7 minute read
Working Together Creates Value, By Jacey Pella and Dale Sandlin
By Jacey Pella & Dale Sandlin Value Working Together Creates
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Sitting at his desk at Northeast Georgia Livestock, Todd Stephens is constantly in motion. Between phone calls, staff updates, and paperwork, he balances the needs of those whom he and his staff serve: the producers. Northeast Georgia Livestock, located in Athens, Ga., typically has about 650 head of cattle running through their stockyard each week, in addition to their graded feeder calf sales and video auctions.
Stephens grew up in the industry in Dacula, working with his granddaddy and uncle in their chicken houses and cattle herds. His uncle had Holstein springers and a registered Angus herd and led Stephens to buy his own flock of chickens. A graduate of the University of Georgia (1989), Stephens earned a degree in Poultry Science, simply because he could easily find a job. After graduation, he went to work for Harrison Poultry as a manager – and this is where he learned one of the greatest skills that still serves him well today: how to manage relationships.
“The stockyard business is all about relationships. It comes down to knowing who you are working with and trusting that they are going to do what they say they will,” Stephens explains. That is one of the hallmarks of many of the stockyards: They sell millions of dollars’ worth of cattle to people where they may never see the cattle. The trust that they have developed with both buyers and sellers provides the basis for good business, where each party is looking out for mutual benefit. Video auctions are yet another avenue that Northeast Georgia Livestock has developed to help provide value for producers. Add to that their dealer account; they are able to work with producers from several states across the Southeast, with producers bringing their cattle sometimes more than 150 miles away to market.
One of the best ways for these transactions to go well is for producers to take action on the farm. Cattle producers who vaccinate and castrate their calves set the calves up for long-term success. These calves are more adaptable and reduce the potential for problems during and after the transaction. Having good genetics is another way to help provide for more value for the producer. “‘They are all just alike’ is the worst tale told,” Stephens believes. “The same buyers are the ones bidding on them
all, but they are taking an objective look at the cattle.” In addition to this, the meticulous effort that Northeast Georgia Livestock puts into their feeder calf sales – to find consistency for the buyers by sorting out cattle of similar breeds, weights and types – helps push the value of calves higher than regular sale averages. Stephens stresses the importance of this: “If you have good stock, there is a buyer for them.”
Northeast Georgia Livestock’s feeder calf sales tend to average 1,400 head per month. These feeder calf sales began as a project with UGA and then adapted to fit the stockyard’s clientele and what was best for their producers. Those producers who consign their cattle get the benefit of load-lot prices if they are over 650 lbs., regardless of the number of the cattle they can commit to the sale. These monthly sales brought producers on average about $1,000 per head last year. Typically, Northeast Georgia Livestock will group cattle by 100 head per pen, sorting by consistency, weight and grade. Separating by hide color and breed type also helps, but sometimes may get recombined as consistency of weight is often paramount. Each calf is weighed individually and paid on the individual weight. “These sales have shown the greatest improvement in value for our producers,” Stephens notes.
The addition of electronic identification (EID) has increased their barn’s speed as well. Before EID, they could normally run 150 head per hour; after they installed EID, they could run about 200 head per hour. Making this improvement helps ensure that the cattle spend less time in the holding area before going into the ring. Efforts like this are a testament to the commitment that Northeast Georgia Livestock has for the cattle they have been entrusted with. When asked what they would like consumers to know about our industry, Stephens highlights responsible stewardship: “We try our best to take care of the cattle in an ethical and humane way. We care about the animal because it’s the right thing to do. We know that this beef will ultimately wind up on the consumer’s plate. Our stockyard uses Livestock Marketing Association’s educational training to help us to ensure the best interest for every animal’s health and well-being.” The pandemic was also a learning experience: “COVID really helped consumers open their eyes as to where their food comes from. The best way to ensure that we’re taking the appropriate steps is to observe and correct things when something isn’t right.”
As for the future of the stockyard business, Stephens identifies the next generation coming up within the industry as a key factor: “Younger folks are going to have to want to raise cattle and also have money in it to [profitability].” And our association is a key resource: “That’s one of the good things that GCA has done; y’all are listening to the producer and working for their benefit, especially on addressing market challenges.”
Stephens’ parting thoughts focus on livestock markets’ vital function in our industry. “The differences between production practices and segments highlight how we have to, and need to, work together. Places like local feed stores and hardware stores play a role on the production side of our industry; and on the marketing side, livestock markets play a similar role.”
To the writer’s perspective, working with your local livestock market can bring significant value to cattle producers and play a critical role in our industry. Stephens’ point is worth affirming: Working together, we can create value for all segments of the industry – and ensure its prosperous advance into the future.
Photos: Left to right - Todd Stephens walking through barn; historical photo of NE GA Livestock; Inside view of sale ring; Grandsons wearing NE GA Livestock gear; Calf at sale barn.
REVISED SCHEDULE (POST JUNE MAGAZINE PUBLICATION) REVISED SCHEDULE (POST JUNE MAGAZINE PUBLICATION)
July 22, 2022 8AM-4PM $10/Peso Gaines Catle, Taylosville | Bato Conty Extensio OfficeJuly 22, 2022 8AM-4PM $10/Peso Gaines Catle, Taylosville | Bato Conty Extensio Office
Schedule of Events Schedule of Events 8:00am 8:00am Tour Gaines Cattle Tour Gaines Cattle 10:30am 10:30am Tour Ends & Travel To Bartow County Extension Ofce Tour Ends & Travel To Bartow County Extension Ofce 11:00am 11:00am Educational Session Educational Session 12:30pm12:30pm Lunch Lunch 1:30pm1:30pm GCA & GBB UpdateGCA & GBB Update 2:00pm2:00pm Wrap-up & Adjournment Wrap-up & Adjournment 2:15pm2:15pm Committee Meetings Committee Meetings
Tor Preview: Gaines CatleTor Preview: Gaines Catle
Open to ALL Membes & Prospective MembesOpen to ALL Membes & Prospective Membes
All Attendees Must RSVP By July 15, 2022 at www.georgiacattlemens.org Under The “Events” Tab All Attendees Must RSVP By July 15, 2022 at www.georgiacattlemens.org Under The “Events” Tab
Gaines Cattle is a third-generation stocker cattle producer in Taylorsville, Ga. Mike and Clay Gaines, along with their families, receive cattle, many coming from south Florida, at 500 pounds and ship them to the feedlot at 900 pounds. They raise the cattle on a mix of wheat and clover pasture and feed a daily ration of corn silage and distillers grain. Gaines Cattle is a third-generation stocker cattle producer in Taylorsville, Ga. Mike and Clay Gaines, along with their families, receive cattle, many coming from south Florida, at 500 pounds and ship them to the feedlot at 900 pounds. They raise the cattle on a mix of wheat and clover pasture and feed a daily ration of corn silage and distillers grain.
GCA’s Events Committee has decided to shift from our Summer Conference and Region Roundups this year to GCA’s Events Committee has decided to shift from our the new Cattlemen’s Connection Quarterly Meetings. This Summer Conference and Region Roundups this year to will be a great opportunity for members from around the the new Cattlemen’s Connection Quarterly Meetings. This state to get to see unique things within our industry and will be a great opportunity for members from around the fellowship with each other. state to get to see unique things within our industry and fellowship with each other.
