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July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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CONTENTS July/August 2021 18
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IBA Elects Leadership and Announces Award Winners at Summer Conference IBA members and stakeholders met to elect leadership, discuss industry issues, network with others in the industry and honor award recipients.
Economic Viability and Social Responsibility are Part of Sustainability Too
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Tax & Succession Planning in the 2021 Legislative Climate
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Building a Cattle Legacy
What can producers expect from the Biden Administration - and how can they prepare their farms?
2021 IBA Commercial Producer of the Year winner, O’Hern Stock Farms, has built a five-generation cattle feeding operation in Vermont, Ill.
True sustainability is a balance three different but intersecting pillars, and farmers and ranchers who are dedicated to producing beef.
22 Good Neighbors Make Good Fences Open communication, levelheadedness and an
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understanding of what’s fair and legal can head off many disputes about Illinois Fence Law when it comes to managing the barriers.
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
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Making Her Mark
COLUMNS
Grace Arnold’s desire to mentor and encourage livestock industry youth has earned her the title of IBA 2021 Outstanding Junior of the Year.
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May Beef Month Reaches Over Seven Million Illinois Consumers
6 8 10 12 38
In celebration of May Beef Month, IBA launched campaigns focused on four key beef messages: sustainability, responsibly raised, nutrition and taste.
Association Focus Executive Edge Extension Update Gate Cuts On the Edge of Common Sense
DEPARTMENTS 4 Board of Governors 39 Checking in on the Checkoff 41 Illinois Angus News 51 Illinois Hereford Bulletin 61 Illinois Simmental News 66 Marketplace 68 Purebred Breeders 68 Advertisers Index
On the Cover:
Taken by Betty Haynes at O’Hern Stock Farms in Vermont, Ill. of Cattle Manager, Matt Taylor and Assistant Cattle Manager, Lawrence Knott.
Illinois Beef Magazine Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Avenute, Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 www.illinoisbeef.com Phone: 217-787-4280 Fax: 217-793-3605
Illinois Beef, the official publication on the Illinois Beef Association, is published bi-monthly by the Illinois Beef Association, 2060 W. Iles Ave. Ste. B, Springfield, IL 62704 . Subscription is free to Illinois Beef Association members. Illinois Beef is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of the beef industry by representing all of its segments. Illinois Beef Association retains all editorial rights to the content of the magazine. Member of Livestock Publications Council.
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July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Paul Walker, Danvers
Dave Duzan, Lexington
President IBA Board of Governors Email: pwalker@ilstu.edu
Vice President IBA Board of Governors Email: duzanagy@mtco.com
Policy Division Checkoff Division Chair: Jay Miller, Atlanta Vice Chair: Dave Duzan, Lexington Sec./Treas.: Shannon Welsh, Blandinsville Directors District 1 Jarad Carroll, Mt. Carroll, Jccattle07@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 District 2 Jake Perino, Deer Grove, twinrailsoverp@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025 District 3 Jim Sundberg, Mendota, jimsfarms@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 District 4 Shannon Welsh, Scotia, angus3@winco.net 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026 District 5 Betsy Pech, Lincoln, bpech55@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2021 | 2nd term expires: 2024 District 6 Matt Witte, Heyworth, matthewcwitte@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025 District 7 Kevin Rose, Salem, krr1998@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 At Large Directors Cody Lowderman, Macomb, codylowderman@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 Jake Fidler, Fariview, salebarn@mymctc.net 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025 Wes Hornback, Monticello, wchornback@landolakes.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 Andy Jones, Chapin, ajones@mix30.com 1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 Bruce Betzold, Nokomis, betzoldfarms@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025 Larisa Willrett, Malta, lwillrett1313@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025
IBA Staff Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters, josh@illinoisbeef.com Director of Communications Betty Haynes, betty@illinoisbeef.com Director of Industry Relations Mareah Rauch, mareah@illinoisbeef.com Financial Officer/Business Manager Nancy Betz, accounting@illinoisbeef.com Publications Intern Sydney Trainor, intern@illinoisbeef.com
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Chair: Scott Wetzell, Tampico Vice Chair: Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll Sec./Treas.: Ken Dau, Sheridan Directors District 1 Justin Rahn, Mt. Carroll, justinrahn@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 Lou Lamoreux, Lanark, unclelou49@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026 District 2 Scott Wetzell, Tampico, sd_wetz@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 Bill Gebeck, Buda , wgebeck@aol.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026 District 3 Ken Dau, Sheridan, dau.kenny@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 Jamie Martz, Maple Park, jamiemartz85@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2024 | 2nd term expires: 2027 District 4 Terry Boydstun, Abingdon, tboydstun@hotmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 Thad Tharp, Monmouth, tthaddeus88@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026 District 5 T.J. Curtin, Blue Mound, tjcurtin78@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022 Darrin Smith, Alexander, dasmith@wildblue.net 1st term expires: 2023| 2nd term expires: 2026 District 6 Chase Brown, Warrensburg, cdbrown2@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2022 | 2nd term expires: 2025 Wendall Alwardt, Altamont, walwardt1@yahoo.com 1st term expires: 2023 | 2nd term expires: 2026 District 7 Ed Billingsly, Goreville, stoneridge@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2020 | 2nd term expires: 2023 Jim Meller, Anna, meller.hillcroft.james@gmail.com 1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022
Ex Officio Members
Buzz Iliff Past President Travis Meteer, U of I Extension & BQA Teresa Steckler, U of I Extension Justin Rickard, ISU
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July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Association Focus Paul Walker, Illinois Beef Association President Thank you for having enough faith in my leadership ability to elect me as your next President. It is truly a humbling experience to serve as the 2021 president of the Illinois Beef Association, especially considering the leadership stature of those who have served before me. Several of those who have led this office in years have gone on to serve as NCBA presidents or vice presidents so it seems I have a lot to live up to. Buzz, thank you for the years of service you have provided to IBA, first as a director, then as vice president. and the last two years as president. It is with enthusiasm that I look forward to representing IBA’s membership and the beef producers of Illinois regarding the many contentious issues facing our great industry. IBA’s primary purpose is to create and maintain an environment that allows Illinois producers to do what they do best – raise high quality cattle and produce great tasting beef in a sustainable way. My goal is to help Josh and the Board of Directors implement our 3-year Strategic Plan. Currently, IBA is a financially-viable, well-respected grassroots organization. The past two years the General Assembly in Springfield has been inactive regarding issues affecting the Illinois beef industry, primarily due to COVID-19. However, we have been informed that 2022 may be much more contentious, as several environmental groups may once again challenge the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act (ILMFA). As you are aware, the ILMFA is the regulatory act that allows you and I to build, grow, maintain and operate our beef cattle enterprises. The great thing about the ILMFA is that the specifics of this act are based on science and best management practices that are enacted on a non-political, uniform, statewide basis. If approval of the policies embedded in the ILMFA were to convert to local control, as many radical environmentalists and well-meaning, uninformed politicians advocate, beef cattle production as we know it in Illinois may very well cease to exist. This is the reason why IBA membership is so important. Only IBA dues and Political Action Committee (PAC) monies can be used to lobby legislators to do the right thing – maintain the ILMFA as it is. It takes funding to educate the many new urban, state representatives and senators who have non-agriculture backgrounds and are three or more generations removed from the farm about beef cattle production, why the ILMFA is a good thing and why local control is not always best. Remember, checkoff monies we pay can only be used to educate consumers about cattle/beef production, promote beef and to conduct research regarding
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
the efficacy of beef consumption. Checkoff funds cannot be used for lobbying nor for legislative activities. Be sure to review some of the beef promotional successes highlighted later in Checking in with the Checkoff that checkoff monies funded during May Beef Month. With approximately 18,000 cattle farms in Illinois our opportunities for growth are phenomenal. Think of the increased impact we could have in Springfield if each of IBA’s members could convince just one cattle producer to become an IBA member. I encourage you to read my Gate Cuts column in this issue and study the tables. The purpose of this article is to stimulate your thought process regarding market cattle price discovery. Since writing this article, the cutout value has peaked (for now), is on its way lower, live cattle price is steady to higher and the ratio of the two is seemingly on a track lower which may be to the feeder’s benefit. It will be interesting to see where the ratio settles. A side note, the choice-select spread for the week of June 7 averaged $36.61, an historic high, and no state produces higher quality beef than Illinois producers. The IBA, Board of Directors and staff have been working on your behalf to effect meaningful change in finished cattle price discovery. For those of you who responded to the IBA Market Cattle Price Discovery Survey – thank you for your input. IBA leadership welcomes your input. It is imperative that we have viable communication with our members if we are to serve you effectively. For those of you who did not have the opportunity to participate in the survey, please familiarize yourself with the Grassley bill, Fischer bill and the Hartzler bill. One of these three bills or a compromise bill will be considered by Congress in the near future. To help IBA represent your needs and viewpoint, let us know your perspective. I look forward to visiting with you in Springfield and DuQuoin at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs. IBA will host the Ribeye Corral once again so be sure to stop by. This year the IBA leadership team has to split up and be in two places at once—Josh, Betty, Nancy, I and others will be in Springfield at the Illinois State Fair; while Mareah, Dave, Terry and others will be in Nashville attending NCBA Cattle Industry Convention. Leslie and I will have cattle in the Simmental barn so we will be there too. It is going to be a great year.
www.illinoisbeef.com
Illinois State Fair
Activities Junior Beef Show Wednesday–August 11
Friday–August 13
1 p.m. Showmanship
8:30 a.m. Maine Anjou & Mainetainer 11 a.m. Charolais
Thursday–August 12
Saturday–August 14
8:30 a.m. Performance Cow-Calf Polled Hereford Hereford Angus Shorthorn Simmental AOB 9 a.m. Heifers Charolais Hereford Polled Hereford Chianina AOB Maine Mainetainer
8 a.m. Hereford & Polled Hereford
Sunday–August 15 9 a.m. Steers 8 a.m. Simmental Limousin/Limousin Flex Low % Simmental
Monday–August 16 8 a.m. Shorthorn Shorthorn Plus
One hour after Shorthorn Plus Angus
Friday–August 13
8 a.m. Heifers Angus Shorthorn Shorthorn Plus Simmental Limousin Low % Simmental
Other Competitions & Events Wednesday–August 11 Superior Young Producer
Friday–August 13
Saturday–August 14
Master Showmanship
8 a.m. Steers Angus Shorthorn AOB Simmental Hereford Crossbred
www.illinoisbeef.com
Open Beef Show
Sunday–August 15 One hour after the completion of the open steer show. IJBA Jackpot Heifer Show
Tuesday–August 17
Ag Day 4:30 p.m. Governor’s Sale of Champions
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Executive Edge Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President It is hard to believe how quickly we are rolling through July. Summer months are filled with some of the longest days of the year, but it seems to me that the weeks sure fly by quickly given all the activities this season brings on a cattle operation. For the association staff and leaders, it is also the final stretch of planning and organizing ahead of the state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin. I am excited for the many great events we have planned, and I do hope you are able to join us for at least some of the festivities. One highlight of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield is our Ribeye Corral at the Commodities Pavilion, across from the Grandstand. This venue gives us a chance to engage with thousands of consumers during the 11-days of the fair and provides the opportunity to serve up quality beef products to feed the fairgoers and exhibitors. But we cannot make this food stand a success without member participation, and volunteers are still needed. Please drop me an e-mail or call the office if you are willing to help for a shift during the fair. I promise we will keep it fun, and you will likely have the chance to make some new friends. I have enjoyed the chance already this summer to meet and make friends with many producers across the state. Thank you to the affiliate organizations and local groups who have hosted me for county dinners, beef promotions at county fairs and for farm visits with several of you. I appreciate connecting names and faces, and really value the conversations with our local members throughout Illinois. It is evident to me that our industry, and this organization, has a lot to celebrate including the many new faces we have welcomed into IBA so far in 2021. Our organization has added nearly 500 new members this year, for example. And as we have been able to hold public events again, many new people have turned out to participate for the first time in BQA workshops, at our recent IBA Summer Conference and at local affiliate meetings. It is encouraging and inspiring to see the growth in our industry. In recent weeks, several state breed organizations have had delegations of Illinois families traveling across the country for regional and national junior cattle shows, and I have heard consistently about newcomers participating in those great youth programs as well. We recently completed elections of new leaders during our Annual Meeting held in East Peoria. Congratulations to Dr. Paul Walker and Dave Duzan, who are now serving as our President and Vice President, respectively. We have also welcomed several new faces onto the Board of Governors, including Wes Hornback of Monticello, Cody Lowderman of Macomb, Jamie Martz of Maple Park and Kevin Rose of Salem. These newly elected leaders, along with our continuing Directors, make up a tremendous group of leaders who are advocating on behalf of you and your operation, and I am grateful for their volunteerism. 8
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Another aspect of this busy summer season for me personally is the political functions and meetings with our elected officials within the General Assembly. It is another arena where there are many new faces, given how many of our State Representatives and State Senators are new to Springfield this year. Unfortunately, only a few of them come from backgrounds where they know firsthand about beef production and agriculture in general. This creates a significant opportunity to connect with these leaders to share the story of our industry and our organization. I am always looking for members and beef producing families willing to help with our political engagements across the state; if you are interested in helping promote IBA’s mission to your elected officials, please reach out to the IBA office and let me know. We are quickly approaching the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn. NCBA has put together a stellar lineup of meetings and trade show exhibits this year, on August 10-12, at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center. While I won’t be able to attend in person this year (due to IBA commitments at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield), we have a great delegation of our leaders and staff making the trip to represent IBA. Policy debate at this year’s meeting will certainly center around several critical topics at the national level, including proposed legislation on cattle market transparency and price discovery, as well as federal tax policies being proposed by the Biden Administration. We will have more information from the NCBA meeting in next month’s Illinois Beef magazine, and in the meantime via e-mail updates and online from our staff in Springfield. Specific to policy topics, we have completed the member survey on cattle market transparency in the last few days. Hundreds of beef producers from across the state provided their input, and our Policy Division of the IBA Board of Governors is meeting later this month to review the results. Thank you to each of you who took the time to complete the survey and submit your opinions on this important subject. We will be sending out communication to all of you regarding the results, and how the membership input is shaping IBA’s input on national policy debates at the meetings in Tennessee next month. If you have questions, concerns or need help with an issue on your operation or in your community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My contact at the office is josh@illinoisbeef.com or (217) 787-4280 and if I am on the road, you can call or text me via (217) 282-0250.
www.illinoisbeef.com
Volunteers Volunteers Wanted Wanted FOR THE
During the 2021 Illinois State Fair
August 12-22
Sign up for a shift now by calling the IBA office at 217-787-4280 or email josh@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Extension Update Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist
Don’t Buy the “Trojan Horse” The story of the Trojan horse is well known. The big, beautiful statue concealed Greek soldiers that attacked and took the city of Troy in the dead of night. The statue was willingly brought into the heavily guarded and fortified city, yet it led to the fall of the Trojans. Unfortunately, a similar story can be told by several cattle producers that have purchased in cattle that were carrying disease. Drought in different areas of the United States will move many cows hundreds of miles from origin. In many cases cows are under-valued in drought areas due to lack of water and low feed supplies. Even with higher freight costs, cows can be bought cheaper out of drought areas compared to local markets. I think it is important to realize that cows from different areas of the country and from drought-stricken areas are not without potential pitfalls. It is important to realize these potential pitfalls. Management of herd health, nutrition, and biosecurity are crucial to avoid bringing in problems. Below are more details:
Herd Health
Don’t let these “cheap” cows suddenly cost you thousands of dollars. Cows from any location need to be monitored closely for diseases that could ruin herd health. A lapse in herd health management and biosecurity to accommodate cheap cows could result in a disaster. Quarantine periods need to be at least two weeks. If there are signs of health risk or pending test results for disease, quarantine should remain until otherwise specified by your veterinarian. Some diseases that should be managed against or tested for include Trichomoniasis, Anaplasmosis, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), Johnes, Leptospirosis, and Vibriosis/Campylobacterosis. These diseases are potential herd-wreckers. Abortion storms, repertory disease and sub-clinical symptoms associated with several of these diseases could quickly erase any herd profit potential. Vaccinations and testing for these diseases are good insurance practices, but they are not a substitution for maintaining quarantine period and strict biosecurity. Buy cattle from a reputable source that has a well-executed herd health program. Always consult with your local veterinarian when bringing in new cattle.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Cows that have been subjected to drought conditions and nutritional stressors are good candidates for problems. Body Condition scoring is a good way to evaluate past nutrition. Due to limited forage availability in a drought, cows tend to drop below ideal Body Condition Score (BCS) and thus
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
problems or added feed costs can follow. Dystocia/Retained Placenta is one concern that can surface as a result of poor nutrition. Calving problems arise as cows are weaker and less equipped to meet the nutrient and energy demands involved with calving. If cows are brought up slowly on nutrition, you may avoid these issues. It is important to have a time period to adjust cows to the new environment and add some body condition. Another pitfall of under-nourished cows is immunosuppression. Thus, they are more susceptible to becoming ill or contracting diseases. There is also data to support that calves that are in-utero or born into these stressors have lower performance and less immunity. These are hidden costs that can eliminate potential profits. It is important to realize thin cows need to be supplemented until they re-gain condition.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
Cows that are from drought areas can potentially be deficient in some minerals and vitamins. Obviously, with these deficiencies cattle cannot perform to maximum capacity and in severe cases they can be compromised. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also contribute to immunosuppression, thus leading to increased health risk. It is crucial that vitamins and minerals be adequately provided through feed, mineral, and injectables if needed. I would recommend direct-feeding the mineral with a supplement or an injectable mineral supplement to ensure these valuable components make it in the cow. Free-choice mineral consumption is extremely variable and at times not all cows consume free-choice mineral. If you must use free-choice mineral, place it in the path of the cattle and near a water source. In summary, risk is always involved with purchasing cattle from another source. Level of risk depends partly on the source and previous environment, but also on the level of management applied to them upon receiving. Biosecurity and herd health protocols should be designed and followed closely before bringing in new cattle. Many cattle are very adaptable, but naïve cattle may need special attention as they transition to new grass and a new environment. I urge producers to develop a good working relationship with your veterinarian, nutritionist, and extension specialist. Good relationships, good management, and well vetted plans make the cattle business a fun and profitable place to be.
www.illinoisbeef.com
Join Us For
BQA Meetings
All meetings are FREE to IBA members and $20 for non-IBA members, and include dinner and training materials. Pre-registration is required. Please RSVP by calling the IBA office at 217-787-4280 or online at www.illinoisbeef.com. Certiication is good for 3 years. If you certiied in 2018, you will need to re-certify to remain in good standing. This can be done in person or online at www.bqa.org. More certiications will be offered in the Fall/Winter 2021.
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July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Gate Cuts Paul Walker, DI Walker Consulting
OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN: Three Black Swan Events Exacerbate the Problem Our finished cattle marketing system has an hourglass shape – many feedlot operators at the top selling fat cattle to a few beef packers in the middle, who merchandize beef to many purveyors, distributors and retailers at the bottom. This phenomenon creates two supply/demand curves - one for live cattle and one for retail beef, creating a disconnect between the cattle selling business and the beef merchandizing business. As cattle producers, we like to think and promote the idea that we are in the beef business, but one could make the case that the hourglass affect has effectively made the feedlot operators customer the packer not the consumer, regarding marketing and pricing. This is not where we want to be as an industry - but it could be reality if we are not careful. You have heard the saying “the swine industry follows the poultry industry, and the cattle industry follows the swine industry.” Concentration and vertical integration within an industry are generally the result of a slow, gradual process, with one or two dynamic events that speed up the process. As an example, the swine industry has been concentrating and vertically integrating since the 1960’s. The swine industry’s Black Swan event occurred in 1998 when the value of market hogs went to essentially zero. Many farrow to finish family operations left the swine industry or became contract growerfinishers for large integrators. Concentration within the cattle feedlot sector began in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s with the development of the interstate highway system. Several factors have affected concentration of the feedlot sector over the 60 years since then. A perfect storm occurred in the mid 1970’s (1973-1977) that hastened the exodus of farmer-feeders. This perfect storm included: 1) the corn blight and $3:bu. corn, 2) closing of the nation’s stockyards, 3) the oil embargo and gasoline shortages/high gas prices, 4) grocery store butcher strikes/ high meat prices/consumer boycotts, 5) the all-time peak in U.S. cattle numbers/low cattle prices, and 6) Earl Butz, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, encouraging farmers to plant grain “fence-row to fence-row.” Many Midwest cattle feeders exited the feedlot business because they had lost enough money. Hence, drive down any two-lane highway in Illinois today, and see all the vacant cattle barns, shining concrete lots and empty silos. For decades, a persistent dilemma has attacked the cattle feeding industry - consistent profitability or lack of it. High feed costs, high feeder cattle costs, increased environmental regulation, high labor costs, fewer but larger packers, limited numbers of bids for finished cattle and other factors have all contributed to concentration of cattle feeding in the southern 12
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
high plains states, and to the decline in Midwest cattle feeding operations. Also, a change in how cattle are marketed has been a contributing factor as to who feeds cattle. Basically, there are four methods for marketing cattle in addition to using futures or options as a marketing strategy. They are cash, basis, forward-contract and formula-pricing. In addition, there are several forms of each of these methods that can be utilized. For example, regarding cash, one can sell finished cattle via live auction or video/internet auction, negotiated direct-to-packer sales on a carcass grid basis, negotiated direct-to-packer sales on a live basis, or negotiated direct-topacker sales on a dressed basis. Over time, fewer cattle have been marketed via cash and more cattle are being marketed through forward-contracts or on a formula method (often referred to as alternative marketing methods or A.M.M.). One of the problems is that forward-contracts and formulapriced cattle value are based on cash cattle prices, and ...fewer and fewer cattle are sold on a cash basis for which to establish formula and forward-contract values. It is interesting that in Illinois nearly one-half the finished cattle are sold on a cash basis. Regardless of the method utilized for establishing the value of finished cattle, the ratio of beef cutout price the packer receives to the live cattle price the feeder receives has been increasing overtime. Historically, the ratio of wholesale cutout price ($:cwt) to cash fed-cattle price ($:cwt) has ranged between 1.40:1 to 1.60:1. I cite the average price ratio for the week of Nov. 20-26 for the years 2010 to 2015 that ranges from 1.50:1 to 1:62:1 (refer to Table 1). Since that time, the ratio of beef cutout value to live cattle price has steadily increased overtime, meaning the feeder has been getting a smaller share of the dollar as the packer has been betting a larger share. As Table 1 shows, I have listed the average monthly ratio of beef cutout price to live cattle price form Jan. 2016 to March 2021. Table 2 shows the ratio by day from April 16, 2021 to June 15, 2021. Accordingly, the data shows that from the fall of 2020 (post-COVID-19) to April 15, 2021, the ratio has increased from around 1:60:1 up to over 2.20:1. Since August of 2019, three Black Swan events have exaggerated the ratio. The first Black Swan event occurred between August 2019 to Nov. 2019 and coincides with the Tyson Packing House fire in Holcomb, Kan. that occurred in late August. During this time, the ratio increased to 2.1:1. The second Black Swan event occurred between March 2020 to Sept. 2020 and coincides with the initiation of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the ratio increased to 2.40:1. Following this seven-month period, the ratio of cutout price to live cattle price seemingly established a new normal
www.illinoisbeef.com
TABLE 1: RATIO OF BEEF CUTOUT PRICE ($:CWT) TO LIVE CATTLE CASH
SOURCE: USDA DATAMART NAT. WEEKLY BOX BEEF CUTOUT/NEGOTIATED CASH SALES DATE BEEF CUTOUT LIVE CASH RATIO DATE BEEF CUTOUT LIVE CASH RATIO 3/26/2021 2/26/2021 1/29/2021 12/23/2020 11/20/2020 10/23/2020 9/25/2020 8/21/2020 7/24/2020 6/26/2020 5/22/2020 4/24/2020 3/20/2020 2/21/2020 1/24/2020 12/20/2019 11/22/2019 10/25/2019 9/20/2019 8/23/2019 7/26/2019 6/21/2019 5/24/2019 4/26/2019 3/22/2019 2/22/2019 1/25/2019 12/21/2018 11/23/2018 10/26/2018 9/21/2018 8/24/2018 7/20/2018 6/22/2018 5/25/2018
234.78 240.39 230.28 209.71 234.51 209.03 216.87 222.49 201.56 210.2 405.4 272.33 243.03 205.71 214.78 211.63 236.75 223.08 218.75 239.87 213.09 220.9 220.64 233.49 228.95 228.98 217.72 216.71 212.71 213.76 211.5 213.86 204.32 218.65 229.34
114.93 113.86 110.38 108.56 108.56 106.36 104.01 105.13 97.16 103.76 112.06 100.89 112.56 118.57 124.09 120.15 115.3 109.49 102.88 110.25 113.95 117.86 125.79 127.58 124.7 123.05 119.51 115.19 111.95 109.91 110.49 112.1 110.24 119.04 120.74
2.05/1 2.11/1 2.09/1 1.93/1 2.16/1 1.97/1 2.09/1 2.12/1 2.07/1 2.03/1 3.60/1 2.70/1 2.16/1 1.73/1 1.73/1 1.76/1 2.05/1 2.04/1 2.13/1 2.18/1 1.87/1 1.87/1 1.75/1 1.83/1 1.84/1 1.86/1 1.82/1 1.88/1 1.90/1 1.96/1 1.91/1 1.91/1 1.85/1 1.84/1 1.90/1
around 2.05:1. The third Black Swan event began in April 2021 and is occurring as I write this article. Since April 16 through June 15, the average daily ratio of cutout price to live cattle price has been 2.60:1 - and what is the cause of this third Black Swan event? I do not know, maybe several factors: the COVID-19 pandemic effect is not over, packing plants cannot run at full capacity due to labor shortage, shortage of shackle space (not enough packing house capacity), backlog of heavy-weight finished cattle, too many cattle sold via forward-contract decreasing the need for packers to purchase live cattle, driving the price of cash cattle down? As example of the last factor, during the week of May 3, 2021 one major www.illinoisbeef.com
4/20/2018 3/23/2018 2/23/2018 1/26/2018 12/22/2017 11/24/2017 10/20/2017 9/22/2017 8/25/2017 7/21/2017 6/23/2017 5/26/2017 4/21/2017 3/24/2017 2/24/2017 1/20/2017 12/23/2016 11/25/2016 10/21/2016 9/23/2016 8/26/2016 7/22/2016 6/24/2016 5/20/2016 4/22/2016 3/25/2016 2/26/2016 1/22/2016 11/20/2015 11/21/2014 11/22/2013 11/23/2012 11/25/2011 11/26/2010
211.78 224.18 216.53 206.7 200.14 208.7 198.63 191.98 192.3 207.88 244.9 246.28 215.63 223.12 194.48 191.65 197.23 186.3 179.99 186.48 200.34 201.39 216.82 225.72 222.27 226.62 216.51 228.73 206.41 254.78 199.28 194.92 196.64 161.01
125.41 127.86 123.4 120 121.49 112.65 107.04 111.55 118.65 128.67 137.36 131.35 127.14 120.86 119.9 113.83 108.62 101.48 106.16 116.73 117.55 123.29 128.9 129.85 136.92 133.69 133.95 124.73 127.44 170.3 131.68 126.03 123.91 99.8
1.69/1 1.75/1 1.75/1 1.72/1 1.65/1 1.85/1 1.86/1 1.72/1 1.62/1 1.62/1 1.78/1 1.88/1 1.70/1 1.85/1 1.62/1 1.68/1 1.82/1 1.84/1 1.70/1 1.60/1 1.70/1 1.63/1 1.68/1 1.74/1 1.64/1 1.70/1 1.62/1 1.83/1 1.62/1 1.50/1 1.51/1 1.55/1 1.59/1 1.61/1
packer announced they would not buy any cattle from sale barns to help eliminate the backlog of customer cattle. During the week of April 26, 2021, regarding seven packing plants in the southern U.S., only 2 days kill consisted of cash cattle. If the new normal ratio of cutout price to live cattle cash price is in the 2.20:1 plus range at a time when consumer demand for beef is high, then the finished cattle marketing system is broken, and the industry needs to face this situation head-on and work for a proactive solution. According to Alkin Kalo, chief economist at Steiner Consulting Group, in a Drovers Daily article by Greg Henderson (2019), “Beginning July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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TABLE 2: RATIO OF BEEF CUTOUT PRICE ($:CWT) TO LIVE CATTLE CASH PRICE ($:CWT) SPRING 2021 SOURCE: PAUL WALKER
DATE BEEF CUTOUT AVG 4/16 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/23 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/30 5/3 5/4 5/5 5/6 5/7 5/10 5/11 5/12 5/13 5/14
LIVE CASH AVG RATIO DATE
276.05 276.16 278.26 280.46 282.31 283.77 285.2 290.99 292.5 293.76 296.5 299.3 301.22 304.78 306.37 305.88 309.11 312.37 315.08 316.78 316.94
125 123.04 120 123 123 122 120 119 119.5 119.57 119 119 118 118 118 118.2 120 121 121 120 122
2.21:1 2.24:1 2.32:1 2.28:1 2.30:1 2.33:1 2.38:1 2.43:1 2.45:1 2.46:1 2.49:1 2.51:1 2.55:1 2.58:1 2.60:1 2.59:1 2.58:1 2.58:1 2.60:1 2.64:1 2.60:1
in 2018 the relationship between cutout and fed cattle values shifted. Fed-cattle supplies slowly started to increase at a time when beef demand was also on the upswing and packers started to bump up against capacity constraints. The ratio of 1.61:1 was not sustainable due to lack of packer capacity issues.” In 2019 the ratio of cutout to fed cattle was 1.91:1. On June 3, 2021, the ratio was 2.81:1 (the highest cutout value day of the third Black Swan event). If the ratio was at a historic level of 1.61:1, the price of choice fats should have been $211.52:cwt or the cutout price should have been $192.60:cwt not $340.55 at a $121.00 live cattle price (refer to Table 2). Clearly, as consumer demand for beef is high, the cattle feeder should be capturing a larger share of the consumer dollar. It seems that cash live cattle price should be directly tied to beef cutout value. A direct tie would allow live cattle prices to go up as beef cutout prices go up and the feeder could realize a larger dollar share of consumer demand for beef. Of course a direct tie also would allow live cattle prices to go down as beef cutout value goes down. On the other hand, maybe that function already occurs. The downside is in, the upside is not. Rather than focusing on cash fed-cattle prices and whether-or-not a portion of cash purchases by packers should be mandated, maybe the findustry should be giving serious consideration of other methods to fix our broken fed-cattle marketing system. Maybe we should ask and find answers to some hard questions. Do packers have a monopoly? Should the three largest packers be broken up? Is there any price fixing within 14
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5/17 5/18 5/19 5/20 5/21 5/24 5/25 5/26 5/27 5/28 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4 6/7 6/8 6/9 6/10 6/11 6/14 6/15
BEEF CUTOUT AVG
LIVE CASH AVG RATIO
319.62 323.34 323.38 324.18 325.17 327.83 329.92 329.49 329.98 330.97 334.56 340.16 340.55 338.98 338.6 338.61 338.65 338.25 337.56 335.47 334.43
41-DAY MEAN
120 121 121.25 121.15 120 120 121 121 122 117
2.66:1 2.67:1 2.67:1 2.68:1 2.71:1 2.73:1 2.73:1 2.75:1 2.71:1 2.83:1
122.5 121 120.5 120 120.03 122.5 121 121.89 124 123.48
2.78:1 2.81:1 2.81:1 2.82:1 2.82:1 2.77:1 2.80:1 2.77:1 2.71:1 2.71:1
2.6
the beef sector? How do we directly tie cutout value and cash cattle price together? I do not accept the opinion that the major disconnect between live cattle price and cutout value is due to a lack of shackle space. Rather, I think it could be partly due to slower fabricating line speeds, partially due to COVID-19 prevention strategies, worker absenteeism, low worker pay and possibly a host of other reasons. One could say this is not the cattle persons problem, but it is if packers are making money under the current scenario and cattle producers/feeders are not. Packers buying more cattle in the cash market may/may not be part of the answer, but I suggest it is not the whole answer. I suggest the industry needs to turn its discussion away from mandating cash purchases by packers to directly linking cutout value to live cattle price. The cattle industry through its member organizations needs to ask a lot of questions and get some solutions quickly or we will have another Black Swan event like the industry suffered in the 1970’s. If it makes anyone feel better, the cattle/beef industry is not alone. The lumber industry has similar problems, but their issue is primarily one of labor. Retail lumber prices are high because retail demand is high due to a housing boom. Logging prices are low due to lack of demand for logs by mills because mills cannot find enough labor to cut the logs. NOTE: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Illinois Beef magazine nor of IBA.
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Affiliate News Heartland Beef Alliance Heartland Beef Alliance and Mason County Farm Bureau collected ground beef donations on May 20.
Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association The Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association donated beef sticks to the blood center for May Beef Month. Each donor received a beef stick as part of the promotion. Beef sticks were also donated to participants of the Bruce Johnson Memorial Farm to Farm 5K/10K Run in March.
JoDaviess County Beef Association 300 people attended and supported the JoDaviess County Beef Association at their scholarship and beef promotion auction. A prime rib dinner was served and over $24,000 was raised.
Knox County Cattlemen’s Association The Knox County Cattlemen’s Association held a grocery store giveaway event in honor of May Beef Month.
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Henry County Beef Association The Henry County Beef Association awarded scholarships and awards during their annual Banquet in June. Scholarship recipeints include Bree Olson and Brooke Jackson. Junior ambassadors Ella Jeffries, Madeline Nightengale, Kyla Derycke and senior ambassador Kaden Davison were all in attendance. Awardees left to right: 2021 Young Producer: Devin Olson 2020 Lifetime Achievement: Benny Kuster 2019 Outstanding Member: Ron Grymonprez 2020 Outstanding Member: Brad Bates President: Chad Horsley 2021 Beef Backer: Mike Nordstrom 2021 Friend of the Industry: Wilbur Nelson 2021 Lifetime Achievement: Dean Olson
Prarie Beef Association The Prarie Beef Association sponsored a billboard on Highway 51 to support beef. They also are sponsoring several livestock shows this summer. Prairie Beef would also like to congragulate Grace Arnold on being selected as IBA Outstanding Junior of the Year. Katie Sellmeyer was a speaker on the Marketing Beef Direct to Consumers panel at the IBA Summer Conference. The Summer Cattlemen’s Picnic is TBD and infomation will be mailed to all members.
Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association The Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association Affiliate Banquet and Educational Tour is set for Saturday, August 28 at the Warren County Fairgrounds-Roseville. Schedule includes: Depart the Warren County Fairgrounds at approximately 2:00 p.m. Stop #1: Earlybird Nutrition, LLC Roseville Facility Tour & Nutrition Representatives Stop #2: Strickler Farms - Producer Perspective, Facility Sighting and Manure Management Return to Warren County Fairgrounds at approximately 5:00 p.m. for Social Hour, Ribeye Meal, Live Auction and Country Musician Eric Burgett. Ticket information will be available in the coming weeks. Follow their Facebook page for the most up to date information. Sponsorships are available by contacting tricountycattlemen@gmail.com or Alison McGrew at 309-337-0687.
Affiliate News Do you have Affiliate News? Submit information to Betty Haynes at betty@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280. Please notify Betty as changes to affiliate officer teams are made for our records.
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In the Know IBA Elects Leadership and Announces Award Winners at Summer Conference The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) hosted their Summer Conference and Annual Meeting on June 8-9 in East Peoria, Ill. IBA members and stakeholders met to elect leadership, discuss industry issues, network with others in the industry, and honor award recipients. Dr. Paul Walker of Danvers was elected IBA president and Dave Duzan of Lexington was elected IBA vice president. Wes Hornback of Monticello and Cody Lowderman of Macomb were elected to serve as At-Large Policy Division directors. Kevin Rose of Salem was elected to serve as the Policy Division District 3 director representing Monroe, St Clair, Clinton, Marion, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Randolph, Washington, Perry, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac counties. Jamie Martz of Maple Park was elected to serve as the Checkoff Division District 3 director representing Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Will, Grundy, Kankakee Livingston, Ford and Iriquois counties. “It is truly a humbling experience to serve as the next President of the Illinois Beef Association, especially considering the leadership stature of those who have served before me,” Walker said. “I look forward to representing IBA’s membership and the beef producers of Illinois regarding the many contentious issues facing our great industry. IBA’s primary purpose is to create and maintain an environment that allows Illinois producers to do what they do best – raise high quality cattle and produce great tasting beef in a sustainable way.” Award winners were also honored during IBA Summer Conference and Annual Meeting. These honorees were nominated and selected by a committee of their peers based on the individual or farm’s adoption of progressive management, marketing, or animal and environmental care methods. Their contributions to Illinois’ beef industry through involvement and service to industry organizations and are a clear and unique example of role models in the cattle industry for others to follow. The award winners are: • The Frost family of Tallula was recognized as the Farm Family of the Year • Lorenzen Farms of Chrisman was recognized as the Seedstock Breeder of the Year • O’Hern Stock Farm of Vermont was recognized as the Commercial Producer of the Year • Wildberry Farms of Hanover was recognized as the Environmental Steward of the Year • Grace Arnold of Clinton was recognized as the Outstanding Junior of the Year
Merck Animal Health’s “Cartridges For Cash” Program Funds Illinois Beef Foundation Sara Benson with Merck Animal Health presented a check to IBA leaders at IBA Summer Conference for $5,932 to help fund the Illinois Beef Foundation’s youth scholarship program. The program is currently ongoing and cattle producers across the state have a chance to support the Illinois Beef Foundation by returning Revalor-XS and Ralgro cartridges to their veterinarian. 18
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Cattle Market Legislation Introduced in Congress Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO-4) has introduced the Optimizing the Cattle Market Act of 2021 in the U.S. House. The legislation builds on a growing consensus among cattle producers, industry leaders, and Members of Congress that the current market dynamics — which stunt producer profitability and put undue market leverage on the side of meatpackers — are not sustainable for the beef supply chain. If enacted, the bill would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a cattle formula contracts library and increase the reporting window for “cattle committed” from seven to 14 days. These measures would increase transparency in the industry and improve the opportunity for robust price discovery. Rep. Hartzler’s legislation also reiterates the need for expedited reauthorization of USDA’s Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program. The bill would also require USDA, in consultation with the Chief Economist, to establish mandated minimums for regional negotiated cash and negotiated grid live cattle trade. Minimums would be set within two years of passage of the bill and would invite stakeholder input through a public comment period and the consideration of key, peerreviewed research from land grant universities.
U.S. Senate Agriculture Leaders Hold Public Review on Cattle Markets The United States Senate Agriculture Committee held a public meeting about cattle marketing on June 23, in Washington D.C. The hearing titled, “Examining Markets, Transparency, and Prices from Cattle Producer to Consumer” addressed a wide range of issues, including the urgent need for robust price discovery and differing industry views on how to achieve it, greater market transparency and oversight, and expanded beef processing capacity. “As we stated in our written testimony today, the wide-ranging market challenges our producers are facing cannot be remedied with a single solution overnight,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We must address the issues preventing our members from securing their share of the beef dollar, but we must do so in a way that respects the voices of all cattle producers, regardless of how they choose to market their cattle. We thank Mr. Gardiner for his insights, and we thank Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Boozman, and other Senators on the committee for the investment they have demonstrated in the issues facing America’s cattle producers. We appreciate the care taken by both the majority and minority to consult and select a witness panel that can speak to the current market dynamics from multiple angles.” The hearing last month comes on the heels of growing conversation about cattle markets both in Congress and across the country. In June, NCBA led a letter with the support of Illinois Beef Association and 36 other affiliate state cattle organizations urging the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees to address critical areas of concern in the cattle and beef industry. Multiple lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have written the U.S. Department of Justice calling for the swift conclusion of their investigation into whether anticompetitive practices have taken place in the meatpacking sector.
USDA Announced New Funds for Small, Independent Beef Processors Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of two new, competitive grant funding opportunities for small, regional, and independent meat processors using funds the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) worked to secure at the end of last year. After fighting hard for several key priorities for cattle producers in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, NCBA praised USDA for putting $55.2 million of those funds toward the critical need for greater beef processing capacity. The competitive grant funding will be available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The funds will support small beef processing facilities making the improvements necessary to achieve a Federal Grant of Inspection, or to operate under their state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. Applications for funding must be submitted online at www.grants.gov by Monday, Aug. 2. www.illinoisbeef.com
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Economic Viability and Social Responsibility are Part of Sustainability Too by Clay Burtrum, Chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils
S
ustainability is certainly a hot topic these days, and most discussions revolve around environmental stewardship, but there are other aspects of sustainability to consider including economic viability and social responsibility. True sustainability is a balance of these three different but intersecting pillars, and farmers and ranchers are dedicated to producing beef in a way that prioritizes all three. Although we are hearing more about sustainability through the media and from consumers, it is not a new concept, as we have been conserving natural resources, contributing to the economy and engaging with our communities for generations. Simply put, cattle are raised sustainably in the U.S. and generate more protein for the human food supply than would exist without them.1 Additionally, the beef industry is an integral part of local communities and the national economy. Environmental sustainability encompasses biodiversity, carbon and water footprints, wildlife habitat, soil and rangeland health and the ability of cattle to utilize human inedible feeds. Cattle expand the land available for human food production and do so while enhancing natural ecosystems. This is due to their ability to upcycle humaninedible plants into high-quality protein.2 In fact, the U.S. has had the lowest beef greenhouse gas emissions intensity in the world since 1996,3 and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas from beef cattle only represents 2% of emissions in the U.S.4 I have talked with producers across the country about their stewardship efforts including incorporating rotational grazing systems, developing manure management plans, utilizing solar power for remote well pumps, implementing buffers to protect waterways, providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators and countless other innovative ways they are protecting land and water while also caring for animals. Producers make decisions on a daily basis that positively impact the environment now and preserve the land and water for the future, with a goal of leaving the land better than when they started. Economic sustainability includes improving rural economies and livelihoods, maintaining the affordability of beef to consumers, and embracing profitability - allowing
farmers and ranchers to continue producing high-quality beef. As our global population grows and demand for beef increases worldwide, the economic viability of our industry is critical to maintaining a sustainable food system. Annually, the beef industry contributes $167 billion in gross sales to the national economy and more than 721,000 jobs and $10.8 billion in employee compensation are supported by beef production.5 Social sustainability includes animal welfare, antibiotic and technology use, community engagement, recreational value and tourism and the culture and traditions of beef producers as farms and ranches are passed from one generation to the next. Producers are active citizens who are the cornerstone of rural America, contributing time and talents to communities by serving on school boards, volunteering at organizations and running for local elected offices. According to the 2017 Cattlemen’s Stewardship review, 78% of ranchers plan to invest in their community by passing their operation on to future generations.6 The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, funded by the Beef Checkoff, also impacts social sustainability by training farmers and ranchers on best practices and cattle management techniques to ensure their animals and the environment are cared for within a standard set of guidelines across the U.S. beef industry. With more than 85% of the beef supply in the U.S. today coming from a BQA certified farmer or rancher, consumers can feel good knowing there is a national program in place that sets consistent animal welfare and care standards. The three pillars of sustainability are often described as legs of a stool and if any one of them are missing, the stool will fall. Environment, economy and community work together to support a sustainable food system, and beef farmers and ranchers play a vital role in making sure all three remain healthy. Despite what you may hear through the media, remember that our industry is not the cause of climate change, but the solution for a brighter and cleaner future. You can feel confident knowing that through your daily efforts of effectively managing the land and cattle, the U.S. produces the most sustainable beef in the world and will continue to do so for generations to come.
1 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/19014 2 Davies, KW, et al. Winter grazing can reduce wildfire size, intensity and behaviour in a shrub-grassland. International Journal of Wildland Fire 25(2) 191-199 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF15055 Submitted: 27 February 2015 Accepted: 16 May 2015 Published: 11 August 2015. 3 Climate Watch Data. Agriculture. Found on https://www.climatewatchdata.org/sectors/agriculture?emissionType=136&emissionsCountry=EU U&filter=#drivers-of-emissions; FAO-STAT. Emissions intensities. Found on http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/EI 4 EPA. 2019. Inventory of U. S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2017. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C. 5 English, L., J. Popp, G. Alward, and G. Thoma. 2020. Economic contributions of the U.S. beef industry. Forthcoming. 6 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 2017. 2017 Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review. Found on https://www.beefboard.org/2018/05/14/2017cattlemens-stewardship-review/.
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CATTLE DO MORE THAN RECYCLE
They upcycle by eating human-inedible plants and converting them into high-quality protein that sustains people.1,2
The adoption of a grazing management plan can boost farm and ranch sustainability by increasing forage production and adding to the bottom line. Wholesome beef for people. Land that’s nourished for future generations. Learn more: 1.
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). 1999. Animal Agriculture and Global Food Supply. Task force report N. 135 July 1999, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA. Available at: http://agrienvarchive.ca/bioenergy/download/anag.pdf 2. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/19014
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good neighbors
make good fences Working Within the Confines of Illinois Fence law
by Barb Anderson
T
he saying goes that, good fences make good neighbors, but good neighbors also make good fences. Open communication, levelheadedness and an understanding of what’s fair and legal can head off many disputes about Illinois Fence Law when it comes to managing the barriers. And in situations where those tactics don’t work, cattle producers need to understand next steps. “Be a good neighbor. Negotiate under good faith and be rational before you agree to disagree,” says Lyle Hopkins, beef producer from Polo, Ill., who also is a township supervisor. “You really don’t want to hire a lawyer and go to court to resolve a dispute. That’s costly.” Hopkins has raised cattle since 1964 and been township supervisor since the early 1970s. He’s seen his share of fence disagreements running cattle on both rented and owned pasture and in being in charge when Illinois Fence Law is challenged in his township. “I have not had fence problems with my own neighbors, but we have had a few in the township,” he says. “We have always been able to resolve them, but that is not true in all places.” Long Legislative History Illinois Fence Law has been largely unchanged since well before Hopkins got involved. It was first passed in 1819.
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When the legislature drafted the original statute, land use in Illinois looked different. Most landowners had cattle and other livestock roaming their acreage, but the number of farms with livestock needing fence declined significantly beginning in the 1960s. “In addition to dramatically fewer farms with livestock, individual farms today are much bigger. Division fences are larger and likely more expensive,” says Bryan Endres, University of Illinois College of ACES professor and Bock Ag Law & Policy Program director. “And since the majority of Illinois farms no longer graze livestock, most farmers receive little, if any, benefit bearing the cost of maintaining a division fence under the current statutory regime.” The Illinois Fence Act, cited as 765 ILCS 130/. Sec. 4, specifies adjoining neighbors are responsible for proportionate shares of any boundary fence installation and maintenance. If one desires a fence, the neighbor, by law, shares the cost. Difficult Dispute Resolution But interpretation of the law is not as cut and dried as it used to be, and responsibility for fences by adjoining landowners varies across the state with cattle density, says Bob Potts, senior attorney at Whitney & Potts, Ltd., Elmwood, Ill. He cites a case decision in Clark County
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in 1995 that makes the law a little murky today. The dispute involved an oral agreement that had been honored by two adjoining landowners since 1947 regarding fence repair and maintenance. The court determined that to be a covenant. However, the Appellate Court, in upholding the decision of the fence viewers, found since the covenant had no definite duration, it had expired and was unenforceable. The court also agreed that a “just proportion” did not mean half. The landowner with no livestock had no need for a fence. As such, the landowner had no responsibility to maintain or repair it. The Illinois statute states adjoining landowners are responsible for a “just proportion” of a division fence, making Illinois a mandatory cost-sharing jurisdiction, explains Endres. That means when adjacent landowners are unable to reach agreement on the costs of constructing or maintaining a fence, a “fence viewer” determines just proportion of the cost for each party, whether one or both landowners have livestock and will receive any benefit from a fence. Some may argue the case interprets Illinois Fence Law to mean if you don’t have livestock, you don’t need a fence. If your neighbor has livestock, he needs a fence and must build and maintain it. On the other hand, it may mean courts will likely not overturn fence viewer decisions unless the record clearly and unquestionably shows a decision was “arbitrary or inequitable.” “When there is a conflict, I meet with adjoining landowners. As township supervisor, I am one of the fence viewers,” says Hopkins. “The other party selects a trustee from the township board to be the other fence viewer. We determine who is right and wrong and who pays for what.” Endres says fence viewers have wide discretion in deciding just proportionality, and consider any factor they believe appropriate, including: (1) the benefit each landowner can expect from the fence, (2) present condition and estimated repair cost versus new fence, (3) the financial effect of cost apportioned on each landowner, and (4) owner rights to use their land as desired. Fence viewer opinions have led to a variety of outcomes. Potts has experience with a case where a non-livestock landowner had to pay half of the fence cost because of the agreement to do so. In another case, the non-livestock landowner refused to pay, and the fence viewers agreed. Hopkins had a landowner who paid to fence a pasture and not even involve the neighbor. A separate dispute of survey pins getting moved required a resurvey of the land and moving pins back.
(217) 824-2815 stephenstrailers@yahoo.com www.stephenstrailers.com
Time for Change So, is it time to revisit the statute and make the pathway to resolution more well-defined? “If providing substantial discretion in the hands of fence viewers persists, revising the statute to clearly state factors to consider in adjudicating costs could lead to more standardized decision-making. This would provide some improvement to the current statute,” says Endres. He adds that unless the statute provides better guidance on how to weigh factors, a non-livestock landowner may still www.illinoisbeef.com
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be found by fence viewers to bear some of the building and maintenance cost, resulting in an economically inefficient, non-reciprocal benefit to the livestock owner. “An overhaul of the statute might better address efficiency and fairness,” says Endres, who points to the State of Missouri’s Fence Law, which was amended in such a way in 2001. The revised act provides that only adjoining landowners that have livestock placed against the division fence must pay one-half the cost of constructing or maintaining the actual fence erected. If the livestock landowner wants a more expensive fence, it is at their own expense. If the adjoining landowner who does not have livestock and has not paid for half decides to add livestock later, they must reimburse the other landowner for half the cost of the fence. “Adopting an equitable cost-sharing regime based on the Missouri model would improve fairness and economic efficiency of Illinois’ current land use regulations,” he says. “In situations where
adjoining neighbors both raised livestock, a mandatory costsharing provision would require each to pay half the cost of construction and maintenance like the current statute.” While Potts says a legislative change in the law may be overdue, he adds that fence law is still necessary in the state. “Fences establish boundary lines, provide protection and cover for wildlife and in many cases retard erosion,” he explains. “Where rough land can be fenced in and made productive with livestock, the general economy and farmer income could benefit. If an area is used for recreation and not agriculture, by law the tax assessment is based on fair market value rather than the more favorable assessment for agricultural purposes.” For adjoining landowners who no longer have livestock, Hopkins says they can share cost to remove a fence, too. “When a fence comes down, leave markers at property lines for future owners,” he says. “You don’t want anyone jumping the line, creating problems down the road.”
Tips to Manage Fence Disputes When it comes to resolving a fence dispute, Attorney Bob Potts says it is always best to attempt to reach a mutual agreement. He also shares these suggestions: • Before you meet with the landowner, verify who has historically maintained which end, how much and for how long. Determine if any written records of the arrangement exist. • Determine your neighbor’s use of his land and his or her need for a fence. • Consider how Illinois Fence Law will apply to your case. • When you meet with the landowner, prepare your reasons for needing the fence or repair and who should pay for it. • If you come to an agreement, write and record it in the public records for each farm so future owners of either property are not blindsided by an obligation to maintain the fence. • If you cannot come to an agreement, engage fence viewers to view the fence, hear the facts, circumstances and positions of the landowners and witnesses and issue a written decision. Always prepare your case in advance of the viewing so that you will present accurate facts, logical arguments and application of Illinois Fence Law to your case. • If fence viewers issue a favorable decision, record it as a covenant on both tracts of land. • The most important aspect of your case is to obtain a favorable decision from fence viewers. If they decide the nonlivestock landowner does not have an obligation to repair the boundary fence or to construct a just portion of new fence, consult with your attorney. Your only option then is to pursue the case in local Circuit Court. Anticipate once the court system is involved, the case will become expensive, lengthy and could still result in an unfavorable ruling for the livestock owner seeking repairs or construction. • Likewise, if a non-livestock landowner gets into an escalating court case, it may be cheaper to pay the just proportion of a fence rather than the legal bills to fight it. 24
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Tax & Succession Planning in the 2021 Legislative Climate What can producers expect from the Biden Administration – and how can they prepare their farms?
by Joli A. Hohenstein
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ith a new administration in place and an evolving political climate, the ag industry has watched closely to see how potential tax law changes may affect producers in 2021 and beyond. What can producers expect from the Biden Administration, and what should they do to prepare their farms for the next generation? The two most critical concerns for producers in the current proposals, according to experts, are repealing the step up in basis and imposing new capital gains taxes on family farms and ranches when there is a death in the family. It’s important for producers to monitor these efforts and express opposition whenever possible. Why? The American Families Plan is a $1.8 trillion proposal to make $1 trillion in new investments and provide $800 billion 26
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in tax cuts over 10 years. The President proposes to pay for the plan with tax increases, including: • Repealing the deferral of gain for real estate like-kind exchanges for gains greater than $500,000 • Eliminating stepped-up basis for gains in excess of $1 million ($2.5 million per couple “when combined with existing real estate exemptions”) and taxing the gains if the property is not donated to charity What does this mean for producers? Let’s take a deeper look. Eliminating Stepped-Up Basis for Gains “There are more than four times as many farmers and ranchers aged 65 and older as there are those under the age of 35, and these individuals own more than 40% of agricultural land in the United States,” according to a letter the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other key agriculture entities submitted to Congress. More than 370
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million acres are expected to change hands in the next two decades. “Assets in agriculture are typically held by one owner for several decades, and resetting the basis on the value of the land, equipment and livestock on the date of the owner’s death under a step up in basis is important for surviving family members,” says Danielle Beck, Senior Executive Director, Government Affairs, NCBA. “Discontinuing this benefit has the potential to create massive tax liability for the heirs when they ultimately upgrade or transfer these assets.” For example, upon death, a repeal would cause an immediate, one-time tax liability equivalent to 280% of the farm’s annual income, based on a theoretical family-owned cow-calf operation. Politicians say the plan includes protections for familyowned businesses, to ensure they don’t have to pay taxes www.illinoisbeef.com
for assets given to heirs who continue to run the business. However, under many parts of the tax code, “family” does not include relatives such as nephews, nieces or cousins, which means capital gains (effectively a transfer tax) could still apply. So, if an uncle has no kids and leaves land to his nephews, tax implications may arise. Another potential issue comes for families with multiple children. If, for example, parents leave the farm to their three kids, but only one of them farms the ground, the other two siblings may have to pay taxes on it. Because they do not technically “run the business,” they wouldn’t be exempt. Repealing Deferral of Gain for Like-Kind Exchanges Repealing the deferral of gain for real estate likekind exchanges also presents a significant issue for many producers. Currently, farmers can exchange like for like – exchange real property such as land, buildings, equipment July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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or breeding and production livestock, without recognizing taxable gain on the sale of the old assets. These transactions can range from simple trade-ins or two-party swaps to complex non-simultaneous exchanges involving separate buyers and sellers. “Like-kind exchanges are an important tax provision for farmers and ranchers because they help agricultural producers operate more efficient businesses by allowing them to defer taxes when they sell assets and purchase replacement property of a like-kind,” says Beck. Repealing this deferral of gain for like-kind exchanges helps farmers and ranchers cash flow and reinvest in their businesses. It would result in a huge tax increase and would threaten the already razor-thin margins of most farms and ranches – in turn jeopardizing the next generation’s business viability. What You Can Do Now As of presstime, these are still just proposals – we don’t know what any actual legislation would look like – so what should producers be doing now to protect and preserve their farms? One strategy that’s low-hanging fruit is gifting assets of fairly significant value to generations to lock in current exemptions. Why is that important now? “Any gifting now is likely to be grandfathered in,” says Charles LeFebvre, an Illinois attorney who engages in tax and estate planning for entrepreneurs, small business and farming families. “Illinois has an estate tax, but Illinois does not have a gift tax.” “I think we can be reasonably confident that the estate tax exemption level might go down dramatically,” he says. Illinois producers, however, may be less affected than others. That’s because Illinois has an estate tax that’s lower than others. And if Illinois producers are working with planners who understand Illinois tax laws, they’re likely ahead of the curve. Gifting is always challenging, says LeFebvre, because older generations want to retain control of business assets, but if producers are facing a taxable estate, or if the assets could fall under changes occurring in the tax laws, it would be worth considering. Another often-overlooked strategy LeFebvre recommends: retirement and the Illinois state income tax. “You can’t get away from it by becoming a resident of Florida or Texas, if your business is still in Illinois,” he says. “But Illinois income tax does not apply to retirement income. I see people constantly feed assets back into the business and overlook a retirement plan. The benefit of a retirement plan is, it grows tax-free, and post-retirement, you can avoid state-level income tax. It’s a planning opportunity that this particular industry doesn’t take advantage of from an estateplanning standpoint. It seems to be underutilized.” Given the current tax proposals, considering all options makes sense for Illinois producers as we wait to see how policies develop. As for advocacy right now, Beck encourages producers to engage with their legislators. Members looking to engage can find the complete letter to Congress at policy.ncba.org.
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Soy nutrition is a vital component for all Illinois livestock. That’s why Illinois Soybean Association is proud to partner with other organizations in support of livestock expansion efforts across the state, supporting beef cattle producers as they work to improve farms, grow animal agriculture, and meet global demand with homegrown solutions.
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_ Building a _
cattle legacy 2021 Illinois Beef Association Commercial Producer of the Year winner, O’Hern Stock Farms, has built a five-generation cattle feeding operation in Vermont, Ill. by Jaclyn Krymowski
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eef is part of the generational story for this year’s Commercial Producer of the Year award recipient, the O’Hern family of Vermont, Ill. It was five generations ago that their ancestors set foot on American soil after immigrating from Ireland. True to the American dream, the entire family has slowly built up what makes the O’Hern Stock Farm what it is today – a recognized and respected part of their local community and Illinois beef industry. The O’Hern’s commercial cow herd is made up of several registered Angus mother cows, backgrounded calves and feeder animals. In addition to their home farm in Vermont, they also have land in Bucklin, Mo., where they graze cows and feeder cattle. “We’re involved in all phases of the cattle life cycle, from calving first calf heifers and doing some A.I. work to backgrounding cattle to finishing,” says Dan O’Hern, coowner with his father, Larry O’Hern, and three brothers. “We get to see all of the different phases of their lives.” Stanford and Rita O’Hern
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For their operation this year’s award, he adds, is a particularly special thing for him and his family. “I really feel like nobody’s watching what you’re doing when you’re farming and ranching,” he says. “And to have somebody notice it and give you an award like this, it’s a really special one and a really humbling moment.” Building a Legacy The O’Hern family first got into the cattle business in the 1950s, according to Larry, beginning after his parents moved to Illinois from Oklahoma and started with a humble commercial cow herd. Right out of college, Larry and his wife Kelley entered into the family business with the purchase of his own calves in 1981. “From then to current, we’ve just built on the expansion of our beef enterprise,” he says. As the operation has grown into other facets of beef production, the O’Herns are proud to report the business has remained entirely in the family and become fully vertically integrated. Over those years, they have amassed a wealth of experience in the beef industry with many memorable moments. For Larry, one of his favorite accomplishments was the addition of a monoslope finishing facility completed in 2012. “It was a significant accomplishment, taking time and helping us continue our vertical integration,” he says. “It gave us the opportunity to stay in the beef business and address any concerns with the environment.” Most of all, Larry is most proud of building the business to the point where they now have an entire vertically integrated operation from calving through cattle finishing. As such, they have needed to incorporate good management practices and embrace technology. Matt Taylor, O’Hern’s cattle manager, has worked for the family since he went to high school with Dan. He attributes this progressive attitude to being an important part of their success. “We do that really well,” he says, “and are always learning new things. We try to get out and go to seminars, talk with other producers and learn.” On their cow-calf side of the operation, the O’Herns utilize DNA technology to help drive their decisions. Specifically, they use Zoetis DNA enhanced EPDs to select their replacements as needed. In a similar way, their bulls are selected using nine different EPD markers also through Zoetis. The Importance of Illinois Beef One of the unique things about the O’Hern’s operations is their ability to directly market to consumers as well as participate in the mainstream beef industry. Their website — promoting their beef as “source-verified, responsibly raised” through their fifth-generation familyowned and operated business — outlines three different bundle packages offering a different selection of various cuts. Loyal customers can also purchase an assortment of official O’Hern Stock Farms merchandise available through their online store. In addition to having an ample stream of customers, Larry www.illinoisbeef.com
Stanford O’Hern
Larry O’Hern
Larry O’Hern, Dan O’Hern, Matt Taylor & Lawrence Knott
Matt Taylor & Lawrence Knott
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also cites Illinois as having some other important advantages to profitable beef production. “I think the state of Illinois has significant benefits for beef production, one of which is feed costs. We have some of the cheapest feed costs in the nation with the state’s relationship with the ethanol industry,” he explains. “We have a significant competitive advantage here to feed cattle, because of that. We also have an abundance of not only forage, but also byproducts that only cattle can really utilize.”
Matt Taylor, Dan O’Hern, Larry O’Hern & Lawrence Knott
Dan O’Hern
Matt Taylor & Lawrence Knott
Larry O’Hern
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Part of the Community As farmers, especially those vested heavily in direct-toconsumer sales, the O’Hern family is also heavily involved in their local community. “We try to work with our local university and have them out,” says Dan. “They’ll bring an animal science class out and do an on-site lesson, see the building and the farm.” He adds that they also support their local high schools and FFA chapters by donating to various events. Their website also links visitors to more beef advocacy education and promotion opportunities from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Certified Angus Beef. Their involvement extends not only through the immediate family but also their employees. “I would just say that it’s more than just their family, everybody that works for us is involved with us,” Matt says of their unitive spirit that he believes makes them very deserving of this award. “We’re all family between everybody that works here and all the people we deal with the local community.” True to this, Dan attributes their farm’s success to several different people and local businesses. “There are a lot of people that are helping you be successful in the production of livestock,” he says. “Growing up in and working in a farming and ranching community there’s always somebody there to help you or you’re helping your neighbors. Everybody’s always watching out for one another.” Moving Forward The succession of O’Hern Stock Farms is expected to continue through future generations. Dan has three children of his own as does his brother. “It would be awesome if one or several of them had an interest in the farm,” he says. His father shares these ideals, noting that he sees a future in the legacy of their cattle operation in Vermont. “Hopefully the entire cattle industry can create a profitable structure that’s profitable for all segments of the industry,” he says. “That’s what counts. As a beef producer, I think it’s imperative that we all strive that every segment can make a living doing what they’re doing.”
“
Growing up in and working in a farming and ranching community there’s always somebody there to help you or you’re helping your neighbors. Everybody’s always watching out for one another.
- Dan O'Hern
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Making Her Mark Grace Arnold’s desire to mentor and encourage livestock industry youth has earned her the title of 2021 Illinois Beef Association Outstanding Junior of the Year. by Sydney Trainor Grace grew up in Clinton, Ill., surrounded by family who shared a passion for showing cattle. This sparked her interest in the industry at an early age. “I remember the moment I decided I wanted to show cattle,” Grace said. “I didn’t have much background in showing, but I knew people who did, and they loved it.” When she was eight-years-old Grace convinced her parents to buy some heifers to show, and the rest is history. Success in the show ring did not come immediately for Grace. As her family began to travel to more shows, eventually attending 18 to 19 shows each summer, success found her. “We’ve had some success in the last couple years. 2018 was probably our best year,” she said. “I would go back to that year if I could.” 34
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In 2018, Grace showed her steer to top honors of Grand Champion Simmental Steer at the American Junior Simmental Association North Central Regional Classic and won Reserve Grand Champion Simmental Steer at the Illinois State Fair open show. That same summer she also captured several grand overall, reserve overall and breed champion titles at jackpot shows across the state. Showing cattle is one of Grace’s passions. She added, “It’s just what I do.” To Grace, showing cattle consists of more than just buying calves and working with them for competition. Showing is an opportunity to learn more about the beef industry. “There’s a lot to learn and I don’t know everything,” Grace admitted. “I’m still learning, and I’m always open to learning
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Grace’s second year showing cattle and her first county fair win in 2013. more.” Grace surrounds herself with a community of cattle enthusiasts, and together they attend cattle shows and network with other beef producers. “My family is really involved,” Grace said. “Even my extended family, not just my immediate family.” Grace has met many of the individuals she shows cattle with through FFA and 4-H. They also share Grace’s passion for the beef industry, and they help her grow. Serving as her 4-H club president for the past four years has allowed Grace to mentor younger members who are interested in the beef industry. “I guess you could say I have a lot of young kids who look up to me,” Grace said. “I love being a mentor and being that person they can come too if they need something or just want to talk or hang out.” To Grace, youth is the future, and she wants to play a role in educating them about the beef industry. “I think educating youth is very important because they will be the ones running our industry someday,” Grace said. “They are the next generation.” Grace serves on the Illinois Junior Beef Association (IJBA) board of directors where she gets to help run the jackpot show during the Illinois State Fair and various other IJBA events throughout her term. She also serves on the IJBA communications committee where she had the opportunity to share how she grew her involvement in the beef industry through Instagram stories. “I’m all for helping the beef industry,” Grace said. “I like to shine a positive light on the beef industry.” Grace felt the Instagram takeover was an innovative idea, because younger kids soak up information coming from the older kids they look up to. She felt it was a great way to help the younger generation understand what is happening in the industry and where they could start to make an impact. When asked what advice or encouragement she would give to other people in the cattle industry, Grace said, “It’s all about hard work and not giving up. You can have a bad day, but don’t give up. When you have a good day, it just makes you feel a little bit better. Just keep going at it and work harder every single day.” www.illinoisbeef.com
Grace and her first show heifer, Lola.
Grace, her steer snoop, and her biggest mentor Ben Lowers.
Grace and steer Axel, the 2018 Illinois State Fair Reserve Champion Simmental Steer in the open show. July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Grace will be a sophomore at Lake Land College in the fall where she studies in the agriculture transfer program and works at Keller Club Calves. “When I went to college, I decided there were plenty of ways I could further my knowledge in agriculture,” Grace said. “Especially in the beef industry.” Keller Club Calves has provided Grace with a variety of learning opportunities in the beef industry extending beyond the show cattle sector. She enjoys expanding her knowledge on daily care of cattle, breeding and embryo transfer programs, vaccination programs, and nutrition. Prior to working at Keller Club Calves, Grace admits her experience of the beef industry was limited to show cattle and working cow-calf pairs at home. After graduating from Lake Land College, Grace’s goal is to further her education at Iowa State University. “I plan on going to Iowa State for animal science,” Grace said. “I want to complete an agriculture production degree to someday come back home and have my own herd of cattle to help grow the beef industry.” Grace hopes to one day raise calves on her own farm that can be competitive for the younger generations in the show ring and out in pastures. Grace loves working with cattle but to her, showing cattle is more than just the physical work of sorting cows, working hair, and going to shows. “I like the networking part of the beef industry,” Grace said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of people throughout the industry, including people that I can have around for the rest of my life.” The connections Grace has made throughout the industry have allowed her to grow her knowledge and set goals for the future. Surrounding herself with like-minded people has strengthened her confidence and helped her get to where she is today. Grace takes pride in her ability to do her own work. She knows her success stems from her own determination to make her mark in the beef industry. “I’m passionate about the beef industry,” Grace said. “We are feeding the world. We help the world go around. It is a huge role and I want to be a part of that future.”
Grace and her steer, Axel, at the 2018 AJSA North Central Regional Classic.
“It’s a huge role and I want to be a part of that future.” - Grace Arnold
Important Dates for IJBA Members Aug. 2
All IJBA Board of Director applications are due online at illinoisbeef.com. To run for a director position, juniors must be at least 16-years-old by Jan. 1, 2021. For more information or questions, please reach out to Mareah Rauch at mareah@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280.
Aug. 6
Virtual entries are due for the IJBA Heifer Jackpot Show at the rate of $25 per heifer and/or cow-calf pair.
Aug. 10
Exhibitor card pick-up will be during junior beef show check-in from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Aug. 10
Late virtual entries are due for IJBA Heifer Jackpot Show at the rate of $45 per heifer and/or cow-calf pair by 3:00 p.m.
Aug. 10
IJBA Membership Meeting is at 5 p.m., IJBA Directors will be elected and food will be provided
Aug. 15
IJBA Heifer Jackpot Show at Illinois State Fairgrounds (1 hour after open steer show). Stay tuned to IBA website, email notices, and social media promotion for more details to come.
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Edge of Common Sense Baxter Black, cowboy and former large animal veteranarian
Aunt Effie and The Virus Aunt Effie was the ‘Neighborhood Healer’ in her community of Noble, OK. When I was visiting and scraped my arm or had a stomachache, she always had the right potion, poultice, roots, soak or fern to treat the ailment. Her husband, Uncle Leonard, was an authority on the ailments of cows and mules. That was 20 years before the widespread availability of penicillin in 1939. The lifespan of the average person was 47 years old. Today, it is 78 years old (preCOVID). That is just one example of the uncountable human lives science has saved by diseases cured and prevented, not to mention those of domestic animals. My time practicing veterinary medicine was mostly in feedlots, on big ranches and dairies, on range ewes and saddle horses. I spent and used millions and millions of dollars to save animal lives and prevent disease. All my medicines were approved by the USDA (vaccines) and the FDA (pharmaceuticals), and took years of testing to prove that it did what it said on their labels. I, as a DVM, am responsible for medicine I use on the patient. If I misuse a product, I am liable to be sued…but not the salesman, the layman doc, the actor in the commercial, the entire “alternative medicine” industry that is mandated to confess on their label “This product has not been evaluated
by the United States Food and Drug Administration and is not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.” The FDA… the one team that can protect the public from what used to be called “quacks.” If the expert medical doctors that we have been seeing on TV regarding the COVID virus seem hesitant to answer the questions that the raving media asks, there is a reason…they are stalling, waiting. In most cases of nature, there is constant change. You are asking the doctors to predict specific outcomes. They can only compare similar past consequences. Oh, and they are responsible for what they say, unlike the newspaper columnist, the television commentators, all politicians and my sweet Aunt Effie. Regarding those of you of the rural community who have been my ‘family’ all my life and are afraid to get your COVID vaccination, ask yourself, “Am I afraid to vaccinate my calves for IBR, BVD, Lepto, BRD, red water, Blackleg? Am I afraid to vaccinate my horses for tetnus, sleeping sickness? My dogs for parvo, rabies…and my kids for measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox?” As a friend, it would make my life a lot easier. P.S. Ivermectin is a horse wormer
Calf scours are not inevitable. A strong prevention program is non-negotiable. Dependable scour prevention is essential for calf welfare, employee morale and business profitability. The immune system’s response to vaccination is variable and unpredictable. That’s why giving preformed antibodies instead of relying on a vaccine to stimulate antibody production is so important. I’m all for removing uncertainties. So yes, I stand by this product. (And no, I’m not.) Marissa Hake, DVM Calf Vet Learn more at FirstDefenseCalfHealth.com © 2020 Immucell Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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CH HE EC CK KIIN NG G IIN N W WIIT TH H C
TH HE E C CH HE EC CK KO OF FF F T
May Beef Month Reaches Over Seven Million Illinois Consumers
In celebration of May Beef Month, the Illinois Beef Association (IBA) launched campaigns focused on four key beef messages: sustainability, responsibly-raised, nutrition and taste. IBA promoted information ranging from Illinois cattle farmer stories, summer grilling content, and environmental stewardship on social pages and via the Chicago Tribune. IBA also leveraged the Illinois Farm Families (IFF) website and social media properties by sharing these messages directly with Illinois consumers while directing traffic back to the IFF coalition effort. IBA reached over seven million Illinois consumers during May Beef Month though the following promotions with messages and resources that build trust in Illinois cattle farmers and the beef they raise. • Chicago Tribune burger campaign utilized Chicago Tribune platforms to encourage Chicagoans to kickoff summer grilling season with their favorite burger recipe. • Chicago-area billboards around the city showcased beef as a one-ingredient premier protein source. • IFF regenerative ag docuseries promoted how livestock and crops work together for sustainable soil health. • Operation Food Search beef donation provided ground beef to urban food pantries in Madison and www.illinoisbeef.com
St. Clair counties. FarmWeek advertising celebrated the Illinois cattle farmers who make summer grilling season possible. IBA continued to connect consumers with producers who sell direct through the Illinois Local Beef Directory. In addition, the following IBA affiliates promoted beef in their area of the state for May Beef Month. • Egyptian Cattlemen’s Association displayed newspaper and social media advertisements. • Heartland Beef Alliance played radio ads on their local radio station and donated ground beef to area food pantries. • Knox County Cattlemen’s Association promoted beef through grocery store giveaways throughout the month of May. • Central Illinois Livestock Association played radio ads on their local radio station. • Union County Cattlemen’s Association played radio ads on their local radio station. • Prairie Beef Association displayed a Beef It’s What’s For Dinner. billboard. • Stephenson/Winnebago County Beef Association donated beef sticks to Rock River Valley Blood Center for blood donors to enjoy. •
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HEALTHY FOOD NEEDS HEALTHY SOIL
About 95% of the world’s food comes from the soil – farmers use regenerative farming practices to maintain soil health.1
Illinois has some of the
In the U.S. alone, soil
most fertile soil in the world and farmers want to keep it that way.
on cropland is eroding 10 times faster than it can be replenished.2
Livestock and crops work in a sustainable cycle; contributing to a small carbon footprint for raising cattle.
LIVESTOCK AND CROPS POSITIVELY IMPACT SOIL HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT With nearly all the food grown in the world coming from the soil, protecting this vital resource is incredibly important to maintaining a sustainable food supply. As our world population grows, beef and crop farmers are using regenerative farming practices that keep soil productive while lowering their overall environmental footprint. • A few soil health practices Illinois farmers use to maintain soil health are to reduce tillage, keep the soil protected with cover crops, keep an active living root in the soil, increase diversity with crop rotation and build organic matter with natural fertilizer by incorporating livestock into the system. • Some Illinois farmland is too steep to grow crops and is better suited for growing pasture grass to feed cattle. Cattle that graze on pasture add to the natural “cycle” of soil health as they convert grasses for feed into energy to grow, and their manure – a great, natural fertilizer source – is worked into the soil.
• For farms without pastures, manure from cattle can also be used to supplement soil health by putting valuable nutrients back into soil to grow crops such as corn and soybeans. • Cover crops are planted not to be harvested, but to provide a way for farmers to cover and protect the soil. Once the crop freezes in the wintertime, it decomposes and puts nutrients back into the soil. Cover crops are also a great source of food and bedding for beef cattle. Changes from adapting regenerative agriculture practices and soil health go far beyond the field. Cattle contribute less than 2% of all U.S. GHG emissions,3 and that number can be reduced even further when farmers diversify their business with crops and livestock. This diversification can help with a farmer’s overall bottom line. Farmers who can remain sustainable and profitable have the ability to continue farming, offer opportunities for the next generation to farm, and in turn support and revitalize local communities and ensure food security for all of us.
LOU LAMOREUX To Lou, explaining regenerative agriculture is trying to “put back” as much as you’re taking out of the soil, or more. As a farmer, he feels he has a unique opportunity to help regenerate the soil with the livestock on his farm. With seven grandchildren, it is important to Lou that he is doing whatever he can to help maintain soil health so his family can continue to farm for generations to come.
FOR MORE, VISIT WATCHUSGROW.ORG 1) http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/news/news-detail/en/c/277682/
2) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-005-1262-8
3) https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-04/documents/us-ghg-inventory-2019-main-text.pdf
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IN THIS ISSUE: July/August 2021
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Thank you 2021 Gold & Silver Sponsors
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Show Results
ILLINOIS ANGUS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Joel York Vice President: David Jenkins Secretary: Aaron Schafer Business Manager: Doug Turner Past President: Tyler Rhode Bureau County: John DeRycke Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager Illinois Valley: Open Lamoine Valley: Tracy Rawlings Logan County : Carla Jurgenson Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll South Central: Richard Hurst Wabash Valley: Shaye Harre Sale Manager: Lee Stremsterfer Directors At Large: Grant Bedel Jim Marsh TJ Curtin Bradley Walter Kyle Beutke Jeff Dameron Brent Henkel Clay Sellmeyer Dan Naughton Greg McClure Lee Stremsterfer David Mool 42
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
ADVERTISERS INDEX
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bill Farm Angus 50 Callan Farms 50 Evers Livestock Farm 50 Kiesewetter Angus 50 Kramer Angus 50 Lemenager Cattle 50 Lorenzen Farms 50 Panther Creek Ranch 50 Rhodes Angus 50 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 50 Walnut Grove Angus 50 WP Angus 50 York Farms 50
Visit the Events page at www.illinoisangus.com for a list of upcoming events and Angus sales this fall and winter.
ON THE COVER Taken by Betty Haynes at O’Hern Stock Farm in Vermont, Ill.
CONTACT
To place advertisements or your latest Angus news contact:
Betty Haynes Director of Communications Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Show Results 2021 Central Illinois Angus Association Preview Show Bloomington, Ill. | June 4 | Judge: Dan Hoge, Moline, Ill. Photos provided by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography
Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair
Res. Grand Champ. Cow-calf Pair
Grand Champion Bull
Reserve Grand Champion Bull
Res. Champ. Junior Bull
Grand Champion Female
Res. Grand Champion Female
3rd Overall Champion Female
4th Overall Champion Female
5th Overall Champion Female
Res. Champ. Intermediate Heifer Champion Senior Heifer Calf
Emily Kiesewetter
Adam Miller
Paige VanDyke
Ashton Dillow 44
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Holly Marsh
Black Nugget Angus Farm
Coehen Kirchner
Lauryn Mool
Max Dameron
Paige Lemenager
Anne Dameron
Ashton Dillow
www.illinoisbeef.com
Res. Champ. Senior Heifer Calf Paige Lemenager
Res. Champ Early Junior Heifer Emily Brooks
Res. Champ. Late Junior Heifer Lizzie Schafer
Not Pictured:
Res. Champ. Senior Bull Calf Holly Marsh
Champion Junior Bull Charles Parrr
Grand Champion Steer
Res. Grand Champion Steer
Charlee Jones
Travis Rhode
Junior Showmanship A Champion
Junior Showmanship B Champion
Ella Bane
Curtner Bergmann
Reese Anderson
Charlee Jones
Maci Bartlow
Cody York
Reserve
Intermediate Showmanship
Champion
Emily Brooks
Reserve
Reserve
Senior Showmanship Champion Reserve
Jack Dameron
2021 Southwestern Wisconsin Angus Classic
Lancaster, Wis. | May 30 | Judge: Craig Moffitt, Colfax, Iowa. Photos provided by Next Level Images, American Angus Association
Res.Grand Champ. Cow-calf Pair Holly Marsh
www.illinoisbeef.com
Champion Commercial Heifer Luke Zimmerman
Grand Champion Steer Cheyenne Handsaker
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Show Results 2021 Illinois Junior Angus Association Field Day
Bloomington, Ill. | June 5 | Judge: Brady Jensen, Brookings, S.D. Photos provided by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography
Grand Champion Bred-andOwned Bull
Res. Grand Champion Bred-andOwned Bull
Champion Bred-and-Owned Junior Bull
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Senior Bull Calf
Grand Champion Bred-andOwned Female
Res. Grand Champion Bred-and -Owned Female
Champ. Bred-and-Owned Senior Yearling Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Senior Yearling Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Junior Yearling Heifer
Champ. Bred-and-Owned Intermediate Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Intermediate Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Senior Heifer Calf
Max Dameron
Ben Sellmeyer
Grayson Leake
Reese Anderson 46
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Adam Miller
Jack Dameron
Kyle Eathington
Anne Dameron
Charles Parr
Amelia Miller
Lizzie Schafer
Anne Dameron
www.illinoisbeef.com
Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair
Res. Grand Champion Cow-calf Pair
Supreme Grand Champion Owned Female
Res. Grand Champion Owned Female
Champ. Owned Senior Female
Res. Champ. Owned Senior Female
Champ. Owned Intermediate Heifer
Res. Champ. Owned Intermediate Heifer
Emily Kiesewetter
Coehen Kirchner
Ashlyn Mool
Holly Marsh
Kyle Eathington
Addison Bartlow
Champ. Owned Senior Heifer Calf Ella Eathington
Meghan Hadden
Res. Champ. Owned Senior Heifer Res. Champ. Owned Late Junior Calf Heifer Paige Lemenager
Emma Eathingtion
Ella Eathington
Res. Champ. Owned Early Junior Heifer Cody York
Grand Champion Steer Charlee Jones
Res. Grand Champion Steer
Jared Bressner
www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Show Results 2021 Atlantic National Super Point Roll of Victory Angus Show Lebanon, Tenn. | May 30 | Judge: Kyle Conley, Sulphur, Okla. Photos provided by Next Level Images, American Angus Association
Champion Fall Bull Calf
Junior Get-of-Sire
Morgan Hutchins
Premier Exhibitor
Destiny Angus Farm
Morgan Hutchins
2021 Wisconsin Angus Association Preview Show
Jefferson, Wis. | June 6 | Judge: Wravenna Bloomberg, Stillwater, Okla., Ryan Malone, Abington, Ill. Photos provided by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography
Res. Grand Champ. Cow-calf Pair
Grand Champ. Owned Female
Champion Senior Bull Calf
Grand Champion Female
Holly Marsh
Hollly Marsh
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Coehen Kirchner
Res. Champ. Owned Int. Heifer Holly Marsh
Coehen Kirchner
www.illinoisbeef.com
2021 Atlantic National Regional Preview Junior Angus Show Lebanon, Tenn. | May 29 | Judge: Andy Higgins, Auburntown, Tenn. Photos provided by Next Level Images, American Angus Association
Champion Owned Senior Heifer Calf
Res. Champ. Owned Early Spring Heifer Calf
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Intermediate Bull
Champion Bred-and Owned Senior Bull Calf
Res. Grand Champ. Bred-andOwned Female
Champ. Intermediate Bred-andOwned Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Spring Heifer Calf
Champ. Bred-and-Owned Summer Heifer Calf
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Summer Heifer Calf
Grand Champion Steer
Intermediate Showmanship Champion
Junior B Showmanship Champion
Third Place
Reserve
Paige Lemenager
Morgan Hutchins
Amelia Miller
Charlee Jones
Emma Eathington
Jack Dameron
Reese Anderson
Paige Lemenager Adam Miller
www.illinoisbeef.com
Morgan Hutchins
Laney Stephens
William Miller
William Miller
Charlee Jones
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Bill Farm Angus 340 Valley View Circle Dahinda, IL 61428 (309) 337-5196
Marvin Kramer
1037 N. 2850 St. Farina, IL 62838 mkramerangus@gmail.com Cell: 618-267-3884 Annual Sale: 4th Saturday in March
The new home for SAV Emblynette 4603! Owned with Pasture View Angus
Carl & Janet Evers 22198 Little Indian Rd. Virginia, IL 62691
217-415-3033 evers52@yahoo.com
LARRY RHODES 217-473-5868 cell 217-854-5200 office
rhodesangus@royell.org
9350 Rte 108, Carlinville, IL 62626
www.RhodesAngus.com
Lorenzen Farms Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803
120 cow performace herd
Production sale 2nd Sat. in March
WP Angus
Genetics for production and beauty Like WP Angus on Facebook
Wayne & Pam DeWerff
Pam’s cell 217-823-9453 pamdewerff@yahoo.com
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ADVERTISE HERE Contact Betty Haynes Director of Communications betty@illinoisbeef.com 217-787-4280
Owaneco, Illinois Sale in Spring of 2021
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
www.illinoisbeef.com
The
ILLINOIS HEREFORD BULLETIN
JULY/AUGUST 2021 www.illinoisbeef.com
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CONTENTS July/August 2021
53 A Minute With the Meents 53 2021 IHA Summer Schedule 54 Illinois Hereford Association Fall Tour 56 HRC Feedyards and Fed Steer Shootout Field Day 60 CHB Summer Recipes BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADVERTISERS INDEX
PHOTOS
PRESIDENT Dave Roome 309-945-8400
Baker Farms Ellis Farms Hereford Fall Classic Lorenzen Farms Lowderman Cattle Company Milligan Herefords Perks Ranch Torrance Herefords
On the Cover: Taken by Illinois Beef Association intern, Sydney Trainor, at Lorenzen Farms in Chrisman, Ill.
VICE-PRESIDENT Gene Stumpf 618-407-8374 TREASURER Buddy Edenburn (217) 649-0108 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Dr. Tamar Crum 217-820-0964 illinoishereford@gmail.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Kline, 309-824-9937 Matt Johnson, 309-883-9466 Phil Tjardes, 815-383-0003 Brent Lowderman, 309-221-9621 Luke Goldstein, 217-663-3390 Cody Crum, 217-248-7282 Jodi McMillan, 815-751-2293 Chad Benedict, 217-246-5099 Kent Burns, 618-521-3199 52
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
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CONTACT To place advertisements or your latest Hereford news contact: Betty Haynes Director of Communications Illinois Beef Association 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
A MINUTE WITH THE MEENTS John Meents, AHA Field Staff, jmeents@hereford.org, 419-306-7480 YOUTH - The summer of 2021 will be an exciting one for members of the National Junior Hereford Association. The 2021 National Junior Hereford Expo (NJHE) is in Kansas City, Missouri July 3 – 9. There are a record number of entries at 2101 for this year’s event including 1755 head from 864 junior members representing 41 states. It will be a spectacular event! The 2022 NJHE will be held in Louisville, KY and 2023 NJHE in Madison, WI. One of the top programs for Hereford youth is the “Faces of Leadership” program that will be held July 28-31 in Oklahoma City. This event is motivating, inspiring and leadership skill driven to help outstanding young Hereford cattlemen and cattlewomen become the best they can be. I want to encourage all Hereford youth to attend a “Faces of Leadership” prior to their high school graduation. The 2022 “Faces of Leadership” will be in Columbus, Ohio. GENETICS - During the April 2021 Board of Directors meeting of the American Hereford Association, rules relating to the designation of potential carriers of genetic abnormalities were amended. Starting July 13, animals that have an unbroken pedigree link to a confirmed carrier of a genetic abnormality will be designated with the letter “P” for potential carrier. For example, an animal that has an unbroken pedigree link to a confirmed Mandibulofacial Dysostosis (MDC) will show ONLINE as Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Potential (MDP). Animals designated with a P will remain listed as potential carriers until the animal is DNA tested either free or as a carrier for the specific genetic abnormality/condition, or if the pedigree link to the carrier is broken. MARKETING - Demand for Hereford genetics continues to be very strong with prices up dramatically throughout the spring sale season compared to the last two previous years. All production sale reports can be viewed at WWW. HEREFORD.ORG, click marketing, then click sale results. More activity in private treaty sales has been witnessed as well. MAKE YOUR CATTLE BETTER TODAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MARKET THEM TOMMOROW!
2021 IHA SUMMER SCHEDULE NAME
DATE
LOCATION
Junior National Hereford Expo
July 3-9, 2021
Kansas City, MO
IJBA Edge Conference
July 19, 2021
Humbolt, IL
Illinois State Fair Junior Show
August 12, 2021
Springfield,IL
Illinois State Fair Open Show
August 14, 2021
Springfield, IL
IJBA Heifer Jackpot Show
August 15, 2021
Springfield, IL
Advertising Deadline for IL Beef Magazine and IL Hereford Bulletin
August 15, 2021
Contact Betty Haynes, IL Beef Association at betty@illinoisbeef.com
Save the Date: IHA Tour (Banquet/Social on Saturday night)
August 28-29, 2021
Central Region of IL
For a complete list of member sale dates and events visit www.illinoishereford.com www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
www.illinoisbeef.com
tour scHedule Saturday, August 28th Noon - Lunch at Rhodes Farm, Inc. Kim Carney and Lonnie Rhodes 18736 Cross Creek Rd, Carlinville, IL 62626
2:30 - Jennings Land and Cattle Co. Roger Jennings 27511 Rt. 111 Palmyra, IL 62674
5:30 - Dinner at Stephens Hereford Farm with Adcock Cattle and Crum Cattle Co. 1777 North 1000 East Rd Taylorville, IL 62568
Sunday, August 29th 9:00 - Bafford Farms
Kevin Bafford and Family 10600 Damery Rd, Blue Mound, IL 62513
11:00 - Swigart Herefords Adam Swigart and Family 1048 N. 3450 East Rd Farmer City, IL 61842
1:00 - Kline Herefords Randy Kline and Family 113 S. Hemlock St. Leroy, IL 61752 www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
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Hereford Fall Classic Saturday, September 18, 2021 5:30 PM CST | Taylorville, IL
Show Heifers, Maternal Open Heifers, Bred Cows, Pairs and Bred Heifers (bred to Hereford and Angus bulls)
Churchill Lady 6124D ET
Selling heifer calves by Chuma, Blueprint, 2296, Double Your Miles and Dominate
Bar-S-MS 88X 427
Request a Catalog Today!
Selling heifer calves by Blueprint and Advance 628
Crane Herefords. Chad Crane / La Salle, IL / 815-712-5735 Swigart Herefords. Adam Swigart / Farmer City, IL / 309-826-3809 Steve Cole / Bethany, IL / 217-273-2092 • Jeff Babbs / Taylorville, IL / 217-565-1556
www.illinoisbeef.com
DM 4128 8Y Stacie 486 ET
Selling heifer calves by Stock Options
Stephens & Loehr Herefords
Mark Stephens / Taylorville, IL / 217-825-7913 Pete Loehr / Peoria, IL / 309-692-6026
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Steak Breakfast Burritos
Steak and Watermelon Salad
This quick and easy steak breakfast burrito packs a protein punch for the most important meal of the day.
Cook Time 35m Protein 35g Servings 4
Ingredients
Instructions • •
• •
• 1 pound Certified Hereford Beef sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick • 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican seasoning • Salt • 2 eggs, slightly beaten • 2 egg whites, slightly beaten • 2 tablespoons water • 4 medium spinach or flour tortillas (10-inch diameter), warmed • 1/2 cup prepared thick-and-chunky salsa • 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese • Toppings: Fat free dairy sour cream, additional prepared thick-and-chunky salsa (optional)
Combine the sweetness of watermelon with a savory, grilled steak to send this salad to the top of your lunch rotation!
Cook Time 90m 29g Protein Servings 4
Instructions •
Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •
Cut beef steak lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick strips. Combine beef strips and Mexican seasoning in medium bowl; toss to coat. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1/2 of beef; stir-fry 1 to 3 minutes or until outside surface of beef is no longer pink. Remove from skillet. Repeat with remaining beef. Season with salt, as desired; keep warm. Wipe out skillet using paper towels, if necessary. Combine whole eggs, egg whites and water in small bowl. Spray same skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-low heat until hot. Add egg mixture; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until scrambled and just set. Layer 1/4 of beef on each tortilla, leaving 1-1/2-inch border on right and left sides; top with 2 tablespoons salsa, 1/4 of eggs and 2 tablespoons cheese. Fold right and left sides of tortilla over filling. Fold bottom edge up over filling and roll up tightly. Serve with toppings, if desired.
1 pound Certified Hereford Beef top sirloin steak steak 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons reduced-fat or regular balsamic vinaigrette, divided 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 cup grape tomatoes Salt and pepper 1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese 6 watermelon wedges 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or toasted chopped walnuts (optional)
•
Place steaks in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange watermelon slices around steak. Grill steaks, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill watermelon 2 to 4 minutes or until grill marks form, turning once. Once cooked, carve steaks into slices. Season beef and watermelon with salt and pepper, as desired. Combine arugula and dressing in large bowl; toss to coat. Divide arugula among four serving plates. Arrange beef and watermelon on salad; top evenly with tomatoes, onion and cheese.
Recipe Credit: https://www.certifiedherefordbeef.com
Certified Hereford Beef
Lorenzen Farms Chrisman, IL Adam Harms, Herdsman 217-369-3609 adamdharms@hotmail.com Steve Lorenzen: 217-822-2803
Kings, IL 61068
James home 815-562-4946 James cell 815-761-1523 Malcolm 815-761-8462
Jack and Sherry Lowderman Monte, Carrie and Rhett Brent, Kris, Blake and Morgan Cody, Abby, Nash and Tuck P.O. Box 488 Macomb, IL 61455 Office: 309-833-5543
www.lowderman.com
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
www.illinoisbeef.com
President’s Note A
s I sit down to write this month’s article, I would like to tell you it is the 1st of June and the weather is perfect. However, it is mid-June and I am late with this article, sorry Betty, the weather has turned hot and we are dry. We have started the second cuttings of hay as rain has been very spotty for the month of June. This month I get to be kindof a big bragger. Our Illinois juniors have had a great two weeks of regionals after having our preview show in mid-May. I would like to thank the McDonough County crew - a thank you for getting the building ready for our preview show and the clean-up you guys did afterwards. We had 50 juniors bring about a 100-head of cattle to show. It was a great weekend with our Simmental families. Then we had 10 juniors travel to the Eastern Regional in Cookeville, Tenn. They represented well and brought home a lot of hardware and banners. For the junior division, Ellie Drach was third in the genetic evaluation quiz, nineth in sales talk and public speaking, third in the judging contest and eighth in showmanship. Meanwhile, Luke Gilbert brought home the buckle in showmanship. For the senior division, Ty Drach was seventh in the genetic evaluation quiz, third in the judging contest; Madyson Frederick was sixth in the sales talk; Emerson Tarr was nineth in sales talk, seventh in public speaking, fifth in the judging contest; Marshall Tarr was fifth in sales talk. The last day of the regional was show day and the kids/cattle did not disappoint. Both Champion and Reserve Bred and Owned Steers were awarded to Ava Gilbert and Marshall Tarr. Luke Gilbert had Champion Bred and Owned Purebred Cow-Calf and fifth Overall Bred and Owned Percentage Bull. Leslie Walker had Fourth Overall Bred and Owned Percentage Bull. In the Bred and Owned Purebred Heifer Division, team Illinois stayed hot with Ty Drach winning the show, Ellie Drach Sixth Overall, and Emerson Tarr was Nineth Overall. In the Owned Heifer Show, Campbell Belcher had Fourth Overall Percentage Heifer, and Madyson Frederick was Seventh Overall Purebred Heifer. To wrap up the Eastern Regional our overall winners were Ellie Drach Sixth Overall Junior, Luke Gilbert Nineth Overall Junior, Ty Drach Fifth Overall Senior. It was an awesome week for these kids and families. The next week in June, the South-Central Regional was held in Springfield, Mo. and we had 14 juniors attend this event. These juniors once again did not disappoint and left their mark in Missouri. For the junior division, Conley Schick was seventh in the cattleman’s quiz, the genetic evaluation quiz, and sales talk, first in livestock judging, tenth in showmanship; Mabrey Schick was honorable mention in cattleman’s quiz, eighth in genetic evaluation quiz and sales talk, nineth in livestock judging, third in showmanship; Paisley Schick was fifth in cattleman’s quiz and genetic evaluation quiz, nineth in sales talk; Jasper Tarr was sixth in cattleman’s quiz, third in genetic evaluation quiz, third in sales talk, sixth in public speaking and judging contest, eighth in showmanship. Then our seniors kicked up the heat and were just as competitive, Addison Bartlow was third in livestock judging; Chloe Boitnott seventh in livestock judging, tenth in showmanship; Ty Knodle was fourth in sales talk, fifth in livestock judging, second in showmanship; Garrett Rhode was fourth livestock judging; Preston Rhode was sixth in sales talk and livestock judging, seventh in showmanship; Emerson Tarr seventh in genetic evaluation quiz, first in sales talk, fourth in public speaking, tenth in livestock judging; Leslie Walker was eighth in showmanship; Brooklyn Welsh was eighth in livestock judging, third in showmanship; Gracyn Welsh first in showmanship. Once again, the last day of the regional is show day and team Illinois www.illinoisbeef.com
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continue their success in the show ring. The day started off with Ty Knodle winning the title of Reserve Champion Owned Steer. In the Bred and Owned Bull show we had Leslie Walker with Fifth Overall Percentage Bull and Chloe Boitnott with Fifth Overall Percentage Bull. Garrett Rhode had Reserve Champion Purebred Bull and Jasper Tarr had Third Overall. In the Bred and Owned Heifer show, Ty Knodle captured Fourth Overall Percentage and Brooklyn Welsh had Fifth Overall Percentage. Then in the purebred show we had Conley Schick Fourth Overall, Emerson Tarr Seventh Overall, and Chloe Boitnott Tenth Overall. To wrap up the show it is the Owned Heifer show and the team continued to roll. In the percentage show, Jasper Tarr had Reserve Champion, and Addison Bartlow Tenth Overall. Lastly, the purebred show had Mabrey Schick Reserve Champion, Gracyn Welsh Third Overall, Paisley Schick Fourth Overall, and Emerson Tarr Sixth Overall. When the overall winners were announced after the show, team Illinois continued to leave their mark. For the junior division, Jasper Tarr was Third Overall and the “Schick Chicks” wrapped up the junior division placing Conley Sixth Overall, Mabrey Eighth Overall, and Paisley Nineth Overall. For the senior division Ty Knodle was Third Overall, Emerson Tarr was Fourth Overall, Gracyn Welsh was Eighth Overall, Brooklyn Welsh was Nineth Overall, and Garrett Rhode was Tenth Overall. So, if you have never been to one of our regionals or nationals the kids are required to do compete in four out of the five contests to show their animals in the show. The showmanship contest is an optional contest as some juniors do not have cattle at the event but still compete. All of these events give them points for the overall championship. To say I am proud to be the president of this Association, with these kids and their families, is a huge understatement. They are the GREATEST! Great job everyone and see you in Grand Island for Nationals or soon it will be state fair. Remember to keep checking the website and the junior’s Facebook page for updates.
- Scott Scott Frederick, ISA President
Simmental Breeders
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Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
www.illinoisbeef.com
www.illinoissimmental.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
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Show Results 2021 Illinois Junior Simmental Preview Show
Macomb, Ill. | May 22-23 | Judge: Cody Lowderman, Macomb, Ill. Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston Livestock Photography
The Dan Bernard Memorial Supreme Overall
Grand Champion Steer
Res. Grand Champion Steer
Champion Percentage Bull
Res. Champ. Percentage Bull
Champion Purebred Bull
Res. Champion Purebred Bull
Champion % Cow-Calf Pair
Champ. Purebred Cow-Calf Pair
Champion Percentage Heifer Champion Bred-and-Owned
Res. Champ. Percentage Heifer Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned
3rd Overall Champ. % Heifer
Curt Lemenager
Leslie Walker
Paisley Schick
Curt Lemenager 64
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Anna Webel
Luke Gilbert
Jenna Spangler
Brooklyn Welsh
Ava Gilbert
Garrett Rhode
Curt Lemenager
Payton McGrew
www.illinoisbeef.com
4th Overall Champ. % Heifer
5th Overall Champ. % Heifer
Res. Champ. Division 2 % Heifer
Champ. Division 4 % Heifer
Res. Champ. Division 4 % Heifer
Champion Purebred Heifer
Res. Champion Purebred Heifer
3rd Overall Purebred Heifer
4th Overall Purebred Heifer
5th Overall Purebred Heifer Champ. Bred-and-Owned Heifer
Res. Champ. Bred-and-Owned Heifer
Champ. Division 2 Purebred Heifer
Champ. Division 3 Purebred Heifer
Res. Champ. Division 3 Purebred Heifer
Champ. Bred-and-Owned Divion 4 Purebred Heifer
Casey Besse
Preston Rhode
Gracyn Welsh
Ty Drach
Kade Roeder
www.illinoisbeef.com
Cole Glick
Lauren Glick
Mabry Schick
Dalton Walters
Chloe Boitnott
Addison Bartlow
Colt Roeder
Grace Lemenager
Paisley Schick
Conley Schick
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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CURTIN T.J. Curtin: (217) 825-3005
Tasha Bunting 309-557-2993
tbunting@ilfb.org
SHUCKLAGE FOR SALE D E A N
B A C O N
&
B E E F
LEROY, IL
402-463-1359
HIGH VALUE SILAGE COW FEED OR GROWER DIETS
2401 S. Bunn, Bloomington, IL 61704
Dave Wilcox
dave.wilcox@kentww.com 309-275-7184 www.kentfeeds.com
deanfarm4@gmail.com
Derek: 309-275-0712 Rick: 309-838-9300
Brad McCormick
bmccormick@johnsonconcreteproducts.com
Weekly Auctions: Salem - Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Shelbyville - Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Collection Point: Goreville - 2nd and 4th Wednesday collection www.uproducers.com
MULTIMIN USA, INC www.MultiMinUSA.com
Joe Brown
Technical Sales Representative
Cell: 417-848-5755 jbrown@multiminusa.com
Dan Crum
Independent Sales Representative AI Service & Semen Sales
Stronghurst, Illinois 309.371.5729 dlcrum@gmail.com
815-384-3750 66
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
www.illinoisbeef.com
D & S Brown
Top Of The State Hay & Straw 8962 N Davis Road Davis, IL 61019
Sandra L. Brown Donald E. Brown, Jr. (815) 865-5471 (815) 238-8372 don.brownjr708@gmail.com sandee.brown@hotmail.com
Barney Gehl: 563-506-8075 Eli Slouha: 319-423-1293 Jarred Searls: 608-393-3735
217-285-6379
Jonathon Ruzich: jruzich.longhorn@gmail.com Stan Edge: edgekimstan@gmail.com
Devin Albrect: (888) 464-5282
Fairview Sale Jan,, lt1c. 1120 Carter Street • Fairview, IL 61432
www.fairviewsalebarn.com
Tuesday: 10 a.m. Fat Cattle & Slaughter Cows/Bulls
Jake Fidler: 309-224-2226 Bob Garber: 309-696-9798 Ray Johnson: 309-337-6029 Laura Fidler: 309-778-2225 Bob Fidler: 309-224-2327
Kent Buckert buckert@adams.net (217) 242-7495 www.ursacoop.com
Thursday: 12 p.m. Goats, Sheep, Feeder salebarn@mymctc.net Cattle, Cows/Bulls
Lincoln, IL Atlanta, IL (217) 732-5700 (217) 648-5800 timbercrest@timbercrestvet.com www.timbercrestvet.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
July/August 2021 - Illinois Beef
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Purebred Breeders Shorthorns
Leveldale Farms Mason City, IL 62664 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com
Dr. L.E. Mathers III mathers@leveldale.com Rob Bruce, Herdsman 217-737-0692 cattle@leveldale.com We are also on Facebook!
Advertiser’s Index ABS AICA Baker Farms Bergman Farm Supply Bill Farm Angus Biopryn BioZyme Inc. Bloomington Meats Boehringer Ingelheim Beef Quality Assurance Buchheit Bullard Cattle Co. Callan Farms D & S Brown Hay & Straw Dean Bacon and Beef DR Power Edge Conference Ellis Farms Beef Genetics, LLC Evers Livestock Farms Fairview Sale Barn Frank & West Environmental Engineers Greenville Livestock Auction Grain Diversification International Hadden Farms, Inc. Hiel Trailer Sales Huber, Robert Hueber Feed, LLC IL Charolais Assn IL Corn Marketing Board IL Farm Bureau IL Simmental Assn. IL Soybean Association ImmuCell Corporation Johnson Concrete Waterers Kalmbach Feeds Kent Nutrition Group Kiesewetter Angus Kramer Angus
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66 IBC 60 15 50 66 67 66 66 11 71 62, 68 50 67 66 5 7 60 50 67 66 1, 67 66 13 13 67 67 IBC 5 66 63 29 38 25, 66 66 66 50 50
Illinois Beef - July/August 2021
Lorenzen Farms 59, 60 Lowderman Cattle Company 60 Lemenager Cattle 50 Leveldale Farms 68 Longhorn Confinement Systems 67 Mark Seed 67 Mauer-Stutz 67 Mental Health First Aid 15 Merck Animal Health 67 Mid-Continental Livestock Supplements 25 Milligan Herefords 64 Mix 30 66 MultiMin 66 Nikles of Petersburg 66 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 21 Nord Farms 68 Panther Creek Ranch 50 Perks Ranch 60 Producer’s Hedge 66 ProHarvest Seeds IFC, IBC Purina Animal Nutrition 66 Rhodes Angus 50 Rincker Law 67 Rincker Simmentals 62 Riverode 24 Select Sires MidAmerica 67 ST Genetics 66 Stephens Trailer Sales 24 Steinhart Farm Service 25 Sunnyhill Angus Farm 50 Timbercrest Vet Service 67 Torrance Herefords 60 United Producers, Inc. 66 Ursa Farmers Cooperative 67 WP Angus 50 Walnut Grove Angus 50 Zoetis 67
Illinois Beef, printed bi-monthly, is the official publication of the IBA. It serves as the voice of Illinois’ 12,000 beef producers. ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING RATES Black & White Full Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $540 2/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $420 1/2 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $310 1/3 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235 1/4 Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180 Inside Front Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Inside Back Cover . . . . . . $1,040 Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,140 Business Card Ads . . . . . . . . $180 Color 4-color: $400 + B&W page price Discounts 10% for six time insertion ILLINOIS BEEF ADVERTISING DEADLINES Jan./Feb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec. 15 March/Apr. . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 15 May/June......... . . . . . . . . . Apr. 15 July/Aug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June 15 Sept./Oct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 15 Nov./Dec. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Oct. 15 Betty Haynes Director of Communications 2060 West Iles Ave., Suite B Springfield, IL 62704 217-787-4280 betty@illinoisbeef.com www.illinoisbeef.com
www.illinoisbeef.com
Breeding good cattle isn’t complicated. Cattle feeders give us the ultimate report card. According to Jared Wareham, Top Dollar Angus, “No other option offers the greatest terminal crossbreeding value from the ranch through the feeder like a really good set of smokes or buckskins that are at least 50% Angus or Red Angus.” Use a registered Charolais bull and genetic verification through CharAdvantage to earn more premiums.
American-International Charolais Association 11700 NW Plaza Circle - Kansas City, MO 64153
www.charolaisusa.com
Illinois Charolais Association Officers President: Sharlene Bullard - 815-358-2827 Vice President: Nick Bertsche - 815-822-4417 Secretary/Treasurer: Robb Creasey - 309-255-7799
Members:
LaFraise Farms, Flanagan Dale Bertsche - 815-796-2950 Steve Bertsche - 815-769-4440
Bertsche Farms, Flanagan Troy Bertsche - 815-674-1244 Bullard Cattle Co., Cornell Paul Bullard - 815-358-2827 Creasey Charolais, Macomb Robb Creasey - 309-255-7799 D-Mar-Mac Charolais, Warsaw Sam Zumwalt - 217-256-4619 Tom Engel, Flanagan - 815-796-4440 Grand View Farm, Hanover Don Kautz - 815-591-3766 Grove Charolais, Metamora Keith Grove - 309-222-0287 Grusy Bros., Gridley - 309-747-2696
K&D Cattle, Elizabeth Kelley - 815-275-8904 Devin - 815-858-2318 Wayne & Diane Moore, Piasa 618-410-3308 Nord Farms, Bloomington Ron Nord - 309-828-1448 Ellen & Jerry Cassady -309-212-0488 Eric & Samantha Nord Karl Messman Rob & Lucy Nord, Clinton -217-935-2656 TC Cattle Services, Vandalia Doug Thurnau - 618-604-4714 WGB Charolais, London Mills 309-251-1485
h, t l a e !? H l d i e o t S cal Fe u o i b a m o d e on n c r E e c d Con o nee ls a Feed your Above & Below ground livestock t Bu with Cover Crops
SOIL HEALTH BENEFITS Improved Soil Tilth
Increased O.M.
Weed Suppression
Enhance Microbial Activity
Better Water Filtration
Prevents Erosion
Reduced Compaction
Refine Soil Structure
For More Information on Cover Crops Contact a ProHarvest Seeds Specialist or Dealer
Scavenge Nutrients
866.807.7015
PROHARVESTSEEDS.COM
