Message from Allied Industries Representative

Idaho is tops in cattle, but we must continue striving for growth

BY KELTON HATCH Allied Board Representative

Sweat stains the soil of ranches across the state. Planning, hard work and a little luck keeps these ranchers raising protein for a growing nation for more than 100 years in Idaho. Challenges have always been a part of the game: the Spanish flu of 1918, the collapse of the stock market in 1929, the dairy buyout of the 80’s, and the challenges of COVID for the past three years, have all been hurdles multi-generational ranches have had to face. When I was younger, talking to

Cattle ranching is woven into the fabric of Idaho as much as the famous potato. But being in cattle is not always green pastures and sunny morning cattle drives, it is always faced with new challenges.

my grandfather about the challenges of ranching and what the depression was like, he (being a second generation rancher in Eastern Idaho) said, “to tell you the truth, we were already so poor we didn’t notice anything different. We were in a lot better shape than the people in the cities, we had food, and we were used to being broke.” Even as Idaho changes with the influx of new Idahoans, it is our job as producers and allied businesses to remind the state population the importance of ranching and what it brings to the table.

If you are like me, sometimes you don’t always remember the facts, you just know you believe in it. So, in preparation for this article, I did some quick research to provide readers with a a little cheat sheet that includes some fast facts to lay on your friends when the opportunity arises to remind them of the importance of beef to this state. According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho ranks 13th in the U.S. for cattle and calves’ inventory, with more than 2.1 million animals raised by 7,500 beef cattle operations. Our state is also is home to: ● 3 of the top 15 seedstock operations in the U.S. ● the 2nd largest cow/calf operation in the country with more than 30,000 mother cows ● two of the top 10 feeding operations in the U.S ● the 10th largest beef processing operation in the U.S is headquartered in Boise, Idaho

To boot, we will also have two more processing operations online this fall. One has already opened in Idaho Falls; with the other opening this fall in Jerome.

Cattle ranching is woven into the fabric of Idaho as much as the famous potato. But being in cattle is not always green pastures and sunny morning cattle drives, it is always faced with new challenges. As always, there are ebbs and flows in the cattle business and for the past couple years margins have narrowed and costs have increased across the board. Smart planning and using connections in the industry become more important. The fact of the matter is that ranchers cannot continue to operate the way Grandpa did. Finding new, innovating ways to market livestock, and educating ourselves with the help of the Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) and the National Cattle Association (NCBA) can help producers plan and increase profits in difficult years.

With just under 1,000 members and 7,500 operations raising calves in the state, we have need to grow our

membership. ICA is the strongest mouthpiece the Idaho rancher has to insure the future of ranching in our great state. Their single goal is to insure the future of the Idaho cattle industry and our members know they can look to them as a trusted adviser for education on the industry to help you leverage your returns.

Other avenues ranchers and feed operations have to educate themselves can come from members of the Allied groups. Our (allied industries) businesses exist only because of you- the producer and consumer. I know it’s hard to trust a salesman, but the truth is, “if you fail, we fail.” Since my profession puts me in the pharmaceuticals business, I’d like to give you a few tips from the other side of the fence. 1) To get the best pricing on vaccines and anti-infectives, you need to work with your vaccine company reps, the person/company you buy from and your veterinarian. This combination of resources can ensure a personalized regimen for your goals and herd needs, as well as availability. 2) Vaccine protocols established by pharmaceutical company’s typically have large studies conducted to ensure the safety and the results producers can expect when vaccinating animals. The cheapest and easiest is seldomly the best in anything. 3) For cow/calf producers, vaccinating calves at branding and preconditioning before weaning can insure a more desirable calf for the feedlot. Healthier weaned calves gain weight at a faster rate, making your calves more desirable to the feedlots. 4) There is a reason double vaccinated, preconditioned (calves vaccinated two or three weeks before weaning) and 45-day weaned calves bring premier pricing- this method works. The feed yard has lower mortality, less sick animals that gain weight faster, and they make money. 5) BQA or Beef Quality Assurance is also a great tool to increase the marketability of your claves. Managed by NCBA and our Beef Checkoff dollars; BQA is more than just a shot or how to give a vaccine. This past month I was able to attend a BQA train-the-trainer class with attendees from all facets of the industry. Providing the best product possible to the consumer, affects all aspects of the cattle industry. Besides talking about vaccine/ vaccination best practices, BQA also covers animal behavior and handling, biosecurity, herd health, processing, transportation, and record keeping.

As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know, but the more you know the better decisions you can make to manage your future in the cattle business.

MEET OUR TWO NEW SWS BEEF REPS!

CHAD DEWITT

C: 208.891.0324 E: CHAD.DEWITT@SIMPLOT.COM

MARK NELSON

C: 208.985.4942 E: MARK.NELSON@SIMPLOT.COM

OUR SWS BEEF SALES REPS

would love the chance to show you all the ways we can help you raise healthy animals!