Ranch House Journal - Winter 2017

Ranch House JOURNAL

Winter 2017

16 24 40

7 ways to stand out at the nwss committed to the customer the man behind the meme

2  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  3

we believe in the P O W E R of the NEXT GENERATION

U LT I P LY

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION • EMBRYO TRANSFER • SEXED SEMEN • RECIPIENT OPTIONS VIAGEN

CLONING

TECHNOLOGY

•

FRESH

SHIP

PROGRAM

•

ELITE

CALF

PROGRAM

U C C E S S

Whether it’s your cow family or your own family, we are committed to the next

U C C E S S

generation of cattle, and our continued support of youth programs.

You can trust Trans Ova Genetics to combine

HEADQUARTERS

the art of reproductive technologies with the industry’s most dedicated and experienced team of

Sioux Center, Iowa 800.999.3586

Chillicothe, Missouri 800.372.3586

professionals to help achieve your unique breeding

Centerville, Texas

program goals.

866.924.4586

Boonsboro, Maryland 866.774.3162

U C C E S S

U C C E S S

multiply success

U C C E S S 4 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

®

www.transova.com

TABLE OF CONT E NTS 10

16

24

10 STRUGGLES OF FINDING THE PERFECT HERD SIRE

7 WAYS TO STAND OUT AT THE NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

COMMITTED TO THE CUSTOMER

30

40

42

10 REASONS WHY STOCK SHOW FAMILIES MAKE THE BEST FAMILIES

THE MAN BEHIND THE MEME

THE ANGUS BREED

58

64

68

THE HEREFORD BREED

THE SIMMENTAL BREED

70

BEHIND THE SCENES

UPCOMING SALES

73

INDEX

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  5

6  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

T

he beginning of the year is always my favorite. Not only is it a fresh start, but with January comes my favorite event – the National Western Stock Show.

Though I’ve been to many national westerns over the years, the 2016 event will always stand out. After years of hard work, blood, sweat and even a few tears, my family was able to accomplish something we had dreamed about, but never thought would be possible.

I believe to achieve greatly, you must set lofty goals, always be willing to learn, put in an immense amount of effort and of course, have an incredible team. Building Grimmel Girls Show Cattle (my family’s cattle operation) would not have been possible without my ultimate dream team of my sisters, brother-in-law and countless mentors. Without our incredible team, we never would have left the 2016 NWSS with the newly crowned Grand Champion Polled Hereford Heifer in the National Hereford Show — an achievement we will always cherish.

But, no matter how good things are going, there is always room for improvement. It’s never too late to set your ambitions for the new year. Consider where you want to be this time next year and what it will take to get there. Is it going to take

FROM THE

LETTER EDITOR spending an extra hour in the barn each day? Improvements to your website? Are you going to be forced to step outside your comfort zone to help grow your customer base on social media? What ever your dreams and goals are, you don’t have to do it alone. The Ranch House team has everything under one roof to help make those dreams, reality.

A few short months ago, this magazine was simply an idea.

Now in its third issue we are proud to present stories featuring leaders in our industry, tips on how to improve your marketing at shows and a few reads we hope make you laugh.

As I look back on the year, I remain extremely thankful for the people who have helped me achieve what I thought impossible, the hands that create and read the pages of this magazine and the clients who trust us at Ranch House to be a vital part of their marketing team. It is the people and many teams who make the cattle industry so special. On behalf of all of us at Ranch House, we wish you a Happy New Year! May 2017 be your best year yet.

Until next time,

Melissa Grimmel, Graphic Designer

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 7

8  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  9

10  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

10 STRUGGLES OF FINDING THE

PERFECT

HERD SIRE

By Tierra Kessler

As seedstock producers, we’re always on the search for the next “great one.” A herd sire that will come in and be a major game changer in the herd and produce bull calves we can sell to commercial cattlemen and other purebred breeders with confidence.

Unfortunately, this task is easier said than done and it comes with its own amount of stress whether you’re searching bull studs, for one to AI to, or going to sales. I’ve had the pleasure of riding shotgun for many years as my dad hunts for the next great addition to our herd. Here are a few of the “struggles” I’ve seen throughout the years.

Angus Journal starts weighing 10 pounds with all its inserts and every producer we’ve ever met sends a catalog. It’s overwhelming. You sort through daily deciding who gets thrown into the keeper stack and what catalogs don’t get a look past the cover.

2. PLAY THE NUMBERS GAME There are so many numbers. By the time sale season is in full swing you’ll be cross-eyed and confused trying to remember which bull had what set of EPDs. Who weaned heaviest? Which one can we use on the heifers? No one remembers.

1. SORTING THROUGH THE CATALOGS

3. DISPOSITION

When bull sale season comes around our mailbox seems to be continuously overloaded. The

Ahhh, you’ve found the perfect new herd sire. The EPD spread is flawless. He’s built just right. Perfect Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 11

on the move… So you go look at him and realize he’s truly perfect on the move as he plows into the sides of the sale ring attempting to murder the ringmen.

4. DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER Why are the intriguing ones never close to home? You have to decide if a bull might be good enough to blow a day of work driving a few hours, or a few days flying out to see him. All the while crossing your fingers that you’re met with a great one when you get there… because if not you’ll just be cussing yourself wishing you had gotten caught up on tagging calves, cleaning pens, office work…the list never ends.

5. FAMILY BONDING Buying a bull is a family affair.

Most of the time if you and your spouse both want to look at an animal it means loading up the kids and driving to a sale. Now, I don’t know about everyone but I’m pretty sure my parents cringed in fear whenever they stuck the three of us kids into the back seat of a vehicle.

The front seats are trying to discuss cattle while the back seat is beating each other, screaming that they’re being touched and kicking the seats for hours. Ahhh, family time.

6. YOUR POCKETBOOK WILL HURT By the time this whole ordeal is over you’re out travel costs for 12 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

yourself, trucking on a bull, insurance on the bull, and possibly a hotel room fee along with who knows what else! Then you have to pay for the bull, and of course he wasn’t cheap because he was the one everyone else wanted too. When he’s with the cows you’re hoping he doesn’t get hurt and end up with a vet bill. In the off-season he’s eating like a savage — racking up a feed bill and destroying whatever he can scratch himself on.

7. YOU MIGHT LOSE YOUR VISION Now that most people have videos or at least photos of the cattle available online you’ll find yourself up all night staring wideeyed at a computer or phone screen that feels like it’s burning your eyes. You’ll wake up in the morning looking like a college student coming off a Netflix binge during finals week.

8. YOUR PHONE WILL DIE You’ll probably end up calling 15 different people who might’ve seen the potential herd sire, his dam, or someone who raised a set of cattle out of the same sire. You’ll talk to one guy for half an hour and then get off the phone and start questioning if you completely trust his opinion. Call another friend, repeat the process until you’ve exhausted your contact list. Your phone won’t have any charge by the time the breeder calls you back to tell you about the bull.

9. ONLINE AUCTIONS Your internet connection will fail right as the lot you want is about to come into the ring. The audio cuts out. Your ancient laptop freezes.

Everything is going perfect until the bull enters the ring and you realized you forgot to register to bid.

10. WAIT, WE NEED TWO BULLS? It’s hard enough to choose one bull but it never fails that as soon as you get settled down from the purchase of one herd sire you realize you’ll need two because a bull got hurt last year, you have to cull an old one, etc. The struggles of a herd sire search never end. You’ll be on the hunt multiple times throughout the sale season, or at least every couple of years. The struggle is real, repeatedly.

Though sometimes bull shopping can mean a ride on the struggle bus, we still wouldn’t change what we do for the world. The travel, money spent, family bonding and improved herd are all worth the minor problems we face trying to breed better cattle.

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  13

14  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  15

7 ways TO STAND OUT

AT THE

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

By Ashley Fitzsimmons

As a Wyoming native, the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) was the closest national show to us — making it the “go to.”

In fact, the 2016 NWSS marked the 100th year that my family’s ranch, Middleswarth Herefords exhibited in the yards in Denver. To say our Christmas gifts often centered around “needs” for the upcoming show would be pretty accurate!

Spending every January at the NWSS has evolved for me over the years. At first, it was about being old enough to finally go for the whole week to ten days (that’s right), then it was about extending that precious Christmas break by an extra week (because of course I was going to get those final few AR points by reading in Denver!) and eventually it became about what we were 16 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

going to see that was new, bigger, better than the year before. Denver seems to be this pivotal place where all the new ideas/tips/tricks really have the opportunity to shine both from a breeding standpoint and a marketing outlook.

Denver is a unique blend of spectators, exhibitors and industry leading vendors all coming together to showcase how they are going to make the upcoming year the best one yet for their respective product.

Throw in a little yard bar and hill food and you have one incredible experience! But, the question now has become how do you stand out in a sea of new ideas and product roll outs? What differentiates you and your product from the guy in the stall/booth/display next to you?

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  17

At Ranch House we have pulled together our top to do list to help you stand out and make the most of your NWSS experience.

1. GENERATE EXCITEMENT ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT BEFORE YOU EVER ARRIVE IN DENVER Whether it’s engaging your social media followers, sending out an email blast to your list (or using someone else’s), or putting an ad in your favorite livestock publication that comes out before NWSS, you will have a more successful NWSS experience if you let people know they should look for you while there.

2. HOST SOMETHING Whether it’s a chili feed, an educational opportunity, or just a social event—do it! Give people a reason to come to you and then make it worth their while. People love food, learning, socializing— the experience is what potential customers really want. Give it to them…and then ask them to buy something!

3. PROVIDE A SPECIAL “RIGHT HERE/RIGHT NOW” OFFER Host a semen sale at your stall, give a special NWSS only discount for something, give people a reason not only to come to your stall but to be able to buy something right then while they’re there.

18 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

4. BE CREATIVELY EYECATCHING Your display must demand attention. I love looking at pictures of my dad and grandpa’s pens.

Hereford cattle bedded up to their bellies in straw with a few signs outside the pen. That set up was great in a time of visitors and perspective buyers coming to the yards to spend hours wandering around talking to every person that had a pen. Now, people make a 5-second snap judgment on whether they are going to stop and see what you have to offer. That judgment will be 90% based on the appearance of your set up.

5. CREATE A CONSISTENT BRAND PRESENCE Running a print ad, social media, or email campaign leading up to Denver? Great! Make those coordinate with your stall cards, your end panel signs and your banner.

Brand recognition is important in all marketing—make it easier on your customers to find and recognize you!

6. HAVE AN END GOAL IN MIND AND PROMOTE IT Maybe you don’t have something for sale right that second. Maybe you only brought cattle that previously sold in a fall sale. That’s okay—marketing is not the same at every show for every person.

Your end goal can range from selling semen shares to customer

satisfaction and relations. No matter what your goal is for Denver it’s important to identify it and then maximize your potential to achieve it.

7. A SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN IS A MUST Your social media plan is one of the most important tools to bring with you at a show. Gone are the days of waiting to hit the grounds before you see the latest display bull and their respective banners, the sale calf whose picture you loved in the catalog, or the latest livestock show products. Now, before we even get there we already are making a mental list of what are the must stops. If you aren’t on social media drawing attention to your product you are falling behind. If you’re not comfortable making or executing this plan yourself? No problem! Email us today and let RHD hook you up for NWSS — it’s important!

Books For Stock Show Kids As a mom, I love reading to my girls, but I wished there were more stories about showing. So, I started making up stories to tell Mollie at night. She enjoyed them so much, I decided to turn them into a children’s book series. I hope you and your family enjoy as much as my girls do! -Rachel Cutrer

What Readers Say....

•

• • • •

Bought multiple copies for my elementary school library!

This year is our first year for our elementary Ag program we are starting – first in our district. Sarah will certainly be part of our class! - Leslie Lundy My daughter just got the show pig today. She was soon excited. She LOVES this series. Perfect for the little farm girls! - Nikki Forler-Rohacs Bought the series including “Sarah and the Show Pig.” My 7-year-old granddaughter loves the books. Read both cattle books the first night! - Dora Metzger I received my “Sarah the Showman” book today. It is on point and so well written and illustrated!” I cannot wait for more! -Shelly Spearman Just wanted to let you know that I bought “Sarah the Showman” and my 5 year old loves it. -Jason Lakamp

New Release: Book #5 Sarah’s County Fair

Order at RachelCutrer.com Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 19

20  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  21

THE “NEW FAVORITE” ESTRUS DETECTION PATCH • INCREDIBLE STICKING POWER!

RESULTS

1

Our estrus patches stay put!

Increasing your pregnancy rate is more important today than ever before! Apply prior and/or after to effectively monitor your herd’s estrus activity!

DESIGN

3

ADHESION

Guaranteed, the BEST ADHERING estrus detection patch available!

All patches now sold have this incredibly strong adhesive.

4

2

Patches have a unique ‘Rub-Off’ surface, combined with creative ‘Hug Action’ engineering to further enhance the adhesion process.

Competitor’s patches don’t compare!

ORDER

Order online today at www.StandingHeat.com or call (877) 481-4715.

Distributor Inquiry Invited FREE Shipping on 100 or more patch orders!

(50 per pack)

Our New 3 Layer Patch, Gets Even Better Detection Results!

The ONLY, True ‘Rub-Off’ Surface >> Yields More Accurate Estrus Detection!

single mounting

3-5 mountings

> 5 mountings

COLOR CHOICES red

yellow

green

fuchsia

aggressice midterm mounting

The ONLY “True ‘Rub-Off’ Surface!

REPEAT ORDERS from SATISFIED USERS! Kenny Lee | Fairview Angus Ranch | Melville, MT

“FairView Angus Ranch has used Standing Heat estrus detection patches for the last couple of years with great success. We use around 1000 patches a year and have minimal if any loss, the patch adhesive is so sticky they can actually be difficult to get off the cow. We feel we are catching more true heats, in turn getting more cattle bred. We’ve tried other brands of heat detection patches, but once you use the Standing Heat system you won’t want to use anything else.”

Tim Dolcini | Canyon Gem Livestock | Jerome, ID

“These patches are impressive. We often patch cattle at 18 days post breed to catch return heats. Patches on most cows that pass over are still firmly attached when we preg check at 50-plus days. Even 30 days later you still have to do some pulling to get them off.”

Mark Nold | Nold Family Angus and Final Answer Consulting | Onaka, SD

“Our operation has been utilizing Standing Heat patches for the last 4 years, both in the corral and on pasture. Using primarily a natural standing heat A.I. program, this patch has helped us achieve and maintain a very successful conception rate. I believe this product, combined with a sound breeding plan, will enhance an operation’s overall reproductive success.”

Bryan Vay | Rimrock Production, Inc. | Giddings, TX

“Your patches are the only brand on the market that work, and we have tried them all. Send us another 400! Tree limbs and all, your patches work really well on our cows in the pastures.”

User-Friendly, Peel-N-Stick Application - Affordably Priced, Volume Discounts - Reliable, ‘Rub Off’ Technology “No false readings associated with the traditional scratch off tags.”

Our customers share why we are the NEW FAVORITE... read more customer testimonials on our website!

22 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  23

COMMITTED to the Customer The Hueber Family shares what they’ve learned on their journey to making their operation what it is today.

I

By Alysha Beck

t isn’t one customer’s win that sticks with Matt Hueber, but the whole experience of helping boys and girls grow on the show circuit through the years.

In particular, the story of one boy’s overall success with a baldy steer exemplifies the best times for Matt, owner of Hueber Show Cattle.

Because the boy had a great desire to improve, Matt took him on the road and together they traveled to show after show. Over time, Matt said it wasn’t one win that was exciting, but the great change he saw in the boy’s showing abilities.

Matt said the time on the road and the boy’s willingness to listen to advice helped him improve at a dramatic pace. And in a triumphant finish, the boy won his class in Louisville, topping off a successful jackpot and state fair season.

“The whole year from beginning to end and the growth that we watched him acquire…has been my

24 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

most recent favorite memory,” Matt said.

For the past 20 years, Matt’s real passion for helping young people show cattle and his dedication to providing the best customer experience have been distinguishing features of Hueber Show Cattle.

When sale averages and customer loyalty dwindled for many, Hueber Show Cattle’s commitment to its customers was vital to the operation’s success.

“It’s a big part of what we do and a big part of why our guys keep coming back,” Matt said.

Today, Matt and his wife Ashley run their club calf operation just outside of Lee, Illinois on 10 acres.

From sunup to sundown, after work and on weekends, livestock consume the Huebers’ lives.

During the day, Matt works at his two other family-run businesses, Hueber Feed, LLC and Great Plains Management. After work, he washes and prepares cattle, clipping two cows a night during show weeks.

Ashley also works outside Hueber Show Cattle, commuting to her job at a university near Chicago.

The Huebers’ two young children, Payton and Reagan, are also active showing pigs through 4-H. It’s a busy lifestyle for the family of four.

“It basically takes from as soon as we’re off of work until we go back to work and all the weekends,”

advertising outlets was a big factor Matt said. “We wouldn’t do it if we in the sale’s success. didn’t love it.”

“We went back this year and we Amid the hectic life of owning and used all of the different levels. We operating multiple businesses and did a print ad with Ranch House showing on weekends, the Huebers’ Designs. We have social media. We focus on their customers recently have Twitter. We have Facebook. paid off big.

And then we also have a website.

After hearing that most sales in This was the first year that we went 2016 were 30 to 33 percent off the back to…utilizing social media as averages of a normal year, Matt said well as the website. And I think that Hueber Show Cattle had one of its played a great deal into it.” best sales in November.

Like a lot of cattle operations “It went really well. We actually today, Ashley said she had a little bit “I WOULD RATHER BE had forgotten about the of an increase ON THE FRONT SIDE OF importance of having an in our average.

TRYING THESE THINGS, up-to-date website. It was So we feel TRYING NEW THINGS easy to think that posting pretty blessed.”

WHETHER IT WORKS something on Facebook Ashley and OR NOT, THAN SITTING or social media was good Matt credited BACK AND BEING THE the successful LAST GUY TO COME TO enough, but it wasn’t.

“We have customers steer and heifer THE PARTY.” come to us that still sale, in part, to Matt Hueber say, ‘Yeah, I saw that on the move to Facebook or on Twitter.’ But then an online sale format and a strong immediately say, ‘It wasn’t on your marketing push, involving website, website yet.’ And that was when print and Facebook promotion.

I realized that everything had to The team at Ranch House match. So the ad had to match, the Designs worked with the Huebers social media had to match, and the to design cohesive print material website needed to be updated as and update the Hueber Show well.”

Cattle website for the November In the future, Matt said Hueber sale. Ashley said working with Show Cattle planned to utilize the Ranch House Designs on how to newest, effective livestock marketing best use all the different and advertising methods.

“I would rather be on the front side of these things, trying new things whether it works or not, than sitting back and being the last guy to come to Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 25

the party. You never get anywhere waiting to see if it works. You got to be the leader. If you want to be successful, you got to be the leader,” he said.

Down the road, the Huebers said they were excited for what was to come for the operation. They recently moved to a new farm in northern Illinois and said the new location would help the operation grow and better serve its customers.

26 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Looking toward the 2017 show year, Matt said he had a good feeling about Hueber Show Cattle’s set of calves, which he thought would be extremely competitive in the ring.

But the most important thing, they said, was for them was to be as successful as possible without losing sight of what was important.

“We’re instating tomorrow’s leaders and the future of the industry, and so we need to keep

that in mind while being successful,” Ashley said. “And we want the kids to have fun.”

Matt added that it was also about the personal relationships and shared experiences his family had with the customers.

“We’re just extremely thankful for all of our repeat customers and the families that we get to work with,” Matt said. “The people that we’ve chosen to do business with have become part of our family also.”

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  27

Heterosis

Head quarters Annual Bull Sale JANUARY 30th - 1 PM At the Ranch - Dannebrog, NE

SimAngus - Simmental - Angus - 110 Head Sell!

TM

THEY ALL SELL!

Selling 75 ‘Super Stout’ Two-Year-Olds, 20 ‘Powerful’ Fall Yearlings and 15 ‘Dynamic’ Yearlings!

Complete Performance, Genomic Enhanced EPDs, Ultrasound and Scrotal Data Provided!

Power Bulls with Calving Ease Genetics, Good Feet, Extra Thickness and Eye Appeal!

SIRES

YARDLEY UTAH

CCR COWBOY CUT

W/C LOADED UP

CCR FLINT HILLS

LEACHMAN PROPHET J030Z

HOOVER DAM

CONNEALY CAPITALIST

BARSTOW CASH

Progeny also sell by Kramers Apollo, Dameron Northern Light, W-C United, WS A Step Up X27, and LLSF Pays to Believe ZU194!

Videos, More Photos and Online Catalog at APEXCattle.com

APeX CATTLe - YOUR HYBRID SOURCe! Free Delivery in Nebraska and Adjoining States on Individual Lot Purchases of $3,000 or More!

Nationwide Delivery Assistance...Guaranteed Maximum $300 Anywhere Per Lot!

Call Dan at 308-226-2576 or email sales@apexcattle.com APEX Cattle, 1146 7th Avenue, Dannebrog, NE 68831

W W W

. S

U P E R I O R

L

I V E S TO C K

.

CO M

Heterosis...Don’t Be In Business Without it!

28 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  29

30  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities that I have received simply from growing up on the farm. Every challenge and each achievement that my family and I have accomplished together, has bonded us into the close-knit family that we are today. Whether in the barn or at a show, cherishing the time you have together will provide for many memories to reminisce on down the road. Remember, “A family who shows together, stays together.”

1. Family vacations are at livestock shows

10 REASONS WHY STOCK SHOW

FAMILIES

MAKE THE BEST FAMILIES

What better vacation destination could you ask for? Whether it’s the mighty Rocky Mountains for National Western, the southern sun of Houston, or historic Louisville, Kentucky for NAILE, the variety of locations for the biggest and best shows provide for all travel preferences. The last vacation (not involving a stock show) that my family and I went on, was 14 years ago. After all, someone has got to be home to feed the livestock or assist with lambing. And, we wouldn’t dare take a summer vacation. Missing a day working the cattle, lambs and hogs would feel like a major setback, almost comparable to a sports injury.

Although I have never seen the ocean, I have seen some amazing livestock at shows that I have had the pleasure of experiencing with my family by my side.

By Rebecca Church

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 31

2. Your favorite barn growing up! memories come from the Let’s face it, a gravel driveway made it very difficult to ride our barn or the show ring scooters around. But, we had the Spending countless hours in the barn every morning and every night, with your siblings, can be a lot to handle at times. However, when you look back years later, some of your fondest memories together will be those that were spent in the barn.

Spraying each other at the washrack, practicing showmanship in the yard and chasing after loose animals have made for some of the most entertaining stories to tell.

3. You view barn bonding as both negative and positive Is further explanation really necessary?! Maybe the first thing that comes to mind are the stressful days – loading the trailer, vaccinating stock, losing a calf, stressing on show day or yelling at your siblings. However, these moments are surely outnumbered by the days that ended in smiles.

Have you ever been in a quiet environment, when in an instant, you suddenly “re-live” a moment in time.

Before you can even realize it, you are laughing hysterically (at the wall, as it appears by others in the room).

Well, the instances that most often playback in my mind are the times from the barn that still put a smile on my face.

4. You didn’t have a treehouse, but you had a 32 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

barn. The barn was surely the best “playhouse” ever built. First of all, there is so much room for activities!

With a surround-sound speaker system, a stage of stacked hay bales and a pitchfork for a microphone, impromptu dance parties naturally occur more often than not. Stacking bales is a feat comparable to playing real-life Tetris. Checking the electric fence easily becomes a relay race, and running lambs becomes as close to the Kentucky Derby as I may ever get! Anyone for water jump rope at the wash-rack, or a wheelbarrow race while hauling manure?

5. Your immune systems are unstoppable Playing in the dirt, pitching manure and caring for sick animals only strengthens one’s immune system. It’s not necessarily the flu that you have to worry about catching, but rather ringworm or another fungus of some sort…

6. All of your family photos were taken at shows The Christmas card photo always includes a calf, a lamb or a pig, and most importantly, your siblings. We may not have family pictures surfing on the beach together, but we sure do have a multitude of pictures with each other ringside. Besides, who

needs a professional photo session?

I would say a champion backdrop photo, a candid ring shot or a picture (being unknowingly photo-bombed by fellow fair-goers), is much more charming and representative of your family. After all, there’s no better place to capture true personalities than at a livestock show.

7. Your support system is stronger than you may ever realize I think it is safe to say that I was not the only one that offered my two-cents (whether or not it was asked for), and willingly received it back from my brother and sisters when out in the barn. While you may be competing against each other, you are ultimately competing for each other. Showing may seem like an individual competition, but you eventually represent the team – that is, your family. Next time you give your sibling “a free lesson,” or lecture, remember that you too were once less experienced or knowledgeable. Struggling together early on forces you to perform better later in the game.

Sharing your setbacks and skills with each other is one of the best ways to become united as a stock show team.

8. You have learned the essence of practicing morals and being disciplined

Strong values tie a family together.

A persistent work ethic, obstinate faith and absolute love strengthens a family immensely. Coping with life and death, experiencing success and failure and working together to achieve a common goal grounds a stock show family in passionate commitment to the industry and to each other.

9. You are welleducated You may not have a 4.0 GPA, but when it comes to common sense, you’ve practically earned a doctorate’s degree. The barn is the most beneficial classroom to exist, and it provides the highest education in which a person can receive. Thus, the most valuable

“lesson plan” that a family can provide for their children, is one that involves the farm. From financial philosophy and meteorology dependency, undying faith and unconditional love for each other, reliance in your land and in your livestock, agriculture has much to teach. My FFA advisor once said, “The more you know you know, the less you know you know.” As I have become more involved in the livestock industry and gained numerous networks, I continue to realize how much I still have to learn.

10. You are leaving a legacy

agriculture. Growing up alongside my grandpa around the farm is what ignited my passion for animal agriculture. Whether you realize it or not, your younger siblings, cousins and exhibitors look up to you. Be the best you can be at all times, because you never know who is watching and learning from you. Realizing the significance of all that I have gained from the farm, has convinced me that I someday hope to provide for my family the same opportunities that have shaped me into who I am today.

Despite the blood, sweat and tears, but due to the smiles, laughs, and memories, there is no other way that I would have rather been raised.

Farming is rooted in tradition.

There is something special about the complexity, yet the simplicity, of

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 33

34  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  35

36  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  37

38  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  39

THE MAN BEHIND THE

MEME Nick Dow creates livestock memes for industry entertainment.

P

icture this. Robert Downey Jr. Arms crossed. Eyes rolling. And text describing his expression as the feeling “when the new guy jumps on show side.”

That meme is Nick Dow’s favorite creation so far. A self-described smart aleck and jokester, Dow started making funny livestock memes to share on Facebook about a year ago to lighten the mood in the livestock community and have some fun.

“It kind of started out as a joke,” he said. “Just to kind of help everybody keep in mind that we’re here to have fun. Deep down, we’re here for the kids to have fun.”

Dow said he saw a lot of memes on Facebook but none of them were about the funny things that related

40 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

By Alysha Beck

just important to remember the text to him and his daily experiences as or punch line of the meme later, he barn manager for KenKo Miniature said with a laugh.

Herefords in Hitchcock, Texas. So he Making memes is just part of decided to make his own.

Dow’s livestock-related history.

Now, Dow posts a meme every After a successful FFA experience week on “Meme Monday.” in high school, Dow went to Sam A lot of Dow’s ideas come to Houston State University and got a him during his daily routine: halter degree in animal science. Then, after breaking, washing, clipping. He also a five-year stint as an agriculture takes photos to help market cattle teacher in Anahuac, on KenKo’s “IT ALL KIND OF Texas, Dow wanted to Facebook page STARTED OUT AS A start a new chapter. and website, JOKE. JUST TO KIND OF created and HELP EVERYBODY KEEP That was when he maintained by IN MIND THAT WE’RE remembered something a friend said, “We didn’t Ranch House HERE TO HAVE FUN. go to college to get a Designs.

DEEP DOWN, WE’RE Dow said it was HERE FOR THE KIDS TO good job. We went to college so we could do especially during HAVE FUN.” whatever we wanted.” the long drives to Nick Dow So he decided to pick up recipient pursue what he truly wanted cows that he got good ideas. It was

— manage show cattle. Dow found work with the Kauffman family at KenKo and for the last two years has had a great experience.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “I wake up every morning and get to live the dream.”

For the future, Dow said he hadn’t run out of ideas for more memes yet and planned to continue making his graphics and sharing them, hopefully making at least a few people laugh.

In light of keeping things fun, Dow said the one area he considered off

limits for his memes was making fun of young people.

“We all had to start somewhere.

You don’t make fun of anybody.

We can poke fun at each other but livestock showing is supposed to be fun. It’s to make kids better, make people better as a whole,” he said.

And besides a few negative messages, Dow said the feedback for his memes was positive.

In fact, some of his memes on Facebook have been shared by hundreds of people, many of them

relating in the comments to the truth behind his reflections.

Like inside jokes, Dow’s memes can be something fun to share with the like-minded people of the livestock world.

“We always thought we were the misunderstood children of the mainstream,” he said. “Let’s basically make fun of ourselves and have fun with it.”

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 41

ANGUS CONGRATULATIONS

“

To Top Line Farm for breeding the Grand Champion Bull in the 2016 North American International Livestock Expo Roll of Victory National Angus Show! We thank them for being loyal Ranch House clients!

Check out their website designed by us at

www.toplineangus.com

We use RHD for our website and print advertising for several reasons. First, they understand the business and our marketing goals. Their print ads have always been unique and fresh yet still have the classy, professional look that we like. Website updates are a breeze and are always handled promptly with virtually no corrections or errors. The staff at RHD keeps me on task – we all know sale season is hectic, but their reminders and advice are a huge help to me. I recommend RHD to anyone who is asking about starting or making changes to their marketing plan.

Garrett Lampe Top Line Farm Tremont, Illinois

42 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

”

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  43

44  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  45

46  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  47

48  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  49

50  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  51

52  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  53

54  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  55

A Cowman’s Best Friend at Calving Time!

Now available with digital scale!

Easy & Safe Catching!

Designed for Processing Safety...

- Enables quick and safe calf catching!

- Convenient, step in access of producer!

- Holder secures calf for easy processing!

- User-friendly inside release of calf to cow!

- Move calves easier with cow following!

- Less cow stress, mother can see and smell calf!

- Reduces danger while working new calves!

- Quick Mount/Dismount on both ATV & UTVs!

Moving Pairs is Easy!

Fits ATV’s and UTV’s!

Michael Hornecker, WY “I wish I had found out about the Safety Zone Calf Catchers years ago, No more rushing to get a calf doctored or tagged before the cow gets on the fight. I work by myself and this has made my job a lot safer.”

Bar 4 Ranch, TX ”We love our Calf Catcher! No people or animals have been hurt. The cows are more calm because they can see and smell the calves going to the pairs pasture. It is really a one-man job now!!”

Brian Kruk, Virden, Manitoba “Calving season went very well with my calf catcher.

Tagging and banding calves was quick and easy, and safe!!! I work by myself and I am on the wrong side of 50. My cows start calving the end of April on a quarter section of pasture with some bush. By using the calf catcher I got from you, calving was fun. I even bought some more cows!! The Safety Zone calf catcher is a life changer, and I would have to say it is one of the best tools I ever bought.”

Watch action video at

SafetyZoneCalfCatchers.com

For local dealers or to order, call 877-505-0914 today!

ONE PERSON can now SAFELY and EASILY process calves without concern of the protective mother cow!

56 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Safe Release!

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  57

HEREFORD

CONGRATULATIONS

To GKB Cattle, for exhibiting the Reserve Grand Champion Hereford Bull at the 2016 Western Nugget National! We thank them for being great Ranch House clients! Check out their website designed by us at

www.gkbcattle.com

BREED NEWS • Terri Barber, Channing Texas, was elected president of the AHA Board of Directors during the Annual Membership Meeting on Oct. 29 in Kansas City, Mo. Kevin Schultz, Haviland, Kan., was elected vice president.

• Joel Birdwell, Kingfisher, Okla., Tommy Mead, Midville, Ga., and Bruce Thomas, Gold Creek, Mont., were elected to serve a three year term on the AHA board during the Annual Membership Meeting.

• $142,500 in scholarships were awarded to 23 NJHA members during the Hereford Honorees Reception Oct. 28 in Kansas City, Mo., including 10 - $10,000 Vanier Family Scholarships.

58 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

• Annah Dobson, Johnson Creek, Wis., was named the 2017 National Hereford Queen during the National Hereford Show at the American Royal on Oct. 30.

Annah will serve as an advocate for the Hereford breed during her year of service.

• The Mile High Night Hereford Sale in Denver at the National Western Stock Show is set for Jan. 13. at 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss this night as 33 high-quality lots will sell!

• Barber Ranch, Channing, Texas, is donating the Lot 1 Foundation Female, BR Kate Rielle 5532 ET. She will sell at the Mile High Night in Denver. All proceeds support the Growing a Lasting Legacy Campaign that benefits future leadership and educational events for Hereford youth.

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  59

60  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  61

62  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  63

SIMMENTAL

CONGRATULATIONS To Schaake Farms, part of the Bottomline Group, for exhibiting the Grand Champion Purebred Simmental Bull at the 2016 North American International Livestock Expo National Simmental Show!

We thank them for being great Ranch House clients! Check out their website designed by us at

www.schaakefarmsinc.com

“

this year we decided to have rhd create a website for us. they made it an enjoyable process, and the staff was very easy to work with. i believe it really took us to the next level, and was hands down the best decision we ever made for our marketing plan.

Scott Schaake Schaake Farms Westmoreland, Kansas

64 Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

”

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  65

66  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  67

UPCOMING S A

L

E

S

JANUARY

JANUARY 11

NWSS ANGUS BULL SALE Angus - Denver, CO

JANUARY 12

MILE HIGH EVE FROZEN GENETICS SALE Hereford - Denver, CO

JANUARY 16

THE ONE NWSS SIMMENTAL SALE Simmental - Denver, CO

JANUARY 28

EMMONS RANCH BEEFMASTERS Emmons Ranch Beefmaster Bull Sale

http://emmonsbeefmasters.com/sale/

JANUARY 30 APEX CATTLE Bull Sale

http://www.apexcattle.com/2017_bull_sale.php

JANUARY 31

7 HILLS FARM Black Hills Stock Show

https://7hillscattle.com/for-sale/

68  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

G

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 4

HORSLEY BROTHERS Sale XVI

http://www.horsleybrothers.com/salecattle.html

FEBRUARY 10

SWEARNGIN ANGUS Bull Sale

https://swearnginangus.com/bull-sale/

FEBRUARY 11

POWERLINE GENETICS Bull Sale

http://powerlinegenetics.com/bulls-for-sale/ PRAIRIE HILLS GELBVIEH Annual Bull Sale

http://prairiehillsgelbvieh.com

MARCH MARCH 5

THE GOLD BULLION SALE Bull Sale

http://www.goldbulliongroup.com/bull-sale.html

MARCH 8

RA BROWN RANCH Spring Sale

http://www.rabrownranch.com/upcoming-sale/

MARCH 13

POWERLINE GENETICS Bull Sale

http://powerlinegenetics.com/bulls-for-sale/

FEBRUARY 13

MARCH 15

https://7hillscattle.com/for-sale/

http://www.eaglepassranch.com/sales/

7 HILLS FARM Iowa Beef Expo

EAGLE PASS RANCH Spring Bull Sale

FEBRUARY 17

MARCH 18

http://whitehawkbeefmakers.com/index.html

https://circlearanch.com/annual-sales/

WHITE HAWK RANCH Beef Maker Bull and Female Sale

CIRCLE A ANGUS RANCH Spring Bull and Heifer Sale

FEBRUARY 21

MARCH 25

http://kesslerangus.com/for-sale/

https://strnadlandncattle.com/bulls-for-sale/

KESSLER ANGUS Bull Sale

STRNAD LAND AND CATTLE T & S Strnad Charolais Bull Sale

FEBRUARY 25

MARCH 30

http://impactcattle.com/upcoming-sales/

http://www.grimmelgirlsshowcattle.com/sale.html

IMPACT CATTLE Pigeon Mountain “Beef Builder” Spring Bull Test Sale

GRIMMEL GIRLS SHOW CATTLE Frozen Genetics Sale

FEBRUARY 28 ELLIOTT CATTLE Fall Born Steer Sale

http://elliottcattle.com/cattle-for-sale/ Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal 69

BEHIND the SCENES Ranch House is made up of a strong team of professionals who know the livestock business and live it every day.

We also know how to effectively take care of your marketing needs – everything under one Ranch House roof!

RACHEL CUTRER

ashley grant

ASHLEY FITZSIMMONS

Founder & CEO

Chief Marketing Officer ashley@ranchhousedesigns.com

ashleyf@ranchhousedesigns.com

callie graves

nicole erceg

seth alling

nicole@ranchhousedesigns.com

seth@ranchhousedesigns.com

rachel@ranchhousedesigns.com

Project Manager

callie@ranchhousedesigns.com

70  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Social Media Director

Account Manager

Developer

jessica hobbs

TANA HAJOVSKY

jessica@ranchhousedesigns.com

tana@ranchhousedesigns.com

Web Designer

Web Designer/E-Commerce

sarah simpson

kristen davis

melissa grimmel

sarah@ranchhousedesigns.com

kristen@ranchhousedesigns.com

melissa@ranchhousedesigns.com

ALYSHA BECK

LYNN HOUGH

tierra kessler

lynn@ranchhousedesigns.com

tierra@ranchhousedesigns.com

Web Manager

Graphic Designer

Video Producer

alysha@ranchhousedesigns.com

Graphic Designer

Administrative Director

CAROLE ARRIAGA

carole@ranchhousedesigns.com

Graphic Designer

Account Manager

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  71

72  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

INDEX APEX Cattle...........................................28

Marda Angus Farm....................... 48, 49

Bovine Elite.............................................. 72

Midland Bull Test................................... 20

Circle A Angus Ranch.........................45

Powerline Beef Genetics.....................53

CMWW Partners..................................62

Prairie Hills Gelbvieh............................ 51

Diamond P Cattle Co..........................29

RHD............3, 6, 36, 50, 54, 60, 74, IBC

Donor Solutions......................................34

Ritchey Livestock ID............................. 27

Eagle Pass Ranch...................................52

Royalla Beef............................................. 21

Elliott Cattle Co.....................................57

Safety Zone Calf Catchers................56

Emmons Ranch.......................................35

Sarah Showman Books......................... 19

Foggy Bottom Farm.............................63

Schaake Farms........................................67

Fusion Cattle...........................................55

ShowBoom............................................... 23

Gold Bullion Group..............................66

Slate Group................................................ 8

Gray Cattle Co....................................... 14

Standing Heat.........................................22

Grimmel Girls Show Cattle............... 61

Strait Ranches...........................................13

HeartBrand..............Inside Front Cover

Swearngin Angus...................................47

Horsley Brothers.....................................46

Trans Ova Genetics................................ 4

Kane Beef.................................................... 9

Tusa Show Cattle...................................62

Kent Feeds................................................ 15

V8 Ranch............................................38, 39

Kessler Angus..........................................44

Wilbur Ellis Feed.................................... 37

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  73

74  Ranch House Journal | Winter 2017

Winter 2017 | Ranch House Journal  75

Ranch House Designs, Inc. 1730 North Richmond Wharton, Texas 77488

WWW.RANCHHOUSELIVESTOCK.COM