined forces with Melroe Farms of Sugar Ray and Dakota Ray.” These were their first registered Gwinner, N.D., giving their customers a broader range of Chianina genetics to choose from. females and from that point on, through extensive use of AI In late September Beckett Ranch has a club calf pasture and embryo transfer, they quickly grew and improved their sale where they market a majority of their spring born herd. calves and another sale in Today, the operation runs 300 females with about 250 January where they sell spring calving cows and 50 fall calving cows. Of these, 40 “We raise Chi their fall calves. They are utilized as recip cows and the remainder of the cows also take a few cattle to are split with half being AI’d for club calves and half AI’d cattle because of shows and sales around for their purebred operation. Beckett Ranch also consists the total package the area, including the 400 acres of cropland rotated between corn and soybeans, Black Hills Stock Show. as well as about 500 acres of alfalfa and hay ground. Troy they deliver – perMost of the cattle that and one formance, muscle, Beckett Ranch sells stay full-time in South Dakota and suremployee bone, disposition, rounding states, however, do most of the work on Troy says, a few do find udder quality, their way to other parts of the ranch, feed conversion, the United States. with assisKeeping customers tance from phenotype and happy is essential when part time carcass merit.” you market your cattle help during close to home, and Troy sale time. says their customers have Troy’s wife Tember and been very pleased with the results. “Our customer base is The Beckett Family – Back Row: Kodee, Troy, Tember & Charlene. Front Row: Matt, Kaycee, the commercial cattleman wanting good performance and daughter Hannah & Bethany

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 7

Beckett Ranch – Raising Quality Chianina Cattle Their Customers Can Count On…Continued added value without calving difficulty or added inputs.

Feedback from our customers indicates they appreciate the condition the animals are able to maintain with low inputs.

They are pleased with the performance, vigor, fleshing ability, disposition and calving ease of the cattle and that it can be combined in one breed.”

One success story that Troy is very proud of was a customer who was utilizing a Charolais bulls, but wanted to switch to black bulls to increase the cash he was receiving for his calves. Troy said the customer was worried at first that he would not be able to maintain the performance in his calves that he was accustomed too, however he saw a 40 lb/head increase on the weight of his first calf crop using Chiangus bulls and he has now been a loyal customer for 15 years.

Sometimes getting a customer to try Chianina genetics is the hurdle we have to jump, but once they see what Chianina cattle can do for their operation, they are hooked. “Most of our business is by repeat customer because they have been please with the results,” says Troy. “However, once you get your customer to sample some Chi genetics, then it is the breeders responsibility to deliver a quality product with enough Chi percentage to really show what gives our breed

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Isn’t it about time to find out what a FULLBLOOD can do for your program? It might be the best $15 you ever spent!

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8 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

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an advantage.

I sincerely believe that most operations could benefit from some quality Chi genetics.”

The ability of Chi cattle to produce quality A heifer consigned by Beckett Ranch to the results with low 2011 Black Hills Stock Show. inputs is the reason Beckett Ranch raises Chi cattle. “We raise Chi cattle because of the total package they deliver – performance, muscle, bone, disposition, udder quality, feed conversion, phenotype and carcass merit,” says Troy. “I think conformation and phenotype are big factors on a day to day basis.

When you work with the cattle every day you need to like what you see and be excited about their quality.”

And excited Troy is! That’s why Beckett Ranch will be in the Chianina breed for the long haul.

Blood Test Pregnancy Check

T

here are several ways to determine whether a cow is pregnant, including rectal palpation and ultrasound.

The newest technique is a blood sample. This technology was developed by Dr. Garth Sasser, University of Idaho. He discovered a protein called Pregnancy Specific Protein B, which is produced by the placenta and detectable in the blood. He founded a company called BioTracking and created a blood test called BioPRYN (Pregnant Ruminant Yes/No). The test is very effective on ruminant animals and is gaining popularity among cattlemen. This pregnancy test became commercially available for cattle in 2002, and Dr. Sasser’s laboratory at Moscow, Idaho handles thousands of samples each day.

According to Jeremy Howard, marketing manager of BioPRYN, there are several new labs that process the blood samples—a total of more than 25 labs worldwide.

The number of cows tested annually keeps growing. The advantages of the blood test over palpation (which traditionally has been the most-used method of pregnancy testing) include being able to detect pregnancy a little sooner with better accuracy. The blood test is always more accurate (on whether the cow is pregnant or open) than rectal palpation. It can be done more quickly and easily, taking a blood sample from a vein under the tail, with less trauma and risk to the animal.

Taking a blood sample is much less invasive, less traumatic, and safer for the animal, says Howard. There’s no risk for spreading disease from one cow to the next, as can happen when doing rectal palpation—since very few technicians take the time to change sleeves and use a new one for each cow.

The blood test has higher accuracy than palpation, and you can do a lot more animals at one time. It’s sometimes difficult to find a large animal veterinarian to do palpation and/or hard to schedule one during busy times of year.

Ranchers can easily learn how to take the blood samples themselves. On ranches located a long ways from a vet, the cost of a farm call makes palpation more expensive than the blood test. Samples do not need to be refrigerated, just shipped to a lab, with the results sent back by phone, fax or e-mail.

Ultrasound is a good diagnostic tool for pregnancy checking, but it’s expensive and you need to have the equipment, and electricity. For the blood test all you need is a

by Heather Smith Thomas

syringe and needle.

“We can also do our BVD test from The blood sample can be taken from the big vein under the animal’s tail. those same samples. The two tests can be done from the same sample. BioTracking also has a marketing agreement with Select Sires, and ranchers can contact their local Select Sires representative for more information,” says Howard.

A growing number of beef producers like to use the blood test on their heifers, 30 days after pulling the bull out of the group, or after synchronizing and breeding them by AI. Any heifers that are open can then be sold at the peak of the open heifer market—before they are too old to get top beef prices, or before the market drops toward fall when everyone is selling cull cattle. It’s always helpful to market cull cows early, as well, if they can be tested early in the season.

The blood test is an excellent tool if a rancher waits a couple weeks after AI breeding before putting a cleanup bull with them afterward. With this test you can tell which ones conceived to the AI breeding and which ones were bred later to the cleanup bull. Breeders using embryo transfer can check their recipient cows very quickly to determine which ones are pregnant, and thus have another chance to use the ones that did not take.

Feedlot heifers can be checked upon arrival to determine if they are pregnant. It’s not always convenient to have a veterinarian on site to preg check incoming heifers. The test is also useful in certain feeder/stocker situations and sale barns. Some sale barns blood test all the cows that go through and can market them more efficiently. For instance, after using the blood tests one auction yard owner in Texas found that 35 to 40 percent of the cows being called open by a veterinarian during palpation were actually pregnant – especially the ones that had been bred during the 2 months prior to checking them. By knowing they are pregnant he is able to sell them as bred cows rather than as open cows for slaughter.

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 9

Southwest Region Chianina Breeders. . . . . . . . .

Shawn Ethridge, President | Brian Sulak, Vice President | Helen Mabery, Secretary/Treasurer

ARIZONA Jimmy Crosby Three C Livestock Taylor, AZ CALIFORNIA Joseph Amaral III Modesto, CA • (209) 538-1540 Steve or Cheyenne Bricker Beiber, CA James & Cheryl Bright Bright/Leo Brothers Merced, CA • (209) 389-4880 Audra Brocco Sonoma, CA • (707) 996-6224 David Brown Waterford, CA • (209) 874 3943 Jerry & Carla Emig 11 Bar Ranch LaGrange, CA • (209) 853-2095 Todd Fair Fair Cattle Co Denair, CA • (209) 667-9220 Shane Geist Madera, CA • (559) 674-4117 Leontyne Hansing & Guy Grayson Graysing Cattle Company Vacaville, CA Sharon & Megan Hess Chileno Valley Cattle Co Petaluma, CA • (707) 762-3662

Bruce & Shane Strickler Strickler Livestock Chico, CA • (530) 894-6634

David & Doug Peine Peine Brothers Show Cattle Garnett, KS • (620) 343-5059

Stan G. Bixler Bixler Ranch Waynoka, OK • (580) 824-2151

Darin & Curtis Gregory Gregory Farms Ames, OK • (580) 753-4500

Scott Tali San Jose, CA • (209) 981-6822

Sheldon Pfeifer P5 Farms Ellis, KS • (785) 726-3472

Kris Black Crawford, OK • (580) 983-2363

Jared Grell Grell Cattle Braman, OK • (580) 363-5232

John & Heather Teixeira Teixeira Cattle Co Pismo Beach, CA • (805) 595-1416 Frank & Christina Ward Ward Cattle Company Orland, CA • (707) 332-2713

Gregg Stewart Mid Continent Farms Washington, KS • (785) 325-2089

Toby Wheeler Wheeler Cattle Co Paso Robles, CA • (805) 801-2460

Brad & Mike Stoppel Stoppel Cattle Co. Russell, KS • (785) 483-2753

Sam & Jan Zanoline Zanolini Cattle Company Healdsburg, CA • (707) 433-9706

Craig Talkington Hays, KS • (785) 625-7244

KANSAS Heath & Crystal Bamberger Jetmore, KS • (620) 357-1032 Jeff Bryant & Family Ark Valley Cattle Co Arkansas City, KS 8 (620) 442-6757 Zachary, Marley & Kelly Conine Conine Livestock Scott City, KS • (620) 874-1114 Shane Dicks Great Bend, KS • (620) 786-4780 Gregg, Leann & Stacey Fischer Great Bend, KS • (316) 793-8219

Paul & Terri Irwin Irwin Cattle, LLC Dixon, CA • (707) 678-4564

Larry Leroy Huck Huck Cattle Co. Scott City, KS • (620) 872-3574

BJ & Melissa MacFarlane Cottonwood, CA • (530) 518-1024

Carl & Gladys Krauss Krauss Club Calves Olathe, KS • (913) 782-1146

Martin Machado Winton, CA • (209) 652-6946 Tom & Carrie Moxon Anderson, CA • (530) 378-1958 Mike Rivas M2 Cattle Co Woodlake, CA • (559) 564-2440

Mike & Jennifer Legako Winfield, KS • (620) 221-3868 Michael V. Lindell Leonardville, KS • (785) 293-5282 Jim Maddox Andover, KS • (316) 733-5543

Blaine Rodgers Sanger, CA • (559) 314-4630

Darrin McGraw Garden City, KS • (620) 272-0344

Ashley Silva Kingsburg, CA • (559) 897-0311

Robert J. Miller Miller Cattle Company Grenola, KS • (620) 202-0766

Mike Silveira Silveira Livestock Sanger, CA • (559) 876-6600 Layne & Faris Simon Simon Cattle Catheys Valley, CA • (209) 769-8427 Alan & Jennifer Simonis Golden S Ranch LLC Dixon, CA • (916) 416-0906

Shane J Prill Wichita, KS • (316) 733-4216

Mark & Matt Mueller Diamond M Cattle Company Hiawatha, KS • (913) 742-3279 Dwight Nelson Garnett, KS • (785) 448-2319 Robert & Melinda Olson Russell, KS • (785) 483-3965 Dennis Pearson Barnard, KS • (785) 593-6625

10 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

Mary C Werth MCW Club Calves Hays, KS • (785) 623-8515 Darin Wiley St. Francis, KS • (785) 332-2825 NEBRASKA Jara Settles Hoskins, NE • (402) 565-4828 NEW MEXICO Matt Copeland Nara Visa, NM • (505) 633-2800 Eric or Zane Drager Drager Cattle Co Clovis, NM • (806) 683-6302 George R Garcia Albuquerque, NM • (505) 877-4528 John & Janet Griffiths Logan, NM • (505) 487-1121 Lazy Bar J Ranch Farmington, NM • (918) 423-7271 Shane Lutrick Lutrick Cattle Co Estancia, NM • (405) 269-6526 Leslie Pugmire Cameron Creek Show Calves Santa Clara, NM • (575) 534-4952 NEVADA Bryan Colman Yerington, NV • (775) 750-4554 OKLAHOMA Josh Adams Adams Cattle Amber, OK • (405) 320-1267 Stan or Darla Allen Newcastle, OK • (405) 387-2545 Cody Bailey Bailey Farms Weatherford, OK • (580) 819-0423 Travis Baker Baker Club Calves Guymon, OK • (580) 338-2183

Lyle Blakley Diamonds In The Rough Oologah, OK Rean & Kristi Brooks Paoli, OK • (405) 264-3010 Jirl Buck Buck Cattle Co Madill, OK • (580) 795-7271 Randy Buellesfeld Ponca City, OK • (580) 363-6304 Will Bunt Ames, OK • (530) 604-0381 J Butler DJ’s Cattle Company Bartlesville, OK • (918) 914-3085 Christy Collins Collins Cattle Inc Frederick, OK • (580) 335-3000

John Griswold Griswold Cattle Co. Stillwater, OK Jeff Hamm Hamm Cattle Co Frederick, OK • (580) 335-1315 Luther Harbert Tishomingo, OK • (580) 371-5331 William Jackson Oklahoma Bovine Genetics Miami, OK • (918) 961-5173 JE Ranch Foundation Blanchard, OK • (405) 462-7676 Shelly K. Johnson Jones, OK • (405) 399-2848 Kristen Keeter Walters, OK • (580) 281-0030

Chase Comer Classic Genetics Ardmore, OK • (580) 224-9030

Dustin Layton Layton Cattle Co Edmond, OK • (405) 464-2455

Brad Cox Brad Cox Cattle Company Stillwater, OK • (405) 385-1346

Bryan McKay Orlando, OK • (405) 747-8627

Leo Dick L M Cattle Nowata, OK • (918) 440-5798 Ray, Brenda, Miranda & Kayla Eaves Eaves Double Down Farms Atoka, OK • (580) 889-7858 Rick Eden Eden Farms Ramona, OK • (918) 536-4415 Bob Edsall Edsall Cattle Co Loyal, OK • (405) 729-4220 Ben Elmore Vinita, OK • (918) 244-0747 Kevin Emberson Nowata, OK • (620) 252-8494 Josh & Kim Emerson Emerson Show Cattle Checotah, OK • (918) 616-2526 Scott Fesmire Helena, OK Brian Freking Keota, OK•8 (918) 635-0143 Matthew Creed Fuss Pawnee, OK • (918) 454-2447 Roxane Gebhart Claremore, OK • (918) 342-0327

Russell & Linda Miller Arnett, OK • (580) 885-7236 Troy Miller Miller Club Calves Stroud, OK • (918) 968-2335 Moore Cattle Co. Madill, OK • (580) 795-4865 Tracy, Ronda, Colt & Larame Musick Musick Cattle Co Sentinel, OK • (580) 471-6016 Leroy Odell Byars, OK Travis Otterstad T O Cattle Company Tuttle, OK • (405) 381-3591 Stan Parks Tishomingo, OK • (580) 371-9170 Travis or Beth Pembrook Pembrook Cattle Co Fairview, OK • (405) 245-1834 Keven & Shannon Perrier Perrier Cattle Bartlesville, OK • (918) 333-2563 Quin Peterson Rockin Q Cattle Co Jenks, OK • (918) 625-2500 Max Redgate Family Redgate Cattle Co. Waynoka, OK • (405) 824-1041

. . . . . .Your Source for Quality Chianina Genetics JC Reno Jay, OK • (918) 801-6053 Dusty & Kelly Ricks Blanchard, OK • (405) 485-2630 Tim Rodgers Orlando, OK • (580) 455-2447 Fred A. Shultz Stillwater, OK • (405) 747-4462 Standridge Cattle LLC Lindsay, OK • (405) 756-6077 Kirk D. Stierwalt Leedey, OK • (405) 488-3625 Albert & Joan Thorne A.W. Thorne Land & Cattle, Inc Adair, OK • (918) 783-5477 Michelle L Vinka-Bert Wellston, OK • (405) 742-7026 Kenneth Wilson Okemah, OK • (918) 720-8473 James Wooden Triple J Cattle Co Pond Creek, OK • (580) 532-5105 Eric & Janel Wynn Krebs, OK • (918) 423-4929 Colton Wynne Newcastle, OK • (405) 627-8437 Harlan E. Yocham Sapulpa, OK • (719) 706-1630 TEXAS 3 Mar Show Cattle Zapata, TX • (361) 522-9334 Skip Adams Brownwood, TX • (325) 669-7552 Paul Aelvoet D/A Cattle Co Hondo, TX • (830) 931-4223 Luke Albus Albus Cattle Littlefield, TX • (806) 598-0355 Dave Allan Bar A Cattle Company Schulenburg, TX • (979) 562-2532 Randy Allgood Allgood Show Cattle Bellevue, TX • (940) 366-2250 Al Anthony The Al Anthony Ranch Hico, TX • (254) 796-4635 Brian Ash Ash Ranch Lipscomb, TX • (806) 862-2216 Tony Austin Weatherford, TX • (817) 594-3862 Don Barry College Station, TX

Paul & D’Ann Barton Barton Farms Hale Center, TX • (806) 889-3378

Jim, Marya, Jed & Mary Ann Garren Garren Cattle Company Goldthwaite, TX • (325) 948-3857

Brian Martin Brian Martin Cattle Co. Hereford, TX • (806) 578-4729

Joe Behrens Voca, TX • (915) 239-5595

Chuck Harris Harris Cattle Danbury, TX • (979) 922-1077

Charles McDonald Walter G. Mize’s Ranches Cleburne, TX • (817) 477-5324

Garry & Debra Hawes Hawes Cattle Co Crandall, TX • (972) 427-8570

Kevin Michael Tombstone Land And Cattle Kingsbury, TX • (512) 848-1415

Jeff Hicks Canyon, TX • (806) 578-4211

Ed Miller Mustang Draw Cattle Co Big Spring, TX • (432) 398-5348

Doug Boatright Leesville, TX • (830) 857-3103 Dwayne A Bronikowski Dmk Cattle Co Waller, TX • (936) 499-3715 Charles J. Burk Panhandle, TX • (806) 537-5125 Jim Carlile Xxtreme Cattle Co Nokona, TX Alan Graves & Robert Chambers Graves T-Bar Ranch Henrietta, TX • (940) 538-0177

Kenneth Hicks Hicks Cattle Company Alto, TX • (936) 858-3626 Jodie or Justin Ingalls Jonesboro, TX • (254) 394-0970 Jared Jackson Walnut Springs, TX • (254) 897-4583

Justin Miller Four Star Cattle Co, LLC Amarillo, TX • (806) 679-4023 Mike Mimms, DVM Hereford, TX • (806) 364-1331 Clayton Morton Donie, TX • (979) 219-3680

JT Crawford Corlay Cattle Company Huntsville, TX • (936) 714-3499

Guy & Michelle James Champion Valley Farms Schulenburg, TX • (979) 743-5615

Stephen Custy Ft Worth, TX

Luke James Cattle Co Van Alstyne, TX

LE & Tommy David David Cattle Pilot Point, TX • (940) 686-5341

Richard Jefferson Bar J Club Calves College Station, TX • (979) 229-5041

Ruegena Davidson Amarillo, TX • (806) 679-1908

Tony Jeffs Jeffs Cattle Co Canyon, TX • (806) 663-6418

Charlie Parker Parker Cattle Company Marshall, TX • (903) 935-1200

Cody & Candy Jones J&J Cattle Co Millsap, TX • (940) 328-2137

Milton Perez Rockin P Cattle Co Mission, TX • (956) 358-3469

Richard Kiker Allison, TX • (806) 375-2388

Terry Phifer Rsmm Cattle Blue Ridge, TX • (972) 658-9810

Rick & Jill Davis RJD Farms Olney, TX • (940) 873-3106 Jerry Demoss 3D Show Cattle Bowie, TX • (940) 872-1339

Ross Naylor Telephone, TX • (903) 227-0905 Tommy Newman Newman Cattle Company Stanton, TX • (432) 458-3374 Jackie Nolte New Braunfels, TX • (830) 629-1000

Brett Duke Darrouzett, TX • (806) 543-8693

Jason Kirk Aledo, TX • (817) 599-6692

Mark & Stephanie Ebeling Hi View Ranch Cleburne, TX • (817) 313-3368

Hank & Patsy Kotzur HK Farms Pleasanton, TX • (830) 281-6254

Charlie J Espinoza C&A Cattle Co Denver City, TX • (806) 773-9332

Lia Harrison & Tim & Timothy Kukuk TK Cattle Co Millsap, TX • (940) 682-7710

B.W. & Shawn Ethridge Circle E Cattle Company Mineral Wells, TX • (940) 325-2326

Joe Kurszewski Layne Cattle Company Burkburnett, TX • (940) 631-4552

Kent Eubank Liberty Hill Farms Whitney, TX • (254) 694-3314

Doug Kuykendall Star K Cattle Company Midlothian, TX • (972) 897-8029

Raleigh & Marsha Rhodes Broken Oak Farms Quitman, TX • (903) 335-0774

Craig Falco CD Land & Cattle Co. Whitesboro, TX • (903) 818-6655

B. Ward Lane, M.D. Liberty Lanes Ranch Dallas, TX • (214) 369-4017

Clark, Rhetta, Micha & Matt Riley 4R Cattle Company Abernathy, TX • (806) 652-3351

Juan O. Flores 76 Cattle Co. Hebbronville, TX • (512) 527-3632

Bruce Lawrence Anton, TX • (806) 997-5381

Tony, Donna, Kayla & Travis Roach KTR Ranch Waxahachie, TX • (972) 937-8021

David & Jody Foster Foster Brothers Farms Lockney, TX • (806) 652-2383 Jake Franke Bryan, TX • (806) 683-3285

Ricky Lester Lester Cattle Company Gonzales, TX • (830) 437-5690 Hulan & Helen Mabery Mabery Cattle Stephenville, TX • (254) 968-7680

Kevin Pounds Pounds Livestock Lubbock, TX • (806) 789-6801 Jesse Ramos Tulia, TX • (806) 672-4587 Billy & Jane Rash Rash Livestock Willis, TX • (936) 856-9730 Corky & Carolyn Redden Throckmorton, TX • (940) 849-6761

Joseph Rogers Conroe, TX • (936) 231-1159 Cody Roth Lorenzo, TX • (806) 632-1176

Kali Savell Ferris, TX • (972) 842-3254 Danny & Sandra Schertz Denton, TX • (940) 482-3485 Keith & Jason Schrick Schrick Land & Cattle, Ltd Weatherford, TX • (817) 366-6435 Tommy Schroeder Schroeder Show Steers Taylor, TX • (512) 630-1206 Jennifer Ann Smith BSJ Farms Elysian Fields, TX• (903) 938-9080 Shane Smithson Cattle Co. Dallas, TX • (214) 435-6350 Claire Steele Graham, TX • (940) 549-8117 Stewart Family Quarter Horses Franklin, TX • (979) 828-5573 Jimmy/Detra Klas & Billy Stuckey K&S Cattle Co Southmayd, TX • (903) 926-7308 Dan Sullivan Sullivan Ranch Hillsboro, TX Brad Swan Swan Cattle Co Anton, TX • (806) 543-7600 Jerald & Nita Syphrett Syphrett Creek Cattle Co Buffalo, TX • (903) 322-5036 Charles Trompler Trompler Farms Malone, TX • (254) 533-2379 Matt Turner Cattle Co Coleman, TX • (325) 214-1781 David Wallace DWD Show Cattle Graham, TX • (940) 549-4133 Earl F. Whitten Bovina, TX• (806) 251-1669 Brandy Martin & Danny Wren Rafter D Rocking B Cattle Co Hereford, TX • (806) 364-2761 Dan Young Young Livestock Burkeburnette, TX • (940) 631-8339 Casey Zboril Throckmorton, TX • (940) 256-3830 UTAH Jason Ahlin Ahlin Cattle Company Santaquin, UT • (801) 372-1162 Monroe & Ina Lee Magnuson Chi-West Chiangus Castle Dale, UT • (435) 381-2618 Douglas B. Stephens Pleasant Valley Ranch Ogden, UT • (801) 479-5960

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 11

Tune Into Fetal Programming Sustained nutrition of cows is critical for calf fetal development and lifetime performance

W

by Kindra Gordon Reprinted with permission from Southern Livestock Standard

e’ve all heard the phrase “You are what you eat” – but research in the human health and bovine world is increasingly indicating that what mama eats has a great influence not only on her, but her progeny as well.

This area of research is called fetal programming – which refers to maternal events during the development of the fetus. Fetal programming has its roots in human health studies, where the inaugural study documented that offspring born to undernourished women in Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II delivered apparently normal, healthy babies. But later on in adulthood, these children developed hypertension, diabetes and other diseases at much higher rates than the remainder of the population.

Researchers have continued to document that children who had inadequate nutrition as a fetus developed lifetime health problems, and that an increased risk for these health conditions is passed on to future generations.

Based on those findings, for the past decade animal scientists have been ramping up their fetal programming research efforts to discover how maternal insults to the cow during gestation impact offspring later in life. They are learning these impacts can be due to hormonal and environmental stresses as well as nutrition – and they can affect future calf health, growth and carcass performance, and reproduction.

Each Trimester Important Lee Dickerson, with Land O’Lakes Purina, explains that researchers are learning that environmental factors like inadequate fetal nutrition can cause an organism’s genes to express themselves differently – negatively – even though the genes themselves don’t change. In research terms, this is called epigenetics. And Dickerson says, “These changes last permanently through the life of the animals and can be passed on to future generations.”

Thus, animal scientists are beginning go suggest cow-calf producers should strive to ensure that cows are receiving consistent nutrition in early, mid- and late gestation, “Each trimester appears to be critical,” says Dickerson.

Traditionally, industry has tended to focus on cow nutrition during the last trimester, when over 75% of fetal growth occurs; but Dickerson points out that the first two-thirds of pregnancy is when the placenta develops, organs differ-

12 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

entiate and grow and muscle cell growth and proliferation occurs.

To future make his point about the importance of cow nutrition during pregnancy, Dickerson says, “All the muscle cells that calf will ever have develop as a fetus – not after the calf is born.”

Research by Kim Vonnahme, a beef cattle reproductive physiologist, is shedding even more light on the important role of fetal programming. From her research, Vonnahme reports that while maternal nutrient delivery during pregnancy has been shown to program the growth and development of the fetus, both during pregnancy and later into adult life, it appears that maternal nutrition also programs the development of the placenta. She adds that not only is neonatal health compromised, but subsequent health may be programmed, as offspring from undernourished dams have been shown to exhibit poor growth and productivity, and also to develop significant diseases later in life.

Vonnahme emphasizes that researchers Fetal programming has been are learning that it is shown to impact: during the early phase • Skeletal muscle developof fetal development ment/calf growth and that maximal placental weight potential growth, differentiation • Marbling/carcass potential and vascularization • Reproductive efficiency or occurs, as well as fetal replacement heifers organogenesis (devel• Increased body weight opment of internal from weaning through three organs), all of which years of age are critical events for • Greater pregnancy rates normal fetal develop• Heifers more likely to calve ment. in the initial 21 days of the University of calving season Nebraska beef reproductive physiologist Rick Funston has also reported convincing fetal programming results. Data was collected on three consecutive calf crops that grazed winter range and received supplementation prior to calving season.

That was compared to data from calves born to cows that grazed winter range but received no supplement. The researchers also looked at data from cows wintered on corn-

Tune Into Fetal Programming…

Continued stalks with and without supplementation.

The findings suggested that adding no supplemental protein can result in a higher incidence of sickness among calves and lower weaning weights. The calves are likely to have lighter finished weights too, and less potential for achieving a Choice quality grade or better.

Funston’s research also shows how cow nutrition during gestation can affect heifer replacements’ fertility. Supplemented cows produced daughters that exhibited higher pregnancy rates and delivered their first calves earlier in the calving season.

In a nutshell, Dickerson puts it this way for cattlemen, “The gestational nutrition of your herd this year imprints the lifetime genetic potential and performance of subsequent generations.”

So, remember your cows – and their calves – truly are what they eat.

Fetal programming research as it applies to beef cattle is being carried out by private industry and at land-grand universities across the country.

CHIANINA

Hybrid Advantage Beef Your association is one of the most valuable tools when it comes to marketing your cattle.

Director of Marketing & Performance Programs Tyler Humphrey P.O. Box 890 Platte City, MO 64079 419.230.3450 acamarketing@earthlink.net

Whether it is buying or selling, please contact Tyler Humphrey for assistance.

Chianina Steer Wins Missouri State Fair Carcass Contest

A

wards for the

Missouri State Fair Open Steer Carcass and Live Evaluation Contest of Carcass Steer Shows were presented Saturday, August 20, 2011 in the Agriculture Building on the fairgrounds. Winners received premium money as well as trophies donated by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.

In the On-The-Rail Contest, Reba Colin of Butler, Mo., exhibited a CHIANINA steer which was named Grand Champion Carcass Overall as well as Champion Quality Hotel/Restaurant Carcass.

Chi Connection – January 2012 – 13

Genomics Poised to Benefit Cattle Breeders

by Bob Weaber, Ph.D. Cow/Calf Specialist Department of Animal Science & Industry, Kansas State University

F

or the last couple of years, beef cattle genetics researchers across the country have been armed with a new tool to aid in the search for new DNA markers that describe variation in economically important beef production traits. This new tool is a rapid, high-volume genotyping platform that produces nearly 50,000 genotypes per animal genotyped and genotypes 12 animals at a time on a single chip or glass slide. The system, called the Illumina BovineSNP50 platform, uses single base pair variant markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), called ‘snips’ for short. A base pair is the smallest unit in a DNA sequence represented by the letters A, C, G, and T. Combinations of these four letters form the language or genetic sequence for genes. Genes encode specific protein products produced by cells and influence the phenotype of an animal via expression of a specific gene. Variation in genetic sequence within a gene that causes a difference the function of the gene product is called an allele.

The BovineSNP50 platform, and new even higher density panel containing 770,000 SNP, represents a step-change in the discovery tools available to beef researchers as it provides much higher density marker saturation across the bovine genome compared to any other tool ever created. The technology behind the high density genotyping platforms was originally developed for use in human medical research and is now being applied to important agricultural species.

Researchers use BovineSNP50 DNA chip in conjunction with a wide variety of performance records and pedigrees to identify variation at locations in the genome sequence associated with variation in the performance record. These locations are called quantitative trait loci or QTL. One of the overarching goals of much of the research using the BovineSNP50 chip is to describe a large portion of the genetic variation in a trait. It turns out that in cattle, and many other species, there are a large number of genes that affect any given quantitative trait like weaning weight or marbling or heifer pregnancy rate. Recent discoveries suggest there are more than 200 genomic regions that affect marbling in cattle. Few of these regions account for large portions (>5%) of the variation in the trait and many account for less than 1% of the variation. Therefore, it takes many, many markers to describe a meaningful portion of an animal’s genetic merit for any given quantitative trait. One advantage of the BovineSNP50 and the new high density 770,000 platforms are their ability score a very large number of SNP markers across the entire genome at a relatively low 14 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

cost per SNP. The most effective way to utilize MBVs computed from animal genotypes is through the inclusion of the MBV in the calculation of an EPD. Convergence of legacy datasets and pedigrees with MBV data has several key benefits for seedstock and commercial beef producers. First, since the MBV represents an estimate of the net genetic merit for a subset of the genes it doesn’t provide a complete picture of animal’s complete genetic merit. For that reason, MBVs are not substitutes for EPDs but can add information useful for the prediction of EPD. Second, continued use of EPD values as the genetic ‘currency’ eliminates retraining and education of members and commercial customers on the use of new tool.

Finally, and most importantly, inclusion of MBV data offers a reliable method to increase the accuracy of prediction for EPD, especially for young selection candidates.

Substantial improvements in EPD accuracy for non-parent animals for conventional growth and carcass traits is valuable. Improvements in the accuracy of EPD for traits like heifer pregnancy, stayability, and calving ease and maternal traits, where non-parents won’t have a performance record, may prove to be of even higher value. After all, the decisions that seedstock producers make that result in yearling bulls available for purchase by commercial producers creates all the genetic change in the entire beef value chain. Improving the accuracy of that decision point is expected to have significant impact and value.

Research projects around the US have been undertaken to identify markers for a variety of traits that are difficult and/ or expensive to measure. These include traits like heifer pregnancy, birth weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, disease resistance and the fatty acid profile of beef products. These traits offer significant opportunity to change the cost of production or profitability of beef production systems yet have been difficult to improve using traditional tools like EPDs. These features make such traits good candidates for genetic improvement via marker assisted selection systems.

Over the coming months, you’ll hear more and more about the use of genomics for genetic improvement in beef cattle. New technologies and research project will aid in the development of more truly useful tools. Development efforts are underway at many breed associations. The general consensus of beef geneticists is that the MBVs produced from genomic tests should be incorporated into EPD calculations to maximize their utility when EPDs for that trait(s) is available. Remember MBVs are not substitutes for EPDs.

Suspension Fences: Minimum Maintenance

by Heather Smith Thomas

S

tockmen are always looking for ways to minimize expense and labor in maintaining adequate fencing.

New materials for suspension fences are making them attractive in terms of installation costs and longevity.

A big advantage to suspension fencing is fewer posts. This is helpful in rocky terrain, and also in terms of cost and labor for installation and maintenance. Suspension fences have more resilience when struck by animals or vehicles, and therefore less damage to the fence.

The Hanneken family developed their first suspension fence products in the 1970’s, originally as a means to create better fencing on their own ranches. Later they formed the Southwest Fence Systems and Southwest Fence and Supply Company, Inc. According to Chris Hanneken, their unique braces and lightweight stays make this fencing highly durable, minimizing maintenance. Their system is now used throughout the country on farms and ranches and by county and state municipalities, oilfields, the Nature Conservancy, US Department of Transportation, park districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and other entities.

Early suspension fences used wooden stays, which provided good visibility to livestock and wildlife but were labor intensive and costly to install. Then ranchers tried metal twist stays but those had poor visibility and were not always easy to install. Twist stays are easily bent by wildlife hitting the fence or going under or over it, leaving stays permanently bent. Bent stays compromise height or positioning of wires and effectiveness of a fence to hold livestock—and are almost impossible to remove without bolt cutters once they become bent.

Polyethylene stays are more durable and resilient and last longer. They have a lock pin for easy installation, which is also effective for electric fence. The poly stays can also be used for rejuvenating old fences and making quick repairs. “We’ve had poly stays in 40-foot wire gates that have been run over by trucks thousands of times when the gates were laid down, and Installing stay for the suspension fence is quick and easy.

they are still functional. You can’t do that with metal stays,” explains Hanneken.

These stays only come to the bottom wire, so the fence is floating free between posts. This makes a better suspension system because it has more give if an animal or car hits it. If stays rest on the ground it is not truly a suspension fence.

Posts for a suspension fence can be metal or wood, set 16 to 50 feet apart. “This allows the fence to give and flex without compromise,” says Hanneken. Traditional fences along a road usually won’t remain standing to hold livestock after a vehicle crashes through them – taking out posts and knocking the fence down.

When vehicles hit a good suspension fence, the fence usually remains standing enough to contain livestock until repairs can be made. “Even if a post is knocked out and there’s an 80-foot section of unsupported fence, the wires generally won’t break, and the fence is still in place, and will hold livestock,” says Hanneken.

Heavy snow can weight down traditional or electric fencing and break wires or push a fence over. Freezing and thawing can disrupt stability of traditional posts and braces, as frost heaves posts upward. After a few years, posts and braces may not stay in line or may come out of the ground.

“The bracing system is the key to our suspension fence, designed to withstand freezing and thawing. Our braces utilize a diagonal rod similar to the anchor system on modular homes. This is where we got the idea. No suspension system can be successful without a good brace,” says Hanneken.

His family developed a driven brace, quick and foolproof to install, without having to dig post-holes. “The two brace posts are driven into the ground, and there’s a guide tube on each post that’s cut and welded into that post at a 45 degree Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 15

Suspension Fences: Minimum Maintenance…Continued angle,” says Henneken. “After you’ve driven the post to the depth of the guide tube, you put the anchor rod through the guide tube, drive the rod into the ground and bolt it in place,” he says. The fence is engineered for a brace every quarter mile.

The new technology in wire – and improvements in tensile strength and durability – makes it to where traditional bracing may be inadequate for a suspension fence. This new brace is stronger than the new wire, so the braces always hold. When using the new high tensile 14 gauge green wire (higher strength than the old, softer, high-carbon wire), this brace exceeds the test for pulling that wire and will hold better.

Comments From A Fence Builder Terry Andrade is a cattle rancher at Council, Idaho who also has a farm at Homedale, a ranch at Preston and a ranch in California. He and his son Justin also have a fencing business. “We have a lot of experience with suspension fence; it’s easy to install and stands the test of time and weather conditions,” says Andrade.

“Wildlife are hard on traditional fences. We have a 10,000 ranch near Preston, Idaho where we built 17 miles of new suspension fence 3 years ago because it’s easier to maintain.

Deer go under or over a fence, but moose walk through it. Cattle don’t do near the damage to a fence that elk and moose do, or Mother Nature – with heavy snow, moisture, frost heaves, etc. This is one reason we use green-coated wire. It’s 30 percent stronger, with higher tensile strength, and lasts a long time.”

Some people use lay-down fences, to minimize damaged by snow or wildlife when cattle aren’t in certain pastures.

This works nicely, with a good suspension fence. “We have areas on our ranch where we lay a fence down to get away from wildlife damage. We use stress posts as tie-off posts and make a loop on the fence so we can drive along on a 4-wheeler and take the top loop off, slide the stay out of the bottom loop, and lay the fence down,” says Andrade.

“Last year in May, my wife and I put a lay-down fence back up again, setting up 3.5 miles of it in about 3 hours.

This would normally take 2 men about 3 days, to put a traditional fence back up again. We build all our fences on a pad, so we can drive along them. In the fall, my wife and I lay the fence down. One person drives and the other unloops the ties. When we put it back up in the spring we stretch it from the corners and in-line braces,” he explains. The stays remain attached to the fence and lie on the ground, and are not damaged by moisture.

When you build a fence it’s cheaper to use poly stays instead of T-posts, according to Andrade. At about $7.50 per T-post, and 3 T-posts between line posts, you are replacing 16 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

$22.50 of materials with $6 worth of stays. Regarding labor, you are looking at 9 minutes (minimum time for 3 T-posts) versus 90 seconds for the stays.

The steel braces are quick and easy to put in. “With 2 men and a hydraulic driver, we can install a corner 3-post brace in rocky terrain in an hour. By contrast, using railroad ties, you must dig postholes and set the posts, and a corner brace takes several hours to build.

We’re often putting fences through lava or sedimentary rock. After we pound these metal braces into the ground, they are solid, and won’t come out. You don’t have A suspension fence is very strong and to get them below frost will give instead of breaking when hit line; they won’t heave by a vehicle. up out of the ground— which is a major issue with a wood brace. In Idaho where frost goes down 3 feet or more, if you use a railroad tie, the next year it may be 6 inches up out of the ground, and the following year another 6 inches, and soon you don’t have a functional brace,” he says.

Maintenance is a big issue. When ranchers get ready to turn cattle out on pasture or range in the spring they don’t want to spend weeks going around fences to fix them. “The suspension fence, in our experience, gives major savings in maintenance costs and labor,” says Andrade.

“I’ve used suspension fencing in Idaho and California, in entirely different weather conditions. I’ve used it in the mountains and on irrigated ground. A lot of people use sprinkler irrigation, with constant water on the wire. The old wire eventually rusts and gets weak,” he explains. The new wire can handle it.

Fire is another factor to consider. The new wire is more durable, and metal braces don’t burn up like wood braces.

“When I built 17 miles of new fence on our ranch at Preston, it was because a 55,000 acre fire burned our ranch in entirety, including fences. Heat destroys the old wire; it becomes brittle and can’t be re-used. When I rebuilt the fence, I put in suspension fence because if our ranch burns again the braces will still be there and this wire can withstand heat better. The poly stays will burn, but they can be replaced with minimal cost and labor.” A person could patch a fire-burned suspension fence because it would still be there, rather than having to spend months to rebuild the entire fence.

Cow Math: Estimating Cow Herd Productivity

by Justin Rhinehart, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Extension

O

ver the summer, many questions were raised about individual cow and cow herd efficiency. Several meetings were held where this topic was addressed and great discussion was stimulated about how to improve efficiency through genetics and management. However, record-keeping (the most important aspect about being able to make profitable changes) was glanced over in many of those discussions. Maintaining production records has been the cornerstone of Extension education programs in Tennessee for the 100 years of its existence.

There are many ways to keep records on a cow herd. They range from complicated spreadsheets and commercially available software to calving books or notes on the back of a feed tag. More powerful decisions can be made with more detailed records. Remember that “without data, everything else is just an opinion.” Choosing a record-keeping system that is easy to use should result in more dedication to keeping it updated. Even simple records are useful for many different purposes, but a minimum amount of individual cow and calf data is required.

Once the records are in place, making decisions with them can sometimes be as intimidating as setting up the system in the first place. Again, keeping it simple and gradually moving up to more complicated calculations is likely the best way to approach it. Several methods exist to determine cow and calf productivity. This article will address using calf weaning weight records to track productivity of a small cow herd.

Consider this example: Calves are weaned and a total weight is calculated (either by weighing them on the farm or using the pay weight from a marketing facility check).

Then, the total pounds of calf weaned are divided by the number of calves weaned: Basic Weaning Weight = Total Pounds of Calf Weaned / Number of Calves Weaned This is a decent start, but there are several major flaws in using this simple calculation as an indication of productivity. It does not account for differences in individual calf ages, the number of steers and heifers, weight of the cows, cows that did not calve and calves that died between calving and weaning. It also does not account for shrink if using pay-weights from the marketing facility. While weaning weight is likely the simplest and most widely used, it is also

the most abused measure of productivity. So, to begin to get a true understanding of productivity, weaning weights should be adjusted.

One commonly used method to account for age variation is to adjust all weights to 205 days (approximately 7 months). To do this, birth weight and birth dates are needed.

These can be estimated for commercial purposes, but actual measurements are ideal and are required for registered cattle. Simply subtract the calf ’s birth weight from the actual weaning weight. Then, divide that gain by calf age in days. The resulting number is the Average Daily Gain (ADG) from birth to weaning. Now, multiply the ADG by 205 days for a uniform adjustment. There are other factors that can skew this adjustment, but it is adequate for making basic productivity estimates.

Adjusted Weaning Weight = ((Weaning Weight – Birth Weight) / Days of Age) × 205 Days Total weaning weight should also be adjusted for the number of steers and heifers in that calf crop. Over a number of years, the sex ratio will usually balance out to be 50:50. But individual years often yield more of one sex than the other. Knowing this is important because, all else being equal, steers weight more at a given age and grow faster than heifers. The first step in adjusting for sex is to calculate the actual difference in weaning weight between the steers and heifers and divide by two. Then, subtract that adjustment from the individual steer weights and add it to the individual heifer weights.

Adjusted Steer Weights = Individual Steer Weight – ((Avg. Steer Weight – Avg. Heifer Weight) / 2) Adjusted Heifer Weights = Individual Heifer Weight + ((Avg. Steer Weight – Avg. Heifer Weight) / 2) So, what should be done with the total or average weaning weight once it is adjusted for individual age and sex of the calf crop? The ideal measurement for most commercial cattlemen will be the “pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed.” Again, a number of factors influence cow and overall herd productivity, including reproductive efficiency, genetics, nutrition and health. These factors are accounted for when the total adjusted weaning weight is divided by Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 17

Grassland Farms – Your Source for Consistent Cattle That PERFORM Year After Year!!!

2011-2012 Washington Cattlemen’s Association Bull Test & Sale – Eltopia, WA

2010 Umatilla County (OR) All-Breed Feedlot Futurity

Entries WDA average 7 Chiangus 3.49 96 Angus 3.21 5 Simmental 2.75 32 Hereford 3.07 9 Red Angus 3.08 9 SimAngus 3.17 Total of 158 head of bulls on test Our 3/16/2011 Chiangus bull (Lot 9) sired by MQ Jobro 719 weighed 996 lbs on Nov. 9, 2011, with a WDA of 4.17 – the HIGHEST of all 158 bulls!

2011 All Breed Feedlot Futurity at Beef Northwest, Boardman, OR

We had 5 steers in the top 10, placing 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th & 9th. There were 47 head of steers in the all-breed contest.

Grand Champion Steer: ADG: 4.66 • BF: .50 • REA: 16.9 • Marb: Mt00 • QG: Ch30 •YG: 2.4 5th place steer: ADG: 4.40 • BF: .45 • REA: 14.1 • Marb: Sm50 • QG: Ch20 • YG: 2.2 6th place steer: ADG: 4.26 • BF: .30 • REA: 14.8 • Marb: Sm60 • QG: Ch20 •YG: 2.2

The results from these derby contests prove that Chiangus genetics have what it takes to meet the demand of the beef industry. Contact us today and incorporate these genetics into your operation. You’ll be glad you did.

Results: 5th place steer – ADG of 4.6/day; REA of 17.3; retail cuts percentage of 51.31%.

7th place steer – ADG of 4.43/day; REA of 17.3; retail cuts percentage of 52.82%

Cow Math: Estimating Cow Herd Productivity…Continued number of cows that were originally exposed during the breeding season, regardless of whether they calved or weaned a calf.

Pounds of Calf Weaned per Cow Exposed = Adjusted Total Weaning Weight / All Cows If the capability is there to weigh all the cows at weaning, the “pounds of calf weaned per pound of cow exposed” can similarly be determined — an even more powerful tool for determining the production efficiency.

At least calculating the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed gives a commercial cattlemen the power to compare calf crops from year to year to determine how management decisions and changes in the environment (drought, heat, sever winter, hay shortage, etc.) really affected productivity. Having that information makes it easier to know how to improve it. More importantly, when income and expenditures are applied, profitability can be also be analyzed. Without these data, decisions at best are based on an educated guess. Basing decisions that affect profitability and quality of life on an educated guess is not sustainable practice.

18 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

G F

rassland arms

Gordon & Linda Wanner 28211 S. Dryland Rd. • Canby, OR 97013 (503) 266-9277 • gwanner@web-ster.com (Gordon J. Wanner Trust)

Ad Index Alabama

Circle E Farms...................19 CK Cattle...........................19

Colorado

Sears Marketing Services.. 19

Georgia

Chi-G Farms.....................19 RSE Farms Inc...................19 Talmo Ranch.....................19

Illinois

Gehrke Farms....................19 JCA....................................19 Secondino, Jame................6

Indiana

Four Roses Catte LLC.......20 Garrett’s Show Cattle.........20 Gettinger ChiAngus Farm.. 19 Miller, Jeff..........................20 Trennepohl Farms.............20 Wilstem, Inc......................20

Iowa

Michigan

VKR Cattle Co....................21 Ventura Farm.....................21

Mississippi

Coward, Danny.................21

Missouri

Cattle Visions.................. IFC Chi Connection Sale...........2 Continental Livestock Services Inc.........................6 Lees Cattle Co...................21 Turkey Run Cattle Co.........21

Nebraska

Midwest MircoSystems......8 Ohlrichs, Wayne & Barb....22 Ramsey Chiangus.........1, 22

Oregon

Grassland Farms.........18, 23 White Cattle Company......23

South Dakota

Beckett Chiangus............ IFC

Tennessee

Graham Chiangus.............23 RiverBend Farms...............23 Willow Oak Chiangus Ranch................................23 Woodhaven Farms............23

Texas

Carolina Chiangus............22

AB’s Ranch........................24 Circle E Cattle Company...24 Foster Bros. Farms............24 Schrick Land & Cattle Ltd... 24 Southwest Region.......10-11 Sullivan Supply...................6 Walter G. Mizes Ranches..24 Whitten, Earl & Bret...........24

North Dakota

Utah

New Jersey

Riverview Farm.................22

North Carolina

5J Chianina...................8, 20 Clarahan Farms.............6, 20 CMRT................................20 Sullivan Supply...................6

Melroe Farms............ IFC, 22 Schaefer Chiangus.....22, BC

Kentucky

Ohio

Ard Ridge Genetics............21 Carlada Farms...................21 Champagne Farms...........21 VBS Farms........................21

Oklahoma

Classic Genetics...............23

Hunt Farms.......................22 Kreis, Ron..........................23 Wendt, Kevin.......................6

Chi West Cattle..................13

West Virginia

McHale Farms...................24

Mexico

Adolfo Fco. Trevino Gil......24

Chiangus & Chiford Cattle

Ned Ellis

Home (334) 227-4446

Chuck Madaris

Office:

Cell: (334) 657-5833

Wayne & Jill Miller, Owners P.O. Box 68 • Talmo, GA 30575 Phone: (706) 693-4133 or Fax: (706) 693-4359

Email: talmoranch@aol.com

(334) 288-5049 232 Cruise Rd. Hope Hull, AL 36043

Web site: www.talmoranch.com

illinois

Colorado

Johnson Chiangus Angus Plus Online Bull Sale Bids close Jan. 31, 2012 Sale hosted by cwcattlesales.com

View videos at www.bobjonfarm.com “Professional Sale Management & Marketing Services” Alan Sears 61 Westward Way • Eaton, CO 80615 Home/Office: (970) 454-3986 • Mobile: (970) 396-7521 aksears8@msn.com • www.searsmarketingservices.com

Georgia CHIANGUS Tim & Judy Gilstrap

Terry Johnson 309.337.8440

GF

rse

Troy Gehrke, Manager Delavan, Illinois (309) 244-7819 • Barn (309) 846-1614 • Cell

Garland & Kathie Gehrke Hartsburg, Illinois (217) 642-5862

indiana Gettinger ChiAngus

Barb Gettinger 3464 S. 325 E. Rushville, IN 46173 (765) 938-1971

P.O. Box 330 Stephens, GA 30667 Roddy Sturdivant

Gehrke Farms

Selling Bulls, Heifers & Steers

Farms, Inc.

mobile (770) 372–0400 office (770) 921–3207

Drew Johnson 309.337.5700

Gehrke Farms Beef ( 877) LEANBEEF • gehrke.farms@yahoo.com Freezer Beef & Beef Snack Sticks

1355 Wright’s Mill Rd. Commerce, GA 30530

(706) 335-7448 Home (706) 336-8258 Barn

Chi Genetics Directory

Talmo Ranch

Alabama

Rob Postin

Jeff & Lisa Gettinger

4858 E 200 S Rushville, IN 46713 (765) 561-4434 jlgett@yahoo.com

Sam Gettinger

(765) 561-3130 s.gettinger@yahoo. com www.gettingerchiangus.com

home (706) 759–2220 barn (706) 759–2209

For all your marketing needs, contact – Tyler Humphrey, Director of Marketing & Performance at 816.431.2808 or acamarketing@earthlink.net Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 19

Chi Genetics Directory

Indiana

Guest Ranch

Jeff Miller 6863 S. 200 E. Cutler, IN 46920 (765) 268-2409 (765) 414-4547 – cell

Bulls & Females for sale at all times.

P.O. Box 189 French Lick, IN 47432 (812) 630-4850

Sale Labor Day Weekend

Grand Champion Pen of Heifers 2010 North American International Livestock Expo

Home of WRL Tracken Norman

Iowa Mark L. & Caralee Rogers Chiangus Chimaine Club Calves

Larry and Barb Garrett

Chis Made Right Today

R.R. 1 • Douds, IA 52551 (641) 936-4682

Chi-Maine Breeding Stock Quality Alfalfa for Sale

4496 N. Round Barn Rd., Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 935-7384 Email: bgarrett@globalsite.net

C M R T

CHIMAINEs

Clarahan Farms Dennis • Ryan • Neil

Breeders of Chiangus Cattle Scott Trennepohl

Jeff Trennepohl

(765) 620-1700 • cell (765) 779-4528 • home sttrennepohl@yahoo.com

(765) 620-0733 • cell (765) 533-4644 • home

6591 W 625 N • Middletown, IN 47356 5487 N 525 W • Middletown, IN 47356

19425 280th Avenue • Harper, IA 52231 (641) 635-2454 – office Dennis: (319) 330-6377 • Ryan: (641) 660-2713 Neil: (641) 660-2257

5J Chianina WGM Jeff I – Jeff, a FULLBLOOD CHIANINA, has style, performance (pictured at 14 months weighing 1,500 lbs) and championships in his pedigree.

Semen: $15/unit Available from Nichols Cryo-Genetics

Mike & Teresa Rose

Logansport, Indiana (574) 753-4652

Gary & Bev Rose

(515) 965-1551

Jim Johnson • Polk City, Iowa (515) 984-6952 • jjncj1962@gmail.com

Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: • March Issue: Feb. 1 • Herdbook Issue: April 1

20 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

CF Carlada Farms Chiangus Cattle

Johnny & Jane Mounce (606) 871-7922 (H) (606) 305-7880 (C)

591 Warner Rd. Nancy, KY 42544

John & Sue Mounce (606) 871-7505 Visitors Always Welcome

E-mail: jmounce@dishmail.net

814 Ard Ridge Rd. Nancy, KY 42544 Office & Fax: (606) 871-9454 Owners: Leonard & June Branscum: (606) 871-7859 Neal & Rebekah Branscum: (606) 872-5395

Home of Quality Chiangus Cattle Val B. & Vicky B. Shields

837 Dahms Rd. Falmouth, KY 41040 (859) 654-4440 or (859) 391-0758 Web site: www.VBSFarms.com

Champagne Farms Fullblood Chianina Bulls & Females Available Chris & Brandhi Howard 5365 West Highway 36 Sharpsburg, KY 40374 606.247.2154 chris.howard@bath.kyschools.us

Michigan

V K R

Chiangus, Chimaine & Angus Bulls Available by Private Treaty

Ken, Deb & Christina Geuns 4995 Sleight Rd. Bath, MI 48808 (517) 641-7152

Harlan & Leah Ritchie 4537 Comanche Dr. Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 333-0649 VF New Edition 201 1CM 2003 ACA National Champion Chi Bull

mississippi

Danny Coward Home of WOCR Ozzie 67M, sire of the winning Beef Derby Calves

For Sale: Semen on RDD Mr VRD 105N

Chi Genetics Directory

Ventura Farm

Kentucky

Utilizing genetics from Willow Oak Ranch & Circle E Farms 501 Russell Rd.• Noxapater, MS 39346 (662) 724-2685 (home) • (662) 325-2675 (work) • coward@cvm.msstate.edu

Missouri

Turkey Run Cattle Co. Bulls, Bred Females & Open Females for sale private treaty.

Jeff, Jill & Carson Faes 29527 Hwy J • Dalton, MO 65245 660.676.9501 (cell) • 660.544.2931 (home) trcjfaes@gmail.com

Lees Cattle Company Fullblood Chianina Chiangus Breeding Bulls & Heifers Brad Lees

3437 Co. Rd. 2560 • Higbee, MO 65257 (816) 213-3941 • lees7832@yahoo.com Follow us on Facebook – Lees Cattle Co

Cattle Company Home of FBF Nevada Nights 2CA

The Vander Kolks Carl, Gail, Craig, Kim & Susan Dorr, Michigan

(616) 896-9190 (office) • (616) 896-9433 (Carl & Gail) (616) 896-1637 (Brady & Susan Ostrom)

Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 21

Chi Genetics Directory

Nebraska

North Carolina

Wayne & Barb Ohlrichs

Carolina Chiangus

55943 U.S. Hwy. 275 Norfolk, NE 68701 (402) 371-0695 Cell (402) 649-5804

Chi's, Maines & Angus

Club Calves & Breeding Stock the brand of quality

Visitors Always Welcome!

E-mail: ohl@conpoint.com

Ramsey Chiangus Lincoln, Nebraska

Tim Davis & Kids P.O. Box 1347 • Huntersville, NC 28070 (704) 361-3098 tdavis4886@aol.com

North dakota

Customer Focused on Value Traits And Services Producers of Chiangus and Chimaine Breeding Cattle Bryan, John & Jerry Schaefer P.O. Box 28 • Des Lacs, ND 58733 Bryan: (701) 721-8091 bschaefer@srt.com John: (701) 720-7220 Jerry: (701) 720-2061 schaeferchiangus@srt.com

Breeding Heifers, Breeding Bulls and Club Calves Now Available For Viewing and Sale Private Treaty • Call for Directions Bill & Linda Ramsey 5125 South 75th Street • Lincoln, NE 68516 Cell: (308) 380-1549 www.ramseychiangus.com

2009 NWSS Champion Chianina Pen

Visit us at www.schaeferchiangus.com

New jersey

M elroe F arms

RIVERVIEW FARM

Steve, Barb, Tyler & Bethany 8005 Hwy. 32 • Gwinner, ND 58040 (701) 678-2225 Tyler (Cell) (605) 695-3295

FULL BLOOD CHIANINA NOW AVAILABLE: Bulls & Cows Cow/Calf Pairs Open & Bred Heifers Bull Calves

Adam F. Ambielli

412 Trimmer Road Califon, New Jersey 07830 (908) 832-2526 ambielli@earthlink.net

Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: • March Issue: Feb. 1 • Herdbook Issue: April 1

22 – Chi Connection – Spring 2012

Form to Function BFW Hot Iron 1CM

ohio

Hunt Farms TLE, CLU S CAT B C GU AL N VE IA S H C

Home Phone (937) 548-3050

Tom, Deanna and Megan 2505 Weavers Station – Ft. Jefferson Rd. New Madison, OH 45346

Tennessee

Ron Kreis, Auctioneer 2005 World Champion Livestock Auctioneer Jan, Jeff & Brandon Johnson P.O. Box 337 Dunlap, TN 37327 Office (423) 949-2434 Home (423) 949-3559 email: janbj@bledsoe.net www.riverbendcattle.com

Specializing in Purebred & General Livestock Auctions Ron Kreis Adamsville, OH (740) 796-5242 (740) 683-3235 rtkreis@hughes.net

“Come visit us in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley”

John Coble, Consultant • (406) 254-2548 Scott Coble, Herd Manager • (423) 921-4221 Business Office: Old Mills Square • 215W. Broadway St., Ste. D, Rogersville, TN 37857 (423) 272- 0225 RichardAlanArnold, President & Manager

oklahoma

Classic Genetics Chase Comer P.O. Box 705 • Ardmore, OK 73402 (580) 504-1716 Purebred Chiangus We breed for OPTIMUMS. Not extremes.

Performance tested bulls and females • Show prospects

Willow Oak Chiangus Ranch

Bottom Line Genetics For Profit Minded Cattlemen

Woodhaven Farms

Sponsor of

oregon

Chi Genetics Directory

OHIO

Tennessee Chianina Steer & Heifer Futurity

John & Debbie Woodroof 1264 Young Rd. Lebanon, TN 37090 (615) 444-3519

Tom Gunn & Family R.R. 3, Box 120 Decherd, TN 37324 (615) 467-3254

Graham Chiangus Breeders of Quality Chi Cattle Pete, Debra, Taylor & Blythe Graham

White Cattle Company Your West Coast Chi Connection Mary Lee & Doris White 74138 Turnout Road • Burns, OR 97720 (541) 589-1476 – Mary Lee (541) 573-6566 – Doris www.whitecattleco.com • maryleewhite@centurytel.net

2355 Peavine Firetower Rd. Crossville, TN 38571 (931) 484-4666

Contact Tyler for all your marketing needs.

816.431.2808 acamarketing@earthlink.net Chi Connection – Spring 2012 – 23

Chi Genetics Directory

Texas

David & Dar Lee HCR 4, Box 93 Lockney, TX 79241 (806) 652-3824 (806) 983-7221 cell

Jody & Shawnda Rt. 2, Box 36 Lockney, TX 79241 (806) 652-2383 (806) 983-7225 cell

Jered Shipman • Herdsman/Consultant • (806) 983-7226 Fax: (806) 652-3738 www.fosterbrosfarms.com fosterbros@att.net

Fullblood Chianina bulls and females always available.

Charles McDonald Ranch Manager/Herdsman Hwy. 281 North Hico, TX 76457 (254) 796-4070 • Fax (254) 796-2330

Call for video.

West Virginia

McHale Farms Lewisburg & Union, West Virginia Land & Cattle Club Calf & Chiangus Steve McHale P.O. Box 302 • Union, WV 24983 (304) 772-3389 • (304) 667-1962 whomadewho1@verizon.net

Mexico Chianina Fullbloods Rancho La Mesa Jason Schrick Business: (817) 596-0799 Cell: (817) 366-8511

Keith & Dana Schrick Business: (817) 613-0724 Cell: (817) 366-6435

Certified Brucellosis & TB Free Herd ID #20020090310

(01152) 811-155-6799 (Trabajo) (011521) 818-396-9380 (Movil) adolfo@chianina.com.mx chianinamx@skype Alvarez 430 sur 64000 Monterrey, N.L. Mexico

ACA Regions/States Northwest region Colorado • Idaho • Montana • Nebraska • North Dakota Oregon • South Dakota • Washington • Wyoming

Northeast Region

E

Circle E Cattle Company Mineral Wells, Texas

Raising Quality Chi Cattle Shawn Ethridge (940) 328-4723 24 – Chi Connection – January 2012

BW Ethridge (940) 452-1100

Connecticut • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Maine • Maryland Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • New Hampshire • New Jersey New York • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • Vermont • Wisconsin

Southwest Region Arizona • California • Kansas • New Mexico Nevada • Oklahoma • Texas • Utah

SouthEAST Region Alabama • Arkansas • Florida • Georgia • Kentucky • Louisiana Mississippi • Missouri • North Carolina • South Carolina Tennessee • Virginia • West Virginia

CHI CATTLE PRODUCE Real World Numbers that Really Count Beef Empire Days – Garden City, KS • 2009 3rd Place Heifer in Live Division • 2008 Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in Live Division • 2007 Grand Champion Steer in Live Division • 2006 Overall Grand Champion Steer • 2005 Overall Grand Champion Steer National Western Fed Beef Contest • 2007 Grand Champion Carcass, exhibited by Ralph Danner • 2006 Grand Champion Overall Pen • 2005 Grand Champion Overall Pen, Feeder & Producer Divisions • 2005 Producer Division, Chi Cattle Stood 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 6th

What Cattlemen Say About Chi Cattle “Chi influence cattle in the feedlot bring everything to the table a feeder could ask for! Profit drivers in the feed yard are feed conversion, carcass weight and carcass traits. Chi’s convert, put on the pounds and have respectful carcass traits. The industry has been lacking in muscle for several years and it continues to be a problem especially if the commercial producer has been following the latest fads or genetic trends. Chi’s will get a calf crop back where they need to be in terms of muscling without affecting marbling.” ~ Dan Dorn, Decatur County Feedyard, Oberlin, KS

American Chianina Association P.O. Box 890 • Platte City, MO 64079 (816) 431-2808 • (816) 431-5381 (fax) www.chicattle.org • acamarketing@earthlink.net

Alabama BCIA Fall Round Up Sale • 2009 & 2010 – Chiangus bulls out averaged all other breeds and the entire sale • 2010 – 24 Chiangus bulls averaged $3,304; Entire Sale Average (62 bulls): $2,574 • 2009 – 19 Chiangus bulls averaged $2,968; Entire Sale Average (86 bulls); $1,964 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic – Kearney, NE • 2010 Chi Bull Named Supreme Champion Bull • 2009 Chi Heifer Named Supreme Champion Female (This female was also the high-selling heifer at the Classic) • 2008 Chi Sale Topped All Sale Averages at $4,080/Lot • 2007 Chiangus Females Topped All Sale Averages at $4,783/Lot • 2006 Chiangus Heifer Named Supreme Champion Female

18th Annual Production Sale • March 31, 2012 Farmers Livestock Market • Bismarck, N.D. JSC Momentum 74T PCA Offering approximately 70 bulls and a select group of bred females and fancy heifer calves! You won’t want to miss this exciting offering!

JSC Advantage 257T 2CA

Progeny for sale by Momentum, Advantage, Linebacker, RDD Ace 1268R 2CA & JSC Marathon 559P.

Be sure to look us up at the National Western Stock Show in Denver!

Reserve National Champion Chiangus Bull – 2008 ACA National Show – now deceased

We have the MOMENTUM & ADVANTAGE to take your program to the next level!

YR Linebacker 4W 1CA

Bryan, John & Jerry P.O. Box 28 • Des Lacs, ND 58733 www.schaeferchiangus.com Bryan: (701) 721-8091 • bschaefer@srt.com John: (701) 720-7220 • Jerry: (701) 720-2061 schaeferchiangus@srt.com Contact us to request a sale catalog.