Town Creek Farm Since 1993
WINTER 2021
Vo l u m e 9 , I s s u e 1 • P u b l i s h e d b y To w n C r e e k Fa r m , We s t Po i n t , M i s s i s s i p p i • B r a n g u s a n d U l t r a b l a c k
Staying in Rhythm BY JOY REZNICEK SUNDBECK MUCH OF OUR DECISION MAKING COMES FROM A LIFETIME OF ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCES, TRUSTED INSTINCTS, READING AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS. WE SET UP SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES TO GUIDE OUR LIVES THAT KEEPS US IN SYNC WITH RHYTHMS OF MAKING GOOD DECISIONS ON A DAILY BASIS.
PRIVATE TREATY BULLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
The Grit welcomes your inquiries and feedback. The Grit is published by Town Creek Farm, West Point, Mississippi.
Town Creek Farm Milton Sundbeck, Owner Office: 32476 Hwy. 50 East West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207 (662)494-5944 www.TownCreekFarm.com Joy Reznicek Sundbeck, President (205)399-0221 Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Clint Ladner, Bull Development (662)812-8370 CLadner@TownCreekFarm.com Cody Glenn, Herdsman (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com Anne Sutherland, Quarter Horses (662)295-6144 Anne@TownCreekFarm.com South American Representative Ing. Agr. Federico Maisonnave (011) 595 981 362 898 Maisonnave.Federico@gmail.com TOTAL COMMITMENT
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When I look back, I was fortunate to have been mentored by a father who clearly believed in doing things right the first time, or we would do it again. Then life took me to Future Farmers of America, 4-H, and college, which provided more pressure to build discipline and respect. For 30 years Joe Reznicek provided unwavering mentorship and companionship. Today, I have yet another great partner by my side. But it is our customers who provide invaluable mentorship for my team and me. Nothing shapes us more than seeing powerful customer cow herds, hearing their success stories and learning from adversities. Over a recent phone conversation with a customer, I listened to a story of his good friend’s son. “I’d been making subtle suggestions to him for a while about improving his management, he said. He wouldn’t listen until he gathered his calves for weaning and realized he was short of calves. He had half of the calves he thought he should have. Only 50 to 60 percent of his cows had weaned a calf. In a 425 head cow herd, that is a lot.” “My fear was his cow herd was full of trich. He had not been palpating cows or semen testing his bulls until this,” he said. Turns out, he was clear of trich but one-half of his herd bull battery failed their breeding exams. Only six bulls passed. Almost every bull in his battery had been bought for him by cattle brokers. That is the way it was done. Just like his dad had done. Our conversation went on to two young brothers to whom he also provides guidance. The brothers had leased an Angus bull from a reputable Angus seed stock operation. Unbeknownst to the brothers, the bull came into the herd with trich. At pregnancy check, only 60 percent of their cows were bred. “It took me by surprise. I certainly didn’t expect it. It took a lot of years and a sizable financial hit for the brothers to work through their problem,” he said. Well-intended changes can lead to unintended consequences. Take a neighbor whose intent was to maximize stocking rates. He increased his carrying capacity by turning his hay ground into grazing pastures and then outsourced hay needs. But his challenge was sourcing consistent, high-quality hay. “We
couldn’t buy the quality hay I wanted. But I knew I could produce silage and it would be a very consistent product,” he says. So, he opted for feeding his cow herd corn silage, which he sourced from local farmers. Not only did the consistency and energy of his feedstuffs improve, but silage was more palatable than hay and he was able to stretch his forage. But he soon realized the expense, handling, storage and equipment necessary to feed silage was not costeffective. Then came the effects on the cows. “Cows were producing too much milk, he recalls. It messed up udders and conception rates plummeted.” During a Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) conference, a presenter shared a story of Kentucky ranchers who operate a large commercial Angus cow herd. They consistently experienced over 90% conception. The ranch used maternal bulls to achieve these results. Then they changed directions and started using high carcass and growth bulls. Conception rates dropped to 80% over time. No matter what their gains were on growth or carcass, it didn’t overcome their loss of fertility or profitability. The ranch was focused on one result – a race to higher weaning weights and carcass traits. Their replacement females sired by high growth bulls marginalized reproduction and maternal traits, and restricted opportunities for cows to get bred. There is nothing wrong with going after results, as long as it doesn’t undo existing successes. My intent here is not to fault. Rather, to present an approach to systems-based ranching which is cost-effective and will decrease risk over time. Most decisions we make in our business have compounding effects. Every layer of cowcalf production is intertwined. A miscalculated decision can have lasting effects on the productivity of your cow herd and the sustainability of your enterprise. At Town Creek Farm we employ a systematic approach to management to minimize risk. Our team has daily rhythms, monthly rhythms and yearly rhythms, which are generated from our system principles. We benefit from a disciplined, well-planned consistent series of good decisions. We rarely have surprises, and our system maximizes employee efficiency. Risk in the cattle business comes to you at every turn. Our business is complex and meaningful change happens over long periods of time. Deciding not to do something or miscalculating a decision can undo or suspend your lifetime’s work.
Town Creek Farm Brand Draws Buyers from 12 States A CAPACITY CROWD OF SERIOUS-MINDED REPEAT CUSTOMERS AND PROSPECTIVE BUYERS WERE WELCOMED TO TOWN CREEK FARM BULL SALE AND COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFER SALE IN OCTOBER. Town Creek Farm program has established itself as a thriving producer of long-lasting, fertile genetics that excel in real-world commercial ranching environments. More than 200 buyers, bidders, on-line buyers and spectators were present from 12 states to appraise the Town Creek Farm offering. When the final gavel tap sounded, 128 Town Creek Farm bulls averaged $5666 and 198 customer-owned commercial bred heifers averaged $1979. The sale grossed $1,117,000. The top-selling lot in the bull sale earned a price tag of $11,000. TCF Toro 453G, Lot 75, is a powerfully made, deep-sided, threequarter blood bull that posted a 5.30 percent marbling score and 1.22 ribeye area per hundred weight at yearling ultrasound scan. His pedigree reflects that three of four of his grandparents from the renowned Kempfer Ranch Brahman herd. 453G had a 42 cm. scrotal measurement and is sired by BK 487 of 135-181. Repeat customer Williams Ranch Company, Bastrop, TX, won the bidding war on this unique herd sire. Another repeat Texas customer, William Thomas, Boerne, TX had the last and final bid of $10,000 on Lot 21, TCF Rapid Reward 25F4. The herd sire’s 13-year-old dam calved to A.I. breedings her last four of five calvings. 25F4 is a user-friendly bull with a near-ideal phenotype and is powerfully made from front to rear, moderately framed, and
sound footed. This highly fertile bull is sired by BRB Rapid Reward 99W11 and had a scrotal measurement of 40 cm. The bull sale advanced with strong and stable valuations and little variation in pricing. Cattlemen were appreciative of the solid and consistent bull quality offered from start to finish. Three bulls sold from $10,000 to $11,000. Nine bulls sold from $8000 to $9500 and nine sold from $7000 to $7500. Thirty-three bulls brought values of $6000 to $6750 and 33 sold from $5000 to $5750. In the Town Creek Farm Commercial Bred Heifer Sale, multi-generational, genetically tracked heifers commanded strong interest and demand from buyers. When the gavel fell for the final time, 198 heifers sold for an average price of $1979. These customer-owned heifers were offered by Williamson Cattle Co., ranching near Faunsdale, AL, and Okeechobee, FL, and a 23year consignor; River Oaks Farm, Searcy, AR, 20year consignor; 21-year consignor, CP Bar Ranch, Holcomb, MS; 17-year consignor, Megehee Cattle Company, Macon, MS; along with 12-year consignor, Montgomery Farms, Moulton, AL. Other consigners included B&B Farm, Linden, AL, eight-year consignor; Longino Ranch, Sidell, Florida, six-year consignor; and Lowell Dollar Farms, Bainbridge, GA, a five-year consignor. Top-selling pen of heifers came from Montgomery Farms and went to Stain Farms, Thorsby, AL, for $2500 each. Red Tiffee of Monterey, LA, took home 10 heifers from Williamson Cattle Co. at $2350 each. Eric and Mary Chambers of Ackerman, MS, found 15 Longino Ranch heifers for $2350 each. –Town Creek Farm
No Matter Where in the World Town Creek Farm Genetics Perform JMT AGROPECUARY OF BRAZIL HAD THE TOP INDEXING BULL IN THE UFRGS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL STATION IN SOUTH ELDORADO BULL TEST. The dam was an embryo purchased by JMT from Cow Creek Ranch. The bull’s sire is CCR Sleep Easy 46T3, which was purchased semen from Cow Creek Ranch, making the bull 75 percent Town Creek Farm genetics. The bull test measured for feed efficiency, average daily gain, ultrasoundassessed carcass data and scrotal circumference. In the end, an index that identified the top bull was generated by weighting these measurements. The aim was to rank the highest rated animals with balanced production characteristics that livestock and consumer markets seek. Cheers to JMT for their continued success with Town Creek Farm genetics.
Fit Bulls That Last
A simple way to add to your bottom line. Fit bulls that last are the best investment a cattle operation can make. Fewer bulls to replace. More pounds sired over a longer period of time.
3 Private Treaty Bulls Available Now VIDEOS AT TOWNCREEKFARM.COM
3Semen Available on Town Creek Farm Herd Sires 3 150 Head Bull Sale • October 16, 2021 Total Commitment
Since 1993
TOWN CREEK FARM
Milton Sundbeck, Owner • Office (662)494-5944 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207 Joy Reznicek Sundbeck (205)399-0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Clint Ladner (662)812-8370 • Cladner@TownCreekFarm.com www.TownCreekFarm.com
3 Quality Assurance always comes first.
10 Habits of High-Return Producers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Below average annual cow costs Lower than average calf breakeven prices Lower feed costs Lower interest expense (less debt) Lower general operating expense Higher conception rates More pounds weaned per cow exposed High quality bulls with strong genetics Preventative herd health programs High-quality pasture (maintain nutritional requirements of cows)
LOOK FOR TOWN CREEK FARM DISPLAY BOOTH AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS: March 5 & 6, 2021 – Alabama Cattlemen’s Convention, Birmingham, Alabama June 15-18, 2021 – Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, Marco Island, Florida Save Saturday, October 16, 2021 – Town Creek Farm Sale 150 Town Creek Farm Bulls • 250 Commercial Brangus Heifers at the ranch, West Point, Mississippi
How Far We’ve Come – Breeding New Brangus Genetics TOWN CREEK FARM IS ON SCHEDULE TO DEVELOP NEW FIRSTGENERATION LINES OF 3/8 X 5/8 BRANGUS GENETICS THROUGH BREEDING UP FROM FOUNDATION STOCK OF BRAHMAN AND ANGUS.
Technology Transforms Mission Angus and Brahman genetics have greatly improved from three decades ago. Advancements in efficiency, meat, marbling and fertility Our start was in 2015 and we are in our sixth year of a breeding plan to give us broader genetic selections and greater opportunities to achieve success. Knowledge extracted through DNA has provided transparency reach 3/8 x 5/8 Brangus. for precision and accuracy in selecting our foundation genetics. DNA Town Creek Farm’s approach is to generate new genetic lines of Brangus with higher levels of retained heterosis to improve growth, calf delivers certainty of coat color and horned/polled gene. In the 1990s, vigor, disease resistance and survivability in the calves. Research shows genetic selection was primarily confined to phenotype (black and polled) and then first-generation simply waiting for females or females resulting progeny. sired by first- and In the Town second-generation Creek Farm project, bulls to be we have taken a reproductively mathematical efficient with more approach by longevity. working with large In 1990 the late groups of Joe Reznicek wrote percentage cattle an article on the and utilizing in importance of vitro fertilization introducing new HOW FAR WE’VE COME – TWO 3/4 BLOOD BULLS USED IN BREEDING UP TO BRANGUS PROGRAMS. ON LEFT IS MR. SUVADOME 801U, (IVF) to reach our genetics to the long-term viability A 1986 BORN SIRE USED TO DEVELOP FIRST-GENERATION BRANGUS BY COW CREEK RANCH IN LATE 1980S AND 1990S. ON RIGHT IS goal. New lines of A TOWN CREEK FARM BRED AND RAISED 3/4 BLOOD HERD BULL, TCF TORO 453G, A FEBRUARY 2019 BORN SIRE. 453G IS Brangus will offer of the Brangus REPRESENTATIVE OF THE QUALITY OF PERCENTAGE CATTLE WE ARE PRODUCING IN OUR BREEDING UP TO BRANGUS PROCESS. customers higher breed. Thirty years levels of retained heterosis, heat tolerance, and longevity. later we see history repeating itself. The call for new genetics today is stimulated by customer demand for Brangus bulls with additional History Repeats Itself retained heterosis and for genetic long-term sustainability of the We are at similar points in time today as we were 30 years ago. New Brangus breed. In the 1990s, first-generation bulls like CCR Pathfinder genetics will offer our customers and the Brangus breed opportunities 152W had lasting, positive impacts on the breed. Joe Reznicek talked of for long-term genetic sustainability. Joe proclaimed the necessity of new genetics that were being used in the Cow Creek Ranch program in new genetics in his 1990 article. He wrote, 1990. He wrote, “If the Brangus breed is to prosper in today’s beef cattle industry, we “We soon learned that the most important ingredients in successfully must be open-minded and objective in genetic selections. We cannot using first- and second-generation cattle were the genetics involved bury our heads in the sand and hope everything will turn out good on both sides of the pedigree. As the computer people have always because we are good ole boys. An old-timer once told me that there said, ‘You get out the sum of what you put in.’ If you use cattle that are no geniuses in the cattle business, only survivors. He’s right. We, are black, polled and have ancestors that carry predictable traits your as cattle breeders, must look past yesterday and look past the calf crop will be black, polled and predictable.” promotion to make breeding decisions on business-like facts.” “We are in the process of mating first- and second-generation cattle to “The facts are that the time has come to use first- and secondeach other. The results have been tremendous. In our March and April generation bulls that Cow Creek Ranch has evaluated and are making calves, approximately 120 head, we had 30 head of calves resulting available to the breed. They will sire calves that are longer, meatier, from first-generation on second-generation or vice versa. These calves cleaner and will be money-makers for their owners.” outweighed their contemporaries by 40 pounds. There was simply – Town Creek Farm more length and muscle.”
Just Another Bag this bag could have had instead of trips to the doctor's office. I realized quickly that this type of thinking was getting me nowhere. This thinking was making me angrier, and sick on my stomach. So I stopped and thought what has the bag done for me. I reminded myself of what it had carried since its mission had changed. It carries encouraging letters from people I love and people who barely know me Camry Weinheimer telling me to keep moving forward. It carries thoughtful gifts I have been Last night as I was doing my normal bedtime routine given to keep me occupied during hours of infusions. It carries warm blankets before chemo, I grabbed my trusty blue Yeti bag. The blue Yeti bag has been with me from the start of chemo. Not having used the bag since I got it for my for when the infusion room gets too cold. It carries devotionals so when I’m feeling alone or down I can always turn to my faith. Most importantly it carries birthday in July, the bag started its new journey almost a month and a half later with a weeklong hospital stay in San Antonio. This bag has been with me hope. Hope that one day it will be just another bag. A bag I can look at and not to every chemo session and will continue to be that trusty blue bag as I drag it have to take anxiety medicine because I looked at it. A bag that gets to fulfill adventures with me. A bag that doesn’t have to see me struggle, but one that to the rest of my chemo sessions. gets to see me thrive again. As I grabbed the bag last night to fill it with distractions to keep me busy Just like the purpose of the bag changed once, it will change again. This during chemo, I became nauseous. I started to feel sick. Setting the bag down, I bag didn’t choose this path and neither did I. My path may have changed but quickly grabbed my anxiety medicine for anticipatory nausea. I took the pill God and the support from others are giving me the strength to walk it. God is and waited for it to kick in. As I waited I looked at the bag and wanted to cry. walking beside me and picking me up when I can’t walk. There are many In anger, I thought this bag wasn’t meant to be my chemo bag. The blue bag wasn’t meant to be dragged back and forth from the doctor's office to my people along the pathway cheering and encouraging me on. This path will be bedroom. It was meant to be used for adventures. I was supposed to be filling conquered. When this is all said and done and I start on a different path the blue Yeti it with sunscreen, beach towels, hats and snacks to have a fun day at the pool. bag will be just another bag. A bag with many memories and reminders of a It was supposed to be filled with picnic essentials to have a nice picnic with fight on a difficult path. Though most importantly, it will be just another bag I family. Instead, it started in a place I never wanted or dreamed to take it. grab for my next adventure. Until then the trusty blue bag will be an accessory I was mad because this isn’t what was supposed to happen. It’s not as I complete God's plan. supposed to be this way. I sat and thought about all the different possibilities – by Camry Weinheimer As the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend work, travel and home life, this story of the blue bag reminds us that life’s challenges still go on. “Just Another Bag” was written by 24-year-old Camry Weinheimer who is battling a rare form of cancer. Camry is the niece of Joy Reznicek Sundbeck and Milton Sundbeck. To follow Camry’s journey go to CaringBridge.com.
Strong Demand for Town Creek Farm Horses During Triangle Sale THE TOWN CREEK FARM HORSE PROGRAM GENERATED STRONG INTEREST DURING THE 41ST ANNUAL TRIANGLE HORSE SALE IN OKLAHOMA CITY. Demand was reflected when TCF Hickory Lovebird entered the sale ring and generated lively and active bidding. On-line buyer and horse trainer, Alesa Jones of Nebraska, had the final bid at $6500. Jones selected the March 2019 filly as a potential show mare but with her versatility and breeding, Lovebird has potential in many disciplines. Hickory Lovebird is sired by Hickory Holly Time and out of a Town Creek Farm foundation mare by Light N Lena. Strong demand continued for TCF Driftin Lady Mae, an April 2018 filly by Francis Dual and out of another Town Creek Farm foundation mare, Sugar Oak Lilly. Oklahoma buyers paid $6000 to own this smart, dependable filly who is proven to work in a variety of ranch disciplines. Both fillies were started and fitted by Town Creek Farm Horse Manager, Anne Sutherland.
TOWN CREEK FARM IS HONORED TO SPONSOR PROFESSIONAL STEER WRESTLER AND WEST POINT NATIVE WILL LUMMUS IN HIS 2021 SEASON. Will had an outstanding National Rodeo Finals finishing 5th in the world and earning more than $100,000 during the 10-day competition. Town Creek Farm is gratified to be a small part of our hometown superstar’s winning career.
Clint Ladner to Serve as President of Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association
TCF HICKORY LOVEBIRD (HICKORY HOLLY TIME X LIGHT N KITTY X LIGHT N LENA)
TCF DRIFTIN LADY MAE (FRANCIS DUAL X SUGAR OAK LILY X DOC SUGAR OAK RASCAL)
FUTURE BEEF INDUSTRY LEADERS. Town Creek Farm was honored to host the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Class (YCLC). The year-long program focuses on preparing future leaders to take on reins of leadership in the beef cattle
Town Creek Farm’s Clint Ladner will serve as President of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) effective March 2021. Ladner was elected by his peers to lead for a year-long term. “The Mississippi Cattlemen’s CLINT LADNER Association plays an important role in educating and bringing cattlemen together, says Lander. The beef industry splinters at times, and cattlemen’s association has a large role in bringing cattlemen together.” MCA represents over 3800 cattlemen and cattlewomen members across Mississippi. MCA is facing some of its toughest challenges ever. Issues such as animal rights, environmental concerns, foreign animal diseases and private property rights. Ladner says that MCA has a strong presence in state legislation as well. “Often times we team with Farm Bureau to support policy, not just in Mississippi, but on a federal level as well. This past year through our joint efforts we changed Mississippi law to protect cattlemen with respect to livestock struck by vehicles,” says Ladner.
industry. Mississippi Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Andy Berry joined the group at Town Creek Farm and shared his association’s work and vision. We are certain these bright young cattlemen and cattlewomen won’t disappoint. Our best.