The Beefmaster Pay Weight - Fall 2021 by Beefmaster Breeders United

the

BEEFMASTER Pay Weight

a publication dedicated to serving commercial cattlemen and produced by Beefmaster Breeders United FALL 2021

Vol.7, No. 2

Section 1

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Beefmaster Commits to Sustainability with Efficiency EPDs by Lance Bauer and Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is pleased to announce the development and release of their Residual Feed Intake (RFI) Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) and Feed Efficiency Index ($FE). Beefmaster breeders and commercial cattlemen now have the most powerful Beefmaster selection tools at their fingertips. “Both of these efficiency EPDs will assist producers to select animals that are feed efficient and fit into the ever-increasing demand for sustainability in the beef industry,” said Lance Bauer, BBU Director of Breed Improvement. Residual feed intake is a measure of feed efficiency. RFI is the difference between an animal’s actual intake and expected intake based on size and growth of an animal on a feed test. The new Beefmaster RFI EPD utilizes ultrasound measured rib fat in the calculation to help select for animals that will grow and

maintain optimal condition. When examining this EPD it is important to notate that an animal with a lower RFI EPD is expected to eat less and be more efficient, when compared to an animal with a higher RFI EPD. When calculating the RFI for BBU the phenotypic RFI and phenotypic fat are utilized, to select for efficient animals that will maintain body condition, as well as being efficient. All the phenotypes used in the calculation of the new RFI EPD had individual intake data collected at a testing facility. There are testing facilities across the country and different technologies that can collect this data. When analyzing RFI, the contemporary groups that are used are based on the weaning contemporary, the pen the animal is fed in, and the start date of the test. This tool will allow for producers to select for efficient animals that are able to maintain body condition.

Beefmaster Bulls on Feed Test at PX Feeders in Evant, Texas

The new Feed Efficiency Index is referred to as $FE and balances post weaning growth (the growth from weaning to yearling) with the RFI EPD. This index is designed to select for animals that excel in feed efficiency and post weaning growth. This is more of a terminally focused trait since there is a decent amount of pressure that is placed on growth. If selecting for replacement females it would be wise to look at $M and RFI, and balance those two numbers. $FE helps to stop

single trait selection on feed efficiency. Single trait selection on efficiency can lead to selection of animals that do not eat, and in turn do not grow. The new RFI EPD and $FE Index will join an already extensive and powerful group of EPDs and indices that are available to the progressive cattlemen who utilize Beefmaster genetics in their seedstock and commercial cattle operations.

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Quality Colostrum for Beef Calves Source: Boehringer Ingelheim Unlike many other mammals, when calves are born, they enter the world lacking any immunity to disease. To build up the defenses they need, calves are wholly dependent on colostrum from their mothers. And the instant a calf is born, a clock begins ticking on its colostrum intake that can have lasting effects on its health and productivity, says Peggy Thompson, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Receiving adequate colostrum during those first 24 hours will have a lifelong

impact on a calf in terms of its ability to fend off disease, put on weight, and in the case of heifers, calve early,” Thompson said. “And when it comes to transferring maternal antibodies from the cow to the calf, 24 hours is even too late.” Thompson stresses that producers should do their best to ensure calves are up and nursing within two hours of being born. “After just six hours, a calf ’s gut begins to change, making it more difficult to absorb the immunity-boosting antibodies found in colostrum,” she said.

“As we’ve learned more about colostrum over the years, the general practice has gone from making sure calves are nursing within the first 24 hours, to 12, to six and now the recommendation is two hours.” In addition to antibodies, however, calves also receive critical vitamins, minerals and fats from their mothers’ colostrum, so colostrum quality is another factor to consider and one that producers can impact positively.

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Letter From The Editor by Collin Osbourn It is great to see the change from the long days of summer heat to a more colorful and comfortable fall season. With the fall months comes many Beefmaster Bull sales and the opportunity to buy some of the very best Beefmaster sires that will be offered. In this issue of The Beefmaster Pay Weight you will find a lot of upcoming events where you can purchase these high-quality Beefmaster genetics that are backed with powerful proven performance. This issue has several interesting articles, from a focus on regenerative

ag practices and common respiratory issues, to how to best acclimate your calves to bunk feeding systems. Requests from readers prompted us to give more insight into how the Beefmaster herd at Texas A&M is progressing and the launch of Beefmaster genetics in Turkey. We hope that you will find these and other articles informative in this fall issue of The Beefmaster Pay Weight. I encourage everyone to study the new Feed Efficiency EPDs and how to use these new traits to make selection decisions. These Beefmaster cattle are incredibly efficient in converting feed to gain, helping to generate more pounds of product with less feed costs. These efficiency data sets are helping to keep more dollars

in producers’ pockets while building a set of genetics that are well suited for long productive lives in your herd. The maternal advantages that we see from the use of Beefmaster genetics are undeniable. Cattlemen are using Beefmasters to continue improving cow herds across the US in terms of efficiency, longevity, productivity and most importantly profitability. Beefmaster genetics are excelling within the beef industry and demand continues to sore with the added heterosis and efficiency that they bring to your herd. Without a doubt increased production with added efficiency are areas that we can all improve upon to make our cow herds more profitable and

www.beefmasters.org sustainable for the future. I’m looking forward to the upcoming sales and seeing the cattle that will help shape the Beefmaster future. God bless each you this fall in your travels, and I hope to see many of you at one of the coming Beefmaster events!

If you have any questions or comments please contact me at cosbourn@beefmasters.org

Collin Osbourn

Executive Vice President Editor, The Beefmaster Pay Weight

Articles In This Issue... Page 1 - Beefmaster Commits to Sustainability with Efficiency EPDs by Lance Bauer and Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Page 1 - Quality Colostrum for Beef Calves Source: Boehringer Ingelheim Page 7 - Grazing Cattle Can Reduce Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint by Adam Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife Page 9 - Cattle Check Scams Are Out There! Beware! Source: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Page 11 - Noble Research Institute Focuses on Regenerative Agriculture Source: Noble Research Institute Page 16 - Launching Beefmasters in Turkey by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Page 17 - Bunk Breaking Calves for Success in the Feedyard by Emily Pendergrass, Extra Dimension Marketing Page 19 - Combat Respiratory Disease with Focus on Boosting Efficient Feed Nutrition Source: Huvepharma Page 21 - Nothing Beats a Beefmaster by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Page 25 - Texas A&M University Beefmaster Herd Continues to Grow by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Page 29 - Calving - ease Cows: Optimal or Extreme? Source: Beef Improvement Federation Page 31 - Customized Bull Selection Maximizes Investment Dollar by Becky Mills, DTN/Progressive Farmer Page 33 - America’s No. 1 Ranching Magazine Announces Working Ranch Expo by Ellen H, Brisendine, Working Ranch Expo Page 36 - CattleFax Forecasts Record Beef Demand; Prospects for Tighter Supplies Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

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Beefmaster Breeders United

The Beefmaster Pay Weight is a publication produced by Beefmaster Breeders United and dedicated to serving commercial cattlemen. The Beefmaster Pay Weight Team Editor: Collin Osbourn Managing Editor: Jeralyn Novak Advertising Coordinators: Carey Brown, Lance Bauer, Jon Garza, Jeralyn Novak Graphic Designer: Jeralyn Novak Beefmaster Breeders United Staff Members Collin Osbourn: Executive Vice President Lance Bauer: Director of Breed Improvement & Western Field Representative Melissa Becker: DNA Coordinator Brandi Feller: Registration and Transfer Coordinator Jon Garza: Director of International Programs Donna Henderson: Office Manager Jeralyn Novak: Communications Coordinator

For advertisement sales: Contact Jeralyn Novak 210-732-3132 or Carey Brown with Livestock Advertising Network at 859-278-0899 Contact BBU: 118 W. Bandera Road, Boerne, TX 78006 - (210) 732-3132 - info@beefmasters.org Beefmaster Breeders United reserves the right to refuse advertising in any publications. © 2021 Beefmaster Breeders United. All rights reserved. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or part, without prior written consent of Beefmaster Breeders United.

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continued from page 1 Not only do these tools improve feed efficiency, but also global beef sustainability. Beefmaster Breeders United is committed to producing beef that is socially responsible, environmentally sound, and economically viable. We are devoted to supplying a beef product that prioritizes planet, people, and progress. “Through implementing these new genetic tools, we are announcing our commitment

to support our membership and cattle producers in growing and harvesting sustainable beef products around the globe,” said Collin Osbourn, BBU Executive Vice President. These are tools that have been in the works for several years now and we, as an association, are excited to introduce them and give both commercial and seedstock producers a couple more selection tools. A popular topic in the industry is how do we become more sustainable, and

one part of sustainability is feed efficiency. These two tools allow producers to place selection pressure on feed efficiency and balance that with other EPDs that are available. There are over 2,800 phenotypic records from across the breed that have gone into the calculation of the RFI EPD. These phenotypic records come from animals that have been on a feed test that can capture individual intake data on animals. “These new EPDs help highlight the strength of the Beefmaster breed and the direction the industry is headed,” said Derek Thompson, owner of Nextgen Cattle Company. “We need to strive to make animals that are sustainable, and these tools will help producers select for efficiency which ties directly into sustainability for the future. There is not another efficient breed than the Beefmaster breed and we are excited to continue to prove it through data.” These two new tools that have been rolled out are great for BBU. As a breed, we have been recognized as efficient and now the Beefmaster breed has the tools to genetically select for it. As a breed, it is imperative that we stay on the front edge of the industry and continue to build and improve on the genetic selection tools we have. RFI and $FE are a great addition to the BBU EPDs and will help us make our cattle even more efficient. As with any EPD, these are just tools that are there to

www.beefmasters.org help producers make the most informed decisions in purchasing and breeding cattle. Some final thoughts from BBU President Larry Meacham are, “as Beefmaster seed stock producers, we have always touted how efficient our cattle are. Now we are actually able to prove it through factual data created by testing our cattle for feed conversion creating an EPD called Residual Feed Intake (RFI). To stay relevant as a breed, we must use the tools and technology that’s available to us. The cattle industry depends on it.”

Jeralyn Novak Communications Coordinator Beefmaster Breeders United

Lance Bauer Director of Breed Improvement Beefmaster Breeders United

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at encouraging antibody production prior to calving, Three Keys to Quality Thompson said. Colostrum Calving in a relatively warm “Nutrition is huge,” said and clean environment can Thompson. “If a cow is in poor also have an impact on a calf ’s body condition, then her body ability to fend off diseases early is going to use any nutrition for on. itself before making colostrum.” “If you’re calving into a Thompson recommends muddy mess, then it doesn’t working with a nutritionist matter how many antibodies to be sure pregnant cows are that calf gets from its mom,” getting what they need in their Thompson said. “The infectious diets heading into calving. agents in that mud can Vaccinating, or giving a overcome a calf ’s immunity. booster vaccine to cows prior Nothing replaces good to calving, is another way to management practices.” ensure plenty of antibodies Another benefit of make their way into colostrum. conducting a pregnancy check Thompson recommends in the fall is that veterinarians administering vaccines about can give producers a more five months prior to calving as accurate idea of when a cow part of a fall pregnancy check will give birth, which can with a veterinarian, but no allow producers to be ready to later than two months prior, monitor colostrum intake and to ensure there’s adequate time step in if problems arise. for the antibodies to be passed Warning Signs into the colostrum. Killed If calves begin showing vaccines are especially efficient signs of scours or pneumonia

their mothers, which are called immunoglobulins or IgGs. IgG tests are more expensive than traditional blood tests, but are able to provide more accurate results. If tests determine there is a problem with a calf ’s immunity, producers should work with their veterinarian to determine if a packaged colostrum replacement could help, Thompson said. With the right tools, good management practices and a watchful eye in the hours and days following calving, producers can put their calves on track for lifelong productivity by helping them get the colostrum they need.

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anywhere from 24 hours to three weeks of age, it could signal they’re not receiving adequate colostrum – both from a quality and quantity standpoint. When this occurs, the best thing producers can do to verify that the problem is indeed with the calf ’s immunity is to work with their veterinarian to do a blood test, ideally in the first few days of a calf ’s life. This way, if there is a problem there’s still time to address it. If several weeks or a month have gone by, it makes it more difficult to pinpoint the real issue. Traditionally, blood tests in cases like these have measured a serum protein that can sometimes give false positives or show that a calf has adequate immunity when in reality it does not. More recently, veterinarians have begun measuring the actual antibodies calves receive from

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Grazing Cattle Can Reduce Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint by Adam Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife Ruminant animals, like cattle, contribute to the maintenance of healthy soils and grasslands. Proper grazing management can reduce the industry’s carbon emissions and overall footprint, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist. Richard Teague, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the Department Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and senior scientist of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon, said his research, published in the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, presents sustainable solutions for grazing agriculture. The published article, authored by Teague with

co-authors who include Urs Kreuter, Ph.D., AgriLife Research socio-economist in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, BryanCollege Station, was recognized at the society’s recent conference as a Soil and Water Conservation Society Research Paper for Impact and Quality. Teague’s research showed appropriate grazing management practices in cattle production are among the solutions for concerns related to agriculture’s impact on the environment. This serves as a call to action for the implementation of practices that can improve the resource base, environment, productivity and economic returns. “We went to the society because it represents professionals who know soils,

and to have it published and then recognized by them is huge and shows the validity of the work,” he said. “I am extremely proud of the work and my fellow contributors at Texas A&M and around the country. And I believe it to be a good example for how science can present solutions to serious issues related to agricultural production.” Ruminants as part of the solution To ensure long-term sustainability and ecological resilience of agricultural landscapes, he said cropping and grazing management protocols are needed that can regenerate soil systems and ecosystem functions previously lost by neglect and destructive management practices. Fortunately, many problems caused by some

current cropping and grazing agriculture practices can be avoided by ecologically sensitive management of ruminants in mixed crop and grazing agroecosystems. Effective soil management measures provide the most significant possibilities for achieving sustainable use of agricultural land amid a changing and increasingly variable climate, Teague said. Regenerative agricultural practices restore soil health and ecosystem function to support ecologically healthy and resilient agroecosystems. These practices improve net profitability and enhance ecosystem and watershed function.

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Such management increases the production of forages, allowing Reducing carbon footprint for more livestock to provide with ruminants, regeneration improved economic returns Grassland ecosystems cocompared to conventional evolved with herbivores over methods. many thousands of years as Permanent cover of forage complex, dynamic ecosystems plants is highly effective in comprised of grasses, soil biota, reducing soil erosion and grazers and predators, that increasing soil infiltration, and deteriorate in the absence of ruminants consuming grazed periodic grazing, Teague said. forages under appropriate His research suggests moving management results in toward regenerative practices considerably more carbon designed to improve soil sequestration than emissions, biology and function. Teague said. Ruminant livestock are an Incorporating forages important tool for achieving with ruminants to manage sustainable agriculture regeneration of ecological with appropriate grazing function in agro-ecosystems management, Teague said. can elevate soil carbon, improve A key element is that grazing soil ecological function, and cattle on permanent perennial enhance biodiversity and grasslands with appropriate wildlife habitat if incorporated management helps develop within goal-oriented planning soil biology to improve soil and monitoring protocols. carbon, rainfall infiltration and “In non-cropping and soil fertility. Thus, much more cropping areas, grazing carbon dioxide equivalents are ruminants in a manner that sequestered into the soil than enhances soil health reduces are emitted by cattle in that the carbon footprint of management unit, Teague said. agriculture much more than by

reducing ruminant numbers and provides highly nutritious food that has sustained pastoral livelihoods and cultures for centuries,” he said.

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Collectively, conservation agriculture aimed at regenerating soil health and ecosystem function supports ecologically healthy and resilient agroecosystems, Regenerative ag practices for improves net profitability and future prosperity enhances watershed function, Teague said research can Teague said. harm public discourse related “When we’re talking to sustainable agriculture more about science, we need to than help unless scientists look at the full spectrum of take a much broader view of what is happening, weigh the agriculture as it is and can be. positives and negatives of our This broad view includes the options and be honest about potential societal and economic the outcomes,” he said. “Then, ramifications of proposed we seek the most sustainable changes but also warrants solution.” providing solutions that can be used in policy and ultimately in the evolution of more sustainable global food and fiber production. “The scientific investigations that call for the reduction Adam Russell or elimination of cattle and livestock agricultural Communications Specialist production must consider Texas AgriLife Extension the full impacts of the entire food production chain, and of different cropping and livestock alternatives,” Teague said.

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Cattle Check Scams Are Out There! Beware! Source: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association When it comes time to sell your calves every year, do you accept cashier’s checks? Many people assume a cashier’s check, which is a check issued by a bank and payable to a specific person, is as good as cash. By using a cashier’s check, a buyer is guaranteed those funds by the issuing bank instead of gambling on the legitimacy of a personal check. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) special rangers want to remind cattle owners that this is not always the case. Thieves can create fake checks with a home computer and printer that would fool most people. Here are eight tips to avoid cashier’s check fraud. Know Your Buyer Refuse cashier’s checks from strangers. Make other arrangements for payment, such as a wire transfer. Trust Your Gut Does something feel a bit off about the transaction? Has the buyer insisted on changing the agreement or has a litany of excuses or extenuating circumstances? It may be better

to rely on a more dependable method of payment or arrange with the buyer to hold the cattle or product until the paying bank has cleared the funds. If the buyer can’t or won’t do this, it could be because it’s a scam. Use Common Sense Is the buyer in a rush? Are they knowledgeable about what they’re buying? Do they want to forego other methods of secure payment? These factors may indicate a scam. Give the Check a Critical Eye Does the cashier’s check look fake? Are there misspelled words? Is the paper poor quality or missing security features like watermarks? Purchase Price Only Don’t accept a check written for an amount over the purchase price. Scammers will sometimes offer a check over the purchase price and then request the seller to send them the overage via wire transfer or Western Union after the check has been deposited. Use a Local Branch of the Bank Ask for a cashier’s check written by a bank that has a local branch so you can

verify the check is real, once it arrives. They might be in a better position to see if a check is genuine versus asking an unrelated bank. When Will the Check Clear the Bank? Know the difference between funds being available for withdrawal from your account (usually this can happen quickly, within a business day or so) and the paying bank clearing the funds. It could take a cashier’s check days or weeks to clear the paying bank. Look up the Bank Phone Number Look up the bank contact information to verify the check. The telephone number provided on the check is probably not associated with a bank, but rather with the scam artist.

If you have been victimized by a fraudulent check scam, call your police department and your TSCRA special ranger. To find your local special ranger, visit www.tscra.org. Note: TSCRA has 30 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have indepth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement.

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Noble Research Institute Focuses on Regenerative Agriculture Source: Noble Research Institute Noble Research Institute announced that it will focus all of its operations on regenerative agriculture and set its primary goal to regenerate millions of acres of degraded grazing lands across the United States. Noble will achieve the vision through its direct work with farmers and ranchers across the nation as they make the transition to and profitably maintain regenerative management of their lands. “Land stewardship is a core value held by many farmers and ranchers,” said Steve Rhines, president and CEO of Noble. “Regenerative agriculture is the next step in the land stewardship journey wherein farmers and ranchers reduce their reliance on conventional practices and concentrate on restoring or regenerating the soil. The soil is the cornerstone of a healthy ecosystem and a

productive farm or ranch.” Regenerative agriculture differs from both mainstream conventional and organic agriculture in that it does not focus on inputs (such as fertilizer). Instead, regenerative agriculture uses interactions among soil, plants, water and animals to help build resilience in the soil. Resilient soil is more drought- and flood-resilient, decreases the use of chemical inputs (and related costs), reduces water contaminants, enhances wildlife habitats, and captures carbon in the soil to mitigate climate variability. Noble’s programming will center exclusively on regenerative ranching, which applies regenerative principles specifically to grazing lands. About 85% of U.S. grazing lands are unsuitable for producing human food crops, such as corn. However, grazing lands provide consumers with

nutrient-dense meat from grazing animals, such as beef cattle, one of Noble’s primary focuses for the past 75 years. Importantly, the U.S. has about 655 million acres of grazing lands across all 50 states — making grazing the nation’s single largest land use. It is estimated that 70% of global grazing lands are in a state of degradation. Working directly with farmers and ranchers, Noble’s consultants, educators and researchers will seek ways to overcome the barriers that often deter farmers and ranchers from adopting or using regenerative principles. These barriers can be significant. They include the lack of science-based and economic knowledge about the impact of regenerative management as well as limited access to practical information that farmers and ranchers can

use in day-to-day operations. “Without an understanding of key principles or help answering vital questions, adoption of regenerative ranching can seem too great a challenge to attempt alone,” Rhines said. “For 75 years, farmers and ranchers have been at the heart of our work. We are obsessed with helping them and their land flourish. Our research, consultation and educational programs are all designed to encourage and support farmers and ranchers. This history brings us to where we are today. We will combine Noble’s expertise, values and goals with other likeminded farmers, ranchers and collaborators to answer critical questions and guide others in their journey in regenerative ranching.”

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openly share with others to benefit their own experiences. Noble has committed its 14,000 Noble’s regenerative acres of grazing lands and programming will aim to do livestock operations, located in more than build technical southern Oklahoma, to provide knowledge. It will provide education and demonstration science-based study of the for supporting others’ economics of regenerative land transitions from conventional stewardship in grazing animal to regenerative management. production. These acres will reveal both “Noble was established challenges and successes in to understand and apply the Noble’s own regenerative principles of land stewardship journey, which Noble will and soil conservation so that

Heritage Cattle Company

the land remains productive for future generations,” said Susan Brown, chair of the board of directors of Noble’s governing body (The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation) and granddaughter of Noble’s founder, Lloyd Noble. “Part of this equation is making sure that farmers and ranchers are profitable so they can continue to reinvest in the land and its restoration. Otherwise, at some future point, we will have

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E6 Commercial Beefmaster Females Beefmaster Bulls for the Commercial Cattleman Chris Kauffman 501-279-8505 ckauffman@stephensgroup.com

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neither the land productivity to provide for our food needs nor the farmers and ranchers available to do so.” For more information about Noble Research Institute, visit www.noble.org.

Arrow T Farm Beefmasters Greg & Mandy Thomas Elkmont, Alabama 256-431-1872 thomasgreg@bellsouth.net

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Launching Beefmasters in Turkey by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United In early 2021, 67 Beefmaster embryos were successfully exported from Texas for delivery to Kafkas University in Kars, Turkey. These genetics will form the foundation herd to help improve beef production in Turkey and adjacent regions. “We are excited to participate in the initial use of these embryos to create the first Beefmaster calf herd to be born next Spring in Turkey,” said Collin Osbourn, Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Executive Vice President.

“The beautiful part about Beefmaster genetics is that you can put them on anything, and the result will be an improved product. You can add Beefmaster genetics to it to get the longevity, the structure, the efficiency and it’s going to work within the first year,” said Larry Meacham, BBU President. If you are a commercial cattleman and/or a Turkish farmer, you simply cannot afford NOT to be crossbreeding. The benefits of a crossbred cow to any commercial herd

are undeniable and highly documented. “We know that crossbreeding with Beefmaster genetics works in the United States and all over the world. We are eager to see the Turkey Beefmaster Project flourish and improve the Turkish beef cattle industry,” shared Osbourn. Beefmaster and Beefmaster crossbred cows improve calving rates and calf survivability, with more calves born and heavier calves weaned. These improvements equal more pounds of calf produced

over the cow’s lifetime, thus yielding a more profitable cattle operation. We know that Beefmasters will also help the Turkish farmer with greatly improved feed efficiency by adding more weight with less feed, thus saving money and labor. For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its international program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

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Bunk Breaking Calves for Success in the Feedyard by Emily Pendergrass, Extra Dimension Marketing A smooth transition into the feedyard is crucial, after all if your calf isn’t eating, he isn’t gaining. So, stop delaying gains and start bunk breaking calves at home before you send them to the yard. “Those first few days set the tone for the entire feeding period,” said Mark Sebranek, chief operations officer for Nextgen Cattle Feeding’s Riverbend Feedyard. “When calves come in and back off feed, they get sick, they’re slow to come back. We can lose seven to 10 days of consumption, health and performance. If you have a lack of consumption or no consumption one day, that day’s performance/health is never coming back. Those first few days are huge.” Sebranek said the first

45 days in the feedyard are the most crucial from the standpoint of getting calves acclimated to the new climate, dry lots, water tanks, and feed bunks. Bunk breaking calves at home prior to sending them to the feedyard can remove one of those hurtles from the process. In fact, Sebranek says it’s the single most important part of the process. “The most important deal when calves come into the feedyard is getting them used to coming up to a bunk to eat,” Sebranek said. “So, if they’re not familiar with bunks it takes us longer to get calves to start eating and therefore bring consumption up.” Beyond gains lost, days without consumption can lead to illness and further lost profit. “If cattle don’t eat, that’s

when they get sick,” Sebranek said. “When cattle don’t come up to the bunks and back off, we have health problems. Then if you have to take them up to mass treat them, you’re talking $35 to $50 per head right there. If you’re dealing with individuals and you have a lack of consumption, performance, and everything that number is probably closer to $50 to $75. Bunk breaking calves could be that crucial.” Sebranek said the second biggest issue when acclimating calves to the feedyard is getting calves used to eating a ration. He recommends bunk breaking calves and starting them on a simple

ration 45 to 60 days before sending them to the feedyard. Additionally, implementing a vaccination program and regularly handling cattle is well worth the effort when it comes time for cattle to perform in the feedyard.

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handle them. Just having them used to a human touch can “Teaching calves to eat make a big difference. Driving a concentrated ration or up to put feed out and getting something with grain goes a them used to hearing a ‘dinner long way and it doesn’t have to bell’ will also help prepare them be a whole lot,” Sebranek said. for the environment of the “It can be as simple as a little feedyard,” Sebranek said. bit of cracked corn or whatever Lawrence Makuakane, is available in your area that owner and operator of Ella doesn’t cost a whole lot of Mae Farms, bunk breaks his money. Some people use a little calves before sending them to bit of premix. Some will put Riverbend Feedyard. He says rations out by hand, some will the benefit of bunk breaking use a tractor and wagon, really calves is twofold. whatever you’re set up to do “The first mechanism is to will work. identify the disposition of our “Just regularly interacting cattle and genetic selection,” with the cattle can make a huge Makuakane said. “We can difference when they get to observe traits and then trace the yard. Drive around them, those traits back to their walk through them, move them dam. This gives us intrinsic around, just get out there and

value by selecting based on those desired traits. If a calf ’s disposition is acceptable, that ends up paying us dividends in the feedyard. The second benefit of bunk breaking calves is that it gets their stomachs used to a ration and gets them on a routine.” Makuakane starts introducing calves to sweet feed two weeks before weaning. “Two weeks before weaning we’ll put feed out in bunks so the calves will start coming off their dams a little bit and start setting their rumens up before we put any more of a ration into them,” Makuakane said. “We also silent wean which plays a big role for us when we bunk break. We’re able to wean

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the calves on their dams which reduces stress which translates to pounds kept rather than pounds lost to stress. It takes about four to five days to get calves weaned. Once weaned we sort the calves off their dams and really get serious about bunk breaking. “You don’t need a fancy set up, you just need a set up that works for you. Your environment is going to dictate how you set up your pens for bunk breaking. What will make the biggest impact is your consistency with your feeding routine and cleanliness. Those things pay dividends in the long run,” Makuakane said. Makuakane echoed Sebranek saying bunk breaking doesn’t require an expensive ration. “Actually, bunk breaking is probably the most economical time to feed cattle because their inputs are very low,” Makuakane said. “We tend to feed one percent of their body weight initially and towards the end of backgrounding we’ll get them up to one and a half percent. Just reach out to your local co-op about a commodity blend that will likely be at a discounted price. You do not need an expensive ration to do this. Just a simple ration to get their gut set up for the feedlot and get them used to the routine of eating from a bunk.” Makuakane also warns not to worry too much about pushing calves hard, but to focus on setting their digestive system up for success in the feedlot. “Again, it all comes down to consistency, cleanliness and handling calves routinely,” Makuakane said.

Emily Pendergrass

Freelance Writer Extra Dimension Marketing

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Combat Respiratory Disease with Focus on Boosting Efficient Feed Nutrition Source: Huvepharma

It was Benjamin Franklin who once quipped, “nothing in this world is certain except for death and taxes.” Today, that still rings fairly true, but cattle feeders might add a third item to the list – respiratory issues after receiving feeder calves. “Shipping calves puts stress on them, and it is common to have a respiratory outbreak about 10 days after they arrive at the feedyard,” points out Jay Wade Johnson, PhD, Technical Service Nutritionist for the U.S. Cattle Business Unit of global pharmaceutical company Huvepharma. Johnson explains that respiratory issues – whether occurring at the farm of origin or after shipping – are typically a sign that the calf ’s immune system is overwhelmed. But the good news is cattle producers do not have to sit

back and accept that fate. “If producers are proactive instead of reactive, we can mitigate respiratory health challenges,” says Johnson. He suggests the key remedy is ensuring calves are receiving high nutrition prior to high stress events. “With a high level of nutrition, the animal’s immune system is allowed to fully function and vaccines can work effectively,” Johnson explains. Toward this goal, Johnson advises inclusion of the ionophore monensin in calves’ diets. He explains that monensin has FDA approval to be fed to calves for the prevention and control of coccidiosis, to be fed to growing cattle on pasture or in dry lot for increased rate of weight gain and for the prevention and control

of coccidiosis; and to be fed to cattle in confinement for slaughter for improved feed efficiency and the prevention and control of coccidiosis due to the parasites Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii. “The bottom line is that monensin helps improve the efficiency of the animal so the nutrients they are consuming help the immune system to function better,” concludes Johnson. And, it’s a tactic that may help keep respiratory issues at bay. Editor’s Note: Based in Texas, Jay W. Johnson’s expertise includes feedlot systems, cow-calf management and preconditioning cattle for grazing. Additionally, Johnson has taught Animal Breeding and Genetics and Beef Cattle Production for Texas Tech

University, where he earned his doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition. Huvepharma is a privatelyowned company headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria with U.S. headquarters located in Peachtree City, GA, and experienced staff throughout the U.S. Huvepharma is the maker of Monovet90, the first FDA-approved bioequivalent monensin product offered to U.S. livestock producers after nearly 40 years of only one monensin choice in the marketplace.

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Nothing Beats a Beefmaster by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Pay day starts with superior Beefmaster cows. Indeed, the Beefmaster female has stayed true to her original purpose: to help ranchers in tough environments improve performance, survivability and longevity. So, if you are giving up ground in traits that matter, consider Beefmasters. The breed will jump-start your cattle and give your next calf crop a performance boost. Beefmaster is a beef breed developed in America that improves beef quality and production efficiency when crossed with any other cattle breed for commercial beef production. The breed originated in Southern Texas in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. The Lasater family originally developed a large herd of Hereford cattle carefully selected to withstand the heat and insects of the Texas Gulf Coast region, but they

were still not perfectly suited to that difficult environment. So Lasater began to experiment with incorporating Bos indicus or Zebu genetics, in the form of Gyr and Guzerat bulls from India and Nelore from Brazil. While the practice of crossbreeding was virtually unheard of at the time, they immediately saw a tremendous jump in productive traits, such as weight gain and reproductive rates. This is genetic advantage known as heterosis or hybrid vigor. By the early 1930’s, the ranch also incorporated Milking Shorthorn genetics, to augment milk production and carcass quality. They could immediately see that the three-way hybrid was far superior to the two-way crosses. The final composite ended up at roughly 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus (25% Hereford 25% Shorthorn).

As Lasater developed the breed, he also formed a unique selection philosophy known today as The Lasater Philosophy. The concept is to only select cattle for economically relevant traits, which he distilled to these Six Essential traits. The Six Essentials are weight, conformation, milk production, fertility, hardiness and disposition. It is the only breed in history to be selected only using pressure for productive traits, as opposed to aesthetics. In 1937, the herd was closed to outside genetics with continued internal development to cull low-performers and upgrade all traits together equally. By 1954 the foundation herd was recognized by USDA under the name of Beefmaster. In 1961, Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) was founded and is headquartered in Boerne, Texas. Beefmaster ranks fifth

in the U.S. in terms of membership and is the largest of the American breeds. The association has over 3,000 members registering around 19,000 calves annually. Beefmasters also enjoy a rapidly growing international footprint, with established associations in nine countries worldwide. The breed has rapidly grown around the world and has become known as the prime maternal cow for serious commercial cattlemen that appreciate their production excellence, particularly in harsh desert or tropical environments. The breed has excelled across most regions of the United States and is the leading breed of choice for commercial cattlemen in Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Panama, Colombia and several other Latin American regions.

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They thrive in the mountains of Colombia and Venezuela, as Beefmasters were introduced well as Montana, Oregon, New to Europe in 2014 by way of Mexico, Kentucky, and WisconItaly and since have grown in sin. popularity throughout Poland, Commercial cattlemen have Ireland, United Kingdom, Por- noted substantial economic tugal, Spain, Austria, Germany gains from using Beefmasters and most recently Turkey. With to provide an average increase global demand for higher-qual- of 60 pounds, or more at weanity beef growing geometrically, ing when compared with other Beefmasters provide the perfect breeds. They excel post-weanbreed to cross on commercial ing as well, with faster weight cattle to improve production gains, excellent feed conversion efficiency and carcass quality, and carcass yields around 64%. while not sacrificing adaptabil- Land grant universities in Texity. as, Florida, and Oklahoma are Beefmasters are well known conducting research projects within the international beef to evaluate carcass quality and industry for their successful feed efficiency through utilizadaptation in tropical climates. ing Beefmaster for crossbreedWhile this has proven true in ing on popular breeds such as Central America and Thailand, Angus, Charolais, Hereford, this unique breed succeeds in Simmental, Limousin and even high altitude deserts, as well some dairy breeds. The Noble as in cold and wet environResearch Institute is also workments. The Lasater Foundation ing with Beefmaster Breeders herd was moved in 1948 to United to conduct economMatheson, Colorado – where ic research on grass-fed, and it remains to this day. The Lagrain fed carcass merit. Their sater Ranch is located on the research points to the heterosis Rocky Mountain plains, which gains showing “an extra calf ” is known for its high altitude, when weaning weights produce snow, extreme cold and meager 110 - 165 pounds per calf born. grassland for foraging. MeteoIn a time when sustainability rological review has shown that is becoming increasingly critiMatheson has more extreme cal, Beefmasters have repeatedcold in winter, heat in summer, ly demonstrated that they are and coastal plains type conhighly efficient converters of ditions than the Republic of both forage and feeds into lean, Poland. Beefmaster cattle also tender, high-quality beef. A flourish in the deserts of South recent study at the U.S. DepartAfrica, Botswana, and Zambia. ment of Agriculture Meat Ani-

Beefmaster Cow mal Research Center (MARC) demonstrated Beefmaster’s dominance when compared to 18 of the most widely used beef breeds in the United States. In 2017 the University of Bologna Animal Science Department evaluated potential benefits of Beefmasters for the Italian beef industry. The research concluded that Beefmasters provide the strongest heterosis of any bovine breed in the world. Other such composite breeds have been successful for short term results, but the retained heterosis produced through crossbreeding with Beefmasters is strong and will generate long term benefits. To summarize, the Beefmaster female excels in all maternal traits. They get bred easily, year in and year out. They make raising good calves look easy. And they possess excellent longevity because they do not

break down in tough environments. So, if your cow herd has lost its ability to adapt to changing times or challenging environments, maybe it is time to rebuild with proven, Beefmaster females. Nothing beats a Beefmaster. Learn more about what the Beefmaster cow can do at www.beefmasters.org.

Jeralyn Novak Communications Coordinator Beefmaster Breeders United

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BEEFMASTER Pay Weight The Beefmaster Pay Weight

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the

a publication dedicated to serving commercial cattlemen and produced by Beefmaster Breeders United FALL 2021

Vol. 7, No. 2

Section 2

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Texas A&M University Beefmaster Herd Continues to Grow by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Freezing temperatures and record-breaking snowfall are synonymous with February 2021. It was a turbulent time for everyone, especially cattle producers. Despite the difficulties brought forth by many days living below zero, the Beefmaster herd at Texas A&M University (TAMU) endured the cold and more than tripled in size. “One of the calves happened to be born during the middle of the ice storm, where it was down to zero and essentially, we couldn’t read a temperature on the calf,” said Jason Cleere, Ph.D., TAMU Associate Professor and Texas A&M

AgriLife Extension Service Beef Cattle Specialist. “We had graduate students work to save the calf and it survived. Our students have bonded with our Beefmaster cattle, and they are getting real-world learning experiences.” In 2019, TAMU launched a purebred Beefmaster herd through donations from several Beefmaster Breeders United members. The donors supplied 15 purebred Beefmaster heifers and purebred Beefmaster embryos to the TAMU Beef Center. The Beefmaster herd has expanded from 15 heifers to 53 total Beefmaster animals. “Overall, the program is

going well. All of the donated cattle are doing well,” said Cleere. The spring 2021 calving season resulted in 15 natural purebred Beefmaster calves and 23 purebred Beefmaster embryo calves, by way of commercial cow recipients. “We’re really grateful to the donors that supplied the live animals, as well as the embryos that were donated,” stated Cleere. “The opportunity to flush some of the best donor cows has allowed us to build the program rapidly. We are thankful to BBU and the breeders. We are excited about the program.”

TAMU made the decision to upgrade their cattle breeding program with a purebred Beefmaster herd, as well as a purebred Red Angus herd, back in 2018 and began accepting donations in 2019. “There are multiple reasons why we decided to initiate a herd with Beefmasters,” said TAMU Animal Science Department Head Dr. Cliff Lamb. “Globally, about 70% of the world’s beef cattle are in tropical or sub-tropical regions. It is certainly a reason to have a breed that is associated with the ability to adapt to those climates.”

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courses, as well as TAMU Livestock Judging Contests and At this time, the Beefmaster the TAMU Beef Cattle Short herd and Red Angus herd Course. are separate, and will remain “Dr. Andy Herring teaches separate herds until each herd a class, and they discuss is well established. The existing crossbreeding systems, body goal is to focus on expanding condition score and they’ve the purebred Beefmaster herd actually come out and helped to approximately 60 premier vaccinate and deworm the Beefmaster cows. The longBeefmaster cattle,” Damon term goal is to breed several Acord, TAMU Beef Center of the Beefmaster females to Manager, described. Red Angus bulls, to ultimately The Beefmaster herd has demonstrate an example of also been utilized by Dr. Ky systematic crossbreeding for Pohler to teach graduate educating cattle producers students exactly how to collect through Texas A&M AgriLife and sort embryos. Extension programs. The Cleere conveyed that “as a breeding decisions amongst faculty member, it’s really nice the Beefmaster and Red Angus to be able to have high quality cattle is solely to demonstrate cattle to use to teach students, a systems approach of as well as to be able to teach crossbreeding for commercial ranchers.” cattle producers for educational The opportunity for the purposes, not to develop a new Beefmaster breed to be at cattle breed. the forefront of educational As a result of the in-kind programs produced by a donations, the Beefmaster top agricultural university is herd is currently utilized in invaluable to the marketing of the classroom as teaching this sustainable and efficient tools for beef cattle production beef cattle breed. More students

are learning about Beefmaster cattle and these students are future agricultural leaders. More livestock producers are introduced to Beefmaster cattle and these producers are future customers for Beefmaster breeders. The opportunities are endless for expanding the market and knowledge of Beefmaster cattle. In the long term, the TAMU Animal Science Department would like to implement another systems approach by developing the crossbred Red Angus/Beefmaster calves on feed, finish them out at the TAMU Beef Center and then market them through their retail outlet as a branded beef program. Nonetheless, the present goal is to instruct students through hands-on education, instead of instructing them from only a beef cattle production book. “The temperament from our Beefmaster herd has been great,” explained Acord. “They are compliant, they do what

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they’re supposed to. They raise the calf. They take care of that calf first.” According to Cleere and Acord, the Animal Science Department’s demographics are changing, and many students do not come from cattle production, agriculture, and ranching backgrounds. The students can be very naive to working with cattle. The docile Beefmaster cattle are an extremely positive aspect for student engagement and judging contests. The docility and calm temperament exhibited by the Beefmaster herd mixes well with students. “It really has been a pleasure dealing with the Beefmasters,” Acord confirmed. The current cow/calf pairs will continue to be used for educational demonstrations in the classroom and extension programs until approximately September 2021. The Beefmaster herd is setup for early spring calving, so the calves will be weaned in the

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continued from page 26 fall. At weaning time, the heifer calves will be retained to expand the herd swiftly and the top bull calves will be developed on feed, and then marketed to bull buyers in fall 2022. In summary, this partnership has created a tremendous opportunity for the Beefmaster breed to become a part of a leading agricultural university’s quest to build a premier cattle operation.

The TAMU Beefmaster herd is growing in numbers and in quality, thus promising a positive outlook for the TAMU Animal Science Department and Beefmaster Breeders United.

Jeralyn Novak Communications Coordinator Beefmaster Breeders United

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2021 - 2022

Lone Star Beefmaster Breeders Association Events & Sales December 4, 2021 Fall Sale Sulphur Springs, Texas May 7, 2022 Carcass Ultrasound Scan Day Canton, Texas June 18, 2022 Female Sale Sulphur Springs, Texas August 13, 2022 Field Day & JBBA Show Sulphur Springs, Texas Lone Star BBA members are continually striving to offer sound, phenotypically correct, performance data females and bulls for your herd. The sales will be fully graded by a panel of judges and ready to go into your operation as great working cattle. Please join us this year! Lone Star BBA Leadership & Board of Directors: Robert Williams - President - 817-946-4431 Randy Cook - Treasurer - 214-507-2889 Debbie Cheatham - Secretary - 972-979-8556 Kelly Cupp - Sale Chairman - 903-453-5735 Jerry Davis - Sale Chairman - 214-802-4913 Justin Harrison - Director - 903-497-1279 Howard Hunt - Director - 903-738-5588 Eric Rodriguez - Director - 469-236-9496 Jimmy Simmons - Director - 903-649-2054

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Calving-ease Cows: Optimal or Extreme? Source: Beef Improvement Federation Selection for calving ease often results in decreased calf birth weights, but what are the consequences of selecting heifers based on easier calving and lighter birth weights?

Bennett explained relevant USMARC research during the Advancements in Efficiency and Adaptability breakout session of the 2021 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium Seedstock breeders and & Convention hosted June commercial cattle producers 22-25 in Des Moines, Iowa. often apply genetic selection for According to Bennett, studies calving ease to reduce calving involved lines of cattle selected difficulty among first-calf for calving ease and control heifers. Scrutiny may be applied lines, with all followed through to selection of replacement their fourth calving. Selection females and the sires to which for similar yearling weight was they are mated. According to applied to cattle from select and Gary Bennett, a recently retired control lines. Bulls representing U.S. Meat Animal Research their respective lines were used Center (USMARC) scientist, on heifers, but the same bulls direct or indirect selection were used on both lines, as of calving ease often results cows. in decreased birth weight of “The principal question calves. But what might be the addressed by this research is consequences when heifer whether a genetic difference calves are selected on the basis in calving ease, independent of their genetic potentials for of growth to yearling age, easier calving and lighter birth had negative effects on cow weight? productivity,” reported Bennett.

Sharing the results, Bennett said cows from the select lines representing calving ease exhibited lighter mature weights, smaller hip heights, and the potential for lower maintenance costs on a per cow basis. Select line cows tended to wean more calves and stay in the herd longer. Select line females were assisted significantly fewer times at calving and, through their years in the herd, produced more pounds of weaned calf. Weaned calf weight per heifer starting the system was significantly greater for the select line due to greater survival rate among their first calves and greater calving success subsequently. Noting the value of cull animals, Bennett reported that while mature weights were lighter in select lines, marketable cow weight was nearly identical to that of

control line cows. Control lines did offer more marketable young cow weight, but select lines yielded more old cow weight. “No important unfavorable effects of genetic differences in calving ease were identified in this experiment,” stated Bennett.”

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Customized Bull Selection Maximizes Investment Dollar By Becky Mills, DTN/Progressive Farmer Bull prices continue to climb this year, with recent sales reports showing average prices for that new commercial herd sire in the $10,000-to$20,000 range. While few would argue a good bull is a worthwhile investment, it has become a sizeable one. Just how much should an operation invest in a herd bull? That question came up in a Cattlemen’s Conference session led by University of Nebraska animal scientist Matt Spangler at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association summer meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Spangler has a new tool he hopes producers will use to analyze and compare bull prices, based on the operation and its unique set of goals. Funded by a USDA grant, Spangler, along with colleagues from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Kansas State University and Theta Solutions LLC, developed iGenDec, a new software tool that enables

a producer to customize the bull-selection process. Rather than relying solely on selection indexes provided by breed associations, producers will be able to use this software to plug in information from their own operations and get customized economic selection indexes. For example, a producer selling calves at weaning rather than backgrounding may find the most profitable bull for that operation is different from that of another operation, based on those unique marketing goals.

Beefmaster Bull ON THE COW SIDE and rank an entire digital bull Here, producers supply catalog before going to a sale. information ranging from a Spangler explained, “You herd’s dystocia percentage, can rank those bulls based on THE CALF SIDE pregnancy rate, average cow their genetic differences and The breed composition of age and annual cow cost. the unique objectives and ecothe calf crop is an important Whether a producer buys or nomics of your operation.” part of the iGenDec equation. raises replacement heifers also Spangler noted iGenDec has A producer who retains owninfluences the index. gone through extensive alpha ership and sells on the grid and beta testing. The Beef Imwould enter into the calculation AVAILABLE BULLS provement Federation (BIF) finished calves’ average feedlot After entering numbers for formed a subcommittee to inand carcass information. The the herd, data is put into the vestigate the possibility of hostsoftware will even ask for the program for available bulls, ing the software and making it average price received for cattle. including bulls from different widely available to the U.S. beef Spangler recommends using a breeds. The software is deindustry. multi-year average. signed so a producer can enter continued on page 32

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continued from page 31 Producers can look for this new software tool to become available sometime in early 2022. In summary, the best bull for an Reprinted by permission, DTN, LLC. operation varies with production and marketing goals.

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America’s No. 1 Ranching Magazine Announces Working Ranch Expo in Las Vegas by Ellen H. Brisendine, Working Ranch Magazine Get the most out of your “trip to town” this winter by taking advantage of all the Working Ranch Expo has to offer, Dec. 8 to 10, Las Vegas Convention Center. Ranchers always want to get the most out of every trip to town, and so do we at Working Ranch magazine. If your “trip to town” this year is to be in Las Vegas for the last days of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, join us at the Working Ranch Expo, Dec. 8 to 10, at the Las Vegas Convention Center for our ranching trade show and seminars. Brought to you by Working Ranch magazine, branded #1 by America’s ranchers, the Working Ranch Expo offers a wide range of useful ranching seminars and a trade show full of companies that supply and service America’s working ranches. Why host an expo in Las Vegas in December? More than 250,000 rodeo fans – largely from America’s working ranch community – will travel to Las Vegas in December for the tremendous Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and all the exceptional and exciting events surrounding it, such as Cowboy Christmas. The Working Ranch Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center allows you to round out your trip and increase the value of your travel by including ranching education, business and networking in your schedule. Learning at the Round Pen – Avoid Common Ranch Failures, Add Ranch Profits From Dec. 8 to 10, take a seat in the bleachers or stow your hat and gear on handy tables around the Working Ranch Round Pen, your Destination for Education at the Working Ranch Expo. Get comfortable with a cup of coffee on Wednesday, Dec. 8, and join the opening session of the Working Ranch Expo,

a conversation with Working Ranch Editor Tim O’Byrne and Justin Mills, the voice of Working Ranch podcasts, and two plain-speaking experts in veterinary medicine and cattle production. See if you agree with who they think is doing a good job for American ranching … and who they think is going in the wrong direction. After wandering the aisles of exhibitors at the Working Ranch Expo, come back to the Round Pen to learn about the five most common causes of

ranch failures and how you can avoid them at home. Is your neighbor getting paid more for his or her calves than you? Learn why that may be and how you can pocket more cash. Retail giant Walmart is reshaping the beef case at groceries. Come to hear how you can participate and benefit. Are there younger folks in your family who need some ideas on how to get started in ranching? Or do you have a military veteran friend or family member who might

benefit from the working ranch life? Hear real-life experiences of people who are doing just this, and who are willing to share their knowledge with you. We are honored to have a veteran in our speaker lineup who will share his story of moving from the chaos of combat to the serenity of the saddle. Other session topics range from managing the health of your beef cattle herd with the right tools and nutrition to managing the health of your

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continued from page 33 ranch through right relationships with your veterinarian, your banker, and most important, your spouse! Working ranches operate at the mercy of the weather. Even though rainfall is beyond our control, ranching’s respected meteorologist Don Day Jr., creator of the Dayweather podcast on www.dayweather. com, will help us understand critical weather patterns. Ranchers nationwide watch the battle over water rights. Hear how Western ranchers are protecting their rights, and by extension the rights of all ranchers, to access to the

resources fundamental to land and livestock stewardship. Shopping at the Expo – Companies that Support America’s Ranchers While learning happens in the round pen on ranches, and it can also happen in the cab of a pickup, on a tractor and chute-side. Wander the Working Ranch Expo aisles and visit with companies that are dedicated to serving and supporting working ranches. Kick the tires on tractors designed to meet ranching needs. Scrutinize ranch equipment such as trucks, trailers, and squeeze chutes.

Learn about the latest developments in animal health tools. Discover what the leading beef breeds, such as Beefmaster Breeders United, are doing to advance the profitability and productivity of beef cattle in all environments. And there is so much more to see and shop. Check Off the Christmas ToDo List, Cowboy-style! Cowboy Christmas is one of the premier events at the NFR and is a short walk from the Working Ranch Expo. For more than 30 years, Cowboy Christmas has offered unique custom-made products such as jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furnishings for

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the home and office, original art and handmade crafts and goods. Like all ranchers, we understand the need to get the most out of a trip to town. If this year’s “trip to town” is to come to Las Vegas Dec. 8 to 10, then join us at the Working Ranch Expo during the day to see and learn something useful at the ranch, enjoy the thrill of the NFR in the evenings, and even get a handle on your Christmas gift shopping. Visit workingranchexpo.com for more information and a complete schedule. Register to attend at workingranchexpo.com for just

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continued from page 34 $15, which allows you to come and go at your leisure the entire three days of the event. Working Ranch is the nation’s leading media brand that delivers America’s largest commercial and purebred cow/ calf producers and stockers. Our focus is on ranches with 200 or more head of beef cattle. Now in our 17th year, Working Ranch is No. 1 in both market share of ad pages and in time spent reading each issue as measured by READEX. We do this by imbuing a level of creative, authentic, interactive “ranch” journalism in our print, digital, social media and podcast platforms.

Ellen H. Brisendine Working Ranch Magazine

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CattleFax Forecasts Record Beef Demand; Prospects for Tighter Supplies Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The beef cattle industry is bouncing back from the pandemic, and continued progress is expected in 2022. Beef prices are near record high, and consumer and wholesale beef demand are both at 30-year highs as the U.S. and global economy recover. While drought remains a significant concern with weather threatening pasture conditions in the Northern Plains and West, strong demand, combined with higher cattle prices, signal an optimistic future for the beef industry, according to CattleFax. The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, shared expert market and weather analysis today. According to CattleFax CEO Randy Blach, the cattle market is still dealing with a burdensome supply of market-ready fed cattle. The influence of that supply will diminish as three years of herd liquidation will reduce feedyard placements. As this occurs, the value of calves, feeder cattle and fed cattle will increase several hundred dollars per head over the next few years.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that the most recent cattle cycle saw cattle inventories peak at 94.8 million head and that those numbers are still in the system due to the COVID-19 induced slowdown in harvest over the past year. “As drought, market volatility and processing capacity challenges unnerved producers over the past 24 months, the industry is liquidating the beef cowherd which is expected to decline 400,000 head by Jan. 1 reaching 30.7 million head,” Good said. The feeder cattle and calf supply will decline roughly 1 million head from its peak during this contraction phase. Fed cattle slaughter will remain larger through 2021 as carryover from pandemic disruptions works through a processing segment hindered by labor issues, he added. “While fed cattle slaughter nearly equals 2019 highs at 26.5 million head this year, we expect a 500,000-head decline in 2022,” Good said. “This, combined with plans for new packing plants and expansions possibly adding near 25,000

head per week of slaughter capacity over the next few years, should restore leverage back to the producer.” Good forecasted the average 2022 fed steer price at $135/ cwt., up $14/cwt. from 2021, with a range of $120 to $150/ cwt. throughout the year. All cattle classes are expected to trade higher, and prices are expected to improve over the next three years. The 800-lb. steer price is expected to average $165/cwt. with a range of $150 to $180/cwt., and the 550-lb. steer price is expected to average $200/cwt., with a range of $170 to $230/cwt. Finally, Good forecasted utility cows at an average of $70/cwt. with a range of $60 to $80/cwt., and bred cows at an average of $1,750/cwt. with a range of $1,600 to $1,900 for load lots of quality, running-age cows. Consumer demand for beef at home and around the globe remained strong in 2021, a trend that will continue in 2022, especially as tight global protein supplies are expected to fuel U.S. export growth. Aftershocks from the pandemic continue to keep domestic demand at elevated levels not seen since 1988. Govern-

ment stimulus and unemployment benefits are fueling the economy with demand outpacing available supplies as restaurants and entertainment segments emerge from shutdowns. According to Good, the boxed beef cutout peaked at $336/cwt. in June, while retail beef prices pushed to annual high at $7.11/lb. “Customer traffic remained strong at restaurants and retail – even as those segments pushed on the higher costs, proving consumers are willing to pay more for beef,” he said. Wholesale demand will be softer in 2022, as a bigger decline in beef supplies will offset a smaller increase in beef prices with the cutout expected to increase $5 to $265/cwt. Retailers and restaurants continue to adjust prices higher to cover costs. Good added the retail beef prices are expected to average $6.80/lb. in 2021 and increase to $6.85/lb. in 2022. Global protein demand has increased and U.S. beef exports have posted new record highs for two consecutive months, even with high wholesale prices. The increases were led by large, year-over-year gains into

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continued from page 36 China, and Japan and South Korea remaining strong trade partners for protein. “The tightening of global protein supplies will support stronger U.S. red meat exports in 2022. U.S. beef exports are expected to grow 15 percent in 2021 and another 5 percent in 2022,” Good said. Mike Murphy, CattleFax vice president of research and risk management services, expects summer weather patterns – and their affect on corn and soybean yields – to be the focus of market participants. “As China rebuilds its pork industry following their battle with African Swine Fever, they are looking for higher quality feed ingredients, such as corn and soybeans” Murphy said “Exceptional demand from China is leading U.S. corn exports to a new record in the current market year, and strong demand for U.S. soybeans has elevated prices in the last 12 months.” Spot prices for soybeans are expected to be $13 to $16 per bushel for the remainder of the next 18 months along with spot corn futures to trade between $4.75 to $6.25 per bushel in the same time frame. Murphy noted that drier weather in the Northern Plains and West will pressure hay production and quality in the 2021 season – supporting pric-

es into the next year. “May 1 on-farm hay stocks were down 12 percent from the previous year, at 18 million tons. The USDA estimates hay acres are down 700,000 from last year at 51.5 million acres. So, expect current year hay prices to average near $170/ton, and 2022 average prices should be steady to $10 higher due to tighter supplies and stronger demand,” he said. All session panelists agreed that weather is a major factor impacting the beef industry, and agriculture as a whole in 2021 and going into 2022. A forecasted return of La Niña this fall would lead to intensifying drought for the West and Plains into early 2022, according to Dr. Art Douglas, professor emeritus at Creighton University. Douglas indicated that the precipitation outlook in the fall of 2021 going into the early part of 2022 could see drought push harder in the Pacific Northwest with above-normal precipitation across the inter-mountain West – leaving the Midwest drier, and less tropical storm activity to reduce Southeast rainfall into late fall. Also, the western half of the country will be drier into early spring with a returning La Nina. Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting margins to improve as cattle supply tight-

ens and producers gain leverage back from packers and retailers, beef demand to remain solid with expected export growth, and utilization and packing capacity to improve over the next few years. He also noted that the economy has made gains in 2021 and should stay stronger with low interest rates and government stimulus fueling consumer spending.

The Beefmaster Pay Weight

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2021 - 2022 Beefmaster Sale Calendar September 14, 2021 - Texas Royal Beefmaster Showcase Online Auction September 18, 2021 - Beefmaster Breeders Harvest Sale, Cullman, AL September 24, 2021 - Beef on Forage - Florida Bull Sale, Arcadia, FL September 24, 2021 - Flint Hills Classic Female Sale, Paxico, KS September 25, 2021 - Live Oak BBA “Perfect Pair” Futurity & Sale, Three Rivers, TX September 25, 2021 - 4th Annual Flint Hills Classic Bull Sale, Paxico, KS October 2, 2021 - Isa Beefmasters 60th Performance Test and Sale, San Angelo, TX October 6 - 7, 2021 - Lyssy Beefmaster All Access Frozen Genetics Sale, Online DVAuction October 8 - 9, 2021 - STBBA Buccaneer Classic Sale, Robstown, TX October 16, 2021 - Beef on Forage Bull Sale, Brenham, TX October 16, 2021 - Bill Carr & Others Fall Sale, Floresville, TX October 23, 2021 - Red River Beefmaster Bull Sale, Paris, TX November 5, 2021 - Beefmaster E6 Commercial Female Sale, McAlester, OK November 6, 2021 - Southern Plains Performance Beefmaster Bull Sale, Valliant, OK November 13, 2021 - Purple Premium Sale, Nacogdoches, TX November 13, 2021 - OHOA Fall Roundup Sale, Springfield, MO November 20, 2021 - Collier Farms Performance Bull Sale, Brenham, TX December 4, 2021 - Lone Star BBA Fall Sale, Sulphur Springs, TX February 19, 2022 - Beefmaster Border Classic IV Sale, Edcouch, TX March 19, 2022 -Beef on Forage Bull and Female Sale, McAlester, OK March 26, 2022 - Emmons Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Groesbeck, TX April 2, 2022 - Louisiana BBA Spring Sale at Kinder Livestock Auction, Kinder, LA May 21, 2022 - Swinging B and Friends Sale, Salado, TX June 11, 2022 - Wallen Prairie Ranch Power and Performance Production Sale, Lockwood, MO September 23, 2022 - Beef on Forage Bull Sale, Arcadia, FL September 23, 2022 - Flint Hills Classic Female Sale, Paxico, KS September 24, 2022 - 5th Annual Flint Hills Classic Bull Sale, Paxico, KS October 1, 2022 - Lyssy's Heart of the Herd Production Sale, Luling Foundation, Luling, TX October 15, 2022 - Beef on Forage Bull and Female Sale, Brenham, TX

Event Calendar Oct 14, 2021 - Rio Grande Valley Ultrasound Scan Day at Santa Ana Ranch, 8175 Ramseyer Rd., Edcouch TX Oct 15, 2021 - Carr and Others Educational Program, Floresville, TX Oct 23, 2021 - Louisiana BBA Field Day @ the Riceaux Ranch, Pitkin, LA Oct 23 - 24, 2021 - Gulf Coast Classic, Winnie, TX Oct 27, 2021 - Sporting Clays Classic @ Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch, Fort Worth, TX Oct 28 - 30, 2021 - BBU Annual Convention, Fort Worth, TX

sale catalogs posted online a few weeks before sale date at www.beefmasters.org/purebred/calendar

www.beefmasters.org

The Beefmaster Pay Weight

Advertisers’ Index Breeder Advertisers

Alabama Arrow T Beefmasters................................................................................15 D&D Beefmasters.....................................................................................37 Arkansas Lairmore Beefmasters..............................................................................19 Heritage Cattle Company.........................................................................15 Hood Beefmasters.....................................................................................16 Florida Beef On Forage Sale ...................................................................................3 Idaho Johnson Beefmasters..................................................................................7 Kansas Hurla Cattle Co.........................................................................................25 NextGen Cattle Co....................................................................Back Cover Kentucky Channarock.............................................................................................9 Ella Mae Farms..........................................................................................17 Louisiana Louisiana BBA Spring Sale.......................................................................17 Missouri Berachiah Beefmasters.............................................................................27 Cedar Springs Beefmasters......................................................................29 Headings Beefmasters..............................................................................17 Mountain View Ranch..............................................................................27 Ozark & Heart of America Fall Roundup Sale........................................32 Wallen Prairie Ranch................................................................................34 Mississippi 4G Farm.....................................................................................................39 North Carolina Adam Taylor Farms..................................................................................34

Oklahoma Dance Creek Beefmasters........................................................................27 Hargis Ranch...............................................................................................4 Hood Beefmasters.....................................................................................16 Oklahoma Beefmasters..............................................................................8 Simon Creek Beefmasters..........................................................................5 Southern Plains Beefmaster Sale............................................................31 Tennessee J2 Beefmasters...........................................................................................23 Jones Beefmasters.....................................................................................36 TA Beefmasters.........................................................................................35 Texas 3B Beefmasters..........................................................................................32 Arrowhead Ranch Siddons Beefmasters...................................................5 Beef On Forage Sale ...................................................................................3 Blau Beefmasters.......................................................................................37 Buckner Polled Beefmasters....................................................................15 Buena Suerte Ranch..................................................................................27 Cate Ranch Beefmasters.............................................................................5 Collier Farms....................................................................................12 & 13 Colvin Beefmasters...................................................................................26 Emmons Ranch.........................................................................................11 Flying B Ranches......................................................................................15 Frenzel & Meacham, LLC.........................................................................24 G4 Ranch...................................................................................................15 Genesis Beefmasters.................................................................................16 Golden Meadows Ranch...........................................................................14 Isa Cattle Co. Beefmasters.......................................................................21 Lone Star BBA...........................................................................................27 Red River Beefmaster Bull Sale................................................................22 Stephen F Austin Purple Premium Sale,...............................................18 Swinging B Ranch.......................................................................................6 Wittenburg Beefmasters..........................................................................37

Industry Advertisers

AgAmerica Lending.................................................................................30 Beefmaster Breeders United....................................................................20 Bush Hog...................................................................................................28 Elgin Breeding Service.............................................................................10 Green Country Crop Insurance..............................................................27 Ragland Mills............................................................................................35 Working Ranch Expo...............................................................................33

The Beefmaster Pay Weight - Fall 2021

Articles inside

America’s No. 1 Ranching Magazine Announces Working Ranch Expo by Ellen H, Brisendine, Working Ranch Expo

Customized Bull Selection Maximizes Investment Dollar by Becky Mills, DTN/Progressive Farmer

Nothing Beats a Beefmaster by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United

Combat Respiratory Disease with Focus on Boosting Efficient Feed Nutrition Source: Huvepharma

Calving - ease Cows: Optimal or Extreme? Source: Beef Improvement Federation

Bunk Breaking Calves for Success in the Feedyard by Emily Pendergrass, Extra Dimension Marketing

Launching Beefmasters in Turkey by Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United

Cattle Check Scams Are Out There! Beware! Source: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Grazing Cattle Can Reduce Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint by Adam Russell, Texas A&M AgriLife