Welcome!
Thanks for joining us! We are a free, premier livestock publication featuring and serving seedstock and commercial beef producers nationwide. Raising cattle is so much more than a hobby; it is our livelihood and our passion. We understand that, and in every issue want you to see not only incredible cattle, but also relatable, entertaining, and informative editorial features for the producer with 5 or 500 head.
To us, you are more than reader or advertiser; you are a beef producer. We are committed to doing our best for you, every day. Please feel free to communicate with us, your input is appreciated. The Stockman (ISSN 2694-1740), Vol. 7, No. 5, is published by
BILL SCHERMER, Owner/Herd Consultant
641.425.2641 |
Bill and his wife, Nancy, have made their living in the cattle industry. He has provided marketing services for purebred and commercial breeders since 1970. Schermer Angus Cattle continues to be active in the NJAA and raises quality cattle near Clarion, IA. As owner of The Stockman, Bill leads by example providing producers with the highest level of customer service.
CHERYL KEPES, Assistant Editor
417.766.0990
cheryl@stockmanmag.com
Working for The Stockman is the perfect combination of two of Cheryl’s favorite things: writing and cattle. Cheryl has decades of experience as a professional writer. She finds great joy in sharing stories about people in the agricultural industry. Cheryl’s family raises registered Angus, Red Angus, and Simmental cattle in Fair Grove, MO.
KIM BANKS, Graphics
507.530.0914
kkbanks@frontiernet.net
Makayla serves as editor, graphic designer, and manager of The Stockman. Her focus and passion continues to provide high quality service and original promotional materials to cattlemen. She and her husband, Jared, raise their four kids, and together they run their family operation, JMF Herefords and SimAngus, near Morris in west central MN.
SARAH HILL, Editorial Writer
307.274.0419
sarahhill1007@yahoo.com
Cheryl Kepes
Sarah Hill
Justin Fruechte
Dr. Vince Collison
Kirk Lynch
Kelly Schmidt
Kim is a graphic designer with many years of design experience. Producing creative marketing materials to help others look their best is what she loves doing the most. She and her husband, Kevin, along with their son, raise grain and have a small commercial cow/calf and feeder operation on the family farm near Lynd, MN.
Sarah lives on a small hobby farm near Arlington, SD, with her husband, Braeton, and their three daughters: Harper, 8, Vayentha, 5, and Aurora, 1. She grew up on a Missouri dairy farm and has an Agricultural Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. Sarah enjoys baking, reading, and gardening.
MARIA OPHEIM, Social Media Manager
507-828-1374
riawbr@gmail.com
address changes to Makayla Flower, 1530 10th St. NW Holloway, MN 56249.
Maria, her husband Cade, and daughter Tawnee, of Mound City, S.D. currently reside on their fifth generation commercial & Limousin cattle and grain operation. Maria also works as a R.N. She is excited to promote producers through The Stockman’s social media platforms!
Makayla Flower/The Stockman Magazine LLC, 1530 10th St. NW, Holloway, MN 56249, monthly, except June and July. Periodicals postage paid at Lubbock, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send
TY BAYER
715.573.0153
tcreds@gmail.com
Ty works alongside his family in their purebred operations, Country Lane Farm and TC Reds near Ringle, WI. An advocate for youth programs and dedicated cow/calf man, he is excited to help producers merchandise their cattle.
JAN FORD
800.693.8048
jford17879@aol.com
CHAD AND BRANDI CLAUSSEN
563.349.5089
chad.claussen@yahoo.com
Chad Claussen and his wife, Brandi, along with their two sons, operate purebred and commercial cow herds in Stockton, Iowa. The Claussen family also enjoys showing cattle, goats, and sheep. Off the farm, Chad works in the HVAC industry and Brandi works as an inventory and harvest coordinator.
RON HINRICHSEN
785.770.0222
rlangus@bluevalley.net
For the past 30 years, Ron, his wife, Lynne, and their two children have owned and
BRANDON CREAMER
970.596.4965
creamer b 150@hotmail.com
Brandon owns Lazy JB Angus with his parents and sister in Montrose, CO. Raised in the cattle industry, he has a true passion for it and loves marketing quality cattle throughout the US.
LORA HUTCHINS
615.293.3695
loralea1172@gmail.com With her passion for agriculture, Jan brings over 35+ years of advertising sales experience in the beef industry. She and her late husband Norm had a commercial Angus cow herd and grain operation near Tipton, IA, which her sons still manage today.
BRIGHAM AND MEGAN STEWART
785.747.8028
megancollisondvm@gmail.com
Brigham works alongside his parents at Mid Continent Farms, their large, multi-breed cow/calf operation in Kansas. Megan graduated from ISU as a DVM in the spring of 2021 and is a big part of her family’s Angus herd and Veterinary Clinic in Iowa.
operated Hinrichsen Ranch, a registered Angus ranch in Westmoreland, KS. He has an extensive background in the agricultural industry and is excited to put it to work for each of his customers.
CARTER WARD
carterward79@gmail.com
816.261.0891
Carter resides in Plattsburg, MO, with his girlfriend, Mandi, where they help run
Ward Brothers Livestock with Carter’s family - their primary focus is Angus show cattle. Carter is also a partner in Campbell/Ward show cattle that specializes in the Hereford breed.
Lora owns and operates Destiny Angus Farm with husband Brian and daughter Morgan in Charleston, IL. They have raised and shown cattle successfully on the national level for several years. They also have owned a production herd with as many as 200 registered cows.
STEVE WOLFF
701.710.1574
swolff318@yahoo.com
Steve is a third generation Hereford breeder - his family has been raising Herefords since 1951. He offers bulls by private treaty every year and has a heifer sale every fall. Steve also enjoys traveling to sales and shows whenever possible and likes camping as well.
From
The
I have a modest obsession with sticky notes. I’ve always enjoyed planning and organizing, but instead of using a planner book, I use a wall calendar and sticky notes. Tons and tons of sticky notes! I’m old-school, so I have to write it and see it on paper. Online planners aren’t my thing. So I have sticky notes lining my desk, above my office computer, around the calendar, on the kitchen cupboards, and usually in the car. As you guessed, I really don’t have an excuse to forget anything! Haha. My favorite part of sticky notes is crossing off the thing that just got done, and what’s even better is crossing out the last thing on the list, crumpling it up, and throwing it in the trash. Oh, the feeling of accomplishment! I know it seems a bit silly, and I am trying to make someone out there chuckle, but you gotta remember to do what works for you!
We have a few bull sales left to round out the season, and then - you guessed it - breeding season is here. There are several semen purchasing opportunities being offered in this issue, so flip through and see what catches your eye.
With that, I’m crossing off my last “to-do” item for this issue to go to print! Time to throw out that sticky note and grab my boots to help my family get cows moved to grass. Our team is off for a few weeks, but we’ll be back in August to bring you another exciting issue. Until then, take care and enjoy the start to summer!
publication date
August 1, 2025
September 1, 2025
October 1, 2025
November 1, 2025
December 1, 2025
January 1, 2026
February 1, 2026
March 1, 2026
April 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
materials due
July 10
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April 10
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Real Cattle Raised By Real Cattlemen
At Flying W Ranch, we strive to breed cattle that excel on a range environment. Our cows are expected to be fertile, early maturing, and easy fleshing. They must calve unassisted and care for their calves on their own. 99% of our calves are born outside with no assistance and only the trees for protection.
Where Performance and Growth is Bred in, Not Fed On
Generations of selection without feeding creep feed has allowed us to identify the superior maternal bloodlines of our herd. The yearlings offered on our sale were raised on only grass and their mother’s milk with NO CREEP FEED. As yearlings, they have been developed in a range environment with a high forage and low concentrate diet. These bulls have been bred and raised to work for you!
More Than Great Genetics
Free delivery in Minnesota and surrounding states. All bulls have been ultra-sounded and are performance and fertility tested and fully backed by a 1 year breeding guarantee.
REID JASMINE 334 • AAA#20862685 • BD: 3/15/23 • Styles Amendment Z55 x RAR Attraction 311
AI Bred to Conneally Craftsman • Sells with a Bull calf (Reg#21240527) at side by Reid Rawhide 310
REID LUCY 314 • AAA#20862682 • BD: 2/18/13 • Poss Rawhide x Schilling Lucy 0122
AI Bred to Conneally Craftsman • Sells with a Bull calf (Reg#21240526) at side by KR Barricade 3119
REID LUCY M 305 • AAA#20862677 • BD: 1/26/23 • KR Mojo 8520 x Reid Lucy M 102
AI Bred to Conneally Craftsman • Sells with a Heifer calf (Reg#21240625) at side by Poss Rawhide
REID WINDY BLACKCAP 404 • AAA#21161382 • BD: 1/26/24
K C F Bennett Exponential x Reid Windy Blackcap 232 • AI Bred to Connealy Commerce
REID CHOLE 405 • AAA#21163556 • BD: 2/5/24 • Mead Magnitude x Reid Chloe 004
AI Bred to Connealy Commerce
REID LUCY M 425 • AAA#21140733 • BD: 2/29/24 • Styles Amendment Z55 x RAR Lucy M 904
AI Bred to Connealy Commerce
REID LUCY M 428 • AAA#21163175 • BD: 2/28/24 • Mohnen Ambassador x RAR Lucy M 904
AI Bred to Connealy Commerce
REID LUCY M 431 • AAA#21163176 • BD: 2/25/24 • Mohnen Ambassador x RAR Lucy M 904
AI Bred to Connealy Commerce
WB Thumbs Up
Res Champ - OKC & NWSS!
Good Times Ultra Hot 24 Karat x Style x Phyllis! Silveiras Forbes ‘21 Cattlemen’s Congress Champion! Silveiras Haras
Forging a New
By Cheryl Kepes
courtesy Kerfeld family
Path
From dairy farming to a booming plastics supply business, a Minnesota couple makes an impact on the agriculture industry.
Glimpses of Chris and Janet Kerfeld’s dairy farm in central Minnesota remain on their homestead now transformed into an agricultural supply business. Silos and barns dot the landscape and blend seamlessly with the Kerfelds’ additions of warehouses and loading docks. Though the dairy cows are gone from the farm, the Kerfelds’ commitment to the agricultural industry endures through a different avenue.
NEW BUSINESS VENTURE
For 35 years Chris and Janet milked cows and managed a custom baling business from their farm in Sauk Centre, Minn. In 2007, the couple decided to add a small side venture to their operation. The Kerfelds purchased round hay bale net wrap direct from a manufacturer and started selling it to family and neighbors.
Soon the Kerfelds’ business, Blue Lake Plastics LLC, started to expand. “After a year or two the customers started asking for other
photos
products like twine and silage bags, so we just kept adding products to our portfolio. And it grew from there,” Chris Kerfeld, Blue Lake Plastics LLC owner, shared.
By 2014, the popularity of Blue Lakes Plastics’ products throughout the region was such that the company needed the Kerfelds’ full attention. The couple exited the dairy industry and focused on developing their agricultural supply business.
Blue Lake Plastics specializes in plastic forage protection products. The company sells and distributes baler twine, net wrap, silage bags, silage sheeting, fortress covers, inoculants, and more.
BUSINESS GROWTH MIRRORS FARMING
In the beginning, the Kerfelds only sold their products locally. But it didn’t take long for their business to extend past Minnesota’s borders. Blue Lake Plastics now serves customers in all fifty states, as well as Mexico and Canada.
The Kerfelds consider Blue Lake Plastics’ natural expansion to be reminiscent of their dairy farm days. “It is much like farming; we laugh sometimes about it. It’s no different than if you have 100 cows and you have a good run of heifers and then next year you are milking 150, you add another building and
then you have to buy another manure spreader and then you need help at some point,” Chris said. He added, “This really mirrors it so much and we say that often that it’s so much like farming because growth happens whether you want it to or not. And then you have to either run with it or you decide to scale back. Well, nobody does that, so you just keep growing.”
While their customer base and product line were growing through the years, the Kerfelds were stretching themselves professionally. They taught themselves about purchasing, retail, wholesale, customer service, trucking, banking, and employee management.
During the first six years of operation, the Kerfelds worked seven days a week. They were constant-
ly on the clock answering farmers’ requests for products. Due to years of sustained growth, the Kerfelds hired two employees and established specific business hours. Chris and Janet work hard to ensure their company takes good care of its customers.
“Every single one of our employees, including ourselves, all grew up on dairy farms in central Minnesota. We’ve all baled hay, bagged, and chopped forage. So, when people call up, we know what they’re talking about right from the get-go,” Chris said.
RECREATIONAL MARKET
Though Blue Lake Plastics originated as an agricultural-based business, by happenstance it branched into a recreational market specializing in liners for ice rinks. “The hockey rink thing was kind of an accident. We just had somebody call up for a piece of plastic and they wanted a 30 by 40-foot piece of plastic. I said, ‘Well, we don’t cut pieces that small.’ And I kind of hung up on him and then he kept calling, and I finally obliged and cut one for him,” Chris recalled.
Chris admittedly didn’t think much about the transaction until one day he conducted an internet search about backyard ice rinks. He was astonished at the market available for ice rink liners. He ordered an ice rink liner from another company. After he observed the low quality of the plastic liner, he decided to research and provide a higher quality product.
The first year in the recreational market, Blue Lake Plastics sold 100
below Richard - Blue Lake Plastics warehouse
Regardless of whether people purchase online, via a phone call, or in person, the Kerfelds prioritize building relationships with their customers. “They’re more of a friend than a customer. You start talking about family and what’s going on in their life. You don’t want to just pick up the phone and take an order and say, ‘Thank you. Goodbye.’ You want to get to know your customers and I think through knowing them you can help them a little better,” Chris shared.
Their son, Aaron, is a Marine stationed at Camp LeJeune.
Since the inception of Blue Lake Plastics, the increase in products and customers has yet to slow down. But for two dairy farmers, embracing change and growth is simply woven into the fabric of their being.
What the future looks like for the company is a bit unknown; but one thing is certain, the Kerfelds focus will remain the same – helping people in the agriculture community achieve their goals.
ice rink liners, the next year 200, the next 400 and now they distribute 3,500 liners a year. In addition to the ice rink liners, the company sells sports netting, boat shrink wrap, and other related products.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
The Kerfelds started their agricultural supply business with a handful of customers. After more than 15 years in operation Blue Lake Plastics serves as many as 6,000 agricultural customers and 9,000 recreational customers.
NEXT STEPS
The continued and explosive growth of Blue Lake Plastics has kept Chris and Janet quite busy through the years to say the least. They have two children. Their daughter, Alexia, is an account executive with the Nashville Predators hockey organization.
learn more bluelakeplastics.com
above Dave - Blue Lake Plastics sales
above Lisa - Blue Lake Plastics accounting
100 Spring Pairs
100 Fall Bred Cows
50 Fall Bred Heifers
50 Bulls plus
SIRES REPRESENTED:
Coleman Easy Decision 1539
Connealy Craftsman
DVAR Huckleberry 871
E & B Wildcat 9402
Ellingson Prolific
EXAR Cover The Bases 0819B
EZAR Gettysburg 1061
EZAR Step Up 9178
Hoffman Bar None
S Architect 9501
S Thrive JAS 5515
SS Identified 7551
Stellpflug Hoffman Riseabove
V A R Conclusion 0234
Virginia Tech Statesman
Mohican THM Exceed Z426
SHF Houston D287 H086
Stellpflug Hoffman Gunsmoke
JMAR Jefferson 8M11
LT Countdown
Mead Triple Threat V1141
C-T Reputation 0094
DVO Outside City Limits 798H Over Draft Pick 413D AS
Extension Education
DUniversity research you can use.
Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef beef.unl.edu
TIPS FOR MANAGING COW-CALF PAIRS THROUGH A DROUGHT
espite many in the Great Plains region receiving a few inches of snow in March, the past several months of drought and a forecasted dry summer are likely to reduce grass production in many areas. Making a drought management plan before summer will help producers be proactive in decision making as opposed to reactive as drought forces management changes.
MAKING CULLING DECISIONS EARLY
The cull cow market has started its seasonal trend upward and is showing promise of being favorable to the cow-calf producer again this year. Therefore, producers facing loss of grass due to drought may want to designate older cows, cows with bad quarters on their udders, those who produce a lower than average calf, or have disposition issues for an early weaning program to reduce grazing pressure and take advantage of the seasonal peak in the cull cow market. High-risk cows such as 2 and 3 year old cows with young calves might be culling options as they could be sold as pairs prior to breeding to producers with more stable feed resources.
STRETCHING THE GRASS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL FEED
Those fortunate enough to have equipment for mixing and feeding total mixed rations (TMR) may want to consider feeding a TMR in a pasture area to stretch the grass available. Research conducted at the University of Nebraska showed that mixing wet distillers grains and poor quality roughage such as
ground crop residue could replace 0.22 to almost 1 pound of dry matter intake of pasture grass. While this does not prevent overgrazing of a pasture, it can buy producers a little time allowing delayed turn out and recovery for other drought stricken pastures. However, just supplying 1-2 pounds of a protein supplement on pasture will not reduce forage intake; in fact, it will increase it by increasing digestion.
FEEDING PAIRS IN CONFINEMENT
Housing cow-calf pairs in a drylot, on a pivot corner, fallow ground, or sacrifice pasture and feeding a TMR can also be a way to manage cattle through a drought. Although a TMR is often the easiest way to do this, producers can also be creative in how they feed in confinement. Those who do not have a means of grinding, mixing, and delivering a TMR or procuring wet distillers grains can also roll out hay, use a bale processor, and supplement a protein and energy source such as dried distillers or soybean meal and corn gluten feed or soyhulls in a bunk or on top of the forage fed out. There are three important things to remember when feeding pairs in confinement:
1. Lactation requires almost double the protein and energy that late gestation does. Therefore, supplying protein, energy, and a mineral and vitamin supplement that meets the demands grazed grass will not must be included.
2. A 3 month old nursing calf will be consuming about 1.5% of his body weight on a dry matter basis of the feed provided.
3. The feed needs to be spread out to provide about 2 feet of feeding space for cows and 1 foot per calf, especially if dry matter intake is somewhat limited.
EARLY WEANING
Removing lactation from the cow can decrease her dry matter intake by roughly 20%. Removing the calf from the pasture also reduces the grazing pressure on the pasture. The calf can then be sold or can be grown in a drylot setting until a more traditional date for selling. However, producers will likely want to calculate the value of the calf at early weaning vs. the value of the calf sold at a later date minus the feed and labor associated with maintaining the calf for the extra time to see if it is financially beneficial.
SUMMARY
Making management decisions for drought mitigation are never easy. However, having a plan in place early in the grazing season is likely to result in a more positive outcome than taking a wait and see approach and being forced to be reactive. Culling some less productive cows, stretching pasture, feeding in confinement, and early weaning are all options to consider when developing a drought mitigation plan. The University of Nebraska has beef focused educators and specialists available to assist with ration balancing and decision making.
Courtesy University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef
Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at: www.go.unl.edu/podcast.
HORSE
For better fly control, get with the program.
Improved fly control starts with the Y-TEX® Insecticide Tag Rotation Program.
Insecticide resistance is a growing threat to cattle producers everywhere. What worked last year may be totally ineffective this year, which is why it makes sense to adopt the Y-TEX® Insecticide Tag Rotation Program.
Only Y-TEX® offers fly tags in three different chemical classes, allowing you to rotate from one class to another to protect your cattle as well as the long-term viability of current active ingredients. In fact, university research shows that rotating tags is one of the best ways to forestall resistance in horn flies, face flies and other damaging pests.
To discover how the Y-TEX® Insecticide Tag Rotation Program can help you stop resistance dead in its tracks, see your livestock products supplier or come visit us at www.y-tex.com today.
By
Flying High on the Flying W Ranch Flying W Ranch
The Wiese family, Pequot Lakes, Minn., is dedicated to raising high-quality, registered Angus cattle.
Some people may not think of agriculture when they think of Minnesota, but the state boasts an outstanding beef industry. Dustin and Cody Wiese, along with their families, are proud to be part of that illustrious beef industry, with 80 years of cattle production as a foundation.
PARADISE FOUND
Dustin and Cody’s great-grandfather, Louis Wiese, started his Hereford cattle operation in Nebraska, moving to Pequot Lakes, Minn., in 1935. Louis’ son, Eldon (grandfather of Dustin and Cody), started Flying W Ranch in 1945. In 1949, Louis and Harry, Eldon’s brother, bought some Angus cattle from the Pipestone Angus sale. Eldon’s son, Danny, started working on the ranch along the way before passing away in 2019.
Sarah Hill photos courtesy Wiese family
Dustin attended the University of Minnesota-Crookston for animal science. In 2014, he married his wife, Katie, and they moved to North Dakota for a couple of years, returning to the ranch after Danny’s passing. Today, Katie helps with the bookwork for the Flying W Ranch while raising their four sons: Owen (9), Levi (7), Derek (3), and Andrew (6 months). Cody works full-time on the ranch as well and is married to Jenna, a physician’s assistant. Jenna helps out on the ranch when she can, and the couple have a daughter, Emily (4 months). Dustin and Cody’s sister, Amy, works for a local hospital, but remains a big part of the ranch.
BETTER KEEPING CATTLE
Some 50 years from its founding, the herd has completely transitioned to raising Angus. Dustin said that Angus cattle calve easier, the calves get up right away to nurse and are just better keepers.
“Angus do well on grass, and our land up here has a lot of rocks and trees, so it’s not as good for farming,” Dustin Wiese explained. “When the calves are born, they hit the ground running, and the cows have good udders and feet.”
Cody added that with Angus momma cows, they rarely have to help a calf nurse and don’t have to deal with trimming hooves. “The
below 4 generations (l-r): Eldon, Dustin, Owen, and the late Danny.
bulls are low input, and the heifers do well on forage,” Cody Wiese observed.
The brothers stay busy with a herd of 300 head, half of which are usually artificially inseminated, while the other half are natural service.
The Wiese family herd can trace many of its maternal lines to Leachman Right Time, which the brothers agreed was their dad’s favorite bull
and sired a lot of excellent daughters for the herd. A home-raised sire with big impact is Cowboy 3060, which was Danny’s favorite homeraised bull.
The Wiese brothers have a unique approach to breeding every June - the herd isn’t synchronized, so they watch for natural heats for about two weeks and AI as they see females come in heat. Calving runs from the end of March through April.
above Installing the iconic bull sign in 2009.
above Eldon Wiese with his grandchildren: Dustin, Cody, and Amy.
bottom left Dustin and his wife Katie, and their sons Owen, Levi, Derek, and Andrew.
bottom right Cody and his wife Jenna, and their daughter Emily.
HIGH FORAGE DIET
Cattle are turned out on 2,000 acres of native pastures as soon as the grass starts greening up in May, and graze through the end of the year.
Calves are weaned in late October or early November. Developing bulls are put on a total mixed ration (TMR), but their diet is mostly forage. “We don’t want to push the
bulls too hard and overfeed them,” Dustin said.
Momma cows eat grass hay all winter, spread out over hay fields to help distribute manure over the pastures. The herd is put back on grass hay to prepare for calving.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
The Wiese brothers background their own steers, selling them to a sale barn or feedlot. The Flying W Ranch will host their 50th anniversary bull sale this year, where they’ll be selling 70 bulls and 50 females.
“We want to continue pursuing the same philosophy that our parents and grandparents have started,” Cody said. “We want to continue our family’s legacy of producing high-quality cattle.”
Dustin said that he’s hopeful that his boys come back to the ranch,
learn more flyingwranchmn.com
but they’re young yet. In the meantime, the family is planning to diversify into raising crops a little more, growing corn and other cash crops. 50 TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE: Saturday, May 3, 2025 1:00 pm CST - Pequot Lakes, Minn.
Seeds in Season
Functional forage and pasture.
contributed article by Justin Fruechte, Product Expert - Ag Renovo Seed, Brookings, S.D. renovoseed.com
PERFECT PASTURE PLANTING
stablishing a new pasture is something that most farmers and ranchers may only do once or twice in their career. This is a permanent practice that should be done right the first time, because taking the time to get it right initially will save money and speed up establishment.
SOIL STATE
Evaluating and understanding the state of the soil that you will plant into should be step one. Ideally, you should be establishing a stand of grass after a crop that had very little fodder residue. Soybean and small grain stubble are crops that work great to no-till drill directly into.
Since you’ll be planting a mixture of small fine seeds, they need to be seeded at a shallow depth (ideally one-quarter inch). Too much residue will prevent the seed from penetrating into the soil and should be managed by disking or cultivation. However, make sure you leave time for your soil to settle and firm back up after any cultivation. A firm seed bed will also ensure that your drill doesn’t go too deep when planting.
SOIL FERTILITY
Fertility of the soil is another important factor to determine. Prior to seeding, we’d recommend a ba-
sic fertilizer application of 100 lbs./ acre of 20-20-20. Incorporating this into the soil or top dressing before rain will prevent volatilization of the fertilizer so your seedlings can take advantage of the nutrients.
SEEDING METHOD
There are plenty of seeding methods that, if done correctly, can all work. Broadcasting with any sort of spinner spreader is the simplest (and likely the fastest), but also the
least consistent. The key here is to have the field worked and firmed back up prior to applying the seed. After broadcasting the seed, you then need to go back over it with a harrow, drag, or cultipacker to achieve seed to soil contact. To understand proper broadcasting, think about how a drill is made and emulate how it works. A drill creates a furrow, places the seed, and presses firmly with a packer or closing wheel. Box drills and air seeders are the top choice to successfully establish a stand of grass, and if you’re no-tilling these are the only methods to choose.
SPECIES SELECTION
Species selection is another key factor to get your perfect pasture for the many years it’ll stay in production. Without going through every single species and their attributes, I’ll provide a high-level overview of how you can determine which type of pasture is best for you.
Native grass species are the hardiest and live the longest.
They work great in dry climates or lighter soils and provide a dense nutritional plane of grazing. A general rule of thumb is that the more longevity a plant has, the longer it takes to germinate and establish. You’ll need to dedicate at least one year to allow your native pasture to establish correctly.
If you are looking for a five to ten year stand of grass that establishes faster and has excellent persistence, you’ll be happy with introduced grasses. These are selected and bred for performance and work best on quality soils with good moisture.
Another option is to incorporate legumes such as clovers, vetches, or alfalfa. If you know you’ll need to spray weeds in your newly established pasture, don’t bother adding these in. But if you have a weed free seedbed, the legumes will boost crude protein levels and create nitrogen to feed your grasses.
Utilizing a nurse crop to establish grass has always been a highly debated topic. My suggestion is to use a third of the rate of a cereal grain if you have highly erodible land, challenging growing conditions, or really need some extra forage in year one. Make sure you’re diligent about cutting that nurse crop off before it crowds and slows down your perennial grass.
STAND MANAGEMENT
Management in the first year can make or break the stand as well. Using the pasture too early will slow down the establishment. Both rhizomatous and bunch type grasses need time to spread their roots to have better ground cover and ultimately more water intake. I’d typically recommend just taking a cutting of hay off in year one of establishment and wait until year two before grazing.
In the spring rush of calving and planting, don’t skimp on this job that sets a pasture in place for many years. This long-term project should earn your attention to detail. Most importantly, stay patient with the stand as it establishes.
Photos courtesy Renovo Seed learn more renovoseed.com
Renovo Seed, Brookings, S.D.
The team of folks at Renovo Seed have roots that run deep in farming, agriculture, and in the overall respect for the landscape. They opened their doors in 1987 and continue to walk alongside farmers, ranchers, and landowners across thousands of acres throughout the Midwest.
LT Governor has been a standout since the day he was born and is a performance game changer for any operation. We are excited to offer another outstanding set of offspring out of LT Governor, the highest selling bull in at $220,000 in our 2022 sale. This up-and coming herd sire out of the legendary LT Badge 9184 continues to excel and it shows in his offspring. The depth and consistency of his calves is incredible, they are stamped to perfection and definitely catch the eye! The future looks great for Governor with is performance, soundness, fertility and overall stamp of perfection he leaves on each and every one of his offspring!
THE HERD SIRES
Global is an extraordinary Atlas son that checks all the boxes. He has garnered a lot of attention from visitors from all over the world and was the high selling bull in the 2024 Bull Sale commanding $300,000. This awesome prospect is out of the great LT Sheila 337 donor, making him a maternal brother to some of the top bulls, including LT Premier 3304. Global’s Dam Sheila 337 has many daughters in production with 9 head currently in the open replacement pen! He brings extra shape, dimension, and maternal power to the equation. Super great foot structure with a smooth made shoulder and clean headed. Not only is he a high caliber individual to observe, but his numbers are spectacular with 10 EPD rankings in the top 25%.
The first sons of Deep Canyon exhibit added depth of body, natural fleshing and eye appeal. Deep Canyon offers predictable calving ease that is pleasing to the eye and loaded with quality. Visitors throughout the year have admired his progeny for their overall conformation and breed character. His dam is one of our most impressive LT Converse daughters. Her average WWR: 3@105. She also produced LT Talent, last year’s highselling bull to Genex and Kovarik Cattle Co.
Bellringer is a breed changer, a difference maker that offers reliable and predictable maternal genetics from a cow family that does everything right year in and year out! He combines “The Right Kind” of phenotype with phenomenal performance and bred in carcass merit with perfect feet and a superb disposition. Big time figures in his EPD profile which combines excellent genomics with unsurpassed individual performance.
7 Oaks Erica of Ellston K101
7 Oaks Erica of Ellston K102
C2 Rita 270
Sire: G A R Home Town Dam: Erica of Ellston T220
Sire: G A R Home Town Dam: Erica of Ellston T220
Sire: BJ Surpass Dam: Cannon Ridge Rita H10
Sire: S A V Renown 3439 Dam: Lawsons Chloe Z341
Sire: Deer Valley Growth Fund Dam: Basin Chloe 7T26
Sire: 7 Oaks Bold Ruler Dam: Lawsons Chloe G634
Celebrating May as Beef Month
Honoring Minnesota’s beef industry and advocating for beef producers.
One of my favorite months of the year is May. Is it because May is my birthday month? While that is a nice reason to be my favorite, that is not actually it. May is nationally recognized as Beef Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of beef producers and the role of beef in our diets.
In Minnesota, this celebration holds special significance, given the state’s rich agricultural heritage and the dedication of its beef community. At the forefront of this celebration is the Minnesota Beef Council (MBC), an organization committed to promoting beef and supporting the state’s beef producers. I am grateful to lead an organization that does this work.
Every year, I have beef producers ask me, “What is the Minnesota Beef Council doing for May beef month this year?” And while I completely understand why they ask the question, I always like to remind them that for the MBC, every
By Kelly Schmidt, Minnesota Beef Council Executive Director photos courtesy Minnesota Beef Council
like the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification. This program educates farmers on best practices in cattle handling, management, and care, ensuring the production of high-quality beef. In Minnesota, more than 5,000 farmers and ranchers hold active BQA certifications, reflecting the industry’s commitment to excellence.
month is beef month! We do a lot of the same things in May that we are doing all year round. With that in mind, I want to share some of the things that the MBC does throughout the year to promote and highlight beef as the premier protein in a healthy diet and tell you how we are developing beef spokespeople and leaders.
A PLAN AND PURPOSE
Established and funded by Minnesota’s beef farmers and ranchers, the MBC’s mission is to strengthen beef demand by responsibly providing a safe, wholesome, healthy, and delicious eating experience. The Council, under the direction of its board of directors consisting of beef farmers and ranchers, focuses on several core strategies:
• Protecting and enhancing the business climate for beef
• Growing consumer trust in beef and beef production
• Promoting and strengthening beef’s value proposition
• Driving growth in beef exports
ACTIVITIES AND OUTREACH
During May, the MBC amplifies its efforts to promote beef and educate consumers. One notable initiative is the focus on sustainability, highlighting the practices of Minnesota’s beef farmers in caring for the land and raising cattle responsibly. This message is shared through various channels, including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, using engaging pictures, videos, and graphics. Through the same channels, we share recipe ideas, beef health and nutrition facts, and fun infographics highlighting delicious beef cuts.
Additionally, the MBC participates in events such as Grillfest, partnering with the Blondies Butcher Shop team to serve burger samples and engage with attendees about beef cuts and grilling techniques. These events provide opportunities to connect directly with consumers and share the benefits of including beef in a balanced diet.
PRODUCER SUPPORT
Beyond consumer outreach, the MBC is dedicated to supporting beef producers through programs
The Council also offers resources such as the Local Producer Promotion Program, which provides funding to local cattle producer organizations for projects that promote beef. These initiatives empower producers to engage with their communities and share their stories. Many local organizations like county cattlemen’s groups, county Farm Bureaus and 4-H or FFA groups take advantage of these resources to promote beef in their communities.
ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION
Understanding the importance of educating future consumers and industry leaders, the MBC provides various educational resources. The Masters of Beef Advocacy is a national program that equips individuals with the tools to become effective advocates for the beef industry.
Using this program as the foundation, the MBC created a Minnesota specific leadership and advocacy program called Top of the Class. It combines the principles of the Masters of Beef Advocacy program with in-person experience. The MBC partners with the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association
above Top of the Class group toured Rancher’s Legacy, a meat business in Minnesota specializing in custom beef cutting and grinding.
above Grill Fest is a favorite consumer event where MBC promotes beef.
in executing this program.
Annually, the Top of the Class program selects a cohort of aspiring beef leaders who participate in three different educational sessions. In these sessions, the participants learn to tell their beef story. They learn tips and tricks to utilize social media and other forms of communication to enhance their message. The class also takes many tours of businesses involved in all aspects of the beef supply chain.
Another program highlight is spending a day at the Minnesota state capitol and learning about policy development and hearing from
leaders at various state departments and agencies. Another feature of the class is the immersive trip to Colorado to visit Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC, a Cargill beef processing facility, visiting the NCBA and Cattlemen’s Beef Board offices to learn from their staff, as well as a presentation from the U.S. Meat Export Federation. This Top of the Class program has created spokespeople and leaders who continue to impact the beef industry in Minnesota into the future.
As we celebrate Beef Month this May, it’s an opportune time to recognize the hard work of Minneso -
ta’s beef producers and the efforts of the Minnesota Beef Council. Their dedication ensures that consumers have access to safe, nutritious, and delicious beef, while also supporting the state’s economy and agricultural legacy.
For more information on the Minnesota Beef Council and our initiatives, visit mnbeef.org. And remember; Beef, it’s what’s for dinner! learn more mnbeef.org
above Top of the Class members tour the Cargill beef processing facility in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.
• High Quality Heifer and Cow Bulls.
• All bulls are AGI-tested, ensuring top-quality genetics for better performance and improved breeding outcomes.
Sale and Guarantee Terms:
• All bulls are semen tested and come with a guarantee through the first breeding season.
• Apex compiles outcross genetics.
• At age 15-months steers are producing Choice and Prime carcasses. Yearling bulls and heifers are in the breeding pastures.
• +30 years selling cattle on the grid.
• Volume discounts.
The bulls offered will keep on doing for you what they’ve done for years at Apex Angus, an honest and trustworthy job.
Call for pricing and delivery.
Kurt 406-279-3341
Kirby 406-472-3245
Daryle & Pam 406-279-3548
Veterinarian View
Health & Reproduction questions answered and explained.
contributed article by Dr. Vince Collison Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services, Rockwell City, Iowa collisonembryoservices.com
BREEDING
SOUNDNESS EXAMINATIONS IN BULLS
e are at the time of year when producers are getting a Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) for their bulls. This is also often referred to as semen testing, but there is more to it than that. I will cover the things that are evaluated in a BSE for bulls and point out some of the limitations.
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE
This is probably the first place to start on a BSE exam. When testing younger yearling bulls, it is a good indicator of their sexual maturity and circumference is highly correlated to fertility. This is probably the best way to measure testicle size.
When measuring the scrotal circumference, it is very important to push both testicles down into the scrotum in order to properly record the largest circumference. The guidelines for minimum circumference are this: less than or equal to 15 months of age is 30 centimeters, 15 to equal to 18 months of age is 31 centimeters, 18 to equal to 21 months is 32 centimeters, 21 to equal to 24 months is 33 centimeters, and anything over 24 months is 34 centimeters. Anything less
than these measurements would be questionable for fertility since semen volume is associated with larger testicles.
If you keep your own replacement females, there is a correlation with higher fertility in heifers if they are sired by bulls with larger scrotal circumference. Also, at the time we measure scrotal circumference we are checking for even size of the testicles and any abnormalities with the testicles that will impair fertility.
SEMINAL VESICLES
We will rectally examine the seminal vesicles and prostate at the time we massage the prostate prior to collection. Infections of the seminal vesicles are fairly common and can be detected by unevenness in size and hardness. These vesicles provide a fair amount of fluid in the ejaculate and will contaminate the ejaculate with a lot of white blood cells when infected. Bulls with infected seminal vesicles can be hard to treat and usually have a guarded prognosis for recovery.
PROGRESSIVE MOTILITY
On the microscopic exam of the semen, we look for progressive motility of the sperm. The minimum recommended motility is 30 percent. Most samples will have considerably higher motility than 30 percent. We consider samples in the 80 to 100 percent range to be very good, the 60 to 80 percent range to be good, anything in the 30 to 60 percent range to be fair.
When evaluating motility, we like to use a heating plate for our glass slides, so the sperm are not affected by any temperature changes and give us the most accurate evaluation of true motility. Motility evaluation is somewhat subjective. There are machines that can give accurate percentage readings, but visual examination is fairly accurate with experience evaluating samples.
SPERM MORPHOLOGY
This is where the sperm are evaluated for the percent of defective sperm. The percentage of normal
sperm recommended is to be at least 70 percent normal sperm at minimum. We base this off of a count of 100 spermatozoa throughout 10 different microscope fields. This is a cumulative of all different defects of the head, midpiece and tail. Many defects will affect motility, such as detached heads and bent or coiled tails.
When I look at a fairly thick sample and don’t see very good or maybe no motility, there are usually a lot of defects present that will affect motility. There are also some defects of the head that are hard to evaluate with just a light microscope. Some of these defects can be caused from gossypol when feeding cottonseed or from over-conditioning resulting in too much fat in the scrotum.
These conditions will affect the DNA of the sperm and cause little crater defects on the surface of the head which will be too small to see with a light microscope. To see this type of a defect would probably require an electron microscope. So, there are some limitations with semen evaluation in practice, but those type of defects are fairly rare, and most common defects can be seen with a typical light microscope.
One of the more common defects we see are proximal droplets on the midpiece of the sperm. Usually this is an issue with younger bulls and will usually resolve with maturity. For this defect we typically recommend a retest and will usually see improvement with time.
NORMAL PHYSICAL CONDITION
It is important to address the overall physical condition of a bull. We like to make sure there are sound feet and legs. It is important that the eyes are healthy. When a bull gets pinkeye, they will often stop servicing cows due to the pain. We also want the bull to be able to extend its penis properly and not have any abnormalities, physical trauma, or infections such as warts.
One thing to remember is that a BSE is only a snapshot of how that bull tests on that day. A producer has to be aware of anything that can change that status, such as a broken penis during breeding. Frostbite of the scrotum can also cause issues. Semen issues from frostbite
can usually resolve, but it can take about 60 days for normal sperm to be regenerated. This is why on any bull that cannot pass its semen evaluation, we like to wait 60 days before doing any retesting, so it has time to regenerate normal sperm.
These guidelines are from the official BSE Evaluation form from the Society for Theriogenology and are based on recommendations from experts in the field of bull fertility. We like to use this system as it is a vetted form. You will see many other systems for BSE exams, but we feel this is the best to cover all aspects of bull fertility exams.
learn more collisonembryoservices.com
Dr. Vince Collison is co-owner of Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services PAC in Rockwell City, Iowa.
Sunday, June 8, 2025 1:01pm
Bloomfield Livestock Market, Bloomfield, Iowa
Still accepting entries!
Selling Full 2-Year-Old Bulls, 18-Month Old Bulls, Yearling Bulls, Spring Pairs, Fall Pairs, Spring Bred Cows, Fall Bred Cows, Bred Heifers and Open Heifers
A Sale Feature The Dispersion of RNDJ Farms Fall Herd of Cows & Calves
4WA Lady 85 was named Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair at 2024 Iowa State Fair. Her bull calf pictured at her side is a feature in this 2025 Hawkeye Sale.
Offering a special herd unit from the RNDJ program at Postville, Iowa with 12 Fall Split Pairs and 25 head that are bred for exceptional phenotype and show ring style with attractive high quality pedigrees and purple ribbon potential. The pairs include 10 stunning show heifer prospects ideal for junior project success blending 4-6-year-old prime time Angus females with SAV Rainfall 6846, Dameron First Class, Silveiras Style 9303, BC Lookout 7024, SAV Sensation 5616, and Colburn Primo 5153 pedigrees. This herd produced the 2024 Iowa State Fair Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf Pair and the March 2024 bull calf by “Primo” sells as a strong feature in this sale. Royal pedigrees with dynamic phenotype are the hallmarks of this great offering by Daniel, Nooch, Robert and Jacob White.
For more information contact, Sale Manager: Glenn Davis | 219-776-7584 Auctioneer: Al Conover | 515-491-8078 AAA RM: Adam Conover | 816-676-8560
In the kitchen with
Megan Naber Naber Farms - Seward, Neb.
Hi! I’m Megan Naber. I’m married to Trevor Naber, and together, we’re raising our wonderful six-year-old daughter, Madelynn. I work as a marketing coordinator and enjoy photography part time. I also show and raise American Paint and Quarter Horses with my family. Trevor is an electrician and helps manage the cattle operation at Naber Farms with his father, where we specialize in raising Simmental and club calves. We hold two annual sales each year, offering high-quality calves that Trevor works hard to continuously improve through careful genetic selection. We take great pride in the cattle we produce and love being part of this
What is your favorite cooking tip or trick? ”
My biggest tip is to not be afraid to stray from the recipe, though my husband continuously tells me not to! Some of the best dishes I’ve made came from tweaking ingredients to better suit my family’s tastes.
Where did you learn to cook?
“My mom is an incredible cook, and my dad has a talent for canning just about everything from their large garden each year. Between them and my grandma, I’ve learned so much about cooking from scratch, canning, and making the most of what I grow in my own garden. There’s something so rewarding about enjoying home-cooked dishes made from ingredients I’ve grown and preserved myself - it’s a tradition I’m proud to continue.”
STOCK Kitchen
Cowboy approved recipes used by our favorite country cooks.
What is your most requested dish or what is your favorite thing to make?
My daughter and I are big pasta lovers, so pasta dishes are a staple in our home. We also enjoy grilling burgers and steaks with potatoes and vegetables throughout the year.”
What is your least favorite job in the kitchen?
Cleanup is by far the worst part! Lately, I’ve been trying to make a habit of tidying up as I cook to make the post-meal cleanup much more manageable. Oh, and onions! I hate chopping onions!”
STUFFED BELL PEPEPRS
Megan Naber
6 bell peppers (or more if your peppers are on the smaller side)
3 T. olive oil
8 oz. ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1 chopped onion
3 cloves of chopped garlic
1 diced zucchini
4 diced Roma tomatoes
1 c. cooked rice
2 c. shredded pepper jack cheese
Step 1: Cut the tops off the top of the peppers. Discard the stems and chop the remaining part of the top, set aside. Remove the seeds and hollow out the inside of the peppers. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet and brown the ground beef with salt and pepper. When done, set aside in another bowl. Step 3: On medium-high heat in the same pan, add the rest of the olive oil and add the onion and chopped pepper tops until they begin to soften (3 to 4 minutes). Add the zucchini and garlic, cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes and season with more salt and pepper. Step 4: Cook until everything is heated through and cooked to your liking, then add the beef and rice. Taste and season as needed. Stir in ½ cup of cheese. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place peppers cut side up and fill peppers with rice mixture. Top with remaining cheese. Pour small amount of water in the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, then bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes until peppers are soft and cheese on top is melted and slightly brown. Note: This is a recipe that I like to take liberties with and change up the ingredients. It tastes great every time!
RYAN’S MOM’S BEEF JERKY
Megan
Naber
1 ½ lb. meat (my favorite is to thinly slice a beef chuck roast)
½ tsp. seasoning salt
¼ c. soy sauce
¼ c. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. Accent Flavor Enhancer
1 tsp. onion powder
2 T. liquid smoke
Step 1: Mix everything together well in a bowl and let it marinate overnight. Step 2: Dehydrate until done to your liking.
Note: This is my all-time favorite jerky recipe!
MOM’S STICKY ROLLS
Megan Naber
Rolls Ingredients:
9 c. flour
1 ½ c. cool water
2 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. yeast
1 ½ c. scalded milk
2/3 c. sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. melted margarine
Sticky Rolls Mix Ingredients:
½ c. brown sugar
¼ c. dark corn syrup pecans
2 T. butter
Step 1: Put all 9 cups of flour in a big Tupperware bread bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour. Pour in center of the well of flour: scalded milk, water, sugar, salt, and eggs. Sprinkle yeast over top of liquid. Important - do not mix. Seal the lid on bowl, let sit in dark place for 1 hour. Step 2: Remove seal. Add 1 cup melted margarine, stir all together. Seal lid and let sit until lid pops. Keep in a warm place. Step 3: Flour countertop and knead dough and then roll out in a circle. Cov- er with a mixture of soft margarine, cinnamon, and sugar. Roll up and slice off. Step 4: Mix all ingredients in the sticky roll mix in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour sticky mix in bottom of pan and place rolls on top. Let the rolls rise. Then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until brown. When done turn pan over onto a service dish to remove rolls and allow mixture to drizzle on top.
Note: My mom makes the best cinnamon and sticky rolls and either she or my grandma would always take them to our horse shows growing up. Those and fresh cherries will always be horse show food to me! She uses the same roll recipe and adds the sticky pecan mix or homemade cream cheese frost- ing depending on which she is making.
SF-2C Model
Sale Barn Study
Is I wrote this article, we have received our first snowstorm of the winter and my four little ones could not wait to throw on their snow pants and go play in the white stuff! Me on the other hand, not so excited about leaving the warmth and comfort of my office. It is because they are looking forward to joy and fun and I am dreading frozen waters and/or sick cattle. Either way, it is safe to say that winter is upon us!
A review of the current cattle market.
this fat cattle deal to continue an upward trend going into the new year and into spring. How high we can go, that is the million-dollar question!
contributed article by Kirk Lynch Lynch Livestock Inc. and Humeston Livestock Exchange, Humeston, Iowa humestonlivestockexchange.com
SOARING INTO SPRING AND SUMMER
hope this article finds you with fieldwork nearly complete and cows heading to pastures. I do not think there is any need to worry about the cattle market heading into summer as we continue to be in an unprec edented time in the cattle busi ness with record prices continuing through the spring and heading into summer. Here is what we have been seeing in the barns.
Now to look at some of the market reports that we have been seeing in the barns. The fat cattle market has been on a hot streak for several weeks, until this past week, when we experienced a slight dip in the market. We have seen some highs in the mid to high forties, but these have been some extremes. Most cash cattle in the country have been trading at forty level or slightly higher the past couple of weeks. I expect there to be a few bumps in the road, but I expect
The higher fat cattle market is driving a higher price for the feeder cattle market as well, even with the higher feedstuff inputs. We have seen some front end big strings of 800 pounds bringing well into the sixties and some 600-pound cattle bringing into the seventies and eighties. Once again these are some extreme tops. We have been trying to fill up our own lots as fast as possible, as I am not sure the feeder cattle are going to get any cheaper. We have been able to find cattle at cheaper prices than that and so when we do projects they are in the black.
The cull cow and bull market has lagged the fat market, as from all reports there have been around six
Kirk Lynch, Lynch Livestock Inc., Waucoma, IA
Kirk is the Beef Division manager for Lynch Livestock Inc. and oversees all aspects of their backgrounding and cattle feeding operations throughout Iowa and Kansas. He is also deeply involved in the newly reopened Humeston Livestock Exchange in Humeston, Iowa. In addition, Kirk and his wife Mary own and operate Heartland Simmentals in Northeast Iowa, which is a seed stock operation that consists of 500 registered Simmental and Angus cows. They have four children: Gabrielle (8), Brayden (7), Vivian (5), and Bianca (1).
The fat cattle market has been steady as of late with several cash cattle trading around the $2.10 range and most bringing around that in the barns as well with some extreme tops pushing up into the higher teens. It will be interesting to see here in the next couple of months as some new crop calves begin coming to town if there are enough of them to push this mar ket down a little or the total lack of numbers does not affect the market at all.
Feeder cattle seem to continue to get higher by the day. Light calves are on fire as producers are trying to buy them to go to grass. Seeing several 700-pound steers in the $3 range, give or take on either side of it. Even the bigger yearling cattle, if
HUMESTON LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
Humeston, Iowa 641-877-6092
percent more last year, making supply of cows. down, which be into next year, cow and bull with the same market.
The breeding been up and cently, I heard commercial pairs $2,000 and then can buy all the I want for $1,200 are looking to now is the time reasonably priced with increased are going to be ply over the next Wishing everyone Christmas and
In the News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FUNDS RAISED FOR NORTH DAKOTA FIRE VICTIMS
Out of the Ashes wildfile disaster relief program delivers more than $939,000 to fire victims.
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) and North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF), together with the generosity of people from near and far, delivered $939,702.90 in March to cattle ranchers and landowners devastated by the October 2024 wildfires. The Stockmen’s groups kick-started the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund with a $50,000 gift of their own and invited others to join them to support those who suffered serious losses in the wildfires that ignited across North Dakota last fall.
A combination of northwesterly winds gusting as high as 78 miles per hour and a very dry air mass fueled the fires that results in significant industry losses including fences, buildings, farmsteads, pasture, hay, stored feed and livestock. An estimated 120,000 acres were consumed. Sadly, the fires also claimed two human lives and seriously injured at least six.
“It’s still hard to imagine what these families went through,” said NDSA President Randy Schmitt, who ranches near Rugby, N.D. “The fires impacted their homes, their livestock, their communities, their whole world. There were so many heartbreaking stories that came out this disaster.”
At the same, there were also so many heartwarming stories that followed, said NDSF President Jason Leiseth, an Arnegard, N.D., rancher whose own cattle operation was narrowly spared in the fires. “The outpouring of care and concern was
simply amazing,” he commented, noting the calls, letters and feed, supply and monetary donations that came in from across the United States. That generosity helped the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund grow to nearly $1 million – the single largest disaster relief program the NDSA and NDSF have administered in their 17 years of partnership.
“Donations to the fund ranged from gifts from youth organizations and church groups to six-digit corporate donations,” Schmitt explained. “There were schools that donated their Red Ribbon Week proceeds, 4-H clubs that raised money through pancake breakfasts and the sale of harvest-time field meals, churches that turned over their fall bazaar proceeds and so many other inspiring examples of charity and benevolence. Every one of them made a difference and is sincerely appreciated. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
One of the disaster relief recipients said, “There are no words to express how grateful we are for this. [My husband] and I both had tears in our eyes when we received the disaster relief check in the mail. It was a huge relief to us – like letting out a big breath we had been holding in since this whole thing happened.”
Leiseth concluded, “We know that the losses were great and are hopeful that this program helps these families recoup, rebuild and rekindle hope for their future.”
The NDSA is a 95-year-old beef cattle producers’ trade organization that works to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s beef industry. The NDSF is a charitable organization that supports the beef industry with scholarship,
leadership, promotion, research and building projects and disaster relief. To learn more about the organizations’ missions and ways you can help provide hope and opportunity for the beef industry for this and future generations, visit www.ndstockmen.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SELECTING NEEDLES AND SYRINGES: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS
When selecting needles to vaccinate or treat cattle, there are several factors to consider in order to make the right decisions for overall herd health and best management practices.
Selecting needles and syringes
First, when selecting a needle, determine the appropriate route of administration, whether it is subcutaneous (SQ) or intramuscular (IM) from reading the product label. Next, determine the weight of the animal, not only for proper dosage, but also for selection of the appropriate needle. The route of administration determines the length of the needle, while the size of the animal determines the gauge or diameter of the needle. Viscosity of the product is another factor in selection of the proper gauge. Lighter calves require a smaller diameter needle, whereas heavier stock require a larger diameter needle. It is important to note, as the number of the gauge increases, the diameter decreases. Reference to the following chart can help in deciding the needle gauge and length required:
(chart on next page)
JUNIORS! Calling all
2025 JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHEDULE BY BREED
ABERDEEN
June 15-21, 2025
Dodge City, Kan.
www.americanaberdeen.com/ shows-events/junior-nationals/
ANGUS
June 28-July 5, 2025
Tulsa, Okla.
www.njas.info
CHAROLAIS
June 16-21, 2025
Springfield, Mo. www.charolaisusa.com/jr-national.php
CHIANINA
June 20-26, 2025
Louisville, Ky.
www.chicattle.org/index.php/2025junior-national-show-information/
GELBVIEH
June 23-27, 2025
Lebanon, Tenn.
www.gelbvieh.org/juniors/agjaevents/junior-classic
HEREFORD
July 12-18, 2025
Louisville, Ky.
www.hereford.org/youth/juniornational-hereford-expo/resources/
LIMOUSIN
June 20-26, 2025
Perry, Ga.
www.nalf.org/juniors/shows/
MAINE-ANJOU
June 20-26, 2025
Louisville, Ky.
www.maine-anjou.org/junior/ juniornational.php
Visit the websites for entry deadlines, complete schedules, hotel information, and more!
MINIATURE HEREFORD
June 15-20, 2025
Lubbock, Texas
www.miniatureherefordbreeders.org/ MHJN-Miniature-Hereford-Junior-Nationals
RED ANGUS
June 18-14, 2025
Springfield, Mo. www.redangusyouthexpo.com
SALERS
June 29-July 3, 2025
Chillicothe, Mo. www.salersusa.org
SHORTHORN
June 21-28, 2025
Grand Island, Neb. www.juniorshorthorn.org/show/ junior-national/
SIMMENTAL
July 6-12, 2025
Madison, Wis. www.juniorsimmental.org
Photo credit: Magen Tol
In the News
(continued...)
There can be implications to selecting the wrong needle – these can include:
• If the needle is of the improper length, it will not enter the correct tissue and absorption of the product can be altered, resulting in failed efficacy.
• In the case of a young animal, if the needle is too long, there is potential to strike bone or a nerve.
When selecting a needle, you will want to select a sharp, durable, and detectable needle. It must be standard practice to avoid contaminated, burred, bent, or broken needles. To help combat the chances of a needle breaking, use a more durable, specialized stainless-steel needle with a thick-walled cannula. Detectable needles also offer producers an option that can be easily identified and found by the metal detection systems within beef processing plants. The only 100% detectable needle is made of a specialized, highly ferritic, stainless-steel alloy.
Producers must also consider the syringe with which to use the needles. When producers are using injectable products, their options include single-use, disposable, or multi-dose syringes that would either be a barrel refill, a bottle mount, or a line fed. With multidose syringes, implementation of an effective identification system to prevent product cross-contamination and selection of equipment with UV protective features are valuable considerations.
Proper care and use
Now that we have covered many of the basics, let us review best practices for producers as it relates to care and proper use.
Make sure your syringes are thoroughly cleaned before use. To clean syringes, use hot, deionized or distilled water that is 180˚F or greater. Do not use any soaps or disinfectants when cleaning syringes, as doing so could risk contamination and impact the internal contents and product efficacy. With regards to multi-dose syringes, you will want to lubricate the O-Rings in them. Never use any petroleum-based products, as those could cause problems with contamination. For storage, it is always best to store syringes in a clean, dry location.
Before using multi-dose syringes, it is key to ensure they are properly calibrated. To accomplish this, you can set the syringe for a 2 mL dose, use water, and simply measure the output into another syringe, such as a disposable one. It is recommended that producers consistently check the calibration throughout processing.
One frequently asked question is, “How often should needles be changed or replaced?” If you are managing any blood-borne pathogens in your herd, such as anaplasmosis or bovine leukosis, it is best practice to replace the needle after every animal. If your herd is not affected by blood-borne diseases, you can use needles for up to 10
to 15 injections, with some newer technology needles providing durability for up to 20 injections. When using a multi-dose syringe, it is best practice to change the needle when you refill the syringe to maintain sharpness and prevent any accidental contamination. Change bent, burred, or dirty needles immediately.
Proper record-keeping for each individual animal is important as well.
If you follow these best practices, along with selecting a needle of the proper gauge and length, you will ensure safe and effective injections.
To learn more, visit neogen.com/ d3x.
- Written by Nick Wagner, DVM, Professional Services Veterinarian, Neogen® FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TOOLS FOR PREDICTING EFFICIENCY IN THE FEEDLOT
American Simmental Association releases new tools for predicting efficiency in the feedlot.
The American Simmental Association has officially released the $Gain economic subindex, as well as the Dry Matter Intake (DMI) Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) in an alpha release format on Herdbook. The purpose of these traits is to help breeders better characterize terminal performance by evaluating genetic differences for feed intake and the profitability potential associated with growth relative to intake.
One of the more recent concerns in the business has been related to
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feed “efficiency” in feeder cattle. The reason for the quotes around “efficiency” is that in many cases, the tools developed to address feed conversion have been related to biological efficiency rather than economic efficiency, which can sometimes be antagonistic to meaningful improvement. A solution to this is the $Gain economic subindex developed by International Genetic Solutions to more appropriately address selection for improved feedlot performance by optimizing the economic efficiency during the finishing phase. Unlike traditional single-trait selection for dry matter intake (DMI) or residual feed intake (RFI), $Gain balances both the economic component
of average daily gain (ADG) and DMI, ensuring that the most profitable animals are identified. The result of $Gain is already factored into both $API and $TI, meaning the relationship of value of gain to the cost of intake is already factored into both indexes.
The $Gain prediction is expressed as the difference in daily profitability of animals in the feedlot based on their combination of DMI and ADG expected progeny differences (EPD). ADG is positively weighted by the value of a pound of gain, and DMI is negatively weighted by the cost of a pound of dry matter.
$Gain and DMI can be viewed in the EPD suite on Herdbook.org.
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STOCKMAN traight
About the Stockman.
My wife, Wendy, and I moved back to the family farm that I grew up on in 2003 after starting Cattle Visions so I could raise my kids in the rural lifestyle that we all desire where habits of work ethic, humility, and faith are developed and hopefully absorbed.
My dad, Gary, who’s 84, started our beef cattle farm in the 1950s with his father and still feeds a pen of cattle to stay active. He started our purebred beef herd in 1971, when I was born. I enjoyed working with and showing cattle during my youth in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
I left for college in 1989 and was employed by semen companies for nearly 10 years after that. During that time, I had tremendous opportunities, representing both Alta and
Semex, to tour elite cattle herds nationwide, promote industry impacting sires, and learn from the best stockmen in the country.
As previously mentioned, I then founded Cattle Visions in 2002 and moved back to the farm in 2003 to raise my kids, Tyler, Laura, Emily, and Kyle, while striving to improve the cow herd with their 4H/ FFA show cattle. Kyle, my youngest son, a sophomore at UW-Platteville,
helps out as often as possible, and intends to return to the farm upon his graduation. Wendy and Laura, who are both schoolteachers at an elementary school in town, will put on boots after their teaching days are over if needed. We have a diversified cow herd of Simmental, Limousin, Charolais, Maine, Angus, and club calf genetics where we emphasize quality over quantity.”
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A conversation with everyday Stockmen,
Lance Ellsworth
Ellsworth Cattle Co. of Elkhorn, Wis., and Cattle Visions of Clark, Mo.
The most important lesson you’ve learned in this business?
It’s as much, if not more, a “people business” as it is the “cattle business.” Customers tend to be loyal if they are treated truthfully and honestly and you’ll earn their respect when you sincerely listen and provide real insight. Good cattle are born and lost every day, but your words and works can impact people for decades. I tell my employees annually; it takes years to recruit customers and only minutes to lose them.”
What is your least favorite job on the farm?
Having to tube feed calves, it’s always a joyous moment when a tube-fed calf takes off on its own. Cold Wisconsin winters probably make this more frequent than it should be, but it happens.”
Your go-to sorting apparatus?
We have a compilation of bent up show sticks and sorting sticks along with a fairly new paddle. They are all fair game and my wife loves it when it goes as planned on the sort… and not so much when it doesn’t. I know we’ve all been there, since the funny Facebook memes about the topic get posted regularly.”
What about the beef cattle industry excites you the most?
That the whole industry is capturing record level prices and being rewarded for genetic investments! My whole life has been dedicated to genetic improvement!”
What is the most used tool on your farm? How old is it?
Your favorite non-farm activity to do in your free time?
I enjoy summer golfing with friends and family. Time spent cell phone free in the woods during deer and turkey hunting seasons are relished for reflection and appreciation time. Now that my kids have graduated from showing cattle, there’s more of that time available, gratefully. I try to keep up with Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger sports too, along with managing a fantasy football team with a dozen college buddies in a league we started in the early ‘90s. Those activities provide me a balance from the daily grind of being immersed in genetics 24/7.”
We have both older and newer feed shovels and pitch forks that get used daily. Skid steers get used daily too. A 25-year- old-plus CASE 1840 and 4-year-old Kubota SSV65.”
STOCKMAN traight
Describe your best and worst day.
Some of the most fulfilling days are the busiest spring days that can have calves successfully born on the farm, while watching older calves run around, observing heats, breeding for next year’s calves, hearing about successful cattle we raised competing at the preview shows, having customers rave about their new crop, delivering a few semen orders, and getting a report from Cattle Visions that we shipped out lots of tanks - all while watching the spring grass grow.
As I get older, I also like to relax in the calm after the storm of the busy times. Some of the best days are simply problem free days and the opportunity to hear from a friend or socializing at a cattle show or sale or eating Sunday dinner with the family or celebrating the fall harvest.
The worst days are typically resulting with a frustration of the best days not working out... a dead calf, an abortion, a busted flush, the cows pushing through the fence, an animal not cooperating in the picture pen, a machinery breakdown, accounts receivable building up, or hearing/experiencing that someone you care about has suffered an illness or loss. So goes the life of a passionate stockman, it’s a journey, and if it were easy, everyone would still be doing it, rather than the 1 percent of us that do.”
Which animal (any species) has left the greatest impact on you?
The first Simmental female I invested in was LBF Anticipation, from LeighBert Farms, who became the 2000 NWSS and American Royal champion cow/calf pair. Her stunning presence and progeny earned us immediate national exposure in the breed and her grand-progeny and great-grand progeny still influence our herd today. My collegiate judging coach, Tim Erickson, helped guide me through that process and he raised a few full sib bulls to her that were leased to AI studs. The first Charolais female born at our place will soon overtake her for financial success as we market her ET progeny this fall. She has produced us some tremendous calves, includ-
ing the 2023 reserve champion bred and owned steer for Kyle. I’d be remiss to mention a few of the Cattle Visions sires that have positively impacted us, bulls like Silveiras Style, Colburn Primo, Broker, Monopoly, I-80, Here I Am, and I could go on for every breed, but I’ll keep it short and sweet.”
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