Great Maternal Cow Herds
BY JOY REZNICEK SUNDBECK
A GREAT MATERNAL HERD AND MATERNAL INSTINCTS ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS. THOSE OF US WHO RAISE BRANGUS KNOW BRANGUS COWS HAVE STRONG MATERNAL INSTINCTS. They are extremely interested in their newborn calves when they give birth. They can always locate their calves –she may smell a few calves along the way, but she is never in doubt and usually approaches her calf at a trot. Brangus cows often vocalize to signal their calves and when a perceived threat looms, she is quick to put herself between the threat and her calf.
This winter we bought a herd of Angus females to use in our breeding up to Brangus project. We pastured the Angus pairs where we have housed numerous Brangus pairs and newborns over the years. We never had escapees.
On a least three occasions we received calls over weekends or in the evening to let us know our cattle were out. Turns out these Angus calves like to crawl under fences. We accept their sense of adventure. What was perplexing was the dam’s lack of interest in protecting their calves. Even when several of us pushed calves back under the fence, their dams took little interest in our presence and certainly did not come trotting.
After Joe’s passing in 2010, we maintained about 400 Angus cows for a customer on Cow Creek Ranch. We witnessed the same pattern of unconcerned behavior in these Angus cows as we see in our newly acquired Angus cows. At Cow Creek coyotes would routinely travel through the ranch, particularly through our calving pastures. Our Brangus cows were masters at protecting their calves. The Angus cows behaved much differently. They expressed little worry in their calves. Back then, it was a new wonder for us.
Building a great maternal herd requires a much different set of parameters and comes with its own set of challenges. Maternal instincts are the low-hanging fruit.
Over the past couple of decades, the beef industry has focused on pounds, EPDs and carcass traits. When you get something, you give up something. In this case, it is diminished maternal attributes. What is good for the income side of a profit and loss statement, may not be good for the expense side.
We hear stories of operations where conception rates have declined. Cows have gotten too big and require too much feed to keep reproduction at acceptable levels.
It seems that accounts of conception rate challenges keep surfacing. During a beef
conference, a presenter recounted the aftermath of a Tennessee operation selecting Angus bulls for high growth and high carcass traits for years. The presenter explained that after retaining daughters sired by these bulls, the operation saw conception rates drop from 90 to 95 percent down to 80 percent. They realized his move from Angus maternal bulls to Angus carcass bulls was the reason for the decline.
A Florida cattleman expressed to us that too many of his females were leaving the herd at too young of age because they were coming up open. In many cases, heifer mates to high-performing steers have simply gotten too big. They require more feed to develop and then they reach puberty at a later age. As these heifers mature into cows, they will require more forage, hay and supplements to maintain and will tend to fall out of the herd at younger ages.
Many factors affect optimum reproduction. Environment plays a large role in how a cow expresses her genetic potential. For example, the more time a cow spends panting and then trying to cool herself down in the shade or standing in a pond, the more energy she exerts. The more energy she exerts, the less energy she has to give to fertility or reproduction. That cow is likely not in her best climate.
Town Creek Farm is on a relentless pursuit to build a great maternal cow herd. We listen to our cows, and they tell us who they are. Cows that are open or dry are culled. Cows that have bad dispositions, bad feet, bad udders and poorquality calves are culled. These cull cows tell us who they are and we make no excuses for them.
The cows that remain on the ranch fit our environment and management. They conceive, survive, and get to stay another year.
Every replacement heifer must be in production at 24 months, or she is culled. She must get bred back with her second calf to calve at 36 months or she’s culled. Our disciplined system requirements are the same throughout the cow’s lifetime.
In the last two decades we’ve taken longevity a step further by eliminating Johnes from our herd and surveillance test for Anaplasmosis.
These are the kind of cows that should be mothers of bulls that breed your cows. This foundation built with brick and mortar assures our bull customers they are getting a fault-free product.
Relentless pursuit to building a great maternal herd. No excuses. That is who we are.
Since 1993
SUMMER 2024
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE THE MOST UPDATED SALE INFORMATION AVAILABLE. EMAIL JOY@TOWNCREEKFARM COM TO JOIN OUR FOLLOWING. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK. TOTAL COMMITMENT Since 1993
Volume 12, Issue 2 • Published by Town Creek Farm, West Point, Mississippi • Brangus and Ultrablack
BULLS SELLING OCTOBER 19, 2024
Meet Siblings Evelyn and Allan
INTRODUCING EVELYN AND ALLAN COBB FROM MISSOURI. THE SISTER-BROTHER TEAM SHARES CLOSE BONDS AS SIBLINGS AS WELL AS WITH THEIR PARENTS, AFTON AND DANIEL COBB. Town Creek Farm has welcomed the Cobb family to several sales and ranch visits. Both Evelyn and Allan own cattle and share responsibilities that go with cattle ownership. It did not take us long to realize the Cobbs were a special family.
This spring the Cobbs made a family trip to Town Creek Farm. The siblings wanted to add cattle to their cow herds.
Evelyn and Allan added five Town Creek
Farm heifers to their herds. On this trip, the family confirmed our thoughts of just how extraordinary they are.
This happened. After the kids approved the heifers, nine-year-old Allan wrote and signed his own check to pay for three heifers from his checking account. Then, four-year-old Evelyn wrote her name on the signature line of her checking account.
Afton and Daniel have not missed an opportunity in their ranch setting to teach Evelyn and Allan that hard work can help them be financially successful for years to come. Our best to this impressive young family.
Four-year old, Evelyn, and nine-year-old, Allen, are learning the cattle business from their parents, Afton and Daniel.
Steer Mates to Town Creek Farm Bulls Grade 82 Percent Choice and Higher
TOWN CREEK FARM ALONG WITH OUR BULL PRODUCTION PARTNERS CONTINUALLY STRIVES TO PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY BULLS FOR OUR COMMERCIAL BULL CUSTOMERS. OUR STRINGENT CULLING AT WEANING LEAVES US WITH SET OF CALVES THAT DO NOT MAKE IT INTO OUR BULL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Following our culling process of our Fall 2022 calves, we gathered 49 steers and sent them to Wrangler Feedyard in Happy, Texas, a part of Cactus Feeders. The steers went on feed on the first of December and went through the panhandle winter storms. They were harvested on a premium grid in the middle of May.
We constantly speak of the maternal advantage of the Town Creek Farm program. However, we challenge ourselves to provide accurate information backed by data and science to our customers. Our carcass data results further prove our case of building a functional maternal cow herd, and then adding as much growth and carcass as possible without a negative effect on reproductive traits.
Town Creek Farm genetics check all the boxes to harvest highquality grade carcasses and leave you with highly productive replacement females.
QUALITY GRADE RESULTS
Select 18.59 % Prime 5.0 % Certified Angus Beef 11.0 % Choice 48.70 % Quality grade is an evaluation of the factors that influence palatability, or eating quality, of beef as reflected by tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Beef carcass quality grades are based on degree of marbling and degree of carcass maturity.
49 HEAD Average Live Weight: 1338 lbs. Average Carcass Weight: 847 lbs.
Brangus Breed Celebrates 75 Years. Join us in Fort Worth, Texas on August 8-10, 2024
THE BRANGUS COMMUNITY IS GEARING UP TO COMMEMORATE A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN ITS STORIED HISTORY: THE 75TH BRANGUS CELEBRATION. This landmark event will not only honor the breed's rich heritage but also highlight its remarkable journey of innovation and resilience over the past seven decades. The event will be held August 8-10, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Brangus breed, renowned for its superior adaptability and performance in various climates, has played a pivotal role in shaping the beef cattle industry since its inception.
As Brangus commemorates the 75th Brangus Celebration, we pay tribute to the visionaries, breeders, and enthusiasts who have
Bulls that help your bottom line.
Town Creek Farm bulls hold up, out-work, out-last and out-perform their peers. Fewer bulls to replace. Thirty years of developing proven bulls. They work!
√ Select your bulls from proven Brangus (selection of 1st gen 3/8-5/8 bulls) Ultrablacks, Vigor Max™ (Brahman x Angus half-blood), 3/4 Blood and Brahman Bulls.
√ Opportunity to buy bulls from a program that culls EVERY open female and EVERY female that doesn’t bring a calf to weaning pens.
√ Cattle fit the commercial world, based on good cows behind our bull offering.
√ Maternal bulls develop superior replacement heifers that are fertile, long-lasting and have good udders.
√ Offering full two-year-old bulls.
√ Large selection of calving ease heifer bulls.
√ User-Friendly bulls.
√ Bulls are hard, ripped and toned; ready for breeding pastures.
√ Managed to be disease-free. ALL bulls are out of Johnes-free cows.
√ Environmentally adapted and acclimated bulls that withstand heat and humidity.
√ Longevity – of breeding bulls and of their daughters.
√ Fertility is our top priority. All other traits follow fertility.
√ Genetics developed and proven for more than 30 years.
Town Creek Farm Sale
Saturday, October 19, 2024 • 12 noon at the ranch near West Point, Mississippi 150 Brangus, VigorMax™ Half-Blood Bulls, and Ultrablack & Plus First Gen Brangus Bulls 250 Commercial Brangus Bred Heifers
contributed to the breed's success and longevity. This milestone serves as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and enduring legacy of the Brangus breed.
The 75th Brangus Celebration promises to be a momentous occasion, featuring events and activities that will showcase the breed's heritage, excellence, and future potential. From a ranch tour and educational seminars to social gatherings, attendees can expect an unforgettable experience that honors the past while embracing the future of the Brangus breed. Join us as we celebrate 75 years of Brangus excellence and chart a course for the next chapter of innovation, growth, and prosperity in the beef cattle industry. Visit www.GoBanguss.com for information.
TOWN CREEK FARM
OUT WORK• OUT LAST Makes bull buying more affordable. Discover the Difference.
Go to www.TownCreekFarm.com to request a sale catalog.
Milton
Sundbeck, Owner 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207 Joy Reznicek Sundbeck (205)399-0221 Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Cody Glenn (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com Logan Perry, Florida, (863)634-4810 www.TownCreekFarm.com
250 COMMERCIAL BRED BRANGUS HEIFERS SELL.
712K SELLS - ULTRABLACK
927K3 SELLS - BRANGUS
956K10 SELLS - BRANGUS
TOWN CREEK FARM’S CODY GLENN WAS SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE MISSISSIPPI CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION AT THE COVETED 2024 YOUNG CATTLEMEN’S CONFERENCE (YCC). CODY IS RANCH MANAGER FOR TOWN CREEK FARM.
The selected group of young cattlemen will travel to Colorado, Iowa, Ohio and Washington, D.C. during the conference. YCC provides young leaders with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the industry, from cattle and beef production to the consumer, including exposure to the national grassroots process. Participants will have an opportunity to visit with their elected leaders to discuss issues of critical importance to America’s cattle and beef producers and advocate for their industry during a day spent on Capitol Hill.
Since 1980, the Young Cattlemen's Conference tour has been a proven success in identifying and developing potential leaders for the beef industry. More than 1000 beef producers have graduated from the YCC program, and many alumni continue to take part in industry committees and councils, and serve on boards, even going on to become officers of the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association.
This big, strapping bull calf is sired by TCF Rapid Reward 145E6 and out of a CCR Sleep Easy 46T3 granddaughter. He’s been raised on some strong ryegrass by our Bull Production Partners, Lynn and Dana White, in Louisiana.
Vaccine Handling Tips from Dr. Daniel Scruggs of Zoetis
(Part of presentation at May 2024 Town Creek Farm Field Day)
Modified Live Vaccine (MLV) Handling
• MLV is sensitive to Time, Cold, Sunlight (heat)
• Use MLV within an hour after it is mixed
• Use small dose vials - 10-dose - to fit the one hour window
• Use 2 coolers with ample cool packs (prevents one cooler from continual opening and closing)
• Use dedicated marked syringes
• Do not use disinfectants to clean MLV syringes
Bacterial Vaccine Handling
• Cold, but don’t freeze - watch your barn refrigerator.
• Vaccine reactions go up drastically if bacterial vaccine reaches freezing point
• Use new needle each time you refill syringe (10 doses)
• If using automatic draw syringe for dewormer, replace tubing annually.
Inadequate vaccine handling greatly reduces vaccine efficacy.
Town Creek Farm Commerical Bred Heifer Sale Commitments Due June 30
THE 2024 TOWN CREEK FARM COMMERCIAL BRANGUS BRED HEIFER SALE IS SET FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024. THIS YEAR MARKS ITS 27TH YEAR. DEMAND FOR TOWN CREEK FARM COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS HAS EXPERIENCED TREMENDOUS GROWTH THANKS TO THE EFFORTS AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY OUR CUSTOMER CONSIGNORS.
The heifer sale customer-service program is designed to provide buyers with high-quality replacement heifers backed by multiple generations of Town Creek Farm genetics. Heifers are ranch-raised, source-verified, uniform and genetically tracked to Town Creek Farm genetic dams and calf sires. Heifer candidates must be at least second-generation Town Creek Farm heifers bred to Town Creek Farm bulls. All heifers must be bred to calve at 30 months of age or younger and calve in a 60-day or less calving period.
Guidelines and entry forms along with additional details are available. Deadline for entry in June 25, 2024. For more information, contact Joy Reznicek Sundbeck at (205)399-0221 or at Joy@TownCreekFarm.Com.
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOMS FOR OUR OCTOBER 19, 2024, SALE
HYATT PLACE, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI • 662/370-1800
Ask for Town Creek Farm block, Cut-off Date: 9/27/2024
COMFORT INN AND SUITES, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI • 662/327-9999
Ask for Town Creek Farm block, Cut-off Date: 10/1/2024
Town Creek Farm Hosts Collegiate Livestock Judging Teams from Nine States
TOWN CREEK FARM HOSTED A COLLEGIATE LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM PRACTICE WORKOUT THIS SPRING WITH MORE THAN 50 ASPIRING JUDGES ATTENDING. THE ATTENDING TEAMS REPRESENTED NINE UNIVERSITIES AND SORTED THROUGH SEVERAL CLASSES OF BULLS.
Collegiate Livestock Judging Teams travel to major livestock shows and seasonal judging contests competing against other collegiate teams. Along the way, practice workout sessions are arranged with progressive livestock operations in preparation for competition.
Team members are future agricultural leaders who are highly
motivated individuals and deeply engaged in perfecting their livestock judging and reasoning skills. Teams represented the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Pennsylvania State University; Virginia Tech University; The Ohio State University; Auburn University; North Carolina State University; Hutchinson Community College; Purdue University; and Mississippi State University. The teams went on to compete in the All East Judging Contest hosted by Mississippi State University, Starkville.
Cody Glenn
