Flying H Genetics
Cattleman’s Chronicle
Spring Newsletter
2017
Vol.19
We’re In It Together... …and as a TEAM—a group that works toward a common goal—we will win! Just as with sports teams, in the cattle business there are several team members and all are important to your success. The most important team member is you the OWNER--The man or woman in charge—the decision maker or coach if you prefer. You put together your team--identify and recruit the players (the cows and bulls that make up the herd), puts together the finances, land base and other resources needed plus make the decisions on herd health, nutrition, marketing, etc.. All supported by advisors or assistant coaches. A plan is developed, goals are set and a marketing plan is put in place. Some plans are simple with minimum goals and marketing effort while others are more aggressive with the goal of doing the best with what you have—maybe winning it all by building a reputation as one of the best in the business. No matter what your situation, the potential of your cow herd is limited by its genetic potential.
Because it all starts with genetics, the second most important team member is: YOUR GENETICS PROVIDER!!
No matter how good the rest of your team is, success is limited by the genetic potential or talent level of your cows and bulls. How good are your cattle? What is their potential? What do you need to improve?
Two genetic traits, fertility and calving ease are fundamental to everything else we do in the cattle business. After
you get a live calf then other genetics like milk, growth and carcass
value add to the potential profit of your cowherd and can be managed with the help of other team members to achieve success and profits.
That’s why FLYING H GENETICS works so hard to identify, reproduce and market only SUPERIOR GENETICS to build a foundation with the potential for your team to maximize efficiency and profits and produce a product our consumers will pay a premium for time after time. The cattle industry has many new tools to help us identify and select for superior genetics in many traits. With the help of performance data and DNA analysis we can rank the genetic power of every animal, bull or female, within and across breeds. But so many
numbers are confusing so FLYING H GENETICS developed our 5 STAR INDEXING SYSTEM to help you easily identify animals that excel genetically for Disposition, Growth, Muscle, Carcass and Maternal traits. To cover all the bases, we also guarantee Calving Ease on every bull we sell with many guaranteed for first calf heifers. There are some traits that are economically relevant that we don’t have good genetics values for. Forageability, Structural soundness, Disease resistance and other functional traits are examples and must be observed and culled for to eliminate these undesirable traits.
This is where the FLYING H GENETICS 17 QUALITY STANDARDS come into play. We evaluate traits like teat and
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The Quickest Way To Increase Profitability From Your Cow Herd Is... ... Eliminate the losers!!!
Second, we try to eliminate cows that will likely cost us more than
the cows. Start by sorting the poorest, smallest, least valuable calves back with the cows. Only stop when every calf left in the pen is worth more than $750. As these cows and calves pair up, sort them into a separate pen and sell them before they lose you more money. Do not make excuses for pet cows or first calf heifers in this group. Why give them another chance to lose money again next year? Your other cows made the cut; don’t make excuses for those that didn’t.
Remember, we are only trying to identify the cows that are not producing enough revenue to pay their bills for a full year.
You have now identified most of you losers and by eliminating them you will make a major contribution to the profits from you cow herd.
Two sorts at weaning time will improve you profitability quicker than any other management decision you make. And it doesn’t take a computer, complicated software, scales or ear tags. First, we identify the cows that are losing money due to poor production and replace them with cows that will make us money.
their calves are worth. These will be different than number one.
The first sort removes the cows that did not wean a calf or are open—the obvious losers. If it costs you $750 in grass, feed, medicine, labor and depreciation to carry a cow for one year, these cows just lost/cost you $750 and if replaced with cows that produce calves worth more than $750 you just made $750 plus!! Nothing else will improve your profitability quicker.
Another part of this sort is to identify cows that did not produce a calf valuable enough to pay their bills this year. This
is easy to do at weaning time after you have sorted the calves from
CAUTION: This system will not work if you creep feed your calves! Creep feeding eliminates the ability to identify your
best and poorest producing cows. Creep feeding simply hides a cow’s true production by generating fake production from your cows. Creep feeding increases your production costs and
isn’t needed if you eliminate the losers that are not producing a calf that pays their bills without the cost of creep feeding. At Flying H we have found that even in a drought, early weaning is more economical than creep feeeding and still allows us to identify and eliminate the losers.
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We’re In It Together...
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udder quality, feet, leg and structural soundness, ability to make a living without a feed bucket both on cornstalks and fescue grass and other necessary functional and longevity traits to make sure we are offering the best genetics in every trait possible. That means we can offer a completely Superior Genetic package. ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING that FLYING H GENETICS DOES NOT OFFER IS—FAT!! Most Seedstock producers add
some extra fat to make their bulls look thicker and weigh more making them “better” than they really are. This extra fat only benefits the bull seller because none of that extra weight and thickness will be passed to the calves and actually helps hide the faults of the animal…kind of like painting over rust on a used pickup…it may look better but it does not change what is underneath. We consider extra fat Deceptive Advertising?
Once you have the genetics right, both measured and observed, you need to make the most of them! That’s where the rest of the team comes into action. Veterinarian, nutritionist, marketing professionals, banker and family are assistant coaches that help make the cattle business fun and profitable. Use their expertise to compliment your experience and knowledge to make the most of what you have. And then make it even better by improving something, genetics, feed, health, management, grass, every year. If you’re not getting better, you’re losing ground.
FLYING H GENETICS USES MANY RESOURCES TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THEIR GENETICS AND THEIR OPERATION. WE ALSO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS SELECT THE RIGHT GENETICS FOR THEIR NEEDS. WE KNOW OUR GENETICS, YOU KNOW YOUR NEEDS--TOGETHER WE MAKE A GREAT TEAM. GIVE US A CALL , 308-962-6500 ANYTIME, WE LOVE TO TALK CATTLE!!
For more , videos information ok, scan and sale bo go to the code or our website
www.flyinghgenetics.com 2
Eliminate the losers!!!
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actually looks at the heifer’s genetics and ranks them for various important traits. We would recommend this as the final step before breeding your replacements as this selection is in addition to all of the production and phenotype culls you have made to this point. This will improve the percentage of bred heifers that actually make great cows.
The second sort is a little harder but worth the effort. From
the cows that are left, start sorting out cows that don’t fit—too big, poor condition score, poor teat and udders, poor disposition, bad feet etc. These cows paid their way this year but probably won’t next year. This sort is being proactive; trying to prevent future loses--identifying cows and conditions that limit their long term profitability. Maybe you keep them till they calve to return the most profit but eliminating them before they lose you $1-200 per head makes real cents.
2) Breeding—AI or natural matings to genetically superior heifer bulls, must breed within two cycles to be kept. Opens are culled, late breds sold.
This didn’t take a computer, smart phone or ear tags but you just identified your profitable cows and eliminated the losers making your cowherd more profitable.
3) Calving—must deliver a live calf, mother it and produce adequate milk with good teat and udder conformation. Cull those that don’t!
But what about replacements?
4) Weaning—must rebreed and pass the “cow cull” above to remain in the herd.
You can buy them but Flying H has always recommended that, if you have an above average cow herd, you need to keep you own replacements. They will be more adapted to your
management and environment, if you’ve been buying the right bull genetics you’ll know what you are getting rather than hoping the ones you buy will “fit”. If you can’t develop them yourself, there are professional custom heifer developers that will do it for you.
The real question is; how do I pick the right replacements? Making the sorts above on your cow herd and selling the pairs has eliminated some of the heifers you don’t want to keep. From the remaining heifers we suggest you remove the outliers. The biggest heifers are probably too large framed, others will be too coarse or bad structured or not feminine or sound. Sort off the nervous or wild ones. Thin, narrow or shallow bodied heifers should go too. All of these criteria, plus those culled by the cow sort earlier should eliminate the obvious outs. Remember, you are searching for cows that will be profitable for many years so try to eliminate potential losers now.
This should leave you with more heifers than you need, maybe 50% or more depending on your current herd. GOOD--because there are more sorts as they continue to develop and prove themselves. That’s right; they need to prove they are “good enough” to become part of your exceptional herd.
If, after all this culling you have more young cows than you need for replacements—CONGRATULATIONS!!! You could expand your herd to become even more profitable or get even stricter on culling cows, selling them bred or as pairs, to improve your herd faster.
At Flying H Genetics we utilize our “Heifer Challenge” to help identify the heifers with genetics that fit our management and
environment. They can’t do that in a dry lot with bale rings or feed bunks. So we make them work for a living by having them forage daily whether it is corn stalks, winter graze or grass. We do supplement a small portion of their ration to achieve around 1-1.25 pounds daily gain. This help us train them to forage or rough it and also helps identify those that, for whatever reason, don’t maintain average or better body condition.
At Flying H Genetics, we know this system of cow herd development works— we have been using it for many years and have seen a tremendous improvement in the quality and uniformity of our cow herd across all breeds.
These other sorts should include the following: 1) Prebreeding—palpation, pelvic and condition score exams. Fails are culled. A new tool available is a DNA Genetic test that
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As seed stock producers, Flying H Genetics includes additional culling criteria and selection tools to Guarantee the Quality of the Genetics in the bulls our customers buy to build and improve their herds. We have to be more critical—including a sharp knife and our 17 Quality Standards—so you can be confident that any bull you buy from Flying H Genetics is genetically superior for all economically relevant traits!
85 Age Advantaged & Fescue Adapted bulls sell March 18th
at the Bull Barn, East of Butler, MO
FusionTM FHG 258C Sire: CVLS FHG WISH MAKER 921W
Red Balancer® FHG 431C Sire: LACY FHG LEGACY 6097
Gelbvieh FHG 503C Sire: WFA FLYING H FOCUS 31Z
SimAngusTM FHG 501C Sire: SCHULER ROGUE A669
SimAngusTM HLVW 1611D Sire: CARD UPROAR 49Y
Angus HLVW 515C Sire: S A V BRILLIANCE 8077
Red Balancer® FHG 434C Sire: LACY FHG LEGACY 6097
SimAngusTM SF C71 Sire: W/C LOCK DOWN 206Z
Sale Starts at 1:00 pm CST March 18th Join us for lunch at 12:00 pm
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SimAngusTM SF C68 Sire: SVF/HTP TOP GUN Y132
For more , videos information ok, scan and sale bo go to the code or our website
www.flyinghgenetics.com
Horned Hereford DB 502 Sire: DH DOMINO 990W
SimAngusTM HLVW 1580C Sire: CARD UPROAR 49Y
Gelbvieh FHG 514C Sire: WFA FLYING H FOCUS 31Z
SimAngusTM SF C45 Sire: W/C UNITED 956Y
Horned Hereford DB 501 Sire: DH DOMINO 990W
Angus SCC C517 Sire: WAF 130E
FusionTM FHG 515C Sire: RBCF BEEF MAKER 102Y
SimAngusTM SF C65 Sire: W/C UNITED 956Y
Red HybRED GG C385 Sire: SCE RED HOT W975
Are your cows
EMPLOYEES? You furnish them health care, food and lodging and ask them to do a specific job— convert forages/feed into pounds of beef to sell— sounds like an employee to me. IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR COWS AS EMPLOYEES IT may CHANGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THEM.
wanted... Cows and Bulls
You have a lot invested in your cowherd, bulls, equipment and corrals; not counting the dollars invested in the land base to support your cowherd. That is a BIG DEAL! What do you expect your cows to do? Maybe they should pay the bills and make a profit!
Must Meet These Requirements
Paying the bills is harder since the market has softened but if you want your employees/cows to be successful (pay the bills and make a profit) they must have the tools necessary to do their job the best they can.
1) Ability to Get Along/Good Disposition Required.
2) Genetics to Calve Without Assistance Required.
Tools like:
3) Annual Production Goals Must be Met.
1) The right genetics to perform their task exceptionally.
4) Must Pass Physical, Functional and Soundness Tests.
2) Proper nutrition to do their job with minimal processed feed.
5) Heterosis Enhanced Efficiency A BIG Plus.
3) Proper herd health to perform at a high level. 4) Good management and marketing and a defined retirement/ culling plan.
6) Maternal Excellence Needed.
7) Superior Carcass Quality and Muscling Required.
Genetics are the basic foundation of your herd. Your herd’s
8) Long Term Commitment Expected.
performance is limited first by their genetic potential, then nutrition, health and management. Get the genetics right, add proper but not excessive nutrition and health care coupled with good management and marketing and your employees will turn you into a winner.
Benefits Include:
1) Free Health Care and Medicine.
2) Family Lodging Provided At No Cost.
There are only two ways to improve your genetics—buy them and cull them. For the best results from your employees
3) Balanced Diet and Drinks Provided Free.
4) Free Transportation and Exercise Program Included.
you must “Hire” the right ones and “Fire” the poor ones.
5) Mandatory Retirement Plan—Early Retirement Possible.
BUY THEM--That’s where your seed stock provider can help. He knows his genetics; you know your needs. Together you can identify the right genetics—bulls—that fit your specific operation and cows/employees best. CULL THEM—eliminating the cows/employees that are losing you money is the quickest way to add profits to your operation. You need to FIRE YOUR POOR EMPLOYEES/COWS!! See the article on “Eliminating Losers” to see how
DON’T FORGET HETEROSIS!! If you could increase the production of your current cows/ employees by 20% with no increase in costs/wages, would you do that? Let’s see, if my cows/employees currently produce $800 in revenue and they could produce $960 by incorporating heterosis—WHAT AM I WAITING FOR? See the article by Dr. Weber “Consider Crossbreeding For
easy this is.
Before you write a check, make sure you are targeting the right genetics for your operation. What is the potential production of your operation? What size cow and what production level or weaning weight will your resources support without adding more feed expense? Extreme growth and milk production to raise bigger calves may be hiring the wrong of employees if it costs more to support them than they can return in production. Remember, some
Improving Profitability and Sustainability…” in this newsletter for a complete explanation of how this works.
How important are your employees/cows to your operations profits? CRITICIAL!! Hiring the best employees/ cows and bulls, managing them right, utilizing cost control measures like heterosis and marketing a superior product are key drivers to your success.
genetics are worth more than others—such as fertility and calving ease. You must start with a live calf before any employee/cow can produce a profit. But then the cow
and calf need the rest of the genetic package to be able to perform and produce the most valuable product to sell. That means traits like growth, milk and carcass all add value and must be balanced against each other to determine what is the best genetic package for your employees and your operation.
Willing to Work
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Flying H Genetics is ready to help. Our 70 years of experience getting the right genetics to our customers and offering several genetic breed packages means we can supply the exact genetics you need to get your job done.
What Will My Neighbors Think? I have heard this several times as I visit with cattlemen about the advantages of heterosis or crossbred vigor. All but one of these has been Angus breeders and the common response is, “I’ve been using Angus bulls for a long time and WHAT WILL MY NEIGHBORS THINK?”
and add profits since 1948. We offer several breeds to provide the exact genetics you need to maximize the potential of your cows and your ranch. There are many ways to utilize heterosis; we will help you find the right fit for your operation. No matter what that combination is, it will be better than the straight breeding system you have now.
You could make your good cows and calves better, add $100-$200 dollars profits for every cow in your herd and you’re worried what your neighbors will think?
Most Angus breeders brag about the carcass quality of their cattle. And they should since the Angus breed has the best marbling scores among the major beef breeds. But there is more to profits than carcass quality. You can maintain carcass quality premiums and
Maybe it is time to think about your family and your profits. Let the neighbors see how much better your calves and cows are—then what will they think?
improve other traits like fertility, longevity, efficiency and muscle—all traits positively affected by heterosis and all traits that add profits.
Are you a progressive cattleman who is willing to try and compare for yourself?
Are you ready to produce better, more efficient cattle and pocket more profits?
Flying H Genetics suggests you start slow, turn one or two bulls with specific cows or in a multi-bull pasture and see what happens. I guarantee YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE and pocket extra cash.
Read the enclosed article by Dr. Weaber and then call Flying H Genetics today, we can help you improve your family’s cow herd and profits like we have done for hundreds of other families. Call 308.962.6500 today to visit!
The Helms Family has been helping cattlemen produce better cattle
Comments from our customers — Another thing that we love about working with Flying H is the Death and Injury Warranty that they offer. We run several bulls with every set of cows, and it is valuable insurance and a great deal. If I do have a problem with a bull, I know that all I need to do is pick up the phone and it will be taken care of professionally and very timely – that is above and beyond anything we ever expected.”
Raymond Birney, Southwest Kansas says... “Flying H Genetics and the Helms Family has always treated me fair and honestly. I really like being able to buy from Nebraska or Missouri giving me more bulls to pick from and the volume discounts apply to all. I have had no problems with feet or health; the bulls are not fed fat and are aggressive breeders. I really like the Balancers, that Gelbvieh X Angus cross works great for me.”
David Beck of Nebraska says... “I am fairly new to the cattle business, but I knew I needed at least one bull – maybe even two. I had heard that Flying H Genetics sold aged
Circle L Farms in Arkansas says...
“We have been in the cattle business for over 25 years and have pur-
chased 15 Flying H bulls in the past 5 years. We were drawn to the FHG program because the bulls are grown on grass and fescue adapted, not grown on silage and grain. FHG bulls have their working clothes on from day one, and they never melt away; they look just as good coming off cows as the day that we turned them out. We have been very pleased with the disposition of our FHG bulls – they are good tempered, easy to handle, don’t lose weight, and are very sound. FHG bulls have cut down calving problems, and their calves hit the ground running and never quit growing.
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bulls, and I thought that maybe I could buy one really good bull to cover my cows rather than two average bulls. I gave the Flying H team my criteria of what I was looking for, and they talked me through their offering and helped me make my selection because I couldn’t make the sale. I bought my bull sight-unseen, and I was more than happy when he was delivered (they even hauled the bull home for me from Missouri to the middle of Nebraska)! I always know that any questions or concerns that I have when it comes to anything in my operation are a priority to the people at Flying H, and that if I ever need anything they are simply a phone call away – in my mind, this is customer service that is second to none! My Flying H bull is super gentle, and, because he is older, I only needed to buy one bull (which saved me money!). I am really excited to see his calves when they start hitting the ground.”
We’re In It Together... In today’s volatile market, quality and consistency are more important than ever. We have been producing Quality Guaranteed, consistent, and proven bulls for more than 65 years to maximize the success of each of our customers.
SF C68 SimAngusTM Sire: SVF/HTP Top Gun Y132
FHG 503C Gelbvieh Sire: Flying H Focus 31Z
SCC C517 Angus Sire: WAF 130E
FHG 258C FusionTM Sire: CVLS FHG Wish Maker 921W
FHG 431C Balancer Sire: LACY FHG Legacy 6097
DB 502 Horned Hereford Sire: DH Domino 990W
85 Age Advantaged & Fescue Adapted bulls sell
March 18 th – 1:00 pm CST at the Bull Barn, Butler MO Balancer Fusion Gelbvieh
SimAngus Simmental Angus
Hereford Show-Me-Select Heifer Bulls
The Tradition Continues...
For more information, or to request a sale catalog, scan the code or go to our website, call or text us.
FLYING H GENETICS
www.FLYINGHGENETICS.com Find us on Facebook
Helping Build Family Successes Since 1949!
Aaron Ishmael, MO 417.309.0062 Cody & Casie Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Kyle & Kayla Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500
Balancer ® | Gelbvieh | SimAngus TM | Simmental | AnguS | RED AnguS | Fusion TM | Hereford