Around The Industry

by Kiley McKinna

Optimism—why not?

Welcome to the Limousin 365 Fall Sale Edition! As you page through this issue, you’ll find many of the breed’s upcoming fall sales promoted, a showcase of the most relevant and progressive programs, in addition to multiple feature stories and industry news. As I write this column, pondering which direction to head, a question comes to mind—optimism, why not?

Are you tired of the constant doom and gloom about Covid, politics, international affairs, droughts, fires and the never ending list of ‘stuff’ that continues to goes on and on? Folks, without a shadow of a doubt, I categorically have, probably like most of you, relegated myself to kids, cows and what I can control. That said, let’s take a deep breath, sip some morning coffee, think a little and realize what really is.

1. The commercial cattle market.

While I’m not a palm reader, nor do I have crystal ball, my predictions are often based on a good ol’ fashion boots on the ground intuition. That said, my recent industry interactions have revealed more than just a trickle of conservative optimism. Listening and leaning on producers truly integrated in the commercial cattle business, there’s a real feel of a positive market turn building. If you are a believer in supply and demand, the following quote in an article in this issue by Wes Ishmael, should give cause for optimism.

“Ultimately, during the current contraction phase, CattleFax expects feeder cattle and calf supplies to decline roughly 1 million head from the cyclical peak. CattleFax expects the beef cowherd to decline 400,000 head by January 1 of next year, reaching 30.7 million head.”

Given the increased demand the industry is currently experiencing, I can’t help but feel tighter supplies will lead to even more increased demand and consequently, increased prices being paid for not only feeder cattle, but for the cows and bulls that are necessary to produce them. That said, stay the course, charge forward and look toward greener pastures on the horizon.

2. Steady seedstock female demand.

Despite droughts and doubts, the female market has been remarkably steady to good. In my capacity as a sale manager, I’m pleased to share with you the up tick in demand for production cattle has been pleasantly surprising. A popular question consistently asked is what’s driving this? There are a few contributing factors that come to mind: 1) A remembrance that many of our breeders are farmers first and cattlemen second. With that in mind, the increase in commodity grain prices (despite rising feed costs) has lended itself to a slight surplus of cash among many; 2) some drought stricken regions of the past few years, which happen to be populous with Limousin breeders/ enthusiasts, caught early rains this summer allowing for above average feed stuffs; and 3) let’s not forget the 2021 bull season, that by and large was very successful seeing an up tick in bull prices. Naturally, when that happens we typically experience a more robust female market albeit a slow burn.

3. Uncanny show ring acceptance.

This is simply a wild phenomenon! In my tenure running in Limousin circles for the better part of 20 years, I’ve never seen such a fevered pitch around Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle in the show ring. Without the exact number of wins sitting in front me (it changes virtually weekly), I’ve never seen our cattle be so widely accepted as evidence by the scores of “supreme” championship banners our cattle have earned across the country the past 12 months. I realize the forward movement of our breed by and large will be done through the growth of the commercial bull market, but let’s take a minute to embrace this segment of our industry as well—it’s important. Folks, particularly among young people, it’s “cool” again to have a Limousin or Lim-Flex show critter! Let’s be proud, you’ve earned the right to be—our cattle are good!

All of these things exude optimism and clear cut opportunity! Every now and again it’s more than okay to take a glass-half-full approach versus the alternative. Often, an optimistic attitude will translate into positive things both in cows and in life. Conversely, the very opposite will leave you defeated before you ever leave the gate. That said, I challenge you to swing hard this fall, do the best you can and let the chips fall as they may.

In closing, I sincerely hope you enjoy our Fall Sale Edition. It’s of benefit to your program and a promotional piece the Limousin breed can be proud of. A big thank you to all of the advertisers, readers and those that continue to support and offer feedback as it relates to your magazine, Limousin 365.

God bless and I look forward to seeing you down the sale trail this fall. We are all in it together and Limousin proud.

Fall Gathering Fall Gathering Fall Gathering

Congratulations to Boone with his homegrown heifer, BGRT Holly 002H. The daughter of our herd sire, AUTO High Tide 179C, was a class winner and third in her Division at Junior Nationals.

COME SEE THE NEW CROP... and the many

breeding-age bulls and females we have for sale privately.

Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled Bulls and Females for Sale Year Round It’s that time of year when we are gathering pastures, weaning and processing this year’s calf crop. For nearly 50 years the process hasn’t changed much. It is one of our favorite times of the year as the weather is cooling off and we get to reap the rewards of our harvest for the year. This year’s crop represents the newest generation of Begert’s homozygous black, homozygous polled, purebred Limousin herd sire and replacement females. They are the result of our time-tested method of raising purebred seedstock in a real world, open range environment that are bred to improve your bottom line.

Hiram and Darenda • 806/375-2346 Bret, Hayley, McKinley & Boone • 806/375-2345 Box 110, Allison, Texas 79003 begertranch@gmail.com www.begertlimousinranch.com

Wulfs Gallagher 7056G

WZRK Game Changer 4015G

CELL History Buff 0245H

WZRK Hard to Forget 1040H

IMPROVEMENT BY DESIGN

Our program is designed around continued genetic improvement through selective investment in the breed’s best genetics. Through the persistent pursuit of improvement in our own herd, we strive to provide our customers with performance-oriented cattle embodying the muscle and carcass quality the breed is known for.

Wulfs Gallagher 7056G Red • Homo Polled • LF 75% • Wulfs Xcellsior X252X x Wulfs Edwinna 7056E CE: 58 BW: -3.8 WW: 69 YW: 106 MK: 28 SC: 1.0 DC: 12 YG: -0.44 RE: 1.26 MB: 0.34 $MI: 67 Owned with Wulf Cattle

WZRK Game Changer 4015G Red • Homo Polled • Purebred • HUNT Credentials 37C x WZRK Miss Tuffenuff 4015B CE: 9 BW: 0.9 WW: 70 YW: 107 MK: 30 SC: 1.50 DC: 18 YG: -0.35 RE: 0.93 MB: 0.25 $MI: 63 Owned with Coleman Limousin Ranch and the Game Changer Syndicate

CELL History Buff 0245H Homo Black • Homo Polled • Purebred • CELL Envision 7023E x CELL Miss Responder 6078E CE: 8 BW: 2.4 WW: 88 YW: 146 MK: 18 SC: 1.80 DC: 13 YG: -0.39 RE: 1.37 MB: 0.25 $MI: 69 Owned with Linhart Limousin

WZRK Hard to Forget 1040H Homo Black • Homo Polled • LF 75% • TNGC Empire 736E x WZRK Miss Wideload 1040Y CE: 9 BW: 1.8 WW: 90 YW: 140 MK: 25 SC: 1.35 DC: 19 YG: -0.22 RE: 0.90 MB: 0.06 $MI: 61 Owned with Wulf Cattle

Wulfs Eisenhower 3616E Het Black • Homo Polled • Purebred • Wulfs Billy The Kid K234B x Wulfs Abril 3616A CE: 7 BW: 4.4 WW: 88 YW: 138 MK: 24 SC: 1.90 DC: 15 YG: -0.39 RE: 1.25 MB: -0.08 $MI: 57 Owned with Wulf Cattle and the Eisenhower Syndicate

For Semen Contact Owners or Grassroots Genetics (515)965-1458.

Join us February 25, 2022 42nd Annual Bull Sale

At the Ranch, Mount Vernon, SD

Wulfs Eisenhower 3616E

We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our program. Your call or visit is always welcome.

CURT & LEANNE WIECZOREK • 605-227-4601 • clwzrk@santel.net 39768 267th St. • Mount Vernon, SD 57363 WIECZOREKLIMOUSIN.COM