The National Beef Quality Audit GENETRUST`s Passion for Brangus

Transcription

The National Beef Quality Audit GENETRUST`s Passion for Brangus
Serving the Bos indicus Cattle Industry of America | October 2012
The National Beef Quality Audit
GENETRUST’s Passion for Brangus
Salacoa Valley - Commited to the Industry
From One Cattleman To Another
Santa Gertrudis Genetics You Can Count On
At Briggs Ranches, we offer the finest in
Santa Gertrudis Genetics. Performance
proven genetics from an industry leader.
Breeding practical cattle to satisfy the
needs of commercial cattlemen.We
want to thank our many customers
and welcome cattlemen to see how
Santa Gertrudis can enhance
your program.
Call Us for
Santa Gertrudis Bulls and Females
Star 5 Certified Santa Gertrudis Commercial Females
Two Special Days. Two Great Santa Gertrudis Sales!
Friday • October 19, 2012 • 11a.m.
9th Annual Briggs Ranches
Santa Gertrudis Bull Sale
75 “Ready to Work” Bulls
200 “Star 5” Commercial Females
Saturday • October 20, 2012 • 11a.m.
35th Annual Tri-Star Santa Gertrudis Sale
an offering of performance proven
genetics from three of the most respected
and consistent programs in the industry.
Briggs Ranches, Corporron Acres
and Harris Riverbend Farms
Briggs Ranches
PO Box 1417 • Victoria, Texas 77902 (361) 573-7141 • Joe Jones, manager (361) 897-1337
• E-mail Robert Briggs
[email protected]
Traylor Division
(Bloomington, Texas)
San Roque Division
(Catarina, Texas)
San Carlos Division
(Rio Grande City, Texas)
• E-mail Joe Jones:
[email protected]
The EAR october 2012 | 1
Columns
4
8
8
Have You Heard...the Truth
The Science of Bos inducus
Features
12
16
The drive to maximize genetic outcomes for
Brangus cattle cut a fresh trail in 2009 when
10 successful registered Brangus operations
decided they could be even stronger by
working together.
GENETRUST Partners Share
Passion for Brangus Cattle,
Beef Industry
Salacoa Valley Farms Commited to the Beef Industry
12
Departments
22
24
25
Brahman Headlines
Brangus Headlines
Santa Gertrudis Headlines
Other
28
34
35
36
Over the past 6 months or so the results of
the most recent National Beef Quality Audit
(funded by your Beef Check Off dollars and
conducted by several land grant agricultural
universities) were presented and explained
(first at the NCBA meeting and later in the
press). The audit was conducted last year
and I would encourage you to go to the
website http://bqa.org/audit.aspx and read
all the results, many of which are positive
but some less so.
Industry News
Bos inducus Bulletin Board
16
Advertiser’s Index
Calendar
< On the Cover:
Beefmaster calf in Florida.
Picture taken by Crystal
Devoll.
2 | october 2012 The EAR
Few people in the purebred cattle business
today can match the commitment and experience of David Vaughan, owner of Salacoa Valley Farms in Fairmount, Ga. He has
weathered the highs and lows, from severe
drought to extreme floods, from the times
of record high cattle prices to the days of
rock bottom lows. All the while, Vaughan’s
Brangus operation has thrived, keeping a
single purpose in mind….to produce the
top Brangus females in the country
The EAR october 2012 | 3
Have You Heard....
Serving the Bos indicus
Cattle Industry of America
The EAR Magazine
c/o AMS Genetics
PO Box 10
Wheelock, TX 77882
Physical:
10541 E OSR
Hearne, TX 77859
Phone: 979/219-4599
Fax: 979/828-5532
www.theearmagazine.com
the Truth
The 2012 “Fall Sale” season is underway! It appears that the demand for replacement females is very high. Already this fall
in Texas we have seen commercial replacement pairs bring $4,000 (South Texas Cattle Marketing “Fall Gathering Sale”) and
commercial spring replacement bred heifers bring $2,300 (Nunley Brother’s “One
Ranch Raised” bred heifer sale). People ask
me every day how can cattle be valued at
these prices? It is pretty simple when you look at the numbers.
Crystal Devoll
Graphic Designer/Layout Artist
979/820-8358
[email protected]
1. July 1, 2012 beef cow numbers were reported in the U.S.
at 30.5 million head, down 900,000 from 2011
Brad Wright
Billing
979/219-4599
[email protected]
2. Beef heifers retained for replacement in the U.S. are at 4.2
million head. This unchanged from last year’s historically low
number.
Mark Cowan
Advertising Sales
903/495-4522
[email protected]
3. Cattle numbers in the U.S. are the smallest since 1952. At
the same time U.S. beef exports have surged 21 percent.
Kyle Devoll
Advertising Sales
979/820-8362
[email protected]
4. The USDA forecasts a 4.1 percent drop in beef output
in 2012, boosting the cost of the meat for consumers by as
much as five percent this year, more than any other food
group except seafood.
Richard Hood
Advertising Sales
979/225-6140
[email protected]
5. Weather permitting, most experts are predicting even
higher prices in the spring of 2013.
Trey Kirkpatrick
Advertising Sales
979/324-5518
[email protected]
6. The 2013 calf crop is already being hedged at profits by
many because of higher cattle futures banked against lesser
corn futures.
Member:
Published on the first day of each month. Correspondence on all phases of
the cattle business is invited. Publisher reserves exclusive right to accept
or reject advertising or editorial material submitted for publication in The
EAR magazine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to : The EAR c/o AMS
Genetics, PO Box 10, Wheelock, Texas 77882, 979-219-4599, FAX 979-8285532.
4 | october 2012 The EAR
The basic summary is that the supply of cattle is low and demand of beef is high. Just think, this is all happening in a weak
U.S. and World economy. What will happen when everything
gets back to normal?
IT IS TIME TO BUY!!!
We look forward to serving you.
Richard Hood
PROVEN.
PERFORMING.
WINNING.
www.aspenedgemarketing.com
October 20th, At the ranch, Poteet, TX
Selling a flush!
DDD Ms Reba 804S11 - This Donor Sells!
Ms Brinks Newt 55U5 - Dam of 2012 Futurity Champion Heifer
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF
FT
0.6 21 42 13 24 0.9 0.35 -0.04 0.006
DDD Ms Ginger 804T51 - Sells as Part of Choice Lot!
DDD Ms Karla 804W34 - Full Sister to 804T49 and 804T51
BW WW YW M TM SC
0.8 37 52 6 24 1.3
REA IMF
FT
0.57 0.10 0.003
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF
FT
2.1 36 56 12 30 0.20 0.68 0.05 0.006
DDD W3 Rockstar 804Y40
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT
2.2 24 35 14 26 0.4 0.13 -0.03 0.006
BW WW YW M TM SC
-1.9 4 11 8 10 0.4
REA IMF
FT
0.1 -0.02 -0.001
DDD Handler 88Y6
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT
0.7 21 40 7 18 0.8 0.3 -0.07 -0.010
80 BULLS, 40 REGISTERED
BRANGUS FEMALES,
60 COMMERCIAL FEMALES
OCTOBER 20 | POTEET, TX
Mark Cowan | 903-495-4522 | [email protected]
Richard Hood | 979-224-6150 | [email protected]
Trey Kirkpatrick | 979-324-5518 | [email protected]
Brad Wright | 979-219-4599 | [email protected]
www.amscattle.com
DDD Ms Belle 20X - This Spring Bred Heifer Sells!
BW WW YW M TM SC
3.3 42 63 12 34 0.7
REA IMF
FT
0.41 -0.16 -0.007
DDD Hercules 38Y
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF
FT
1.0 35 52 8 26 0.10 0.58 -0.06 -0.015
DDD W3 Toughman 7Y11
BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF
FT
1.6 26 55 10 22 1.10 0.64 -0.06 -0.004
Request Your Sale Catalog Today!
Mike and Lisa Doguet, Owners
Mike Cell: 409-790-0345 Mike Office: 409-866-2297
Poteet/McCoy Locations - Eric Otto: (210) 834-0034
Beaumont Location - Leslie Douget: (409) 790-5465
Genetics Consultant - Timmy Lucherk: (210) 834-1247
Secretary - Charleen Lowak: (830) 569-5836
www.doguetranch.com
The EAR october 2012 | 5
SELLING 100 BULLS!
Rancher’s Herd Sires - More and Better Than Ever!
www.aspenedgemarketing.com
DDD UC-Gentleman 804S21 - HE SELLS!
CI Mr Csonka 409U30 - HE SELLS!
WW Cherokee 535W36 - HE SELLS!
New Vision of Salacoa 209Y2 - HE SELLS!
Eisenhower of Salacoa 23Y69 - HE SELLS!
Lincoln of Salacoa 392Y27 - HE SELLS!
Request a Catalog Today!
Backed by the POWERFUL
Salacoa Valley Cowherd:
Mark Cowan | [email protected] | 903-495-4522
Trey Kirkpatrick | [email protected] | 979-324-5518
Richard Hood | [email protected] | 979-224-6150
Brad Wright | [email protected] | 979-219-4599
6 | october 2012 The EAR
SVF Averages
SVF %’s
Breed Average
BW
WW
YW MILK
+0.19 +29.3 +52.9 +15.4
30% 20% 15% 20%
0.7
20.6 37.2
9.8
TM
+30.6
20%
20.1
SC
+0.76
20%
0.37
REA
+0.49
20%
0.21
IMF
+0.06
30%
-0.01
BUY THE NUMBERS
SELLING 100 BRANGUS FEMALES!
More and Better Than Ever!
Ms Salacoa Lambert 209Y13 - Sells as part of a pick lot
Ms SVF Elixir 23X32 - SHE SELLS!
Ms Salacoa Whitfield 468Y12 - Sells as part of a pick lot
SVF 607L11 392 T569 - SHE SELLS!
October 26th
Fairmount, Georgia 10:00 AM ET
Please join us Thursday evening October 25th for
steaks and a special elite offering of females.
David & Susan Vaughan, Owners
SVF - D Bar D Ada - RU - SHE SELLS!
Chris Heptinstall, Gen. Manager
PO Box 185
Fairmount, GA 30139
706-337-2295
[email protected]
www.salacoavalleybrangus.com
Sales Consultant: Todd Harvey 386288-8059 | [email protected]
The EAR october 2012 | 7
The National Beef
Quality Audit:
The Science of Bos indicus
What it means
for eared
cattle
featuring Dr. Joe Paschal
Professor & Livestock Specialist
Texas AgriLife Extension
Corpus Christi, Texas
Over the past 6 months or so the results of the most recent National Beef Quality Audit (funded by your Beef
Check Off dollars and conducted by several land grant agricultural universities) were presented and explained (first at
the NCBA meeting and later in the press). The audit was conducted last year and I would encourage you to go to the
website http://bqa.org/audit.aspx and read all the results, many of which are positive but some less so. The concept of
auditing the beef product of the cattle industry is not new, the idea originated in the early 1990s, and the audit has
provided data that have allowed the industry to make significant positive changes in the way we produce, handle and
market our product for today’s consumer.
This past Audit included face to face interviews with government or allied industry (agribusiness), retailers, food service, packers and feeders. All
were asked how they defined “quality” based on their rating of seven specific
quality attributes. These attributes were 1) How and Where the Cattle were
Raised; 2) Lean, Fat and Bone; 3) Weight and Size; 4) Cattle Genetics; 5)
Visual Characteristics; 6) Food Safety; and 7) Eating Satisfaction. They were
also asked to provide quality related details and practices that are important
to them. Finally they were asked a “willingness to pay” and a “best-worst”
ranking for the industry for these seven quality attributes. The table on the
facing page indicates the ranking of these attributes for each group.
The closer you get to the end product the higher food safety and eating
satisfaction are in the list of quality attributes (as they should be) and cattle
genetics is in the top three only twice for the Government/Allied Industry
types and the Feeder classification. In an overall weighted ranking, genetics
is fifth, behind Visual Characteristics and tied with Weight and Size. Food
Safety is three times as important and Eating Satisfaction is twice as important as Cattle Genetics as an overall quality attribute.
Carcasses that qualified under Nolan Ryan Beef
8 | october 2012 The EAR
When asked to define Eating Satisfaction, the top two most frequent descriptions by the Allied Industry/Government and Retailers were tenderness
and flavor. Retailers indicated that the amount of marbling desired to mean
“USDA Select or higher” and about half used “predominately black hide”
to describe the desired visual characteristic quality attribute. Of particular
interest was that 13% of retailers interviewed (no mention of which ones or
how many pounds of beef were sold) reported “not Bos indicus”. Whether
or not that means no Bos indicus or not 100% wasn’t asked but should have
been. The primary reason for this response when asked was “toughness associated with Bos indicus beef ” which is why some purchase product from the
Midwest and not Texas. Even though this was at the bottom of their list of
rankings, it seems that some work needs to be done here to show these folks
how much the Brahman and Bos indicus influenced breeds have improved
tenderness in their product. Brahman was one of the second breeds in the
US to have a Tenderness EPD and my own research over the past 20 years
with many of the Bos indicus influenced breeds and crosses has shown average shear force to be very acceptable.
Of the Packers
interviewed, 88%
participated in
branded beef
programs and
half or more of
those interviewed
indicated that
requirements
should include
marbling, hide
color, hump height
and yield grade.
Ranking of Attributes by Interview Group for Quality Attributes (High to Low)
ALLIED/GOVT
RETAILERS
FOOD SERVICE
PACKERS
FEEDERS
Food safety
Food safety
Food safety
Food safety
How & where raised
Eating satisfaction
Eating satisfaction
Eating satisfaction
Eating satisfaction
Weight & sizze
Cattle genetics
How & where raised
Lean, fat & bone
Lean, fat & bone
Cattle genetics
Weight & size
Visual characteristics How & where raised
How & where raised
Lean, fat & bone
How & where raised
Weight & size
Visual characteristic
Cattle genetics
Food safety
Visual characteristics Lean, fat & bone
Weight & size
Weight & size
Eating satisfaction
Lean, Fat & bone
Cattle genetics
Visual characteristics Visual characteristics
Cattle genetics
When Packers were asked about Cattle Genetics, about half defined this
quality attribute as “having a black hide” and about one in four as having
the “genetic potential for marbling” or “quality grade”. I disagree with the
findings of the Audit though when they say that “Based on these frequently
mentioned attributes by packers, it could be concluded that packers prefer black-hided cattle that grade USDA Choice or better”. Of the Packers
interviewed, 88% participated in branded beef programs and half or more
of those interviewed indicated that requirements should include marbling,
hide color, hump height and yield grade. It is interesting that hump height
should be included since work done by Dr. Don Franke at LSU a few years
back concluded that there was no genetic correlation between hump height
and tenderness in Brahman cattle but maybe the word hasn’t gotten to the
Packers yet. In their definition of Visual Characteristics and at the bottom of
their list of concerns, 29% of Feeders indicated “predominately black hide”
and 12% indicated “no eared cattle”. This discrimination against Brahman
or Bos indicus cattle may have been well deserved at one time but not now.
The refrain of preferring predominately black hided cattle echoes
throughout this audit as if the color of the hide truly represented anything
about the eating experience of the meat it covers. How many breeds of cattle
are black hided now? It is easier to count those that are not: Charolais, Hereford, Red Angus (the only beef breed that matches marbling in Angus but
is discriminated against in CAB), Brahman, Braford, and Santa Gertrudis.
In one of the presentations a slide indicates that for Cattle Genetics one of
the top three answers (across market sectors) was “primarily British”. I never
It is interesting that hump
height should be included
since work done by Dr. Don
Franke at LSU a few years back
concluded that there was no
genetic correlation between
hump height and tenderness
in Brahman cattle, but maybe
the word hasn’t gotten to the
Packers yet.
saw that response from any sector in the Audit report. It may have been
assumed by the authors that most black hided cattle were primarily British
but it sort of leaves out a lot of non British breeds that ought to have been
included that will grade Choice.
There are other parts of this Audit, including the Carcass Quality Survey
and Instrument Grading Assessment (new to this Audit) and the Quality
Enhancement of the Seedstock, Cow/Calf and Stocker Sectors. The increase
in percent Prime and Choice over previous Audits is noted as is the similarity between instrument grading and human grading. Beef Quality Assurance practices and principles are being followed and more folks are interacting with their veterinarians in a timely manner. This is good for all in our
industry.
The good news is that much of the audit shows all segments prefer the
type of cattle being raised by Eared breeders and commercial Eared cattlemen. All want a good eating experience, adapted cattle raised in a healthy
environment, cattle that have been treated humanely and beef that is safe to
eat. And if we look at the other details expressed about cattle genetics; lean
fat and bone; and visual characteristics, Eared cattle fit. They will grow fast
and efficiently in the feedyard, will be healthy and profitably, will provide
a product that is acceptable in carcass weight, ribeye area and fat thickness,
will quality and yield grade (Select or better, 3 or better), be tender, safe and
provide an excellent eating experience. Don’t let anyone tell you different! v
The EAR october 2012 | 9
Breeding Productive
Profitable Cattle
BEEFMASTERS
November 17, 2012 • 1 PM
Brenham, Texas
Selling Approximately 100 Forage Developed Beefmaster Bulls
★ From Collier Farms and these Top Performance Breeders ★
Bryan Ranch – Lyssy & Sons – Melvin Scherer Jr.
Halepeska Beefmasters – Wayne Bryant Beefmasters – G4 Ranch
JZJ Beefmasters – Rocking W Ranch – Timber Ridge
Carcass Evaluated
REA/CWT, %IMF, BF
Gain Tested
for ADG and WDA
Forage Developed
on Native and
Improved Pasture
Visually Graded
Structure & Disposition
All Bulls Fully Guaranteed 180 Days –
Fertility, Bangs, Trich, TB Tested
Hauling Available and Freight Discounts on Volume
and Out-of-State Purchases
Sale Location:
Washington County Fairgrounds
North of Brenham on FM 577
Large Selection of Bred E6
Females For Sale at the Ranch
Collier Farms
305 Tommelson Creek, Brenham, TX 77833
979-251-4642 • 979-251-4175
www.collierfarmsbeefmasters.com
10 | october 2012 The EAR
2012
Hotel Accommodations:
LaQuinta Inn 979-836-5551
Holiday Inn Express 479-836-4590
Best Western 979-251-7791
Comfort Suites 979-421-8100
The EAR october 2012 | 11
GENETRUST Partners
Share Passion for
Brangus Cattle,
Beef Industry
By Mark Parker
Front Row: Vernon Suhn - Suhn Cattle Company, Dr. Randy Schmidt
- Schmidt Farms, Bill Davis - Chimney Rock Catltle Company.
Back Row: Joe Kassler - The Oaks Farm, Joe Fuller - Cross F Cattle
Company, Mike Weathers - Genesis Ranch, David Wood - Double W
Ranch, John Milam - Draggin’ M Ranch, Joe Cavender - Cavender
Ranches, Craig Green - Chimney Rock Cattle Company, Ray Johnston Johnston Farms.
Unique alliance strengthens quality, selection, and
consistency for established breeding programs.
The drive to maximize genetic outcomes for Brangus cattle cut a fresh trail
in 2009 when 10 successful registered Brangus operations decided they could
be even stronger by working together.
any of us could do individually. We share a very similar genetic philosophy
and we all have a very positive vision and passion for Brangus cattle and for
the beef industry.”
GENETRUST is a unique genetic and marketing alliance that includes
Cavender Ranches, Jacksonville, TX; Chimney Rock Cattle Company, Concord, AR; Suhn Cattle Company, Eureka, KS; The Oaks Farm, Newnan,
GA; Cross F Cattle Company, Hearne, TX; Genesis Ranch, Columbus,
TX; Johnston Farms, Letohatchee, AL; Double W Ranch, McComb, MS;
Schmidt Farms, Texarkana, TX; and Draggin’ M Ranch, El Dorado, AR.
Although each of the 10 operations is unique and autonomous, they share
a foundation of Brinks Brangus genetics. Suhn and Marketing Director Craig
Green guide all mating selections with input from each ranch owner. Along
with proven cow families and elite donors, GENETRUST partners own, or
have produced, some of the breed’s top sires such as Next Step, LTD, Alydar,
Affirmed, Blackhawk, Csonka, 607L11, Unitas, Patton, Guardian, Abrams,
Singletary, Newt, Chisholm, Landau, North Star, Onstar, Swift, Hombre
and many more. Additionally, the alliance continually evaluates, analyzes and
samples young sires within both the Angus and Brangus breeds which they
feel will have a positive impact on the beef industry.
Combining genetic resources with the cumulative cattle savvy of more
than 100 years in the Brangus business puts GENETRUST on track to offer
customers proven, practical and predictable genetics, according to the group’s
president Vern Suhn.
“Commercial cattlemen demand — and deserve — more quality, more
data and more selection,” he explains. “We concluded that, collectively, we
could breed and develop cattle at a higher level and with more efficiency than
12 | october 2012 The EAR
GENETRUST pursues a genetic pathway directed by its customers, Green
says. “It’s all about listening to customers,” he explains. “Our goal is to provide what they need at the highest possible level. We run the numbers constantly and we’re seeing steady improvement in all areas. At the same time, we
recognize that not all operations have
the same needs so we strive to offer an
outstanding selection of Brangus and
UltraBlack cattle and semen that will
excel anywhere in the country and internationally.”
Elite genetics alone, Green adds, is
not enough to earn a growing group
of repeat customers. The “trust” part
of GENETRUST is equally important,
he says: “We stand behind these cattle.
We call a spade a spade and we’re not
going to back up.”
All GENETRUST bulls are developed at one of three sites — Suhn Cattle Company, Eureka, Kan.; Cavender/
Neches River Ranch, Jacksonville, Tex.;
or Chimney Rock Cattle Company,
Concord, Ark. Each location utilizes
the same development protocol and
similar rations designed to maintain
condition after turnout rather than
attaining maximum gain. The diverse
locations also help bulls acclimate to
different environments to better meet
customer needs.
Vern Suhn observing and grading a set of GENETRUST bulls.
More than 85 percent of GENETRUST bulls are either AI-sired or are
ET calves and all are balanced-trait selected to positively impact customers’
herds. Each bull meets exacting health standards, including individual state
health and trichomoniasis requirements before shipping. All bulls must test
negative for PI-BVD, bovine leukosis, and Johne’s Disease. Additionally, all
bulls must pass an above average semen test.
As proud as he is of the cattle GENETRUST offers today, Suhn is quietly
confident that tomorrow’s GENETRUST bulls and females will be even better.
Although GENETRUST’s annual bull offering is growing, founding partner Joe Cavender says the alliance is not numbers driven. “Our aim isn’t to be
the biggest,” he says. “We’re driven by two things — consistency and quality.”
For more information on GENETRUST visit their website: www.genetrustbrangus.com. v
“We’re constantly evaluating and researching to better produce a product
that will fit the growing needs and demands of our industry.” he concludes.
Extensive use of AI and ET — while constantly measuring the traits important to customers — moves GENETRUST forward, guided by the shared
philosophy of its founders. As committed as the partners are to taking advantage of the latest technologies, Bill Davis of Chimney Rock Cattle Company
says solid cow sense is a critical ingredient.
“Vern Suhn and Craig Green have a vast knowledge of the industry and
it’s a tremendous opportunity to be able to benefit from that,” he says. “They
are top-notch cattlemen and they’re in herds all over the country. They see
thousands of cattle and thousands of matings and they bring that experience
and knowledge to GENETRUST and our customers.”
Davis adds that a tremendous increase in data, as a result of the alliance,
provides the tools for building better Brangus cattle. “It’s a win-win,” he explains. “It’s good for us and good for our customers.”
Four sales are held annually at three locations:
•First weekend in November, Brangus and Ultrablack bulls, registered
Brangus females and commercial females, Chimney Rock.
•First Saturday in December, Brangus and Ultrablack bulls and commercial females, Cavender Ranch.
•Fourth Tuesday in March, Brangus and Ultrablack bulls, Suhn Cattle
Company.
•Fourth Saturday in April, registered and commercial females, Cavender
Ranch.
(L-R) Vern Suhn, GENETRUST President; Craig Green, GENETRUST Marketing Director
The EAR october 2012 | 13
We are building the future of
BRINKS BRANGUS™ cattle.
Ms Brinks Bright Side 99P15
BW
-0.7
Bright Side x Miss Brinks Trooper 99F12
WW
25
YW
44
M
8
TM
21
SC
0.3
BW
2.5
REA
0.37
IMF
0.2
Ms Brinks LTD 30W2
FT
0.025
BW
1.2
WW
32
YW
56
M
10
TM
26
SC
1.3
REA IMF
FT
0.73 -0.11 -0.002
Ms Brinks Lambert 99T23
WW
32
Lambert x Miss Brinks CEO 99M10
YW
57
M
11
TM
27
SC
0.3
REA
0.75
14 | october 2012 The EAR
BW
1.4
Sonar x Miss Brinks Lineman 607L18
WW
14
YW
22
M
6
TM
13
SC
0.2
REA
-0.2
IMF
FT
0.04 -0.005
Ms Brinks Nimitz 541N29
IMF
FT
0.41 0.006
Westall Ranches, LLC
Tate Pruett, Ranch Manager
Ms Brinks Sonar 468P58
LTD x Ms Brinks Van Go 30N2
BW
-1.6
WW
17
Nimitz x Miss Brinks Trooper 541H8
YW
34
M
27
TM
36
SC
0.3
REA IMF
FT
0.54 -0.44 -0.006
Arabela, New Mexico
Cell: 575-365-6356
Email: [email protected]
www.aspenedgemarketing.com
Brinks Brangus
Iconic Brand.
Dominant Cattle.
New Vision.
From Great Cows, Come Great Bulls
PRIVATE TREATY BULLS FOR SALE!
REG No
Sire
PHS Gen Dam
1014
1/9/11
R1019697
Brinks Brangus
ID
DOB
P
6
R1019645
1024
P
1/20/11
6
1027
P
1/19/11
6
R1019632
R10197750
1028
P
1/19/11
R10197678
1033
P
1/23/11
6
R10197701
P
6
R10189233
1074
P
2/20/11
5
R10197998
1081
P
5/18/11
5
R10189218
1086
P
2/13/11
6
R10189225
1088
P
2/14/11
7
R10189235
P
5
R10189217
1097
P
2/23/11
6
R10189227
1098
P
3/25/11
6
R10189227
1098
P
3/25/11
6
R10193526
1103
P
4/18/11
5
R10189222
1104
P
3/25/11
6
R10189236
1105
P
2/20/11
5
R10198407
1001
P
12/9/10
240Y1
1/7/11
5
R10197634
1057
P
1/18/11
1094
2/8/11
6
R10197661
1044
P
1/30/11
1061
2/5/11
6
6
R10189261
P
7
BW WW YW M TM SC REA MAR FAT
Acc Acc Acc Acc ADG Acc Acc Acc Acc
OSO NEGRO 15-7
MISS OSO 26-7
-0.1 20 35
9
19 0.50 0.20 0.00 -0.006
0.30 0.24 0.22 0.09 2.67 0.04 0.20 0.20 0.06
OSO NEGRO 30-6
MISS OSO 20-6
0.4
9
17
4
8 0.10 0.13 -0.01 -0.015
0.29 0.26 0.22 0.09 2.49 0.04 0.22 0.13 0.19
BRINKS BRIGHT SIDE 782R21 1.6 28
49
4
17 0.70 0.57 0.08 0.005
MISS OSO 12-6*
0.29 0.26 0.24 0.11 2.74 0.08 0.23 0.15 0.10
BRINKS UPPERCUT 23P
MS LEE 732 560-509
0.8 14 21
8
14 0.60 -0.23 -0.06 -0.013
0.30 0.23 0.22 0.10 2.35 0.07 0.22 0.14 0.09
OSO NEGRO 12-8
MISS OSO 36-2*
0.3 22 40
8
19 0.60 0.25 0.03 -0.001
0.28 0.24 0.21 0.10 2.89 0.05 0.22 0.13 0.05
OSO NEGRO 15-7
MISS OSO 35-7
-3.3 6
7
6
10 0.30 -0.12 -0.13 -0.008
0.30 0.24 0.21 0.09 1.87 0.03 0.23 0.13 0.20
BRINKS BRIGHT SIDE 782R1
MISS OSO 17-9
1.9 30 61
7
22 0.70 0.74 0.06 0.002
0.29 0.25 0.23 0.10 2.73 0.08 0.25 0.16 0.10
BRINKS LINEMAN 196N
MISS OSO 18-3
1.2
8
23
4
8 0.00 0.17 -0.01 -0.009
0.29 0.25 0.17 0.10 2.11 0.05 0.07 0.05 0.06
CI MR CSONKA 803U30
CI MS 392U1
0.0 33 55 14 30 1.30 0.45 0.07 -0.009
0.30 0.21 0.17 0.10 3.19 0.10 0.14 0.12 0.14
OSO NEGRO 12-9
MISS OSO 49-7
0.2
P+
24
P
40
P
3
P
15
0.40 0.24 -0.04 -0.005
P
P
P
P
0.3 34 58 15 32 1.20 0.28 0.11 -0.002
CI MR CSONKA 803U30
MS BRINKS GARRETT 240T61 0.33 0.25 0.25 0.10 2.76 0.09 0.28 0.20 0.27
CI MR CSONKA 409U30
SVF 607L11 55 T561
1.5 29 56 16 30 0.80 0.30 0.17 -0.006
0.32 0.25 0.24 0.10 2.84 0.09 0.27 0.19 0.26
CI MR CSONKA 803U30
SVF 607L11 795 U007
1.0 29 50 12
0.30 0.21 0.20 0.11
CI MR CSONKA 409U30
MR BRINKS CSONKA 240T21
5.2 35 64 14 32 1.2 0.38 0.00 -0.007
0.33 0.25 0.25 0.11 3.15 0.10 0.28 0.20 0.27
CI MR CSONKA 409U30
SVF MS 99R26
1.3 31 64 16
0.33 0.23 0.22 0.11
31
3
1.1 0.58 0.16 -0.010
0.09 0.23 0.17 0.22
CI MR CSONKA 409U30
SVF MS 99R26
1.3 31 64 16
0.33 0.23 0.22 0.11
31
3
1.1 0.58 0.16 -0.010
0.09 0.23 0.17 0.22
CRC TEX RANGER 55T7
MS BRINKS NIMITZ 535P98
0.7 23 44 15
0.28 0.18 0.17 0.11
27
0.45 0.45 0.10 -0.005
P
P
P
P
CI MR CSONKA 409U30
MS BRINKS DITKA 392T115
1.9 29 50 12 27 0.90 0.22 0.07 -0.010
0.33 0.23 0.23 0.10 2.82 0.10 0.25 0.18 0.24
CI MR CSONKA 803U30
MS BRINKS CEO 87T11
-0.1 21 43 13 24 0.80 0.48 0.30 -0.014
0.31 0.22 0.22 0.11 2.83 0.11 0.25 0.18 0.24
BRINKS CAPTAIN 314R
MISS OSO 24-0
-0.3 14 30
7
14 0.20 0.21 0.03 -0.010
0.29 0.21 0.16 0.12 2.39 P
P
P
P
27
2.5
0.80 0.68 0.05 -0.006
0.11 0.23 0.17 0.22
-1.2 11
29 10 16 0.50 0.30 0.07 -0.010
PATTON OF BRINKS 30T22
MS BRINKS BS 607L11 240S10 0.33 0.27 0.24 0.11 1.61 0.16 0.21 0.19 0.21
The EAR october 2012 | 15
Salacoa Valley Farms
Commited to the
Beef Industry
By Belinda Hood Ary
Few people in the purebred cattle business
today can match the commitment and experience of David Vaughan, owner of Salacoa Valley
Farms in Fairmount, Ga. He has weathered the
highs and lows, from severe drought to extreme
floods, from the times of record high cattle prices
to the days of rock bottom lows. All the while,
Vaughan’s Brangus operation has thrived, keeping a single purpose in mind….to produce the
top Brangus females in the country.
Owner, David Vaughn (right) visiting with customers at the sale.
“We have concentrated on our females for over 25 years,” Vaughan explains. “We have focused on cows that are fertile, and will not only have a
calf, but raise a high performing calf, as well. That commitment sets our herd
apart from many herds.”
From the beginning, Salacoa Valley has emphasized how important the
influence of the female is to the herd. Many in the Brangus breed are familiar
with Salacoa Valley’s focus through the years on 12 cow families, known as
the “Dynamic Dozen.” One of the predominant families currently being
used is the “23’ cow family that goes back to the 23U cow bred by Vineyard
Cattle Company in Texas. It continues to be one of Vaughan’s primary goals
to get more females from the “23” family into production in the SVF herd.
“By concentrating on just a few cow families, we are able to put emphasis
on uniformity in our cow herd,” Vaughan continues. “Of course, the bull is
half your herd, but if you don’t have a good set of females, it doesn’t matter
what bull you use. You have to start with a good set of females.”
Overseeing the cowherd and day to day operations at Salacoa Valley is
general manager Chris Heptinstall who has been in that position for almost
three years. Heptistall is a graduate of Auburn University, and grew up in Alabama on his family’s commercial cow calf ranch. Chris spent time over the
years working with Debter Hereford Farm and Camp Cooley Ranch before
coming to Salacoa Valley.
Salacoa Valley Farms is located in the foothills of the Pine Log Mountains
(the last major mountains in the Appalachian Chain) near Fairmount, Ga.,
and has been in the Vaughan family for over 80 years. Initially, the family operated a thriving mule business, but in the 1950’s they turned to row crops,
cotton and cattle. Vaughan’s love for cattle started early. As a teenager he
16 | october 2012 The EAR
judged cattle on the 4-H Livestock Judging team and showed Angus steers
at the Georgia State Fair where he took home the Grand Champion Steer
trophy a record three times, a Georgia state record that still stands today.
Vaughan received his degree in Animal Husbandry from the University of
Georgia and was a member of their judging team. He also received his law
degree from the University of Georgia in 1959 and started his practice in
Cartersville, Ga. He served as Assistant Solicitor General Cherokee Circuit
for a year. Then he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly and represented the 14th District for two terms. He served as the District Attorney for
the Cherokee Judicial Circuit for two terms and has been in private practice
since leaving public service.
In 1960 Vaughan took over the operation of the farm from his father, and
continued to breed Angus and commercial cattle. Through the late ‘60’s,
‘70’s and early ‘80’s Vaughan began using “exotics” and put together a purebred herd that he terms “too big to feed and breed.”
It was during that time that Willow Springs Ranch in Texas was looking
for pasture to graze cattle on due to the drought, and they asked if Vaughan
would be willing to bring some of their cattle over to Georgia. “Those cattle
were thin, had been fed very little hay, were eating milo stubble and they still
cycled!,” he remembers. “We were wearing the wheels off the feed wagon trying to keep our cattle fed. It was then and there that I decided that was where
I needed to be with my herd.”
In 1985, he made the decision to disperse his purebred herd, and entered
into a joint venture with Willow Springs Ranch, the “herd that wrote the
book” in the Brangus breed. Just one year later, in 1986, Willow Springs
dispersed their entire operation, and Vaughan saw this as an opportunity to
start his own Brangus herd, using Willow Springs cattle and genetics as the
foundation.
“Once we started dealing with the Brangus cows, we really fell in love with
them,” he remembers. “We wanted our own Brangus herd….they work really well for our area.” Building on that base, Salacoa Valley’s influence and
respect has grown as they have increased both numbers and quality. Recognized by the International Brangus Breeders Association as the Breeder of the
Year in 2006, Vaughan has served two terms on the IBBA Board of Directors
and in 2008 completed a term as President of the association. He is also a
member and past president of the Southeastern Brangus Breeders Association
and a member and past secretary/treasurer of the Georgia Brangus Assoc.
Vaughan’s wife, Susan, has also been an active supporter of the breed, and is
a past president of the International Brangus Auxilary.
Almost 25 years after starting the building process, the Salacoa Valley herd
SVF Mr Uppercut 23X9 - Example of 23 cow family range bull.
Chris Heptinstall, ranch manger of Salacoa Valley Farms.
is one of the largest and most respected purebred Brangus programs in the
country. Before the major drought in Georgia a few years ago, the SVF
herd numbered over 800 head. Today, they are calving around 500 head of
momma cows all under the age of 7 years of age. Vaughan says his goal for
the future is to build the herd back up to their pre-drought numbers while
keeping it young.
Over the years, additions to the herd have been made through outside
purchases and growth from within. In the early years, major influences came
for the addition of WSR Firecracker, GLC Mainline, Special Addition of
Brinks, and SVF Pine Log.
Today, Salacoa Valley is injecting new genetics to the herd by having an
extensive AI and embryo transfer program. This year’s offering at the October 26, 2012 sale, will include the first offspring of a joint venture embryo
program with Three Trees Ranch.
Salacoa Valley Farm and Three Trees Ranch partnered on flushing and
collecting a battery of 20 of the most superior genetically identified donors
in the Brangus breed. Three Trees purchase of these ELITE cows in the
2008 Camp Cooley Ranch dispersal, cornered the market on the top 10%
of carcass x growth cows in the Brangus breed. “We were very fortunate to
have a chance to collect these breed changing cows like Ms. Brinks Brightside
209L11. We feel this will continue in securing Salacoa Valley’s genetic commitment to the pasture and the plate,” Heptinstall commented.
Ms SVF Lambert 803X - Example of female progeny from the Salacoa Valley and Three
Trees flush project.
The EAR october 2012 | 17
This commitment to producing top notch bulls for the commercial market
has kept SVF bull buyers coming back on a regular basis to make their bull
purchases. Through the years, buyers from all across the Southeast, especially
Alabama, Georgia and Florida, have added the SVF genetics to their herds,
and continue to come back to make their bull purchases. Salacoa Valley has
also tapped into the growing international market, making a big splash with
their highly sought after genetics on the world stage.
Without question, the focus on excellence and customer satisfaction has
made Salacoa Valley’s annual Bull and Female Production sale a huge success.
Brangus producers and commercial producers across the country have been
able to add some of the elite Salacoa Valley genetics to their herds in the past,
and this year will be no different. Salacoa Valley’s “BUY THE NUMBERS”
Sale will be held October 25th and 26th at the farm in Fairmount.
Bull buyers from Florida at the Salacoa Valley Farms sale.
“We have an extensive artificial insemination program here at Salacoa Valley. All 500 cows and 200 heifers receive a straw of semen. Over 80% of our
calves will be either AI sired or ET,” explained Heptinstall.
Bull buyers will have the opportunity to see the reward of this intensive
breeding program in the Salacoa Valley Fall Bull Sale, which will be held
October 26th at the farm.
Salacoa Valley will also host a tremendous female sale October 25, 2012
the evening before this year’s bull sale. This year’s female offering will include
everything from top proven donors, to cutting edge genetic open heifers.
Also, they are excited on offering full possession and ½ interest in their senior herd sire DDD-UC Gentelman 804S21. Gentleman as they call him is
the #2 trait leader in the entire Brangus breed for REA, #11 for SC and #23
for IMF! He is the most powerful son of Uppercut of Brinks 14J8 and out
of the high marketing value, SG Fancy 804H33 cow.
The breeding program is centered around one goal – to construct a cow
herd capable of producing predictable, high quality range bulls in volume
and superior genetics for the Brangus breed.
Their bulls are also conditioned to work from an early age. “Our development of these bulls is to not singly geared to establish performance measurements. We believe our ultimate success is in how these bulls hold up and
perform when turned out on cows.” Heptinstall explained.
All bulls produced on the farm start a 140 day growth test the day. Bulls
are kept on green grass continuously and rotated traps, where the terrain is
steep and rugged. “Feet and leg problems are weeded out early around here,”
Heptinstall explains, while looking down into a 300 foot deep rock filled
canyon the bulls travel up and down daily.
“We condition our bulls to go to work,” Vaughan adds. “They are raised
on grass and required to walk and climb to feed and water while on test.”
That conditioning for the extreme climate changes is what makes the SVF
bulls so popular with buyers and why Vaughan chose to raise Brangus cattle
almost 25 years ago. The success he has seen with the Brangus breed has
made Vaughan quick to recommend Brangus bulls to potential commercial
bull customers.
“First of all, producers looking to buy bulls should purchase a Brangus
bull,” he says. “Our bulls are conditioned for this area. You put them out and
they go right to work. They have no problem adjusting to the extremes of this
climate. Brangus can handle the heat as well as the cold.”
18 | october 2012 The EAR
Obviously, David Vaughan has made a lifetime commitment to the cattle
business, and more recently to producing some of the best Brangus genetics
money can buy. By setting definite goals and a purpose for his breeding and
management decisions, Vaughan has positioned Salacoa Valley Farms as one
of the elite programs in the country.
For more information on Salacoa Valley Farms or their upcoming “BUY
THE NUMBERS” Bull and Female Sale, visit their website at www.salacoavalleybrangus.com. v
Reprinted from Cattle Today, May 15, 2010, Volume 23, Issue 17 Modified
October 1, 2012
The EAR october 2012 | 19
20 | october 2012 The EAR
The EAR october 2012 | 21
Brahman Headlines
Brahman Genetics Provide Relief for Drought-Stricken Herds
HOUSTON - Two summers of dire drought conditions in a vast majority of
the U.S. has made drought relief a hot topic among the nation’s cattlemen.
The importance of selecting cattle that fit the environment is more apparent now than ever before, especially considering the extremely hot and dry
conditions, limited forage and high feed prices that have driven cattlemen
to disperse their herds. Yet, even with the undesirable weather pattern, herd
dispersal can be avoided. In fact, it has been avoided. Brahman and Brahman
F-1 breeders have taken advantage of the American Brahman’s drought tolerance to keep their business afloat.
cattlemen who are enduring the
current drought conditions, it’s
the Brahman F-1’s bred-in efficiency that puts money back in the rancher’s
pocket, even in a troubled climate. The Brahman F-1 is known to utilize
minimal forage and still wean heavy calves year in and year out. She’s also a
leader in longevity in the beef cattle realm.
Nationwide, the value of “eared” genetics, especially in cow herds, is taking
on a whole new meaning. As the No. 1 beef breed for heat tolerance, efficiency and hybrid vigor, American Brahman genetics are proven to increase
drought resistance in their progeny. Brahman F-1s are even more adaptable,
heat resistant and efficient than their non-Brahman parent.
“It is our goal to wean off calves that weigh 50 percent of their mother’s
weight,” McCord said. “We have no trouble doing that on our Brahman F-1
cows … [and they] stay in production usually up through 15 or 16 years old.”
That is why Frank Reznicek, manager of the 100-year-old Kachele Ranch,
has been a long time user of Brahman F-1 cows. Ranching in the rice country
of Wallis, Texas, he’s no stranger to running cattle on compromised land with
limited forage. He says that Brahman F-1s always adapt.
“I use the F-1 cow because she is a survivor,” said Reznicek. “That cow can
withstand weather and insect problems and live on anything.”
And although her survivability and adaptability are especially important to
Texas cattleman Jim McCord of JM Ranches in Gause, Texas, has been running Brahman F-1s for more than 25 years for just those reasons.
McCord’s program, goals and use of the Brahman F-1 equates to higher lifetime cow productivity and consequently more profit for JM Ranches. That
extra profit from putting the Brahman F-1 female to work is available to all
ranchers, regardless of conditions beyond their control. And now is the time
to utilize those it.
Cattlemen need to consider restocking with genetics that will ensure they
won’t suffer the same drought-caused losses in the future. Those who restock
with high quality genetics from adaptable, long-lasting and efficient cattle
will come out ahead. Infusing the herd with Brahman blood is the key to
turning a profit when drought becomes standard.
Two-year-olds Offered Limited Time Registration Fee Reduction
Between August 1 and October 31, 2012, the ABBA will be offering a registration moratorium for animals over 24 months of age. This moratorium
will offer a half price registration fee ($50) for individuals over two years old.
If you are interested in this moratorium, feel free to contact the ABBA office
at 713-349-0854 for further details.
Like Us on Facebook for Your Chance to Win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet
To promote social networking efforts, the ABBA is sponsoring a contest to
win a Samsung Galaxy tablet if you “like” the ABBA’s facebook page before
October 18. The drawing for the tablet will take place on October 18 at the
National Brahman Show in Dallas.
“Like” us today for your chance to win!
Pre-Registration for 2nd Annual ABBA Membership Convention Now Available
The American Brahman Breeders Association will be holding its second annual
convention November 16-17, 2012. The convention will bring families, breeders, vendors and livestock professionals together to learn more about the Brahman breed, best practices in ranching and other updates for ABBA members. In
addition to the workshops and seminars, time will be set aside for family activities. This year, workshops will also be provided for kids, giving you the opportunity to make this a family event!
The first session planned will spotlight the Ranching for Profit School that will be
sponsored by Dubina Rose Ranch. This business school of the livestock industry
will serve as the general session on Saturday morning, November 17. Dave Pratt,
a nationally recognized lecturer, will help you find the breakthroughs you’ve been
looking for to increase profit, improve the health of the land, improve the relationships in your business and increase your satisfaction with your ranch.
Make plans now to attend this year’s Membership Convention. Pre-registration
22 | october 2012 The EAR
for the convention is now available for $50. This price will be guaranteed until
October 18. If you choose to preregister for the event, you will also be entered for
a chance to win a free two night stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa. The
drawing will be held at the 2012 National Show in Dallas on October 18. After
the drawing, registration will increase to $100. To preregister for the 2012 ABBA
Membership Convention, use the link below.
If you are interested in attending or sponsoring the ABBA Membership Convention, you can obtain the required forms by contacting the ABBA office at
713-349-0854.
Hotel Information:
Moody Gardens Hotel & Spa
Seven Hope Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77554
For Reservations: 888-388-8484
Rate: $129 plus tax
Deadline for Reservations: October 25, 2012
Livestock Marketing Associations Named as TBA Beef Booster of the Year 2012
The Livestock Marketing Association headquartered in Kansas City Missouri
and the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas in Austin, TX were jointly
recognized as the Texas Brahman Association’s 2012 Beef Booster of the Year.
Since 1962, the Texas Brahman Association has recognized a deserving person
or entity for outstanding contributions to the beef industry and counts a distinguished list of industry leaders, doers, and thinkers among its recipients.
TBA President Al Herring of Houston, said “recognition of the livestock marketing sector of our industry is only fitting as they performed yeoman work on
behalf of all livestock producers of Texas and the Southwest at the onset of our
nations’ current devastating drought and they have continued that good work
throughout other areas as the drought area has expanded.” “Our livestock
markets who regularly provide marketing services six days each week, stepped
to the plate last year and this year as they have worked tirelessly and diligently
with expanded and innovative services to livestock producers who were/are
forced to reduce or liquidate their cowherds. At no time in our recent history
have so many still useful cattle been relocated to so many areas at relatively high
prices. Recognition of these extraordinary efforts and dedication to livestock
producers is most appropriate.” said Herring.
J. D. Sartwelle, Jr., a past TBA President, Brahman breeder, and Chairman of
the Selection Committee from Sealy, Texas made the actual presentation of
the award on Saturday, September 15th, during the TBA’s annual meeting at
Tommy Stadler’s Sunnyside Ranch near Floresville, Texas.
Jesse Carver of Conroe, Texas, Region Executive Officer of LMA and Executive
Director of the TLMA and Carl Herrmann, owner of the Caldwell Livestock
Commission of Caldwell, Texas, received the award on behalf of the two asso-
ciations. The LMA, composed of
some 800 livestock markets across
the nation, provides industry
leadership not only to the nations
livestock markets but to producers
everywhere and to all who believe
in true price discovery through
competitive auction selling. LMA
is another voice of practical livestock producers on Capitol Hill as (L-R): Jesse Carver, LMA Region Executive Officer &
Executive Director of LMAT; Carl Herrmann, Caldwell
well as in state houses across the Livestock Commission, Caldwell, TX; TBA President Al
nation. In addition, they provide Herring of Houston, TX
LMA members with a valuable
package of services designed to assist them in their daily business and all members adhere to stringent guidelines
relative humane animal handling.
The Livestock Marketing Association of Texas represents livestock market operators, order buyers, trucking companies, and those who serve livestock producers in the State of Texas.
The Texas Brahman Association was organized in 1961 to promote the use of
Brahman cattle in general and Texas Brahman cattle in particular. Brahman
cattle are crossbreeding’s Common Denominator and #1 in heat tolerance, hybrid vigor and efficiency. The Brahman F1 Hybrid is known as the “Queen of
Cow Country” and is considered by practical cowmen everywhere as the most
trouble free cow in use today.
Making the Breed Better.
True BEEF
Producing Bulls
•••••
Herd Sires
Purebred/
Commercial
•••••
Semen and
Embryos
•••••
Replacement
Females Available
Santa Rosa Ranch
SR Smooth Connection 361Y23 | DOB: 3/20/11 | El Patron x Ali of Brinks 209J2
BW:3.0 | WW:31 | YW:48 | M:11 | TM:27 | SC:0.8 | REA:0.54 | IMF:0.2 | FT:0.010
••••••••••••••••••
Kent Smith, General Manager | (979) 540-8338 | [email protected]
Gerald Sullivan, Owner | Kelley Sullivan, Owner | Navasota and Crockett, Texas
www.srrtexas.com
The EAR october 2012 | 23
Brangus Headlines
Thomas & Sons Cadillac of Brangus Sale
MADISON, MO - September 8, 2012
20 Brangus Spring Pairs Gross $56,350 to Average $2,820
1 Brangus Open Heifer brings $3,100
22 Brangus and Angus Bred Heifers Gross $51,100 to Average $2,325
7 Brangus Fall Bred Cows Gross $15,900 to Average $2,275
50 Brangus Females Gross $126,450 to Average $2,530
20 Brangus and Angus Bulls Gross $49,100 to Average $2,455
18 Spring Pair Commercial Females Gross $30,975 to Average $1,725
8 Fall Pair Commercial Females Gross $13,200 to Average $1,650
130 Spring Bred Commercial Females Gross $191,175 to Average $1,475
23 Fall Bred Commercial Females Gross $33,050 to Average $1,440
249 Total Head Gross $443,950
Joyous rain poured down as a tremendous set of registered Brangus, females,
bulls and commercial females were offered to a large crowd at Don Thomas
& Sons “Cadillac of Brangus Sale”.
50 registered female lots sold to average $2,530. The high selling female of
the day was Lot 35, Ms Brinks Jesse 302T44 and her good bull calf, selling for $7,150 with the cow going to Westall Ranches “Brinks Brangus”
24 | october 2012 The EAR
of Carlsbad, NM. The second
high selling female was the powerful Lot 48, Ms Brinks Backside
392R64 also finding a new home
at Westall Ranches for $5,100.
The 3rd high selling lot overall
and high selling bred heifer was
Lot 6, Ms Thomas Alias-105Y,
for $4,300 going to Cavender
Ranches, Jacksonville, TX who also purchased the high selling open heifer,
Lot 1, Ms. Thomas Sugar Baby 200Y. She is one of the first Whitfield daughters to sell and fetched a commendable, $3,100. The 2nd High Selling bred
heifer was Austin’s Sweetie Pie 155Y for $4,200 going to JLS International,
Robertsdale, AL & Devine, TX.
Volume registered female buyers were John Harrison from Kingdom, MO
and Mike Murry of Ovett, MS.
The commercial female offering saw great demand with Clint Law from Lafayette, TN emerging as the volume buyer followed closely by Shoe String
Ranch from Roxton, TX.
Santa
Gertrudis Headlines
Nunley Brothers “One Ranch Raised” Sale
SABINAL, TX - September 14 2012
Spring Bred Heifers
237 Red Mott Face (Santa Gertrudis x Hereford) Spring Bred Angus
167 Black (Santa Gertrudis x Angus) Spring Bred Angus
3 Black Mott Face (Angus x Red Mott) Spring Bred Angus
407 Spring Bred Heifers
Gross
$397,740
$265,985
$ 4,575
$668,300
Average
$1,678.23
$1,592.72
$1,525
$1,642.01
Open Heifers
12 Black (Santa Gertrudis x Angus) Open Heifers
24 Red Mott Face (Santa Gertrudis x Hereford) Open Heifers
$ 12,720
$ 27,000
$1,060
$1,125
Total Commercial Female
443 Nunley Spring Bred & Open Heifers
$708,020
$1,598.24
An aggressive buying audience was on hand at the 11th annual Nunley Brothers “One Ranch
Raised” commercial spring bred & open heifer sale on Friday September 14th. Registered
buyers were bidding on this year’s offering from 15 different states- North Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Arkansas,
Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas.
The high selling lot was a pen of 5 Red Mott Face (Santa Gertrudis x Hereford) Spring Bred
Heifers selling to Taylor Ranch in Carrizo Springs, TX for an average price of $2,300.
Volume buyers at this year’s sale were repeat buyers Roy Bowling from Midland, TX and Ann
Weisman, San Marcos, TX.
GertBulls.com Launched
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International has teamed with Two Wings Media to
launch a new comprehensive bull marketing program targeting commercial
cattlemen. An exciting new website, GertBulls.com, serves as one of the
cornerstones for the marketing effort and is tied to AgSmart TV, as well as
numerous social media networking sites. The website will allow SGBI members to list bulls for sale and share sale information via social networking sites.
Two Wings Media, headquartered in Stephenville, Texas, is a nationally recognized leader in developing and implementing innovative livestock market-
ing strategies. The staff at Two Wings Media worked closely with members of
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International’s Marketing and Promotion Committee in designing and implementing the marketing program. Users of GertBulls.com can easily access AgSmart TV and view a number of agriculture
related programs including a segment on the popular Santa Gertrudis STAR
5 commercial program. This newly developed comprehensive bull marketing
effort will serve as the foundation for SGBI’s Re-think Red advertisement
campaign.
SGBI Named Official Sunbelt Expo Sponsor
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International has been named the official sponsor for
the 2012 Sunbelt Ag Expo Beef Seminars and Demonstrations. The Sunbelt
Ag Expo is an agricultural based trade show held annually in Moultrie, Georgia
and is recognized as “North America’s Premier Farm Show”. The October
event has more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming and
livestock related technology and attracts an estimated 150,000 ag-related participants each year. The 2012 beef educational seminars will be presented by
land grant university educators representing the University of Georgia, University of Florida, Clemson University, and Auburn University. Seminars will be
conducted daily, October 16th – 18th, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and topics will include Beef Market Outlook, Forage Production and Management, Cattle Care,
and Matching Cattle Genetics to the Environment. More information on the
Sunbelt Expo and Beef Seminars and Santa Gertrudis Breeders International
can be obtained at the expo’s website www.sunbeltexpo.com
Services Return to Kingsville
Effective October 1, 2012 Santa Gertrudis pedigree and genetic evaluation
customer service functions will be managed by the Santa Gertrudis Breeders
International Staff at the association’s headquarters in Kingsville, Texas. This
change comes at the end of a five year business arrangement with American
Beef Records Association in Kansas City, a subsidiary of the American Her-
eford Association. The move allows SGBI to assume customer service functions associated with registrations, recordation, transfers, and other pedigree
management related task. The association’s genetic database is being managed
by Livestock Genetic Services of Woodville, Va.
The EAR october 2012 | 25
26 | october 2012 The EAR
The EAR october 2012 | 27
Industry News
Cattlemen Educate Capitol Hill on Devastating Estate Tax Effects
sept 18, 2012 - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reports:
Representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
(NCBA) today gave an overview to congressional staff members on the
devastating impact of the estate tax on cattlemen and cattlewomen as
part of NCBA’s “Beef 101” educational series.
“Tackling the death tax is the top priority for NCBA,” said NCBA Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus. “The tax directly affects family-owned small businesses, such as farms and ranches, because
of the burden it places on families hoping to pass their business on to
the next generation.”
“Beef 101” is an educational series for members of Congress and their
staff. The program was developed to bridge the knowledge gap between
elected officials and the beef industry. The session featured a presentation by Bacus, who stressed to attendees that there must be permanency
in the tax code. For now, estates worth more than $5 million per individual and $10 million per couple are taxed at a rate of 35 percent.
According to Bacus, 97 percent of American farms and ranches are
owned and operated by families, and eliminating the death tax is an important step in stimulating the nation’s economy. One of these familyowned ranches is Barthle Brothers Ranch, located in San Antonio, Fla.,
and owned by the Barthle family. Four generations of the Barthle family
have called the ranch home. Randy Barthle and his daughter, Sarabeth
Barthle-Simmons, attended the “Beef 101” presentation and gave a
first-hand account on how the death tax has affected their family’s operation. Barthle said that when his grandfather passed away in 1971, the
family was hit with a $1 million estate tax, causing the family to have
to take out additional loans in order to pay the tax within nine months.
“Being a cattle producer is a family business, and the death tax has a
devastating effect on ranching families,” said Randy Barthle. “It’s all
about family for us, along with preserving the land we ranch on. There
are 17 children in the next generation of our family, and they all agree
on one thing; they want our ranch and family’s way of life to be preserved.”
One important fact addressed during today’s presentation is that most
agricultural operations are asset-rich and cash poor, with most of their
value tied up in the value of the land. For asset-rich and cash-poor family businesses, the appraised value of rural land is extremely inflated
when compared to its agricultural value. NCBA has made this information available on its website including state-by-state analysis.
“Uncertainty in the tax code, and more specifically with the estate tax,
creates an unnecessary burden for farmers and ranchers who are forced
to set aside valuable resources for estate planning instead of investing
in the expansion of their family businesses,” said Bacus. “Farmers and
ranchers are already faced with uncontrollable factors like the weather and input costs. The tax code shouldn’t be as unpredictable as the
weather.”
~AgriMarketing
Beef Cattle Producers Advised to Get Soil Test, Save on Input Costs
bryan, tx - A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service soil fertility
expert advised beef producers to get a soil test as residual nutrients from
previous fertilizer applications may still be in reserve.
“We are still facing drought conditions as we did last year, and if producers applied fertilizer last year or this year, they didn’t grow much of
a forage crop,” said Dr. Mark McFarland, AgriLife Extension state soil
fertility specialist in College Station, at the recent Beef and Forage Expo
in Bryan. “As a result, there can be a substantial amount of that fertilizer
remaining in the soil for next year.”
At a recent agricultural expo in Bryan, Dr. Mark McFarland, Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension Service state soil fertility specialist, advised
beef producers to have soil tests performed on hay and pastureland.
The test can help determine if there is any available carryover of nutrients from previous fertilizer applications, saving producers money over
the long term. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair
Fannin)
McFarland said to be certain, producers are advised to soil test each
field they plan to fertilize.
“Fertilizer prices remain very high,” he said. “We are looking at 50
cents to 70 cents per pound of nutrient for nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. It is a significant part of the overall input cost for forage
production.”
A soil test is a “tried and tested method” for determining the correct
fertilizer product and rate of application, he said. Applying unnecessary nutrients is expensive and does not improve forage yield or quality.
“A soil test allows us to credit any carryover fertilizer due to the drought
and can save producers a significant amount of money,” McFarland said.
In areas where soil acidity is a concern, soil testing should be done in
late fall so that limestone, if needed, can be applied and allowed to
react and increase pH by next year. In other areas, soil testing for warmseason forage production should be done in winter or early spring.
Meanwhile, McFarland also discussed alternative fertilizers for producers to consider. There are several viable options, including livestock
manures, poultry litter, composts and municipal biosolids. Producers
should request a nutrient analysis for any product they are considering and compare the cost to standard fertilizer on a pound-of-nutrient
basis, McFarland said.
“Good quality poultry litter may be worth $62 or more per ton,” he
said. “But you also will need a good soil test to determine if an alternative fertilizer has a nutrient content that is an economical fit for a
particular hayfield or pasture.”
McFarland also said to consider delivery and spreading of products as
well.
“Hauling and spreading costs are extremely high, so you also need to
consider those in any product comparison.”
McFarland said soil sample forms and other information related to forage fertility are available online athttp://soilcrop.tamu.edu.
“There you will find detailed information that will assist your forage
production program,” he said. “Another good source is the AgriLife
Extension agent in your county. They are a great resource if you have
questions on how to respond to the drought.”
~Blair Fannin, AgriLife TODAY
Nat’l Cattlemen’s Beef Assn Names New Communications Director
Sept 17, 2012 - Red River Farm Network reports:
Adams currently serves as a farm broadcaster in Sturgis, South Dakota.
As of October 1st, Chase Adams will be the new director of communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Washington,
DC office.
Adams takes over for Mike Deering, who is the new executive director
of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.
~AgriMarketing
28 | october 2012 The EAR
The EAR october 2012 | 29
New Oat & Winter Wheat Varieties Released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research
college station, tx - Two new cultivars have been released by
the Texas A&M AgriLife Research small grains breeding team, according to Dr. Amir Ibrahim, small grains breeder and geneticist in the TAM
305 wheat was recently approved for production in the Rolling Plains,
South Texas and the Blacklands. (Texas AgriLife Research photo)
The release of TAMO 411 oat variety and TAM 305 hard red winter
wheat were approved recently by Dr. Mark Hussey, director of AgriLife
Research.
Ibrahim said TAMO 411 is a dual-purpose winter oat developed by
the statewide small grains breeding program under the leadership of
Ibrahim, who is in the College Station Center of Excellence, and Dr.
Jackie Rudd, an AgriLife Research wheat breeder in the Amarillo Center
of Excellence.
TAMO 411 resulted from the cross of TAMO 405 and PlotSpike oats
made in 2003, he said. Due to a combination of crown rust resistance
and winter hardiness, this line will be suitable for growth in south,
central and northeast Texas, as well as adjacent states with similar adaptation requirements.
“This new and improved cultivar combines excellent grain yield, test
weight, forage potential, winter hardiness and straw strength to resist
lodging,” Ibrahim said. “It also has excellent resistance to current races
of crown rust in Texas and moderate resistance to current stem rust
races prevalent in Texas.”
TAMO 411 requires an average of 104 days to maturity and averaged
42 inches in height, while TAMO 405 is slightly earlier at 101 days and
shorter at 36 inches, he said. While some taller oats have weak straw
and tend to lodge, Ibrahim said TAMO 411 provides the added biomass
but does not lose straw strength.
Ibrahim said TAMO 411 has been submitted for Plant Variety Protection. Authorized seed classes of TAMO 411 in the U.S. will be foundation, registered and certified. Breeder and foundation seed of TAMO
411 will be maintained by the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Foundation Seed unit.
TAMO 411 will be available for licensing to competing private entities
and some certified seed should be available to producers for planting in
fall 2013, he said.
TAM 305 wheat was approved for production in the Rolling Plains,
South Texas and the Blacklands, Ibrahim said. These areas suffer losses
from leaf and stripe rusts, and “TAM 305 will provide excellent resistance to these diseases.”
“Three years of performance testing indicated that TAM 305 is well
adapted and will be competitive in these regions,” he said.
“We’ve watched TAM 305 come up through the selection process and
it should be a great fit for these areas,” Rudd said. “Common parents
used in the development of TAM 305 include TAM 200, TAM 105,
and Century, which is a sibling of Fannin, as well as two different wild
grass relatives.”
The test weight of TAM 305 was 60 pounds per bushel when averaged
over 31 sites, the same as TAM 112, and higher than TAM 401, which
averaged 57 pounds per bushel, Ibrahim said.
Forage yield trials involving TAM 305 were conducted in 10 environments during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 growing seasons. Initial
results indicate that this new hard red winter wheat cultivar has good
forage production and re-growth potential following clipping, he said.
Also, Ibrahim said, milling and baking quality characteristics of TAM
305 were rated as “very good” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service’s Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory
in Manhattan, Kan. Loaf volume was higher than the three check varieties and all other Texas entries evaluated.
TAM 305 also will be available for licensing and, like TAMO 411,
should be available to producers for planting in fall 2013, he said.
department of soil and crop sciences.
~Kay Ledbetter, AgriLife TODAY
30 | october 2012 The EAR
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U of Illinois Releases Guide to Feeding Aflatoxin Infested Corn
sept 17, 2012 - Source: Univ. of Illinois news release
This year’s drought has brought numerous challenges to cattlemen. Shortages of grass and water forced cow culling and sent many calves to the
sale barn earlier than planned. The most recent challenge cattlemen are
facing is high feed costs combined with the possibility of aflatoxin in the
corn crop.
“It is a common misconception that the olive-green mold known as aspergillus automatically results in aflatoxin,” said University of Illinois
Extension beef educator Travis Meteer. “This is not the case. If you find
mold present on your corn, it needs to be tested for aflatoxin.”
Meteer cautioned that aflatoxin can also be found in Dry Distillers Grains
with Solubles (DDGS) produced from infected corn. “Aflatoxin is concentrated in the fermentation process and thus the levels in DDGS can
be dangerous,” he said. “Testing corn and corn co-products for aflatoxin
is recommended.”
The less corn left in the field the better in this situation, Meteer said.
Also, baling cornstalks from fields that have aflatoxin is discouraged.
Meteer said that corn silage or husklage that contains aflatoxin can also
be a concern. However, if properly ensiled, the environment should not
be conducive to mold growth. In the case of corn husklage, a byproduct
of the seed corn industry, if it is not ensiled properly, mold growth may
occur and aflatoxin could be a concern.
“Producers should dry corn below 14 percent moisture to reduce mold
growth, be prepared to blend aflatoxin corn with clean corn directly before feeding, and consider toxin binders as a feed additive,” Meteer said.
“Identification of molds, testing for aflatoxin, and proper management
and storage considerations will be vital to ensure livestock performance is
maintained and legal limits are not exceeded.”
~AgriMarketing
Livestock are usually the market for mycotoxin-infected commodities, he added. “Livestock can tolerate some level of mycotoxin, but levels above legal limits can cause problems in livestock. Reduced
performance, immunosuppression, liver damage,
and in extreme cases even death can be the result of
feeding high levels of aflatoxin,” Meteer said.
The chart below illustrates the approved levels in
livestock.
Intended Use Aflatoxin Level (ppb)
Finishing(feedlot) cattle < 300
Finishing swine < 200
Breeding cattle or swine < 100
Dairy cattle, young cattle or swine < 20
Intended use not known < 20
Human food < 20
Livestock, especially finishing cattle, will be the end
user of much of the aflatoxin-infected corn, Meteer
said. “Caution and management are crucial to ensure that negative results do not occur from feeding
this toxin-bearing feed.”
Meteer recommends that the storage of corn that
has aspergillus present needs to be dried down to
less than 14 percent moisture to limit mold growth.
Also, cool the grain down after drying and use aeration to control temperature. Mold inhibitors may
also be applied to corn to reduce mold growth.
Test and monitor aflatoxin levels of corn to be fed
to livestock. Blending aflatoxin-bearing corn with
clean corn at the time of feeding can be a good
practice to reduce aflatoxin levels in the diet.
Dilution is the solution. Blending should only occur directly before feeding. Blended corn is not legal for resale. Blending corn before feeding could
result in contamination of clean corn.
Toxin-binding agents can also be incorporated into
a ration.
“Many studies have shown that phyllosilicate feed
additives bind toxins (clays, sodium bentonite, aluminosilicate),” Meteer said. “These products can
bind toxins and ensure they are not absorbed by
the animal. Many feed mills will include them in
feeds if they are using corn with traces of aflatoxin.
It would be a good idea to use toxin binders in a
ration that includes corn that has high levels of aflatoxin,” he said.
Grazing cornstalks where aflatoxin was found in
corn should be of a lesser concern than feeding the
corn. However, cornfields that have down corn or
lots of ear drop coupled with aflatoxin being present may have potential to be dangerous to cattle.
The EAR october 2012 | 31
CoBank Announces Drought Relief Initiatives
sept 14, 2012 - Source: CoBank news release
rural borrowers. The full text of the statement is available here .
CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure
providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, announced today that it is launching new initiatives to assist agricultural borrowers and others impacted by the 2012 drought.
Also today, CoBank announced it will contribute $1 million to Feeding
America, the nation’s leading hunger relief charity. The funds will be designated to support programs in areas of the country where the bank and its
affiliated associations have significant operations.
CoBank’s base of customers includes hundreds of grain and farm supply cooperatives in the central region of the country as well as a large number of
customers in the protein and dairy sectors, where impacts from the drought
have been the worst. In addition, the bank’s affiliated Farm Credit associations serve over 70,000 individual farmers and ranchers in 23 states across the
U.S., including many drought-impacted areas.
“One of the unfortunate side effects of the drought has been a growing concern over increasing prices for a variety of food products at a time when unemployment remains stubbornly high,” Engel said. “We want to do our part
to alleviate the downside effects of a weak economic recovery coupled with
potentially higher food prices, particularly on the poor. We’re pleased to be
able to underwrite Feeding America with this contribution and support their
work on behalf of needy people across the country.”
“We’re committed to supporting our customer-owners at a time of significant
challenge for U.S. agriculture,” said Robert B. Engel, CoBank’s president and
chief executive officer. “Our agribusiness customers are, in general, in good
financial condition and accustomed to dealing with weather-related volatility that is a fact of life for their industry. The same is true of the farmers and
ranchers who borrow from our affiliated Farm Credit associations. But we
believe having this program in place will help us better fulfill our mission
as the impacts of this historic drought are felt over the balance of the year.”
“Across the U.S., more than 50 million people face hunger, and rising food
prices threaten to make it even harder for them to put food on the table,” said
Matt Knott, interim president and CEO of Feeding America. “We’re deeply
grateful to CoBank for this donation, which will help us provide more meals
to people in need.”
About CoBank
CoBank is a $90 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural
America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications
providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other
financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than
70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the
country.
CoBank’s drought relief initiatives will include expedited review and processing of any customer’s loan request stemming from the drought, as well as
working collaboratively with borrowers experiencing drought-related distress
on a case by case basis. In addition, the bank will partner with its affiliated
associations to provide support for local drought relief programs established
to assist farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers within their individual
service territories.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of
banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing
needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation’s rural economy. Headquartered
outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking
centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative
office in Singapore.
“As a cooperatively owned, mission-based lender, CoBank’s core purpose is
to provide dependable credit for agriculture and the other vital industries we
serve in rural America,” Engel said. “Our customers should know that the
bank is prepared to help them manage through this difficult period so they
can continue to grow and be successful over the long term.”
Yesterday, CoBank and the nation’s three other Farm Credit banks issued a
joint statement on the drought. The banks said that, despite the challenges
presented by the drought, the Farm Credit System remains well positioned
to meet the financial needs of the farmers, ranchers, cooperatives and other
For more information about CoBank, visit the bank’s web site at www.cobank.com.
~AgriMarketing
Deer Disease Confirmed in Nebraska Cattle
us - In the last few weeks, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has
investigated multiple cases of cattle with severe oral, nasal and ocular lesions.
Because the lesions look very similar to Vesicular Stomatitis and/or Foot and
Mouth Disease, foreign animal disease investigations were performed with
submissions to the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Plum
Island, NY. The investigation revealed 10 confirmed cases of EHD (Epizootic
Hemorrhagic Disease).
epidemics in deer for several decades. The number affected can be as high
as five per cent, but most cattle recover within a few weeks. Symptoms in
cattle include fever, swollen eyes, ulcers on the mouth, lameness and labored
breathing. Deaths are uncommon. Severe erosions and sloughing of the oral
and nasal mucosa can cause extreme dehydration, so mortalities are seen during high ambient temperature situations.
Most infections with the North American strains of EHD appear to be subclinical and seropositive cattle may be common in some regions. There is evidence to suggest that pregnant cows may experience reproductive problems;
abortions and fetal resorptions are commonly seen.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a disease of great concern for deer
in North America. The epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses are widespread
in white-tailed deer and periodically cause serious epidemics in wild populations. In years of high incidence, the disease can cross over into cattle by
insect vectors, especially biting midges, gnats, and mosquitoes.
Cattle showing signs of oral or nasal lesions should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.
~TheCattleSite News Desk
The emergence of this disease is not new. Confirmed cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease have occurred in North American cattle, in conjunction with
Value of Gain: Projections and Available Decision Tools
us - This is the time of year many cattle producers examine the return for
additional weight gain, writes Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University.
Cow-calf producers interested in retaining ownership as well as stocker and
backgrounding operators who possess or may procure necessary resources for
adding weight to calves need value of gain projections to guide their decisions.
Perhaps the most common approach is to take prices for two different weight
classes of cattle in the current cash market place, derive the increased total
value implied by today’s cash prices, and divide by the total weight gain. This
approach may be referred to as a naïve approach. While this naïve approach
is simple to understand it assumes what we are observing today will hold for
some point in the future.
32 | october 2012 The EAR
Alternative approaches may utilize information from the feeder cattle futures
market combined with basis forecasts. These “forward looking” approaches
are more consistent conceptually with the inherent change in market timings
associated with the biological process of adding weight and selling an animal
at a future date.
To examine the accuracy of these different approaches, I recently worked
with Dr. Kevin Dhuyvetter to compare them in the context of a common
situation in Kansas. We examined the case of buying a 550 lb steer in the
current month and selling it at 750 lbs three months later using the Salina,
KS market for appraisal. Using an evaluation period of January 2007 to July
2012, we found the naïve approach to perform worse (be less accurate) than
forward-looking approaches.
you
The main implication of this for cattle producers is
to not simply use information solely from the current cash marketplace as a projection for value of
gain in the future. This suggestion is further supported by recognition of futures market and basis
information being readily available online enabling
replications of this exercise for alternative markets
and situations.
Producers may also find useful the value of gain projections (which are derived using a forward-looking
approach) for the Salina, KS market which are updated daily (in collaboration with Custom Ag Solutions using BeefBasis.com information) and readily
available at http://www.agmanager.info.2
Producers need to appreciate that all efforts to forecast are subject to prediction error. That is, no approach is perfect and no “crystal ball” exists no matter how much we desire one. Accordingly, analysts
and producers alike need to step back periodically
to assess the relative accuracy of different projection
approaches.
Producers would be well served to recognize when
alternative approaches are found superior to those
more commonly applied and to seriously consider
utilizing this information. This recognition and willingness to adjust, coupled with use of information
noted here and corresponding decision tools available online will guide improved decision making.
~TheCattleSite News Desk
The EAR october 2012 | 33
34 | october 2012 The EAR
Over 7000 cattlemen & cattlewomen read The EAR each month, & the list is growing!
Advertiser’s Index
101 Ranch.......................................26,27
2H Brangus..........................................34
44 Farms...........................................IBC
5K Cowbelle Ranch.........................24,34
Advanced Genetic Services, LLC...........35
Alleman Cattle Company........................3
AMS Genetics, LLC.......................18,BC
Bill Rainer Cattle Co..............................3
Briggs Ranches.............................IFC, 34
Buckner Polled Beefmaster....................34
Calyx Star Ranch..................................34
Cavender Ranches................................34
Champion Genetics..............................35
Collier Farms.......................................10
Corporron Acres.....................................1
Crochet Cattle.....................................34
Doak Lambert Auctioneer.....................35
Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch..............5,34
Don Thomas & Sons............................34
Dos Bros Ranches...................................1
Garrett Brangus....................................34
Garry Clem Brangus.............................34
GENETRUST.................................20,21
Greenview Farms, Inc.............................3
Harris Riverbend Farm....................11,34
Harvey Ranch........................................3
Heart of Alabama Bull Sale...................31
Indian Hills Ranch.....................26,27,34
Integrageted Breeders Service................33
Isa Cattle Co., Inc................................34
J.D. Hudgins, Inc................................34
JLS International..................................34
Lakin Oakley Auctioneer......................35
Larry Smith Livestock...........................35
Livestock Photography by Nancy..........35
M & W Cattle Service..........................35
McCreary Farms...................................34
Nunley Bros. Ranches...........................34
Oak Creek Farms..................................29
OvaGenix.............................................35
Pine Ridge Ranch.................................35
Platte Valley Brangus............................33
Quail Creek Brangus............................34
Running M Ranch..................................3
Salacoa Valley Farms............................6,7
Santa Rosa Ranch.................................23
TCR Genetics......................................35
Tommy Barnes Auctioneer....................35
Truitt Brangus Farms............................34
V8 Ranch.............................................34
Wendt Ranch..................................19,34
Westall Ranches, LLC.................14,15,34
The EAR october 2012 | 35
Calendar
October
Please note that events/sales in bold have ads placed in this issue. Check them out!
4 Advancing the Breed II - Lake Charles, LA
6 Isa Cattle Co. Performance Tested Bull Sale - San
Angelo, TX
6 4B Ranch Production Sale - Shreveport, LA
12-13 Southern Cattle Co./Cow Creek Ranch Bull & Female
Sale - Aliceville, AL
13 Beef “On” Forage Beefmaster Bull Sale - Brenham,
TX
13 CX Advantage Sale - Weimer, TX
13 Ozark & Heart of America Fall Female Sale - Tulsa,
OK
16-17 Brangus World Series Sale - Palo Pinto, TX
17 Collier Farms Performance Bull Sale - Brenham,
TX
17 Heart of Alabama Brangus Bull Sale - Uniontown,
AL
December
1 LoneStar BBA Fall Sale - Sulphur Springs, TX
1 GENETRUST @ Cavender Ranches - Jacksonville,
TX
6 TBBA San Saba Bull Sale - San Saba, TX
8 1st Beefmaster Performance Sale - Brenham, TX
13 South TX BBA Buccaneer Classic Sale - Robstown,
TX
13 Heart of TX Simmental/Simbrah Association Fall
Fest Sale - Hearne, TX
15 Cain Cattle Co. Bull & Female Sale - Pickens, MS
Because we
want to
hEAR from
YOU!
19 10th Annual Santa Gertrudis Bull & Commercial
Female Sale - Bloomington, TX
20 35th Annual Tri-Star Santa Gertrudis Sale Bloomington, TX
20 President’s Council Sale - Branson, MO
20 Doguet’s Diamond D Sale - Poteet, TX
26 Salacoa Valley Farms’ “Buy the Numbers” Sale Fairmount, GA
26-28 Synergy V Sale & Showcase - Giddings, TX
27 44 Farms Angus Bull & Commercial Female Sale Cameron, TX
27 Oak Creek Farms Bull Sale - Brenham, TX
27 Carr & Others Fall Sale - Floresville, TX
29 Southeast Brangus Breeders Showcase Sale - Lake
City, FL
November
1 Kempfer Cattle Co. Sale - Deer Park, FL
2-3 GENETRUST at Chimney Rock - Concord, AR
3 Louisiana BBA Cowboy Classic Sale - Lake Charles, LA
8 Adams Ranch Bull Sale - Fort Pierce, FL
10 The Stockman’s Kind Bull Sale - Lake Park, GA
10 Beefmaster Cowboy Classic Sale - Lake Charles, LA
10 Hill Country Brangus Breeders Sale - San Angelo, TX
13 Branch Ranch Brangus Internet Sale
36 | october 2012 The EAR
We’re all about getting the word out, let us know
about your next Bos indicus influenced event or sale.
Contact:
Crystal Devoll
Phone: 979/820-8358
[email protected]
Brad Wright
Phone: 979/219-4599
Fax: 979/828-5532
[email protected]
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Advertising Sales:
Mark Cowan: 903/495-4522, [email protected]
Kyle Devoll: 979/820-8362, [email protected]
Richard Hood: 979/224-6140, [email protected]
Trey Kirkpatrick: 979/324-5518, [email protected]
Fax: 979/828-5532
www.theearmagazine.com
ATTENTION CATTLEMEN:
Let AMS help you market your calves!
American Marketing Services is now a licensed Superior Livestock Auctions representative. Contact AMS today to schedule to market
your commercial calves or replacement cattle sale today on Superior Livestock Auction. Not familiar with Superior Livestock Auctions?
In 1987, Superior Livestock Auction introduced satellite video marketing to the nation’s livestock industry and forever changed the way
load lots of cattle are marketed. Superior has grown to become the largest livestock auction in the United States, marketing well over
one million head of cattle annually. With over 300 representatives located throughout the United States, Superior provides a complete
national marketing network serving both buyers and sellers.
Unlike conventional marketing methods, buyers have the opportunity to view, evaluate and make selections from cattle across the
country in the convenience of their office or home. Sellers can offer their cattle, viewed in their natural surroundings, to a nationwide
buyer base. Load lots of country fresh cattle are sold on contract for immediate to future delivery using the most accurate form of
price discovery available….competitive bidding. Superior has created a national livestock market, where prices are discovered without
regard to local climate conditions or demand.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.SUPERIORLIVESTOCK.COM
Or Call an AMS Representative Today
Mark Cowan | [email protected] | 903-495-4522
Trey Kirkpatrick | [email protected] | 979-324-5518
Richard Hood | [email protected] | 979-224-6150
Brad Wright | [email protected] | 979-219-4599
www.amscattle.com