Tennessee Cattle Business - August 2023

We raise cattle and sell beef. We figured out how to raise cattle in an all-natural environment. We are GAP Step 4, no antibiotics ever. It’s not accidental that you can raise cattle like that and not have problems with illness. When we first started, we had our share of difficulties in those activities. And then we learned over time how to do things in a way that we could keep them all natural.

We were experiencing death loss of 2 or 3%. We thought we had a pretty robust vaccination protocol using brand name vaccines, modified lives, doing about everything you could do. Then Dr. Monty Kerley, from the University of Missouri, who I have the greatest respect for, and I got to know because of the BIF affiliation, put me on Endovac.

Dr. Kerley said “That stuff really works and it’s not only good on Salmonella but it also confers some feed efficiency.” So we added Endovac into our protocol of vaccinations. We started using Endovac when bringing in feeder cattle from different people as well as using it on our own. All I can tell you, and you’re probably going to think I’m lying, but now we only run about a quarter percent death loss, keeping them all natural the whole way through. We are audited by a third party for those claims. We just don’t have much illness. This vaccine works!

We don’t even think about not using Endovac… it works that well! We use it on our breeding herd and on the feeder cattle we buy from people. It’s a great product and it’s very cost effective. I can’t give you all the scientific explanations behind Endovac, but coupling it with all the other vaccinations we use, keeps our cattle healthy. We haven’t had a problem with foot rot either… maybe one case in ten years. If it’s card-carrying pinkeye, where they just randomly develop it without some kind of injury, we don’t have it! What I understand is that the Endovac is an immune response booster and as a result of that, again, we’re back to the bottom line. We just have a ridiculously low problem with animal health since we’ve been using Endovac. It works! That’s all I can tell you.

- Steve Whitmire, Ridgefield Farm & Brasstown Beef

TENNESSEE JUNIOR BEEF EXPO

THANK YOU to the 2023 TCA Second Harvest Initiative Sponsors!

Grand Champion Steer - Collin Cook, Robertson Co. Steer Purchase Sponsored By: Farm Credit Mid-America

3rd Overall Steer - Ethan Giles, Loudon Co. Steer Purchase Sponsored By: H&R Agri-Power and Swallows Insurance Agency

7th Overall Steer - Kenlie Cornelius, McMinn Co. Steer Purchase Sponsored By: United Livestock Commodities and MyTeam Cattle & Crop Insurance

Beef Processing Sponsors: TriGreen Equipment, MyTeam Cattle & Crop Insurance, and Anderson Meats & Processing

The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association hosted the 4th Annual TCYA Ice Cream Social on Thursday evening for exhibitors and parents. Tennessee CattleWomen’s and TCA also enjoyed serving biscuits and milk to exhibitors and show attendees on Friday morning. State Beef Expo was filled with fun and fellowship!

Sydney Cherry, Chester Co. (above left) exhibited her Hereford heifer to Supreme Champion honors at the 2023 Tennessee Junior Beef Expo. Laine Whipple, Henry Co. (above right) exhibited the Reserve Supreme female with her Commercial. Photos by Tennessee 4-H.

Collin Cook, Robertson Co. (above left) exhibited the Grand Champion Steer at the 2023 Tennessee Junior Beef Expo. Kate Lamon, Giles Co. (above right) exhibited the Reserve Champion Steer.