Prime Time | Winter 2020

T H E N E W S O F T H E A M E R I C A N A K AU S H I A S S O C I AT I O N

WINTER 2020

P rime T ime AKAUSHI

www.akaushi.com

AAA CONVENTION 2019

Successful DNA Sampling

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

2

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

P rime ime

WINTER 2020 | VOL. 3 NO. 1

AKAUSHI

16

15 Features 15, 21 AAA 8th Annual Convention

A glimpse of the association's annual membership gathering.

16 Successful Sampling

How to take, preserve and ship samples for pregnancy, DNA and BVD testing.

18 Rockin' B Cattle Company Receives Securing the Legacy Award Bentkes recognized for their commitment and dedication.

22 2019 AAA Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

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Individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to AAA and the Akaushi breed.

26 AAA 9th Annual Convention Announcement

ON THE COVER

Make plans to join Akaushi breeders in Texas this summer.

Attendees at the American Akaushi Association's 8th Annual Convention enjoy an evening of dancing and socializing.

In Every Issue 6 Cattle Tales 8 DNA Matters 10 Akaushi Matters

12 Beef Matters 14 Irons in the Fire 24 New Members

American Akaushi Association

Prime Time Publisher

P.O. Box 487 | Flatonia, Texas 78941 (361) 238-7218 office | www.akaushi.com Executive Director Kaci Carrales (361) 238-7218 | kcarrales@akaushi.com

A akaushi

25 Calendar of Events 26 Ad Index

BluePrint Media

Creative Director | Kathie Bedolli

P.O. Box 427 | Timnath, CO 80547 info@blueprintma.com

(540) 752-6143 | kbedolli@blueprintma.com

Editor | Lisa Bard

(608) 573-2530 | lmckibben@blueprintma.com

Managing Editor | Jessie Topp-Becker

Copy Editor | Larisa Willrett Ad Design | Holly Holland & Kim Tappan Materials Coordinator | Megan Sajbel Field

(970) 498-9306 | lbard@blueprintma.com (701) 307-0772 | jbecker@blueprintma.com

Advertising Sales | Jessica Ebert

Administration | Leslie McKibben

(785) 477-1941 | jebert@blueprintma.com

the american akaushi associationÂŽ

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

Akaushi Prime Time

The News of the American Akaushi Association is published quarterly and distributed digitally to all interested parties. To receive Prime Time, call or email the AAA office.

4

A WINNING COMBINATION

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We’re your source for polled Akaushi Genetics. Semen is available to ship and certified to go to South Africa, Australia and South America. Calves are all really calm and have good dispositions.

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E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S AG E

Cattle Tales

Kaci Carrales | Executive Director | kcarrales@akaushi.com

I

hope everyone had a magical Christmas being with family and friends, and started 2020 with a fresh new bang! As I reflect on my first year with the American Akaushi Association (AAA), it has been such an amazing journey, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to lead such a progressive group of cattlemen and women! It is such a pleasure to be able to call each and every one of y’all my Akaushi family.

As we look forward into 2020, the AAA team will be representing Akaushi at various events, focusing on our efficiency in the office, finalizing our new expected progeny difference (EPD) goals, compiling more than 50,000 carcass data points for real-time carcass information and preparing for our 9th Annual Convention hosted at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

Plus, whatever other opportunities pop up.

Feb. 5-7 we will be in San Antonio, Texas, for the Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show. I highly recommend you attend this event as it is the No. 1 cattle industry event of the year. Not only is it one of the largest trade shows filled with all things agriculture, but there are also opportunities to hear industry leaders present on a variety of current industry topics. If you are attending, please stop by and say hello to the Akaushi team!

March 27-29 we will be at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. This is one of our favorite shows. Each year at this event, we look forward to seeing and visiting with our members and talking about all things Akaushi. If you’re making plans to attend this event, please stop by to say hello and bring your neighbor, friend or family member.

Our main focus this year is our membership. We want to make sure we are doing our best to meet your needs. Registries and DNA are our top priority, and are something we take very seriously as we know DNA verification is key to your success and business growth. We strive each and every day to make sure we are doing our jobs in the most efficient way without sacrificing quality control.

We are excited to be working on a new set of EPDs along with compiling more than eight years of carcass data to make some incredible carcass EPDs. It’s pretty awesome to have the ability to have carcass data returned on a set of cattle each week.

Combine that with a great database, and we can tie everything to a registered, DNAverified Akaushi animal. The things you can do with all that information is simply exciting! We will keep everyone posted on our progress through this journey.

The Akaushi breed was well represented during the National Western Stock Show in January.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

Continued page 9 6

american akaushi Experience the Difference.

JOIN THE gROwINg NUMbER Of CATTlE pROdUCERS wHO ARE TURNINg TO AKAUSHI gENETICS TO Add vAlUE TO THEIR CAlf CROpS. American Akaushi genetics are well known for improving carcass performance and premium opportunities for cattle producers, but the cattle are also known to excel in important production traits, including growth, fertility, vigor and longevity. 



The American Akaushi Association has registered more than 32,000 fullblood Akaushi cattle since 2010.

DNA verification and registration is required on all Akaushi progeny to maintain the breed’s purity.





DNA-verified, Akaushi-sired cattle receive an average premium of $100/head on calves and $300/head on naturally finished cattle.

In 2018, Akaushi cattle averaged USDA Quality Grades of 51.4% Prime and 47.4% Choice.

Use Akaushi genetics and experience the difference – an animal that performs efficiently, improves consistency, maintains uniformity and maximizes profit.

A akaushi

AMERICAN AKAUSHI ASSOCIATION

the american akaushi association®

128 East South Main  Flatonia, Texas 78941 (361) 238-7218  www.akaushi.com 7

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

A K AU S H I B R E E D G E N E T I C S

DNA Matters

Tim Kozelsky | DNA and Data Service Analyst | tkozelsky@akaushi.com

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ow, what a year for DNA submissions! In 2019, American Akaushi Association (AAA) members submitted samples and requested 27,068 DNA tests. In comparison, 19,124 tests were requested in 2018. Unexpected weather patterns and varying calving seasons can both lead to different peaks of DNA submissions. When we hit a peak, DNA processing time in the lab can be more than three to four weeks for a complete turnaround time. That time does not include processing time in the office, which can be two to three days depending on the amount of DNA in our queue, as well as two days for shipping to the lab.

Therefore, total lead time can be a minimum of 27 days during the peak before the AAA office even receives the results.

I say all of this so that you can better plan your DNA submissions. All too often, we have members who submit DNA when grass is short, hoping for a miracle turnaround time so they can sell their calves.

As an association, we have very little control over lab lead times. Besides bovine

DNA testing, Neogen also has poultry, swine, canine and human (think 23andMe) clients. All compete for limited DNA processing capacity.

Your 2020 DNA submission planning should begin as soon as possible. While it may be too cold or too hot to work calves depending on your calving season, it is important to make sure you have the DNA supplies needed when the time is right. If you are ordering customized DNA tissue kits from Allflex or Datamars, please note that it takes at least two weeks for processing and shipping once the order is placed.

All other supplies, including hair, blood and Allflex TSU tissue vials, are normally shipped the same day they are ordered, provided they are in stock at the office.

Also, we are a member-service-funded organization, and for that reason, DNA processing fees are required at the time of service. A current fee schedule is normally included in your requested DNA supply order so that you can calculate DNA charges for the samples you submit. You can also find the DNA processing fee schedule on our website, www.akaushi.com, under the resources tab. Please include payment with your samples so that there isn’t a delay while we wait on payment.

Finally, every animal that a DNA sample is submitted for is recorded in our DigitalBeef® database. We do this so that the DNA sample is properly attached to the animal for tracking through the DNA lab and so that post-DNA parent verifications can be recorded in DigitalBeef. In order to record an animal in DigitalBeef, the minimum information needed is a birthdate or earliest possible birthdate for a group of calves, the sex of the calf, and breed type or tag/registration Continued page 9

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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DNA MATTERS Continued from page 8

CATTLE TALES Continued from page 6

information for the dam. If this information is not provided when the samples are being recorded in the office, we have to put them aside, contact the member and wait for the information.

Now, let’s talk about our favorite event! The 9th Annual American Akaushi Association Convention is coming up June 4-7! Registration will be online only, and is scheduled to open Feb. 3. You may wonder why we moved the convention to June. As I have said before, we are a family and we want to make this a family event. We want to provide an opportunity at a beautiful resort for families to spend time with each other and enjoy a weekend full of all things Akaushi. We are looking forward to another fun and successful convention this year, and we have some fun and exciting things to come.

See page 26 in this issue for more information.

Please make sure you follow us on Facebook and check our website to find the latest and greatest news that is happening in the association and with the Akaushi breed.

I invite those who are interested to serve the association in any capacity possible, such as trade shows, field days or sharing carcass data with neighbors. Let’s make 2020 the year we work together to tell the Akaushi story, because together

If our 2019 growth rate continues into 2020, timely submission of DNA will be critical so results are available when calves need to be sold.

If our 2019 growth rate continues into 2020, timely submission of DNA will be critical so results are available when calves need to be sold. Start planning today so that you are prepared and ready to go when calves start hitting the ground. PT

B

we are AKAUSHI!

PT

BOLZ RANCH B AKAUSHI CATTLE

Selling fullblood embryos and semen; fullblood bulls; grade bred cows, halfblood & 3/4-blood bred heifers and cows to calve in March.

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

A M E R I C A N A K AU S H I A S S O C I AT I O N U P D AT E

Akaushi Matters Loni Soefje | Assistant to the Director | lsoefje@akaushi.com

A

s 2020 begins, Braunvieh, Red Angus, Simmental and I cannot help Canadian Simmental. but reminisce During the first day of the two-day event, on how wonderful and Kaci and I were given the opportunity to successful 2019 was for tour the Neogen lab, which is where all the American Akaushi Akaushi DNA is sent for processing. It was Association (AAA) and exciting to witness every step of the DNA its members. Let me tell process, from the moment a DNA sample is you, although I grew up opened at sample reception to seeing how within the beef cattle DNA is extracted from different sample industry, I had never met a group of such types, such as hair, blood and tissue. At the progressive cattlemen and women deterend of the tour we were able to see firstmined to better the beef industry by crehand how obtaining a DNA sequence for ating the best beef eating experience for an SNP profile is different than obtaining a consumers until I began working with DNA sequence for an STR profile. the AAA a little more than a year ago. To We were then given the chance to visit think that spark is ignited by the simple with Ruth Maschka, AAA’s customer supaddition of Akaushi genetics to a herd is port representative from Neogen, which outstanding! gave us the opportunity to discuss issues With a very exciting 2020 ahead of us that could result in a quicker turnaround and a record-breaking 2019 being left betime for DNA results. The day concluded hind, I’d like to shed light on an experience with an invitation to attend a dinner social that we participated in, in an effort to keep at the Nebraska Club, which was a wonderour office informed and running as effiful networking opportunity. ciently as possible. In July 2019, AAA ExecContinued page 11 utive Director Kaci Carrales and I accepted an invitation to attend the 2019 Breed Council Forum held in Lincoln, Neb. The Breed Council Forum is a very informative, twoday event hosted by Neogen that brings several breed associations together to learn ways to better serve members. Breeds that were represented alongside Akaushi included American Wagyu, Angus, Canadian Angus, Hereford, Black Hereford, Canadian Hereford, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Canadian AAA staff Kaci Carrales and Loni Soefje pose for a photo with representatives from Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Neogen at the 2019 Breed Council Forum. Pictured left to right are Kenny Stauffer, Santa Gertrudis, Interna- Sarah Dvorak, Richard Nelson, Trina Blankenship, Loni Soefje, Kaci Carrales, Tom tional Brangus, Jersey, Schultz, Leoma Wells, Jamie Parham and Rich Tate.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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AKAUSHI MATTERS Continued from page 10

The second day was very informative.

Tom Schultz, Neogen’s director of sales and marketing, started the morning by providing an inspirational vision of Neogen’s future. Kenny Stauffer, director of beef sales, presented the Neogen territory managers and shared how they can be utilized from a breed association standpoint.

Stauffer then discussed the importance of Igenity® testing, what factors fuel genomically enhanced expected progeny differences and how both can be utilized as an essential tool for commercial cattlemen.

Following Stauffer were a series of informative presentations from Jamie Parham, beef products manager; Niraj Patel, Lincoln lab supervisor; Andy Dorn, Allflex livestock intelligence; and Sara Fendrick, customer service lead. The second half of the day included several breakout sessions.

Kaci and I split up in order to learn as much information as possible on topics including genomics testing, DNA sequencing, parentage discussions and genetic defect testing.

Jamie Parham presented an informative slideshow that detailed the available GGP panel options and how Neogen is preparing the launch of GGP100K. Leoma Wells, strategic accounts manager, hosted a session that presented people with several different real-life parentage scenarios, which allowed for an interactive session that gave listeners a chance to respond with how they have handled similar situations. The main take-home message from this session was to stick to the facts because DNA does not lie.

The AAA would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the entire Neogen team, especially Leoma Wells, for organizing such a wonderful, informative and eventful meeting. I would also like to thank our wonderful members who made 2019 such a memorable year. I cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store! PT

Start today with cow status in the palm of your hand.

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

A K AU S H I B E E F

Beef Matters

Amy Tipp | Director of Customer Service, HeartBrand® Beef Inc. | amy@akaushi.com

B

eef matters. It truly does! Especially when we are talking about Akaushi beef.

The flavor is undeniable.

The consistency is reliable. The health benefits are astounding. I would like to highlight some of our family and customer favorites, and discuss the discount that HeartBrand® Beef extends to all American Akaushi Association (AAA) members.

As the director of customer service for HeartBrand Beef, I get to discuss our beef with a variety of people who are involved in all different aspects of the cattle industry and even different stages of life. I get to see Akaushi beef truly revolutionizing the way

people select beef to feed their families.

Quite often, repeat customers tell me they will not eat any other beef and that they didn’t know beef could taste so great. Others explain how they choose other proteins at restaurants since they can have a better steak at home with Akaushi beef. It is unbelievable to see the number of people who stop by our office to just pick up a taste of beef and then end up making this stop a priority when passing through.

The most frequently asked question is, what makes our beef different than other beef? My answer is Akaushi beef has a higher concentration of monounsaturated fat relative to saturated fat. This is when people’s heads typically turn sideways and they ask, “What do you mean?” Akaushi Continued page 13

Fossil Creek Ranch

RAISING CATTLE WITH ELITE GENETICS AND EXCEPTIONAL MARBLING, FERTILITY AND LONGEVITY Selling fullblood bulls ranging from yearling to 3 years old.

We also have F1 heifers available for purchase to breed up.

TODD & JUDITH ROTHWEILER San Miguel, Calif.

(805) 467-1721 • (909) 917-2252 jhopweiler@yahoo.com

www.fossilcreekranchca.com At Fossil Creek Ranch, we offer the highest quality, pasture-raised, hormone-free beef on the market.

Orders can be placed through our website.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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the ribeye spinalis (cap of ribeye) as a retail cut on the website. This piece is so tender it will melt in your mouth and you won’t want to share.

The show-stopper steak falls on our HeartBrand Beef sirloin strip. Just try one ... you’ll be back for more! The sirloin strip is an office favorite and my personal favorite. The New York strip hasn’t always been my cut of choice but trying the HeartBrand Akaushi striploin has changed my mind. The rich, buttery flavor is highlighted in this cut and will outshine the competition. This steak is typically cut a little thicker at 1¼ to 1½ inches and a great 14-ounce portion.

Have you ever tried dry-aged beef? We offer a bone-in, dry-aged striploin that is out of this world. Dry-aging is a process where the beef is hung in open air at a temperature that is just above freezing, over a period of time. During this process, the beef will develop a depth of flavor that cannot be achieved with wet aging. The flavor will be stronger and more concentrated as well as have a nutty, earthy perception.

BEEF MATTERS Continued from page 12

beef contains more healthy fats. When you cook Akaushi ground beef in a skillet, drain the fat into a small container. If you allow the fat to reach room temperature, you will notice that the fat will still move as a liquid. You can pour it from one container to another. If you pick up the same lean percentage ground beef from the grocery store and do the same thing, the fat will most likely become a solid white texture once it reaches room temperature. Which one would you prefer run through your body?

The most requested item we offer is a 14-ounce ribeye steak. Customers seem to gravitate toward this item since they are most familiar with this cut and have probably ordered this item in a restaurant in the past. Our HeartBrand Beef ribeye has a great beefy flavor with the tenderness you would see in a filet. We recommend cooking this item medium to medium rare to accentuate the beefy yet buttery flavors. As a special feature, we are currently offering

Continued page 25

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

REFLECTIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS

Irons in the Fire Paul Marchant | Rancher/Columnist | idahomarchant@gmail.com

Hoosiers and Pea Eye

S

everal years ago, I helped coach the local high school basketball team for a few seasons. As anyone in rural America knows, hitching one’s hopes and reason for living to the success of a small-town high school athletic program can sometimes be like a spring spent doctoring scouring calves. Your efforts and heart may be fully invested, but you’re most likely going to lose some.

One particular season served up a good share of life lessons, as high school sports are supposedly intended to do. The team consisted mainly of a bunch of under-sized, under-talented over achievers. Our two best post players were barely six feet nothing if we lied about their height; our best shooter could hit a three pointer, but tended to shut down if he missed one or two; our best athlete sometimes forgot about defense; and our best defender didn’t want to score. I’d like to tell you that we had a Hollywood season, but we were more Rudy than Hoosiers and more Newt and Pea Eye than we were Butch and Sundance. We lost more than we won, and we knew what it felt like to lose by 25. We didn’t end the season by shocking the world and taking state, but we did shock the county by coming through the loser’s bracket and making it to the state tournament, where we barely missed making it to the third day of the tournament. Translation: we lost our first two games and were knocked out of the tournament without a trophy. However, rarely did I ever feel like that team didn’t do its best.

The point of this story is not that we should accept mediocrity. The point is that, no matter what we do, we should do the best we can. For Kentucky, that may be the Akaushi Prime Time • Fall 2019

Final Four. For South Dakota State, it may be an eight-point loss to Baylor in the first round. There is no better than your best.

There are about 100 kids who show steers at our county fair. It has turned into a very competitive show. Gone are the days when my kids had a fairly reasonable shot at winning the purple banner with one of our homegrown steers. That’s not to say we don’t have some decent calves, but they can’t really compare with some of the highpowered show steers in the show ring.

That doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t show because they can’t be the best, because they should always do their best. If a steer doesn’t make weight and misses the sale because he didn’t get fed right or he’s too rank to handle in the show ring because nobody took time to gentle him down at home, that is a different story.

It seems like we get too hung up on the biggest, the prettiest or the highest priced.

That’s often true in many aspects of the cattle business. Does it really matter to me if my neighbor topped the sale last fall with his January-born calves that came off the cows and irrigated pasture at 650 pounds when my March and April calves came off the desert at 500 pounds? Do you really need a new pickup with surround sound and a built-in Boy Friday? Or will the ’02 Dodge with 190,000 miles but the decent running Cummins work just fine for another year? Folks who have been able to remain in the cow business and make a decent living for themselves and their families year in and year out are generally the least-cost and efficient producers who don’t tend to jump at every new trend and fad like a pup after a jack rabbit.

The next big thing is always around the corner. Your next big thing, however, may not be mine. And that’s OK. PT 14

  

2019

American Akaushi Association Convention

Keynote speaker Mike Howard, chairman and CEO of Howard Midstream Energy Partners LLC, with Jordan Beeman, HeartBrand® Beef president.

Group tour of Elgin Breeding Service.

NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck (left) and NCBA CEO Colin Woodall (right) with AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales (center). Beck and Woodall were both speakers at convention.

Akaushi – the next generation.

Bottom row from left, Brooklyn Beeman, Adalyn Carrales and Bailey Beeman. Top row from left, Parker Beeman and Joseph Carrales.

Ashley Beeman (left), country music artist Rick Trevino (center) and AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales pose for a photo. Trevino provided entertainment for the opening night of convention.

LEFT: Group tour of Fresh Plus.

ABOVE: AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales (left) with 2019 Prime+ winner Billy and Connie Drews, FoodTown.

LEFT: Penny and Carl Rugg, Bovine Elite, stand in front of their trade show booth.

More photos on page 21 15

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

Successful Sampling How to take, preserve and ship samples for pregnancy, DNA and BVD testing

BY MICKY BURCH, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

he calendar tein B (PSPB) that’s only flipped to 2020 produced by an active, not long ago. As growing placenta in the a human race, we’re uterus. living in the Informa“If you’re going to be tion Age. As producers, preg-checking heifers, we’re taking that inforyou want to make sure mation and turning it you’re at least 25 days into the most producpost breeding,” Heath contive, efficient beef in tinued. history. But how do we Cows should be tested actually get our hands at 28 days or more poston that information? breeding and 73 days or Kelly Heath, DVM, more post-calving because director and attending it takes a little longer for veterinarian, Instituthem to reach PSPB levels tional Animal Care that can be detected. For Program, University producers testing recipiof Nebraska, presented ent females, it’s best to Kelly Heath, DVM, explains successful sampling “How to take, preserve test 25 days post-implant techniques at the 2019 Range Beef Cow and ship samples for of a 7-day-old embryo or 32 Symposium.

DNA, bovine viral diardays post-heat. rhea (BVD) or pregnancy testing” at the When pulling a sample, supplies to 2019 Range Beef Cow Symposium held Nov. gather before getting started include blood 18-20 in Mitchell, Neb. tubes (red tops for serum, purple tops for plasma), a needle holder or Vacutainer® Blood Testing blood collection tube (which is a needle and Early-stage pregnancy testing through hub), a double-sided needle or Vacutainer blood samples as an alternative to palpaneedle and a sharps container. Alternation or ultrasounding is a non-invasive tive to a Vacutainer, Heath recommended a way to check for pregnancy, Heath said.

3-mL syringe and 1-inch, 18-gauge needle.

It’s competitively priced at about $2.50 per “If you’re just starting out learning how sample and producers can get results withto collect blood samples from the tail of a in 48 hours of receipt at the lab. The test, BioPryn®, is an enzyme-linked immunosor- cow, a syringe with a needle might be easier to handle than a Vacutainer,” he said. bent assay (ELISA) of serum or plasma.

Blood samples are fairly easy to obtain “When you get all done, you get a report from the cow’s tail. back that reads either pregnant, open or “There’s a dimple where the vertebrae recheck,” Heath explained. meets a little hole – you can palpate that Those results are 99 percent accurate by running your finger up the bottom of for identifying open cows, and 95 percent the tail,” Heath described. “When you can accurate for detecting pregnant females, feel that depression – it’s about the size of based on the presence of a specific proa nickel – that’s your target, so relax the tein called the Pregnancy-Specific ProContinued page 17

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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tubes chute side and keep them organized.

Further, he reminded attendees to use a new needle and syringe for every sample to prevent disease transmission between animals and any contamination of blood samples – which is also why an appropriately sized, thick plastic sharps container is a necessity. For disposing needles, Heath recommended something like a laundry detergent container – he emphasized that a milk jug or pop bottle are not adequate because the plastic isn’t thick enough.

A video showing the steps to collecting blood samples from the tail can be found at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=lLgjMJCMfvI. Once the collections are gathered, they should be shipped within three days at ambient (room) temperature (never frozen).

Under these conditions, PSPB will remain stable in the blood, giving producers the best chance for a high-accuracy pregnancy reading. The test can give false readings if blood samples aren’t collected and shipped according to these guidelines.

SUCCESSFUL SAMPLING Continued from page 16

tail a little bit, and go ahead and insert your needle and tube and then draw blood from that spot.”

Heath pointed out that collecting blood samples may be a skill that is easier to train emHeath points to the correct location for a ployees to do successful blood draw. compared to palpation for pregnancy checking.

When collecting a blood sample, the goal is to gather 2 to 3 mL of blood. Health also recommended using the gridded boxes that blood/Vacutainer® tubes come in to hold the

Continued page 19

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

Rockin' B Cattle Company Receives Securing the Legacy Award

T

he American Akaushi Association (AAA) established the Securing the Legacy Award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the Akaushi breed. During the 2019 Annual Convention, the organization recognized Rockin’ B Cattle Company.

Out of the thousands of fullblood Akaushi cattle, several of the breed's elite females and bulls have been raised by the Bentke family.

AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales with the Bentke family, Mark and Coleen Bentke, Darby Horstman and Corey Bentke.

Twenty-two years ago marks a turning point for Rockin’ B Cattle Company when the Bentkes came in contact with HeartBrand® – and that’s where the story and great relationship began. At that time, Akaushi cattle were not yet available for purchase; HeartBrand’s main goal was to grow the herd as quickly and efficiently as possible. Rockin’ B’s strong cow base made them the perfect choice for HeartBrand to expand their numbers.

Out of the thousands of fullblood Akaushi cattle, several of the breed’s elite females and bulls have been raised by the Bentke family. Mark and Sherri are also involved in numerous progressive projects, and even produced King David, a heterozygous polled bull. It’s their great cattle husbandry knowledge and cattle care that have made them great partners, but most important, great supporters of the Akaushi breed.

They have seen firsthand how productive and functional Akaushi cattle are.

Recognizing Akaushi cattle’s superior carcass quality, the Bentkes have also taken the opportunity to breed Akaushi bulls to their Braford-type females to add value to their cattle. Since dealing with Akaushi, their business has benefited from additional premiums when marketing their cattle. Prior to raising Akaushi, they bred

Rockin’ B Cattle Company was launched in 1986 by Mark and Sherri Bentke. Initially, their main business was contract hay work for a few different producers, but it was not long before they grew their business, enabling them to buy more cattle and take on a larger role in the cattle industry.

In the early years they worked with several breeds, including Angus, Brangus, Hereford and Brahmans. This became quite a success for Mark and Sherri’s business after years of improving maternal traits in their cow base. In addition to buying and selling cattle, the couple began using their cows as recips for embryo production. Over time they added additional responsibilities and grew their cow herd.

Continued page 20 Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

18

SUCCESSFUL SAMPLING Continued from page 17

Using the appropriate tools, blood and tissue samples can be collected and shipped successfully, helping producers arm themselves with information to make decisions about their herd.

Heath also reminded attendees that, while blood sampling does have benefits, there are additional things to consider, like the delayed processing time for results that may require handling the livestock a second time to sort opens, and the delay in processing pregnant females for pre-calving vaccinations and parasite control to avoid working opens.

select replacements to improve herd stability and reproduction; target animals to production and grazing systems; and invest in genetics that improve the bottom line.

There are several means for producers to gather helpful information from their bull battery, including tissue, semen and blood samples, and hair follicles.

“You just need to work with the company doing your genomic testing to get that set up,” Heath recommended.

Most often, the test Heath uses to help gather all this information is a tissue test

Tissue Testing

Genomics have become a standard part of many breed association genetic evaluation programs as a means to help producers select, manage and market cattle; gauge maternal performance and carcass traits; aid producers in focusing time, feed and other resources on stock of verified merit;

Continued page 20

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19

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

paying for the tests, Heath said, “Go ahead and spend the money on a good shipthat gives producers results ping container.” in parentage verification, His steps for shipping genetic selection tools and blood and tissue samples BVD diagnostics. Taken include: from an animal’s ear, tisStep 1: Prepare a rigid sue samples can generally outer package that will be collected in a matter of contain the secondary seconds with the aid of a packaging. Use a cold head catch for restraint. pack if the specimen must Tissue sampling technology remain at a refrigerated Heath recommends mailing samples in through the use of a handa Styrofoam container packed inside a temperature, and especially if held tissue-sampling applicardboard box. the weather temperature durcator allows for a clean and ing shipping will be hot. If the uncontaminated sample that is kept in a weather includes freezing temperatures, specifically designed preservative, containHeath suggested waiting to mail the packing a large quantity of high-quality DNA age until the cold spell has passed. A Stythat aids in excellent lab results. Individual rofoam cooler placed snugly inside a cardtissue-sampling units can be identified with board box works well for mailing samples, a pre-printed barcode. A tutorial about he added. how to use this tissue sampling unit can Step 2: To prevent damage to specibe found at http://www.allflexusa.com/asmens in transit, ensure blood tubes have sets/Videos/Allflex%20Tissue%20Sampling adequate cushioning and are bagged to %20Tutorial%20NO%20AAA%20REF%20 prevent leakage. Add a layer of filler, like (Updt%2001.2017).mp4. newspaper or bubble wrap, between cold A good, old-fashioned ear notch can be packs and specimens. Keep paperwork dry used for collecting samples strictly for BDV by packaging it in a separate zip-lock bag. testing. A skin biopsy, approximately oneStep 3: Add filler to decrease empty quarter to one-half inch in size, should be space within the secondary packaging. Seimmediately placed in formalin, then sent cure the entire package with tape. for testing.

Step 4: Work with the shipper to label Heath emphasized that tissue samples the package in accordance to the specishould not be frozen, and if there is a men’s classification; typically, identifying tattoo in the ear, producers should avoid the package as “biological substance” is collecting from that spot because the tattoo required. ink may interfere with the test, and taking Using these tips, blood and tissue samples tissue out of the tattoo may make it illegible can be collected and shipped successfully, in the future. helping producers arm themselves with Shipping Samples information to make decisions about their Given the effort put into collecting blood herd. PT or tissue samples and the investment made SUCCESSFUL SAMPLING Continued from page 19

LEGACY AWARD Continued from page 18

to commercial and registered bulls to produce replacement heifers and herd bulls.

Using Akaushi genetics, they are still able to raise valuable replacement females, while gaining extra premiums with their terminal cattle.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

The Bentkes have been valuable supporters and promoters of Akaushi cattle and Akaushi beef. Rockin’ B Cattle Company and the entire Bentke family – Mark, Sherri, Corey and Colleen – thank you for your passion and excitement for the Akaushi breed. Your commitment and contributions to the breed have not gone unnoticed. PT 20

  

2019

American Akaushi Association Convention

A glimpse at some of the AAA members who attended the annual convention.

Thanks to everyone who made this a great event!

From left, Don Garrison, Aaron Cooper, Jennifer Fisher, JoJo Carrales and Ron Fisher.

Australian guest Alan Peggs (left) and Bill Fisher.

From left, James Cornelius, Savannah Cornelius holding nephew Hollis Driver, Sara Black, Len Cornelius, Herff Cornelius, Ricky Black and Wyatt Cornelius.

Nanna and Austin Brown II.

From left, Joe Beltz, Terry Ter Wee, Michael Ruth, John Dell, Christina Beltz and Jimmy Sterling.

Austrailian guests Katey, John and Matilda Dawkins.

From left, Corinne Yancy, Kim Birkenfeld, Donald Birkenfeld and Jim Yancy.

Jennifer Barnes (right) with son Matthew Farr.

South Africa guests Frans and Almie Stapelberg.

RIGHT: DigitalBeef® Operations Manager Jaye Massey (left) with Misty and Christy Guy of Chickadee Cattle.

From left, Patti and Kent Wayman and Cee Arnett.

21

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

2019 AAA Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

I

n 2018, the American Akaushi Association (AAA) established the Hall of Fame to recognize and honor visionary individuals who have made outstanding contributions

to AAA and the Akaushi breed. During the 2019 Annual Convention, the organization added five individuals to its Hall of Fame. These inductees were recognized for their positive

30th Edition Bull Sale Saturday, March 21, 2020 1:00 PM Central At the Ranch | Carthage, Missouri

Selling 95 Bulls

impact on the association and breed. The 2019 AAA Hall of Fame inductees are Gail Morris, Cee Arnett, John Shull, and Bubba and Janie Bain.

Gail Morris

Gail Morris, Bovina Feeders president, has likely fed more Akaushi cattle than anyone in the world.

He started feeding his first Akaushi cattle in 2009. Todate, he has been a part of feeding approximately 80,000 Akaushi cattle. He started working at Bovina Feeders in 1977 and became its manager shortly after; he had that position until 2013. Over the years, Gail has been a major proponent of the Akaushi breed, which has been a positive for all Akaushi breeders.

Cee Arnett

75 Charolais 10 Halfblood Akaushi 10 Fullblood Akaushi

And 15 Females Charolais/Red Angus 3-in-1 Pairs

HB Hot Damn 9249E

6 with fullblood ET calves (4 bulls, 2 heifers) sired by HB Rhubarb, a son of Rueshaw.

9 with halfblood calves.

All bred back to our impressive junior herd sire: HB Hot Damn 9249E.

Reg # AF103980 Growth : Big WW; 30 month weight of 1745 lb.

Eye Appeal : Looks still count!

Soundness : Great feet and legs.

Disposition : Perfect.

Foundation Stock : Check his pedigree!

VIEW/BID LIVE ONLINE: Larry & Peggy Aschermann Carthage, Missouri (417) 793-2855 cell • (417) 358-7879 e-mail: hayhook@gmail.com

www.aschermanncharolais.com

Bovina Feeders General Manager Cee Arnett’s involvement with Akaushi started in 2013 when he started working at Bovina Feeders finishing Akaushi cattle. Cee actively promotes the Akaushi breed. He has entered many halfblood Akaushi in the Texas Cattle Feeders Association’s Fed Beef Challenge to show how well Akaushi cattle grade. He and his family also run Akaushi bulls on their ranch near Clayton, N.M., and he’s helped his friends and feeding customers use Akaushi bulls on commercial cows.

Dr. John Shull Visit our website for updates and sale catalog.

Videos available the weekend prior to the sale.

Catalogs mailed upon request.

John Shull, DVM, Brazos Valley Genetics owner, is a board-certified theriogenolContinued page 23

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

22

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Continued from page 22

ogist who has been involved with embryo transfer work for more than three decades.

In 2001, he began an extensive Akaushi embryo transfer project, and his professional experience has played a critical role in expanding the breed. With more than 12,000 transfers, John has been a key contributor to the breed’s growth in the United States. His vast knowledge and experience with the breed is an asset for all Akaushi breeders.

Bubba and Janie Bain

Bubba and Janie Bain moved to South Texas in 2009 to lead the AAA as executive director and executive assistant. Prior to joining AAA, Bubba was director of field services for a breed association, owner/operator of an embryo transfer facility, manager of cowcalf operations and owner/ operator of a feedyard and feed mill. The couple was instrumental in building the association and guiding its growth; they established association programs, promoted the breed at industry events and grew the association’s membership. Today, the pair continues to promote Akaushi as association field representatives.

AAA and its members offer Gail, Cee, John, Bubba and Janie heartfelt congratulations for this welldeserved honor. The association is grateful for their service and contributions to AAA and the Akaushi breed. PT

AAA Executive Director Kaci Carrales with the Class of 2019 Hall of Fame inductees, from left to right, John Shull, DVM, Cee Arnett, Gail Morris, and Janie and Bubba Bain.

Junior Page Prime Time San Jacinto Winter 2020

SAN JACINTO RANCH LLC

Texas BQA Award Winner • Huntsville, Texas Available private treaty: halfblood and ¾ blood Akaushi heifers, from Red Angus and Brangus dams crossed with registered Akaushi sires We annually perform Neogen’s® Ingenity® DNA test on all of our heifers, giving us management data for three indexes (maternal,performance and carcass) and 17 traits of genetic potential.

We have several very different Akaushi Sire bloodlines – Big Al • Heart Brand Red Emperor Shigamaru • Hikari • Tamamaru

On the dam’s side, bloodlines include – Akido • Kazutomo 1KYUHB C00621 Heartbrand T0326N • Haruko

Come by the Ranch just west of Huntsville, Texas to visit us!

SJ

Carolyn & Howard Davis 713-542-7777 • 713-899-4232 HBDavisJr47@gmail.com 23

A akaushi the american akaushi association®

member

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

Rancho Lamision, Genaro Garcia Hinojosa, Monterrey, Mexico

NEW MEMBERS Silver Sage Akaushi, Lodema Knudson, Colorado City, Ariz.

Johnathan Ellisor, The Woodlands, Texas

La Nutria, Ricardo Romero Garcia, San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico Agroganaderia Aguas Claras S.P.R de R.L., Cesar Montemayor Guevara, Villa de Garcia, Mexico

Dutson Family Ranch, Daniel S. Dutson, St. George, Utah

Ganaderia San Rafael S.P.R, Manuel Garcia Gonzalez, Monterrey, Mexico

Davis Farms, Tim Davis, Murphy, N.C. MRL Ranch, Michael and Laura Ruth, Sulphur Springs, Texas

Rancho El 08, Jose M. Medina Chapa, Monterrey, Mexico Rancho San Salvador, Enrique Barreda Garza, Monterrey, Mexico

Murphy Family Ranch, LLC, Robert Mackey, Sonora, Calif.

Cotter Ranch LTD, Lacy Cotter Vardeman, Slaton, Texas

Pedro Arreguin, Cypress, Texas

Edward Owens, Reno, Nev.

Robert A. Cullen Jr., Austin, Texas

HJ Ranch, H. Duane Johnson, Simpsonville, S.C.

M&C Farms Inc., Mike Hunt, Muleshoe, Texas

Eastham Ranch, James and Melissa Eastham, McKinney, Texas

Cerise Ranch, Lowell and Mary Cerise, Salmon, Idaho

Oro Viejo, Federico Cenoz Baca, San Antonio, Texas

Holland Stock Farm, Tony Holland, Bronte, Texas

Red & Black Akaushi LLC, Felipe Navarro, China Grove, Texas

PS1 Cattle Co., Mark Cadra, Shamrock, Texas

Johnny Holder, Weatherford, Texas

Prescott Cattle & Consulting LLC, Wyatt Prescott, Fairfield, Idaho

David Craig and Janie Hoffman, Tucumcari, N.M.

Climax Akaushi Farms LLC, Tyler Mort, Climax, N.Y. High Noon Farms, Rod and DeAnne Roberts, Dickens, Texas

Allen Ranch LLC, David L. Allen, Downey, Idaho

Morace Cattle Company LLC, Cole Morace, Humble, Texas

Evridge Farms, John and Amanda Evridge, Midkiff, Texas

Jose Alejandro Acosta Salinas, Monterrey, Mexico

3C Land & Cattle LLC, Jim Leslie, Dacoma, Okla.

A2 Bull Bank, Vernon St. John, Maricopa, Ariz.

Bar 46, James, James Jr. and Jacquelyn Moreno, Culdesac, Idaho Double K Ranch, Marshall Wright, Aledo, Texas Maramia Ranch, Khal Yaghi, Austin, Texas Seven Stars Organic Farm LLC, Dean Willbanks, Avondale, Ariz.

Texas Ten Cattle Company, Doug and Angela Heimer, Spring Branch, Texas Big Daddy Ranch, Rob Hagey, Nolanville, Texas A- Ranch, John and Mary Lou Block, Gothenburg, Neb. JKCA Ranch LLC, Mike and Michelle McMillan, Big Spring, Texas Younglund Ranch, Monty Younglund, New Raymer, Colo.

2 Bar 2 Cattle, Noel McAlexander, Austin, Texas Estes Ranch, Greg Estes, San Angelo, Texas Four L Akaushi, Jim Long, Sandia, Texas Brushy Creek Ranch, Larry Jeffery, McAlester, Okla.

Gorges Cattle Company, Terry Gorges, Mount Hope, Kan. Herd Ranch, Dallas Nitschke, Tyler, Texas Justin Anderson, Magnolia, Texas ABN Ranch, Al Nessinger, Hatch, Utah Rapid Lightning Ranch, Donald and Julie Skinner, Sandpoint, Idaho

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

24

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BROKEN WINDS

FEBRUARY

CATTLE COMPANY

3 Online Registration Opens for 9th Annual American Akaushi Association Convention 3 Preliminary Spring WHR Inventory Mailed 5-7 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, San Antonio, Texas

MARCH 2 21

27-29

APRIL

25-26

JUNE

4-7 15-17

JULY

Registered Akaushi Cattle Percentage Blood and Purebred

Spring WHR Invoices Mailed Aschermann Charolais/Akaushi 30th Edition Bull Sale, Carthage, Mo. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention, Fort Worth, Texas

1/4 Vertical, 4 color Hemphill County Cattlemen’s Symposium, Canadian, Texas Prime Time Comanche Cattle Company 9th Annual American Akaushi Association Convention, Horseshoe Bay, Texas Colorado Cattlemen’s Convention, Fall 2019 Joe Beltz Colorado Springs, Colo.

Canyon, Texas ● (806) 683-7329 cowhand@me.com www.brokenwindscattleco.com

18-19 Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Convention, Norman, Okla.

22-26 Arizona Cattlemen’s Convention, Scottsdale, Ariz.

A akaushi the american akaushi association®

member

AUGUST

3 Preliminary Fall WHR Inventory Mailed 19-21 World Wagyu Congress, South Africa

Comanche

SEPTEMBER

1 Fall WHR Invoices Mailed

Cattle Company

BEEF MATTERS Continued from page 13

Proven Akaushi Genetics

Looking to order an item we have highlighted above? HeartBrand Beef and the American Akaushi Association have teamed up to allow producers a steady supBroken Winds_1-4_PTFall19.indd 1 ply of Akaushi beef through HeartBrand Beef’s retail website. HeartBrand Beef offers all active AAA members a discount when ordering online. Give us or the AAA a call, (877) AKAUSHI, to receive the discount code. We also have specials on whole pieces from time to time, and we can add you to the list to receive a phone call when these pieces are available. If interested, please email me to get your name added to the list. We look forward to delivering the beef for your next meal. PT

Selling registered,

fullblood Akaushi cattle through private treaty.

FULLBLOOD BULLS FOR SALE

For more information contact:

A akaushi

Canyon, Texas 806-683-7329 cowhand@me.com www.comanchecattleco.com

the american akaushi association®

member

25

Joe Beltz

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

Save the Date!

June 4-7, 2020

AMERICAN AKAUSHI ASSOCIATION 9TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

M

ake plans to join your fellow Akaushi breeders for the 2020 American Akaushi Association Annual Convention this summer. This year’s event promises to be fun for the whole family!

As usual, the convention will be a great time to connect with fellow breeders and hear from educational speakers. Special entertainment will be provided on Thursday, June 4th as well as a golf tournament and winery tour on Friday, June 5.

HEADQUARTERS HOTEL Horseshoe Bay Resort 200 Hi Cir N • Horseshoe Bay, Texas 78657 (877) 611-0112 More information, including a complete schedule, will be included in future issues of Prime Time, and online at www.americanakaushi.com but mark your calendars and make plans to bring your family.

Online registration is open now!

Click here! PT

Making Beef Better

AD INDEX Adams & Creasy Insurance Agency Inc.... 24

Comanche Cattle Company...................... 25

Allflex USA Inc.................. 11

Elgin Breeding Service Inc................................. 28

American Akaushi Association..................... 7

Fossil Creek Ranch.......... 12

Artesian Ranch LLC......... 26

FPL Food LLC.................. 19

Aschermann Charolais/ Akaushi......................... 22

HeartBrand Cattle Inc....... 27

Big Bend Trailers................ 5

Legendary Akaushi Genetics LLC.................. 2

Half-Blood Akaushi Genetics

Bolz Ranch LP.................... 9

Rancho Espuela................. 5

Akaushi Semen

Bovine Elite LLC................. 3

San Jacinto Ranch........... 23

Broken Winds Cattte Company...................... 25

Wagyu South Africa.......... 17

Currently Available Replacement Heifers, Steers & Bulls Available

Herd Sires: Heartbrand 2451Z & Heartbrand 2163A

AlsoPecans Offering

Caviness Beef Packers.... 13

Fancy Shelled Halves & Pieces or In Shell

Vacation Home Rental

P rime T ime

Ranch Visitors Always Welcome

19551 Hwy. 36 Gusinte, Texas 76455 (325) 330-1550 artesiancattle@gmail.com www.ArtesianRanch.com

www.akaushi.com

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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www.akaushi.com • Winter 2020

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2020

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