Town Creek Farm Since 1993
WINTER 2024
Vo l u m e 1 2 , 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
It’s Never As Good As It Gets BY JOY REZNICEK SUNDBECK
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 www.TownCreekFarm.com Joy Reznicek Sundbeck, President (205)399-0221 Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Cody Glenn, Ranch Manager (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com Representatives: Clint Ladner • (662)812-8370 Logan Perry • (863)634-4810 Michael Agar • (336)406-4143 South American Representative Ing. Agr. Federico Maisonnave (011) 595 981 362 898 Maisonnave.Federico@gmail.com TOTAL COMMITMENT
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LOSING A VALUABLE TEAM MEMBER IS NEVER EASY. PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU’VE RELIED ON THEIR EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS. It happened in December. Our nutritionist, Dr. N.T. Cosby accepted an advanced position within the Purina company. Dr. Cosby guided our bull development program since our days in Rose Bud, Arkansas. His leadership, experience and wisdom supplied the underpinning of our development systems and so much more. Purina is a professional company that makes and executes its critical decisions well. We had no doubt that Dr. Cosby’s replacement, Dr. Chris Forcherio, would deliver equally as valuable guidance. Dr. Forcherio made his first visit to Town Creek Farm in January. During our conversations, Dr. Forcherio mentioned that his team will conduct producer programs on minerals across the state of Alabama. I asked what the goals were of the gatherings. “You’d be surprised how many producers still just use salt blocks and leave bulls in with their cow herd year around,” Dr. Forcherio said. I envision producer meetings as a means to help cattle owners understand that it may not be in their best interest to manage in the old way. We have bundles of available knowledge and research to prove otherwise. Resistance to change comes in many shapes. Maybe it’s the way we’ve always done things. Maybe we believe we don’t have the time to manage differently, or we simply don’t take time to learn new ways. Sometimes we just can’t, or don’t want, to see the value of change. In my own operation, I recall a situation that happened many years ago. I had turned a responsibility over to an employee. While performing this responsibility, the employee got into a unique bind and made a decision that was not in sync with our objectives. When I learned of his resolution, I asked him why he made that decision. He said that it was the same decision I had made five years earlier when a similar situation arose. He was correct. However, I went on to explain that we have much more knowledge and technical understanding today than we did five years ago. With our years of experience and
knowledge, a more logical and sound solution existed. Improvement can come in big leaps or in tiny increments. Sexing Technologies is an innovative world market leader in the production and distribution of sexed semen used in the livestock industry. Their reproductive technicians are some of the best in the business. Yet, their team hit a plateau in conception rates with the use of artificial insemination. They didn’t accept the notion that it was as good as it gets. Rather, they went back to the basics and reviewed proper semen handling and storage procedures with all their technicians. Conception rates improved by one percent – a considerable number of pregnancies in their world. One percent improvements can add up. Particularly if you are increasing by one percent in multiple applications. Recently I listened to a podcast featuring James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, who talked about the one percent gains. Clear spoke of Great Britain’s professional cycling team who continually experienced dismal results when competing. A new team coach was hired who believed in a concept that he referred to as the “aggregation of marginal gains.” Clear said that the new coach explained it as “the one percent margin for improvement in everything you do.” He believed that if you improved every area related to cycling by just one percent, then those small gains would add up to remarkable improvement. The coach set a five-year timeline for Great Britain to be competitive. They achieved it in three. During the past four or five breeding seasons, we have fine-tuned our reproductive protocols. We’ve made small changes with every breeding season. Some changes were driven by research. Some by learning of techniques that worked for other operations and some by experience. No matter, each breeding season we’ve made incremental improvements on percent calves born in the first 21 days and in overall conception rates. Where are you in your efforts to improve management practices? What are your daily habits that create your management system? We encourage you to be open-minded and challenge your way of doing things. We never believe we are as good as it gets.
Town Creek Farm Genetics Generate Commanding Response Disciplined breeding decisions are dramatically accelerating the pace of genetic progress. The Town Creek Farm Sale signaled a confirmation of an unprecedented opportunity to add Brangus, Ultrablack and VigorMax™ genetics to cattle operations in the southern tier of the US. The offering was highlighted by a set of first-generation 5/8-3/8 Brangus herd bulls that were bred up from Brahman and Angus. The unique genetic offering attracted both new and repeat customers to the Town Creek Farm Bull Sale and Commercial Bred Heifer Sale on October 21, 2023, near West Point, Miss. The crew welcomed more than 200 buyers and bidders from 14 states who competed to purchase cattle throughout the afternoon. Overall interest in the sale offering was one of the strongest in the history of Town Creek Farm. Town Creek Farm has long been recognized for its objective and disciplined breeding system that results in cattle that excel in real-world commercial ranching environments. The bull sale line-up offered cattlemen a selection of varying percentages of Angus and Braham to fit their genetic and environmental needs. When the gavel fell for its final time, 137 Town Creek Farm bulls averaged $7440 and 209 customer-owned commercial bred heifers averaged $2885. The sale grossed $1,622,200. Spirited bidding was strong, and sometimes fierce, throughout the entire sale. The winning bid for the top bull lot came from CJ Cattle Company, Altoona, Ala. at $18,500. Lot 5, TCF Integrity 4329J2, garnered lots of attention prior to sale and had many friends on sale day. The bull offered a complete and balanced package of genetics, data, and phenotype. First-generation Brangus bulls developed from the Town Creek Farm Breeding Up to Brangus were in high demand all day long. Lot 2, TCF Vigor Boost 1065J, was one such outcross genetic opportunity that commanded a selling price of $18,000 and became the second high seller of the sale. Greg Williams of D’Iberville, Miss., outlasted bidders to earn ownership 1065J. TCF Sleep Easy 6633J5, Lot 16, was a crowd favorite with tremendous eye appeal, muscle, and length of side. He caught the attention CJ Cattle Company who paid $16,000 to own him. Lot 16 was a user-friendly bull with 27% Brahman and 73% Angus. Lot 114, TCF Rapid Reward 312K3, a highly sought-after heifer bull, sold for $14,500 to longtime friends and repeat customers, Charlie Creek Cattle Company of Florida.
Fenco Farms of Florida took home a much raved about new gen bull, Lot 65, TCF Vigor Boost 2365K, for $14,000. The first-generation 5/8/-3/8 Brangus bull had tremendous depth of side and eye appeal and has the potential to be a genetic herd changer. The sale continued at a steady and rhythmic pace supplying cattlemen the opportunity to buy bulls within a variety of budgets. Cattlemen were appreciative of the solid and consistent bull quality offered from start to finish. The Town Creek Farm bull offering was strongly supported throughout the day as 18 bulls sold in a range from $10,000 to $18,500. Forty bulls (30% of bulls) sold from $7500 to $9750. Fifty-five bulls (40%) sold in a from $5000 to $7250. In the Town Creek Farm Commercial Bred Heifer Sale, multi-generational, genetically tracked heifers commanded strong interest and demand from buyers. These customer-owned heifers were offered by River Oaks Farm, Searcy, Ark., 23-year consignor; CP Bar Ranch, Holcomb, Miss., 24-year consignor; 20-year consignor, Megehee Cattle Company, Macon, Miss.; along with 15-year consignor, Montgomery Farms, Moulton, Ala. Other consigners included B&B Farm, Linden, Ala., 11-year consignor; Longino Ranch, Sidell, Fla., nine-year consignor; Lowell Dollar Farms, Bainbridge, Ga., a seven-year consignor; second-year consignor, Spur W Cattle Company of Preston, Miss.; and first-year consignor’s; Jadyn Collier, Preston, Miss.; and Wells Cattle Company, Ridgeland, Miss. Two of the top-selling pens of commercial bred heifers came from Longino Ranch, Inc. at $4000 each. Also commanding a bid of $4000 was a pen from John McKnight’s River Oaks Farm. Heifers were bought by Langmo Family Ranch of Fla. and repeat customers and friends, Dollar Farms, respectively. Longino Ranch heifers continued to command top dollar with three pens at $3700. Sixteen-year-old Jadyn Collier sold her pen of heifers for $3600 while Spur W Cattle Company also commanded $3600 for two pens of heifers. Volume buyers were Langmo Family Ranch; Tri J Cattle, LLC, La.; Watkins Citrus and Cattle, Fla.; and J & N Farms, Ala. Doak Lambert, Decatur, Tex, was the auctioneer.
Spring Private Treaty Bulls for Sale
In 1949 charter members from 16 states gathered to form the American Brangus Breeders Association in Vinita, Oklahoma.
The Brangus Breed Celebrates 75 Years Join the celebration in historic cowtown of Fort Worth, Texas
TOWN CREEK FARM IS OFFERING FOR SALE THIS SPRING A NEW CROP OF PRIVATE TREATY BULLS. BULL VIDEOS, DATA AND PRICING WILL BE POSTED ON TOWNCREEKFARM.COM. Or, for more information please contact Cody Glenn at (601)508-8689 or Joy Reznicek Sundbeck at (205)399-0221 or Owen Tolar (601)954-9507. Town Creek Farm bulls are developed to go out and hustle and breed as many females as possible in pastures. We encourage you to keep Town Creek Farm replacement heifers as they are highly proven for fertility and maternal traits. Financial opportunities lie ahead in the cattle business with heifer retention, development and marketing. We are committed to producing and providing genetics that add long-term value and profitability for our customers in real-world environments. Town Creek Farm takes every measure possible to ensure the success of our customers and our own success.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRANGUS BREED TAKES US BACK BEYOND 75 YEARS AGO WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION IN 1949. Much of the early work in crossing Brahman and Angus cattle was done at the USDA Experiment Station at Jeanerette, Louisiana -- the first crosses being made as far back as 1912. A few individual breeders in other parts of the United States and Canada were also carrying on private experimental breeding programs. They were looking for a desirable beef-type animal that would retain the Brahman's natural ability to thrive under adverse conditions in combination with the excellent qualities for which the Angus is noted. Early Brangus breeders from 16 states and Canada met in Vinita, Oklahoma on July 19, 1949, and organized the American Brangus Breeders Association with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. The association was later renamed the International Brangus Breeders Association and is now headquartered near San Antonio, Texas. The Brangus breed will host its 75 Years Brangus Celebration on August 9-10, 2024, at The Worthington Renaissance Hotel in the historic cowtown of Fort Worth, Texas. Brangus enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the 75-year legacy with a weekend of commemoration, education, entertainment and fellowship. Schedule and registration opportunities will be available closer to date. Meanwhile, stay up-to-date, go down memory road, and relive the past 75 years of Brangus history by following the Facebook page created for this milestone event – www.Facebook.com/75-Years-BrangusCelebration. The Facebook page is devoted to featuring events, people and cattle that have played roles, large or small in the breed’s history. Like the page and follow along. We invite you to post photos on your personal/ranch pages and tag the 75 Years Brangus Celebration page and share this page.
Town Creek Farm Bull Credit Selling Friday, February 23, 2024 TOWN CREEK FARM CONTINUES TO BE ROOTED IN ITS GOAL OF IMPROVING THE BRANGUS BREED THROUGH ITS EXISTING GENETIC BASE AND WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW, FIRST-GENERATION BRANGUS. A highlight of our commitment is the donation of $500 bull credit to be auctioned and then used in the Town Creek Farm Bull Sale on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The auction will take place during the 2024 Alabama Cattlemen’s (ACA) Convention in Huntsville, Alabama. Live bidding for the credit will happen during the Alabama BEEF PAC Auction on Friday evening, February 23, 2024. Proceeds from the donation will go to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Political Action Committee (PAC) and be used to protect Alabama’s beef cattle industry through lobbying state government on behalf of cattle producers. If you have an interest in supporting the ACA by bidding on the credit, contact Cody Glenn at (601)508-8689.
Tyler Waguespack Wins Fourth Consecutive Gold Buckle in Dramatic In 2022, in a stunning turn of events, Tyler Waguespack emerged victorious as he clinched his fourth consecutive Gold Buckle win. Despite facing tough competition from his close friend Will Lummus, Waguespack managed to snatch the title. Little did he know that the following year would bring yet another uphill battle. In December in the 10th and final round of the 2023 National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, Waguespack found himself in a seemingly insurmountable position. To secure the World Championship, he had to outperform Dalton Massey while hoping for Massey’s failure to place. With nerves of steel, Waguespack executed a flawless 3.8-second run, while luck was on his side as Massey broke the barrier. This turn of events sealed the deal, with Waguespack winning the 2023 World Championship by a mere $20,000 margin, accumulating an astounding $303,576 in winnings for the season. Reflecting on his incredible achievement, Waguespack humbly expressed, “Not every day you get a chance to win a Gold Buckle. I had a steer that was going to be a hell of a gamble. The adrenaline rush that I just had in that arena right there is unmatched.” While his previous wins had required different strategies, this particular victory was more demanding. Waguespack owned the moment, acknowledging that the outcome was in his hands, and he had to go all out to secure the win. Tyler Waguespack’s journey to victory exemplifies the grit, determination, and skill required to succeed in the world of rodeo. His ability to rise above adversity and deliver when it matters most has firmly established him as one of the sport’s greatest champions. With this achievement, Tyler now shares the record of five World Titles with the legendary Luke Branquinho, solidifying his place in PRCA history. – Content of story written by Stacey Scott, Gillett News
Semen for Sale – Proven Sires FOR ORDERS AND MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cody Glenn (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com Joy Reznicek Sundbeck (205)399-0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com. Semen $40 per straw. Commercial Use $20 per straw. Volume Discounts.
TOWN CREEK FARM HAS ANNOUNCED ITS 2024 SPONSORSHIP OF WILL LUMMUS, PROFESSIONAL STEER WRESTLER. Town Creek Farm is pleased to again have the Town Creek Farm logo and sponsorship name attached to Will Lummus. The Town Creek Farm team and Will's hometown of West Point are honored to have the opportunity to support such an athlete and icon in the world of Professional Rodeo. TCF RAPID REWARD
10 Habits of High-Return Producers 1. Below average annual cow cost. 2. Lower than average calf breakeven prices 3. Lower feed costs – acres per cow and fed feed vs. grass feed. 4. Lower interest expense – less debt. 5. Lower overheads. 6. Higher conception rates – higher fertility always equals more profit. 7. More pounds weaned per cow exposed. 8. High-quality bulls with strong genetics. 9. Preventative herd health programs. 10. High-quality pasture (maintain nutritional requirements through grazing management).
145E6 145E6 is loaded with a massive hip, tremendous depth body, rib shape and bone and
stands on near ideal feet and legs.145E6 sired sons averaged $8700 in our 2023 and $8000 in our 2022 sale.
TCF RAPID REWARD
Cattle Markets Start Off Year Favorably JANUARY 2024 FEEDER CATTLE (DELIVERED STEERS AND HEIFERS WEIGHING 600-800 LBS.) FUTURES HIT $226.57 AS OF THIS WRITING. “CATTLE FEEDERS HAVE STARTED THE YEAR OFF IN A FAVORABLE MANNER WITH INCREASING PRICES, BUT THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR MUCH HIGHER PRICES MOVING FORWARD,” SAYS UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AG ECONOMIST ANDREW GRIFFITH. Dr. Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, recommends that all producers should be thinking about how and when they can go on offense to take advantage of current and future market opportunities. According to Peel, beef production will continue to decline in 2024 and beyond. Beef cow herd liquidation will likely slow, perhaps stop in 2024; though there is little chance of any significant rebuild for a year or more. Peel says that it will, of course, depend on weather and forage conditions in the coming year. Heifer retention needed to rebuild herds will squeeze feeder supplies, feedlot production, cattle slaughter and beef production going forward. However, it is unclear how aggressive that process will be. Attempts for a faster herd rebuild will provoke a bigger impact on cattle and beef prices; while a slower herd expansion will be less dramatic but will sustain tighter cattle and beef supplies, and higher prices, longer. In January of 2000, feeder cattle futures traded at $85.26 per hundredweight (cwt). In 2011, January futures increased significantly to $127.46. Then in 2015, futures surpassed the $200 per cwt. mark for the first time in history. Since 2015, futures stayed under $200 until now. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the CPI for beef (and veal) in 1935. In 1935 the CPI for beef was 11.623 percent. In 2023, the CPI in for beef was 400.770 percent. Beef costing $20 in the year 1935 would cost $689.61 in 2023 for an equivalent purchase.
263F 263F is phenotypically correct and has classic breed character. He’s wide-topped and thick with an excellent set of wheels under him. He’s moderate framed out of an easy fleshing, fertile dam with an excellent udder structure.
TCF INTEGRITY
4861F7 4861F7 has proven to be a highly reliable calving ease bull. Calves are light at birth and grow with an abundance of rib shape, body, and natural muscle and are easy fleshing. Average calf birth weight is 69 lbs. on more than 300 calves. In 2023, 4861F7 was the 17th most used A.I. sire in the Brangus breed.
CALF AT SIDE SIRED BY 4861F7.
LOOK FOR TOWN CREEK FARM AT THESE EVENTS January 31 - February 2 – Booth #1601 – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention and Trade Show, Orlando, Florida February 22-23, 2024 – Alabama Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show, (look for the Town Creek Farm display booth), Huntsville, Alabama February 28 - March 2, 2024 – International Brangus Breeders Association Convention and Show, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo March 1-2, 2024 – Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Convention, (look for the Town Creek Farm display booth), Jackson, Mississippi June 17-20, 2024 – Florida Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show, (look for the Town Creek Farm display booth), Marco Island, Florida