Red Angus Magazine - January 2023

g been the premier d Angus cattle which ving ease, maternal rapid growth to yearling maximum overall profto commercial cow-calf men. Beckton’s bald genetics and emphasis he maternal traits, have de them the leading oice for commercial eplacement females and or building a productive cow herd. And the lower birth weights make them a first choice for breeding heifers.

Ever since the original Red Angus Herd Builder Index was created, more han 80% of the highest ranking sires for verall profitability are eckton sires or descendfrom Beckton sires.

Official Publication of the Red Angus Association of America Volume 59, Number 1

18335 E 103rd Avenue, Suite 202 Commerce City, CO 80022 (940) 387-3502 • Fax (888) 829-6069 RedAngus.org

Publisher/Advertising Director Tracey Koester (701) 391-5440 • tracey@redangus.org

Editor Brandi Buzzard Frobose (785) 448-0239 • brandi@redangus.org

Subscriptions and Circulation Margaux Midas (940) 387-3502, Ext 7 • email: margaux@redangus.org

Affiliated with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Improvement Federation U.S. Beef Breed’s Council National Pedigreed Livestock Council

GENERAL INFORMATION

Published 10 times annually by the Red Angus Association of America at the national headquarters (18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202, Commerce City, CO 80022). A non-political magazine dedicated to the promotion and improvement of breeding, feeding and marketing Red Angus cattle. Subscription rate: U.S., 1 year - $30.00; 2 years - $55.00. Canada and Mexico, 1 year - $44.00, 2 years - $82.00 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). International Air Mail, 1 year - $55.00; 2 years - $100.00 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). These rates are based on Third Class Bulk mailed from Jefferson City, Missouri. Add $20.00 per year for First Class.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING POLICY

Advertising and editorial content are not limited to any particular class of product or subject matter. However, we reserve the right to refuse publication of any material not within the bounds of high agricultural ethics. While we devote the utmost care to the preparation of each advertisement, we cannot be held responsible for ads received after the ad deadline. Furthermore, the accuracy and content of copy received over the telephone is entirely the responsibility of the advertiser. No adjustment for incorrect ad copy will be considered for ads that are received after the ad deadline or that are placed over the telephone.

RAAA Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Steve Koester | Steele, North Dakota koesterredangus@gmail.com

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

AREA 4 DIRECTOR - SOUTHWEST

Tony Ballinger | Morgan Mills, Texas anthony.ballinger@adm.com

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

REGION C DIRECTOR

Jeff Pettit | Sebree, Kentucky jeff@diamondpcattle.com

AREA 2 DIRECTOR - MONTANA BOARD SECRETARY

Kay Klompien | Manhattan, Montana klmpnra@gmail.com

REGION A DIRECTOR

Chuck Feddes | Manhattan, Montana feddesredangus@gmail.com

REGION B DIRECTOR

Craig Bieber | Leola, South Dakota craig@bieberredangus.com

AREA 1 DIRECTOR - WEST

George Murdock | Pendleton, Oregon george.murdock@umatillacounty.net

AREA 3 DIRECTOR - ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Aaron Kravig | Karval, Colorado akravig@kravigredangus.com

AREA 5 DIRECTOR - NORTHERN PLAINS

Stephanie Jung | Mina, South Dakota lazyjbarranch@yahoo.com

AREA 6 DIRECTOR - GREAT PLAINS

Jason Anderson | Oberlin, Kansas jasonea9@hotmail.com

AREA 7 DIRECTOR - NORTHEAST

Rob Hess | Hershey, Pennsylvania hessfarm@verizon.net

AREA 8 DIRECTOR - SOUTHEAST

Jim Yance | Columbia, Alabama jim@jyjredangus.com

AREA 9 DIRECTOR - MIDWEST

Stuart Gilbert | Stockport, Iowa redcowrelocators@gmail.com

Board Commentary

A

Good Bull or a Shiny Penny?

by Kay Klompien, Area 2 Director

Yep, that bull over there – now, he’s a good one!

The question is, how do we really know until we have his daughters in production? Is he a shiny penny or will he prove himself worthy over the test of time? How can we leverage our investment to ensure improvements within our bull battery that will influence the viability of our cow herd?

The underlying question is, “Will that ‘good bull’ improve our herd, both in the short run and also in the long run?” I encourage you to identify the tools that will propel your program into the achievable future.

The integrity and reputation of the program that stands behind the cattle is, without a doubt, of No. 1 importance. If you don’t already know them, be sure to get to know bull producers and their program. Does their program line up with the goals and demands of your program? Individual breeder’s websites can provide a wealth of knowledge.

How about a phone call? The Red Angus Association of America is a very valuable resource when studying a bull – along with the data search tool in REDSPro. Be sure to also check out all the articles written by our staff with regards to understanding EPDs such as averages, accuracies, percentiles, possible change and trends, which are available in the Red Angus Magazine archives at RedAngus.org. The more you understand, the better equipped you are to make sound decisions.

What about the bull’s structure, i.e., visual appraisal: feet, legs, shoulders, spine, head shape, rib capacity, length, muscling and tracking ability? Is he built to stand the test of time and provide an asset to your program?

Is the bull’s history important? Is he the result of embryo transplant, was he a twin, did his mother calve unassisted, out of a first calf heifer or mature cow, was he creep fed, on irrigated grass, desert or mountain pasture, drought condition of the year, basic health, were his feet trimmed?

Bull buyers should consider many factors when appraising a bull before purchasing him to determine if his worth and impact on their cow herd goes beyond being a shiny penny.

Board Commentary: A Good Bull or a Shiny Penny?

How about mama? Udder structure, teat size, mothering ability, MPPA, cow family longevity, mature size, fleshing ability, disposition, fertility, frame size, feet issues – these are all aspects to evaluate and consider.

Has the breeder gone the extra miles with genomic testing, parentage verification, ultrasound carcass testing, fertility testing, feed efficiency testing, etc.? Are they advancing the breed and providing the best product possible? Are they available to help you with marketing your resulting calves? Will they stand behind their product?

Again, how important is the integrity and relationship you have with the bull producer?

Now let’s consider extremes. How much of a good thing is too much? Does excessive calving ease result in lighter calves at weaning or decreased pelvic size of your females? Is

excessive growth tied to birthweight causing dystocia’s and, ultimately, issues with breed back of the dams? Do excessive growth traits create a maintenance energy issue?

Does excessive carcass quality inhibit maternal/fertility traits? Is excessive milk causing udders to break down early and/or cause breed back issues? Is excessive gain causing foot issues? Is excessive hair an issue with heat tolerance? Where is the “sweet” spot within your herd and your environment for these traits?

How do you target to optimize your program toward perfecting

viability

The Bottom Line:

In order to achieve a successful bull purchase that propels you into the next generation with a sustainable cow herd, you need more information than a pretty picture and the data printed in the catalog. Otherwise, you will likely end up with nothing more than a shiny penny. Use all the tools in your toolbox, and remember, EPDs are just one of your tools. //

“The bottom line: In order to achieve a successful bull purchase that propels you into the next generation with a sustainable cow herd, you need more information than a pretty picture and the data printed in the catalog.”

the future

of your herd?

FEDDES EIGHT BALL D42-9231 Reg. ##4124280

0.3 95

By Design ...

Our fall-calving program is by design. Our cattle are bred, born and raised to excel in conditions opposite of most production seasons. They are tough, resilient and prolific. Sure, calving in August might be easier than March, however maternal and actual performance in the winter are antagonistic to nature and we identify and eliminate those unworthy of staying in our herd. Conformation, muscle, foot structure, disposition, performance and maternal strengths are backed by breed-leading EPDs for growth and carcass. At the end of the day, our customers need cows that do their job, payweight at weaning and carcass traits that build a reputation with their feeders.

LORENZEN WARRANT 8273 (#3935401) He is the true authority on balanced traits with eight EPDs in the top 20% of the breed with top carcass traits. His calves are long-bodied with impressive muscle expression. His daughters will be herd influencers.

BIEBER CL STOCKMARKET E119 (#3751659)

Stockmarket offers calving ease and elite maternal value with added performance, growth and marbling. He is long-bodied with added depth of rib and excellent feet, and passes that to his offspring.

LORENZEN INSIGHT 9917 (#4114758)

Insight ranks in the top of the breed in ProS, GM and Marbling. He is a testament to balanced traits and maintains impressive growth, carcass merit and maternal strength as a calving-ease sire with outcross genetics.

VGW MEGATRON 403P (#1696386)

Megatron passes along his tremendous muscle shape with style, balance and exceptional carcass. His semen inventory is gone, so sons are limited. His daughters are maternal, nice uddered and quiet with good feet.

LARR DRIVE TIME 9542 (#4147406)

A very thick, high-growth sire who has proven his performance in his calves. His impressive growth and carcass traits position him as a topranking GM sire, and his calves are sure to add pounds in the fall and hang a heavy carcass!

LJC CRONUS 609H (#4305475)

Cronus offers outcross genetics in our herd, excelling in all three profit indexes – ProS, HB and GM. He blends performance, maternal and carcass, a rare combination. His first calves are on the ground and look impressive.

RAAA National Office

18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202

Commerce City, CO 80022

(940) 387-3502 | FAX (888) 829-6069 Email: info@redangus.org RedAngus.org

RAAA National Staff

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Tom Brink Ext. 4 | tombrink@redangus.org

DIRECTOR OF BREED IMPROVEMENT Ryan Boldt Ext. 12 | ryan@redangus.org

BEEF CATTLE GENETICIST Dr. Lindsay Upperman Ext. 29 | lindsay@redangus.org

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Halla Pfeiff Ext. 10 | halla@redangus.org

REDSPRO & REGISTRY SPECIALIST Kaitlyn Fulmer Ext. 6 | kaitlyn@redangus.org

REDSPRO & REGISTRY SPECIALIST Stephanie Johnson Ext. 26 | stephanie@redangus.org

MEMBER SERVICES & DNA SPECIALIST Ryan Starkey Ext. 5 | ryanstarkey@redangus.org

DNA DATA PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Alana Skelton Ext. 14 | alana@redangus.org

DNA CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST Kai Miranda Ext. 24 | kai@redangus.org

DATABASE AND REGISTRATION CONSULTANT Kenda Ponder Ext. 15 | kenda@redangus.org

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & JUNIOR PROGRAMS Dr. Kim Heller (515) 851-2019 | juniors@redangus.org

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tracey Koester (701) 391-5440 | tracey@redangus.org

EDITOR & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Brandi Buzzard Frobose (785) 448-0239 | brandi@redangus.org

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Lisa Bryant (405) 766-8942 | lisa@redangus.org

SHOW SPECIALIST Erin Dorsey (970) 396-5420 | erin@redangus.org

ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR Janet Russell Ext. 11 | janet@redangus.org

MEMBERSHIP AND RECEIVABLES SPECIALIST Margaux Midas Ext. 7 | margaux@redangus.org

RECEPTIONIST

Marilyn Imthurn Ext. 3 | receptionist@redangus.org

Commercial Marketing Team and Value-Added Programs staff is on page 16

Association Commentary

Fed Cattle Prices Trend Higher, Support Calf Market

by Tom Brink, RAAA Chief Executive Officer

Whatever happens in the fed cattle market eventually has a direct impact on yearling and calf prices. Cattle prices at each stage of production are positively correlated, with finished cattle prices serving as the entire market’s foundation. As we begin 2023, the fed cattle market’s influence is definitely positive. Prices are trending higher and market-ready cattle numbers are declining.

As shown in the accompanying graph, last year’s fed prices averaged near $144 per hundredweight. This is the second highest price level on record. Only 2014 and 2015 experienced higher average prices at the peak of the last cattle cycle.

Fed cattle prices also “over performed” the long-term trendline in 2022 for the first time in six years. Bargaining leverage is shifting back to the seller. Feedlot leverage weakened from 2019-2021, as a result of packing plant slowdowns and closures, COVID-19 and a backed-up fed cattle supply.

That situation improved markedly in 2022, and by the last few months of the year, prices moved up into the $150s and currentness was restored. With 2023 starting out the same way, and projected beef supplies expected to drop 3% year over year, the upward trend in prices is expected to continue.

Just How High Could Prices Go?

If we lengthen our horizon beyond 2023, the answer is that fed prices seem poised to make new long-term highs. The drought that caused cow herd liquidation in 2021 and 2022 is not over yet. Thus, it is possible that additional herd downsizing is still in the works. Beef demand – both domestically and internationally – remains relatively strong, especially for highly marbled beef. Some analysts suggest the emerging situation is like the perfect storm of drought and good beef demand in 2012 and 2013 that produced the last round of peak prices in 2014 and 2015.

Association Commentary: Fed Cattle Prices Trend Higher, Support Calf Market

Using history as a guide, when cattle numbers get tight, as they did during the middle of the previous decade, it would not be surprising to see the fed cattle market move even further above the trendline during the next two to three years. Perhaps this increase could be $30 or $40 per hundredweight, like it was during the last price peak. Keep in mind that prices in 2022 were already $11 above the trendline, and we had not even entered the tight supply period yet.

Simple math to project the next round of mountaintop prices goes something like this: trendline base price of $138 - $140, plus $35 in price over-performance, results in an annual average fed cattle price of $170 to maybe even $180 for 2024 and 2025.

Such an increase would make a 1,500-pound fed steer worth approximately $450 more per head compared to 2022. That is obviously a large dollar amount, of which a large portion

would translate back and be added to the calf and yearling market, assuming feed and freight costs level out.

The other caveat is the need for the moisture situation to improve over broad areas of the U.S. which are still struggling with drought. Increased forage production of all types would go

a long way to further support the calf market and help reduce cow maintenance costs as well. Increased heifer retention, bullish in its early phases, likely will not happen until the rains return. The most likely scenario is higher cattle prices and improved moisture over the next two to three years, but only time will tell for sure. //

As we begin 2023, the fed cattle market’s influence is definitely positive. Prices are trending higher and market-ready cattle numbers are declining.

Red Angus Commercial Marketing Team and Value-Added Programs

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL MARKETING

Harold Bertz

(816) 661-2289 | harold@redangus.org

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FIELD SERVICES Katie Martin Ext. 16 | katieochsner@redangus.org

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Nolan Woodruff (805) 861-0996 | nolan@redangus.org

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Rachael Oliver (406) 480-1569 | rachael@redangus.org

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Cale Hinrichsen (785) 456-3969 | cale@redangus.org

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS Chessie Mitchell Ext. 20 | chessie@redangus.org

VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS SPECIALIST Jeananne Drouhard Ext. 18 | jeananne@redangus.org

Weekly Email Marketing Service of Feeder and Finished Cattle

To better serve Red Angus commercial cattlemen, RAAA has created a Red Angus show list for feedyards and packers looking for Red Angus-influenced cattle. Producers can market feeder or finished cattle through this free service when selling through a sale barn, video auction or private treaty. The show list is emailed out weekly to potential buyers through the Red Angus FeederFax email service. This free service is designed to inform feedyard managers, order buyers and other interested parties of cattle for sale. To upload information about cattle or to view cattle available, visit RedAngus.org/showlist.

To receive the weekly FeederFax marketing service that will highlight that week’s show list, please email tags@redangus.org.

Marketing Update

Starting the New Year Right

by Harold Bertz, Director of Commercial Marketing

When preparing to write an article, I enjoy reading through past things I have written. Exactly one year ago, the article I penned focused on the optimism for 2022 and the strength the cattle market should experience.

Here is a quote from that article, “At the writing of this article, we are winding down 2021 and preparing for, what is predicted to be, a wild 2022 in the cattle business.” I am often wrong, and this article was no exception as it did not get quite as wild as we expected. Though the cattle market did experience strength, it was not the runaway we had all hoped for.

It does, however, appear that 2023 will offer some real opportunity for ranch profit on the cow-calf side. Tight supplies and continued strong demand point to a sustained period of higher prices.

With the opportunity for cow-calf operations to be profitable, a major question becomes how to invest our hard-won profits? With rising input costs, interest rates and freight, these extra profit opportunities come at an ideal time. When choosing where to invest extra profits the opportunities are endless: boosting marketing, better genetics, increased technology, improved facilities and program verifications are just a few options. Investing in better genetics and improved facilities, though not a simple process, are pretty straightforward. For this article, I would like to focus on the other options, ones that the Red Angus marketing team can readily assist you in achieving.

To align with the Red Angus Strategic Plan, critical objective #1 - Create Market Demand, the commercial marketing team has created several options to assist producers in boosting their marketing efforts. The Feeder Calf Certification Program and Allied Access have long been, and continue to be, the foundational programs offered by Red Angus. These programs are the basis of all the other opportunities offered as they definitively prove age, source and genetic verification of feeder and finished cattle.

New this year, the marketing team has created a platform for producers to list their feeder and finished cattle on the Red Angus website to showcase available calves’ unique attributes. Found at RedAngus.org/marketing/showlist, the Feedyard Showlist allows commercial ranchers to list and describe the cattle they have for sale and the venue in which they will be sold. These listings will be available to backgrounders, feedlots and packers in addition to being used by marketing team members to promote the cattle to interested buyers. This service is absolutely free to commercial ranchers, please contact a marketing team member with questions about our new Feedyard Showlist option.

The Red Navigator DNA panel is an opportunity to gain valuable DNA information, including sire identification, on your calf crop. This information will come to you as percentile rank of the Red Angus commercial population for each EPD calculated at Red Angus. You will also receive an individualized consultation from Katie Martin, assistant director of field services, on interpreting and incorporating this information into your selection and mating decisions. As an added bonus, the DNA information calculated on your heifer crop can be used to accurately describe their brothers

as you market them as steers. Using extra profits now to gather valuable information about your cow herd can become a profit center in future years.

In the last cattle cycle, ranchers chose to rebuild with Red Angus-influenced females and there is no reason to believe the same will not happen when rebuilding begins. Last year the Red Choice program was launched to develop premium commercial Red Angus bred heifers. By following a vaccination

and pre-breeding protocol, concentrated sire selection and accurate pregnancy observation, ranchers can create a value-rich female that is verified to be so. More information about the program can be found at RedAngus.org/ marketing/marketing-services/#redchoice or by contacting Nolan Woodruff, commercial marketing specialist.

As we enter 2023, let’s prepare for a year with extra profit potential with a thoughtful, business mindset. How we

Special FCCP Red Angus Feeder Calf Sale Calendar

choose to reinvest our profits can create huge opportunities for our future success, decisions that can continue to create profits when the cycle changes. One constant, despite the market, is to let the commercial marketing team know when you are ready to market your Red Angus-influenced cattle and we will promote them to buyers seeking high quality cattle.

Here’s wishing all of you the happiest of New Years. //

Date FCCP Sale Contact Phone

Jan. 5 Bagley Livestock

Billy Bushell 218-694-3701

Jan. 5 Ogallala Livestock Auction Market Jay Nordhausen 308-284-2071

Jan. 6 Bloomington Livestock Exchange Greg May 608-994-2020

Jan. 16 Spur M Consignment Sale

Doug McGee 701-523-6086

Jan. 20 LaCrosse Livestock Market Frank Seidel 785-222-2586

Feb. 15 Hub City Livestock Glen Gaikowski 605-225-3273

Feb. 20 Rugby Livestock Auction Cliff Mattson 701-776-6393

Herd Inventories –

The Base of Total Herd Reporting

by Halla Pfeiff, Executive Assistant

Spring Herd Inventories Due the First Wednesday in March

The definition of an inventory is a complete list of items such as property, goods in stock, or the contents of a building, which is a true statement for animals that are cared for on a cattle operation. In reality, an inventory list is an element that should be reviewed frequently for adjustments and updates and is a solid business practice. For RAAA, that is no different since we require that members review and submit the full list of active cows at the beginning of the calving season, whether that be spring or fall. Based on the timing of our request, the females on active inventory at that specific time should be heavy bred, have already had a calf weeks prior or were culled in earlier months for being open, or for another reason like having a poor attitude or udder.

RAAA provides a list of the cows we show to be active and in the spring calving season. What we ask of our members is to review the list in its entirety and to report back to us which females should be removed by providing the appropriate disposal code, or moving her calving season to the fall. If the female should be in the spring calving season (will calve January to June), and has not been removed for any reason, no action should be taken on her and she will remain as is.

This should be completed no later than March 1, 2023, the first Wednesday of the month.

Those that were lucky enough to stay as active cows in the herd are subject to the assessment fee in July. These females are expected to have a calf reported to them for 2023 or a reason code for no calf. We recommend that the entire calf crop be reported after weaning.

Example of Moving a Season in the THR Inventory Job

• Load the THR Inventory job with the entire herd and view the current season on the far right. To change the season, simply click on the box labeled “season” and from the drop-down menu, select the correct season that the individual female will calve in for 2023.

Example of

Disposing of a Female in the THR Inventory Job

• Load theTHR Inventory job with the entire herd. To remove the female from the inventory, simply click on the box labeled “disp code” and from the dropdown menu select the appropriate reason for removal.

Remember, when all females have been reviewed and/or edited, process the job and click Final Submit on the billing page for all animals to be reported accurately.

Herd Reporting Calendar

Every year a new THR Calendar is released, though this does not mean a change in dates for when reports are requested or due. We simply are updating the specific date every year. Request and due dates will fall on the same Wednesday of the month every single year.

For example, spring herd inventories are always due the first Wednesday in March and fall herd inventories are due the first Wednesday in September.

On page 24 you will find the 2023 calendar. This was mailed to our members in early December, but is available for reference at RedAngus.org > Herd Management > THR Calendar.

For a more detailed calendar you can find our reporting timeline by month at RedAngus.org > Herd Management > Offline Forms > THR Reporting Timeline.

Week of: Lab Shipment(s)

January 2, 2023 Wednesday, Jan. 4

Resources Available

Implementing a refresher course at least once a year is beneficial in tuning and gearing up the mind for when the time comes to edit the herd inventory, report calves, complete transfers and submit DNA. Knowing that time is limited and valuable, this can even happen on the fly as data entry is being completed and a snag happens while executing. Check out the video tutorials on YouTube, read the Howto-Guide (condensed version of the Rules and Regulations), and helpful data collection graphics for udder, foot and leg, and body condition scoring.

DNA Turn Around Times and USPS

The thick of DNA submissions is August through April and applies to RAAA and Neogen. During these times, due to influx, the turnaround time on results can be pushed up-

turnaround times.

We also see a change in the United States Postal Service this time of year with the increase of packages being exchanged along with available help at the local post office. RAAA encourages our members to use FedEx or UPS for submitting samples for accuracy of arrival times and at the very least obtain a tracking number. //

JANUARY 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MARCH 2023 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Jan. 3 – Statement Mailed

Jan. 4 – Spring Herd Inventory Requested

Jan. 13 – Fall THR – 2nd Installment

Feb. 1 – Statement Mailed

Feb. 1 – Fall Heifer Exposure Requested Feb. 10 – Fall THR – 3rd Installment

MAY 2023

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

May 1 – Statement Mailed May 17 – Fall Birth/Weaning Due May 26 – Spring 2022 Inactivations

March 1 – Statement Mailed

March 1 – Spring Herd Inventory Due March 8 – Spring No Progeny Requested

March 10 – Fall THR – 4th Installment

March 15 – Fall Birth/Weaning Requested

JUNE 2023

June 1 – Statement Mailed

June 30 – End of RAAA Fiscal Year

HRP

At the Ranch - Hayes, SD

CAPTAIN 2009K WT Ratio BW 82 ET WWT 728 EPD PCTL PROS 94 48% HB 41 75% GM 52 22% CED 16 12% BW -4.1 14% WW 71 14% YW 126 5% MILK 30 12% HPG 14 9% CEM 8 29% MARB 0.62 14% CWT 30 26% REA 0.23 29%

2009K will be one of the most exciting and impressive bulls to sell this year! Sired by the phenomenal PIE CAPTAIN 057, who’s calves have turned the heads of everyone who’s visited. Paired with the outcross donor dam 9-MILE LAKOTA 0378 who definitely shows the muscle, deep rib and incredible phenotype of her Angus sire WOODHILL BLUEPRINT.

HRP

2002K

Do you need slam dunk calving ease with plenty of growth and marbling? 2002K will do both! Great phenotype and EPD thanks to his sire PIE QUARTERBACK 789 – one of the hottest sires in the breed – and his dam HRP PRIMROSE 823F – one of the best donor cows we own.

HRP AMBITION 2027K

WT Ratio

BW 72 90

WWT 751 118

EPD PCTL

PROS 80 71% HB 32 88% GM 48 29%

CED 14 26% BW -2.0 47% WW 78 4% YW 123 7% MILK 27 32% HPG 11 65% CEM 8 22%

MARB 0.47 36% CWT 40 6% REA 0.35 12% 2027K is from the first calf crop for MRLA AMBITION 92H and we are looking forward to many more, his Resource linage paired very well with the dams Complete 7000E linage. 2027K is easily one of the stoutest bulls in the pen and will add pounds and muscle to the next generation.

HRP COMPLETE 2020K

WT Ratio

BW 88 ET

WWT 784 EPD PCTL

PROS 90 55% HB 17 97% GM 73 4% CED 11 77% BW -1.2 63% WW 77 5% YW 131 3% MILK 30 15% HPG 14 15% CEM 6 79%

MARB 0.66 10% CWT 38 8% REA 0.32 15%

We had the opportunity buy a set of embryos from the legendary Pieper Red Angus cow PIE RUBY 520 – Quarterback 789’s dam – sired by another of our favorites HXC COMPLETE 7000E and we’re glad we did. With great phenotype, structure and 8 EPD in the top 15%, there’s a ton of potential in 2020K.

Do

This special publication is designed to have a longer shelf life and is focused on genetic advancement – semen sales, studs, AI services, cattle-mating services, etc. Bull sale ads are also allowed.

Distributed to the same mailing list as the February Red Angus Magazine – approximately 12,500 readers – made up of RAAA members and Red Angus bull buyers.

Editorial is focused on genetic advancement through AI, synchronization protocols, management practices, etc.

Advertising rates will be the same as the Red Angus Magazine. Frequency discounts will apply based on the advertiser’s commitment to RAM advertising and count toward an advertiser’s frequency obligation (10x or 5x rate). Premium ad pages for the Genetic Advancement Special Edition (back cover, inside covers, page 3) start at $1,100 with bid increments of $10 between interested parties. Contact Tracey Koester to express interest in a premium page.

Economic Index 101

by Lindsay Upperman, Beef Geneticist

The evaluation of possible herd sires based on their genetic potential can sometimes be confusing for new bull buyers. One factor a bull buyer can get behind in the buying process is that the next herd sire purchased should hopefully gain more dollar profit in the next calf crop. Yet, when looking at the available selection tools, such as EPDs, to evaluate herd sires, there are so many choices to consider. You may be asking yourself, “Which EPD should I look at? Is there more than one EPD to evaluate sires on for my operation’s goals?”

Well, you’re in luck! An economic index is a tool used to select on multiple traits at once based on a given breeding objective. In other words, an index looks at both genetic and economic values as well as the relationships between traits in order to select for profit. Thus, if a trait has a greater impact on production goals there would be a larger economic weight associated with the given trait. This is a much easier way to consider multiple traits at once, while only having one value to compare between sires. Let’s take a look at each of the selection indexes available.

At the Red Angus Association of America, there are three main selection indexes:

Profitability and Sustainability (ProS)

This is an all-purpose index which predicts the economic differences of animals for all segments of the beef supply chain. The breeding scenario for this index is that replacement heifers are retained from within the herd and all other remaining progeny are fed out to be harvested on a quality-based grid. Ultimately, this index would be the combination of the two selection indexes and breeding objectives defined below.

Traits: The traits included within this index are calving ease, growth traits, milk (MILK), mature weight (MW), heifer

pregnancy (HPG), stayability (STAY), dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass traits (BF, CW, MARB and REA).

HerdBuilder (HB)

This is a maternal selection index which predicts the economic differences of animals for traits that are important from conception to weaning. The breeding scenario for this index is that bulls are mated to both heifers and cows, replacement heifers are retained and all other remaining progeny are marketed at weaning.

Traits: The traits included within this index are calving ease direct (CED), calving ease maternal (CEM), weaning weight (WW), milk (MILK), mature weight (MW), heifer pregnancy (HPG) and stayability (STAY).

GridMaster (GM)

This is a terminal selection index which predicts the economic differences of non-replacement animals through the post-weaning part of production. The breeding scenario for this index is that all progeny are fed out to be harvested on a quality-based grid.

Traits: The traits included within this index are dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), carcass weight (CW), back fat (BF), marbling (MARB) and ribeye area (REA).

If utilizing selection indexes sounds like a more feasible option, make sure your operation lines up with the given breeding scenarios described above and then utilize that index value to compare potential herd sires during the next sale day.

Furthermore, all of these indexes are expressed in dollars per head born, thus a larger value will be indicative of a larger dollar profit overall. For instance, let’s compare two bulls on the ProS index. Bull A has an index value of 124 and Bull B has an index value of 84. If these bulls are bred to a comparable set of females, we would expect Bull A’s progeny, on average, to be $40 more profitable per head born, given that these bulls were utilized in a breeding scenario that encompasses all segments of the beef supply chain.

Ultimately, an economic selection index can take the daunting task of multiple EPD comparisons between bulls and transform it into just one comparison. Additionally, with the bottom line always being at the forefront of a producer’s mind, an economic index value can be a valuable asset due to being expressed in units we are all familiar with, dollars. As a new bull buyer, make the quick and easy decision to utilize an economic selection index so you don’t have additional stress on sale day! //

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Six Signs It’s Time for a New Sire

by Macey Mueller, for the Red Angus Magazine

Good bulls can be a big investment. After spending significant time and expense to find just the right fit to complement your cow herd genetics and meet production goals, it can be a tough call to sell or retire that sire. Three industry professionals weigh in with their tips and strategies for determining whether a bull is worthy of another breeding season.

1.

He Fails a Breeding Soundness Exam Prior to Turnout

It can be difficult for a bull to effectively do his job if he is not in top physical condition. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, Ph.D., Nebraska Extension beef systems educator and licensed veterinarian, said a BSE is “cheap insurance” that can provide valuable information about a bull’s potential breeding ability.

“It doesn’t cost you much to figure out a whole lot of information on your bull,” she said. “The physical exam looks at his feet, legs, eyes and scrotum and measures how well he can extend, and the semen sample looks at motility and morphology – how well the sperm are swimming and if proper amounts are being produced.”

While structural issues or eye problems are typically easy to cull for, Waechter-Mead said if a sperm sample is deemed unsatisfactory or a sample cannot be collected, she encourages producers to retest the bull 30 to 60 later.

“It doesn’t have to be one and done when it comes to

Ph. D.

semen testing, but if a bull is not satisfactory at turnout, I recommend using a replacement until you retest,” she said. “Timing can make a difference because the process of making sperm actually takes 60 days, so if a bull suffers an insult like frostbite 30 days prior to the BSE, it might not be evident in the sperm sample. It really helps to test bulls right before turnout to get the best idea of their potential performance.”

Bryce Risa is a Red Angus seedstock and commercial producer from northeast Montana, where winter low temperatures can linger in the single digits and temporarily impair sperm cell production.

“Our winters can be pretty tough,” he said. “A lot of guys around here will do BSEs in March and have a bull fail, but give that animal two more months on green grass and all of a sudden he’ll pass the exam.”

Risa has his bulls tested right before turnout on June 24 but admits replacement is not easy that late in the year.

Bryce Risa Lindsay Waechter-Mead,

Lindsay Upperman, Ph.D.

Should He Stay or Should He Go? Six Signs It’s Time for a New Sire

“If a bull is not sound when it’s time to turn out, we don’t take any chances,” he said. “It can be hard to find a good bull for sale that late in the season, so we try to keep an older bull on hand for those circumstances.”

Risa added that he always retests new bulls regardless of their results at the time of purchase.

“A lot can happen to bulls, especially young bulls, in the short amount of time between sale season and turnout,” he said. “Our theory is just to do it right before they’re ready to go to work, so we know for sure they are sound.”

2. Your Calves Are Missing the Mark

Lindsay Upperman, Ph.D., RAAA beef cattle geneticist, said genetics are always improving and investing in a younger bull is the fastest and most effective way to make genetic progress and improve profit potential in the next calf crop.

“There is something to be said for proven bulls, but if you are taking your calves to market and they’re just not stacking up against others, it may be time to find a bull with stronger traits or more genetic progress,” she said. “Some producers will try to make nutritional changes to make up pounds, but we’ve seen recently how drought conditions can affect the nutritional resources we have available from year to year so that’s not always a cost-effective approach.”

Sires will account for nearly 90% of the genetics in a herd over time, so it’s important they align with an operation’s goals, marketing strategy and environment.

“Genetic progress is the one thing you can always advance if you’re willing to make that investment.”

3. He’s Got a Bad Attitude

Disposition is often near the top of any producer’s list, and Risa is no exception.

“If something shows temperament to us, we remove it immediately,” he said. “In my experience, if he shows poor

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Should He Stay or Should He Go? Six Signs It’s Time for a New Sire

temperament as a yearling, he’s going to carry that all through his life. At least as a yearling you can handle him, but if you have a 4-year-old bull with a bad attitude, he can make things pretty miserable when it’s time to pull him from the pasture or expecting him to get along with other bulls.”

Waechter-Mead said disposition is number one on her list as well, especially when it comes to heifer bulls.

“Heifers have a tendency to be kind of flighty and nervous, so you don’t want a bull that’s going to be too aggressive and not able to do his job,” she added.

4. Your Production Goals Change

If you have traditionally sold your calves at weaning, your bull selection may have been heavily influenced by Birth Weight or Weaning Weight EPDs, but if you have made the decision to background or even retain ownership through the feed yard, you may need to hone in on bulls with higher Yearling Weight or carcass values. Likewise, if you have historically been a terminal operation but are now planning to retain replacement heifers, you may need to look for bulls with stronger maternal traits.

Upperman said one of the easiest ways to select for multiple traits and best estimate a sire’s overall impact is to use one

of RAAA’s indexes, which combine EPDs for several traits into a single economic value:

• HerdBuilder – ideal for selecting bulls to develop profitable replacement females and maximize the value of non-replacement marketed progeny

• GridMaster – used to maximize the profitability of feeders in the feed yard and on the rail

• ProS – a balanced approach that covers economically relevant traits across all aspects of the beef supply chain from conception to carcass

“To maximize profit potential, you really need to consider quite a few selection traits in relation to each other,” Upperman said. “Indexes are valuable tools to make those comparisons in light of their economic impact.”

5. He’s Getting Too Big or He Can’t Maintain Condition

While there’s not a specific age limit on a bull’s ability to

“Genetic progress is the one thing you can always advance if you’re willing to make that investment.”

Should He Stay or Should He Go? Six Signs It’s Time for a New Sire

breed, most make it to four or five years before they either get too large or develop health issues causing them to decline in condition.

Waechter-Mead said optimal bull size should be relative to the size of the cows. Heifer bulls often need to be replaced sooner than other herd bulls because they can get too large to safely service smaller females.

On the other hand, some bulls have a hard time regaining condition after a breeding season, where it’s common for a bull to lose anywhere from 100 to 400 pounds.

“Most bulls are working their tails off for 60 days, so it’s not unusual to see them decline in condition,” Waechter-Mead said. “But if they have ample nutrition available, they should be bouncing back to a body condition score 5 or 6 fairly easily without requiring extreme supplementation.”

6. You Add Females to the Herd

Even the best bull has his limits, so if you recently expanded your herd, you may need to invest in an additional bull to improve the chances of all cows being serviced.

Waechter-Mead said a good rule of thumb is that a bull can typically cover as many females as his age in months, up to 30 months.

Jan. 1 Blom Red Angus (PT Opening Day), Vida, MT

Jan. 23........Bullis Creek Ranch, Wood Lake, NE

4C Red Angus, Hot Springs

ADM & MJM Red Angus, Sander, MT

Angelo Cattle Co., Drummond, MT

Boot Jack Cattle Co., Lewistown, MT

Christensen Red Angus, Park City, MT

Cross F Red Angus,Parkman, WY

Franz Ranch, Sidney, MT

Geib Red Angus Dagmar, MT

Glacier Red Angus, Polson,MT

Harmony Hill Red Angus, Bozeman, MT

According to Waechter-Mead, a good rule of thumb is that a bull can typically cover as many females as his age in months, up to 30 months.

“If he’s a 16-month-old bull, then he could probably cover 16 head,” she said. “Once he gets past 30 months, I usually say one bull for 30 cows, depending on the size, terrain and condition of a pasture. If he has to track a long way up in the hills or has limited access to quality nutrition, you’re going to probably need to have an extra one.” //

2023 Private Treaty Sales 2023 Production Sales

Feb. 4 TJS Red Angus, Buffalo, WY Feb. 14-19 ..Forster Red Angus, Richardton, ND, online sale

Hidden Hollow Ranch, Townsend, MT

J Bar Stenberg Ranch, St. Ignatius, MT

Knaub Red Angus, Lodge Grass, MT

Lost Creek Red Angus, Molt, MT

MARS Red Angus, Kinsey, MT

Meyer Cattle Co., Helmville, MT

Ostendorf Red Angus, Powderville, MT

Ott Red Angus, Reed Point, MT

Owings Red Angus, Powell Butte, OR

Red Fork Red Angus, Kaycee, WY

Rock Creek Red Angus, Joliet, MT

Rutledge Red Angus, Big Sandy, MT

Sheperd Red Angus, Cody, WY

Smieja Red Angus, Belgrade, MT

Summers Red Angus, Flaxville, MT

TG Red Angus, Dagmar, MT

Walking T Genetics, Joliet, MT

Whispering Pine Farms, Lonepine, MT

White Family Farm, Red Lodge, MT

Wiseman Red Angus, Glasgow, MT

Montana Red Angus Association

www.MontanaRedAngus.org

Genetic Selection, Fulfilling All Beef Segment Demands

by Nate Smith, General Manager, Top Dollar Angus, Inc.

As we move into another seedstock sale season, we see a plethora of factors playing in the average producer’s mind surrounding potential bull purchases. As many of us well know, a large portion of the cow-calf industry is fighting a severe drought as I write this article, causing a shrinking national cow herd. Although the deep culling has brought stress, it does bring forth opportunity for a revolution in the genetic make-up of the U.S. beef herd moving forward.

Let’s begin with how we got here. For the past seven years, beef cow numbers have been in growth mode. Feed resources were not a major issue and better management programs were established, but we still saw some producers returning to old methods when we had an abundance of cattle. An over-supplied market made it easy to skimp on genetic inputs and market demands. With supplies tightening and global beef demand continuing to grow, this year’s genetic investment is one that is sure to carry decades of impact.

Why, you may ask? What makes this year so much different than previous years? This year we have seen a record number of cows, heifers and bulls being harvested, leaving what is left of our core production herd very young. To replace those animals, it will take the next few calf crops and, if retained for production, they will be the base from which we build. A base that can be constructed for the future, one that considers the traits the beef industry demands from calf to consumer.

This may seem like a simple ask to the cow-calf producer; more efficient beef cows, higher weaning weights, improved fertility etc. But let’s dive deeper into the supply chain and how an upgrade in genetics could increase the cow-calf producer’s return merely by improving the other sectors’ experiences.

While many of us in the ag world are fortunate enough to have our own animals processed locally for our consumption, the other 98% of the world has a different route to obtaining their favorite protein source. The consumer, whether they are purchasing it at a grocery store or a restaurant

are, at the end of the day, our customer. They drive demand, which drives beef price, which pushes live cattle price and reaches all the way back to calf values. This is why we select for carcass traits; retail consumers are the ones who pay for it and, as we see how they spend their dollar, they want more!

So, we know we can improve carcass-related traits in this genetic upgrade to cover the end customer. What about those between producers and consumers? One word seems to wrap up what we hear our feeders telling us daily: efficiency. Referencing back to the earlier mention of drought, we see that, once again, the cost of growing animals during the drought is extreme. High commodity prices mean the genetics that cow-calf producers are selecting at the bull sale can make the difference between profit and loss for the feeder. While EPDs such as ADG and CW, and indexes like Grid Master may seem like a secondary criteria, they still carry large value because they are the keys to our feedyard customers’ success.

Finally, to the real decision makers, the ones that control the product from birth: bull buyers. As discussed above with supply chain members, efficiency and carcass quality matter. Which suggest that the cow-calf producer’s interest is secondary, but a simple look at the interest of each may render that argument invalid. Consumers want sustainable beef – ranchers desire sustainable cows. Feeders want efficient cattle – cow-calf producers desire efficient cows. All segments demand the same qualities and now the opportunity to achieve those demands through selection of progressive genetics awaits.

As always, I am happy to discuss this intriguing subject at length feel free to reach out anytime. Happy Trails! //

Decisions on genetic selection affect the supply chain from sustainable cow-calf production to efficient feedlot gains to consumer experience.

• Trophy outperformed on test and was the $20,000 sale topper at Treasure Bull Test

• His sire, McPhee Trophy, continues to be the breed’s power sire

• His dam is an elite Sun River female and his grandam is the legendary Royce’s Sensational 14

• No wonder his daughters take “fancy” to a whole new level!

• His sons are pure power with the look to match

• Proven on range cows – ’Nuff said!!!

Stenberg Trophy 2423, pictured at 5 months, is a full brother to 7423 and is currently on test at the Midland Bull Test. He will sell in April 2023.

Red Dawn is a tremendous meat wagon. He is everything you could order in the perfect bull. He is incredibly long with immense muscle and thickness. Red Dawn is smooth polled and wears a deep cherry red jacket. This guy is breathtaking.

HeterosisThe Cowman’s Only

Free Lunch

Sam Lorenzen, Past Vice President, RAAA

“Whether you run 5 or 5,000 cows, crossbreeding can be highly effective. You can push the limits of heterosis by using a terminal cross on a straight-bred herd.”

USDA Meat Animal Research Center

“Planned crossbreeding results in a 23.3% increase in pounds of calf weaned per cow.”

• Tremendous growth!!!!!

• Will add another 10% of performance on British cows

• His F1 progeny are incredible with added length and thickness

• NOTE: Disadvantage to consider. With the current cost of trucking, you will have to order more trucks to haul your calves that weight 50-100 pounds more at shipping. There goes your carbon footprint!

Calving Season Factors that Impact Rebreeding

by Heather Smith Thomas, for the Red Angus Magazine

The goal of every producer is to have cows rebred on schedule after calving, preferably as early in the breeding season as possible. There are several factors that play a role in when and if a cow or first-calf heifer is able to rebreed.

Nutrition Comes First

John Hall, Ph.D., Extension beef specialist, University of Idaho, Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, said the first thing to consider is body condition score.

“Ideally, cows should be score 5 or 6 and we want heifers in body condition score 6 or 7. They need some energy reserves. There’s good data from many research projects that clearly show that any cow that calves with body condition score less than 5 will have difficulty rebreeding on schedule. Energy intake goes to milk production first, and not reproduction,” said Hall.

In the last trimester of pregnancy the calf is growing at a rate of about one pound per day, so nutrient needs increase.

“We can get cows through early pregnancy on pretty rough feed but now we have to do better by them,” he added. “In that last trimester a cow needs a diet that’s about 8% crude protein and 54% total digestible nutrients. Minerals are also important for reproduction. The trace minerals, especially, need to be balanced, so cows need a mineral supplement at all times. This can be loose mineral or a liquid supplement

Some regions are short on certain trace minerals while others are not. Mineral needs can vary from ranch to ranch and also depend on what you feed.

“We feed a lot of alfalfa at our research ranch, so our winter mineral mix has less calcium because there is so much calcium in alfalfa. In our area we add more copper, zinc and magnesium to our mix because our soils and feeds are generally deficient,” Hall explained.

Hall advised to work with your Extension specialist or consulting nutritionist to design a good program, and test your hay. It’s not always the same from year to year. Weather and growing conditions make a difference, and how it was harvested – immature or mature, rained on.

“One of the big things nutritionally, from a cow health and calf health standpoint, is meeting protein needs as well as energy needs for the cow, so we don’t get into problems with weak calf syndrome,” he said.

Curbing Calving Problems

“It is important to check cows frequently during calving. Cows that take too long in labor generally take longer to rebreed. We have good data from Miles City, Montana, at the Livestock and Range Research Laboratory showing that cows given assistance early during a hard birth recover faster from calving,” explained Hall.

First-calf heifers and their calves on the Settrini ranch are supplemented with good alfalfa hay while grazing dry pastures.

Calving Season Factors that Impact Rebreeding

away, to clear it up as soon as possible,” he said. “You don’t want anything that impairs the health of the uterus and reproductive system that would make a cow slow to rebreed.”

Bulls Need Their Own Management Strategy

Bulls should be in optimum health and ready to go by breeding season.

“All too often we only worry about the bulls when it’s time to buy a new one or just before breeding season; often people forget about them the rest of the year. Bulls are a little different than cows, in that bulls should be in body condition score 5, and maybe 6, but definitely no more because you don’t want them fat. If they get into body condition score 7, we see big problems with fertility in bulls,” Hall said.

Bulls also need exercise. Having the water and feed in opposite ends of the pen, if they are confined, is best, so they have to walk. “In our northern climates they also need bedding and windbreaks so they don’t suffer scrotal frostbite. They also need breeding soundness exams,” he added.

“About the time we brand and vaccinate calves, we also need breeding soundness exams for the bulls, at least 30 days ahead of when they will be turned out with cows.”

After a BSE, if there is a problem you can replace a bull. It’s

a dilemma when cows are in good shape and ready to breed but the bull can’t do his job.

Post-Calving Needs are Crucial “Make sure cows’ nutritional needs are met. They have much higher needs in early lactation than when they were pregnant. During early lactation, the crude protein in the diet should be 11% to 12% in some of the higher-milking cows, and TDN about 58% to 59%. Cows tend to lose weight between calving and breeding, but we don’t want them to lose very much,” shared Hall.

Producers also need to think about sorting the herd and putting the really young cows and the really old cows separate from the main herd, if it’s a time of year they are being fed together, making it easier for every cow to get the feed she needs. If you have a separate place to feed them, however, it generally pays off.

John Hall, Ph.D. Celeste Settrini

Calving Season Factors that Impact Rebreeding

“Sometimes we do that separation before calving, though that’s hard to do on an operation that feeds everything together in winter.”

“To enable cows to breed in the first part of breeding season, one thing to consider, even when using natural service, is estrus synchronization. There are some simple systems for synchronizing cows for natural service that won’t overwhelm the bulls,” Hall explained.

Additionally, cows should be vaccinated against BVD, IBR, Lepto and vibrio at least 30 days before breeding.

“These diseases can result in early or mid-gestation abortions. Consult with your veterinarian on a vaccination program for your herd, and recommendation regarding killed vs modified live vaccines.”

Commercial Producer Perspective

Celeste Settrini and her brother John manage their family’s commercial Red Angus cow-calf herd. “The ranch has been in our family for 108 years. I am involved in the day-to-day ranch activities with my brother, and also do some outside PR work and marketing for other ranches,” said Settrini.

“We calve in the fall. Replacement heifers are bred ahead of the main herd and calve in August. Our cows calve in Sep-

Even though they are on their fourth year of drought, Settrini said they keep their fall-calving cows in good condition.

tember, finishing by late October. We keep the cows in good body condition, even though we are now into our fourth year of drought,” she explained.

Drought has created a challenge, but the cows get supplemented with alfalfa hay when necessary.

“In the spring everything got a little green for a while and we had some grass, then had to start feeding alfalfa again in August. The cows have had good alfalfa hay since the first part of August. We also use protein tubs for cows and first-calf heifers a couple months prior to breeding, whether we are in a drought or not. We’ve always used that strategy. They also get a mineral block year-round. If we’re not in a drought we have good rangeland with a mix of different

Calving Season Factors that Impact Rebreeding

grasses and the cattle do well on that pasture,” she said.

“We buy good-quality alfalfa hay. Many commercial producers use any kind of roughage like straw or cheaper grass hay to get the cows through, but we believe that if we treat the cows right, they will treat us right. We do our best to provide top-notch nutrition and not skimp on that,” said Settrini.

General health is also closely monitored. “Every year after weaning in the spring, the cows get worked and are given a round of preventative vaccinations for lepto, vibrio, Brucellosis, IBR, BVD and a dewormer. We make sure they don’t have any feet problems. We make sure they don’t have any feet problems – that they are all in good shape when we turn them back out on pasture,” she said.

The climate in this area is mild, with no extreme weather patterns. “We get anywhere from a low in the 30s with the highest temperature rarely hitting 100 degrees. A 90-degree day is unusual. The terrain is hilly with oak trees for shade,” Celeste said.

“We have a tight calving window; first-calf heifers are generally done calving within a month to a month-and-a-half, and for the cows it’s about two months. We keep the bulls in good shape; it seems like all our cows have to do is look at a bull and they are bred. I think the Red Angus genetics play

a role in this, selecting for fertility. They are great mama cows,” she said.

The cows’ body condition is always good. “When they get bred they are in decent shape; they are not fat, but never skinny like some cows have been during this drought. With the work I do for the livestock market, I see some cows from different ranches that are thin.”

Looking at her cows right now, most people would say they are in really good shape, but she feels they are a little thinner than normal, just because of the drought. “When we branded in mid-November, the calves looked great but all the cows’ energy was going into those calves,” said Celeste.

“We’ve had Red Angus for about 40 years. Prior to that we had Herefords but it became harder to market those. We’ve had good luck with the cow herd and the genetics we’ve created.”

She hopes the drought breaks soon because it’s become so expensive to buy hay. “Some people are paying more than $420 per ton. We try to plan ahead every year and fill our barns with hay, making sure we have enough. We’ve never had to liquidate and sell cows. A person works hard to get the cattle how you want them, and those genetics are valuable. We just keep praying for rain!” //

Sleep Better by Having Your Bulls Insured

by Sarah Hill for the Red Angus Magazine

There is a type of insurance for everything these days. Julia Roberts has her smile insured for $30 million. Iconic singer Mariah Carey has her voice insured for $35 million. While your herd bull may not be worth $35 million, it is important that you would be able to pay for a replacement bull in the event of something catastrophic.

What are Your Options

Kevin Charleston, owner of Specialty Risk Insurance, Carthage, Missouri, said there are two different types of insurance that can provide coverage for bulls.

“One is a pure mortality policy, so if they die, you are covered,” he said. “The tricky thing is that most bulls hurt their feet or reproductive tract, making them unable to breed cows, but they still live.”

However, the mortality policy covers any reason the animal dies – sickness, weather-related events, transport, etc. In the event of an injury or sickness, the animal is still covered.

Mortality policies typically run about $300 a year for a bull valued at $5,000

but premiums do vary based on the animal’s value, so if that seems a bit out of your budget, you have another option – a named peril policy.

“A named peril policy covers wind, lightning, hail, fire or wild dogs,” Charleston added. “That would put you back about $25 a year for a bull valued at $5,000.”

The named peril policy could be included as part of a farm owner’s policy or as a standalone pasture policy.

thing happens is the primary reason to secure bull insurance, but it is especially important if bulls are kept together.

“If you have multiple bulls in one pasture, and lightning gets all of them, you’re in trouble,” Charleston said. “If you can financially afford the loss of the bull, you can choose to self-insure that risk.”

The pasture policy also has options for livestock born, grazing and poisoning coverage.

Charleston said insurance policies typically cover bulls with a value of $5,000 or more, but cattle of any sex, age or value can be covered.

Obviously, replacing the bull if some-

Of course, bulls never get hurt during the off season – an unfortunate event always happens during breeding season, or right before breeding season, when the bull is most needed.

“Producers need to protect themselves,” Charleston said. “One tornado or lightning strike killing a bull can cause serious problems for a beef operation.”

Insurance policies typically cover bulls with a value of $5,000 or more, and the policy can be taken out any time before the bull hits 3 years of age.

“If you can financially afford the loss of the bull, you can choose to self-insure that risk.”

Sleep Better by Having Your Bulls Insured

“If you lose a bull during the breeding season, you could lose that entire calf crop.”

Worth Every Penny

Chris Beebe, Bruce, Wisconsin, has been raising commercial Red Angus cattle since 1996. Every registered Red Angus bull he buys to run with his 80 Red Angus mama cows has been insured through Germantown Mutual Insurance Co. or through a policy with popular insurance company The Hartford Insurance.

“In our area, there are not a lot of beef producers buying bulls from out west,” Beebe said. “If something happens to one of my bulls, I would have a hard time finding another bull around here.”

Bulls are added to Beebe’s general farm policy, but he said that he has bought insurance before when bulls had not been semen tested prior to purchase.

“After we bought the bull, if they stay at the ranch until we can pick them up, at least I know they are covered and I could get my money back,” he said. “We also have cargo insurance on our cattle trailer, insured for the full value of what is in the trailer, with a $1,000 deductible. Our bulls cost about $4,000-$5,000, so if we lost that much money, it would make you kind of sick.”

The cost for adding a bull to the farm policy is $20 per bull on a quarterly basis. Beebe said that one policy he had was $125 for the year, or sometimes cost is determined by a set amount per $1,000 of the value of the bull.

While some Red Angus producers might see bull insurance as just another expense, Beebe said having bull insurance gives him great peace of mind.

“We have never used our bull insur-

ance, but if a bull is hit by lightning, it is mostly covered,” he said. “We do not have insurance coverage for if a bull gets injured, just an accidental death policy. We had a bull whose scrotum got stepped on, but the bull was only worth $1,800-$1,900. We got $1,600$1,700 in salvage value for him, and he did get some cows bred, so it was not as bad a deal.”

Ideally, a producer would like to avoid collecting on a bull insurance policy, however, in the event of a tragedy, the reassurance and capability of securing another bull may be worth giving an insurance policy a second look. //

Kevin Charleston Chris Beebe

Dick Loonan and his daughter, Judy, began the Loonan Stock Farm venture 48 years ago with a vision to help their customers achieve the most profit from their cow herd. The loyalty of their

is a testament that they have accomplished that goal and more.

Today, Judy and herdsman, Rick Thompson, continue to buy the best Red Angus and Simmental genetics available, expecting calving ease with rapid growth and good marbling and ribeye area.

Red Angus Bulls

HybRED Bulls

Simmental Bulls

by Natalie Evans, JRA Board

On Nov. 18, JRA members, who all share a love for cattle, gathered in Clarion, Iowa, to begin their Young Stockman Program journey.

Their short time together brought many laughs, educational opportunities and the chance for fellowship with other junior members. Attendees were able to hear firsthand from multiple local producers who grow their own beef about how to sell retail cuts directly to the consumer while also practicing their advocacy skills. All in all, the speakers left the juniors with an important lesson: tell your story.

Shaye Koester kicked off the weekend and gave the juniors a memorable presentation on the importance of advocating for the beef industry. Guiding them through several activities, Shaye challenged the kids to think about how cattle help improve the environment, their importance in upcycling, how beef can be part of a healthy diet and much more. Most of all, Koester taught the juniors how important it is to share their story with the world. To support this claim, the juniors were able to hear about the stories of Knute

and Amanda Severson with Grandview Beef, Elmarie and Manie Nel from Clarion Locker, and the story of Purple Ribbon Beef.

Knute and Amanda own and operate Grandview Beef in Clarion. Grandview is a grass-fed beef operation that sells its product directly to consumers online, via local pick-up and at farmers’ markets. The Severson’s journey was far from easy. Facing criticism for going grass-fed, they had to push through to do what was best for their business. Amanda shared with the juniors that instead of just selling their products, they sell their story. They let consumers know the good, bad and ugly of producing beef. Letting consumers know that producers’ lives are just as difficult, yet rewarding, allows consumers to realize that producers are real people with real feelings, too.

Elmarie and Manie Nel are originally from South Africa and moved to the United States to have access to many opportunities. Coming from a different country is hard, but the couple persevered and started their own very successful business, the Clarion Locker. Endless hard work and dedication go into meat processing, and the Nel family has clearly shown they truly love what they do. Their story encour-

aged juniors to persist through chal lenges, give themselves a break and, most importantly, love what they do.

Like the Severson family, Purple Rib bon Beef, owned by the Hunter family, also sells its beef directly to consum ers through online sales, farmers’ markets, and even a vending machine! Purple Ribbon beef is a grain-fed beef operation that collaborates with local restaurants, such as Grounded, and juniors were able to try Purple Ribbon’s fresh, delicious beef during the presentation. Furthermore, Ashley Hunter shared the story of Purple Ribbon Beef and allowed the juniors to see their old store front while practic ing with some marketing tactics. Pur ple Ribbon Beef’s story shows juniors that teamwork truly makes the dream work and to remember that family will always have each others’ backs.

Juniors, whether you were able to attend the recent Young Stockman Program or not, always remember that every story is vital to the beef industry. Like all our of speakers, take pride in your work, share it with the rest of the world, do what you love and make sure to enjoy the ride. Thank you all for a successful Young Stockman’s Program, and we hope to see you at the 2023 YSP! //

Tracking and Predicting Profitability with MFA Health Track

by Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Director of Communications and Editor

The information age may have come to an end in Silicon Valley, however, it’s just getting ramped up in the beef industry. These days, one would be hard-pressed to find a load of feeder calves that don’t have a list of descriptors associated with them: Vac 45, Verified Natural Beef, GAP and NHTC are just a few snippets of information that provide buyers with a window to what they’re bidding on, and prediction as to how those cattle might perform once they make it to the feedyard.

MFA Health Track is one such program that allows producers to learn more about the calves they’re introducing into their backgrounding and finishing operations. The program requires 45 days minimum weaned, two rounds of vaccinations, treatment for external and internal parasites and have been fed specific MFA feed products to ensure the best possible immunity. Additionally, heifers must be guaranteed open and calves must be castrated, dehorned and healed.

Mike John, director of MFA Health Track Operations and manager of John

Ranch, Inc., has worked in the field of improving calf health for more than two decades.

“The objective of Health Track is to make sure our cow-calf backgrounder owners can remain profitable as the industry utilizes advancing technology and demand for properly conditioned calves increases.”

According to John, Health Track was modeled after the Texas Ranch-toRail Program and can help feedyard managers struggling with health to

procure healthier cattle to fill the supply chain and their pens.

“We’ve found that if they know how calves have been processed, implanted, etc. before they leave the ranch of origin, they can start moving away from the average based system their procurement protocols were based on,” explained John. “That will also make them more cost efficient, improve sorting and feedlot performance and, ultimately, improve the industry’s environmental impact.”

A Worthwhile Investment

As with any value-added program, interested producers might be curious about the cost of enrollment and, most importantly, the return on investment. Additional production steps are almost always more likely to be implemented if corresponding premiums are forthcoming at shipping.

Health Track differs from other value-added programs, as there are no fees and ear tags are provided to producers at no charge. The program has been well-accepted by producers, averaging 40,000 head per year and is fast-approaching 900,000 cumulative enrollments.

Mike John, director of MFA Health Track operations, has worked in the calf health field for more than two decades striving to help cow-calf producers and their profitability goals.

“The program is paid for with the margin from the required [MFA] feed and animal health products, although we do encourage a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. So, as long as we

The MFA Health Track program has collected thousands of data points to provide insight into what backgrounders and feedyard owners value.

Tracking and Predicting Profitability with MFA Health Track

have access to receipts, they can get the animal health products from their veterinarian,” clarified John.

When it comes to the premium, John said they’re usually higher on the lightest calves, as they have the most compensatory gain to profit upon, as 700-pound and heavier calves are assumed to have already had immunizations.

“Premiums vary by the time of year and supply. I’ve seen as high as $19 per hundredweight but it usually averages $5 to $8 per hundredweight.”

John attested the Health Track benefits are not exclusive to only those producers who can fill a truckload but that premiums are similar to non-program calves above the normal factors of draft size and phenotype.

Data Delivers Discoveries

A significant benefit to enrolling

900,000 head is the collection of just as many data points. This abundance of data has led to some eye-opening learnings for John and the MFA Health Track team.

“Probably the most important thing our data shows is that post-wean morbidity and mortality are affected more by the timing of vaccinations and other processes than by which

products are used,” said John.

“What we have discovered – and now seems to be common knowledge – is that early age vaccinations, castrations and processing all completed at least two weeks prior to weaning can reduce the average pull rate from 5% (when the first round is given at weaning) to 0.3%, which is a remarkable difference,” he illustrated.

RFID tags plus Health Track panel tags are provided to enrollees at no charge.

Sires include:

Tracking and Predicting Profitability with MFA Health Track

That discovery is directly responsible for the development and acknowledgement of the spread between high-quality, preconditioned calves and bawling calves. John’s opinion is that the spread will continue to widen and producers that are slower to adapt will see increasingly lower prices for their calves.

“As the years go on, we are gradually moving to a discount scenario instead of a premium one and consequently that spread is widening. As we predicted 23 years ago, those operations that don’t wean, pre-condition and pay attention to genetics aren’t going to benefit from average-based procurement anymore,” he said.

The future is rarely predictable; however, John’s crystal ball indicates the utilization of digital data will become more critical in a market where consumers are desiring to know more and more about the origin and journey of their food.

a way to touch the 70% of the cows that exist on small farms and ranches in less-than-critical-mass quantities. The BlockTrust system can provide that connection seamlessly, effortlessly, and anonymously,” he further explained.

What Does the Future Hold?

Se ing Flushes on Donors:

“We have had digital data for most of my tenure at MFA but have found very few opportunities to utilize it when the calves are in the sale ring. I believe that will change with the emergence of more supply chains that intend to inform consumers of where their food comes from,” he explained.

One way to utilize that data is with blockchain technology, which adds traceability for consumers and allows producers to receive premiums for their traceability efforts in raising high-quality beef.

“We are working with BlockTrust, a blockchain solution for the cattle industry, to be able to provide value data to each owner as the cattle move throughout the supply chain,” explained John.

“I believe that downstream performance and carcass data are as valuable to the cow-calf producer as preconditioning data is to cattle feeders. The missing link has always been finding

A lifelong champion for cow-calf producers, John is also a former NCBA president. He has spent his career advocating for cow-calf producers and their profitability via animal health and identification initiatives, during which time he has seen many successes. But, as with any leader, he also has frustrations.

“My biggest frustration has been that in order to meet supply needs, the feedlot sector has unfortunately been forced to pay too much for unknown, inferior calves – therefore paying too little for the best calves that warrant a higher premium,” John started.

“By identifying superior from inferior via programs like MFA Health Track, I hope to see genetics utilized that can improve efficiency and product quality to add more profitability to the segment that has the most invested in that process.”

To learn more about MFA Health Track, visit mfa-inc.com/healthtrack

MFA Health Track offers benefits and premiums to all operations of all sizes.

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Demand for Red: An Opportunity to Add Value in the Southeast

by Megan Underwood, Communications Intern

Francois Leger wanted to be in control of the quality of cattle entering his plant, FPL Foods in Augusta, Georgia, and had tired of purchasing finished cattle from other producers. To solve his problem, he founded the Chatel Farms feedlot, and has enjoyed the increased control over the quality of cattle processed at FPL Foods which has yielded great results for both him and cattle producers.

Chatel Farms is located in Reidsville, Georgia, where the summers are hot and Red Angus-influenced cattle can capitalize on their heat tolerance and perform well under pressure. The heat tolerance possessed by Red Angus cattle allows for less stress in the hottest time of the year without sacrificing significant gains.

“We have noted that the lighter-colored cattle are at the feed bunks between the heat of the day whereas the black-hided cattle will be under the shade tarp,” said Elizabeth Caskey, calf and genetic program manager for FPL Foods.

The feedlot has morphed and molded over the years. Presently, the feedlot holds 8,000 head of Angus-influenced cattle. Chatel Farms has moved away from marketing its cattle in the Certified Angus Beef program and are now active in a DNA-verified program that allows them to purchase Red Angus and Angus-sired cattle.

“We realized there were a lot of really good Red Angus cattle out there that weren’t being captured by the program because they’re not black-hided. This is why we went towards the DNA-verified program so we can purchase the Red Angus-sired cattle and capture their quality,” explained Caskey.

Program requirements are driven by the packing plant and the quality of beef produced by the cattle in the feedlot. The program requires all calves to be out of sires that are in the top 35% of the breed for carcass EPDs. Producers do not

have to own a registered herd of cattle to participate however, the program does require each sire to be registered.

Chatel Farms is an all-natural program that requires cattle to be vaccinated, preferably with a modified-live vaccine. All calves enrolled in the program must never have received antibiotics, or growth implants.

Calves entering the feedlot must be a minimum of 60 days weaned. Chatel Farms does not require the calves to be bunk broke, but it is preferred, and calves need to weigh an average of 750 pounds to enter the feedlot. The program cannot accept five or six-weight calves as they are not as thrifty and lack the frame of the larger calves to be successful in the feedlot setting.

In the past, Chatel Farms has not had a minimum head requirement however, that will change in the new year. Starting in 2023, producers who wish to bring cattle to Chatel Farms will be subject to a minimum of 15 head. The feedlot accepts heifer and steer calves into their program.

“My rule of thumb is if you have a tractor-trailer load of cattle, I’ll send a truck and pay that freight bill. If the size of the load is anything less than a tractor-trailer load, it is on the producer to deliver the calves to the feedlot,” said Caskey.

Chatel Farms is a vertically integrated company that operates closely with the packing plant to not only supply high quality animals but encourage traceability of each individual calf from the moment it arrives at the feedlot until the carcass is processed into sub-primal cuts.

Data regarding health, average daily gain, carcass grades and more, are all tracked and made available to the producer to use when making breeding decisions.

Chatel Farms implemented a DNAverified program in order to capture high quality Red Angus cattle for the feedyard and FPL Foods in Georgia.

Demand

for

Red: An Opportunity to Add Value in the Southeast

“If a producer with four bulls is selling calves to me and they are unsure of the exact sire of each calf, once we do the DNA testing, I can return the data from the DNA test as well as carcass data so they can identify bulls that throw 30% prime calves and the bulls that throw 10% prime calves. This allows the producer to select bulls on carcass data and determine if lower grading calves are the result of a specific cow instead of the bull all based on the data,” explained Caskey.

Producers participating in the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program are encouraged to maximize their investment and market their cattle to Chatel Farms. The cattle enrolled in the FCCP meet many of the requirements of Chatel Farms as the cattle have traceability to at least 50% Red Angus bloodlines, are source-verified to the ranch of origin and age verified.

Red Angus producers are excited for the many opportunities they have received through marketing their cattle through Chatel Farms, which are competitive in their demand for feeder cattle in the southeast, especially for calves with a red hide.

“We have seen a high demand for the location of the feedlot during the summer due to the increased heat advantage of the red hide,” said Raymond Prescott, Bull Hill Ranch manager.

With a ranch located in Gray Court, South Carolina, the marketing opportunities offered through Chatel Farms adds value to the Bull Hill Ranch operation. Chatel Farms allows producers to market a small number of cattle and will work through the logistics of transporting the cattle to their feedlot.

“We have always received the data of our calves in a timely fashion, and we appreciate the willingness of Elizabeth to discuss the performance of our cattle with us,” explained Prescott. “Elizabeth has reached out to our bull customers to market their cattle through their feedlot as well. This adds value to both our operation and our customers’ operations.”

The demand for Red Angus-sired calves is strong in the Chatel Farms program. The calves perform well and meet the high-quality standards set for both performance in the feedlot and on the rail.

“Red Angus cattle are becoming more popular in the Southeast due to their excellent maternal qualities, heat tolerance and carcass merit. Chatel Farms is excited to continue working the Red Angus cattlemen and the passion they bring the cattle industry,” said Caskey. //

Cattle Inventory Breakdown: What To Expect In 2023

by

Paige Carlson, as published on Drovers.com

This past year has been one for the records. From historic droughts causing record-high cow slaughter to increasing feed and fuel prices, 2022 will be remembered for many years to come.

Considering the year cattle country

has had, we can expect the Jan. 2023 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data to look somewhat different compared to Jan. 2022 figures.

It’s no secret that cow slaughter reached higher than average levels

Total Beef Cow Inventory - January 2022

State Head State Head

ALABAMA 677,000

ALASKA 7,800

ARIZONA 171,000

ARKANSAS 905,000

CALIFORNIA 680,000

COLORADO 638,000

CONNECTICUT 4,500

DELAWARE 1,700

FLORIDA 895,000

GEORGIA 487,000

HAWAII 79,200

IDAHO 498,000

ILLINOIS 339,000

INDIANA 184,000

IOWA 925,000

KANSAS 1,422,000

KENTUCKY 966,000

LOUISIANA 451,000

MAINE 10,000

MARYLAND 42,000 MASSACHUSETTS 8,000 MICHIGAN 96,000 MINNESOTA 360,000

MISSISSIPPI 478,000

MISSOURI 1,941,000

MONTANA 1,299,000

NEBRASKA 1,832,000

NEVADA 244,000

NEW HAMPSHIRE 4,000

NEW JERSEY 7,800

NEW MEXICO 453,000

NEW YORK 100,000

NORTH CAROLINA 366,000

NORTH DAKOTA 945,000

this year. Many of the states with the highest beef cow inventory suffered drought through most of the 2022 growing season.

Here’s a look at the statistics from the start of the year:

State Head

OHIO 312,000

OKLAHOMA 2,131,000

OREGON 505,000

PENNSYLVANIA 190,000

RHODE ISLAND 1,100

SOUTH CAROLINA 158,000

SOUTH DAKOTA 1,610,000

TENNESSEE 893,000

TEXAS 4,475,000

UTAH 331,000

VERMONT 15,000

VIRGINIA 599,000

WASHINGTON 224,000

WEST VIRGINIA 188,000 WISCONSIN 295,000 WYOMING 681,000

Here’s a look at the cattle on feed numbers from the beginning of the year:

Cattle on Feed Inventory - January 2022 State Head

State Head

Beef Cow Inventory - Jan. 1 Estimates Year Head

The trend of a decreasing cow herd is not new, however. Inventories since 2018 have shown a steady decrease, provided by Derrell Peel, agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University: 2018 31,578,500 2019 31,514,700 2020 31,091,200 2021 30,484,400 2022 29,635,600

ARIZONA 274,000 CALIFORNIA 555,000 COLORADO 1,160,000 IDAHO 320,000 ILLINOIS 210,000 INDIANA 105,000 IOWA 1,170,000 KANSAS 2,610,000

NEW YORK 22,000

NORTH DAKOTA 39,000

OHIO 150,000

OKLAHOMA 315,000

OREGON 130,000

OTHER STATES 79,600

PENNSYLVANIA 70,000

SOUTH DAKOTA 445,000

TEXAS 2,930,000

UTAH 21,000

VIRGINIA 17,000

Beef Cow Slaughter Year Head

Additionally, beef cow slaughter numbers have been on the rise over the past five years: 2018 3,024,000 2019 3,190,000 2020 3,268,000 2021 3,562,000 2022 3,970,000

KENTUCKY 18,000 MARYLAND 8,000 MICHIGAN 160,000 MINNESOTA 380,000 MISSOURI 80,000 MONTANA 43,000 NEBRASKA 2,820,000 NEVADA 3,000

WASHINGTON 215,000

WEST VIRGINIA 4,000 WISCONSIN 270,000 WYOMING 69,000

Cattle Inventory Breakdown: What To Expect In 2023

In line with increased cow slaughter over the last year, the calf crop has consistently declined over the past five years:

Calf Crop

2018-2021: Jan 1. Estimates; 2022: July 1 Estimates Year Head

2018 36,312,700 2019 35,591,600 2020 35,495,500 2021 35,085,400 2022 34,600,000

Source: USDA/NASS

Meanwhile, fed cattle slaughter has remained relatively consistent, with a projected increase in 2022 over the previous two years.

Fed Slaughter

2018-2021: Jan 1. Estimates; 2022: Projected Year Head

2018 25,803,000 2019 26,117,000 2020 25,302,000 2021 25,972,000 2022 26,075,000

With only a few weeks left in 2022, final numbers will be tallied and Jan. 2023 estimates will be prepared.

“With drought conditions continuing, it is unclear when herd liquidation will cease and herd rebuilding can begin,” says Peel. “However, it is clear that feedlot production, cattle slaughter beef production will fall in 2023. How much they will fall depends on when drought conditions will improve. Nevertheless, declining feedlot supplies mean that all levels of the cattle are finally on the same page and are reflecting the tighter cattle supplies in the country.” //

What’s A Good Bull Worth?

by Mark Z. Johnson, as published on Drovers.com

“What’s a good bull worth? That question has been asked forever, or at least as long as we have been breeding cattle with a notion of trying to make the next generation better. It is a classic and timeless question. It is an important question. At this time of year, when many bulls are being marketed and we are planning ahead for spring breeding season, it is the question that is asked a lot! Perhaps it is all the above because it is so challenging to answer.

The Answer

I remember first hearing the answer nearly 40 years ago as a student at OSU. “A good bull is worth the value of five calves he sires.”

I’ve heard that answer again many times over the years. I believe it is a good answer and a good rule of thumb to follow, but the problem is it doesn’t exactly narrow down the range. If we do a little math, this answer may in fact lead to more questions.

Such as ...

When are we marketing our calves? What is their value?

According to the most recent USDA Cattle Market Report:

500-pound weaned steer calves (Large, 1) are worth about $2.00/pound for a value

of $1,000 per head. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell weaned steers, $1,000 x 5 = $5,000 is the answer.

875-pound yearling steers (Large, 1) are worth about $1.57/pound for a value of $1,374 per head. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell yearling steers, $1,374 x 5 = $6,869 is the answer.

920-pound beef carcasses are worth $2.26/ pound for a value of $2,079 each. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to retain ownership through finishing and sell fed cattle on a carcass value basis, $2,079 x 5 = $10,395 is the answer.

So, in the current market, a good bull is worth somewhere between $5,000 to $10,395 to a commercial cattle operation.

marketing plan and the market conditions at that time. It’s not an exact number because there are “many layers to this onion.”

One important point illustrated here is that the longer you will own the offspring before marketing, the greater the amount you can afford to pay. Retained ownership gives you more time and opportunity to capture the value of your investment in genetics.

And we haven’t even considered the value added to replacement females if we select daughters as our next generation of cows, which is a separate discussion.

Keep in mind the following chart as another way to evaluate ownership cost of bulls on a per cow or annual basis. //

How to Enroll in FCCP and AA

1. The producer contacts the Red Angus Association of America at 940-477-4593 and answers a short supplier enrollment questionnaire over the phone. RAAA staff will ask general management, animal identification and breeding questions. If needed, the producer may be asked to supply additional documentation on breeding such as semen receipt, lease agreements or information on purchased females.

2. After all documentation is recorded, staff will ship the tags directly to the producer who must tag the calves before they leave the ranch of origin – birth, branding, preconditioning, weaning or before loading on the semi.

3. The producer will receive a customer enrollment agreement to fill out and return to RAAA with a copy of their calving records.

4. Staff will issue the USDAapproved Certificate of Compliance upon receiving the customer enrollment agreement and calving record.

Position

BADLANDS RED ANGUS

Bill Ceynar • Arnegard, ND 701/586-3435 • 701/570-4578 badlandsredangus@gmail.com

BARENTHSEN-BULLINGER

RED ANGUS

Mark & Kathy Barenthsen Jeremy & Jessica Bullinger Powers Lake, ND • bbredangus.com 701/464-5741 • 701/339-1834 701/464-4893 mkbar@nccray.com • jbullinger@nccray.net

BAUMAN RED ANGUS

Dave, Kathy, Wayde & Jake Bauman Linton, ND • bb.ranch@hotmail.com 701/336-7201 • 701/321-1994

BRADEMEYER FARMS

Mike Brademeyer • Verona, ND 701/742-2598 • 701/710-0445 kbrademeyer@drtel.net

BRENNER ANGUS

Sidney & Melva Brenner • Carson, ND 701/522-3335 • 701/471-9135 brennersmb@gmail.com

BROKEN HEART RANCH

Gary & Chad Pederson • Firesteel, SD 605/865-3190 • 605/850-9878 bhrredangus@lakotanetwork.com www.pedersonbhr.com

CAMPBELL RED ANGUS

Robert Campbell • McIntosh, SD 701/422-3721 • 605/845-4812 campbellra@westriv.com www.campbellredangus.com

CARGO STOCK FARM

Seth, Laci, Dylon, Preston, Ritch Cargo Arnegard, ND 701/586-3010 • 701/537-3320 cargostockfarm@gmail.com

DAHL LAND & CATTLE CO.

Jeff Dahl • Gackle, ND • 701/485-3762 jldahl@daktel.com • www.dahlcattle.com

DAHLKE RED ANGUS

Bryantt Bolduc /Arlan Dahkle Bagley, MN • dahlkeredangus.com 218/533-0259 • 218/556-5896 dahlkeranch@gvtel.com

DIAMOND C ND

Chase Furstenau • Cavalier, ND 701/520-0671 chasefurstenau@gmail.com www.diamondcnorthdakota.com

ranch for profitability with Red Angus-sired calves.

DK RED ANGUS

Scott Kueffler • Grenora, ND 701/694-3620 • 701/641-0519 redangus@nccray.com

DRY CREEK RANCH

Max and Haley Robison • Amidon, ND 406/461-3462 • 701/523-8285 haley@drycreekranchnd.com www.drycreekranchnd.com

FORSTER RED ANGUS

Kenneth Forster • Richardton, ND 701/974-2450 • 701/290-2450 forsterredangus@yahoo.com www.forsterredangus.com

GRASSY MEADOW RANCH

David & Karissa Daws Michigan, ND • 701/270-1524 grassymeadowranch@gmail.com

HEART RIVER RANCH

Chuck & Annette Steffan • Belfield, ND 701/575-8145 • 290-9745 • 260-4630 heartrivergenetics@yahoo.com www.heartrivergenetics.com

HUBER EY RED ANGUS

Bryan & Emmy Huber • Jud, ND 701/685-2687 • 701/320-8054 emmy@drtel.net • www.hubereyredangus.com

JACOBSON RED ANGUS

Gary & Val Jacobson • Hitterdal, MN 218/962-3360 • 701/361-3189 gjrangus@feltontel.net www.jacobsonredangus.com

KAL-KOTA RANCH

Ed Kalianoff • Steele, ND 701/475-2694 • 701/471-4006 kalkota@bektel.com

KOESTER RED ANGUS

Steve & Tracey Koester • Steele, ND 701/400-1611 • koester@bektel.com www.koesterredangus.com

KUHN’S RED ANGUS

James & Stephanie Kuhn • Napoleon, ND 701/332-6378 • 701/426-6921 kuhnsredangus.net

KUHNHENN RANCH

Shawn Kuhnhenn • Towner, ND 701/537-3229 shawn.kuhnhenn@K12.nd.us

L83 RANCH

Ben Lodoen • Westhope, ND 701/201-0477

lodoencattle@gmail.com • lodoencattle.com

LARSON’S LOST RIVER LIVESTOCK

David Larson • Clearbrook, MN 218/766-3323 david.larson.lrl@gmail.com www.lostriverlivestockmn.com

LAZY D RED ANGUS

John & Sara Berg / Cody Berg NW Williston, ND 701/826-4211 • 701/826-4231 701/570-9788 • 701/570-0730 lazydredangus@yahoo.com

LAZY J BAR RANCH

John & Stephanie Jung • Mina, SD 605/228-1743 • 605/380-1796 lazyjbarranch@yahoo.com www.lazyjbarranch.com

LELAND RED ANGUS

Melvin & Luella Leland Todd & Carla Leland • Sidney, MT 701/565-2347 • 406/489-1466 lelandra@restel.net • lelandredangus.com

MISSOURI RIVER

RED ANGUS

Blake & Whitney Wold • Watford City, ND 701/770-4105 missouririverredangus@gmail.com missouririverredangus.com

NAMKEN RED ANGUS

Jared Namken • Lake Norden, SD 605/881-3845 jarednamken@hotmail.com www.namkenredangus.com

NORDLUND STOCK FARMS LLC

Mike & Sam Norlund Clearbrook, MN • 701/799-0943 nordlundstockfarm@gvtel.com www.nordlundstockfarms.com

OHR RED ANGUS

Edward, Jeanne & Carl Olson • Argusville, ND 701/484-5779 • 701/238-3601 olsoncandc@aol.com

PRESSER RED ANGUS

Troy Presser • Turtle Lake, ND 701/447-2855 • 701/220-0189 tpresser@westriv.com

RESSLER LAND & CATTLE

Mark or Bryan Ressler • Binford, ND 701/789-0191 • 701/789-7294 contact@resslerlandandcattle.com www.resslerlandandcattle.com

ROHRICH’S

CUTTING

EDGE RANCH

Rick, Amber & Kaden Rohrich • Steele, ND 701/391-1911 • 701/934-4178 cuttingedgeranch@bektel.com

SCHRIEFER

RANCH LLC

Marc, Jodi, Riley, Cheyenne & Cassi Schriefer • Golden Valley, ND 701/870-4292 • 701/879-2609 marcjodi@icloud.com schrieferredangus.com

SEEGER & RUSCH RED ANGUS

Brandon & Dixie Rusch • New Salem, ND 701/843-7191 • 701/226-5479 701/426-9443 ruschvet@gmail.com seeger-ruschredangus.com

SEVERANCE RED ANGUS

Brian & Mary Severance • Palermo, ND 701/862-3681 • 701/898-3681 redcows@restel.net

SPUR M RED ANGUS

Doug & Darcy McGee • Bowman, ND 701/523-3635 • 701/523-6086 ddmcgee@ndsupernet.com spurmredangus.com

TNT SIMMENTAL & RED ANGUS

Kevin & Lynette Thompson • Almont, ND 701/843-8454 • 701/391-1631 www.tntsimmentals.com

TURTLE RIVER CATTLE CO.

Ron & Ryan Clemetson • Grand Forks, ND 701/739-0639 • 701/739-6407 trreds@hotmail.com

TWEDT RED ANGUS

Sam Twedt • McHenry, ND 701/262-4768 • 701/388-4035 twedtredangus@hotmail.com www.twedtredangus.com

VALNES RANCH RED ANGUS

Emit Valnes • Eden, SD 605/698-6596 • 605/228-8857 valnesranch@hotmail.com • valnesranch.com

WASEM RED ANGUS

Chris & Jolyn Wasem • Halliday, ND 701/938-8365 • 701/260-1513 jolyn.wasem@gmail.com wasemredangus.com

WEST BRANCH RANCH

Greg Bailey • Baldwin, ND 701/255-2424 • funditos2@gmail.com

ND Red Angus Association

Jan. 8 Ressler Land and Cattle, Ranch, Cooperstown, ND

Jan. 14 Grassy Meadow Ranch, Ranch, Michigan, ND

Jan. 16 Spur M Commercial Red Angus Heifer Consignment Sale, Bowman, ND

Jan. 21 Rohrich’s Cutting Edge Ranch, Kist Livestock, Mandan, ND

Jan. 28 Schriefer Red Angus, Ranch, Golden Valley, ND

Feb. 7 Twedt Red Angus, Ranch, McHenry, ND

Feb. 14 Forster Red Angus, online

Feb. 14 Rhodes Red Angus, Ranch, Faulkton, SD

Feb. 15 Barenthsen Bullinger Red Angus, Ranch, Powers Lake, ND

Feb. 16 OHR Red Angus, Ranch, Argusville, ND

Feb. 16 Wasem Red Angus, WIX Barn, Richardton, ND Feb. 18 Nordlund Stock Farm, LLC, Ranch, Clearbrook, MN Feb. 18 Lazy J Bar Ranch, Hub City, Aberdeen, SD Feb. 19 Larson’s Lost River Livestock, Ranch, Clearbrook, MN

Feb. 20 Special Red Angus Feeder Calf Sale, Rugby Livestock Auction, Rugby, ND

Feb. 24 Brenner Angus, Kist Livestock, Mandan, ND

Feb. 26 Namken Red Angus, Ranch, Lake Norden, SD Feb. 27 Lone Tree Red Angus, Ranch, Bison, SD

President: Sam Twedt

Vice President: Bryan Ressler

Immediate Past Pres.: Scott Kueffler

Directors: Ryan Clemetson, Ben Lodoen, Rick Rohrich & Chris Wasem

Sec./Treas.: Chuck & Annette Steffan 701/575-8145 ndredangus.com ndredangusassociation@gmail.com

In Memory Member News

Mary Ketchum 1941-2022

Mary Ketchum passed away on Nov. 2, 2022, at Dahl Memorial Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Mary Margaret Mackay Ketchum was a New Year’s baby born on Jan. 1, 1941, to Arthur (Bud) and Mary (Collie) Mackay. Her humble beginning included a home that had two rooms; one that served as a bedroom and the second room that served as a kitchen, dining room and everything else except for the bathroom, which was an outhouse. She would soon share that one bedroom with Betty, Jimmy, Johnny, Carol, Donald and Edith.

She grew up in the Willard community attending the Gregerson and

Willard country schools until eighth grade. Mary would tell about her early years of pulling her younger siblings on a toboggan to school in the winter as she rode her horse to the Gregerson school a mile up the road. After eighth grade she moved to Baker during the school year and lived with her Grandma Collie while attending Baker High School. Mary loved the country and being outdoors so school was not her cup of tea, yet she persevered and graduated from Baker High School in the spring of 1959.

Mary developed a love for horses early in her life and began breaking horses for herself, family and other people. She would later transition from breaking to training horses and eventually competing in rodeos in a four-state area. It was horses that introduced Mary to her future husband, Stanley, as Stanley’s dad raised horses that would eventually become the foundation bloodlines for her breeding program. Mary and Stanley were married on Sept. 2, 1960, and would move to

Planning your next sale?

Include the Red Angus Magazine to reach over 12,000 Red Angus stakeholders and members!

It is wise to use a combination of social, digital and print media in your marketing strategy. Placing your message on the pages of the Red Angus Magazine ensures you are reaching folks who are already using and loving Red Angus cattle.

Download the 2023 Red Angus Media Kit at RedAngus.org/ram-magazine for complete pricing, specs, deadlines and other pertinent information.

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You can also download ad templates for InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator.

Reserve ad space at bit.ly/RedAngusMagAdvertising or email Tracey Koester, tracey@redangus.org

Stanley’s family ranch on the south fork of Milk Creek. Stanley and Mary purchased the ranch from Stanley’s dad, Earl, and began their married life raising commercial Hereford cows and registered Quarter Horses. They would travel as far as Michigan to find sires that Mary had researched the bloodlines on to bring back to the ranch and continue raising quality horses that Mary would train and compete on.

Stanley and Mary were blessed with two sons, Loyd in 1961, and Bruce in 1964. They would raise them in the ranching and rodeoing culture that was a part of their life. Mary continued to train barrel horse and compete in rodeo winning many buckles, saddles and trophies. In 1977, Stanley passed away, leaving Mary with the ranch and two boys to raise. She found strength to overcome the financial hardships of selling off the majority of the cows and turned to her horses to provide her a living. She continued training horses and students as a form of income as well as competing as a business to make ends meet.

Over the years, Mary influenced many individuals through her barrel schools, horse training, competition and living her life as only she knew how. Her dedication, hard work and perseverance was observed from the beginning of her life to the end by family, friends and all who took the time to know her.

Mary is survived by sons, Loyd (Ashlee) of Miles City, Montana, Bruce (Tena) of Plevna, Montana, grandson, Casey Ketchum of Whitehall, Montana, granddaughters Cecile (Jeff) Menees, of Plevna, Montana, Jaclyn Ketchum, and great-grandson Blaze Menees of Plevna, Montana. She is also survived by her siblings, Jimmy, Johnny, Carol, Donald and Edith.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Arthur (Bud) and Mary Mackay, husband, Stanley Ketchum, and sister, Betty Whitney. //

In Memory

Lynzie Pevey 2003-2022

Lynzie Joann Pevey, 19, passed away Nov. 3, 2022. She was born Feb. 12, 2003, to Michal and Angela Pevey. She was born in Flowood, Mississippi. To know Lynzie was to love Lynzie. She is remembered as a happy child.

At a young age, Lynzie found her love for all animals. By the age of two, she started riding horses. This only encouraged her passion for working with animals.

Around the age of 12, Lynzie began showing pigs and cows. She was a member of Simpson County Jr. Livestock Association, Little Britches, Mississippi Red Angus Association, Simpson County 4-H and Phi Theta Kappa through

Hinds Community College where she was currently enrolled. In October 2022, Lynzie finished her last 4-H show taking home Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog at the Mississippi State Fair.

Lynzie graduated in 2021 from Copiah Christian Learning Center in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. She was valedictorian, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She was enrolled in Hinds Community College pursuing a triple major in beef production, agriculture business and poultry science. Lynzie was thrilled to find her acceptance letter from Mississippi State University on Aug. 29, where she would have had her next journey in August 2023.

Lynzie and her family are active members of County Line Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Lynzie received Jesus in her heart three years ago doing what she loved; showing animals at a local livestock show. Lynzie was baptized on Sept. 5, 2021.

Lynzie was preceded in death by her grandfather, Roger Howell of Harrisville. She leaves behind her father and mother, Michal and Angela Pevey; brother, Grayson Pevey of Harrisville; maternal grandparents, Lynn and Betty Jo Harrell of Florence; paternal grandmother, Betty Howell of Harrisville; paternal grandfather, Roy Pevey of Harrisville; Uncle and Aunt Michelle (Andy) Davis of Harrisville; numerous cousins and her fur baby and best friend, Possum.

Lynzie will be deeply missed by so many. We never remember Lynzie having anything negative to say about anyone. She was loved by so many. We know Lynzie is in her forever home now with our Perfect Father, but we will always carry a piece of her in our hearts.

Pallbearers were Joe Harold, Andy Davis, Will Lyons, Russ Lyons, Stevie Garrett, Preston Garrett, Trinity Webb and Louie Garrett. //

Red Angus Recognizes Crawford Livestock Auction for Generating Marketing Avenues

The Red Angus commercial marketing team strives to assist cattle producers in identifying and capitalizing on demand for Red Angus genetics through a variety of value-added marketing programs. Production and profitability goals are achieved collaboratively and RAAA works closely with progressive livestock auction markets to best represent Red Angus producers and their cattle.

In October, Crawford Livestock Market, Crawford, Nebraska, was recognized for its significant role in supporting Red Angus producers through tactical marketing and strategic partnerships. The number of calves sold in these sales, as well as promotion of the cattle and the Red Angus breed, were

considered when determining which markets would receive the honor.

Special Red Angus FCCP sales create access to superior Red Angus genetics while supporting ranchers seeking premiums for their high-quality Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced feeder cattle and calves.

“Crawford Livestock has continually supported Red Angus producers throughout the years hosting a special Red Angus feeder calf sale and it was an easy decision selecting them for this award,” said Rachael Oliver, RAAA commercial marketing specialist.

“Their enthusiasm towards marketing Red Angus has not gone unnoticed,

and we look forward to working alongside Crawford Livestock for many years to come.”

Crawford Livestock Market annually hosts two Red Angus FCCP sales. Red Angus producers and RAAA are greatly appreciative of the efforts put forth by the team at Crawford Livestock. They well represent the positive benefits of producers and auction markets working together for mutual benefit.

For those who would like additional information on Red Angus value-addedd programs such as FCCP or Allied Access, or to learn more about Red Angus-specific marketing sales and grids, please contact Rachael Oliver at rachael@redangus.org. //

Area 2 – Montana

Director – Kay Klompien

COOPER RED ANGUS JAMIE HICKEY 6136 BLUE CREEK ROAD BILLINGS, MT 59101

Area 3 – Rocky Mountain

Director – Aaron Kravig

LAZY ACRE RANCH

LEVI BROWN 46950 COUNTY ROAD MM OTIS, CO 80743

Area 4 – Southwest

Director – Tony Ballinger

COTTONWOOD SPRINGS LAND & LIVESTOCK FRANK POTTER 2420 CONNER ROAD RED ROCK, NM 88055

TAIT ASH

P.O. BOX 98 LIPSCOMB, TX 79056

SAYLER BEERWINKLE PO BOX 414 RISING STAR, TX 76471

KAILEY BURGDORF 2420 COUNTY ROAD 208 GIDDINGS, TX 78942

4D RANCH DOUGLAS CHESTER 6312 SOUTHERN CROSS DR COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845

BECKETT DEBERRY P.O. BOX 742 OLTON, TX 79064

CK CATTLE CO. CHAD KNIGHT 700 SOUTH HOUSTON SHAMROCK, TX 79079

BLACK KNIGHT CATTLE CO. BRODRICK NORMAN 133 N. FRIENDSWOOD DR. FRIENDSWOOD, TX 77546

KAILEY WILLIAMS 5321 20TH ST DICKINSON, TX 77539

Area 5 – Northern Plains

Director – Stephanie Jung GEISE RED ANGUS MASON GEISE 42296 COUNTY ROAD 17 FREEPORT, MN 56331

JK ACRES CARTER KAARE 2125 120TH ST BALATON, MN 56115

CHIOLIS RANCH COLE CHIOLIS 3795 S VALLEY DR RAPID CITY, SD 57703

MADDISYN THOMPSON 900 ELK ST ELKTON, SD 57026

HANNAH BLANKENSHIP 1078 ST HWY 59 CHETOPA, KS 67336

Area 6 – Great Plains Director – Jason Anderson 5E RANCH BRE ENGLER 11801 S VAWTER RD CARBONDALE, KS 66414

TALLGRASS LAND AND CATTLE MARCINE MOLDENHAUER 2910 E. 85TH STREET N VALLEY CENTER, KS 67147

PAUL SCHWEIZER’S RED ANGUS PAUL SCHWEIZER 6212 N ANDRE RD STERLING, KS 67579

RHIATA BOUZIDEN 8961 COUNTY ROAD 360 WAYNOKA, OK 73860

RHOLTON BOUZIDEN 8961 COUNTY ROAD 360 WAYNOKA, OK 73860

LINCOLN BRANNON 8337 E 1508 RD STUART, OK 74570

JULIE EMERSON 2215 N BROADWAY CHECOTAH, OK 74426

DARLA FESMIRE 13315 EW 20 ROAD DELAWARE, OK 74027

JOHN C FUQUA 13241 CR 380 WAYNOKA, OK 73860

KEEGAN HOLT 10100 S WESTMINSTER GUTHRIE, OK 73044

RAFTER O HEREFORDS LLC DEAN LINK 2003 NE BETHEL RD. LAWTON, OK 73507

GENESIS ENTERPRISE STEVE ORR PO BOX 311 DAVENPORT, OK 74026

KAMBREE PALMER 10100 S WESTMINSTER GUTHRIE, OK 73044

WINDMILL FARMS HARRELL POST 59151 E. 100 ROAD MIAMI, OK 74354

K/C RANCH LLC KENNETH & CYNTHIA SMITH 13067 BRISTLECONE RD HENRYETTA, OK 74437

Area 7 – Northeast Director – Rob Hess TAYLOR UNDERWOOD 438 WEST CO. RD 250 SOUTH GREENCASTLE, IN 46135

RYAN O’MEARA 531 STONE ROAD WESTMINSTER, MD 21158

KASTEL SHOW CATTLE JOSH & MICHELLE KASTEL 13591 PACKARD RD HUDSON, MI 49247

SHARRARD SHOW CATTLE WILLIAM SHARRARD 4700 FARR RD PECK, MI 48466

CAYLEE SAGER 21520 COUNTY ROAD N FAYETTE, OH 43521

EBONY HILL FARM LEVI KNIGHT 1500 WILLIAMS HILL ROAD GLEN EASTON, WV 26039

ALEXIS WRIGHT 104 N WALNUT ST PHILIPPI, WV 26416

Area 8 – Southeast Director – Jim Yance

MARY-BEL FARMS HEATHER OR JOSH HUDSON 1825 LEE ROAD 379 SMITHS STATION, AL 36877

YOUNG BROTHERS SIMANGUS CLAYTON YOUNG 942 COUNTY ROAD 28 RANBURNE, AL 36273

B4 FARM TOMMY BROWN 181 BROWN ANE EUDORA, AR 71640

ELLIEANNA SCRIBNER P.O. BOX 456 GENTRY, AR 72734

M4 FARMS ADDIE MURPHREE 3540 PRITCHETT RD JAKIN, GA 39861

HENRY THRONE 111 DUCK POND RD LEXINGTON, GA 30648

PICKERING RED ANGUS VANCE PICKERING 2850 MILLER ROAD GUSTON, KY 40142

HOOSIER CREEK CATTLE ROB BERNER 3308 CLEARBROOK DR UNION CITY, TN 38261

KABRY TININ 2279 SANTA FE PIKE COLUMBIA, TN 38401

FREEBIRD FARMS JIMMY WALKER 324 TE MCGEE ROAD MCMINNVILLE, TN 37110

Area 9 – Midwest Director – Stuart Gilbert DEAN FAMILY FARMS JED DEAN PO BOX 67 CLERMONT, IA 52135

ALLYSE LENTS 2034 110TH ST CRESTON, IA 50801

MAKAYLEE MCCARTAN 21 2ND AVE SW POCAHONTAS, IA 50574

BROCK ORTNER 6105 32ND AVENUE SHELLSBURG, IA 52332

KINNICK PAULSEN 6098 425TH AVE PRESTON, IA 52069

JED PETERSEN 1136 362ND AVENUE PRESTON, IA 52069

BRYLEE STEFFEN 72555 JACKSON RD WIOTA, IA 50274

Bull Sale - March 6, 2023 Billings, Montana www.mccannredangus.com Lori McCann • 208-743-5517

HARMS PLAINVIEW RANCH

Tim Flaming Ryan Flaming 620-382-4894 620-382-5107

FLAMING LIVESTOCK CO.

REGISTERED RED ANGUS 465 170th • Hillsboro, KS 67063 620-367-8350 hm

HOFT RED ANGUS

Calendar of Events

January

1

Final Ad Reservation/Editorial Deadline for February Red Angus Magazine

1 Blom Red Angus Open Day Private Treaty Sales, Vida, MT 2 Red Revolution Frozen Genetics, Oklahoma City 2 National Red Angus Bull Show, Oklahoma City 3 National Red Angus Junior Show, Oklahoma City 3 Red Revolution Live Animal Sale, Oklahoma City 4 National Red Angus Heifer & Pen Show, Oklahoma City, OK 5 National Red Angus Open Female Show, Oklahoma City, OK 8 Ressler Land & Cattle, Cooperstown, ND 13 Spike Forbes Complete Dispersal, Buffalo, WY 14 Grassy Meadow Ranch, Michigan, ND 14 Orton Ranch Red Angus, Bassett, NE 14 Red-Land Cattle/Woodland Ag, Bagwell, TX

16 Final Ad Reservation Deadline for Red Angus Genetic Advancement Edition

16 Spur M Commercial Red Angus Heifer Consignment Sale, Bowman, ND

17 Sand Dune Cattle LLC, BigIron.com 21 Bull Hill Ranch, Gray Court, SC

21 Rohrich’s Cutting Edge Ranch, Mandan, ND 23 American Rancher Featuring Red Angus, RFDTV

23 Bullis Creek “Generations of Predictability” Bull Sale, Wood Lake, NE

26 Ludvigson Stock Farms Prime Time Embryo & Semen Sale, DVAuction.com

28 Schriefer Red Angus, Golden Valley, ND

28 M.C. Quantock “Canada’s Bulls” Sale, Lloydminster, SK, Canada

29 Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Regional Red Angus Show, Ft. Worth, TX

Trusted Buyer, Growing Demand

February

1

Final Ad Reservation/Editorial Deadline for March Red Angus Magazine 2 K2 Winter Bull & Female Sale, Wheatland, WY 3 TJS “Red Truck” Sale, Buffalo, WY 4 Loonan Stock Farm, Corning, IA 4 Ludvigson Stock Farms Big Sky Bull Sale, Shepherd, MT 7 Twedt Red Angus, McHenry, ND 10 Lemke Cattle, Lawrence, NE 14 Rhodes Red Angus Ranch, Faulkton, SD 15 Barenthsen-Bullinger Red Angus, Powers Lake, ND 16 Olson’s Red Power Performance Bull & Female Sale, Argusville, ND 17 R Lazy B Ranch, Aberdeen, SD

18 Lazy J Bar Ranch, Aberdeen, SD

18 Nordlund Stock Farm, Clearbrook, MN

18 Overmiller Red Angus & Gelbvieh, Smith Center, KS

19 Larson’s Lost River Ranch, Clearbrook, MN 19 Forster Red Angus Online Bull Sale 20 Frank Cattle Co., Chappell, NE 22 Price-Murdock Bull & Female Sale, Stanfield, OR 24 Brenner Angus, Mandan, ND 26 Namken Red Angus, Lake Norden, SD 27 C-Bar Red Angus, Plainville, KS 27 Lone Tree Red Angus, Meadow, SD

Wedel Red Angus, Leoti, KS

Klompien Red Angus, Manhattan, MT

Dille Red Angus, Buhl, ID

Pederson’s Broken Heart Ranch, Firesteel, SD

Bieber Fever Yearling Bull Sale, Leola, SD

Sutherlin Farms Red Angus, Stevensville, MT

DK Red Angus, Williston, ND

Redland Red Angus, Hysham, MT

S Diamond Angus, Henderson, NE

Mushrush Ranches, Strong City, KS

Schweitzer Red Angus, Pleasant Dale, NE

Iron Lorenzen Cattle Co., Madras, OR

Milk Creek Reds, Plevna, MT

Red HIll Farms More Than a Bull Sale, Lafayette, TN

Red Reckoning, Douds, IA

Jones Red Angus – All Terrain Bull Sale, Walsh, CO

Flat Water Red Angus Gang

Green Mountain Red Angus, Logan, MT

Diamond H Red Angus, LaCrosse, KS

Westphal Red Angus, Grass Range, MT

Fischer Red Angus, Harlowton, MT

Rogers & Lile Red Angus, Strafford, MO

West Wind Red Angus Private Treaty Open House & Bidding, Pella, IA

Axtell Cattle Co., Sterling, CO

McEntire Red Angus

Red Angus, Niobrara, NE

Anderson Land & Cattle, Leoti, KS

Loosli Red Angus, Ashton, ID

Weber Land & Cattle

West Wind Red Angus Online Sale Closes, dvauction.com

Pieper Red Angus, Hay Springs, NE

Red Angus Photography Contest Deadline

Advertiser Index

3K Land & Cattle Co. 129

4B Red Angus LLC 117

5L Red Angus 123

701X 39, 126

7K Cattle Co. 56

Aberdeen Angus World ........................... 126

Adams, Arnold & Alicia 117

ADM Red Angus 122

Allflex 101

American Rancher 52

Anderson Land & Cattle 77

Andras Stock Farm 130

Angelo Cattle Co. 122

Axtell Cattle Co. 124

Bachman Cattle Farms 129

Barenthsen-Bullinger Red Angus 79, 124

Beckton Red Angus 2, 3, 122

Beitia Livestock 120

Berwald Red Angus 80

Bieber Red Angus 7

BIM Red Angus 125

Birdwell, Joel 126

Bola Red Angus 118

Bola Red Angus ...................................... 129

Bow Creek Farm & Cattle 125

Bowles J5 Reds 123

Brickhouse Farms 129

Brylor Ranch 126

Bull Hill Ranch 59, 121

Bullis Creek Ranch 19, 116, 119

C & J Red Angus Ranch 121

C-Bar Ranch 87

C-T Red Angus 9, 123

Calvo Family Red Angus 5

Campbell Red Angus 108, 124

Cattle Visions 64

Cedar Hill Farm 125

Chappell Red Angus 125

Chiefline Red Angus 129

Choat Cattle Co. 119

Christensen Red Angus 123

Crockett Ranch 125

Cross Diamond Cattle Co. 119, 131

Crossroads Cattle Co. 125

D&D Cattle Co. 119

Dahlke Red Angus 124

Daigger-Orr Red Angus 119

Deichmann Livestock Brokerage 126

Diamond C North Dakota 124

Diamond H Ranch 72, 127

Diamond K Livestock Co. 117

Diamond P Cattle 121

Dille Red Angus 95

DK Red Angus 97, 124

Double Eagle Ranch 120

Emerald Earth 117

Eric Drees 126

Explosive Cattle Co. 121

Faylor Red Angus 127

Feddes Red Angus 9

Fischer Red Angus 60, 122

Five Oaks Farm 121

Flaming Livestock Co. 127

Flat Creek Farms 121

Flatiron Red Angus 124

Forster Red Angus 85, 124

Frank Cattle & Genetics 81

Freeman Red Angus 125

Fritz Red Angus 123

Genetic Advancement Issue 29

Gibbs Red Angus 123

Gibson Cattle Co. 121

Gilchrist, Kyle 43, 126

Gill Red Angus 94

Glacier Red Angus 122

Grassy Meadow Ranch 53

Graystone Cattle Co. 125

Green Mountain Red Angus 13, 122

Grill’s Red Western 34

Grussing Red Angus 124

H&F Red Angus Cattle 127

Halfmann Red Angus 129

HanSine Ranch 26, 27

Harbin Red Angus 129

Harmony Hill 122

Harms Plainview Ranch 103, 127

Heart River Ranch 76

Hoft Red Angus 127

Hueftle Cattle Co. 58, 119

Illinois Red Angus Assn. 125

Innovation Marketing 91

Iron Lorenzen Cattle Co. 45

Iron Will Cattle 121

J Bar Stendberg Ranch 50

Jacobs, Roger 126

Jacobson Red Angus 124

Jarvis Red Angus 121

Jeffries Land & Cattle 125

Johnson Family Cattle Co. 117

Jones Red Angus 100

K2 Red Angus 51

Karr Farms 125

Kirwan Red Angus 88

KK Farms 129

Klompien Red Angus 49, 123

Kluesner Family Cattle 117

Kniebel Cattle Co. 127

Koenig Ranch 70, 122

Koester Red Angus 10

Kolle Red Angus 129

Kravig Red Angus 124

Kuhn’s Red Angus 92

Kunkel Farms 129

Lacy’s Red Angus 129

Laubach Red Angus 122

Lautenschlager & Sons 35, 120

Lazy J Bar Ranch 124

Leland Red Angus 11, 122

Lemke Cattle 75

Lone Tree Ranch 89

Loonan Stock Farm 71, 125

Loosli Red Angus 102, 120

Lorenzen Ranches 120

Lost Creek Red Angus 123

Lowderman, Cody 126

Lowery, Matt 126

Lucht Red Angus 123

Ludvigson Stock Farms 21, 22, 23, 41

Maple Oaks Red Angus 129

Marketing Programs 112

McCann Red Angus 29, 120, 122, 124

McD’s Red Angus Farm 117

McLean Red Angus 121

McMurphy Farms 125

McPhee Red Angus 120

Mercer Farms 121

Milk Creek Reds ................................ 96, 123

Minnesota Red Angus Assn. 124

MTRAA 42

Mushrush Red Angus 107, 127

Namken Red Angus 124

ND Red Angus Assn. 114

Nelson Red Angus 120

Niobrara Red Angus 33

Nordlund Stock Farm 83

OHR Red Angus 73, 124

Orton Ranch Red Angus 55

Ory’s 07 Red Angus 129

Osborn Red Angus 121

Overmiller Red Angus 22

Peacock Angus Ranch 38, 116

Pederson’s Broken Heart Ranch 37, 124

Pelton’s Red Angus 127

Pieper Red Angus 17, 41, 119

Plain Jan’s ............................................... 118

Pleasant View Farms 125

Polivka Farms Red Angus 119

Private Treaty Sales 120

Quality Genetics Red Angus 129

Quartz Valley Red Angus 120 R Lazy B Ranch, Inc. 86

Ramdsale Reds 127

Red American Cattle 31

Red Angus Photo Contest 82

Red Angus Society of Australia Inc. 126

Red Choice 82

Red Fork Red Angus 122

Red Hill Farms 121, 132

Red Navigator 40

Red-Land 57

Redland Red Angus 111, 122

Reisdorfer Red Angus 90

Ressler Land & Cattle 8

Rhodes Red Angus LLC 127

Rhodes Red Angus Ranch 62, 63

Ritchey Manufacturing Co. 44

Rock Creek Red Angus 123

Rocking Bar H Ranch 120

Rocking R Red Angus ..................... 106, 124

Rogers Cattle Co. 129

Rohrich’s Cutting Edge Ranch 61

Rouse Red Angus 125

S Diamond Angus 98, 119

Sand Dune Cattle LLC 119

Sandbur Ridge Red Angus 119

Sandhill Red Angus 105, 123

Schriefer Red Angus 65

Schuler Red Angus 119

Schweitzer Red Angus 113, 119

Select Sires 15

Shamrock Nook 117

Sheaman Ranch 124

Shepherd Red Angus 123

Shoal Creek Land & Cattle 129

Shobe, Kyle 126

Shoco Ranch 74, 123

Solid Rock Red Angus 124

Sonstegard Cattle Co. LLC 34, 124

Spike Forbes 67

Spreutels Farm Red Angus 129

Spur M Red Angus 32

Stegall Cattle Co. 120

Strauss Brands 128

Sumptown Cattle 117

Sun River Red Angus 123

Sutherlin Farms 93, 122

TJS Red Angus 46, 47, 122

Triple Creek Ranch 129

Twedt Red Angus 69

UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm 117

Valnes Ranch Red Angus 124

Veto Valley Farms 121

VitaFerm/Gain Smart 14

Wasem Red Angus 18

Watkins Cattle Co. 116

Wedel Beef Genetics 127

West Wind Red Angus 116

Western Ag Network 66

Westphal Red Angus 99

Whitley Red Angus 121

Windrush Farm 129

Wisconsin Beef Improvement Assn 117

Woods V Bar X Ranch 120

WRAZ Red Angus 126

Wrights Mill Farm Red Angus 125

At Red Hill Farms, our maternal selection goals include – cows that have longevity, breed regularly, calve easily and early in the calving season, and wean a high percent of their body weight without creep feed. We put extra emphasis on good udders, sound feet and legs, and quiet dispositions.

Profitability starts with the cow!