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Brought to you by American Simbrah Breeders
From the beginning of the breed Sklar and Son have raised Simbrah cattle By Martha Hollida Garrett Darrell Sklar of Edna, Texas, first became involved with Simbrah cattle when the breed was in its infancy, even before the name Simbrah was attached to the 5/8 Simmental x 3/8 Brahman cross. In the 1970s, the family business name — Sklar and Son — stood for Darrell and his dad, Ira. Today it stands for Darrell and his son, Shane. Shane represents the fourth generation of the Sklar family to raise cattle along the Texas Gulf Coast, which includes divisions in the three counties of Jackson, Victoria and Bee. The Sklars’ lifelong experiences in commercial cattle ranching influenced their move to Simbrah genetics. “They have been good to us and have helped us survive the down markets and several droughts.
Simbrahs make you money, and that’s the most important reason we have them,” said Sklar. “We got our start with this breed in 1977. We were running purebred Brahmans and commercial cattle at the time,” he recalled. “We started putting Simmental bulls on our Brahman females and then we utilized semen from the great fullblood bull King Arthur on a group of Brahman cows to establish a herd of halfblood females that we bred up from there. We were involved with Simbrah when it was called Brahmental and played an active role in developing a leadership team for the breed.” After breeding their Brahman cows to Simmental bulls, they crossed the resulting heifers back to Simmental bulls. As their developing Simbrah herd
grew, they sold the Brahman cows to neighbors and bought back their heifer calves if they bred them to Simmental bulls. In the ’80s and ’90s, the program was very active on the seedstock level. They had cattle on display on the show circuit before there were Simbrah shows. “There was a time early on when the legendary showman LaRue Douglas hauled Simbrah cattle to shows to just expose them to cattlemen and provide us a way to promote the young breed. We had cattle in those early strings, “ he said. When Simbrah shows were added to the major stock shows, the Sklar program accumulated wins including a prestigious Houston Reserve Grand Championship . In addition to breeding up to Simbrah, the program
Shane, Jill, Maggie, John Rhett and Vivian Sklar.
added genetics from several sources and the Sklar family was very active in the Texas Simmental/Simbrah Association activities. Today, Sklar and Son runs about 135 purebred Simbrah females, along with a herd of Hereford females that are bred to Brahman bulls to produce Tiger Stripes. They also have a herd of Tiger Stripes that they breed to Hereford bulls to produce a 3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Brahman female. All of their females are marketed to ranchers across the Texas Gulf Coast and repeat buyers play a huge role in their success. “Our Simbrah females are very marketable and they almost sell themselves, plus there is a strong demand for the Tiger Stripes and the three-quarter Hereford females, too,” he said. “We sell most of our females today as yearlings. We have always had a strong demand for our Simbrahs and that’s as good
Darrell and Mary Sklar reason as any to keep rais- three and pen of five heifer ing them for more than 40 competitions at county years,” Sklar said. fairs. They also sell some “Our heifers have done purebred Simbrah bulls very well for our young cuslocally and again, many of tomers and we enjoy seeing these go to repeat cus- our females in these comtomers. petition arenas. Shane’s “We are not in the bull three children have also selling business. We have started exhibiting in these chosen to concentrate on competitions and at the last developing the females we county fair one had a pen of produce and spend our Simbrahs, one had a pen of time marketing those,” he Tiger Stripes and one had a said. pen of the three-quarter The majority of the Hereford females. We were male calves from the three able to showcase our entire herds are sold as weaned program,” he said. calves through local aucIn years past, they utitions. lized A.I., but now have Sklar and Son has also elected to use sons of some found a strong interest of the top A.I. sires in the from youth exhibitors, breed. including those who are “The bulls we select for (Continued on page 4) competing in the pen of
Purebred Simbrahs are a key part of Sklar and Son’s diversified operation.
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SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
If you are looking for high quality females to add to your commercial or registered program, then you need to come evaluate the large group we have for sale. We have an intensive development program for our heifers and we raise them to be productive and profitable.
WE HAVE GROUPS OF BRED & OPEN HEIFERS FOR SALE Call us and we will be happy to visit with you about them, the genetics and program behind them!
Jud & Margie Flowers 12111 North Bryan Road • Mission, Texas 78541 • 956/207-2087 • judf@lonestarcitrus.com FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
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Simbrahs on feed at Graham Feedyards By Luke Bowman, American Simmental Association The Mission Statement of the American Simmental Association (ASA) reads: The success of the American Simmental Association is dependent on our members' cattle making a significant genetic contribution to the beef industry. By utilizing the most advanced science, the highest priority is to maintain services and products which bring value to ASA members' customers. The ASA is very dedicated to research and the cultivation of data in order for members to make genetic progress in the beef industry. It is a group that has grasped and worked with the science of composite cattle in order to obtain the benefits of heterosis and breed complementarity. Our motto, “Profit Through Science” describes the business best. Created in the private sector, along the lines of our members’ dedication to the industry, the Simbrah breed was developed as a hot climate alternative to the purebred continental type of Simmental for the Gulf Coast region of the United States. This hybrid of Simmental and Braham was established as a breed on its own and has played a strong roll in our association’s success in the south for decades. In 2018, the ASA set out to garner more information on the difficult to report actual carcass data. Through this massive mission, the ASA Carcass Expansion Project was created to amplify the collection of carcass data and supplement it with the technology of genomic testing for better DNA information. In order to develop a more powerful genomic test, to better predict the genetic merit of an animal, the test needed to be trained and the only way this can happen is through the matching of DNA samples with actual carcass records. The genomic test available for Simbrah cattle was already successful in predicting the production and maternal traits of this great breed, as members have turned in this information for years, but there just wasn’t enough information to properly train the genetic model on Simbrah’s ever important carcass traits.
Knowing this, the ASA Board of Trustees, along with the Simbrah Breeders Council, established the Simbrah – SimGenetics
Feedout at Graham Land and Cattle in Gonzales, Texas. This program was established to gather information on the hard to
measure carcass traits such as Marbling, Ribeye Area, Carcass Weight and Yield Grade. (Continued on page 6)
Simbrah steers have been involved in a feedout for three years as part of the American Simmental Association Carcass Expansion Project.
Graham Land and Cattle is the home to the Simbrah feedout.
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the registered herd are just bulls are hot and evaluate have selected our bulls prione generation from an how we can use those marily from two longtime (Continued from page 1) A.I. sire and we watch what genetics,” said Sklar. “We Simbrah programs, Smith Genetics in Giddings, Texas, and La Muneca Cattle Company in Linn, Texas.” “The Simbrah breed has always impressed me and impressed my dad in the beginning,” said Sklar. “They have the growth traits we need, as pounds are important and the female offers us longevity, mothering ability and they will forage for grass. They can take the heat. I don’t Sklar and Son have built a strong reputation for quality Simbrah replacement females want my cattle spending their time in water. I want and most are sold as yearlings each year.
Sklar...
SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD them out hustling for grass and Simbrah do that.” Shane added that one of the key benefits for him is Simbrah’s low maintenance. “We spend a lot of time farming and we can’t see these cattle every day. They tend to take care of themselves, survive on the grass they have and don’t require any special attention. They breed efficiently and allow us to be efficient managers with our time,” he said. Sklar and Son is now transitioning, as Darrell, who recently turned 71, is picking and choosing what
he does a little more these days. “I’m beginning to turn things over to Shane. In addition to the cattle, we also raise corn and cotton. Sklar and Son includes a seed company for corn and grain sorghum that I have stepped away from and Shane is doing a great job of managing that,” said the elder Sklar. “It’s a collaborative effort,” said Shane. “He has an opinion and I listen. I spent a number of years away from the farm in other careers, but this is where I want to be. We are partners in the cattle, then we both have our own farming entities, but we share equipment, labor and even though it’s separate, we’re together.” Darrell and his wife, Mary, have been married for 48 years and have made their home in Edna all but the first two years of their marriage. Mary was an elementary teacher for years, but now is known for her hunting and fishing skills. Shane and his wife, Jill, who live nearby have three children: Maggie, 11; John Rhett, 9; and Vivian, 6. Jill serves as the Jackson County Judge and has experienced a number of challenges this year with COVID-19. Shane serves as president of the Jackson County Farm Bureau and serves on the Capital Farm Credit Board of Directors. All of three of the kids are busy with extra activities like music and sports, in addition to agricultural activities. Like their grandmother, they also enjoy hunting and fishing. Sklar and Son has the distinction of being involved in the Simbrah breed since the beginning and Shane says that Simbrah will be a vital component of the family operation in the future.
Sklar and Son started their Simbrah program in 1977 by breeding Simmental bulls to Brahman females and breeding up to the 3/8 Brahman x 5/8 Simmental purebreds.
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SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
NEWSYou Can Use SimGenetic steer feedout underway Currently the American Simmental Association (ASA) is conducting a SimGenetic Steer Feedout, which includes Simbrah sired steers at Graham Land & Cattle Co., Gonzales, Texas. The test began Nov. 6th. For additional information contact Luke
Bowman with the ASA at include 45+ SimAngus and lbowman@simmgene.com Simbrah bulls which will sell with complete peror 406/587-4531. formance information. Interested cowmen are invitTom Brothers Ranch ed to visit their website, schedules sale Tom Brothers Ranch, www.tombrothers ranch. Campbellton, Texas, will com for photos, catalog and kick off their private treaty details. For additional inbull sale on Dec. 5th. The formation, contact Ellen event will be held at the Tom at 210/313-0020 or ranch and the offering will ellen@tombrothers ranch.
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com or Philip Tom, 512/ 296-6845 at philip@ tom brothersranch.com. La Muñeca to host Giving THANKS Sale La Muñeca Cattle Co., Linn, Texas, has announced they will host their LMC & Friends Giving THANKS Online Sale, Nov. 21-24th. This sale benefits a number of scholarships and causes, including American Junior Simbrah Roundup. For additional details follow them on social media and/or visit their website www.lamune cacattle.com.
B & M Cattle has a really simple mission, we want to produce the type of cattle that perform well in the pasture, yet still compete in the show ring. With an aggressive AI program, utilizing some top genetics of both the past and present and females from top breeders, we strive to have calves that are functionally correct.
Simbrah promotional items available The American Simmental Association (ASA) has marketing materials for the Simbrah breed. There is a brochure, as well as signs promoting Simbrahs as the crossbreeding choice. For details on how you can get copies of the brochure for distribution and have the sign at events in your area, contact the ASA at 406/ 587-4531.
events, updated calendar listings and Simbrah breeders and enthusiasts are encouraged to visit www .simbrahworld.com. In addition to the news, all issues of the magazine and the annual Simbrah News Commercial Feature are archived on this site. Simbrah World is also very social. Check out our Facebook page for posts on a regular basis. Several advertising opportunities are available to those interFor Simbrah ested. Contact Martha at news, go online hollidacompany@gmail.co For additional news, m or call 903/316-8465.
Using proven and predictable genetic lines.
Our herd sire, Smith Gaston, a son of RFI Real Deal, is loading his calves with power, mass, and muscle. His calves are showing a lot of style and performance.
GIVE US A CALL FOR YOUR SHOW CALF PROJECTS, HERD SIRES OR REPLACEMENT FEMALES.
Laine Doucet 409/658-3743 P.O. Box 1 Sour Lake, TX 77659
Brandon and Mary Hebert 7500 Harris Road • Bell City, LA 70630 • 337/370-8864 Brandonhebert60@gmail.com
HODGES CATTLE COMPANY Featuring the influence of Smith Stout N Black
HE IS STILL THE ONE !!! Best Simbrah Sire We Have Ever Seen !!!
Sam Hodges
903/701-7929 825 Usener Street #725 Houston, TX 77009 SamHodges90@gmail.com
Cattle located in DeKalb and Giddings, Texas
SIMMENTAL & SIMBRAH BULLS & FEMALES
Fisher Family Cattle 979.255.0332 Simmental • Simbrah • SimAngus Genetics
LMC Gold Medal • 2013 National Champion • Dam - LMC WFC Ms Dream Girl, twice National Champion & International Champion • Sire - LMC Rhino, International Champion & Reserve National Champion • Sire of Bull Test Winners, Sale Toppers and many champions at all levels • SEMEN & PROGENY AVAILABLE !! LMC Giving THANKS Sale VII Nov. 21-24 at www.cattleinmotion.com. 100% of the proceeds will be donated !! HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Carlos X. Guerra Family • P.O. Box 81 • Linn, Texas 78563 956/383-7566 Office • 956/802-1641 Mobile www.lamunecacattle.com • lamunecacattle@aol.com
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Cattle on feed grows again By David P. Anderson, professor and Extension economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service The number of cattle on feed hit an October record in 2020, at 11.7 million head. Placements and marketings were up over a year ago, as well. Digging into USDA’s report a little deeper reveals some more interesting directions for the cattle market in coming months. Marketings were up 6.2 percent over September 2019. Given one more working day in the month, that means daily average
On feed... (Continued from page 3)
The program is entering its third year as the commitment of breeders to improve the Simbrah animal continues to be solid. The feedout is a retained ownership program where the cattle are managed by the feedyard then harvested and sold on the rail on a carcass quality and yield, grid basis. Over the past three years more than 200 head of steers have entered the program through the Graham Land & Cattle feedyard, substantially boosting our knowledge of the Simbrah carcass traits. It takes time and effort in a chain of activities to make this program happen and it couldn’t be done without the dedication of active members and the management at the feedyard. The end result of measuring these cattle and training the DNA test will turn into to a process where Simbrah breeders can better evaluate their cattle for their influence on the Simbrah breed. Seedstock breeders purchase the test, collect the DNA through hair, blood, or tissue samples, submit their samples and the ASA runs the genetic evaluation to tell us as much as we can know about these animals genetically. If and when more elite sires and dams are identified through genomic testing and are propagated into seedstock herds, the possibilities and utility of Simbrah genetics in the commercial world are boundless.
marketings were above a year ago for the second month in row. The ability to slaughter more cattle per day, on average, than a year is welcome data considering all the adjustments forced on the industry this
year. In terms of absolute numbers, marketings trend lower in the second half of the year, and that trend is holding this year, as well. Placements were above a year ago also, up 5.9 percent. Larger placements
might be seen in the light of sharply lower placements in March and April as response to corona virus effects. Kansas and Nebraska, two of the big three feeding states, had placements up 12.6 and 13.2 percent, respectively, over a year ago. Placements were lower in Texas, down 3.2 percent. Eighty-four percent, 104,000 out of 124,000, of the increase in placements were in the heaviest categories, over 700 pounds. The largest share of heavier feeder placements went to Nebraska followed by Kansas. Texas placed fewer cattle in
SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD every weight category except the lightest, under 600 pounds. More heavier cattle placed likely indicates some pressure on marketings and slaughter late this year into early next year. For the year, feeders have placed 510,000 fewer (3 percent) head on feed this year than last year. The combination of placements and marketings left cattle on feed a record large, for October 1, at 11.717 million head. That was 429,000 head more than last year. Within the state data, Texas had 70,000 more on feed in the drought year of 2011.
Nebraska had 20,000 more on feed in 2018. October on feed numbers appear to be historically large in states like California and Colorado. Nationwide, placements tend to peak in October. Drought conditions will likely play an important part of placements this year. Difficult wheat pasture establishment and development may force more to feedlots. Drought in the West and Texas may force some more placements. More feeder cattle continue to come from Mexico adding to available supplies for placement.
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Diagnosing hardware disease By Dr. Meredyth Jones, Oklahoma State University Extension While you may have heard of a cow being diagnosed with hardware disease, many misunderstandings exist about this syndrome. Hardware disease occurs after an animal ingests a metallic object that then perforates the wall of the reticulum. This perforation results in an infection that can be mild or severe. In
the cow or sheep, the reticulum is the first chamber of the four stomachs, lying under the bottom of the esophagus. The weight of metallic objects causes them to fall to the bottom of the reticulum, where they remain. Unlike other animal types, where foreign objects typically move through the gastrointestinal tract until they either
cause a blockage or are passed, the anatomy of the reticulum and the weight of the object nearly guarantee that the piece of hardware remains there forever. The reticulum lining looks like a honeycomb and can trap ends of the wire. Its contractions can force the ends through the wall, resulting in a few possible scenarios. These
include local infection around the reticulum from leakage of fluid from the reticulum up to the most severe outcome, which is a puncture of the sac around the heart. Local infection around the reticulum interferes with normal gastrointestinal flow and motility, causing mild to severe disease. How does the heart get involved? It’s in the wrong neighborhood. Anatomically, the reticulum and the
heart sit next to each other on either side of the diaphragm. If the contraction of the reticulum pushes the wire toward the heart, it can pass through the diaphragm and into the sac surrounding the heart with a catastrophic outcome. Symptoms that very strongly suggest a diagnosis of hardware disease include an animal standing with its head and neck extended, grunting, with
the elbows pointed out. All of these point to pain at the junction of the thorax and abdomen. More commonly, however, the symptoms associated with hardware disease are more generic, with many animals simply showing weight loss over time. Hardware disease can be tough to definitively diagnose. That’s why, when cattle are losing weight and the cause is not readily apparent, hardware disease is often blamed. Several tests can help confirm a diagnosis of hardware disease, including X-rays, ultrasound and analysis of certain blood proteins. It is critically important to confirm a diagnosis in an individual animal in order to benefit the herd. Many diseases of significance in cattle have some impact on their herd mates, either because the disease is contagious or because the animals live with the same risk factors. For hardware disease, it’s about risk factors. Metallic foreign objects are obtained from the environment, so all animals in the herd are potentially at risk. What is it about cattle that puts them at higher risk than other species for hardware? The answer is their tongue. As a cow eats, she sweeps up grass using the length of her tongue. By contrast, sheep, goats and horses use their lips and teeth to grasp grass. Cattle, therefore, are likely to sweep up objects in the pasture while other livestock are more likely to sort it out. Attention to debris in pastures is paramount in prevention of hardware disease. If you mix your own feed or chop hay, it’s easy for wires or other metal pieces to be chopped up and mixed into the feed where it becomes nearly impossible for a cow to sort and drop it out of what she consumes. Spend the extra time it takes to remove all wires from bales and remove them from the pasture. Remember that your veterinarian is the best source of information on cattle health. Have any unexplained illnesses or deaths investigated to protect the health of your herd and improve their productivity. SLS
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CHRIS BAKER A member of Smith Genetics Kentucky Division Chris Baker 1560 Spillman, Morning View, Kentucky 41063 859/630-3052 For more information contact Tim Smith, consultant 512/587-7896
Wentz Smith Superior-A member of the Juliet Cow Family and the 2012 International Champion Female. We are excited about her embryo matings sired by Smith CRC Lubbock and Smith Made Solid arriving this fall.
BUILDING OUR HERD WITH ELITE GENETICS KENTUCKY DIVISION Quarter Horses, Simmental and Simbrah Cattle
3JK Cattle Co. WLE Genuine E020
Jason Smith, Aimee Nienaber, Susan & Ray Dieckmann, Ashley Dieckmann, Lisa & Nathan Naive, William & Beth Smith, Paula Duncan and William & Ginny Smith.
For information contact Tim Smith, smithgenetics1@gmail.com • 512/587-7896
Scott and Janessa King and Family Zephyr, Texas 325-200-8740
Bred To Perform In South Texas We raise Simbrahs and Brahmans across South Texas and our cattle are bred to thrive in the tough environments of the brush and pear country
SMITH DESIGNATED HITTER 71FSenior herd sire for our program
He is sired by Smith Shortstop, a Dream On Son and out of Smith JCC Accessorized, a Smith Satisfies daughter that traces back to Smith Nu Wave II and the great Oprah, maternally. He is polled and he’s transmitting superior weaning weights to all his calves. He’s knocking it out of the park for quality, pounds and growth! Visit our website, or better yet come see our program and our Designated Hitter calves.
WE HAVE REPLACEMENT FEMALES FOR SALE-PAIRS AND BREDS. CALL US FOR DETAILS.
Mark Melson P.O. Box 1085 Caldwell, Texas 77836
979/777-0771 melsonsimbrah@gmail.com
www.melsonsimbrah.com
Pete Nieschwietz P.O. Box 303 • Falls City, Texas78113 956/460-6002 www.7Nranch.net • pjnieschwietz@sbcglobal.net Ranches located in Donna and Falls City
SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
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ing this relationship pro- emergency. vides the opportunity to Finding a veterinary strategically evaluate herd practice that fits the needs health protocols, biosecuri- of your operation is key. ty, management strategies Take the time to develop a and other operational long-lasting, effective relaactivities. The profitability tionship well before crisis and sustainability of both strikes. Like cattlemen, Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, assistant clinical professor at Oklahoma State University’s the cattle operation and veterinarians continue to veterinary practice should be faced with multiple chalCollege of Veterinary Medicine be considered in the rela- lenges. Investing in a solid In successful cattle proa. the licensed veteri- ian is readily available for VCPR components: tionship. Ideally, the rela- VCPR creates a strategic grams, effective herd own- narian has assumed the follow-up in case of •Maintain written tionship does not begin alliance that proves mutuers build strong teams to responsibility for making adverse reactions or failure agreements for working through a first meeting at a ally beneficial to both proassist them with monitor- medical judgments regard- of the regimen of therapy, relationships. 2 a.m. calving or other ducers and veterinarians. ing industry changes, mar- ing the health of an animal or has arranged for emer•Have a veterinarian of keting, nutrition, health or animals and the need for gency medical coverage, record. and daily operations. One medical treatment, and the and •Clarify any and all essential member of every client, owner or other cared. the licensed veteri- relationships with consultprogressive cattleman’s taker has agreed to follow narian’s actions would con- ants and other veterinariteam is the veterinarian. the instructions of the form to applicable federal ans. A veterinary team licensed veterinarian; and law and regulations. •Provide written protomember is now more b. there is sufficient An established VCPR cols. important than ever as knowledge of the animal or allows a veterinarian to •Ensure written or elecmany areas, particularly animals by the licensed vet- legally practice veterinary tronic treatment records rural communities, experi- erinarian to initiate at least medicine. This includes are maintained. ence difficulty in recruiting a general or preliminary diagnosis and treatment, •Provide drugs or preand retaining veterinari- diagnosis of the medical prescribing antibiotics and scriptions for specific time American Simmental ans. Additionally, increas- condition of the animal or writing Certificate of Ve- frames and for specific proAssociation ed oversight such as the animals in that: terinary Inspections, com- tocols. Veterinary-Feed-Directive 1. the licensed veteri- monly called health certifiThe best approach to a 406/587-4531 and judicious antibiotic narian has recently seen or cates. VCPR is not as a statutory Luke Bowman usage make the Veterinary- is personally acquainted In March 2020, the or legal requirement but lbowman@simm.org Client-Patient-Relation- with the keeping and care American Association of emphasizes the relationship (VCPR) even more of the animal or animals, or Bovine Practitioners re- ship aspect. Simbrah World critical. 2. the licensed veteri- vised their guidelines entiActive communication According to the Okla- narian has made medically tled “Establishing and is the best foundation of a Visit the website www.simbrahworld.com homa Veterinary Practice necessary and timely visits Maintaining the Veteri- partnership between a Act revised July 1, 2020, a to the premises where the narian-Client-Patient-Re- client and veterinarian as it Simbrah World Veterinarian - Client -Pa- animal or animals are kept lationship in Bovine Prac- provides the basis for effecon Facebook tient - Relationship (VC or both, and tice,” and identified the fol- tive health and welfare of PR) exists when: c. the licensed veterinar- lowing areas as critical animal patients. Develop-
Having a veterinarian on your team is important for success
SIMBRAH INFORMATION SOURCES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
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SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
Don’t discount the need for Vitamins A and E in beef cows during winter Poor quality of forage fed to cows in late gestation can present health challenges not only for the cows but for the calves they’re about to give birth to. Drought conditions or poor haying conditions during the previous growing season can lower quan-
tities of those forage’s essential nutrients, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E. The ability of producers to provide supplemental Vitamin A and E for their animals can also be affected by manufacturing or other supply problems that change the way mineral
manufacturers include such vitamins in their products. Regardless of the previous year’s growing conditions, forage vitamin levels are not something cattle producers should take for granted. Supplying sufficient Vitamin A and Vitamin E to cows in late gestation is important
every year, and the price of the supplement should not be a limiting factor. Both Vitamins A and E are plentiful in green forages, but tend to be much lower in hay and winter range and continues to decline as the fall and winter progress. While textbooks will point out the dramatic effects of Vitamin
A and E deficiencies in cattle (congenital eye problems, white muscle disease in calves), these overt problems are not as common as the more ambiguous effects on calf vigor and immunity. Marginal Vitamin A deficiencies in calves cause lower responsiveness of immune cells in the body and a breakdown
of the protective functions in the gut and lungs. Likewise, Vitamin E is important in protecting body cells from damage (e.g. from infections) and also plays a role in maintaining immunity. The result of deficiencies in these vitamins can show up as decreased vigor and an increased susceptibility to illness.
“
Regardless of the previous year’s growing conditions, forage vitamin levels are not something cattle producers should take for granted
“
By Russ Daly, Igrow
The importance of these vitamins to the newborn calf is contrasted by the fact these vitamins do not cross the placenta in high enough amounts to meet their requirements. Calves must obtain sufficient levels through colostrum right after they’re born. This means producers should focus on the vitamin status of the cow prior to calving to ensure sufficient levels in the colostrum. Cows’ livers can store about a 4-month supply of Vitamin A, which can be depleted if green forage is not available. Vitamin E is not sufficiently stored in the body, although there is some disparity among experts and the literature on this point.1,2 If cows are supplemented with these vitamins continually during the non-grazing season, body storage becomes a less-important issue. Pregnant cows and heifers should be supplemented with 30,000100,000 IU/head/day of Vitamin A and 50-100 IU/head/day of Vitamin E when green forage is not available. Even high-quality stored forage should not be depended upon to supply sufficient Vitamin A or E. Some studies indicate benefits to using higher levels of supplementation,3,4 while others do not. Higher (Continued on page 12)
SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
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• CALENDAR OF EVENTS •
• Nov. 21-24-LMC & Friends Giving THANKS Online Sale • Dec.5-Tom Brothers Ranch Opening Day of Private Treaty Bull Sales, Campbellton, Texas • 2021 • • Jan. 11-Cattleman’s Congress Junior Simbrah Show, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Feb. 6-Invitational Commercial Heifer Sale, Fort Worth, Texas • Feb. 16-San Antonio Livestock Show Junior Simbrah Show, San Antonio, Texas • Feb. 17-Simbrah-Simmental Superbowl, San Antonio Livestock Show, San
Antonio, Texas • Feb. 17-San Antonio All Breed Bull and Commercial Heifer Sale, San Antonio, Texas • Mar 10-13 Tentative dates for Houston Livestock Show American Junior Heifers, Houston, Texas • May 22-2nd Annual Get Back to Grass Sale, Henderson, Texas
American Simbrah - The World’s Breed Please Contact These Progressive Breeders Ronnie Reeves
TAYLOR SIMBRAH JASON TAYLOR
9660 FM 713 Dale, Texas 78616
Breeding High Quality Simbrah Cattle
512/507-5719 rrtranspo@yahoo.com
jctaylor9619@gmail.com 281/830-2222
KATHY HUTTO & JEFFREY REED 9660 FM 713 Dale, Texas 78616 512/507-5718 Embryos for sale
Grinstead Dan & Kris Grinstead Iowa City, Iowa
sired by Charismatic
Simmental and Simbrah
Featuring Sargeant daughters
For cattle information contact Tim Smith, 512/587-7896
Robertson Farms Smith Bella Kris 08A-A daughter of Smith Matt N Black and Smith Bella Bella.
Contact Tim Smith, Consultant 512/587-7896 - smithgenetics1@gmail.com
Estephanie Zermeno PO Box 1204 Caldwell, TX 77836 979/530-2106
6899 Rossignol Road Bell City,LA 70630 Doug Schultz • 337.540.8901 Craig Schultz • 337.802.2173 Email:lazysfranch@live.com
281/414-6187 Incorporating genetics like this Smith Just anthonyphiliplopez@gmail.com Because x Smith Makin Moves daughter
Utilizing the genetics of Smith Bella Bella
Cattle located in Caldwell, Texas 512/659-0218 Consultant: Mark Nelson 979/777-0771
Heart of Texas Simmental/Simbrah Association Robert Piper, President Cell: 830/305-4550 4pranch@gmail.com
Joe & Lanna - 985/992-9119 Tony - 985/992-8068 Nick - 337/581-8188
Cattle located in Houston area
PUREBRED SIMBRAH CATTLE
14846 South Hwy 183 Luling, TX 78648 512-217-6205 rtfarms@gmail.com
Rayne, Louisiana
Anthony Lopez
Floyd Goodwin
Ryan Robertson
SIMMENTAL AND SIMBRAH GENETICS Bob and Tammy Maiorano 678 Moss Rose Lane • Driftwood, Texas 78619 Tim Smith Consultant 512/587-7896 smithgenetics1@gmail.com
5MM Ranch Giddings, Texas Purebred/Percentage Simbrah Cliff & Sandra Marshall 512/799-4471 cliff.marshall@gmail.com
Simbrah The World’s Breed
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
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SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
AgriLife Extension Service offers record-keeping program online By Kay Ledbetter, Texas AgriLife Today QuickBooks Desktop Ranchers is now online. better record-keeping Training for Farmers and Producers needing to learn practices no longer have to
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vitamin supplementation rates do not appear to be risky from a toxicologic standpoint.4 Cattle producers and veterinarians sometimes rely on injections of Vitamin A to help increase levels in the liver. An injection of 1,000,000-1,500,000 IU per head can boost liver levels, but may need to be given monthly if other supplementation is not provided. A single injection two weeks prior to calving has been recommended to help the cow overcome a drop in the body reserves of these vitamins around the time of calving. If cows are not deficient in these vitamins, injections do not appear to
be useful. Reports of adverse reactions (abortions, shock) have been reported in late-gestation cows receiving vitamin injections in conjunction with vaccines such as scour shots. Producers should consult their veterinarians regarding specific products and the timing of their use. Injections of Vitamin E and A to newborn calves can also be considered; however, this should not be considered a substitute for proper vitamin supplementation in the cow’s diet, nor for ensuring timely and sufficient colostrum consumption in the calf. Even in years when forage growing conditions are good, producers should not plan on skimping on vitamin supplementation for
their cows during this – or any other – winter. References: 1. Frye TM, Williams SN, Graham TW. Vitamin deficiencies in cattle. The Veterinary clinics of North America Food animal practice 1991;7:217-275. 2. N Hidiroglou NC, AS Atwal, ER Farnworth, LR Mcdowell. Comparative vitamin E requirements and metabolism in livestock. Annales de Recherches Vétérinaires 1992;23: 337-359. 3. Corah L. Understanding basic mineral and vitamin nutrition. The Range Beef Cow Symposium XIV 1995. 4. DSM Nutritional Products AG. Vitamin Nutrition Compendium: Vitamin E.
wait for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to schedule a training in their area. The primary goal of this QuickBooks Pro 2020 training course is to help farmers and ranchers improve their financial recording-keeping and analysis capabilities, which will allow them to make better management decisions, said DeDe Jones, AgriLife Extension risk management program specialist, Amarillo, who developed the initial curriculum in 2005. Jones said while the examples used are tailored for farmers and ranchers, anyone can take this course if they are interested in learning how to use QuickBooks Pro. The online course fee is $55. The class material and format are very similar to the two-day live classes Jones typically teaches, but
the electronic version is broken up into 10 different learning modules with several videos per module. This allows participants to stop and start as needed and work at their own pace. Each section of the course uses real-world examples to focus on core financial practices such as basic accounting principles, understanding forms and registers, creating accurate financial statements, setting up customers and vendors, and using billing, purchasing and inventory management options. Participants will learn to enter transactions into the program and analyze costs and profits. Jones created the course to teach in the Texas Panhandle, but since has taken her traveling computer lab and expanded the outreach to Austin, Stephenville, San Angelo, Vernon and Midland.
These in-person classes are limited to 15 people to allow hands-on training. To date more than 45 classes have been held with over 625 people trained. “I get calls from all over Texas and even outside of the state asking for live workshops, and it’s hard to accommodate everyone,” Jones said. “When COVID-19 hit and my live classes were postponed indefinitely, the online option become even more important. “I do plan on continuing to teach live workshops, as I enjoy interacting with producers, and I believe the hands-on approach that I use with my traveling computer lab is beneficial to a lot of participants. However, when I can start back up with the live programs is a big question mark. In the meantime, QuickBooks desktop online offers a really good alternative to producers needing to improve their bookkeeping skills.” SLS
210/524-9697 Fax 210/524-9690 slivestock@southernlivestock.com