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WESTERN FAR M, RANCH, & DAIRY

a Ritz Family Publication

President/CEO

Michael Ritz – mikeritz@ritzfamilypublishing.com

General Manager

Brenda Stoner – brenda@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Office Assistant

Kyle Heisey – kyle@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Sales

Kevin Davis – kevin@farmranchdairy.com

Pat Drury – pat@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Graphic Design

Julia Rehmke – julia@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Corporate Office

Ritz Family Publishing, Inc.

714 N Main Street Meridian, ID 83642 www.ritzfamilypublishing.com

Sales

For all sales inquiries, call toll free 1-800-330-3482 or 1-208-955-0124

info@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Subscriptions

For a subscription or to change your mailing address, call toll free: 1-800-330-3482 or 1-208-955-0124

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Printed

By ESP Print + Mail, Boise, ID

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this publication, however, the publisher does not assume responsibility for omissions or typographical errors. The publisher does not assume responsibility or is liable for the contents of any advertising herein. Publisher’s liability for errors in an advertisement is limited to a correct insertion in the next publication. In the event of a misprint, the publisher must be informed of such error prior to printing of the next publication.

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Image by Ryan Lansdown

Image by Tom Paolini

Stop Diesel Fuel Gelling with E TIP Solutions

Cold weather can cause diesel, biodiesel, and blended fuels to gel, typically around 40°F and below, disrupting startup and daily operations.

Gelling can disable over-the-road trucks, heavy machinery, automobiles, stationary engines, and more. To prevent this, E TIP, Inc. offers the Universal Fuel Filter Preheater, a simple, effective solution that mounts easily to your engine or bulk storage tank metal fuel filter.

Why Fuel Gels in Cold Weather

Diesel fuel gels in cold weather due to the paraffin wax naturally present in the fuel. As temperatures drop, this wax solidifies, forming crystals that can clog fuel filters and lines, preventing the engine from starting or running smoothly.

Gelling often begins in the bulk storage tank during refueling. Once it reaches the fuel filter, it plugs it. This can also happen as fuel flows through a fuel filter from a equipment fuel tank to the engine. The only way to resolve this is to replace the filter or warm it until fuel flows again. In severe cases, equipment may need to be towed indoors or a heater brought to the site.

Solutions for Equipment and Bulk Storage Tanks

Universal Filter Preheater for Bulk Fuel Systems Bulk storage tank fuel filters can also gel and plug. E TIP recommends using their Fuel Filter Preheater for Bulk Fuel Storage Tanks and Dispense Pumps. In cases where fuel won’t even flow from the bulk tank to the filter, install one of our fluid vessel heaters on the bottom of the bulk tank near the outlet pipe. Energize it for 6–8 hours before fueling to ensure the tank reaches optimal temperature. This helps ensure the first fuel out of the tank will flow properly.

The Universal Filter Preheater™

This product is a thin, flexible silicone/fiberglass heating pad that wraps around metal filter housings. It:

· Maintains full contact with the filter for even, quick heat transfer

· Converts the metal filter housing into the heating element

· Acts like an electric blanket for your fuel filter

Boot hooks, springs, and nylon ties hold it securely in place. When changing the fuel filter heater, the preheater detaches easily for reuse on the new filter.

· Draws only 85 watts

· Available in 12V & 24V DC, 120V & 240V AC, & a dual grid model for both AC and DC

· Measures 4” x 7”, fits diameters from 2.5” to 4” (8”–12” circumference)

Additional Cold-Weather Tools: Peel & Stick Preheaters

Standard Peel & Stick fluid vessel universal preheaters with insulation is also available. These 120V pads mount easily to the outside of fuel tanks, engine pans, hydraulic reservoirs, transmissions, and gearboxes. No cutting or welding is required; clean the surface and stick them on per the instructions. Leave them plugged in overnight to warm fuel and fluids before startup.

A Complete Cold Weather Solution

For maximum protection, include both the:

· Universal Filter Preheater™

· Peel & Stick Universal Preheater™

These products work together to keep your fuel and equipment warm, ensuring reliable starts and performance in even the harshest winter conditions.

E TIP, Inc. proudly produces maintenance and coldweather solutions. For more information, visit www.etipinc.com

Employee Owned. American Made.

One Call of Wyoming

One Call of Wyoming is a nonprofit organization that administers the 811 notification center within the state of Wyoming. Any entity within the state that owns/operates any underground facilities shall, by statute, register their location and contact information with the notification center, there are few exceptions to this requirement. If a person is involved in any activity in which earth, rock or other materials on or below the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by means of hand or power tools, power equipment, explosives or other means, and includes grading, trenching, digging, ditching, auguring, tunneling, boring, plowing in, pulling in, ripping, scraping and pipe installing, EXCEPT TILLING OF SOIL AND GARDENING OR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. They must call the notification center by dialing 811 in Wyoming or from out of state dial 1-800-849-2476 at least 2 full business days, and not more than 14 full business days, prior to beginning their excavation.

Once the notification center (811) has been contacted, the center will send out notifications to our member, operators/ owners, to let them know of your intended excavation activity near their underground facilities within the next 2 to

14 business days. The members must respond to the excavator within the 2 full business days and either clear the described dig area or mark their facilities within the described dig area in some fashion within 2 feet of the actual facility location. PLEASE, for your safety and for the safety of the general public, and the protection of our vital underground infrastructure. Submit your request online at www.onecallofwyoming.com or dial 811 from within Wyoming, or if calling from out of state please dial 1-800-849-2476 at least 2 full business days prior to beginning, ANY excavation activity.

Submitted by One-Call of Wyoming’s Administration Office Locate Number 1-800-849-2476

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With

RiteHeight

Greentronics RiteHeight®systemuses2 to 8sensors to measuredistancefromsprayer boomtotarget. With simple electrical connections to thesolenoidvalves, it raises andlowersboomsasneeded

RiteHeight®works on anytypeofsprayer It workswithall commonhydraulic designs andrequiresnoadditional hydraulics.

RiteHeight® works on any type of sprayer. It works with all common hydraulic designs and requires no additional hydraulics.

C & R Supply, Inc.

Birth of a Sprayer...the Family Expands

After carefully listening to customers who were disappointed with the performance or lack of features in ATV sprayers available, C & R Supply set out to design a series, or family of sprayers to meet their needs.

The family began with the EZ ATV Sprayer which features a unique tank design that was created with input from customers and ATV manufacturers. Using this input, and keeping the operator in mind the EZ ATV Sprayer was designed for ease of operation, functional ability and safety. The design was a success! This unit has been in demand since 1998 and continues to hold a strong presence in the market today.

The EZ ATV Sprayer has a sleek design which brings the weight forward and more to a center of gravity for better machine balance. Allowing the legs of the tank to wrap around the fenders of the ATV gives the sprayers dual sumps maximum drainage and the ability to run on side hills without losing its prime. The pump, strainer, and main shut off are mounted underneath the tank in a protected cavity, which also serves as a dual slosh baffle. The top of the tank is designed with a fill catch area to prevent chemical from getting on the operator. The EZ Sprayer is fitted with a 4 gpm Shurflo Pump and a quality Tee-Jet trigger style handgun in the convenient control panel at your side. All brackets and boomless nozzle or boom accessories are attached to the tank for quick and easy mounting. The EZ ATV Sprayer has several different options and accessories to meet your needs.

agricultural and roadside spray equipment located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For over 40 years, C & R Supply, Inc. has been a leader in the distribution and servicing of many quality products from Raven Industries, Spraying Systems, Banjo, and more. They also lead the way in designing and manufacturing new and advanced products as their customer needs change. This family of quality sprayers began with the introduction of the C & R Foam Marker and Spot Sprayer which progressed to the units we are featuring here today. C & R is a provider of precision ag products such as GPS guidance systems, variable rate controllers, mapping, steering assist systems, and chemical injection units. C & R Supply prides themselves on having the knowledge and experience to continually advance their product line to keep up with ever changing technology in a way that helps producers maximize their output.

As time went on customers began seeing a need in their operation for UTV’s. C & R Supply responded by expanding their family of sprayers. The UTV sprayer was born and it was named the C & R Slide In after its ability to be easily slid on and off the bed of the UTV as needed. The sprayer is mounted on a powder coated frame which allows the unit to be transferred as a single piece of equipment. This sprayer, like its elder sibling, was built with only the highest of quality components. The Slide In features a 60 gal tank, left and right electric controls with wiring harness, a Shurﬂo 4gm by pass pump, and Boominator nozzles which can spray a width of up to 30 feet. An 8 inch hand gun from Tee Jet with adjustable tip for hand spraying is also included. The Slide In sprayer has options and accessories available to meet the needs of your operation including a convenient retractable hose reel add on and additional boom options.

C & R Supply, Inc. is a distributor and manufacturer of

Image by Lee & Laura Howell

Stalk Knockers

Stalk Knockers are the most user friendly and lightest weight option on the market. No need to be removed when trailering, saving valuable time. They were invented by two farmers in southwest Iowa looking for a better solution for managing stalk residue on their own farm. www.stalkknockers.com .

READY

Albert Lea Seed is here to help you solve crop rotation challenges with a high-quality lineup of diverse seed including Blue River organic and Viking non-GMO corn silage hybrids and alfalfa varieties, as well as a range of grasses and small grains specifically selected for forage. Reach out to your local dealer, visit alseed.com, or call 800.352.5247 to get to know us.

The Hillco Wrap Twine Remover (WTR) safely removes netwrap and/or twine from round bales and large square bales without the need for the operator to get off the tractor.

The WTR can handle 4’x5’, 4’x6’, 5’x5’, 5’x6’ round bales or large square bales up to 8’.

When the bale is ready to be fed the knife and hooks are engaged to cut and grab the wrap. After the wrap is cut the hooks hold onto the wrap. The pressure on the squeeze arms is released.

The arms can be rotated up, out of the way, pulling the wrap off the bale. The bale is then dumped into the feeder. The tractor operator can release the hooks and dump the wrap in a pile outside the pen.

*Patent Pending

Image by Erwin Bosman

Pressurized Exhaust Kills Burrowing Rodents

The H & M Gopher Control PERC® system (Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Controller) uses carbon monoxide from pressurized engine exhaust to kill burrowing rodents such as gophers, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, moles & voles.

Exhaust gas has long been one of the most lethal and least expensive methods to kill burrowing rodents, but until now there hasn’t been an economical, efficient delivery system.

Company owners, Allen Hurlburt and Virginia Massey, said the PERC® system involves a narrow steel wand that is used to probe the burrow and inject pressurized exhaust. The burrow is filled with lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide under pressure. The rodent has no chance to escape or block the burrow.

An internal combustion engine generates the carbon monoxide and drives a compressor pump that pressurizes the exhaust gas to 110 psi in a storage tank. An air hose and a handheld probe inject the gas directly into the burrow without any digging.

The PERC® system is simple to use and safe for the operator as well as wildlife since there is no poison bait or explosion involved. Crop stands are

not damaged during treatment. No other control method is as effective, efficient, and as inexpensive to operate as the PERC®.

A PERC® system can treat moderately infested alfalfa fields at about 3.5 acres an hour with a single operator. Each probed location requires only about 2-to-3-minute injection times.

Units have been shipped to customers from Southern California to Central Canada, and as far east as Florida. Though most of the market has been with alfalfa growers, orchard and specialty crop growers have also purchased units. The PERC® system is the best solution anywhere burrowing rodents are a problem.

The PERC® system comes in three sizes, the 206, 412, and 620. The 206 and 412 comes as a skid, single axel, tandem axel, or road trailer. The 620 is sold as a skid, tandem axel, or road trailer. Contact us and we will help you decide what might be right for you.

For more information call toll free (855) 667-5181 or visit the website www.HandMgophercontrol.com and request a quote.

2025 GEA SW450, New SW450 Cable Scraper Drive Call

Pusher

some of the most things, though, challenges has left behind.

Durham Stalk Pusher Burlington, Colorado. roller design was Simply roll over the anything more all, leaving the till farming.

The Durham Stalk Pusher

Strip Till farmers have long been considered some of the most progressive in the industry. Like most things, though, there have been challenges. One of those challenges has been tire and or trac damage caused by corn stalks left behind. Seeing a need to mitigate tire damage, The Durham Stalk Pusher was invented in 2008 by Galan Durham of Burlington, Colorado.

The idea may not have been unique, but the roller design was the first of its kind. The concept is simple.

Simply roll over the stalks to lay them down. There is no need for anything more aggressive or destructive to the corn stalk. After all, leaving the stalk in the field was the purpose behind strip till farming.

Durham Ag Tech has the best quality product among tire mitigation products and is able to boast that it is priced far more reasonably than some of the less user friendly designs currently being sold.

The top 4 reasons that the Durham Stalk Pusher should be your first choice when looking for a tire mitigation product are:

• Cost Effectiveness – An entire unit is priced at less than two tractor tires. This is BY FAR the most reasonably priced unit on the market.

• Ease of Mounting – No need to install multiple pieces to run over each row. That's just more parts that need maintenance. Our Generation III model hangs on the front weight bracket and works for most tractor models. We currently have units available for John Deere, Case and Caterpillar. Each Stalk Pusher arrives with complete mounting hardware and can be installed in under 2 hours.

• Total Clearance – Generation III models boast up to 25" of clearance! This is especially important to the folks that farm uneven terrain. With our oscillating bar, the roller truly follows the contour of the ground.

• Ease of Use – The roller system lays stalks flat, so in contrast to an individual skid system that may catch debris, this won’t catch trash!

The Durham Stalk Pusher has branched out all over the Midwest and has units running in North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Iowa and of course its home state of Colorado. Several customers have purchased multiple units so that they can have one on each of their tractors!

For more information on the Durham Stalk Pusher visit www.durhamagtech.com

Image by Matthias Rending

Clarks Ag Supply EasiLoad Seed Systems

Clarks Ag Supply’s EasiLoad Seed System is the latest in seed tenders, engineered to simplify and optimize the planting process. Widely trusted by farmers in 42 states and Canada, the EasiLoad systems are the best built, best priced systems in the market and has proven its reliability with over 5,000 units sold over the past 20 years across the nation. Its efﬁciency and durability make it an essential tool for agricultural operations.

This system comes in multiple configurations, including two-, three- and four-box models, as well as bulk tenders, ensuring flexibility to meet diverse farming needs. Its poly-cup auger system reduces seed damage, while the three-stage telescoping tube enables hassle-free filling of planters. The design eliminates the need for hydraulics, making it user-friendly and highly efficient.

Farmers can further customize their system with options like remote control operation, scale packages and talc or

inoculant applicators. These features enhance functionality, save time and reduce labor during planting. With its innovative design and customizable features, the EasiLoad Seed System continues to set the standard for seed handling solutions in agriculture.

Easiload Seed Systems have made planting easier for farmers by eliminating the back-breaking, time-consuming, “old-fashioned way” of loading seed into their planters. Always “Road Ready” and “Water Tight”.

For more information visit their website at www.EasiLoad.net, or call Tom at 866-246-2588 or 308- 548-2555.

Restock The Hay Pile Or Raise $13 Soybeans? Why

The dry summer and fall of last year and the bitter cold this winter have combined to make hay a valuable commodity. This has made many consider putting cropland to a temporary hay crop, such as sorghum-sudangrass or teff. At the same time, the explosion in China soybean purchases has made raising soybeans a very attractive proposition as well. It is nice for a change to be faced with actual profitable choices! But when faced with two attractive choices, why not choose both?

One thing the cover crop movement has taught us is that growing crops in rapid sequence does not exhaust soil, rather it feeds the soil microbes that increase soil productivity. It is entirely possible to plant a crop of oats, peas or spring triticale (or a mix of all three) in March and have a hay crop made by May, in plenty of time to plant soybeans. Not only can the hay crop make as much revenue as we typically expect from a bean crop alone but growing the hay can create a nice stubble to control soil erosion and improve water infiltration and rooting depth and may offer weed control benefits as well. Spring triticale is an unfamiliar crop to a lot of people, but it is a real rising star in the forage and cover crop world. A cross between rye and spring wheat, it has hybrid vigor compared to either parent. Compared to spring oats, it can yield much higher, and is more competitive against weeds. The quality drops after heading relative to oats, but most people prefer to bale in boot stage to leave as much growing season for the following crop as they can. Peas add both additional yield and additional protein to the mix. Or maybe you would prefer to focus on hay and forgo the beans altogether. In that case, why not grow two hay crops rather than one? You can raise the oat/pea/spring triticale, then follow with a summer forage crop as well. For maximum tonnage you could try a crop of dry stalk sorghum-sudangrass, which offers the high yield of sorghum-sudan in a faster drying package. Alternately, teff grass offers a very rapid drying hay option, while cowpeas or mung beans offer high protein options, Can’t make up your mind? Plan all of them in combination to hedge your bets. If your pastures are beat up after last summer’s drought, you could pasture this crop in late summer and give your perennial pastures a much-needed chance to restore vigor and grow deeper roots to weather the next drought. And, if spending all summer baling hay and spending all winter feeding hay sounds less than appealing to you, how about planting a crop that can be stockpiled and grazed without all that work, such as a crop of brown midrib sterile sorghum, with some companion crops for added protein

and energy? Many people are using this very economical means of wintering livestock now with great success. In the fall, you can add yet another forage crop, drilled right into the living stubble of the summer mix as soon as it is hayed or grazed off in late summer. At first glance, this seems to doom the new seedlings to certain failure, as they are competing with the regrowth of the established summer crop for moisture and light. But it doesn’t work that way. The transpiration of moisture from the regrowth of the summer crop cools the soil, dropping the temperature as much as 30 degrees relative to the air temperature. The cool-season seedlings need only 10% of the moisture at 80 degrees as they do at 100 degrees, so drilling a cool-season pasture mix of oats, triticale, rye, ryegrass, turnips, radishes and peas right into unkilled stubble of a summer annual mix can actually increase the survival of the seedlings. After a hard freeze has killed and thoroughly dried the summer plants, they can be grazed off right along with the green growth of the cool-season mix, saving on winter hay needs and providing much higher quality nutrition than hay. Besides, you also save the cost of termination! Best of all, the growing of crops in rapid succession provides those vital soil microbes a continual flow of nutritious root exudates for improving soil structure and water-holding capacity for better crops in the future.

We ship anywhere in the U.S. Dealerships are available. Call or write for details or for special requirements.

GET IN TOUCH

At Easy Way Cattle Care, we understand that exceptional livestock care starts with reliable tools and enduring values. For over 65 years, our family-owned company has been at the forefront of crafting premium cattle oilers and livestock pest control products, establishing benchmarks for quality and dependability in the industry. Grounded in tradition yet fueled by innovation, we have created a legacy that has thrived through three generations. What began as a small local business has transformed into a respected name with a nationwide network of nearly 50 dealers, enabling us to deliver consistent and dedicated service to producers across the country. Every Easy Way product is carefully assembled and shipped from our facility in Decorah, Iowa, where our devoted team upholds our pledge to excellence. We are passionate advocates of American manufacturing and take pride in contributing to the prosperity of our local communities and customers alike. Our mission is anchored in a straightforward promise: to assist you in caring for your livestock the right way—the Easy Way. Our oilers and pest control solutions are engineered to enhance animal welfare, boost productivity, and streamline daily operations for ranchers and farmers of all sizes. With our strong family values, unwavering commitment to quality, and a dedication to doing things right, we are honored to be your trusted partner in livestock care. Join us—experience the Easy Way difference!

•We

Image by Fran Pencliffe

Image by Adam Young on Unsplash

Tractor Mounted Snowblowers Clear the Way in Record Time

Depending on where you live and how much stock you put in The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the coming winter could be a snow-filled one. While heavy snowfall brings much needed moisture, moving it and making areas passable creates its own set of challenges. For light snows and smaller areas, bucket loaders and skid steers can get the job done, but when you live in an area where deep snow and high winds are the norm, it may be time to consider a tractor-mounted snowblower.

Clay Zimmerman of Evanston, Wyoming bought a HitchDoc HDS8205 two winters ago. He and his wife own High Uinta Pack Goats, the only pack goat rental service in the country.

“Where I live, it’s all rolling hills and normal snowfall starts at 6 feet deep. The gravel road is only maintained by my neighbor and myself.” For years, Clay’s neighbor

cleared the snow with a bucket mounted to his tractor and it took him all day. That just wasn’t efficient enough, so, Clay started looking into options for a snowblower to mount to his tractor.

“I looked at a dozen brands and even bought one before I bought the HitchDoc, but it wasn’t heavy duty enough.” After more research, Clay opted for the HDS8205 from HitchDoc. He mounted it to the front 3 point hitch of his 140 horsepower tractor so he wouldn’t have to look backwards the whole time and connected it to the hydraulics so he could control it with the joystick.

Now Clay clears the snow for him and his neighbor in about an hour. Clay says his snowblower has enough power to throw snow 100 feet. Reflecting on his purchase, Clay said, “it’s been a life saver. It’s the best purchase I could’ve made.”

Image by Christel Sagniez on Pixabay

Benefits of Using SweetPro on Dry Pastures

On many eastern US pastures, cattle take one or two steps between bites, but on some western grazing lands, cattle need to take between fifteen and thirty steps. The forages available on the ranges can be very good, but the time window of their peak nutrition can also be very short. There are times when cattle cannot be kept moving enough to find what they need. When cattle do find good grass in these conditions, they can park on that spot, eat everything and create problems with land managers.

What are the rancher’s performance expectations in these conditions? To keep cattle alive, or to grow the herd? The cow needs the right body condition to rebreed and grow a calf every 12 months. Harvey Dietrich of the Diamond A Ranch in Seligman, AZ once said, “You can’t play catch up with a cow.”

Supplementation with SweetPro lick blocks can help keep both cattle and the land healthy. SweetPro blocks are fiber based, not molasses with all its negatives (ie: storage, containers, sugar negative associative effect, microbial digestive upset). Also, unlike the costs of loose mineral daily delivery, SweetPro blocks are easy

to move, clean up and only need to be placed out every 10 days.

SweetPro blocks significantly increase the forage feed efficiency of cattle on these western grasses and help raise body scores to a healthy producing state. This automatically puts up to 25 pounds on the calf at weaning time and helps improve ranching profitability. (Calves don’t need creep feeds when body weight is put on the cow.) Energy and fertility of bulls is also supported to further enhance rebreeding over larger ranges.

SweetPro blocks use DDGS and CDS for even delivery. Supporting animals gut health can help prepare them for the June 2023 Veterinary Client Patient Relationship implementation. SweetPro blocks use minerals, organic trace minerals, prebiotics (including MOS, AXOS, XOS, FOS, & Beta-glucan), postbiotic yeast protein and fiber, all provided to the animal on a fermented carrier without weather issues or over consumption. SweetPro blocks match the forage conditions.

Image by Julien Garot

Image by Lee & Laura Howell

Beefmaster Heterosis Can Impact Any Herd

BBeefmaster is a beef breed developed in America that improves beef quality and production efficiency when crossed with any other cattle breed for commercial beef production. The breed originated in Southern Texas in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. The Lasater family originally developed a large herd of Hereford cattle carefully selected to withstand the heat and insects of the Texas Gulf Coast region, but they were still not perfectly suited to that difficult environment. So Lasater began to experiment with incorporating Bos indicus or Zebu genetics, in the form of Gyr and Guzerat bulls from India and Nelore from Brazil. While the practice of crossbreeding was virtually unheard of at the time, they immediately saw a tremendous jump in productive traits, such as weight gain and reproductive rates. This is genetic advantage known as heterosis or hybrid vigor.

losophy known today as The Lasater Philosophy. The concept is to only select cattle for economically relevant traits, which he distilled to these Six Essential traits. It is the only breed in history to be selected only using pressure for productive traits, as opposed to aesthetics.

In 1937, the herd was closed to outside genetics with continued internal development to cull low-performers and upgrade all traits together equally. By 1954 the foundation herd was recognized by USDA under the name of Beefmaster.

By the early 1930’s, the ranch also incorporated Milking Shorthorn genetics, to augment milk production and carcass quality. They could immediately see that the three-way hybrid was far superior to the two-way crosses. The final composite ended up at roughly 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus (25% Hereford and 25% Shorthorn).

eefmaster is a beef breed developed in America that improves beef quality and production efficiency when crossed with any other cattle breed for commercial beef production. The breed originated in Southern Texas in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. The Lasater family originally developed a large herd of Hereford cattle carefully selected to withstand the heat and insects of the Texas Gulf Coast region, but they were still not perfectly suited to that difficult environment. So Lasater began to experiment with incorporating Bos indicus or Zebu genetics, in the form of Gyr and Guzerat bulls from India and Nelore from Brazil. While the practice of crossbreeding was virtually unheard of at the time, they immediately saw a tremendous jump in productive traits, such as weight gain and reproductive rates. This is genetic advantage known as heterosis or hybrid vigor.

As Lasater developed the breed, he also formed a unique selection philosophy known today as The Lasater Philosophy. The concept is to only select cattle for economically relevant traits, which he distilled to these Six Essential traits. It is the only breed in history to be selected only using pressure for productive traits, as opposed to aesthetics.

As Lasater developed the breed, he also formed a unique selection phi-

The breed has rapidly grown around the world and has become known as the prime maternal cow for serious commercial cattlemen that appreciate their production

excellence, particularly in harsh desert or tropical environments. The breed has excelled across most regions of the United States and is the leading breed of choice for commercial cattlemen in Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Panama, Columbia and several other Latin American regions. With global demand for higher-quality beef growing geometrically, Beefmasters provide the perfect breed to cross on commercial cattle to improve production efficiency and carcass quality, while not sacrificing adaptability.

Commercial cattlemen have noted substantial economic gains from using Beefmasters to provide an average increase of 60 lbs., or more at weaning when compared with other breeds. They excel post-weaning as well, with faster weight gains, excellent feed conversion and carcass yields around 64%.

The breed has rapidly grown around the world and has become known as the prime maternal cow for serious commercial cattlemen that appreciate their production excellence, particularly in harsh desert or tropical environments. The breed has excelled across most regions of the United States and is the leading breed of choice for commercial cattlemen in Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Panama, Columbia and several other Latin American regions. With global demand for higher-quality beef growing geometrically, Beefmasters provide the perfect breed to cross on commercial cattle to improve production efficiency and carcass quality, while not sacrificing adaptability.

substantial economic gains from using Beefmasters to provide an average increase of 60 lbs., or more at weaning when compared with other breeds. They excel post-weaning as well, with faster weight gains, excellent feed conversion and carcass yields around 64% In a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly critical, Beefmasters have repeatedly demonstrated that they are highly efficient converters of both forage and feeds into lean, tender, high-quality beef. A recent study at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) demonstrated Beefmasters dominance when compared to 18 of the most widely used beef breeds in the United States.

In a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly critical, Beefmasters have repeatedly demonstrated that they are highly efficient converters of both forage and feeds into lean, tender, high-quality beef. A recent study at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) demonstrated Beefmasters dominance when compared to 18 of the most widely used beef breeds in the United States.

Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is headquartered in Bryan, Texas. Beefmaster ranks fifth in the U.S. in terms of membership and is the largest of the American breeds. The association has over 3,000 members registering around 19,000 calves annually.

Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is headquartered in Bryan, Tx. Beefmaster ranks fifth in the U.S. in terms of membership and is the largest of the American breeds. The association has over 3,000 members registering around 19,000 calves annually.

Commercial cattlemen have noted

Beefmasters also enjoy a rapidly growing international footprint, with established associations in eight countries worldwide. T hese i nnovative cat tlemen have seen the tremendous strengths Beefmasters bring to their own genetic improvement programs. For more information about what Beefmasters can do for your operation, please visit us w ww.beefmasters.org. e

Beefmasters also enjoy a rapidly growing international footprint, with established associations in eight countries worldwide. These innovative cattlemen have seen the tremendous strengths Beefmasters bring to their own genetic improvement programs. For more information about what Beefmasters can do for your operation, please visit us at www.beefmasters.org

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:

Farm, Ranch & Dairy Magazine

weeks after

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Please be sure to sign and return this proof and return via mail, fax or e-mail before the ad materials deadline. Failure to return signed proof prior to ad materials deadline will result in advertisement cancellation. As the advertiser, you may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation whatsoever, within three (3) business days on which you receive this confirmation. Upon canceling, all payments or consideration which has already been made by you will be returned within ten (10) business days following receipt by the telephone solicitor of your cancellation notice. To cancel, please contact Ritz Family Publishing, Inc. by phone, fax, mail or e-mail at the information listed above. All cancellations must be received prior to ad materials deadline. All cancellations after deadline will not be honored. Thank you for choosing the Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy Magazine for your advertising.

Come Join the Gottsch Livestock Feeders Family!

Gottsch Livestock Feeders is looking for Cowboys/Pen Riders for their feed yard in Red Cloud, Nebraska. The main focus of the Cowboy/Pen Riders are spotting, pulling, diagnosing and taking cattle to the hospital and shipping fat cattle. This person will need to be a team player who is seeking a long-term position. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, dental, vision, 401K, health savings, life insurance and paid vacation.

If you are interested stop by and fill out an application or visit our website at www.gottschcattlecompany.com

Call Brandon Furr at 402-257-7769 or 402-746-2222 for more information. Call Mike Faimon at 402-469-1585, Davin Arnold at 970-301-3098, or the office at 402-746-2222

Image by Robert Jan Bource

• VERTICAL TILLAGE PARTS • TEETH • GRAIN GATES • GRAIN STORAGE • TOW ROPES • V-BELTS • ZIP TIES AIR CONDITIONING • AUGER TUBES • BELTS • DRIVETRAIN PARTS • 4WD KITS • DISCHARGE PARTS • ENGINE • EXHAUST • FEEDER HOUSE • FILTERS • GRAIN TANK PARTS • LANKOTA • LIGHTS • MUD SCRAPERS • RADIOS • STARTERS • AUGER

Image by Lukas Hartmann