Issuu

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call to consIGn your cattle to these uPcoMInG Western vIDeo Market sales: June 9 • July 11-13

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Representatives

Jake Parnell ........ (916) 662-1298 GeorGe GookIn ..... (209) 482-1648 Mark FIscher ....... (209) 768-6522

(209) 745-1515 office (209) 745-1582 Fax

rex WhIttle.......... (209) 996-6994

12495 stockton blvd. Galt, california 95632

abel JIMenez ........ (209) 401-2515

M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 6

Joe Gates .............. (707) 694-3063 Jason DaIley ........ (916) 439-7761

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An opportunity to add both calving ease and exceptional carcass genetics to your herd.

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Full Blood Wagyu Bulls, Females, Pairs, Semen & Embryos Home of Bar R Shigeshigetani 30T and many of the top Wagyu AI sires in the industry.

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May/June 2016 -

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UPCOMING VIDEO SALES

July 11th - 13th Silver Legacy ~ Reno, NV Catalog Deadline: June 23rd

August 8th - 9th

Little America Hotel ~ Cheyenne, WY Catalog Deadline: July 21st

September 12th Haythorn Ranch ~ Ogallala, NE Catalog Deadline: August 25th

View the video catalog and watch the sales at

Market your cattle with the professionals! 4

For more information: (530) 347-3793 or wvm@wvmcattle.com

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The Central California Livestock Marketing Center

TURLOCK LIVESTOCK AUCTION YARD

The Spring Roundup Dates! Western Video Market Upcoming Auctions

Every Tuesday throughout Spring and Summer we will feature large runs of calves and yearlings.

May 26 and June 9 Shasta Livestock Auction • Cottonwood, CA

Saturday, August 6th, 2016

10 Annual California Cattle Producers Fall Calving Female Sale Featuring California’s Finest Replacement Females th

The 2016 Contra Costa, Alameda, San Joaquin, Stanislaus County Cattlemen’s Associations’ Special Showcase Feeder Sales! Featuring NHTC, Natural, Age and Source Program cattle. No matter what program you are in, we will promote your cattle!

BRUNCH AT 9 A.M. • SALE AT 10 A.M. Saturday, May 14th - Saturday, June 4th - Saturday June 25th SELLING SOME OF THE FINEST CALVES & YEARLINGS FROM THESE COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS: Merced-Mariposa, Santa Clara, Napa-Solano, Madera, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Fresno-Kings, San Benito & Tahoe

Call Today to Consign Your Cattle! Stock Yards: 209-634-4326 or 209-667-0811•Market Report: (209) 634-4326 Max Olvera: C 209-277-2063 • H 209-632-2544 Steve Faria: C 209-988-7108 • H 209-723-9269 Eddie Nunes: 209-604-6848 • John Luiz: 209-480-5101 Brandon Baba: 209-480-1267 • Chuck Cozzi: 209-652-4479 Bud Cozzi: 209-652-4480 • Jake Bettencourt: 209-262-4019 Tim Sisal: 209-631-6054

www.turlocklivestock.com

P.O. Box 3030 Turlock, CA 95381

Working hard for the M California /J 2 0 1 6 - cattle W C 5 producer! ay

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Utah Cattlemen’s Association Serving the Utah Cattlemen since 1870. by Heather Smith-Thomas Lund Ranch Scotland Suzette Lund and their children are raising bulls that work for their customers. by KayDee Gilkey Rave Reviews for Ruth’s Diner Amazing food, views to die for, and Ruth’s story all make this Utah Restaurant a dining destination. by Kindra Gordon

Ready, Set, Sort The Utah Ranch Sorting Association offers fun opportunities for all ages and skill levels. by Kindra Gordon The World According to Hooter McCormick “Polling for Dollars.” by Wes Ishmael

34 REGULARS 7

Trails

It’s all in the approach. By Sherry Danekas

20 Wanted

Featuring Hoffman A.I. Breeders

32 Index

Thank you for your great advertising support.

26 6

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34 Riding the Gap “Reputation Matters with Added Value, Too.” By Wes Ishmael

The Bull Board

COVER

“Growing Up Utah”

BUSINESS&ADVERTISING

Editor

Sherry Danekas sherry@jdaonline.com

TR AILS “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life.” ~ Wad Boggs~

Associate Editor

Advertising

Graphic Artist

Circulation

Mercedes Danekas-Lohse mercedes@jdaonline.com Mercedes Danekas-Lohse (916) 837-1432 (916) 685-8980 Hannah Ballard hannah@jdaonline.com Morgan Fryer morgan@jdaonline.com

Mailing Address P.O. Box 410, Wilton, CA 95693 Office Phone P (916) 685- 8980 F (916) 685- 8996 National Sales Representative. THE POWELL GROUP, INC. 4162-B Carmichael Court Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 271-6100 Attn: Davy Taff

Website www.westerncowman.com

WESTERN COWMAN, is owned and published monthly except May/June and July/August combined by James Danekas & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 410, Wilton, CA 95693. Subscriptions are $20.00 per year. Presort Standard U.S. Postage Paid: Tucson, Arizona. Address corrections requested. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sherry Danekas, Heather Smith-Thomas, Kindra Gordon, KayDee Gilkey, and Wes Ishmael.

The weather in this part of California has started to heat up and although I love summer, just not sure I’m ready for it in April. Thankfully a few storms have passed our way leaving a little moisture in the ground. Since spring is always a splendid time to start projects and clean, I thought no better time than the present as I’m planning to put my house on the market then make some needed repairs before trying to sell it. I had a bit of wood rot on the south side of the house and I have a very good contractor and he said no problem they would get started the week I would be away on business in Texas. As I have learned there really never is a little bit of wood rot and as it turned out the whole south side of the house needed to be replaced. The next day the text messages started coming in early, they found as they were tearing the wall out that the shower floor in the master bath also had a small amount of wood rot, back to what I’ve recently learned there never ever is a small amount. Long story short, the entire shower and bathroom floor needed to be demolished and replaced. My contractor who has been doing work for us going on close to twenty years now, I never doubted I knew I could trust him when he said it was there. Although it made for some very cringe worthy text reading moments as we made our way around Texas, I arrived home to a small construction zone, but it might have been worse if I had tried to sell the house and the problem was discovered at that juncture. Just a bump in the road as they say, but there were no bumps in the road we traveled this May and June as we jump off into the beautiful state of Utah. Our first stop finds us at the doors of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association that got its start back in 1870. Then it’s on to Gunnison, Utah for a sit down with the Lund Family whose ranch was homesteaded in 1897. The Lund family runs 350 head of registered Angus and 250 head of commercials; this is a great read! Then as you know we always try to find a restaurant in the state that has earned icon status, and lately it would seem that I’m following the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Several of our selections have been visited by this popular TV show; although we are unaware of that when making our choices. This famous Utah restaurant not only has the honor of being on the show, it’s rave reviews never stop coming in and the colorful story about the founder make for a fun article. We all know that rodeo is one of the cattlemen’s favorite sports and we found another one in Utah that is growing in popularity across the nation. Stop in at the article titled “Ready, Set, Sort!” to learn about the Utah Ranch Sorting Association and discover the skills and the fun this organization is made of. Hooter will most definitely supply a chuckle with the Rio Rojo Cattlemen’s Assoc. convention contest. It’s an amusing laugh at our political candidates. July/August brings our Big Bull Book with it and the beginning of our 19th year of publishing the Western Cowman. We’ve had very good reviews on the revamp we gave the magazine from so many of our readers and advertisers. We will continue to bring the quality not only in the design of the magazine but also in the depth and scope of the articles we bring to print, so be sure to start looking for that issue in July. We’re also making big plans for our 20th Anniversary in 2017, be sure and watch each month as we reveal the celebration. I will be brushing the construction dust off my trail for a while and consider this a learning experience for the new home that I’m building from the ground up. I’m already discovering how one navigates city hall for all kinds of permits. The trail never gets old if you challenge yourself each day to leave the trail behind and discover there are always new trails to forge. Happy Trails and a special shout out to all the Moms and Dads as we celebrate your very special days in the months ahead.

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By H

eath er S mith -Tho

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he Utah Cattlemen’s As- sociation is one of the oldest state cattlemen’s organizations in the West, first formed in 1870. “It was originally a group of livestock producers who came together to form this organization, and not just cattlemen,” says Brent Tanner, Executive Vice President. The original group included cattle, horse and sheep growers, and was called the Utah Livestock Growers Association, with headquarters in Salt Lake City. “Their goal at that time was protecting the interests of all livestock producers. Then

in 1890 the association underwent some changes and the sheep raisers created their own group. Our association became the Utah Horse and Cattle Growers. Then sometime in the 1950’s the current name (Utah Cattlemen’s Association) was adopted, and formalized in 1956. At that time it became the current state-recognized business,” says Tanner. “In the 1950’s, when the UCA established their original points of purpose—after the horse people sorted out and it became just a cattlemen’s group—they listed 8 points of interest. The first one was to promote and protect the business of raising cattle. Second was to improve the quality of cattle and beef produced in the state. Third was to uphold the rights of all persons involved in the cattle business—defending the rights of our members. Fourth was to encourage positive legislation designed to reinforce and improve the cattle business and fifth was to oppose negative legislation that would injure cattle producers.” “Sixth was to support and establish the adoption of good principles of raising and marketing cattle. Seventh was to encourage state and local exhibits and contests that benefit the cattle business, 8

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and eighth was to assist in asserting or defending the rights of our members that affect cattle growing operations—if such assistance benefits all of our members. Sometimes this is a challenge because occasionally an individual will come to us and say that we need to defend him on something that might not be in the best interests of the whole industry. We always defend the rights of UCA members in issues that affect cattle growing operations and benefit the industry, but we have to walk a middle line in some things because do not want to be in a position to pit one member against another, taking sides,” he explains. “We try to operate around those eight principles and purposes. Obviously there are many things that fit into these categories. We do a lot of educational programs, and send out information through websites and e-mails, Facebook, etc. Our ability to reach people has evolved and expanded over the years,” says Tanner.

“In the early years of the association the group did not have formal headquarters; when they established an office it was in the old Hotel Newhouse in downtown Salt Lake City, in the center of town—a couple blocks down the street from the Salt Lake Temple—where the Frank Moss Courthouse now stands. About 40 years ago, because of some changes in that area, that building was no longer an office complex to be rented out. That’s when the UCA office moved to our current location which is just a few blocks away from the center of

Utah Cattlemen Officers

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UCA members serving at the State Fair.

UCA's hosted tour of riparian area restortation.

town—6 blocks east of where it all started,” he says. “We’ve maintained an office here, in the heart of Salt Lake, very convenient and close to many of the activities we are involved in and the entities we work with, such as the State Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, etc. We are just minutes away from the Capital building,” says Tanner. The UCA has a very small staff, consisting of Tanner and one other person, running the office and keeping things going, but the officers themselves are very involved. “Our executive committee is made up of the President, first Vice President, three second Vice Presidents and our immediate past President. It’s a 6-member committee that governs our activity. Our extended board includes committee chairs, the area directors and county presidents, and this involves many more individuals who have input,” he explains. The current board members on the executive committee include President Joe Fuhriman 10

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who ranches near Logan, Utah; first Vice-President Mark Wintch who ranches in the Wah Wah Valley near Milford; and past President Don Anderson who lives in Callao which is in the western desert area of Utah. The three VicePresidents are Laurie Munns (she and her husband ranch at Hansel Valley in the Snowville area), Colby Pace at Coalville, Utah, and Charles Redd at La Sal, Utah. “We try to spread our leadership around the state so that we have good representation from each region,” says Tanner. The executive committee meets several times a year, either personally or by conference calls. “They try to meet monthly, but this can vary because ranchers are often really busy certain times a year. When it’s calving season no one wants to get together for a meeting! We have an annual convention in Salt Lake City the first week in December, and a mid-year conference that moves around the state,” he says. The mid-year summer conference is well attended and gathers a lot of interest because it is

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an opportunity to tour ranches in the area. “Our producers love it because they get to call it a meeting but also go out and see new things. They get to visit old friends and meet new ones, and see how somebody else is doing things on various ranches,” he says. Many ranchers in the state are members of the UCA, but some are not. “It’s like every state group; we wish we had every producer as a member, but some choose not to join. We do have a good, strong association, however, with very loyal and dedicated members. The ranchers who are members of UCA are very proactive and committed. Whenever I call some of them to say we have a meeting or an issue to deal with, or I need some volunteers to be somewhere, they hop in their car and come help,” says Tanner. In today’s world, cattle ranchers are faced with a lot of issues, whether it’s water, public land use, or trying to defend our way of life and still have enough time and energy to do the ranch work that needs to be done. “This is how I always ‘sell’ the importance of our group. The UCA as an organization is trying to do the important things that cattlemen as individuals may not have time to do every day. While they might be able to come to a regulatory meeting and participate, they can’t do this every day. They need someone or a group of people | CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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Utah Cattlemen's Classic Show & Bull Sale

who are willing to make those commitments to stand up and represent the cattle ranchers’ voice day in and day out,” he says. Ranchers need a voice because cattle producers are such a tiny fraction of the general population today. The UCA monitors issues that affect the beef industry and is diligent in meeting the challenges of the cattle business, whether addressing the ever-encroaching reach of the Endangered Species Act or fighting for private property rights. Membership in the UCA is an investment in the future of the cattle industry. “Our group likes to participate in a lot of educational activities. We have an annual Beef Cattle Field Day that is very popular in this state. We bring in educational speakers and try to help our producers stay informed and up to date. We also work with allied industries to make those connections. For instance we’ll have a trade show along with several of our events so that the various industries can show up and exhibit their new technologies and showcase their wares and latest innovations to our producers. We are always trying to help keep CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 |

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our producers current on what’s available,” he says. “We also work with Utah State University’s Extension Service. They have a good system and we have a good working relationship with them. We utilize their educational resources to target the needs of our producers,” he says.

“We also have a Cattlemen’s Classic Bull Sale for the Association. This is a consignment sale for our members and it’s an elite sale for top quality bulls of herd sire caliber. We make this a special event in the heart of the West here.” The UCA publishes a monthly magazine called the Utah Cattlemen that goes out to all the members, published 11 months of the year. “We combine the December-January issue, and we also publish a special seedstock edition annually, which goes out the first of February, just before bull sale season. All the ranchers who are looking to buy new bulls for the spring breeding season have access to the ads from our producers,” he says. The catalog for this year is 88 pages. The UCA strives to serve its members in many ways, and prides itself on being a very active and dedicated group.

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user photosensitization within a few hours after excessive exposure to quinolones. If excessive accidental exposure occurs, avoid direct sunlight. For customer service, to obtain a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or to report adverse reactions, call Norbrook at 1-866-591-5777. PRECAUTIONS: The effects of enrofloxacin on cattle or swine reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been adequately determined. The long-term effects on articular joint cartilage have not been determined in pigs above market weight. Subcutaneous injection can cause a transient local tissue reaction that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. Enroflox 100 contains different excipients than other enrofloxacin products. The safety and efficacy of this formulation in species other than cattle and swine have not been determined. Quinolone-class drugs should be used with caution in animals with known or suspected Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders. In such animals, quinolones have, in rare instances, been associated with CNS stimulation which may lead to convulsive seizures. Quinolone-class drugs have been shown to produce erosions of cartilage of weight-bearing joints and other signs of arthropathy in immature animals of various species. See Animal Safety section for additional information. ADVERSE REACTIONS: No adverse reactions were observed during clinical trials. ANIMAL SAFETY: In cattle safety studies, clinical signs of depression, incoordination and muscle fasciculation were observed in calves when doses of 15 or 25 mg/kg were administered for 10 to 15 days. Clinical signs of depression, inappetance and incoordination were observed when a dose of 50 mg/kg was administered for 3 days. An injection site study conducted in feeder calves demonstrated that the formulation may induce a transient reaction in the subcutaneous tissue and underlying muscle. In swine safety studies, incidental lameness of short duration was observed in all groups, including the saline-treated controls. Musculoskeletal stiffness was observed following the 15 and 25 mg/kg treatments with clinical signs appearing during the second week of treatment. Clinical signs of lameness improved after treatment ceased and most animals were clinically normal at necropsy. An injection site study conducted in pigs demonstrated that the formulation may induce a transient reaction in the subcutaneous tissue. Norbrook Laboratories Limited, Newry, BT35 6PU, Co. Down, Northern Ireland I01 March 2015 The Norbrook logos and Enroflox® are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.

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By KayDee Gilkey

W e s t e r n C o wm a n

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GUNNISON, UTAH

n a scenic valley, surrounded by high mountains near Gunnison, Utah, Lund Ranch is located. In this mountainous rugged environment, cows have to be able to climb to the high elevations of the summer pastures. The bulls produced by the Lund’s breeding program are high performing bulls that do their job and produce the kind of calves that makes profits for ranchers — whether in the cow herd or in the feedlot. Scott, 55, and Suzette, 54, Lund have been raising cattle on their ranch since the early 1990’s. The ranch was homesteaded by Scott’s great-grandfather in 1897. When their herd began, they had both black and red Angus cattle. Last fall they sold all of their registered Red Angus cows and are now concentrating on Black Angus. In addition to running approximately 350 head of registered Black Angus, the Lunds also run about 250 head of commercial cattle. Lunds’ goal is to increase the registered herd to 400 to 500 females. The Bull Business The first Friday in March for the past 23 years has been the date for the Lund Ranch Production Sale where they usually sell about 110 bulls. “We have many repeat buyers from West’s mountain region. Most of our new customers find us through word of mouth from one of our satisfied bull buyers. We pick our top bulls to go through the sale and then sell approximately another 50 bulls through private treaty throughout the year,” Lund explained. Brisket disease is a concern for many of their customers and so Lunds PAP test every bull. Although the product they sell is bulls, Lund

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says their breeding program focuses on maternal traits. “In order to have high quality bulls, we must have quality females as a good bull must be out of a good mother with strong material traits,” Lund explained. They begin calving usually January 10th so that their bulls are more mature by the next year’s production sale date. Lunds AI using their own young bulls on their registered herd so that there is some progeny and data on their bulls for their customers. For more than two decades, Lunds have purchased herd bulls from Sitz Angus in Dillon, Montana. “Sitz Angus provides us with quality bulls that really fit our breeding program,” said Lund. “In the past we have used embryo transfer to increase the numbers of some of our top cow lines. We will be ramping up to do more of that in the future to increase our herd numbers with our higher quality family lines,” Lund said. “We use EPDs and find the data valuable however, in addition to strong EPDs a bull must look phenotypically correct as well. He has to have sound feet and legs and be able to travel and have a traditional Angus head on him,” Lund said. Usually by the second week in May, the cows and calves are turned out into high mountain summer pastures in Wyoming. The elevation is above 8,000 feet. The cattle remain there until the snow brings them down usually in the middle of November. Family is Key Component Family is an intricate part of the Lund Ranch. “We have three grown children: McKenzy, 28; Colton, 25, and Sage, 24. The older two help on a part-time basis and Sage is involved daily in the ranch,” said Lund. “Our priorities are family first and then second is producing top quality bulls. I enjoy the cattle business so much. I love being able to work side by side day in and day out with my wife and children,” Lund 16

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said. Scott and his brother Kim split up the responsibilities of the ranch and the family’s trucking company, Triple L Transport Company. Kim and wife Julie have four children. “Whenever help is needed in one of our enterprises, the other family members are ready and willing to help. I love ranching and my brother enjoys the trucking business, so it works well for us,” explained Lund. In addition to the cattle and trucking business, the Lunds also raise corn, oats and alfalfa hay. Which keeps the family busy throughout the year. They use the grain and hay to feed their own cattle through the winter months. Although Lund’s four grandchildren are currently too young to help (ranging in age from 8 months to 5 years old), he is really looking forward to the day that they begin in the family ranching tradition of raising consistent and high quality bulls for their customers.

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May 21 • Bar R Cattle Company Production Sale • Pullman, Washington June 11 • Passion for Prime Sale • Springfield, Missouri September 6 • Bullfest • Oakdale, California September 14-16 • Grandeur Frozen Genetics Sale • Coeur d’Alene, Idaho October 8 • California Breeders’ Bull Sale • Turlock, California October 8 • Fall Festival Hereford Sale • Madras, Oregon November 5 • California Female Expo • Turlock, California January 18, 2017 • Mile High Wagyu Experience Sale • Denver, Colorado 916•685•8980 - www.jdaonline.com

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une

The

CONTEST RULES 1. Contestants must be from the following states only: California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. 2. Contestants must be paid subscribers to the Western Cowman magazine. 3. Photos are to be 8 x 10-inches, color or black and white prints, mounted on 11 14-inch black poster board. Photos not securley mounted will be disqualified. Make certain your name, address and phone number is attached to the back. 4. Photos must depict our western ranching lifestyle. Photos can’t be altered or image-enhanced in any way. 5. Categories will be divided up after all entries are recieved. 6. The Junior category is for shutterbugs 15 years of age or younger. 7. A maximum of 25 photos per contestant can be entered. Entries cannot have appeared in another contest. 8. Photos become the property of Westerm Cowman for use in the publication and future promotions. 9. Winning entries will be published in the November 2016 issue of the Western Cowman magazine. 10. Entry deadline is September 7th, 2016 11. Cash awards will be given to first place award winners. Photo chosen as the “Editor’s Choice” will appear on the November 2016 Western Cowman cover. * Special Category: “The Cowgirls” * Entry Deadline: September 7th, 2016

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HOFFMAN A.I. BREEDERS Logan, Utah Hoffman A.I. Breeders have been a part of the Utah cattle industry since they were founded in 1976 by Keith Hoffman and are located in Logan, Utah. It was in 1994 that Lance Moore and Douglas Coombs purchased the business from Keith Hoffman and are still at the helm today. Hoffman AI Breeders offer convenient custom collection at the stud or they will also come to your ranch. They are a Certified Semen Service and have an approved lab

providing semen for the domestic market as well as the foreign ones. The collection facility in Logan can house upward of 70 bulls and they offer their semen services throughout the intermountain west as well as Oregon, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico. They also offer semen storage and shipping, and have available liquid nitrogen, tanks and all the A.I. supplies you might need. Another plus is the Marketing assistance for your semen through

the Hoffman AI Breeders Sire Directory. Hoffman A. I. is your full service facility and partner when you need collection, shipping and marketing. The office is a busy place; they currently have five fulltime employees and up to 6 to 7 more part-time employees during the peak season. Be sure you have their number in your contacts.

ANGUS

• Bred Ready • Born Proven • • Balanced Genetically •

Ron and Barbara Jones 685 King Ave. Ontario, OR 97914 541/889-4563

Home of Quality Calving-Ease and Growth Bulls David & Jeanene Dal Porto 694 Bartlett Ct. • Brentwood, CA 94513

925/634-0933

2001 CBCIA Seedstock Producer of the Year

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Robert & Kathleen Buchanan P.O. Box 12822 Everett, WA 98206 425-350-1455 rollin_carlson@msn.com

Cattle with eye appeal, backed by Profitable Numbers Look for Us!

Rancher’s Choice Bull Sale - Feb 25, 2017 in Eltopia, WA Females for sale at the Ranch and select sales annually

Mike & Chelsea Hajny hajny.land.livestock@gmail.com Ellensburg, WA. (509) 899-3143 www.hajnylandandlivestock.com

13490 Algoma Road Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (541) 883-8471 Email: buchananangus@hughes.net Website: www.buchananangus.com

ANGUS

November 25th, 2016 “Building better cowherds one bull at a time.”

Ken & Sandy Coleman

7337 Northwest Ryegrass Rd.

JR Ranch

Prineville, OR 97739 541/749-8986

There is a Difference!

JEFF & PAM SCHMIDT - OTHELLO, WASHINGTON 509.488.2158 509.750.8671 JRRANCH@CBNN.NET

The Home of Generations of National Champions st

Production Sale

1 Saturday in November

Salmon, ID 83467 Clyde Nelson 208/756-2454

Steve Herbst 208/756-4748

the

BEEF UP THE RANGE WITH

PROFITABLE WEIGH

is the SILLER WAY…

Use Siller Profitable Weigh ANGUS BULLS

WENDELL STARKE, CURTIS GAY & FAMILY

www.pristinespringsangus.com

619 East 400 South • Jerome, Idaho 83338 (208) 308-8220

pristinespringsangus@yahoo.com

Brian & Joan, Managers Bulls, Project Calves and Females Available

“Angus Cattle With Practical Balanced Genetics”

4574 Bennett Road  Kuna, ID 83634 (208) 465-4516

Kay Siller 1453 Bogue Road Yuba City, CA 95993 530/674-7136 • 530/755-7357 kzangus@neteze.com

ANGUS BULLS November 19, 2016 Producers Livestock Auction Jerome, Idaho

Tehama Angus Ranch “Generations of Performance” 23820 Tehama Ave. • Gerber, CA 96035 Ranch: 530-385-1570 • Kevin: 530-624-6564 Mike: 530-736-3428 • Bryce: 530-526-9404 • Bill: 530-384-2788 tehamaranch@gmail.com • www.tehamaangus.com

TLC Angus

Willis & Cindy Kinder • Laura Hooper • Roderick Atwood 2225 S. 1200 E., Bliss, ID 83314 • 208.358.2322 Email: tlcangus@hotmail.com

Sugar Top

Doug, Jackie & Jake Kohntopp 1078 Hwy 25, Jerome, ID 83338 • 208.324.5342 Email: j.kohntopp@yahoo.com

Jim Coleman, Owner Doug Worthington, Manager 2702 Scenic Bend • Modesto, CA 95355 209/521-0537 • www.vintageangusranch.com

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BR ANGUS

CHAROL AIS

ROMANS BRANGUS PRODUCTION SALE MARCH 14TH, 2017

Bulls with Beef.

Bulls available at the ranch Carolyn Belden 1483 Lone Tree Rd. Oroville, CA 95695 530-534-0585

Registered Brangus Bulls and Females Greg Romans Cell: (541) 212-1790 Vale, OR • 541/473-3822

150 Bulls • Westfall, Oregon Ask us about our Bull Buyer Incentive Program with Agri Beef

Bill & Cindy Romans 541-358-2921 Jeff & Julie Romans 541-358-2905

www.romanscharolais.com

MULTI BREEDERS

HEREFORD

Annual Bull Sale

February 11th, 2017 Composite Bulls Make Optimizing Heterosis Easy

Mike, Margo & Crystal Alley Steve & Katey Farley

87925 SW Green Dr., Culver, OR 97734 mike@barckcattle.com • www.barckcattle.com

541-948-3521 FEEDLOT

GELBVIEH

Angus • Sim-Angus • Gelbvieh-Angus Composite Cattle Available TOM PRICE 541-969-8970 43215 Old Wingville Road, Baker City, OR 97814 Email: interwest@wtechlink.us WAGY U

Customized Feeding Experience Management Modern Facilities • Great Location Satisfied Customers

Snyder Livestock Company, Inc. Lucy Rechel • Eddie Snyder P.O. Box 550 • Yerington, NV 89447 Office (775) 463-2677 Home (775) 463-4924 Fax (775) 463-4319 Web Site: www.slcnv.com

Registered & Commercial

Cattle in Volume

lease program Performance Tested •Bull •Semen and Embryos from birth to plate

•Cow rental

50 Years of working with the

Registered & Commercial Industry

Feeder Contracts available

Dr. Neal Dow•PH/FAX (541) 477-3332 28000 SE Paulina Hwy•Prineville, OR 97754 Contact: R.L. Freeborn•PH (541) 480-2471 RLFreeborn@aol.com

SALE MANAGEMENT

RED ANGUS

Double Eagle Ranch

Livestock Sale Management

The finest in Red Angus genetics.

Producing Quality, Dependable Red Angus Bulls & Heifers MARK PEACEMAKER

1704 Gregory Mountain Road, Montague, CA 96064

530-340-0223 • pbarranch@sbcglobal.net 22

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Over 42 Years Experience! Make your next event a JDA sanctioned event. Brown Alliance X7795 Reg# 1384813 Doug, Betty, Dave Dunn

9695 Lowerbridge Way Terrebonne, OR

541-923-1705 doubleeagle@uci.net

Contact JDA at............. (916) 685-8980

www.jdaonline.com

AUC TION YARD

Competitive Livestock Marketing Weekly Auction Schedule Monday – Beef Wednesday - Dairy Friday - Small Animals

Miguel A. Machado President 25525 E. Lone Tree Road • Escalon, CA 95320 Office: (209) 838-7011 • Fax (209) 838-1535 Cellular (209) 595-2014

Representatives

JAKE PARNELL........................... (916) 662-1298 GEORGE GOOKIN....................... (209) 482-1648 MARK FISHER............................. (209) 768-6522 REX WHITTLE.............................. (209) 996-6994 JOE GATES.................................. (707) 694-3063 ABLE JIMENEZ............................ (209) 401-2515 JASON DAILEY............................ (916) 439-7761

Come One, Come All MONTE BRUCK, Manager

12495 STOCKTON BLVD., GALT, CA 95632 (209) 745-1515 Office • (209) 745-1582 Fax Web: www.clmgalt.com

HEREFORD Top Quality Hereford Bulls for Sale at Leading Sales and Private Treaty

Weekly Sale tuesday

775/867-2020 INSUR ANCE

Livestock Mortality Insurance

James F Bessler Inc

Put your trust in this Emblem.

LIVESTOCK MORTALIT Y INSURANCE

Your American Livestock Insurance Company

Carl, Susan & Tracy (530) 846-4354

Steven, Amanda & Joseph (530) 864-2855

P.O. Box 391 • Gridley, CA 95948 e-mail: ricencows@schohr.com www.schohrherefords.com

321 Brownstone Dr. St. Charles, IL 60174-2843

SHERRY DANEKAS P.O. Box 410, Wilton, CA 95693 (916) 685-8980

630/945.3483 Office 815/762.2641 Cell 630/945.3584 Fax jim@jamesfbessler.com www.jamesfbessler.com

SUPPLY

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SORTING FLAGS

SORTING POLES

(flexible style) 52-inch & 60-inch: $10.25 & $10.75 With print add $1.00 each

$5.20 each per 100 for the 4 1/2 ft. golf grip pole with 8-inch decal. 9 colors to choose from.

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SORTING PADDLES With print from $8.50 - $10.00.

Available NOW at

www.westerncowman.com or call (916) 685-8980

SEMEN STOR AGE

Universal Semen Sales, Inc.

Convenient custom collection in the stud or at the ranch. Certified Semen Service Approved lab providing semen eligible for domestic or foreign markets. Secure and sheltered sire housing and collection facilities.

Logan • Semen, Storage and shipping • Liquid Nitrogen, tanks and A.I. supplies available • Semen marketing assistance through Hoffman A.I. Breeders sire directory

Doug Coombs 435/245-4325

1950 S. Hwy. 89-91 Logan, UT 84321

435/753-7883 (phone) • 435/753-2951(fax) hoffmanaibreeders@gmail.com

• • • • • •

C o m pl e t e B re e d L i st i ngs & Pri c e s Onl i ne EPD C o m pa ri so ns by B re e d C I DR ’s & S uppl i e s S y nc hro ni z e d B re e di ng S e r v i c e s S e m e n Ta nk s & S t o ra ge A . I . C e rt i f i c a t e s

TO ORDER A SIRE DIRECTORY, CALL: 1-800-227-8774 • 406-453-0374 OR view our Complete Catalog Online!

www.universalsemensales.com May/June 2016 -

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CONTACT INFO:

1/8 mile south of HWY 152 on HWY 33. 16575 S. HWY 33 Dos Palos Y, CA 93620 Office .............................. (209) 387 4113 Joel E. Cozzi .................. (209) 769 4660 Joel A. (Joey) Cozzi ..... (209) 769 4662

FIELD REPRESENTATIVES:

Mike Vieira ..................... (209) 761 6267 Bill Enos ......................... (209) 761 1322

AUCTIONEER/REPRESENTATIVE: Doug Gallaway ............. (209) 617 5435 Garrett Jones ................. (209) 710 7904

Established in 1950

Reputation quality feeder cattle from local producers.

CHECK BACK WITH US FOR MORE SALE DATES!

WEEKLY SALE SCHEDULE

Many repeat consignments of calves & yearlings.

MONDAYS: DAIRY • FEEDERS • SLAUGHTER BULLS & COWS THURSDAYS: FEEDERS • SLAUGHTER BULLS & COWS

www.dpyauction.com expecting large runs of stockers and feeders at these upcoming specials ...

Mondays e 1 p.m.

Escalon livEstock MarkEt 25525 Lone Tree Rd. Post Office Box 26 Escalon, CA 95320

Miguel A. MAchAdo, President Office 209 838-7011 • Cell 209 595-2014 Joe Vieira ......................... 209-531-4156 Thomas Bert .................... 209-605-3866 CJ Brantley ...................... 209-596-0139 Tony Luis .......................... 209-609-6455

find OuT mORE OnLinE OR On fACEBOOk W e s t e r n C o wm a n

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ention Ruth’s Diner, a well-loved restaurant on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, and accolades from diners are sure to follow. Recent reviews on Yelp rave about everything from the crab omelet and breakfast migas to the chicken fried steak, but the one item raved about more than anything else are the “mile high biscuits.” One review described them this way: The biscuits are clouds of perfection and you top them with the sausage gravy and you think you have died and gone to biscuit heaven (I’m from the South and I know my biscuits!). Throughout the diner, patrons will also see historic photos of the restaurants namesake – Ruth Evans, which allows them to learn more about this trailblazing, feisty woman. It’s said that from 1912 to 1916, she performed in some of the bars around Salt Lake City as a cabaret singer. In 1930 she started Ruth’s Hamburgers downtown in what was known as the Meredith Building. History has it that the location was directly across the street from a small house of ill repute. Ruth fed the girls and listened to their stories. After several years, the Meredith Building was sold and demolished, so Ruth bought a Salt Lake Trolley car and moved it up Emigration Canyon where she reopened in 1949. Ruth built an apartment onto the back of her trolley car and lived on the property alone with her little Chihuahua dogs for almost forty years. Today, the restaurant is still located there, with a sprawling and scenic patio area. Ruth’s former

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WC QUALITY

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By Kindra Gordon

RAVE REVIEWS FOR

This Salt Lake City favorite is the

oldest restaurant in Utah.

apartment is now the lower dining area and kitchen. 2016 marks the restaurant’s eighty-sixth anniversary, making it the second oldest restaurant in Utah. Ruth passed away in November 1989 at the age of 94. But Ruth lives on in the photos on the walls, the stories that go with them – and in the famed food, including those famous biscuits. Ruth sold the diner in 1977 to Curtis Oberhansly, who owned the Diner for 25 years through 2001. He sold it to Tracy and Erik Nelson who have been associated with the Diner for many years, and carry on Ruth’s legacy. Ruth’s Diner serves breakfast – which is most popular – as well as lunch and dinner. Menu offerings are as colorful as Ruth was – the variety includes burgers, sandwiches, pasta and steaks to meatloaf and mac and cheese. A New York steak and Ribeye steak are both regular menu features with occasional beef specials. All beef that is served is Certified Angus Beef purchased from local supplier Wasatch Meats. Ruth’s favorite menu items are denoted with a pink flamingo beside them in honor of her memory. On Thursday’s throughout the summer BBQ night is the featured attraction with ribs, chicken, salmon, sausages and pulled pork

and all the fixings offered on the patio with live music by the Stoddard Brothers. Live music is also offered on summer evenings and weekend days, with the music schedule available at ruthsdiner.com. Annually, Ruth’s Diner is nominated for a variety of local foodie awards, and attracts diners from near and far as it is featured in different travel guide eatery suggestions. Ruth’s Diner also had the honor of being featured on an episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” to showcase one of Ruth’s old favorites, Grandma Claire’s Baked Mac and Cheese. In addition to the fantastic food, owner Eric Nelson also notes that Ruth’s has “one of the most picturesque patios in the state” with views of the surrounding canyon walls and Emigration Creek running through the property. Learn more and view the full menus at www. Ruthsdiner.com.

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Utah Ranch Sorting Association offers fun opportunities for all ages and skill levels. By Kindra Gordon

“It’s just fun,” says Mark Moffitt, when asked why he participates in ranch sorting competition events. “People participate to have a good time, and it’s a great family atmosphere,” he adds. Moffitt, a horse trainer who owns MJM Performance Horses, LLC, and lives near Spanish Fork, Utah, with his family, is currently president of the 28

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Utah Ranch Sorting Association (URSA). The group, which formed several years ago, has over 100 members and hosts nine different events during the year, with cash payouts at each event, points accumulated and saddles awarded as prizes at the end of each season. Events are typically held at Vernal, UT; Tremonton, UT; Heber, UT; Mount Pleasant, UT and the Utah State Fair.

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Moffitt explains that sorting associations like theirs have gotten popular all over the Western states. Many of the associations initially had team penning affiliations, but he says as cows got pricey, many groups turned to sorting instead. Ranch sorting evolved from the common ranch work of separating cattle into pens for branding, doctoring or transport. The

URSA website describes their events this way… “the smell of leather, hay, and livestock; the sounds of cattle mooing and horses whinnying; and the rush of riding at breakneck speed down the arena while sweeping three head of cattle into the pen in record time.....this is truly what fun is.” Moffitt couldn’t agree more. He explains that there are divisions for all ages and skill levels of riders. The youth division caps at age 12. Adult newbies, or #1’s for those who know the lingo, is the division for riders who are just beginning and have no experience working cows. Professionals are rated a level 6. Moffitt himself is currently a level 4. His wife Jessica, who also serves as secretary for URSA, is a level 2. An open class division allows all levels to compete against one another. Two riders combine to form a team. For example a level 4 rider with a level 2, would compete at a class 6 or higher, with handicaps given (similar to golf) when competing at higher class levels. How It Works The name of the game is for the pair of riders to sort off as many cattle as they can from a group of 10 numbered in 60 seconds. A run starts with team members on opposite side of a start line from the cattle. The judge raises a flag when the pen is ready, and signals the beginning of the run by dropping the flag when the nose of the first horse crosses the start/foul line and the first number to be sorted is announced. (The announcer draws a number, which determines the first cow to be sorted.) The cattle are then sorted increasing in sequence from that number (i.e. 3-4-5). Moffitt says much of the fun comes from the rule that the cattle must be sorted in number sequence. If any part of a cow crosses the start/foul line out of sequence before the correct cow May/June 2016 -

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shows offered for the season. RSNC hosts events on the Friday prior to URSA events held on Saturdays, which allows teams to get double events in if they so choose. RSNC points are accumulated during the season as a qualifier for teams to compete at the National Finals, which are held in Fort Worth

Growing Interest Moffitt says their largest group of participants are the level 1 beginners, so he anticipates future growth for their organization in Utah, as well as sorting associations nationwide. He says an average show will have more than 200 teams participating. He tells of a recent competition held in Las Vegas that hosted almost 1,500 teams participating in events. On the national level, the RSNC (Ranch Sorting National Championships) was established in 2007, which Moffitt says shows just how new of a phenomena this sport is. National RSNC membership stands at about 23,000 members with over 500 30

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PINKEYE NEVER RESTS… NEITHER SHOULD YOUR TREATMENT

a disqualification will occur. A disqualification will also occur if any part of a sorted cow re-crosses the start/foul line. Any cow not entirely across the start/foul line will not be counted. The competition is designed to showcase two separate horse and rider abilities. The Gate Horse holds herd and turns back wrong numbered cattle while the Sort Horse is continuously in the herd to separate and cut out the correct numbered cattle in sequential order. Moffitt says with horses, riders and cows in the equation anything can happen. “In open class events, I’ve seen a level 5 team win against a pro-level 12 team.” That appears to be much of the appeal of the sport – any skill-level rider can compete, with most entry fees around $2530 per rider, and have an opportunity to win, which makes it an ideal event for families.

each June, with over 6,700 teams competing. Fun to watch and fun to ride, look for a sorting association in your state. For more information about the sport check out: http://www.rsnc.us/, and for more about the Utah group visit www.utahranchsorting.com or follow them on Facebook.

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By Wes Ishmael

Polling for Dollars “It ain’t the candidates you have to worry about, boys, it’s the folks voting for them,” Peetie Womack said, while members of the Rio Rojo Cattlemen’s Association (RRCA) were chatting ahead of the previous month’s popular basketball pool and calcutta. It was the organization’s main fundraiser each year. Delmar Jacobs won it again, though he knows nothing about basketball and makes his bracket selections by flipping a coin—which seems a Herculean task in his unsteady hands. During the political discourse, and given the popularity of the calcutta, Cousin Charlie reckoned the RRCA might consider a fall event: “We could do it based on the presidential election, not the electoral votes but the popular vote by party.” Greed being what it is, the boys got to thinking maybe they could go to the well yet a third time, starting with a pre-delegate convention contest. “There’s even a scientific basis for it,” said Izzy Franklin between bites of a Twinkie. “Do tell, Lightning Rod.” Lonnie Johnson was gnawing on his Mail Pouch and glaring. “Some call it collective wisdom,” Izzy said. “I believe it was Aristotle who first called it the wisdom of the crowd.” Izzy was like that. Nothing in forever, and then pure gold out of the blue. “I know what you’re talking about,” Charlie said. “It’s how a crowd comes up with an answer closer to right than the individuals in the crowd.”

Izzy was concentrating hard; he’d even set aside his processed pastry. “Yup. At least with hard, close-call or iffy decisions.” “Like taking the average of all the weights guessed on the champion heifer,” Charlie said. “Exactly,” Izzy said. “But, you can find more recent research that says individuals are more accurate than the crowd at deciding between options when one has lots more advantage.” “So?” growled Lonnie. “So, it will be plumb interesting and maybe even informative to see who votes for who and in what order.” Waddling Toward Victory Turtles. That seemed the most objective experiment. The boy’s constructed a simple frame—five feet wide by seven feet long—using 1” X 4” boards. “Don’t we need lanes for them?” Izzy asked. Lonnie picked his hammer off the ground and spat a stream of tobacco juice, drowning a dandelion in the dirt alley next to the old Thayer place, where the race was held. “You seen any lanes in real life?” The candidates were six recently caught box turtles of similar size. The shells of two were marked with blue chalk for the Democrats, three red for the Republicans. The first letter of each candidates name was chalked in white: T for Ted Cruz; D for Donald Trump; J for John Kasich; H for Hillary Clinton; B for Bernie Sanders. The sixth was au natural; what you saw was what you got.

The boys used nails and lengths of twine to mark the start and finish. Behind the starting line, each contestant was allocated 10 pellets of feed and a small bowl of water. In front of the finish line were lots of feed, water, shade and a special victory wreath of mesquite leaves. “Think of it as campaign funds or tax dollars,” Peetie told the crowd. When he dropped his red handkerchief, the boys placed each candidate inside the track, behind the starting line. The race was on. On closer inspection, being able to see them all together in a more confined space, “D” was a touch bigger than the competitors, but acted a whole lot bigger. When any of the others got close to him, he’d spit shake his head and back them into one of the other contestants. “You can’t do that,” yelled everyone in the crowd who were betting on another candidate. “If they can’t stick up for themselves, what good are they,” hollered back everyone else. “H” made a fast start but then stopped. She raised her head as far and high as possible to look left and right. She’d make a quarter-circle clockwise, stretch and look again. It could have been the turtles in dark glasses watching her every move.

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Then, she’d inch ahead and dig in the dirt with her snout, apparently trying to hide something or dig it up. “Get the lead out,” somebody hollered. “She is,” came a shouted reply, followed by laughter. “J” seemed the happiest of the lot. Going forward appeared to be of secondary importance. He waddled to the aid of any of the other candidates that seemed to be in trouble, offering encouragement, nudging them onward. “That’s why I picked him,” said Aunt Pinkie, sticking an elbow into the side of Nelda Isselfrick. “At least he’s nice.” Nelda elbowed back. “What would you know about nice?” “B” paid little attention to direction or the race itself. He was busy taking the pellets of feed from all of the other turtles. He set each one over the side of the track for others presumably in need. At least he did until there were no more pellets left to take. Then he stopped where he was, sucked his head into his shell and never moved again for the remainder of the race. “Well, at least you’re all on equal footing now,” came a shout. “Yep, ain’t nobody got anything.” Let the records show no one had selected him. “T” appeared to be the headiest of the competitors. He watched contentedly as “D” pushed the others around. He’d nod his head at “H” looking over her shoulder and digging. He’d smile a turtle grin as “J” looked for someone to encourage and “B” pilfered. Then, when he spied an opening, he’d simply stick his head into the space and refuse to give an inch. “That’s what I call strategy,” said one. 32

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“That’s what I call gutless,” said another. Dreams of a Dark Horse Then there was the outsider, the one with no markings. This one had an air of confidence wrought by wisdom and experience. It certainly had enough extra wrinkles to be older than the rest. When “D” bullied another, this outsider would roar over and somehow raise its front legs up enough to whack him upside the head. She did the same thing when she caught “B” trying to make off with someone else’s food. “That’s a way. He had it coming.” Even “D’s” supporters applauded the discipline. This outsider ignored “H” completely. She consoled and rubbed noses with “J”, congratulating him on his humility. When she saw “T” sneaking into a position of advantage, this outsider waltzed over and stared him down until he decided to back up a step. “Yeah, you little pipsqueak, mind your manners.” Even “T’s” supporters applauded. The outsider turtle did all of this while keeping the action confined, congested and behind. When this one finally decided to, she turned and headed unopposed to the finish line. The crowd roared its approval, not so much cheering the outsider on as thanking the contestant for the hope of separation and for a race well run. “Who’s the ringer?” wondered the crowd. Hooter picked up the winner with gentle hands. “This is no ringer. This is a champ and a wish. I call her Babs, as in Bush and Jordan. We need folks like them and we need them now.”

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5J EZ Angus .............................................20 All West/Select Sires .................................33 American Angus Hall of Fame..................39 American Livestock Mortality Ins......23, 24 Bar CK Cattle Company...........................22 Bar R Cattle Company...............................3 Bovine Elite...............................................23 Broken Arrow Angus Ranch....................20 Buchanan Angus....................................... 20 California Angus Breeder’s Bull Sale.......40 Cattle Vision..............................................33 Cattlemen’s Livestock Market...............2, 23 C.D. “Butch” Booker................................33 Dal Porto Livestock ................................. 20 Dos Palos Y Auction Yard.........................24 Double Eagle Ranch.................................22 DOW Ranches..........................................22 Escalon Livestock Market...................23, 24 Fallon Livestock Exchange, Inc................23 Genoa Livestock........................................22 Hajny Land & Livestock...........................20 Hoffman AI Breeders...............................23 James F. Bessler Inc. ................................23 JDA Internship.........................................36 JDA Sales Management......................18, 22 JR Ranch.................................................. 21 KC Angus..................................................21 Kerndt Livestock Products.......................23 Kessler Angus...........................................21 Lewis Livestock.........................................20 Mark Holt.................................................33 Nelson Angus Ranch................................21 Norbrook......................................11, 12, 30 Oregon Fall Festival Hereford Sale..........19 P Bar Ranch..............................................22 Pheasant Trek...........................................21 Prestige Angus..........................................21 Price Cattle Company...............................22 Pristine Springs Angus.............................21 Rancher Lives Matter...............................13 Reynolds Brothers....................................21 Romans Brangus......................................22 Romans Ranches Charolais......................22 San Juan Ranch........................................22 Scales Northwest.......................................33 Schohr Herefords..................................... 23 Siller Ponderosa Angus ............................21 Snyder Livestock Company, Inc. .............22 Superior Livestock Auction .....................25 Tehama Angus Ranch .............................. 21 TLC - Sugar Top Angus...........................21 Trent Stewart............................................33 Turlock Livestock Auction..........................5 Universal Semen Sales............................. 23 Vintage Angus Ranch...............................21 Western Cowan........................................ 37 Western Cowman Cookbook....................23 Western Cowman Photo Contest.............19 Western Video Market................................4 Wyman Creek Brangus.............................22

Silveiras Style 9303 16427563

Vin-Mar O’Reilly Factor 16400429

EXAR Denver 2002B 17160560

Styles Cash R400 17571309

WESTERN REGION FIELD REPRESENTATIVE AZ, CA, ID, NV, OR, UT, WA (208) 369-7425 mholt@hereford.org

Trent Stewart Auctioneer

(541) 325-3662 tsauctions@gmail.com May/June 2016 -

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By Wes Ishmael

ou can buy a Chevrolet pickup—or whatever your favorite breed happens to be—lots of different places. If you continue going back to the same source, it’s likely because of the dependability of the product, how well you’re treated and your perceived value of the transaction. All of those things that contribute to a dealer’s reputation. The dealer’s failure with any of the above—erosion of reputation—is also the likely basis for hunting a new supplier. It’s no different with cattle, of course. Buyers have plenty of choices when it comes to finding bulls of a particular breed composition any given year, or calves of particular breed type, weight, condition and whatnot on any given day. Repeat buyers for either are typically those satisfied with the dependability of the product, how they’re treated by the supplier and their perceived value of the transaction. When it comes to addedvalue management and production, though, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the same rules apply. Consider the management and marketing of preconditioned calves. Even if calves pose less risk to buyers, there’s no guarantee they will bring higher prices than their non-preconditioned peers.

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Valuing Preconditioning Reputation Determining the net benefit of preconditioning calves typically revolves around determining the cost associated with specific programs and the likelihood of receiving a price premium at a given weight level. For instance, producers pondering the advantage of selling VAC 34 calves consider the costs associated with gathering calves an extra time and administering what constitutes an extra round of vaccinations. Those thinking of weaned and preconditioned calves consider the cost relative to the expected increase in sale weight. In both instances, the only shot at a price premium usually means marketing the calves via a system or sale that recognizes the particular preconditioning program and how its verified, then can attract enough buyers who also recognize the value difference. Based on research from Iowa State University (ISU), reputation of both the program and the seller can also influence the ultimate price of preconditioned calves. It’s the only study I’m aware of that makes such an attempt. The ISU study—Factors Affecting Preconditioned Calf Price Premiums: Does Potential Buyer Competition and Seller Reputation Matter?—was com-

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pleted last year by Lee Schulz, an ISU agricultural economist, Kevin Dhuyvetter, a technical consultant at Elanco Animal Health and Beth Doran, a beef program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “After accounting for cattle, lot, sale, and market characteristics, roughly 79% of the lots sold (preconditioned) brought statistically similar prices, but 21% received prices that were statistically different (18% higher and 3% lower) from the base seller in our model, indicating a seller reputation likely exists for some producers,” explain the study authors. “The implication is that while most research has concluded that premiums exist for preconditioning calves, this will not necessarily be true for all producers.” In other words, there may not be any price premium for some producers who incur the cost of preconditioning. “Related to seller reputation, it might be that ‘sale’ or ‘program’ reputation matters, as Gold-tag certified calves (described below) receiving two rounds of vaccinations and weaned for 45 days did not bring a premium over the more commonly known Greentag program,” researchers say. Individual seller identity was used as a proxy for reputation. Preconditioned sales were those meeting the standards of what’s known as the Iowa Green-

tag program or the newer Iowa Gold-tag program. Calves in the Green-tag program must be weaned for at least 30 days, owned by the seller at least 60 days, bunk-broke, dehorned, castrated, dewormed and receive specific vaccinations. It’s the same for those in the Gold-tag program, with the additional requirements of a second round of vaccinations. The Iowa Veterinary Medical Association issues tags and preconditioning certificates to veterinarians, who issue them to clients. Producers and their veterinarians sign the certificates. The premium for preconditioned calves compared to the average of all auctions ranged from $1.71 to $7.44/cwt. for steers and $6.03 to $11.76/cwt. for heifers over the 6-year period. As calf weight increases, the premium declines. “The premiums (difference between preconditioned and non-preconditioned sales) are greater for lighter weight calves sold earlier in the market year,” researchers explain. “This result is not surprising as heavier calves sold later in the market year are somewhat ‘preconditioned’ even if they are not certified as preconditioned.” Preconditioning premiums mostly increased from year to year. “Given the increased focus on adding value and having quality and process assurance-based programs, preconditioning programs will likely continue to be important in the beef industry,” researchers say. “Furthermore, with cattle and beef prices at record levels, improved health and performance of calves is critically important for both buyers and sellers of feeder calves. Thus, it is important to understand the val-

ue of marketing preconditioned calves, especially under evolving market and sale conditions.” Data for the ISU study were collected From December 2008 to February 2014. Data were collected on individual lots of calves sold through one preconditioned sale and 11 regular auction sales occurring the week of and the week following the preconditioned sale. Researchers note that previous industry studies examining the determinants of feeder calf transaction prices generally find that sale-lot calf characteristics (e.g., weight, lot size, sex, frame, muscling), market characteristics (e.g., futures prices, transportation costs), and seasonality explain much of the variability in transaction prices within a particular market. Overall findings by ISU researchers for the relative value of such characteristics were similar between preconditioned and non-preconditioned sales; also similar to previous industry studies. For instance, in the nonpreconditioned sales, mediumlarge-framed calves brought a premium of $5.09/cwt. compared to medium-framed calves ($5.10 for preconditioned). Calves with a muscle score of 1-2 brought $7.02 less than those that were muscle score 1 ($3.85 discount for preconditioned). Increased lot size boosts sale price but at a decreasing rate. The optimal lot size for calves sold in non-preconditioned auctions in the study was 130 head; 24 head for the preconditioned sales. Valuing Feedlot Competition Another novelty to the ISU study is the incorporation of feedlot capacity utilization.

“Despite claims about the importance of excess capacity in the feedlot sector on feeder calf prices, the price impact of feedlot capacity utilization has not been well established,” researchers explain. “This is the first study to create a model of feeder calf price determinants that incorporates feedlot capacity utilization, which can account for variation in competition and the leverage position of the feedlot versus cow-calf producer.” As large feedlot capacity (1,000 head plus) utilization increases, the study indicates that prices decrease and then increase. Increasing capacity utilization from 50.7% to 58.3% resulted in a price decrease of slightly more than $3/cwt. Prices in the model increased more than $17/cwt. when capacity utilization increased from 58.3% to 81.3%. “Higher prices when utilization is low are consistent with the expectations that large feedlots likely bid more aggressively to procure cattle to offset fixed operation costs,” researchers explain. “However, the higher prices at high capacity utilization is less intuitive but likely reflects periods when expected profitability is high; feedlots continue to bid higher prices as increased profitability sends the economic incentive to have more cattle to sell.” As for capacity utilization of small feedlots (1-999 head), prices in the ISU model were lowest when utilization levels were lowest. “Lower prices when small feedlot capacity utilization is low is consistent with buyers being farmer-feeders that may stay out of the market at times, lowering overall demand,” researchers say.

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2016

Summer Internship We are pleased to announce that we are offering a Summer Internship position at James Danekas and Associates. A great opportunity for Agriculture Communication and Marketing Students. Applications due by May 18th. Come experience what it takes to create a magazine and/or catalog and learn the secrets of the livestock marketing trade. All applicants must supply a resume and a one page letter on why they deserve such a priceless opportunity. Please send all information to mercedes@jdaonline.com.

www.westerncowman.com 2015 WESTERN COWMAN SUMMER INTERN

CAL POLY, SLO

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“The internship with JDA provided me with a great learning experience. I was able to utilize and enhance my design skills, as well as have three articles published. However, the best part of the internship were the laughs, memories, and friendships that were created.”

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• June 15 - August 24, 2016 • 3 days a week • Limited to students in the Northern California Region. -

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Found on coffee tables all over the West. Don’t be left out… Now accepting advertising space reservations for the 2016 Big Bull Book 916/685-8980 916/849-2725

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Cinco De Mayo Steak Cervaza

going! to get your grill A great reason DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS For Steaks: onion, diced 1/2 medium red pped garlic 1 tablespoon cho on juice 2 tablespoons lem tle or can beer 1 (12-ounce) bot te vinegar 2 tablespoons whi i seasoning 2 tablespoons chil round steak 1 1/2 pounds top Oil, for grate

onions, stic bag combine In a resealable pla chili e, beer, vinegar and garlic, lemon juic the mix to bag the ge ssa Ma seasoning. ak into the bag, ste the ce Pla ts. ingredien in the and seal. Marinate squeeze the air out rnight least 4 hours, or ove refrigerator for at 18 hours. but no more than

m-high l pan over mediu Set up grill or gril ling. n ready to start gril whe te gra Oil t. hea for 20 room temperature Let steaks stand at steak ore grilling. Remove to 30 minutes bef , oiled grill and hot on ce Pla de. from marina rare Zesty Rice Salad: side for medium ola oil cook 4 minutes per skil1 tablespoon can rinade into a large ma o lic the gar r d Pou ppe F). 5 cho n (14 a half or 1 tablespoo m heat. Reduce by rice diu te me r whi ove rain let g-g s. 1 1/2 cups lon ut 10 to 15 minute until thickened, abo 2 1/4 cups water ing rest son let sea i and chil rd n cutting boa 1 tablespoo Transfer steaks to steak und black ore cutting. Slice bef s Salt and freshly gro ute min 5 for Rice serve with Zesty pepper across the grain and onion, diced marinade. 1/2 medium red Salad and reduced d 1 yellow pepper, dice red beans, Zesty Rice Salad: dium 1 (14.5-ounce) can dium heat in a me Heat oil over me drained and rinsed rice and saute r . Add garlic, and ega pot vin ce te sau whi n 2 1/4 1 tablespoo rice is toasted. Add for 2 minutes until hly chopped and season with ing 1 tablespoon fres son sea i chil cups water, to a pepper and bring cilantro leaves a pinch of salt and mer heat to low and sim uce red er, Cov l. boi et ove to a baking she for 15 minutes. Rem and let cool. pepbine onion, yellow In a large bowl com cilanbeans, vinegar and per, cooled rice, ve with steak. tro. Mix well and ser

Cowboy ~ America’s Best

By Poetic Cowboy

Can you believe this western sky The clouds that often float righ t by The colors that show in the west As the Sun sets are the best No matter where you’ll ever roam The west is where you will call home The freedoms that we do enjo y Are set from the past by a man called “Cowboy” They made the west from just plain dirt And from chasing around a gal in a skirt They used there pistols and shot guns And hoped that no matter the west would be won They rode on horses and wor e big hats Chased cows and sheep can you believe that

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They fensed and worked the who le day long Until the daylight all was gon e No other breed could settle the west That is why they are known as America’s best Only they could hang on to wha t was right And show their ladies to hold on tight Drinking and cards were not there only fun When the West had just begu n They loved to stand up for wha t was right And it didn’t matter if it ende d up in a fight So when you think of a cowboy dear Remember that it was they that had no fear They were the ones that settled the west They are among America’s Best ...

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MAY 8

The Complete & Total Dispersion of the NER Angus Herd, Oconto, WI, sale at Bloomington, WI

J&J Cattle Co. Online Production Sale, hosted by Angus Live (Orlando, OK)

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Live (Cartersville, GA) 14

to come to your farm or ranch at NO

81st Annual New York State Angus Association Sale, at New Penn Farm, Truxton, NY

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Katie Colin Farm Online Angus Production Sale, hosted by Angus

Heuchert Willow Creek Angus Production Sale, Hensel, ND, sale at Devils Lake, ND

OBLIGATION to advise you on the best way to merchandise them.

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Jeremy Haag 816/516-1309

Berry Angus Farm Online Embryo Sale, hosted by Angus Live (Knoxville, TN)

Creekside Farms Online Embryo Sale, hosted by Angus Live (Athens, TN)

Atlantic National Angus Show, Timonium, MD

Kurt Schaff 816/520-6447

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WANTED: Any old sale catalogs you’d like to have a safe and happy home for! We are also looking for Breeder’s Gazettes, all issues from 1881 through 1913, and Eastern Breeder Magazines. CONTACT American Angus Hall of Fame (816) 532-0811.

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PRST STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tucson, AZ Permit No. 271

c/o James Danekas & Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 410 Wilton, CA 95693 Change of Service Requested

• Embryos • Donor Cows • Pairs • Bred & Open Heifers

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