Line Rider September

SPRING COVE RANCH

Female Connection Sale

Monday, November 27, 2023

At Spring Cove Ranch, Bliss, Idaho • 3:00 PM MDT

FEATURING A FLUSH AND GENETIC LOTS out of Spring Cove

Spring Cove Carol 418

Carol 418. Carol 418 is one of the leading females in the breed right now if you are truly looking for productivity, maternal traits and longevity without sacrificing performance, calving ease and carcass value. Her sons and daughters are conisitently our best from various matings. This will be the only opportunity to obtain direct progeny not in our bull sale. SHE IS THE REAL DEAL!

ELITE REGISTERED FEMALES AND GENETIC LOTS

• 50 registered bred heifers from the heart of the herd.

• 35 registered heifer calves. The first daughters of Essential to sell and the largest number of Feat daughters to sell.

• HIGHLIGHTING THE PROGENY OF: Spring Cove Carol 418. Selling a flush, daughters and maternal sisters.

• CUTTING EDGE embryo and pregnancy lots from the heart of the Spring Cove herd and other leading Angus breeders throughout the country that share our goals and genetics.

• 30 Bred Cows

TOP END COMMERCIAL BRED FEMALES

• Flat Top Cattle Aberdeen, Idaho: Greg and Steph Brown approximately 80 head bred to SITZ Essential

• Triple L Angus: Randy Lancaster approx. 90 head bred to SITZ Essential

• Jeff Eddington, Blackfoot, Idaho: 50-75 bred heifers, SCR genetics TOP AND BOTTOM

• Kovar Farms, Ladora, Iowa : 80-90 head (2 loads) bred to SITZ Essential.

• PLUS MANY MORE TO COME!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Kim Burton Brackett (Kimberly) 208-308-1952

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Jerry Wroten (Wilder) 208-831-7339

VICE PRESIDENT

Spencer Black (Almo) 208-647-8130

PAST PRESIDENT

Mark Pratt ...........(Blackfoot) 208-681-6597

TREASURER

Cody Hendrix (Rigby) 208-360-9693

FEEDER COUNCIL CHAIR

Shawna Gill (Grandview) 208-850-9076

PUREBRED COUNCIL CHAIR

Val Carter (Pingree) 208-390-4811

COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR

Brayden Eliason (Holbrook) 208-705-2541

CATTLEWOMEN COUNCIL CHAIR

Maggie Malson (Parma) 208-739-2265

DISTRICT 1 REPRESENTATIVES

Eric Wittman (Lapwai) 208-790-5344

Casey Scott...............(Clarkston) 208-431-3024

DISTRICT 2 REPRESENTATIVES

Lori Ireland (Mountain Home) 208-866-0112

Royce Schwenkfelder (Cambridge) 208-550-2200

DISTRICT 3 REPRESENTATIVES

Eugene Matthews (Oakley) 208-431-3260

Jesse Human (Jerome) 208-358-1277

DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTATIVES

Ryan Steele (Idaho Falls) 208-390-5765

Chris Kirby (Salmon) 208-223-2258

DISTRICT 5 REPRESENTATIVES

Roscoe Lake (Blackfoot) 208-604-3650

Arnold Callison (Blackfoot) 208-681-8441

ALLIED INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE

Kody Dee Williams.....(Fruitland) 509-948-6430

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Robert Oxarango (Emmett) 208-431-0777

Adrian Meyer (Grand View) 208-509-1892

CATTLEWOMEN BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Tay Brackett (Filer) 208-866-4967

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Cameron Mulrony cameron@idahocattle.org

NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY DIRECTOR

Karen Williams karen@idahocattle.org

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Michelle Johnson michelle@idahocattle.org

DIR. OF MEMBERSHIP & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

Morgan Lutgen morgan@idahocattle.org

Contact Idaho Cattle Association:

Mailing address: P.O. Box 15397, Boise, ID 83715

Location: 2120 Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705

Phone: 208-343-1615

For advertising sales, contact: idahocattlepublications@gmail.com

The Line Rider is the official publication of the Idaho Cattle Association. It is published 10 times each year, in January, February, March, April/May, June, July/August, September, October, November and December.

Exports versus imports

There is strong demand, both domestically and abroad, for highly marbled, grain-fed U.S. beef. Many countries are willing to pay top-dollar for the quality and safety of our product. These countries include Japan, South Korea, China, and Mexico. Most beef exports are chilled or frozen middle meats. However, we also export variety meats that are in high demand overseas but are of low value to our domestic consumer.

BY KIM BURTON BRACKETT ICA President

the Middle East, and South America. Considering that 95% of the world’s population and 80% of the world’s buying power is located outside of the U.S., we can see the potential value of these developing markets.

Next, let’s address beef imports. I hear folks complain, particularly when the market is in a down cycle, that the U.S. is importing beef instead of supporting our American producers. It doesn’t seem to make sense. It turns out that most beef imports are needed to meet the demand of the U.S. ground beef market. We are a nation of ground beef lovers. Nearly every fast-food joint in the country sells a ground beef product. At retail, it is the highest volume product sold across the nation. Why not? It’s affordable, versatile and appealing across the generations. As a result, we import lean to meet the strong U.S. demand for ground beef.

The U.S. beef industry has found other markets for the liver, heart, and tongue that our grandparents or great-grandparents often had at the dinner table. For example, Japan is the number one consumer of U.S. beef tongue and Egypt is the top destination for U.S. beef liver. Without countries to import our beef variety meats, the overall value of the fed beef supply would decline. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the export value for U.S. beef and variety meats was equal to $447 per head of fed slaughter cattle in 2022. That number is down in 2023 due to shrinking supply, yet the fact remains that exports provide value back down the supply chain.

In addition to the established export markets, U.S. beef is finding its way into emerging markets in Africa,

The U.S. beef industry could supply all the ground beef for our domestic consumers. However, for many years now every segment of our industry has increased focus on improving performance with the goal of grading choice or higher. If we as producers shifted our management decisions and practices to meet only the domestic beef demand, the beef industry would lose ~$400 per head of fed slaughter and replace it with the value of cattle that currently go into the grind, typically market cows and bulls.

Our beef industry cannot be painted in broad strokes, it is nuanced at every level. There are plenty of examples of producers making a good living selling cattle that never enter an export market, as well as ranchers who sell grass fed beef in local markets. There are also many operators who come out ahead by selling program calves destined for one of our export markets. Frankly, that’s what I appreciate most about the U.S. beef industry, that with such a broad range of consumer preferences we have the producers to meet and supply each of those markets.

Understanding the value of both for U.S. beef

Considering that 95% of the world’s population and 80% of the world’s buying power is located outside of the U.S., we can see the potential value of these developing markets.

Seizing opportunity by the horns

Where can you leverage risk & reward?

Opportunity is what you make of it. I’ve made this statement from time to time, and truly believe this to be fact. We, as producers, are in a current situation in the cattle cycle to take advantage of opportunities that we may not see again for a while and haven’t seen in quite some time—if ever.

Now, I am no economist or market analyst, but my simple math and budgeting mind says there may be a bit more margin in each calf than we originally budgeted for last fall. This can create some ability to take advantage of scenarios that are placed in front of us.

BY CAMERON MULRONY ICA Executive Vice President

that arena. Now on that same vein, there is always risk in retained ownership. But personally, I like to stay optimistic and feel the ‘juice will be worth the squeeze’ in the current environment.

Now, that opportunity realistically would only pertain to your calf crop. However, one of the other opportunities to consider would be in your cull cattle. It looks as if feed costs may soften a bit (in comparison to last year) and again, we are seeing very strong butcher cow/bull markets at our local sale barns and processing facilities.

For those of you that were in attendance at our annual meeting a couple of years ago, we held a panel related to retained ownership, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of exploring that tool as something to benefit our operations. One of the comments that I heard from producers was that they would be willing to try to take advantage of some of the margin in retained ownership, however their ability to carry the financial load into a new fiscal year, and potentially not have the cash flow in order to take care of business after the sale of each crop, was a barrier that they were unable to overcome at that time.

Enter 2023, where if you had budgeted $1000 per calf last fall and may be in the situation to take advantage of $1200 or even $1500 calves this fall, you might be able to dip your toe into

What does this mean for my simple mind? There may be a scenario where feeding your cull cows can, or will, result in a greater margin than sending them directly following weaning. Or, you may be able to sell some old bulls this fall/winter and roll into a new set of genetics this spring. Truthfully, our genetic selection is potentially our singular, most impactful decision on the industry. Get in touch with your trusted cattle feeder and see if there is a risk level you are comfortable with.

Now, not all of these opportunities provided by higher prices have to go to your business- don’t be afraid to have a little fun! Enjoy what God has given us, but he may also place opportunities in our path that a profitable calf crop can allow us to take. I like to say, “You can’t put a price on fun!” and, admittedly, we all forget to enjoy ourselves from time to time.

In conclusion, observe and evaluate your risks and reward. If you see opportunities, take advantage of the ones that will fit your needs. I don’t claim to be any kind of expert, but as I have listened to producers at meetings across the state and nation, the calf prices that are looking to find their way to your sales may give you a chance to make a change and try something new. DO IT!

I like to stay optimistic and feel the ‘juice will be worth the squeeze’ in the current environment.

The year of lasts

Ijust returned home from the dreaded trip of dropping off my oldest daughter, Sadie, to begin her first year of college. And with this new beginning for her, we conclude our year of lasts. Any parent who has lived through the distress of watching their children leave the nest knows what I am talking about. The year of lasts begins in the fall with the last first day of school, followed by various last sporting events, school dances, holidays, senior nights, graduation, and a multitude of other final events before adulthood sets in.

BY KAREN WILLIAMS ICA Natural Resources Policy Director

values the fair experience provided, and bitter for all those same reasons paired with the fact that those experiences are now over.

But as the adage goes, when one door closes, another one opens. And so it goes with the circle of life and the inevitable transition from youth to adulthood. I recently read a conversation on a Facebook post between some of my ICA member friends. In it, Cleo Shaw shared a picture of her granddaughter leaving for college. Sherry Colyer reminded her of some sage advice that had been shared between them during previous children’s and grandchildren’s departures: “It’s difficult to see them go, but so fun to see what they become.”

Our county fair recently wrapped up and with it, the conclusion of our year of lasts. Ever since that qualifying age of nine, Sadie has raised and shown a steer at the county fair. The finality of the moment when she walked out of the showring and the sale barn for the last time hit pretty hard. The dreaded walk to load the steer onto the truck, returning with only an empty halter in hand after months of caring for and bonding, is tough in normal years, but the final year adds a particularly bittersweet tone—sweet for the memories, work ethic, sense of community, and

As I read this, I was nearing the time of parting with my own daughter and found this thought particularly helpful. While selfishly, I wish that Sadie would not grow up and could stay home forever, deep down, I know that she has much to offer the world as she ventures out into it, forging her own path and putting her own stamp on it, and likewise, the world has much to offer her as she finds her way in it. With her desire to pursue a path in agriculture, that mark should prove helpful to not only the good of our industry, but to the world whose dependence on agriculture is primary above all other human needs.

At times it seems, however, that the world has forgotten this key fact of life. With focus on climate change and the errant line of thought that agriculture is a culprit to the world’s problems, rather than its rescuer, we see misplaced and misguided regulations and laws that limit the ability to produce food around the globe. Climate change has been a particular focus of the Biden Administration. The looming 2024 presidential election begs the ques-

Keeping a watchful eye while remaining poised for action

The recent conservation rule issued by the BLM, with no advanced dialogue or warning, certainly showed us that we cannot rest easy.

tion: are we looking at a year of lasts under the rule of President Biden? As we wait with bated breath to learn if he will actually run for a second term or if circumstances will even allow him to do so, we wonder what policies will come out of the White House in the ensuing year. If this is his first and last term, what are we up against in his year of lasts?

The recent, concerning conservation rule issued by the BLM, with no advanced dialogue or warning, certainly showed us that we cannot rest easy. In the next months, we have been preparing to see an updated sage grouse management plan from the BLM. Until we are proven wrong, we continue to hope that rather than push on us aggressive and unhelpful land use restrictions, the administration builds upon the good work that our state has done and adheres to our state management plan, collaboratively developed by Idaho stakeholders, as land management and conservation efforts should be. We have also been waiting on the promised revisions to the BLM grazing regulations, but given the tone of the conservation rule, we don’t know if we want that to come from this administration. Current rumblings are that its release will be delayed, but that is just conjecture. President Biden recently made a much-publicized trip to the Grand Canyon to designate a new national monument in Arizona, against the will of locally affected stakeholders. In the waning days of the administrations of both President Clinton and President Obama, we saw a rash of unilateral monument designations. Is that a tool that will be again brought to bear in President Biden’s potential year of lasts? Only time will tell what the next year holds as the Biden Administration pushes is policies and the hopeful presidential candidate contenders publicly duke it out. As this plays out, ICA will continue to do what it does best: defend against unjust policies that could damage our industry and educate decision makers on the value of a stable cattle industry to our environment, economy, and society.

Putting the policy concerns aside, if there is one thing my daughter’s year of lasts has taught me, there are far more important things in life that take precedence over the

whims of political leaders and pundits. Chief among them is raising the next generation of thinkers, leaders, promoters, and protectors of our industry with the values, integrity, and morals to take a stand for their beliefs and bring some good to this tired old world.

Specializing in Truck and Livestock Scales

SADIE, WITH HER FIRST AND LAST COUNTY FAIR PROJECT STEERS.

Rest easy on weaning day

Well for most of us Idaho Cattlemen, weaning day is fast approaching and if you are anything like me, this is that one night of the year sleep doesn’t come easy. Who is more stressed: us or the calves? What are some key things that we can do to ease that stress?

We are all in a little bit of a different situation. Do we have an opportunity to pre-vaccinate? Do we have an opportunity to fence line wean? Do we have an opportunity to wean at home and background? These are all great options, but not everyone has the resources to do these things, and all of these things are only effective if they can be executed without additional stress on the calves or the production system. Is your weaning day scheduled around the off date of an allotment? There are so many variables that affect how weaning day looks.

BY SHAWNA GILL Feeder Council Chair

wean vaccination, if possible, 3-6 weeks ahead of weaning, including an 8-way clostridial and a 5-way viral. If your environment doesn’t allow you to do this, he recommends at weaning time an intra-nasal, an 8-way clostridial, a 5-way viral, a wormer, and an implant.

Let’s not forget a few simple things that can really make a difference. Can you place your cattle closer to the corral at least 3-5 days ahead of weaning? Can you sex your pairs out ahead of time? This will help decrease stress and have an impact on shrink. If weaning day is pay day, think about what decreasing your shrink, even by 1%, in this market can put in your pocket. Of course, if dust is going to be an issue, wet down those areas the best you can. (On a side note, this might ensure that you will get enough rain overnight to screw up your rainfall insurance). If you are not in a corporate environment like myself, you might be able to take along a hotshot with a wand long enough to reach the truck driver if needed.

Dr. Richard Fredrickson, DVM with Simplot

Western Stockmen’s, says the most important thing is: Nutrition! Nutrition! Nutrition! “Doc” recommends a good pre-wean mineral 45-60 days prior to weaning. He specifically suggests a mineral with proper levels of organic copper and selenium. I would add: consider access. I know we all like to use mineral to draw cattle to certain areas but make sure it is placed where they will all have a good opportunity to get the appropriate intake.

“Doc” Fredrickson also recommends a pre-

Ok, now we are ready to get these calves worked and up on feed. If you are not transporting them, you could process them the same day. However, if you are shipping them, “Doc” Fredrickson recommends resting them overnight to allow the calves time for feed, water, and rest. Allowing the calves this time for rehydration will increase the effectiveness of your vaccines.

I would recommend a Beef Quality Assurance certification for your whole team, especially your processors. We have a lot of tools in our technological toolbox that, if used properly, can help achieve maximum performance.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to learn some low stress acclimation techniques. My first experiences with this method were in the early 2000’s with the late Bud Williams. We

Making and executing a viable plan that contributes to success after weaning

If weaning day is pay day, think about what decreasing your shrink, even by 1%, in this market can put in your pocket.

have also had Dr. Tom Noffsinger, and most recently Chad Walker, sharing his stockmanship method with us. They all have a little different approach to achieve the same goal of getting calves on feed and water as quickly as possible with the least amount of stress possible. It is easy to talk ourselves out of having time to spend on acclimation. However, I believe it is time well spent as one of the tools for lowering stress, while possibly preventing a health outbreak and increasing performance. We all know how much time and money that can save us.

Try to avoid commingling your calves. Especially try not to mix calves more than 3-5 days apart. If you must do this, talk to your local Veterinarian about a metaphylactic antibiotic option to mitigate your risk. Make sure you have adequate bunk space to assure that every calf can eat at the same time, and pen square footage that allows calves to have plenty of clean and dry space to spread out. They should have a clean, flowing water source that calves can hear, which helps them find water as soon as possible. Also, take into consideration your bunk to limit escapees so you can do whatever is possible to reduce strays.

Now that we have weaning behind us, we can move on to all the other events in an Idaho Cattlemen’s life and possibly a peaceful night of good rest!

BY ERICA LOUDER, for the Idaho Cattle Association

THE Cattle Feeders

PERSPECTIVE

CUSTOM FEEDING, OWNED FEEDER CALVES, AND THE DAIRY-BEEF CROSS QUESTION

Agriculture is risky by nature, and nobody knows that better than cattle feeders. Today, the outlook for the cattle market is strong – the highest it’s been since the peak in 2015. And yet, for many producers, these high prices bring optimism and anxiety as they know how quickly that can change. The risk and reward cycle has led many producers, both new cattle feeders and veterans in the industry, to diversify their risk (and reduce their anxiety) through custom feeding.

A custom feed yard brings advantages to both the feeder and the rancher who wants to maximize the value of their herd’s genetics. Still, there are risks and rewards to custom feeding, as there are for owned-fed calves—and plenty of variables to consider. One of those variables on the mind of many in the Idaho cattle industry is the impact of dairy-beef crosses.

WHILE FEED YARDS IN IDAHO SHARE MANY SIMILARITIES, THE DIFFERENCES IN EACH STILL CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO IDAHO’S BEEF CYCLE.

Photos provided by JR Simplot Co.

WHAT IS CUSTOM FEEDING? WHAT IS RETAINED OWNERSHIP?

Lee Bradshaw, a southern Idaho feedlot nutritionist, says, “Custom feeding is where the rancher retains ownership – meaning they still own their calves as they go into the feedlot. The feedlot sells its service of feeding the cattle to the owner. Sometimes, the feedlot will partner with the owner, or the owner owns them outright, and the feedlot will take care of them and feed them for the customer. Custom feeding and retained ownership are ways for the feedlot to manage their risk and for the cow-calf producer to take advantage of their quality genetics.”

Another way to put it is when a feedlot decides to custom feed calves, they are no longer in the cattle-selling business. They are in the cattle-service business of selling feed, labor, management, and facility rental. A rancher is no longer in the business of calves; they are in the business of fat cattle and are more exposed to the risk and rewards associated with that market.

REWARDS AND RISKS OF CUSTOM FEEDING Sharing Market Risk

Ryan Steele, owner and manager at S&R Cattle, a 5,000head cattle feeding operation in Idaho Falls, says, “We are primarily a custom feeding operation to limit our risk – our exposure to the market. We feel it’s better to make a little bit of a margin every day than to try to hit a home run and then take the losses. It’s just better for us just to be consistent. We hit a single or a double every day.”

For the cow-calf producer, retained ownership gives them access to the market to capitalize on the genetics of their herd. Bradshaw says, “The advantage for someone to retain ownership

and put their calves in a feed yard to be custom fed is if their cattle are good quality and they’re buying good quality bulls and raising good quality cattle, they can benefit from the grid when those calves are sold as fats.”

A Way to Market Feed

Feeding someone else’s cattle allows feeders to market feedstuffs without tying up the capital required to own the livestock. For Steele’s operation, the feedlot ties into their larger operation, 3,000 acres of farm ground. Steele says, “Our business model – the feedlot tied in with the farming operation allows us to market our crops through our feed yards. Farming and commodity marketing are risky enough; we didn’t want the wild swings in the beef business alongside it.”

For the cow-calf producers, custom feeding arrangement gives them access to feed in the event of feed shortages, management expertise, and facilities of a feeder operation, and ideally, the opportunity to capitalize on cattle bred to maximize feed efficiency and grade well on the rail.

Keeping Yards Full

Custom feeding isn’t without its drawbacks, however. John Hepton, the owner of Hepton Livestock, commercial feeding operations in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon and a 50,000 head capacity-calf ranch in Melba, Idaho, says, “One of the downsides when custom feeding is still the risks of the market. Who wants to feed their cattle if the market’s tough and there’s no profitability in it? In a market that lacks any margin potential, you might have a hard time keeping enough customers to keep your lots full.”

CONTINUED, PAGE 18

FEEDERS IN IDAHO CHOOSE THEIR LEVEL OF RISK THROUGH EITHER CUSTOM FEEDING OR OWNER-FED, AMONG OTHER VARIABLES.

Managing Customers

Hepton goes on to say, “When you’re custom feeding, you’re always at the mercy of those who own the cattle, and sometimes that’s not always the easiest place to be.” For many feeders, custom feeding takes a transition. The realization that you are not in the cattle-selling business anymore; you are in the business of managing customers – other cattle producers, is a transition.

REWARDS AND RISKS OF OWNED-CATTLE FEEDING The Market Risk

The rewards and risks of owned-cattle feeding are, essentially, the opposite of custom feeding. You are exposed to the market risk – for both the losses and the gains. Market risk is a constant, but properly managing that risk can have high returns. Ted Schroeder, Director of the Center for Risk Management Education & Research at Kansas State University, says, “Risk in agriculture is not bad if recognized, understood,

quantified, and managed accordingly. In risk lies opportunity.” Risk in cattle feeding can mean greater profitability or, as Steele says, a “chance to hit a home run.”

Choices in the Cattle Industry

Owned cattle also keep you engaged and entirely in the cattle business, able to make your own choices on what you want in your lots. Hepton says, “When you own your cattle, you can choose what type of cattle you want to feed and what market you want to sell into. You decide if you want native beef cattle or dairy-beef crosses or what size or type of cattle. You can choose what you think and what you can make work in your system.”

Feeding the beef-dairy cross calf has become a defining component of Hepton’s operation. Hepton says he likes the cross calves because they are already weaned, backgrounded, and transitioned on to grain the moment they step into a feed yard. Steele, who custom raises dairy springers alongside backgrounded calves, and has from time-to-time fed beef-dairy cross calves, says for him, it’s about a paying customer, not about what kind of calf he feeds.

So, whether the feeders own these beef-dairy cross calves or a dairy retains ownership – they are certainly adding a new element and choice to the cattle industry.

THE BEEF-DAIRY CROSS QUESTION

In the cattle industry in a state like Idaho, where the dairy industry is omnipresent, the rise in the beef-dairy cross calf has created a question in the minds of many cattle producers: How will these crossbred animals impact the industry?

“Farming and commodity marketing are risky enough; we didn’t want the wild swings in the beef business alongside it.”

Ryan Steele

ONE OF THE DAIRY CROSS BREEDING STRATEGY BENEFITS IS THE STEADY FLOW OF ANIMALS THROUGH THE BEEF CHAIN IN IDAHO.

Last year, the Cattleman’s Beef Board estimated that in 2023 there would be between 2.5 million and 5 million beef-dairy cross calves entering the beef system. That seems like a gigantic influx at face value– enough to manipulate the marketplace. However, the reality is that while the number of beef-dairy cross calves is growing, the number of Holstein steer calves in the system is shrinking. While there will be some shifts in the market, the beef-dairy cross calves are not creating new carcasses; they are replacing the Holstein carcass.

The Feeders Perspective on the Cross Calf

For the most part, Idaho feed yard operators see this as an opportunity. Both Hepton and Steele see themselves benefiting from the greater engagement with the beef and dairy industry.

Hepton says, “One of the benefits of the cross compared to the native is they’re born every day, so the supply of calves is more consistent. In the West, calves are born in the spring and marketed in the fall. Dairy cross calves are born every day, so there is a more continuous flow of feeder cattle into our system when the native calves aren’t available.”

However, a cross calf is not apples to apples to feeding a native calf. Steele says, “The conversions aren’t quite as good as you like your native breeds. Though, I’ve been impressed

CONTINUED, PAGE 20

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with the ones I’ve fed lately. I noticed that the steers were more comparable to beef breeds, but we did notice quite a setback in many of the heifers.” He says they simply adjust for that slightly different conversion, but he says it is no different from other management decisions he makes based on the needs of the customer and the calves.

Another strength of the beef-dairy cross calves is the quality of the bulls that the cows are bred to. Hepton says, “99% of dairies are using artificial insemination and mating to the top 5% of the beef bulls – the best genetics. These cross calves are products of high-end bulls, and it creates a great calf, maybe not always as good as a well-bred native calf, but still a great calf.

THE GOAL OF THE CATTLE INDUSTRY

When we look at cattle feeding holistically, it doesn’t matter if a feeder is a custom operation or feeds owned calves, if they only choose to feed native calves or regularly purchase cross calves; as Steele puts it, “It’s never a bad thing to take an animal that’s worth less and cross it and make it worth more.” There is undoubtedly risk and rewards to whatever segment you follow in the cattle industry, but creating valuable and sustainable protein regardless of how it is bought, bred, or fed is the goal of the cattle industry.

Bunkstart supports a healthy adjustment period for young calves by encouraging eating and promoting wellness in your herd upon feedlot arrival.

Bunkstart is fed as part of the total mixed ration during your cattle’s first 14 days.

Bunkstart contains balanced ingredients and promotes rumen health while high levels of organic trace minerals improve immune function.

Jaci Telford, from Richfield, Idaho, is the daughter of Bob & Sara Telford. Jaci

2023 Lincoln County Superior Beef Award Winner

Be Competitive and Improve Profitability With BQA Certification!

Idaho Beef Checkoff revitalizes the Idaho Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program

Ask consumers what they know about beef and what they think about the Idaho beef industry, and you may find the results interesting. Most people are aware that beef is high in protein. However, surveys show that Idaho consumers care more about how ranchers and farmers care for their cattle and the environment than about nutrition or other topics.1 Significantly more Idahoans had a positive view of beef and the beef industry’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and animal well-being than the national average. Efforts to improve and assure

quality beef products, responsible cattle handling, and good environmental stewardship help to increase consumer trust and demand for beef products. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification training reinvests checkoff funds to build a competitive advantage for Idaho producers.

The mission for the checkoff-funded BQA program is, “to guide producers towards continuous improvement using science-based production practices that assure cattle well-being, beef quality, and safety.” In practical terms, this means to provide the needed and standardized training for beef producers and other stakeholders in the beef in-

dustry on cattle handling, facility management, cattle transportation, good recordkeeping, and overall protection of herd health that can yield significant benefits. Less stress not only makes for happier, healthier animals but also results in tastier, more tender meat - as described by famous author and livestock welfare advocate Dr. Temple Grandin. By adopting these evidence-based best practices, producers benefit through better consumer perceptions of the beef industry and increased beef purchases at retail and foodservice businesses.

The BQA program has been identified as a key factor in ensuring demand for beef now and in the future. Sysco

DR. STEPHEN BOYLES, BQA EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR, DISCUSSES THE IMPACT OF CORRAL DESIGN ON REDUCING BRUISING AND CARCASS YIELD LOSS WITH PRODUCERS AT BQA/BQAT TRAINING IN TWIN FALLS. 1 NCBA Dashboard Survey, February 2023.

and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) have developed a strategic partnership to support and elevate the industry’s work to build consumer trust, product quality, and environmental stewardship. As the primary focus of this partnership, Sysco and CAB will be supporting the beef industry by providing BQA training to 1,000 farmers and ranchers through June 2024. This significant contribution expands and complements the Idaho Beef Council’s BQA Program efforts.

BQA efforts extend to the foodservice industry to influence foodservice outlets and consumers to include beef in their meal choices when dining out. An example is the training conducted with chefs nationwide to increase their understanding of BQA practices and efforts. For more information and to see the results of the interactions between foodservice entities and ranchers, please visit www.IdahoBeefQuality.com.

BRINGING THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION (NCBA) EFFORTS TO THE STATE OF IDAHO

Adopting and adapting the newly standardized national BQA content, the Idaho Beef Council (IBC) has restructured

CONTINUED, PAGE 24

Power of Angus.

IDAHO BQA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, REX HOAGLAND, CS BEEF PACKERS, AND GARY GOODWIN, SYSCO, DEMONSTRATE PROPER ANIMAL HANDLING DURING BQA-TRANSPORTATION TRAINING.

its Idaho BQA Program. To generate new BQA program ideas, the IBC:

• Researched efforts in other states

• Conducted interviews and focus groups in Idaho with producers and other stakeholders

• Analyzed the return on investment of checkoff dollars to support Idaho producers

As a result, significant changes were made to better align with national BQA standards, improve the standardization and quality of the BQA training experience, and expand the program’s reach to producers and stakeholders. By doing so, the Idaho BQA Program aspires to continuously improve consumers’ perception of the beef production processes, improve production efficiency, and increase profitability for Idaho producers. BQA practices are gaining recognition and following. More producers find

that listing their BQA certifications at online auction markets resulted in a significant premium for calves and feeder cattle.2 BQA certification in transportation (BQAT) is becoming more widely required by processors and end users, such as Wendy’s, who also see the benefit of improved quality and fewer losses due to damages to the carcasses.3 4 5

NEW IDAHO BQA PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The IBC structured the new Idaho BQA Program with a Board Sub-Committee, a diverse Advisory Committee representing stakeholders in the Idaho beef industry, and State Coordinators. This resulted in new, more rigorous criteria and training for the Certified Trainers.

The IBC also created a system for two rotating State Coordinators, responsible for the program content and general direction, liaising with the NCBA’s BQA program coordinators, mentoring Certified Trainers, and implementing training with follow-up for continuous improvement. Current State Coordinators include Sarah Baker and Meranda Small, Extension Educators at the University of Idaho. State Coordinators provide program leadership, coordinate the content and support for Certified Trainers, and develop additional value-added program features. The program has five Certified Trainers and plans to recruit, train, and mentor additional trainers shortly. The IBC provides administrative support for their Idaho BQA Program working with the State Coordinators to schedule, market, provide training materials, and assure the processing of certificates.

The Idaho BQA Program includes a “good neighbor” plan to collaborate and

coordinate with BQA programs in surrounding states. An example is the work to provide needed training on request in collaboration with BQA State Coordinators and Councils in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Montana.

Another example of collaboration with neighboring states is the upcoming Stockmanship & Stewardship program supported by Beef Councils and University Extension in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington along with the NCBA. This program will allow producers in surrounding states and beyond to achieve BQA certification while experiencing live cattle handling demonstrations with Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate, breaking down a carcass with Dr. Phil Bass and Sarah Baker, and gaining knowledge on biosecurity

CONTINUED, PAGE 26

2 NCBA. Study Shows Premium in Cattle from BQA Certified Producers. July 2019. Available at: https://www.idbeef.org/Media/IDBeef2020/Docs/research-shows-premiums-from-bqa-certified-cattle_11-25-2020-29.pdf

3 Grimes JF. It is a matter of trust. Beef2Live. January 2019. Available at: https://beef2live.com/story-it-matter-trust-0-184050

4 Brown S. Get your BQA Certification Now – Some Packers to Require It in 2019. November 2018. Drovers. Available at: https://www.drovers.com/markets/get-your-bqa-certification-now-some-packers-require-it-2019

5 Buskirk D. Cattle Buyers to Require BQA Certification. September 2018. Angus Beef Bulletin Extra. Available at: https://www.angusbeefbulletin.com/ extra/2018/09sep18/0918mk-BQA-required.html

EMMA MULVANEY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF NCBA’S BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM, DISCUSSES NATIONAL BQA PROGRAM RESOURCES WITH IDAHO BQA TRAINER CANDIDATES.

JULIA HERMAN, NCBA’S BEEF CATTLE SPECIALIST VETERINARIAN, PRESENTS PRACTICAL BIOSECURITY PRACTICES AND INTRODUCES THE LATEST NATIONAL FEEDYARD ASSESSMENT RESULTS.

• Live cattle demonstrations by world renowned stockmanship clinicians

Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate

• Industry Panel: Implementing BQA Industry

• Keynote speaker: Dr. Carol Lorenzen, Oregon State University

• Plenary speaker: John Nalivka, Sterling Marketing

• Breakout Sessions: Biosecurity, Nutrition and Transportation

• Beef Quality Assurance (BQA/BQAT) review and certification exam

• Meat Quality: Breaking down a carcass with Sarah Baker, University of Idaho

• Day 1 dinner and Day 2 lunch included

Full Registration - $125

and other hot topics in the beef industry. This event will be held on September 15th and 16th in Ontario, Oregon at Treasure Valley Community College. Registration is available at www. StockmanshipandStewardship.org.

ABOUT IDAHO BQA AND BQAT TRAINING EVENTS

Whether you are a producer, in an allied industry, an educator, or other stakeholder in the Idaho beef industry, you can benefit from BQA training and certification. To learn more, visit the national BQA website (www.bqa.org) and the IBC website (www.IdahoBeefQuality.com). In-person training events are scheduled around the State of Idaho and listed on the IBC BQA website under “In-Person” where you can register for listed events. The in-person events consist of a two-tothree-hour training that includes an introduction to BQA and principles of safety management, cattle behavior and han-

dling, biosecurity, herd health management, transportation, and recordkeeping. Realizing that in-person training may not be feasible for everyone, producers and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the bqa.org website to review online courses that provide certification tailored to cow/ calf, stocker/backgrounder, and feedyard work as well as farmer/rancher and professional transporters. Online certification also offers Spanish-language opportunities for producers and their staff.

BQA RESOURCES

The Idaho BQA and national BQA programs offer many resources for producers and others. The latest news on BQA events and other updates can be found at: https://www.bqa.org/about-us/newsroom; BQA manuals, the BQA YouTube Channel, manuals and reference guides, results of National Beef Quality Audits, and updates can be accessed at: https:// www.bqa.org/resources/landing.

HIGH QUALITY

HANDLING CONVENIENCE

COST EFFECTIVE WEANING CONDITIONS

There’s an App For That!

Digital camera grading technology use is on the rise and can be utilized in various stages of the grading process

BY PHIL BASS Assistant Professor - Meat Science Animal, Veterinary & Food Science Department University of Idaho

Seems like anywhere you turn, electronic technology is making its way into just about anything with which we humans interact. Camera vision technology is now at some of the more progressive feedyards that use digital cameras and complex software to help with sorting cattle in a chute. Drones are being used quite regularly on rangeland and cow-calf operations to keep a watchful eye on the herd. Even our humble pickup trucks now have computer screens in the dash that would have been the envy of any Star Trek fan 30 years ago. Well, the meat business has been working on technological advancements, as well, to enhance the value proposition of beef carcasses, in addition to improving consistency of the product across the board.

Many folks in the beef industry may already know of the current digital camera grading technology that is used in most major beef processing facilities. This technology has actual-

ly been around for quite some time, reaching performance standards for USDA in 2006 and being brought fully online in 2009 to call official USDA beef grades (e.g., Prime, Choice, Select, etc.). Measurements with these grading cameras are still taken at the 12th and 13th rib interface of the beef carcass just like normal grading with human graders (Figure 1). The camera vision systems are extremely precise and accurate; while a human USDA grader can estimate a degree of marbling to the nearest tens (e.g., Sm10), the instrument grading system can call it to the nearest single digit (e.g., Sm08).

The camera grading systems can also be used to assess the yield grade by measuring the ribeye area of the carcass at the 12th and 13th rib interface as well as measure the backfat thickness at that location. While human graders can measure ribeye areas to the nearest tenth of a square inch, the camera can measure to the nearest one-hundredth of a square inch. Likewise, the human grader can measure backfat thickness to the nearest tenth of an inch, while the camera can measure to the nearest one-hundredth of an inch. All this precision is due to the fact that the camera grading systems can count the individual pixels of

1 Beef marbling amount is used to assess the beef quality grade in the United States. Select requires marbling of “Slight 00 (Sl00)” to “Slight 99 (Sl99)”, Choice requires marbling of “Small 00 (Sm00)” to “Moderate 99 (Md99), Prime requires a minimum marbling level of “Slightly Abundant 00 (SlAb00)”. Choice has three levels of marbling – “Small”, “Modest” and “Moderate”. Each level of marbling (e.g. “Small”, “Slightly Abundant”, etc.) has 100 degrees within each category to allow for a more objective measurement of the level of marbling being assessed. For more information please see: https://www. ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/carcass-beef-grades-and-standards

a digital image and objectively look at the distribution and distances of the red and white flecks of fat within a ribeye; human graders just don’t have that level of precision, and the camera grading system does it all in the blink of an eye! Moreover, the camera systems are calibrated multiple times a day using standardized images, they don’t call in sick, they don’t need glasses later in life, and they don’t get cold, distracted or bored. It may be needless to say, but this technology has been a bit of a game changer since it’s come online.

Does that mean we don’t need human graders? No! In all cases, an official USDA beef grader is still on the line observing what the grading cameras are measuring and they reserve the right to override the camera system if they do not agree with what the camera called. There are indeed some fail safe measures in place to ensure that the proper beef grade is being assigned. However, the teaming up of the camera technology with the human grader allows for more data collection and more efficiencies in the beef plant which lead to lower costs of operation.

So, what does the future hold? The reality of the current beef camera grading systems is that although they are certainly worth the investment, the initial cost of one of those cameras is several hundred thousand dollars. This makes the current beef camera grading systems cost prohibitive for small and very small beef plants. However, the meat science team at the University of Idaho has been working with some much more cost-effective technologies in recent years that use a smartphone as the camera and computer while using proprietary software applications (“apps”) to read the scan and call the grade. One

PAGE 29

is the time to optimize nutrition and performance. Your local CowBos Dealer delivers cost-effective, laborsaving and high-quality solutions with professional service to make the most of your investment.

FIGURE 1. OPERATOR USING A BEEF CAMERA GRADING SYSTEM. (IMAGE SOURCE: BEEFCENTRAL.COM).

in particular (Figure 2) was originally developed by some meat scientists and software engineers in Japan (Meat Imaging Japan) which utilized artificial intelligence software (that means it gets better every time it takes a picture!). The University of Idaho meat science team has been helping to bring this technology online commercially here in the U.S. by aiding in image collec-

tion, data analysis, and providing practical feedback to the team in Japan. Furthermore, a company in the U.S. has become the operating arm of this technology (Global Meat Imaging) and is currently in the works with USDA to allow it to be a certified option of beef grading in the U.S.. There are also a few other smartphone-based grading systems that USDA is working with to help provide more options to beef processors large and small.

What’s so cool about the smartphone-based camera grading technologies, beyond likely being a fraction of the cost of current technologies, is the versatility and portability of the systems. Further, current smartphones have incredible cameras built in as well as an immense amount of computing power. This next-level game changer would allow for small and very small beef plants to begin grading cattle, upload images to a server, and have a USDA official from an office located just about anywhere verify the grades of the carcasses. It’s a great way of better using limited human resources while allowing small and very small beef processors the opportunity to add more value to their carcasses – which opens the door to being able to provide more value to producers.

Either way, all of these technologies are able to help collect immense amounts of data which is extremely useful to beef cattle producers. We can’t manage what we don’t measure.

GO BEEF!

FIGURE 2. MIJ/GLOBAL MEAT IMAGING PORTABLE BEEF GRADING CAMERA. (IMAGE SOURCE: BUTCHER SOLUTIONS LLC)

The good neighbor philosophy

Exploring ranch accessible NRCS programs

BY MINDI RAMBO USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho

With a new Farm Bill on the horizon, there will be plenty of exciting changes in the coming years. In the meantime, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will continue to assist customers following 2018 Farm Bill policies.

A TRADITION OF HELPING PEOPLE HELP THE LAND

“Since our inception during the Dust Bowl as the Soil Conservation Service, NRCS staff have been the technical experts in helping agricultural producers with their natural resource concerns,” said Curtis Elke, State Conservationist for NRCS Idaho. “We are excited to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fund new, historically underserved, and cutting-edge producers in addition to our traditional customers, who have been terrific advocates for the benefits of our conservation practices.”

For 88 years, NRCS has been providing assistance to help agricultural producers tackle their most pressing natural resource concerns, whether it be soil health, water quality and quantity, or nutrient management, among a host of options.

NRCS currently has an array of tools to help producers who want to install conservation practices on their operations. The General Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Classic Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) were given some added flexibilities and a “bridge” between those two programs was added by the 2018 Farm Bill. This “stepping stone” between standard conservation management and enhanced management is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program – Conservation Incentives Contract (EQIP-CIC).

Josh Miller, Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Programs for NRCS Idaho, said “Our EQIP, EQIP-CIC and CSP programs build upon each other, enabling us to work with our livestock producers. Get in touch with your local USDA Service center to learn how we can help you achieve you conservation, sustainability, and profitability goals at the level that makes the most sense for your particular situation.”

EQIP

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. It is the workhorse of the Farm Bill programs NRCS manages. In Idaho, EQIP accounts for more than 75% of NRCS’s Farm Bill funds. It is also the program ranchers, farmers and non-industrial timber producers are most familiar with. EQIP’s cost sharing feature allows for the installation of conservation practices that benefit not only the operation, but the surrounding area – good fences are not the only way to be good neighbors.

EQIP - CIC

EQIP-CIC is an enrollment option created by the 2018 Farm Bill. It provides an opportunity to implement limited EQIP practices focusing on a list of specific options. Another aspect that sets EQIP-CIC

apart is that the selected practices do not have to be implemented on the entire operation, but can be on only a portion of it. EQIP-CIC contracts last a total of five years, with management practices receiving an annual payment and supporting practices paid when they are completed. Some examples of practices include:

• Prescribed Grazing

• Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment

• Emergency Animal Mortality Management

• Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces

• Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management

• Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

• Early Successional Habitat Development-Management

CSP

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is the largest conservation program in the United States. Thousands of producers across the country choose to enroll in the program because it helps them build on their existing conservation efforts while continuing to strengthen their operations. Whether a rancher is looking to improve forage quality, suppress weeds, or determine a seed selection for grass planting, NRCS can custom design a CSP plan to help them meet those goals. If a farmer is already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are CSP can help them find new ways to meet those goals.

Ranchers can benefit from CSP in many ways. There are many enhancements specifically related to crop production. Enhancements are management activities that go above and beyond the minimum practice requirements to help achieve a higher level of conservation. Some examples of enhancement options available to ranchers include: Manage Livestock Access to Water, Grazing Management to Improve Wildlife Habitat, Range Planting, Herbaceous Weed Control, Prescribed Burning and even Wildlife Friendly Fencing. In addition, changes to CSP now allow for adaptive management options to better respond to market and weather conditions, allowing producers to choose enhancements, or bundles of enhancements, that best fit their circumstances.

ACEP

For those looking to ensure that their working lands stay working lands, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is a voluntary conservation program that protects agricultural land from conversion to non-farm uses. It also conserves and restores wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) are a program enrollment option that keep working lands available for agriculture by protecting the farming uses or protecting grazing uses of grasslands and related conservation values. An ALE is a permanent easement that is recorded on your deed and stays in effect even if ownership changes. It contains provisions that protect agricultural use by limiting non-farm development.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about EQIP, EQIP-CIC, CSP or ACEP, contact your local NRCS office. An NRCS conservationist will visit with you and evaluate the natural resources on your land. NRCS will then present a variety of conservation practices or system alternatives as part of an overall conservation plan. The conservation plan is a roadmap to help you address those concerns or management goals that improve or protect the natural resource conditions on your land.

PROGRAM DEADLINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

Idaho

• EQIP Sign up 1: October 6, 2023

• EQIP Sign up 2: April 5, 2024

• CSP Sign up 1: March 1, 2024

• ACEP-ALE: Oct 13, 2024

USDA is an equal opportunity, provider, employer and lender.

Nominate Poducers to Fill Seats On the ICA Board of Directors

The Idaho Cattle Association Board of Directors is comprised of 23 members that meet to help direct the organization through the processes of working to promote, protect, and preserve the cattle industry in Idaho.

ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ICA board members include the officer team: President, President Elect, Vice President, Past President, and Treasurer. In addition to our officers, our Executive Committee is comprised of the officer team and four council chairs. The four councils represented on the executive committee include the Cow-Calf, Purebred, Feeder, and Cattlewomen. The nine-member executive committee is accompanied by fourteen additional board members, with two delegates from each of the five ICA districts, two at-large positions, an Allied Industry representative, and a CattleWomen Council representative. Continued input and support of the ICA Board of Directors is a vital part of the continued success of the Idaho Cattle Association. Idaho Cattle Association bylaws state that the Nominating Committee is comprised of the four past presidents, the retiring president, and five district vice-presidents. The immediate past president will serve as the chairperson of this committee. The current retiring president will only vote to break a tie in the process. You may be able, or know of someone who is able, to join the leadership of ICA.

NOMINATING PROCESS

The ICA Nominating Committee will consider all names submitted to fill vacated ICA officer and board seats. Please call or submit your letter of interest to any ICA Nominating Committee member prior to October 15, 2023. A brief cover letter stating the background of the potential candidate, their leadership experience, and interest to serve would be appropriate. This could be given directly to a member of the committee, mailed to the chair or mailed to the office to be forwarded on to the committee. Council Chairpersons will be selected by the respective councils when the seat becomes vacant. Each council should submit two names in ranking order for consideration. Nominations are brought forth in either a council meeting or submitted in a written format to the proper council chair. The council chairs then submit nominations to the Nominating Committee for review and consideration.

It is important to note that our bylaws allow for nominations to be taken from the floor at any annual business meeting, and are in addition to the recom-

mendations put forth by the nominating committee. Nominations from the floor are considered official nominations of the Association.

THE 2023 NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Chair: Mark Pratt

Past Presidents: Jay Smith, Dawn Anderson, and Marty Gill

Current Retiring President: Kim Brackett

District Vice Presidents:

District I: Casey Scott

District II: Lori Ireland

District III: Eugene Matthews

District IV: Ryan Steele

District V: Roscoe Lake

BOARD POSITIONS

EXPIRING IN 2023

• Office of President-Elect

• Office of Vice President

• Purebred Council Chairman

• Cow/Calf Council Chairman

• CattleWomen Council Chair

• District One Representative

• District Three Representative

• District Four Representative

• District Five Representative

• CattleWomen Representative

• Director At Large

• Allied Industry Representative

MAIL TO

Idaho Cattle Association

Attn: Nominating Committee

PO Box 15397

Boise, Idaho 83715

Or Call/Email:

(208) 343-1615

cameron@idahocattle.org

Marketing versus selling YOUR calves and feeder cattle

BY JOHN NALIVKA Sterling Marketing, Inc.

Ithink we can all agree that the cow-calf business is branded by market volatility. While the current market upside is welcome and will give ranchers some breathing room to “beef up” their operating margin, now is the time to shift gears toward capturing the value you have worked hard to create by developing a solid marketing program that will reward you, your family, and your ranch.

The market advantages of building solid genetics in your herd are numerous. We all know that. But, capturing the value that has been created is a different issue. I have written and stated this numerous times over the years - capturing the value created from your investment in genetics that make a difference further up the supply chain is the goal. This is a market based on genetic potential rather than just selling cattle and hoping to generate a positive operating margin.

Last year, the Red Angus Association sent a survey to selected ranchers, backgrounders, auction operators, feedlots, and market economists. I was asked to complete the survey. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into respondent’s opinion on feeder cattle prices based on hide color versus the genetic potential of those same cattle. Overwhelmingly, the results revealed that feeder cattle should be valued on their genetic potential regarding feedlot performance and carcass performance. And while the survey

results presented this data, the results should not be construed as a negative indictment of the Black Angus cattle or the CAB program, but rather the opportunity to move forward in the pricing arena and quantify the value of genetics which have a huge impact on performance. Consequently, the group is now assembling a Task Force with participants across breeds, genetic companies, nutrition companies and others to consider and evaluate opportunities to capture genetic potential in the feeder cattle market. In addition to the Task Force participants, state cattle associations are being approached to support the effort. I was asked to serve on that Task Force as one of two market economists.

Information and initiatives gained through the Task Force will be important to the industry’s future. This is THE stepping stone from selling your calves to marketing your calves and capturing their genetic potential. The potential opportunity for the entire industry - producers, feedlots, packers –that this effort represents cannot be overstated. Capturing the value of those genetics in the beef herd is key to positive operating margins on the ranch, feedlot performance, carcass performance, and last, but not least, building consumer demand with quality U.S. beef.

So, now is the time to look toward a data-driven market program supported by data driven economic decisions on the ranch. The payoff – a positive operating margin driven by your hard work and decisions rather than just ups and downs of the cattle cycle.

New and renewed ICA members

James Hoffman

Multimin USA

Brent Jones

Lake Ranches

Snake River Livestock Company

Vos Cattle LLC

Tree Top Ranches

Sage Meadows Ranch Inc.

Colyer Cattle Co. Inc.

Miller Livestock Solutions

D & B Supply Corporate Office

Symms Fruit Ranch, Inc

Katlin Caldwell

Davis Cattle Company Inc.

Hasbrouck Farms, Inc.

Vulgamore Ranches

Doug & Karen Lustig

Bruner Cattle

Cottonwood Livestock Auction

Doug & Karen Lustig

One Equals One Simmental & Angus

JRM Custom Chopping

Laurie Vaughn

Butte Springs Ranch

Noyes Cattle Co. LLC

Fort Boise Cattle Company

Edward Lodge

Insurance with Shanna

Northwest Farm Credit Services

P3, LLC

Lewiston Veterinary Clinic

Pass Creek Ranch

Dude Ranch Cafe

K Bar K Cattle & Horses

Wilson Creek Cattle Feeders

Eld Ranches

Linda Ramsey

Diamond Peak Cattle Feeders

Reynolds Creek Calf Ranch

Weiser River Cattle Feeders

Wilder Cattle Feeders

RJR Ranch

Pickett Ranch & Sheep Company

M Cross Cattle Co.

Malson Angus Ranch

Forrest Arthur

Kabel & Megan Satterwhite

Ron & Shellie Eliason

Cody & Britney Chandler

K3 Cattle Co

Richards Livestock

Teo & Sarah Maestrejuan

Bruce Ranch

Wroten Land & Cattle

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C.

Dalton Sorensen

Kendrick Cattle Association

Klaveano Ranches Inc.

KODY DEE WILLIAMS

Northwest Regional Manager

Cell: 509.948.6430

Office: 800.989.8247

Email: kodydeewilliams@allflexusa.com

P.O. Box 612266 • 2805 East 14th Street Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, Texas 75261-2266

Dennis Boehlke 9351 Lake Shore Drive Dennis: Nampa ID 83686 (208) 989-1612

2 miles west of Hwy. 45

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Check out our offering at jbbalherefords.com

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– Tyson Narjes, Narjes Cattle Company, Sidney, Nebraska