February 2023 California Cattleman

ADVANTAGES OF CROSSBRED BEEF

MCCARTHY BECOMES HOUSE SPEAKER

FLOODING AMID

ONGOING DROUGHT

Joinuslive or online!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF THESE UPCOMING SPRING EVENTS!

WVM HEADQUARTERS, COTTONWOOD, CA ALSO EXPECTING 10,000 SPRING LAMBS

CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE FEBRUARY 22

WYNDHAM VISALIA, VISALIA, CA

CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE MARCH 27

SIMULCAST ON DISH 998

TOP QUALITY CATTLE AND SHEEP FEATURED IN THESE SALES FROM THE WEST’S LEADING PRODUCERS!

WATCH, LISTEN AND BID ONLINE AT WWW.WVMCATTLE.COM

VOL. 106, ISSUE 2

CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

3841 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95834

PRESIDENT

Steve Arnold, Santa Margarita

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Rick Roberti, Loyalton

SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS

Sheila Bowen, Glennville

Frank Imhof, Pleasanton

Mike McCluskey, Red Bluff

TREASURER

Beverly Bigger, Ventura

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Billy Gatlin

VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Kirk Wilbur

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & EVENTS

Lisa Brendlen

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Katie Roberti

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Maureen LaGrande

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Katherine Dickinson

PUBLICATION SERVICES

OFFICE & CIRCULATION

CCA Office: (916) 444-0845

Fax: (916) 444-2194

MANAGING MAGAZINE EDITOR

Stevie Ipsen | (208) 996-4922 stevie.ipsen@gmail.com

ADVERTISING SALES/FIELD SERVICES

Matt Macfarlane | (916) 803-3113 m3cattlemarketing@gmail.com

BILLING SERVICES

Lisa Brendlen lisa@calcattlemen.org

SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917

Bolded names and businesses in editorial represent only current members of the California Cattlmen’s Association or California CattleWomen, Inc. For questions about membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845. The California Cattleman (Publication #8-3600) is published monthly except May/June is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without consent of publisher.

Periodical postage paid at Lubbock, Texas, 79402. Publication # 8-3600

National Advertising Group: The Cattle Connection/The Powell Group, 4162-B Carmichael Ct, Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 271-6100.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: California Cattleman, 3841 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95834

FEBRUARY 2023

WWW.CALCATTLEMEN.ORG

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

Feb. 1-3

New Orleans, Louisianna www.convention.ncba.org

CBCIA + CAA Tour

May 16-18

Central Valley, California Mike Hall, 805-748-4717 | Abbie Nelson, 916-804-4990 https://calcattlemen.org/events

CONTENTS

ASSOCIATION PERSPECTIVES

8

CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN

New officers offer united enthusiasm for California beef production

DUES DOLLARS AT WORK

Stage is set for current legislative session

10 34

14 38 46

BUNKHOUSE

New location, same great service and passion for advocacy

32

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Optimism: It’s all how you see things

CHIMES

Motto for year ahead promises passion to enhance productivity

WORKING RINGSIDE

Good things ahead for beef sales in 2023

COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR

Bringing consumers to the table

SPECIAL FEATURES

18 24 30

WE HAVE A SPEAKER McCarthy named House speaker after long battle

CROSSBRED BEEF

Baldies impress from the calving pen and feedlot to the dinner plate

BULL SALE FILLS VOID

Great Basin Bulls sale joins Intermountain and West Coast producers

42 50 54

42

WET WEATHER

Constant ebb and flow of California water woes

EDUCATION GRANTED

Cal Poly students growing from education grant

BEEFMASTERS

Pounds pay premiums: The benefit of Beefmaster

READER SERVICES

58 60 66

RANCH FAMILY ROUNDUP

Obituaries and a new arrival

BUYER'S GUIDE Services from breeders and beef industry experts

ADVERTISING INDEX

ON THE COVER

It’s largely indisputable that crossbred Angus and Hereford cattle bring a lot of benefits to the beef production table. In this February issue, which traditionally features Hereford and Beefmaster breeds, we highlight the benefits of both breeds and news from their respective associations. This month’s cover photo, taken by Jacquline Nix portrays the kind of calf many commercial breeders want to make in to mama cows and many feeders want to make into top quality beef.

CATTLEMEN’S

COLUMN

ONE OF YOU: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEW CCA OFFICERS

by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

At the 106th CCA and CCW Annual Convention, two familiar faces were appointed to serve on the 2023-2024 CCA Officer Team. Elected by CCA membership, officers represent California’s ranching community and CCA’s members at meetings while working to create a more favorable environment for ranchers.

CCA Second Vice President Frank Imhof

For the last 27 years Frank Imhof has resided in Sunol. As a cattleman and farmer Frank runs cow/calf pairs in the Bay Area from Fremont to Pleasanton and grows wheat hay.

Frank has been involved in CCA for the last 27 years. He served as president for the Contra Costa–Alameda County Cattlemen’s Association and has also served as vice president. Outside of CCA, Frank has served on the Alameda County Board of Directors for 12 years, was the Alameda Planning Commissioner for 12 years, sits on the East County Board of Zoning and served as the Alameda County Fair Board President remaining on the board today. As a CCA officer Frank shares, that he would like to help the public better understand the beef industry and share information with them to gain an understanding of what it takes to get meat to their tables.

CCA Second Vice President Mike McCluskey

CCA’s Second Vice President Mike McCluskey was born in Sacramento and moved to Dixon at the age of two. Now residing in Red Bluff, Mike works full time at Tehama Angus Ranch where he has an array of jobs including working cattle and helping in the farming operations, consisting of walnut and almond orchards. He and his wife Kendra also have some acreage of prune trees and grow hay.

Mike has also been involved in the industry through running his recently sold cow herd and his work with Tehama Angus. He has also been a part of the Tehama County Cattlemen’s Association for the past 12 years and is the immediate past 2020-2021 Tehama Cattlemen’s Association President.

Outside of the industry, Mike sat on the Dixon Unified School District School Board for two years, was involved with the Dixon Lions Club, volunteered with Friends of the Fair in Dixon and has served as a 4-H leader.

As part of CCA’s leadership team, Mike is eager to be more involved in the process of trying to keep the beef industry alive and thriving with the ever-changing regulations ranchers face on a daily basis. He also looks forward to getting out and seeing how different cattlemen are running their operations and learning what they need and how CCA can work towards helping them.

We are beyond excited to be having our 51st Annual Sale and want to extend an invitation to you! Please join us in Caldwell, ID and see for yourself what the /S “bull business brand” is all about. We are a family built on consistent and reliable values that have lasted for over three generations on this operation. When you do business with us, you join our family.

Since 1946, we’ve been striving to build a cowherd that produces with consistency and reliability. We know that in these demanding times it is going to be those key points that continue to drive demand for our customers’ cattle. The pressures on the national cowherd have been overwhelming and with economic pressure, we need these cattle to perform, reproduce, and grade consistently. That’s what we are all about.

You can trust that when you do business with us, you will receive that consistency and reliability. Not just from our cattle, but from us as well. You can rest assure that we will deliver our promise and guarantee to you, because when you buy a Shaw animal, you buy a relationship built on consistent and reliable values, just like what’s built our family.

YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE YEAR

by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur

As of press time, California’s 2023-24 Legislative Session remained in its infancy. While hundred of bills will be introduced and the Governor’s Proposed 2023-34 Budget will have been released by the time you read this article, the information below is intended merely to set the stage for the next two years in California’s Capitol (stay tuned to CCA’s other publications for the most up-to-date legislative developments!).

The California State Legislature briefly convened on Dec. 5 for an organizational session during which members were sworn in and cast leadership votes. Some legislators also began filing bills at this time, with more than 150 bills filed prior to Jan. 3, when the legislature formally reconvened.

Reflecting a compromise struck in 2022 amidst a contentious battle for the Speakership within the Assembly Democratic Caucus, the Assembly on Dec. 5 reelected Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) as Speaker until June 30, 2023 and named Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) as “Speaker-designate” to be sworn in on that date. This compromise allows Speaker Rendon to oversee the lower house throughout its deliberations on the 2023-24 State Budget before handing the gavel off to Assemblyman Rivas, who has been tapped to continue on as Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee until that time.

As expected, Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was reelected as President pro Tempore of the State Senate. Under Proposition 28’s 12year term limits for state legislators, both Rendon and Atkins will term out in 2024.

Dec. 5 also marked the beginning of an “extraordinary session” of the Legislature convened via Gubernatorial Proclamation in large part to “Deter price gouging by oil companies by imposing a financial penalty on excessive margins.” While a handful of bills were introduced in the

extraordinary session on Dec. 5 and 6, the Legislature did not hold hearings or otherwise act on the legislative proposals. Rather, the extraordinary session will run concurrently with the regular session, though it is not subject to the same legislative calendar as the regular session.

Even as the legislature convened on Dec. 5, the outcome of a small number of election races remained uncertain as of that date. Now that the dust has fully settled on the November 2022 General Election, the makeup of the Senate and Assembly have become clear, with both statehouses extending their Democratic supermajorities. Assembly Democrats gained two seats, now holding 62 seats to the Republicans’ 18, and the Senate added one more Democratic seat for a split of 32 and 8. CCA has a proven track record of working with both Republicans and Democrats ..CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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particularly moderate Democrats – and anticipates that our efforts will continue to pay dividends throughout the 2023-24 Legislative Session.

In all, 31 of California’s 120 legislators are newly-elected. While CCA staff and leadership met with many of these lawmakers during their candidacies, in the coming months CCA and the California Cattlemen’s Foundation will be working to build relationships with these newly minted legislators, introducing them to our industry, the environmental and economic benefits of cattle production and our priority legislative issues.

As of press time, legislators had only introduced 165 regular session bills, with thousands more likely to be filed before the February 17 bill introduction deadline. While there are few specifics to report at this time, CCA does expect significant environmental legislation to be introduced this year. Specifically, we expect a raft of bills related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon sequestration and other climate legislation to implement policies outlined in the California Air Resources Board’s recently-adopted “2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality” by 2045 or earlier – especially in light of a recent Legislative Analyst’s Office report finding that the Scoping Plan “lacks a clear strategy for meeting” the State’s GHG reduction goals. CCA also anticipates that legislation will be introduced impacting water rights and the enforcement authority of the State Water Resources Control Board in response to ongoing drought conditions.

As always, CCA staff is reviewing each piece of legislation introduced this year, and will track, monitor and lobby any bills impacting California’s beef producers. Stay tuned to CCA’s publications – in particular our weekly Legislative Bulletin e-newsletter – for upto-date information on CCA’s legislative priorities.

One early priority of the Legislature will be considering the 2023-24 State Budget. Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his Proposed Budget to the Legislature on Jan. 10.

In stark contrast to

the surpluses of recent years, the Legislative Analyst’s Office has projected a $24 billion budget deficit for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year, setting up significant challenges for the budget cycle ahead. Nevertheless, in laying out the Assembly’s 2023 Budget Blueprint, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) struck an optimistic tone, noting that the Legislature has built up significant budget reserves and highlighting “ten years of investments” into key sectors like natural resource protection.

While the State has certainly built up its reserves, CCA nevertheless expects that a cautious Administration and Legislature will by June 30 finalize a more austere budget than has been seen in recent years. While CCA will continue to advocate for state investments into drought resilience and wildfire prevention – including grazing and grazing infrastructure – the Association will be carefully tracking the Budget Bill and budget trailer bills to ensure that the State does not diminish recent investments into predator loss compensation, drought assistance and other programs of vital importance to the state’s ranchers.

CCA had an incredibly successful 2021-22 Legislative Session, with four sponsored bills being signed into law to strengthen ranchers’ wildfire resilience and minimize regulatory burdens on producers’ water rights and agricultural vehicle fleets. In 2022, nearly every CCA-supported bill was signed into law and every bill opposed by the Association either failed in the Legislature or was amended to remove our opposition.

CCA looks forward to building upon those successes in the 2023-24 Legislative Session; stay tuned to California Cattleman and our other publications for updates on our progress.

HONORING THEIR COMMITMENT AND LEGACY WHILE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

by CCA Executive Vice President Billy Gatlin

As many of you are aware, on Oct. 14, 2022, CCA closed escrow on the sale of our 1221 H Street building. The decision to sell the CCA building was not taken lightly. In early 2020, I began having preliminary discussions with CCA’s officers about selling our building. At the time the discussions were informal and slow moving. Later that year, I learned that the California Rangeland Trust was interested in potentially selling their half of our shared building.

In early 2021, the CCA Officer Team and Executive Committee began intently discussing and building a plan to explore if selling was in the best interest of CCA. By July of 2021 a committee was created to further research and determine if selling the building was the right decision.

The committee was chaired by CCA

President Steve Arnold and comprised of the CCA Officer Team, joined by John Lacey and Myron Openshaw . Both Lacey and Openshaw were involved in the purchase of the office building and provided sound advice and critical insights as the committee navigated this decision.

From the outset the committee wanted to not only ensure what was best for the future of CCA was done, but that the investment of those that enabled us to be in a position to make this decision was honored. Everyone involved wanted to guarantee that this incredible asset provided to the organization by previous generations of CCA members was appropriately managed.

One of the major reasons

CCA started to explore the sale of the building is that it was an underutilized asset. The approximately 6,000 square feet of office space was more than double of what was needed. Did it make sense for us to continue to occupy a building that was too large?

The committee also considered the condition of the current neighborhood of the CCA building. With the shifting dynamics of downtown Sacramento and a growing homeless population it was not uncommon to regularly find people sleeping at CCA’s front door. This raised health and safety concerns for staff.

CCA’s new office lobby at 3841 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 in Sacramento is a welcome location for all CCA members.

selling 160 bulls and 30 Commercial replacement females

145 Angus plus 15 SimAngus

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Our age-advantaged bulls are available in volume! These bulls out of top sires can increase consistency and marketability in your calf crops.

As the second-largest registered Angus cowherd in Oregon calving out 600-plus females a year, you get the Advantage of only the cream-of-the-crop! The top 50% of our bulls have extremely large contemporary groups to increase predictability consistency and quality for our customers from a cowherd that has been around for nearly 40 years.

Ruthless culling for feet and legs, plus structure gives you the Advantage when it comes to bull selection. Our bulls are extremely athletic. They run in big pastures over the summer after weaning. They are developed in extremely large lots that require them to travel up and down hills over rocky, hard ground every day between a high-roughage feed source & water to ensure soundness & longevity. Our intense A.I. program utilizes the most current and sought-after genetics in the Angus breed, with herdsires infused and utilized that rival the most popular A.I. sires in the breed for genetic value and potency.

Volume and repeat buyer discounts are available and delivery is free. Bulls are backed by a Zoetis HD50K DNA evaluation, ultrasounded with complete performance and fertility evaluation and industry best guarantee.

all-new for 2023

BULLS AT RED BLUFF: 20 sell Sat., Jan 28

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Also, discussed was the change in lobbying and office dynamics since 1985 when the building was purchased. Emails have replaced fax machines, computers have replaced typewriters, cell phones have replaced landlines, information now is more routinely shared through text messages than conversation and research is done online. Working in government affairs has changed too— in person monitoring of legislative committees is now more efficiently done online and often legislators and staff prefer to meet by Zoom opposed to in their office.

The shutdown of the Capitol during COVID-19 accelerated even more change, with no indication that the Capitol will return to its pre-pandemic norms. The world has changed vastly in the last 37 years, as have the needs of CCA.

By December of 2021 the committee came to the conclusion that selling the building was in the best interest of the Association. During the 2021 CCA Convention the reasons for selling the building were presented to the CCA Finance Committee and the CCA Board of Directors. Armed with all the details, the CCA Board of Directors voted unanimously to list the building in early 2022.

When the building was finally listed in early 2022 the economy was beginning to shift and CCA leadership was skeptical that a sale would occur in 2022. But everything aligned perfectly and CCA accepted an offer from the California Federation of Teachers near asking price.

The decision to sell the building was years in the making and thoroughly researched and discussed by a very smart group of CCA’s members, all who are dedicated and 100 percent committed to ensuring the best business decision was made to set the Association up for continued success. At the heart of those conversations was also, “What’s best for staff?” Everyone involved in the sale wanted to not only ensure the committee did what was best for CCA but also our staff.

A thorough search over the last six months has finally concluded with CCA moving into its new office at 3841 North

Freeway Blvd., Suite 130, in Sacramento on Jan. 16. We are now located in a beautiful office complex, with easy freeway access and plenty of free parking. We are all moved in, and the CCA staff is enjoying the new office space.

Locking up and leaving for the last time was bittersweet. I’ve spent the last 12 years of my professional life in that building. It was a second home for me. Early mornings, long afternoons and late nights working with members and staff dedicated to our industry. We’ve all celebrated a lot of professional and personal achievements in that building and have many memories of our time there. It was sad to close that chapter in CCA’s history.

I was quickly comforted by warm, excited smiles of the CCA team when arriving at our new office. Everyone has already settled into the new office, and it was buzzing with activity and excitement. That afternoon we all had a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables outside our office, perched next to a fountain under towering redwoods. We were all laughing and sharing stories about the old building and our excitement for the new location. We were already making memories in our new office.

As someone who appreciates history and recognizes the promise of progress I am excited to start this next chapter in CCA’s long history. With the team that we have at CCA I know that we will continue to add to the legacy of those that came before us while building a strong future for the next generation of leaders.

Part of honoring that legacy and building for the future is ensuring that we protect the assets from the sale of the CCA building. CCA leadership has met with our financial advisors and have identified a conservative investment strategy that will protect our principle investment and deliver modest returns over the next three years. We will continue to monitor the commercial real estate market and if the right opportunity presents itself we will be ready to purchase a new building.

For over a century CCA has had a talented, dedicated staff working hard to secure the future of our industry, regardless of location, that is one thing that will never change.

MR. SPEAKER

Son of Kern County becomes house leader after historic uphill attempts

by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen

U.S. President Calvin Coolidge had a lot to say about the vitality of persistence. He said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and will always solve the problems for the human race.”

If one were to follow the journey of now House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, they might find some parallels to Coolidge’s sentiments.

McCarthy, the youngest of three children of a homemaker mother and an assistant fire chief father, comes from a common, some might say lackluster, upbringing. But for cattle producers on the West Coast and beyond, the McCarthy’s journey from a middle class Bakersfield community to one of top seats in our nation’s capitol is the kind of all-American story that makes their livelihood worthwhile.

As the grandson of a proud Kern County cattleman, all California cattle industry

supporters can take pride in the belief that humble beginnings can lead to unprecedented destinations. For the children being raised in today’s beef industry and tumultuous political climate, the sky is still the limit and the ability of kids in the ranching community to make a real difference still exists. Like Coolidge noted, McCarthy’s road is a reminder that through persistence great things are possible.

Though McCarthy is an often-revered leader in the Republican Party and in the political world as a whole, it goes without saying that his journey to the Speaker’s chair was not without challenge and frequent defeat. But in the end, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a long time advocate for California’s cattle community was named Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on a historic postmidnight 15th ballot early in the morning of Jan. 7.

“My father always told me, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” McCarthy told cheering fellow Republicans in response to the grueling journey to the speakership and addressing the

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nay-sayers even from his own party who made the selection of a new majority speaker an uphill battle.

JUST A REGULAR GUY

After graduation from Bakersfield High School, McCarthy briefly attended Bakersfield College while earning money by refurbishing automobiles and then selling them. In October 1984, at only 20, he bought a lottery ticket that made him a $5,000 winner, which McCarthy credtis with starting him on the road to entrepreneurship. Investing his winnings, which were not insignificant in 1984, in the stock market, McCarthy used the earnings to purchase Kevin O’s Deli, located in a yogurt shop in Bakersfield that was owned by his aunt and uncle.

Former CCA and NCBA President Kevin Kester, a friend of the Speaker who has known him since his freshman year in Sacramento, says McCarthy’s longtime understanding of small business operations helps him to understand the government’s overreach and how businesses can be unduly impacted.

“Kevin (McCarthy) really gets us. I can tell you from frequent interaction with him that his grasp of the needs of his constituents, specifically in agriculture, is like nothing I have seen from most politicians. They may try to understand what our needs are and why but he really does see our needs and work to make sure they are met,” Kester said. “Having him in this position at this point in time could not be more valuable, not just for CCA and NCBA members, but for all people who see a need for less government overreach to run businesses that matter to all Americans. One thing you should know about Kevin McCarthy is that when he says he will do something, you bet he will follow through.”

McCarthy’s tenacity is why Kester said he knew

the speakership was one challenge McCarthy would not back down from, no matter how long it took.

“Just like that long and grueling process, once Kevin starts something, his energy doesn’t burn out,” Kester said. “He will keep that energy level in Washington and use it to work for the country and work with those he may not always agree with for the good of the country.”

In 1987, McCarthy sold his business and used the profits to return to college, earning an undergraduate business degree from California State University, Bakersfield, and a master’s degree in business administration from the same state-funded institution. McCarthy’s interest in politics had earlier been piqued by the contrast he found between what he perceived as the pessimism of Jimmy Carter and the optimism of Ronald Reagan. The year McCarthy returned to school, he also began his association with influential Republican Congressman Bill Thomas McCarthy initially acted as an intern before becoming a longtime member of the staff of Thomas, who he credits for making a huge impact on his life.

POLITICAL AMBITION

Elected to the California State Assembly in ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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2002 and serving as Assembly Republican Leader, McCarthy quickly climbed the political ladder and was elected to represent California’s 20th District of the U.S. Congress in 2006. At that time he was also appointed Chief Deputy Whip before being elected as House Majority Whip in 2010.

During his time as a politician there have been no issues McCarthy has steered clear of. His willingness to tackle any needs of his constituents has been one reason his home base keeps selecting him as their representative.

Kern County rancher Jack Lavers has followed McCarthy’s political career from the onset. As a self-proclaimed “true conservative,” Lavers said he initially took issue with McCarthy over fiscal responsibility, going as far as to call McCarthy out on the radio. After McCarthy took the initiative to clear the air with a personal phone call, Lavers said he and McCarthy have been allies.

“Politicians get a bad rap for not really knowing the issues or their constituents but no matter how you feel about Kevin McCarthy, you cannot say he doesn’t care about the issues or lack understanding in his district,” Lavers said.Though the two haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, Lavers said he could not be happier about the results of that final 15th vote.

“I am a big advocate of betting on the horse that can win,” Lavers said. “I am very happy for the cattle industry, for the local oil industry, for Kern

County, and for our nation as a whole.”

Lavers also said for anyone still on the fence about McCarthy being a “regular politician,” they need to meet Judy McCarthy.

“Kevin’s wife is the absolute best human being. She is loving and kind and puts in just as much work as Kevin does to serve the district. If any one ever doubted him, they just need to take one look at her values to know that he must be good person to have such an angelic wife,” Lavers laughed.

In 2014, McCarthy was elected Majority Leader in the House. In 2018, he was elected House Republican Leader, which he served most recently before being elected to his current post as Speaker of the House.

McCarthy has continuously vowed to fight for a strong, fiscally responsible, and free America where every person has the ability to achieve the American dream. Through the “Commitment to America” that he spearheaded, he and his House Republican colleagues will work to cut out-ofcontrol government spending, create good-paying jobs, promote American energy independence with American jobs, and fight for individual liberty, an efficient and effective government, and a vibrant civil society.

When Kevin McCarthy is not in Washington working for the constituents of California’s 20th District and for the future of America, he is home in Bakersfield where he and Judy raised their two children, Meghan and Connor.

LOT 61

C 1311 GENESIS 2135 ET

One of three full sibs from a tremendous flush. The only full sister was our record selling female in our fall sale at $195,000. Both of the brothers are definite herd bull prospects and will be in our 2023 Denver Pen of 3. They combine the show ring look with performance and additional pigment. 1311 seems to never miss and has produced 1.2 million in progeny sales thus far. 2135 has great EPD and Index values being in the top 10% in nine economically important traits.

C CUDA BELLE 2111

A heifers first calf with a WWR of 118. Another bull with an impeccable set of numbers being in the top 20% for 15 economically important traits and indexes. Extra pigment and big bodied. Sire “Barracuda” was sold to ABS.

1311 GENESIS 2105

One of three full sibs from a tremendous flush. The only full sister was our record selling female in our fall sale at $195,000. Both of the brothers are definite herd bull prospects and will be in our 2023 Denver Pen of Three. They combine the show ring look with performance and additional pigment. 1311 seems to never miss and has produced 1.2 million in progeny sales thus far. 2105 has great EPD and Index values being in the top 3% for 10 traits.

LOT

These horned Belle Heir sons are right for the industry as they are great in structure and muscle mass. They are also very important for the industry as they can add so much to the carcass quality with lots of growth while still maintaining top maternal traits in the cowherd.

1311 ENDURE 2124

A definite pen bull for Denver 2023. He is by the ever popular Endure and the 1311 donor that is a full sister to Miles McKee and has produced over 1.2 million in progeny sales. He is a big bodied bull with extra red throughout. In the top 5% for 11 economically important EPD’s and Indexes.

LOT 161

C 4297 VALIDATED 2132 ET

If you need to increase carcass value in your feeder calves tie to these Validated sons. They are especially strong for marbling. Extremely dark red, red to the ground with great pigment with a long level hip and wide topped.

C TAHOE 2015

Great built son of Tahoe that packs all the bells and whistles along when it comes top carcass values. His added length of body and stride is a bonus for ranchers who need a bull that can travel big country.

One of three full brothers by Real Deal and the popular D83 donor dam. They all have a super set of balanced EPD’s and have excellent pigment. Two full sisters were a highlight in our fall sale averaging $13,250. This bull was named calf champion in Reno and will be shown in Oklahoma City and Denver.

C 8007 ALTERNATIVE 2149 ET

One of two flush brothers to sell out of a great Yeti donor, 8007. This son of Alternative is a phenotypic standout with figures that rank him among the elite. Maternal power and carcass combination.

by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen

In a world where food is tailored to what consumers want on their dinner plates, beef producers, too, have become hypervigilant about raising a product that is not just humanelyraised but is also nutritous and includes all the flavor and variety beef eaters are in search of.

Unique to other food production sectors, cattlemen and women also have the added task of raising cattle that will best work for the people who raise them beyond

the cow-calf sector. This series tackles the ways beef producers are adjusting to the needs of both producer and consumer in supplying animals and beef products that check all the boxes.

BRED FOR BEEF PART 1 CROSSBREEDING TO MEET DEMAND OF BOTH PRODUCER & CONSUMER

From the black baldy to the smokey Charolais/Angus calf and composite breeds like Beefmaster and SimAngus, cattlemen, breed associations and genetic experts are all in a quest to raise ideal beef animals from pasture to plate.

CROSSBREEDING HEREFORD

When it comes to trustworthy careers, it should come as no surprise that people trust farmers and ranchers over most corporate job choices. Perhaps it is their willingness to get dirty to get a job done or their pride in caring for mother nature and her creatures. But one thing is for sure, three times a day, every day people across the globe are reliant on farmers and ranchers to feed their families.

Though people largely trust their food sources, they are becoming more and more particular about what they enjoy eating, where it comes from and who it was raised by. As more and more meat substitutes have hit store shelves, it seems real meat eaters are even more invested in real meat compared to artificial meat sources. After all, how safe, wholesome or nutritious is something that is not even real? While some consumers have “bit into” the marketing behind fake meat, the majority have not and when it comes to whole cuts like steaks and roasts, consumers are finding that there is nothing like the real homegrown beef.

Aside from production practices and traditional or niche marketing, research conducted by the Beef Checkoff says, beef consumers looking for the ultimate eating experience, juiciness, tenderness and flavor are the overarching demands. To get the “wow” experience they are seeking whether at home or when going out, checkoff research says real beef is giving consumers the best experience.

So, that begs the question: As far as real meat goes, what kind of beef is going to give consumers what they want?

HOW HEREFORD BEEF STACKS UP

To the uneducated beef consumer, terms like marbling and backfat may be obsolete but taste and texture are terms that are unmistakable and relate directly to a consumer’s eating satisfaction. According to a 2019 study at Kansas State University, in a blind taste test, Certified Hereford Premium Upper TwoThirds Choice beef was rated higher than USDA Prime beef from non-breed specific programs. This is a testament to the high standards and uncompromising genetic integrity of the

Certified Hereford Beef brand and the tireless efforts of the Hereford farm and ranch families across America to provide the highest quality product possible. Because of these efforts, consumers can be confident they are getting the best quality beef for their buck while supporting Hereford ranchers.

In perhaps the most comprehensive Hereford crossbreeding research study conducted in recent history, carcass characteristics, production traits and feedlot performace were all considered by California State University, Chico, researchers Dave Daley, Ph.D., and Sean Early beginning in 2005. To date that research has been relied on as some of the more complete research done on Hereford-influenced cattle.

“At that time Hereford-influenced calves were seeing a deduction at marketing simply because of their hide color,” Daley said. “I had a suspicion though that if we looked closer at all factors, the beef from the Hereford-influenced calves would show Hereford cattle perform better than the market was giving them credit for.”

Daley says his hypothesis proved true. The Hereford-cattle in the study did infact perform much better than some would have expected. While marbling on the obvioulsy efficient Angus calves was superior, traits like carcass weight and size were neck-in-neck with more Angusinfluenced calves.

Daley said that study, conducted over the course of four years at Harris Ranch Feeding Company in Coalinga laid to rest some rumors about straight bred Angus being superior.

While feed rations and management no doubt impact on carcass, allowing marbling and grading to vary among cattle age, breed, etc., the large number of head studied was a feather in the cap of many longtime Hereford breeders.

Though recent years have shown discounts on the sale of “featherneck” Herefords, studies like that done by Daley and Early are great reminders of the assets of Hereford-influenced cattle and the perspective that Hereford-influenced cattle bring a great deal of value to the production table as well as the dinner table. ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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To qualify for Certified Hereford, Hereford cattle and Hereford-influenced or crossbred cattle have to meet a strict criteria list. Not every Hereford animal meets the high standards required to earn the CHB stamp of quality. In order to be accepted into the brand, each Hereford animal must meet the following CHB requirements:

• Minimum 51 percent white face

• Minimum USDA Small00 (Choice) or Modest00 (Premium) marbling score

• “A” maturity only

• Medium to fine texture marbling

• 10-16 inch ribeye area

• Moderately thick or thicker muscling

• Less than one-inch fat thickness

• Hot carcass weight of 1,050 pounds or less

• No dark cutters

• No capillary rupture

• Neck hump not exceeding two inches in height

Interestingly, the requirements of Certified Angus Beef (CAB), a much more prominent and well-known branded beef program are almost identical to the CHB requirements, with the obvious exception being the white face or Angus genetic requirement. With Angus bulls covering about 70 percent of the U.S. cowherd, it would make sense that the percentage of CAB-qualifying cattle would also be more prevalent. But it’s valuable for consumers to note that the quality of CHB cattle is also top-tier, just not as prevalent because more Angus-influenced cattle exist in the marketplace.

CAN’T BEAT THE BALDY

The advantages of hybrid vigor have long been acknowledged in the beef world. Compared to purebred or line-bred systems, the advantages include improvements in areas such as weaning weight, and cow longevity and fertility to name a few.

Few cattlemen would argue that black baldy is one of the best mother beef cows. Hereford females have long been known for:

• Docility and ease of management

• Lower labor and dystocia costs

• Early maturity and longevity.

But what other factors exist that lead to a Hereford-influenced mama being superior across the beef industry?

According to longtime commerical commercial cattleman Jeff Bowen, Glennville, for him the appeal for Hereford-influenced females is heterosis but he said tradition has always led him to keep a good mix of Hereford and Angus bulls on the ranch. Though Bowen says his family’s cowherd is about 70 percent black-hided, they invest in a 50/50 ratio of Hereford and Angus bulls. “We historically raised Shorthorn and Hereford cattle but

over time it was hard to ignore the benefits of introducing Angus genetics,” Jeff Bowen says. “We made the decision to implement more Angus bulls out of sheer popularity and the Angus-Hereford cross has been very good to us. I am glad we stuck with the Herefords because in my opinion they are hardier and easier keeping. I have some great Angus cows, but on average the Herefords and baldies might be more consistently reliable.”

“We raise cattle from 500 feet to 7,000 feet in elevation so all of our cattle have to be hardy. They have to travel and cover a lot of ground. Without documentation to back me up, I would say Hereford cows have greater longevity on our ranch,” he said.

Oklahoma State University (OSU) researchers have studied factors that affect cattle efficiency. To do this, they sought to understand how the total calories the cow intakes influence her calf’s weaning weight. Beyond feed intake, they also wanted to find out if they selected the second breed in a crossbreeding system based on its merits to reduce costs or improve overall profitability would it make a difference?

There is ample data that exists on efficiency factors related to the feed or environment, but OSU researchers came up with a research question there is not much data for: “What is the influence of crossing a breed known for lower feed intake (the Hereford breed) with the popular Angus breed?”

This study resulted in examing how crossbred cows could reduce annual cow maintenance costs. Researchers looked at maintenance energy requirements and voluntary feed intake. They wanted to know how black baldy cows retained body condition compared to Angus cows. They also examined forage intake differences between the crossbred and straight Angus cows.

Results indicated the crossbred baldy cows kept better body condition scores through the study. This finding could help producers increase stocking rates.

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Bowen says he markets commercial Herefordsired and Angus-sired caves annually through Harris Ranch. While he hasn’t seen any of the actual performance data of how his strait Hereford calves, baldy calves or Angus calves measure against each other, he assumes the results in the feedpen and on the rail are positive ones.

“Typically the Hereford calves are right there with the Angus calves,” Bowen said. “Poundfor-pound their growth patterns are similar and they all travel the same and do the same amount of work while they are here on the ranch. Our buyers have returned year after year, so I take that as a sign the Hereford cattle are measuring up.

Bowen’s perspective is similar to the conclusion that many beef cattle producers have come to. Keeping some Hereford influence is the best overall decision for their operation.

Marty Williamson of Boston Ranch in Exeter is another savvy cowman who has always seen the benefit of keeping Hereford genetics in the large, predominantly Angus herd he manages.

He says the Hereford effect on milking ability, docility, fertility and even carcass weight are reasons heterosis from mulitple breeds trumps a purebred herd.

“When we introduce new genetics, especially of another breed like Hereford, we continue to amplify the good things of each breed,” Williamson said. “For us, the Hereford and Angus cross has only brought positive results, especially when the cowherd is considered. And without a good cowherd, you don’t get good calves.”

Williamson says the production of Herefordinfluenced cows spills over into all other areas of the cowherd and stays with the calves long after they leave his ranch.

“Having the quiet nature of baldy cows has a lot of benefit outside of their ability to raise a really nice, heavy calf,” Williamson explained. “They bring that calm demeanor to the whole herd and their quiet calves go on to be more easy going at the feedlot. A quiet feedlot calf is not just easier to manage, but he is more likely to grow and perform the way he should.”

As trends come and grow in the beef business, one belief that seems to stand the test of time is that benefits of heterosis are undeniable and are benefitting not just the ranchers raising the calves but the feeder, the packer and the consumer.

Shane Bedwell with the American Hereford Association points to birthweight, weaning weight, calving easy and ribeye size as production and carcass reasons to consider Hereford genetics.

He says, “by turning out a Hereford bull on black or red cows, you’re going to have an unbeatable baldie!”

BULLS FOR ALL KINDS

NEW EVENT BRINGS THE BEST

by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen

For years, California and Nevada producers have relied on one another in policy and production. With a similar variation in climate and like-mindedness in resourcefulness, it has always made sense for the two states to do business together. Last year, when the news broke that Snyder Livestock would no longer be hosting it’s “Bulls for the 21st Century” bull sale, reception was somber.

It didn’t take long for the wagons to circle and a plan to be formed that could service both seedstock producers in the region as well as commerical producers who had come to rely on the Snyder event as well as the Fallon Bull Sale.

This past fall DKC LLC and the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association announced the Great Basin Bull Sale would be held on Feb. 18, at the Rafter 3C Arena. The new sale brings the best of the two previous events and will be managed by Matt Macfarlane’s M3 Marketing and Col. Jake Parnell will serve as the auctioneer.

Macfarlane says he was all-in from the onset.

“Having been a cattlemen’s association advocate from the beginning of my career and having worked closely with Lucy Rechel on the ‘Bulls for the 21st Century’ event, I couldn’t see a better solution for purebred breeders who need these events to bring their product to commercial producers. It’s a winwin,” Macfarlane said.

Sale hosts Charlie Hone, Kris Gudel and David Holden were among some of the Snyder event’s biggest supporters and their consignment sale experience is invaluable to this inaugural year of the new sale, according to Macfarlane.

The sale will continue to support the Nevada Cattleman’s Association and is a combination of the Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale and the Bulls for the 21st Century Bull Test and Sale. The sale will include

performance tested and range ready bulls, with Angus, Herefords, Red Angus, Sim Angus, Lim Flex, Charolais and Balancer bulls committed to the sale.

“Lucy Rechel is an icon in cattle feeding and having her influence on some of these performancetested bulls adds to the legitimacy of the bulls for cattlemen looking for real-world data,” Macfarlane explained. “And for ranchers looking for range-ready bulls ready to go to work, we have those available in large quantity as well.”

The range conditions of Nevada, the Sierra Foothills and the Intermountain West demands options for bull buyers, Macfarlane says, and the Great Basin Bull Sale provides those options from operations across the west.

“There is no one-size-fits-all model for breed, bull age or type of operation and through this sale, the caliber of producers involved ensure every commercial cattleman’s needs can be met and exceeded,” Macfarlane says.

Sale organizers say they are excited to build on the success of the annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Bull Sale by adding new divisions that will improve the experience of both buyers and consignors. The new arena is state of the art, and will offer a trade show and other pre-sale social functions to draw attendance. The sale will be broadcast over the Internet in partnership with DVAuction for the first time, allowing buyers who can’t be there in person to be able to watch and purchase.

This year’s sale festivities kick off with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the sale starts at 1 p.m.

He says, “With a new venue, a tradeshow, lunch and bulls available for viewing, we expect a great deal of interest on sale day so I encourage you to get a seat early. It is going to be exciting.” For more details, visit www.greatbasinbullsale.com.

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE THERE’S POWER IN POSITIVITY

by NCBA Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall

One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to participate in meetings and conventions put on by our state partners. NCBA is most effective when we have our ear to the ground listening to members, volunteer leaders and Checkoff investors. As I participate in these meetings, I have been amazed at the amount of optimism expressed by the attendees. Simply getting back to having meetings with pre-COVID attendance numbers, or higher, speaks volumes about this optimism. I believe there is plenty to support continued optimism as we start the new year.

The plague of drought remains over many portions of the United States, even in areas that seem to be saturated with rain recently. The drought’s effect on the size of our domestic herd harkens back to our experience in the last big drought. Wait! Was I not just talking about optimism? Well, meteorologists are getting bolder in their forecasts that we will see a shift from a La Niña weather pattern to an El Niño one around the middle of the year. I realize it will not come soon enough for some of you, but to know that hope, and rain, is on the horizon helps with our optimism. We are already seeing snowpacks in many of the western mountain ranges that are at, or above, their normal percentages.

Many of the challenges we face are accompanied by a silver lining. Drought-induced herd liquidation means that the supply of cattle is dramatically different from a few years ago. Demand for beef, however, remains high. The consumer is with us and wants to eat beef as illustrated by our experience in restaurants and retail grocery stores this past year. Beef prices went up, but the consumer kept buying. They kept buying because the high quality of our beef delivered an eating experience they wanted to enjoy time and again. Much of that demand is thanks to the work of the Beef Checkoff. Back in October, we utilized our role as a contractor to the Checkoff by working with Uber Eats and Sonic on a six-day cheeseburger promotion. Our work increased cheeseburger sales by 218 percent! When it comes to pure eating pleasure, we know we are the protein of choice, and our Checkoff-funded work keeps moving beef.

That demand is key because it is resulting in higher prices being paid for cattle. Economists and market analysts are telling us that the outlook is good for cattle prices in 2023. We need it, but the

prices we are paying for fuel and production supplies are taking the shine off these increased prices. Once again, here is a place for optimism as there are signals that inflation could start to wane this year. That will help us get more out of improved cattle prices while giving the consumer even more money in their pocket for beef.

There is also reason to be optimistic in Washington, D.C. A Congress that has split control is one we can take advantage of. We expect that a Republican House of Representatives and a Democrat Senate results in a log jam on Capitol Hill. A log jam means that only legislation with support from both parties has a chance to get through. That protects us against bad legislative ideas. NCBA has friends in both parties, so we will press forward with our policy priorities, especially in the upcoming Farm Bill. Programs such as funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank and USDA risk management tools have bipartisan support. While it might be a big lift to get the Farm Bill done before it expires in September, our priorities will see a lot of support.

Optimism for the year will be on full display in just a few short weeks as we gather for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans. It is not too late to register. In fact, unlike the price of everything else these days, the registration cost to attend convention did not go up. It has been the same price for five years. This is the premiere event for cattle producers where we get the chance to have some fun, learn a little, set the policy for the association and enjoy the cattle industry’s largest indoor trade show.

Each year brings a time for optimism and fresh starts. The outlook for 2023 will only help bolster our optimism. We are fortunate to be a part of such a great and noble profession. To care for our families, our cattle and the natural resources we steward is something we all take pride in. What we do matters. Thank you for your fortitude, persistence and commitment to producing the best tasting beef in the world.

CHIMES A THEME FOR PRODUCTIVITY IN THE YEAR AHEAD: APPRECIATE, DELIBERATE, ANTICIPATE AND RADIATE

by California CattleWomen, Inc., President Jeri Roen

As the much-needed rain, pours down upon the ranch I ponder whether our excessive prayers were a bit too tenacious! However, in the spring, when we all look pleasingly at our cows and calves in the lush green grass, we will all extend our gratitude, just as I do for the opportunity to represent the California CattleWomen for the next two years.

As I have expressed to many, I am humbled and honored, for this opportunity, because the California Cattlewomen, with a membership of 1,700 women and growing, is awe-inspiring! Comprised of 31 individual units, Northern Region, Southern Region and Central Region these women volunteer their time, enthusiasm, knowledge and funds to promote beef! If you were to take a glimpse of the 2022 Round Up Report compiled by Sally Strohn that compiled reports from a considerable number of units that highlighted their endeavors throughout the year, you too would likely be amazed. These women go above and beyond to get our message out to consumers, both young and old. Therefore, as individual, various units, state level officers and committee chairs all need to be appreciated by all that are involved in this industry.

As I send a call of action to appreciate the work these ladies do on behalf of our state’s beef producers, I would like to share my platform for this year. It entails all action words to: Appreciate, Deliberate, Anticipate and Radiate!

Appreciate. Whether through actual involvement in various unite endeavors or just financially supporting the work the cattlewomen do with donations and memberships, all of our efforts are needed and appreciated.

Deliberate. This second word of our theme for this year is that of taking the time and effort to really examine, reflect, seek professional guidance, consult, and do anything that will truly give a picture of needed changes, or even what will remain in place. A perfect example is the thought our past president Julie Barnett put in to elevate the work CCW does by actually cutting down on some of our previous work load. Her keen business acumen allowed some of our previous antiquated and time consuming methods to evolve. Julie was able to get our leadership team using Google Workspace so we are all able to work on live documents together, communicate and hold meetings via GoogleMeet, allowing us to be much more productive in a fraction of the time we used to spend. Another improvement was the ability to fill out all forms via the website. Julie’s deliberation has set us up to function like the nonprofit corporation 501(c)5 entity we are set up to be.

Realizing that the foregoing example is a state level change, for units it would be advantageous to look at bylaws, policies and procedures to see if they still apply in the new year and deliberate on the possibility that some things might need a change or fresh perspective. Through a simple process of deliberations, CCW members can improve their units, the state organization and the variety of ways we can reach the undecided consumer or reach the leftist population in California that still believes negative propaganda about beef.

Anticipate. By appreciating and deliberating we can more confidently anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We have a potential to be a propelling force. With more than 1,700 dedicated California CattleWomen we can accomplish limitless goals. With a social media portfolio of more than 5,000 followers we have been able to access more than 11,000 social media interactions in a month. This technology has proven both positively and negatively to show how people get their news. According to Elisa Shearer, more than eight in 10 Americans get news from their digital device. This holds true in the realm of gathering information, for understanding more fully the realities of the beef industry.

I see potential for the California CattleWomen and Cattlemen to pool their resources to reach a broader segment of our population via media ads and exposure. Yes, I am an optimistic person, that anticipates a future of cattle ranching for years to come, as in our CattleWomen’s creed, Alda Sobak and Joan Hemsted wrote, “Believing that the livestock industry is of basic importance to world existence.” There is no anticipating that now,

because, as the population continues to exceed beyond imagination, we are able to provide the most nutritious protein there is, starting from infants to centenarians.

Radiate. All who live on a ranch or work on one can attest how powerful the sun is when it is radiating down on you when you are on horseback, or on-foot working cattle. Powerful, motivating, and at times extremely scorching, if yes to any of those descriptive situations, then you realize there is need to radiate our ideals and truths, and we are a tough breed that have chosen to dedicate our lives, our bodies and our entire families to work that is sometimes unendurable, but necessary to produce a product that feeds the world.

Relishing the positive aspects of working outdoors with horses and cattle, we are also able to radiate that feeling and love to the public in our messages, so that they in turn can appreciate the care and dedication we put into the product they purchase. Finally, in closing I wish to reiterate the theme of my first year, as president, “Appreciate, Deliberate, Anticipate and Radiate!” As our California CattleWomen Creed articulates, “The hope and faith in the future that is inherent in Cattlemen and CattleWomen!”

Made with Love

BEEF RIB ROAST WITH CHOCOLATE-PORT SAUCE & GOAT CHEESE POTATOES

Time Required: 3 hours

Serves up to 10

Ingredients:

1 beef Ribeye Roast Bone-In (2 to 4 ribs), small end, chine (back) bone removed (6 to 8 pounds)

Salt

Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

3 1/2 pounds potatoes

Goat cheese Mashed Potatoes

Seasoning

3 tablespoons freshly grated orange peel

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 tablespoon coarse grind black pepper

Chocolate Port Sauce

3 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup finely chopped shallots

1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme

1-1/4 cups port wine

1 can (14 to 14-1/2 ounces) beef broth

3/4 cup whipping cream

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3/4 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Salt and ground black pepper

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine seasonings; press evenly onto all surfaces of roast. Place roast, fat side up, in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching bone. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 350°F oven 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours for medium rare; 2-1/2 to 3 hours for medium doneness.

Meanwhile prepare Chocolate-Port Sauce. Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and thyme; cook and stir 4 to 6 minutes or until shallots are lightly browned. Add port; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring occasionally. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 15 to 17 minutes or until reduced by one half, stirring occasionally. Stir in cream, soy sauce and cook 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Keep warm.

Cook’s Tip: Sauce may be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving. Do not boil.

Remove roast when thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 145°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°-15°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.)

Cook’s Tip: To prevent seasoning on roast from overbrowning, tent loosely with aluminum foil after roasting for 1 hour.

Carve roast into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with sauce and mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes: Peel potatoes and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place potatoes in stockpot and add enough water to cover potatoes; add salt as desired. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are tender. Drain well. Mash potatoes with 1-1/2 cups milk, 6 ounces softened goat cheese and 2 tablespoons butter in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Season with 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper, as desired. Keep warm.

NO BETTER BUSINESS ENTHUSIASM GROWS FOR ALL BEEF SECTORS

by Matt Macfarlane for the California Cattleman

As I sit down to write this column, I am reviewing my sale schedule for February and March and looking forward to attending long time sale events and working with and managing some new ones. My calendar will take me all over the country representing the California Cattleman. Primarily I will be in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington but I will also be visiting Texas and the Badlands region. Like always, I look forward to the opportunity to share the ingenuity of California’s resilient beef producers with people across the region.

Something I really appreciate about my field is the diversity it allows me to experience across all facets of the beef industry. I was raised a ranch kid on operations in Nevada, Idaho and California. I was exposed to the importance of good genetics form an early age and was able to take the knowledge I gained there and apply it to the show ring, where my experience was greatly expanded. Through college I learned about supply and demand for our product and was propelled into semen sales which eventually led me back to California where marketing and cattle sales became the focal point of my career. The thing I love most about my job is that it still allows me to dabble in all sectors of the beef business.

Occasionally I come across producers who frown on fellow cattlemen and women who produce animals for the show ring or other fields differnt from themselves. Conversely, I might come in contact with a show family who can’t really relate to the commercial industry. I am here to tell you and them that great people and educated industry minds are found in all circles. From the cow-calf guy and seedstock producer to the sale barn, feedlot and everywhere in between, we all need each other to propel our way of life into the future. The show ring plays an integral role in helping our youth find their place in the industry while putting our wholesome way of life on display.

I arrived home yesterday from the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo., where my enthusiasm for the future of this business was reinvigorated by the number of people who showed up at this historic industry event.

Denver has long been a leader in the western industry but attendance this year was something to behold and was a reminder that no matter what problems plague the world, our industry is a place people want to be and the interest is catching.

We live in a world where most recently Angus cattle have been the sought after breed and trendsetter. While our Angus friends still had a great stock show season, it was exciting to see the enormous turnout in buyer numbers at the Hereford and Simmental events that I attended as well.

As I have been studying trends and predictions for what 2023 has in store for the beef industry, I am firmly of the belief that live cattle sales will be extremely good on the video, at the sale barn and at upcoming production sales. In my mind, barring any major black swan events, I believe the next couple of years could be very good for beef producers at marketing time as declining cattle inventory numbers lead to better cattle markets.

As for California specifically, if we could soak up and store some of this rain water, that too would be a good thing. It appears we should have a great early grass season. We all know in the food production industry that all factors are rarely favorable at the same time so if we can get a good cattle market and plentiful rain in the same year no matter what the quantity, I guess we should take it while we can.

Too Much of a Good Thing when drought turns to flood

from the California Cattlemen’s Association

Cyclical weather patterns have always shown that California’s dry spell wouldn’t last forever. Despite plentiful prayers in recent years asking for abundant rainfall, dry spells up and down the Golden State persisted across most of California. Just as in droughts of the past, farmers and ranchers awaited highly anticipated rainfall that they knew would eventually come. All the while questions lingered about how much rain would come, when it might arrive and in the back of all farmers’ and ranchers’ minds the biggest question of all, would the storms come in proper succession that would allow the parched and depleted rangeland to absorb and properly utilize the moisture.

Then as 2022 came to a close and 2023 approached, the rain arrived. It kept coming. And coming. Quickly that biggest question of all was answered and cattlemen, women, landowners and farmers across the state were reminded of the frustration of Calfornia’s increasing need for water storage.

With drought and fire continuing to be one of CCA’s most frequent conversations with legislative and regulatory offices, water storage has always been a leading discussion as we prepared for the day the rainfall arrived. To date no solution has been found though many reservoir projects and discussions have been progressing.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board to fast-track efforts to capture flood waters to recharge groundwater basins. Water captured during extreme wet periods such as the one California is now experiencing will be stored in groundwater basins for use during dry periods.

Governor Newsom’s “California Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” calls on DWR and the State Water Board to work with local agencies to significantly expand the State’s ability

to capture water from winter storms and adapt to more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change. DWR and the board are working together to expedite the regulatory steps necessary to store significant rainfall and excess water underground, while still ensuring protections for the environment and other water users as required in State law.

“The State is capturing more water supply by accelerating groundwater recharge permitting and projects that mitigate the impacts of prolonged drought and support long-term sustainable groundwater management,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Projects that capture available precipitation, stormwater, or floodwaters to recharge depleted groundwater basins need to be ready to capture high flows when they are available during each wet season, typically October through April in California.”

The State’s efforts reached a milestone on Jan. 6 when the State Water Board approved a sixmonth permit that will enable multiple landowners to divert excess flows from Mariposa creek near the City of Merced to recharge a key groundwater basin. The Merced Project permit, the first approved under a new pilot regulatory assistance program, is expected to pave the way for future projects to allow water from wet-weather storms to be captured and diverted. The permit will cover multiple diversions by multiple landowners in a coordinated fashion managed by a groundwater sustainability agency.

The pilot program began in August 2022 with an application from the Merced Irrigation District and the Merced Irrigation-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency to divert and store water from the Mariposa creek. The permit application authorizes diversion of up to 10,000 acre-feet of water from the creek during periods of high flows

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that would otherwise likely flow through the system. The Merced Subbasin is one of 21 basins in the state of California identified as “Critically Overdrafted” by DWR.

“The review process for these permits is complex and must consider impacts to the environment and existing water rights, including those dependent on specific Delta conditions and state and federal water project requirements,” said State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. “In acknowledgement of this complexity, we have streamlined the process so we issue them in a timely way and help local agencies succeed in capturing stormwater for recharge and bringing stressed groundwater basins into balance.”

Since 2016, the State Water Board has approved 20 temporary permits. Currently there are five applications pending, with two more projected to be approved next week. The remaining three are going through a public noticing process.

The Merced Project’s permit includes multiple points of diversion. Diversions will be directed to a number of agricultural fields to support groundwater recharge consistent with the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Water diverted for recharge purposes will be applied to working agricultural lands only, and water stored will be accounted for in the upcoming growing season as the first irrigation water to be pumped from the aquifers.

“Merced Irrigation District is excited to partner with DWR supporting GSAs with this crucial pilot project intended to help groundwater basins become sustainable by turning potential flood waters into groundwater recharge opportunities,” said Hicham Eltal, Deputy General Manager, Merced Irrigation District. “The project is intended to show that the subsidence being experienced

in part of the Merced Groundwater Basin along the San Joaquin River can be addressed while simultaneously reducing recurring flood events from local creeks tributary to the San Joaquin River. The goal is that this effort paves the way for acquiring temporary permits to divert flood flows by GSAs throughout the State to help groundwater basins reach sustainability.”

As part of the Newsom’s Administration water supply strategy, the State is looking to expand groundwater recharge by at least 500,000 acre-feet in potential capacity. By expediting groundwater recharge projects, the State can help local agencies prepare now to take advantage of future heavy precipitation events. Early pilot project efforts, like the Merced Project, will demonstrate the feasibility of capturing available high flows for groundwater recharge while minimizing flood risks, and provide insight to support further streamlining of this process.

Groundwater basins serve as the state’s water savings account and are intended to provide a reliable water source when we have less rain and snowmelt. As weather patterns have become more variable and extreme from the effects of climate change, resulting in more frequent and consequential droughts and high flow events, replenishment of depleted groundwater basins is an essential part of California’s long-term water resilience and drought mitigation efforts. Significant expansion of groundwater recharge projects such as the Merced Project will be required to support environment, agricultural uses, and ability to withstand future droughts.

As rain season continues for CCA members and California beef producers, CCA will continue to provide information to members about mitigating the impacts of the much needed rainfall that has been received by cattlemen and women in all parts of the state.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE 3.10.23

FEATURING GUEST CONSIGNORS HIGH DESERT CATTLE COMPANY

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SELLING 110 YEARLING & 35 FALL ANGUS BULLS | 23 HEREFORD BULLS

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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to respond to the statewide impacts from a series of severe storms that have inundated the state since late December.

The latest atmospheric river produced heavy precipitation in Central and Southern California leading to extremely high flows on many rivers and streams. The timing between storms is important for river levels to come down between rises, but DWR officials warn that more areas will become susceptible to flooding with each successive storm.

Flood management systems across the State are being constantly monitored by the State-Federal Flood Operations Center and are operating pursuant to flood management needs and requirements based on forecast conditions as they develop.

Flood-fight materials and equipment have been positioned at 49 locations statewide to support state and local response. Flood-fight specialists are being deployed as needed to help local agencies assess critical locations along leveed segments of the flood control system.

“We’ll keep working with our local partners that have requested materials and crews to support their flood fights as these response efforts continue,” said Jeremy Arrich, Manager of DWR’s Division of Flood Management. “The Cosumnes River in Sacramento County has been an area we’ve been highlighting. The flood fight measures that we put in place, working with the local partners, have held through the storms this week. We’ll continue looking at that system and monitoring how those flood fight measures are performing.”

DWR is managing the State Water Project (SWP) this week to capture as much water from these storm systems as possible while meeting environmental requirements. The State Water Project’s largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, was now 1.3 million acre-feet and climbing as of press time, but over 2 million more acre-feet of water is still needed to fill the lake due to the extreme drought conditions over the last few years.

“These storms have not ended the drought,” said Molly White, Water Operations Manager for the State Water Project. “Major reservoir storage remains below average, and conditions could turn dry again this winter, offsetting recent rain and snow.”

Follow DWR’s Twitter account for current updates and flood safety tips. For latest reservoir conditions, visit CDEC at https://cdec.water.ca.gov.

DESPITE RAIN, DWR SAYS DROUGHT IS NOT OVER

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COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR TAKING NUTRITION INTO THE NEW YEAR

from the California Beef Council

With the start of a new year, it is very common for people to set New Year’s resolutions. For many, that might look like watching what they eat, trying to shed a few pounds, or following a new diet. The California Beef Council (CBC) knows how important it is to keep beef nutrition messaging front and center, not just at the beginning of a new year but yearround. Beef can support a well-rounded diet, and CBC registered dietitian Kori Dover makes sure California consumers are aware of that.

Last December, Dover attended The Culinary Institute of America’s Healthy Kids Collaborative annual summit. The summit was a unique collaboration between K-12 school nutrition professionals, school chefs, suppliers, and other stakeholders focused on creating and promoting culinary-driven, healthier foods for kids. As one of the sponsors of the summit, the CBC was able to participate in the discussions regarding healthy school meals.

The top four conference sponsors were paired with school foodservice operators for two different culinary competitions. As a top sponsor, the CBC worked alongside school foodservice professionals to create a breakfast and lunch kid-friendly dish featuring beef. Team California Beef Council received 1st place in the kids’ choice cooking competition for their breakfast — Ultimate Cheddar and Beef Sausage Biscuit! Taste testing at the summit is pictured above.

In January, Dover attended the School Nutrition Industry Conference, one of the most innovative conferences in school nutrition. She represented the CBC and connected with school nutrition operators and industry professionals to promote the nutritional value of beef and its role in school meals. She will follow-up this effort by hosting a webinar in February with school nutrition professionals, in collaboration with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

The CBC Food and Nutrition Outreach program’s 2023 Marketing Plan also includes engaging in beef nutrition discussions with organizations like Food and Culinary Professionals (FCP), California School Nutrition Association (CSNA), California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND),

and the Nutrition Communication Training program, which is organized through California universities.

While all of these efforts are important, there may be indications that American consumers are already including beef in their dietary plans for 2023. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, conducted their annual holiday consumer survey with over 1,000 respondents to identify the potential impacts of current market trends on shifting consumer preferences. Forty-three percent of respondents expressed interest in receiving beef steak menu ideas for New Years. This positive consumer response coupled with the CBC’s nutrition outreach efforts is something that California beef producers can look forward to watching unfold in the new year.

To learn more about the CBC and its promotional efforts, please visit our website www.Calbeef.org.

NCBA FILES SUIT OVER ADMINISTRATION’S WOTUS RULE

On Jan. 19, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the Biden administration’s final “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.

“The Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is an attack on farmers and ranchers and NCBA will be fighting back in court,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “The rule removes longstanding, bipartisan exclusions for small and isolated water features on farms and ranches and adds to the regulatory burden cattle producers are facing under this administration. We look forward to challenging this rule in court and ensuring that cattle producers are treated fairly under the law.”

NCBA previously filed technical comments on this rule, highlighting the importance of maintaining agricultural exclusions for small, isolated, and temporary water features, like ephemeral streams that only flow during limited periods of rainfall but remain dry the majority of the year. Regulating these features at the federal level under the Clean Water Act disrupts normal agricultural operations and interferes with cattle producers’ abilities to make improvements to their land.

“Farmers are stewards of the land and understand the importance of clean water. Unfortunately, this rule lacks common sense and

makes our lives more complicated,” said NCBA Policy Vice Chair Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. “My cattle operation in southwest Virginia has a creek that only carries water after large storms. Under this WOTUS rule, we could be subject to complex federal regulation. I’m proud of NCBA’s work fighting back against this rule and I hope the uncertainty created by WOTUS will soon be a thing of the past.”

Last year, more than 1,700 individual cattle producers sent messages to the EPA opposing the administration’s overly broad definition of WOTUS. Producers once again shared their views with the EPA at an agency roundtable last June and even the EPA’s own Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee urged the EPA to consider a more limited rule. Unfortunately, EPA failed to incorporate the cattle industry’s recommendations, and NCBA will be suing to stop this rule from harming cattle producers.

“NCBA is also concerned that the EPA charges headfirst on a controversial rulemaking while this very issue is currently before the Supreme Court. We look forward to a decision in Sackett v. EPA,” said Hart.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Sackett case on Oct. 3, 2022, and is expected to release a decision in early 2023.

NCBA STATEMENT ON PROPOSED TRACEABILITY RULE

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-Elect Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer and chairman of the NCBA traceability working group, released the following statement Jan. 18, regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule on electronic identification for cattle moving interstate:

“As USDA has worked toward a nationally significant animal disease traceability program, NCBA has remained engaged in the conversation with industry stakeholders and USDA to ensure the interests of cattle producers are represented and protected. It is critical that any program ultimately adopted by USDA allows for maximum flexibility and privacy. At the same time, USDA must also minimize the costs for producers and any business disruptions to the industry.

“Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks across the globe continue to result in disruptions to commerce and depopulated livestock, the need for bold action is immediate and evident. However, NCBA is committed to working with USDA to ensure workable solutions are identified and ultimately implemented. Cattle producers can be confident that any finished product will protect our national livestock herd. We will ensure it provides maximum producer privacy and flexibility with minimal costs, exactly what our stakeholders have told us they expect from USDA.”

NCBA is reviewing the proposed rule in its entirety to determine whether it meets the criteria that NCBA’s policy has outlined below.

Background NCBA grassroots policy, which is brought forward and voted on by individual cattle producers, states that NCBA believes an effective animal disease traceability program should:

•Be compatible with private sector animal ID and verification programs backed by the USDA.

•Be compatible with the general traceability principles of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

•Recognize existing USDA programs for beef exports.

•Be built using infrastructure that supports other potential uses of ID.

•Utilize low-cost electronic official tagging devices paid for by federal and/or state funds, when possible.

•Require that cattle ID information for disease traceability be kept confidential and strongly protected from disclosure.

•Protect ownership information from disclosure to future owners.

•Protect producers from liability for acts of others, after the cattle have left the producer’s control.

•Operate at the speed of commerce.

•Not replace or impede existing state brand inspection activities.

•Work within a framework to accommodate all classes of cattle.

FUNDING THE FUTURE

COLLEGES RECEIVE USDA GRANT FOR NON-LAND-GRANT COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

by CCA Association Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Chico and the University of Wyoming have received grant funding from the USDA Capacity Building Grants for Non-LandGrant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA). The grant itself will allow these colleges to fund research, education and outreach programs that will focus on bull development. At Cal Poly, the grant will help fund undergraduate and graduate students, the beef outreach program and help purchase much needed equipment for the betterment of the Cal Poly’s Bull Test Facilities.

“One of my first tasks as a graduate student at Cal Poly, was helping to research and write this grant,” shares animal science graduate student Jordan Williams, San Luis Obispo.

Williams, who completed his undergrad at the University of Wyoming, shared that his decision on where to attend graduate school played into the drafting of the grant. Before he even set foot onto San Luis Obispo’s campus, Williams was figuring out which grant to pursue, what Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department was envisioning for the future of the Cal Poly Bull Test and identifying what to include in the grant proposal.

One of the main objectives of the research program is to use molecular biology to evaluate semen quality of bulls in Cal Poly’s Bull Test. Specifically, the research will investigate the influence of the microbiome and metabolic mechanisms that may influence semen quality. Students will also conduct behavioral assessments of bulls chute-side and in the bull pens to evaluate any behaviors potentially associated with dominance, such as mounting of other bulls.

Overseen by his graduate advisor, Zachary McFarlane, Ph.D., San Luis Obispo, Williams wrote the majority of the project narrative, coordinated with other students on creating graphics to illustrate what the research funds would go towards and planned how the grant would be utilized at the college beef facilities. The grant proposal also included coinvestigators from the three colleges with different specialties.

The grant currently in the works is also funding William’s thesis which involves two components of looking at reproductive physiology in yearling and mature beef bulls from a molecular biology standpoint.

With this research, he is utilizing two different disciplines of molecular biology, looking at the reproductive metabolome and microbiome. Studies in humans and many other animals indicate that the

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“ This grant honestly means everything. It’s a dream come true and is allowing undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to further examine, learn about and conduct extensive research on the bulls at Cal Poly.”

— Jason Dubowsky

microbiome and changes in metabolic mechanisms can influence fertility. These insights have helped develop some of the research objectives in the McFarlane lab.

“The grant means a lot to me, to have it be my first job as a graduate student and to receive it on our first try,” Williams said. “I have learned so much from this process that I’m going to carry with me into my future career.”

In the coming years, the goal is to create an exchange program between the three universities enabling students to participate in each college’s programs through research and hands-on activities. A program such as this will also allow students to observe livestock in different production systems and environments and see the production practices that each of these colleges follow. “This grant is a huge learning opportunity for students at Cal Poly, Chico and the University of Wyoming,” Williams said.

The University of Wyoming is forming a bull test of their own and will serve as a great opportunity for students from other universities such as Cal Poly and Chico to observe bulls in high-altitudes and learn how that factors into genetics and fertility. The same holds true for the students at Wyoming who will visit and see the production practices in California. McFarlane said, “The opportunity for students to learn about different production practices can help them in their future careers. Beef production does not take a one-size-fitsall approach to management. Students need to learn that beef production is dynamic, and this experience will help them adapt to the challenges of beef producers in different areas of the country.”

Hard work from those who drafted and submitted the proposal for the USDA NLGCA will open doors for so many deserving animal science students. However, the funds from the grant will also benefit those who buy and consign bulls to the Cal Poly Bull Test.

Past bull test manager and animal science student Jason Dubowsky, San Luis Obispo, explained that one third of the grant will go towards purchasing C-Lock SmartFeed systems for

the Cal Poly Bull Test. These automated feeders will enable students to observe feed intake and feed efficiency with the bonus of feeding behavior. The data collected will provide keen insights for bulls participating in the test and improve the service that Cal Poly provides to the beef industry. “Feed efficiency is a trait that is absolutely vital for us to collect at the Cal Poly Bull Test. With persistent drought conditions throughout the United States, it is crucial that we select for these traits moving forward,” McFarlane says. Jeff Clark, another past bull test manager, has served as the sales representative for these feeders aiding in the advancement of the bull test. Clark recently spoke at the Cal Poly Bull Test Field Day prior to the sale about the future of feed efficiency and the Cal Poly Bull Test.

“This grant honestly means everything,” Dubowsky shares. “It’s a dream come true and is allowing undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to further examine, learn about and conduct extensive research on the bulls at Cal Poly.”

With the wheels in motion, eager advisors and students, the next step for the grant is to continue to pursue support from university administration to work towards implementing the objectives identified. “This is a monumental experience for young beef producers and I will forever be a supporter of it,” Williams said. Stay tuned to the Cal Poly Bull Test’s social media pages for updates as they approach bull delivery in early May.

Cal Poly Bull Test Advisor, Zachary McFarlane, Ph.D. and past Cal Poly Bull Test Manager Jeff Clark, with a C-Lock SmartFeed Feeder.

POUNDS PAY

by Brittini Bates for Beefmaster Breeders United

Commercial breeders have many options today to market their cattle, and retaining ownership through the feed yard is one of those options. Performance and carcass data producers have received from the feed yard at Irsik and Doll in Garden City, Kan., prove Beefmaster cattle are more than just a maternal breed. Beefmaster and Beefmaster-cross cattle can perform in the feed yard, grade on the rail, and return a profit for producers who market their cattle on the grid. James Skelton, a Beefmaster seedstock producer in Springdale, Ark., started retaining ownership of his calves through the feed yard in 2010, and he has experienced firsthand how well his cattle perform and can earn him a profit.

“This data tells me that Beefmaster and Beefmastercross cattle can do just as well in the feed yard as any other breed, and I have quickly learned how carcass data impacts my bull selection to produce the kind of quality calves that will grade and yield on the rail,” Skelton said.

Over the last seven years Skelton has marketed 453 through Irsik and Doll, and his average dry matter conversion rate is an excellent 5.29 with his best calves converting as low as 4.7. The more efficiently calves convert feed to pounds, the faster they gain, and the less money the producer incurs getting those calves to kill weight. Lower dry matter conversion rates means fewer days on feed and lower cost to gain which yields higher profitability.

At Vaughn Family Farms in Mount Vernon, Mo., owner Davin Vaughn considers their successful low feed conversion as the primary factor to their profitability. His added emphasis on efficiency as a criteria for breeding selection has proven beneficial when retaining ownership of feeder cattle.

“With the last group of cattle we marketed on the grid, we were able to profit $410.57 per head solely based on, what I feel after looking at the data, was low dry matter conversions and a zero percent death loss,” Vaughn said.

Cattle feeder Mark Sebranek said dry matter conversions are really important and can have an impact on cost to gain, especially with the increased corn prices and volatility of grain prices.

“So, it costs the producer less because it doesn’t take as much feed to make these cattle gain,” Sebranek said. “I’ve been impressed with the quick advancements the producers have been making with these Beefmaster calves.” After his average price per head increased by almost $200 from the first set of calves to the second, Skelton said he quickly learned he was leaving $200 to $300 per head on the table by marketing his weaned calves at the sale barn.

Likewise, Jerry Glor from Halfway, Mo., said he prefers retaining ownership through the feed yard due to the premiums he receives for his straight

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54

bred Beefmaster calves, and selling on the grid provides him a way to market his steers.

“It’s not unusual for Beefmasters to grade Choice or better, and I really enjoy seeing those kinds of premiums for my calves at the feedyard,” Glor said.

Despite the industry misconception that Beefmasters do not grade well, these producers have experienced a high percentage of their Beefmaster calves grading Choice or better. A majority of Skelton’s cattle grade choice, and Vaughn said 76 percent of his last group graded choice or above and 15 percent qualified for

Certified Angus Beef (CAB), which accounted for a $62 per head premium. Of those that qualified for CAB, one head was 3/4 Beefmaster and 1/4 Angus while the rest were straight bred Beefmaster.

“The industry’s perception is Beefmaster cattle typically do not excel in quality grades; however, you’re just leaving money on the table by not breeding for cattle that can have higher marbling scores without sacrificing yield. Because we use marbling as a selection tool, we are able to capture those kinds of added premiums,” Vaughn said.

Beefmaster and Beefmastercross cattle do combine efficiency, quality grade and they add on pounds which Sebranek emphasized is the biggest profit driver in the feed yard.

“We have seen the improvement in performance, dry matter conversions and quality grades in these cattle,” Sebranek said, “but at the end of the day, pounds are what pay.”

As much as the results from the feed yard tell a producer where he can improve, data can also show what producers are doing correctly. Hot carcass weight is what gives Beefmasters the competitive advantage. A highly heritable trait, dressing percentage is what packers are paying for, and Beefmasters certainly deliver.

“The biggest advantage I see with Beefmaster cattle is in dressing percentage,” Sebranek said. “In some cases, when the Choice and Select spread is lower, we actually see the Beefmaster cattle bring more than Angus, Hereford and other breeds just because of dressing percentage. These Beefmaster cattle hang up a nice large carcasses with large ribeyes.”

Sebranek compared a 700-pound Prime Angus carcass and a 900-pound Select Beefmaster carcass. Because pounds pay,

Sebranek said, the Beefmaster carcass is likely to bring a higher premium. With the advancements in DNA testing and genetic markers, there is an unparalleled opportunity for producers to more easily improve quality grades than ever before.

In terms of profitability, Vaughn said their margins were slightly larger in their straight bred Beefmaster cattle as compared to the Anguscrossed calves primarily based on dressing percentage and yield. Of their last group killed, the average dressing percentage was 65.1 percent, average yield grade was 3, and hot carcass weight averaged 895 pounds.

Beefmaster and Beefmastercross cattle can also attribute success in the feed yard to their hardy traits and natural ability to fight diseases. In the seven years Skelton has fed out his calves in the feed yard, his death loss remains 0.22 percent while Vaughn’s death loss is 0 percent. Pounds pay, and feeders don’t make payouts on dead calves.

That includes feed, medicine, yardage, processing expense and insurance. The health bill is an added input cost. So, the healthier the calves, the lower the expenses, the more profit in your pocket.

“In my opinion, death loss is one of the greatest keys. These Beefmaster cattle go into the feed yard with an increased natural immunity as compared to English and Continental breeds, and that’s just because of their natural disease resistance in addition to a stringent vaccination regimen we implement here at home,” Vaughn said.

All of these producers have fed cattle during different seasons throughout the year, so they experienced some of the harshest West Kansas winter as well as the harsh summer, proving Beefmaster cattle perform well in a gauntlet of climates from South Texas to the Kansas plains.

“I can’t control the markets, but I focus on what I can control like genetic selection and animal wellness,” Vaughn said. “We are not in the cattle feeding business. We are in the seedstock business, but the reason we do feed out some cattle is because I know these Beefmaster cattle can be profitable in the feed yard, and it helps us make better breeding decisions for our customers.

The more data we utilize and pass on to our customers, the more informed decisions they can make.”

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It’s no wonder, that despite two of the worst drought years in Arizona history, Bar T Bar is the Number 1 breeder of Dams of Merit and Distinction in the Gelbvieh breed. Bar T Bar cows run under real world conditions. Bar T Bar bulls produce highly fertile, efficientsized cows that breed up and wean a high percentage of their own body weight. The March bull calf pictured weaned off his four-yearold dam at 639 pounds at 200 days of age.

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IN MEMORY

Susann Aileen Gallo Coleman, beloved and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 86 peacefully at home in Modesto surrounded by family on Nov. 25, 2022. Born in Modesto on May 28, 1936, Sue was one of three children of Julio and Aileen Gallo. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James Edward Coleman, her brother, Robert Gallo; children Christine Coleman, Gregory Coleman (Jessica), Joan Little (Rich), Caroline Coleman Bailey, Theodore Coleman (Rachel), Timothy Coleman (Kara), Anne Gordon (Stuart); 28 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Philip, and her son Bradley Coleman.

Susann’s father Julio and uncle Ernest founded E. & J. Gallo Winery in 1933. She grew up witnessing and participating in the rapid growth of what would eventually become the largest and most successful family-owned winery in the world.

Susann went to Modesto High School and upon graduation attended Oregon State University in Corvallis where she met her husband. Together, they were deeply devoted to their alma mater. She was very proud to be a part of the university’s first rally squad and to be a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. The relationships she forged at Oregon State University brought her great joy her entire adult life.

The strong family values she grew up with inspired her pioneering spirit and passion to open an antique business featuring 18th & 19th century European antiques. She opened Vine Cottage Antiques on G Street in Modesto in 1985. Eventually she moved her antique business to San Francisco in 2002 and changed the name to Garden Court Antiques. Overall, she spent 37 years in the industry as a renowned antique dealer.

Susann was a devout Catholic, parishioner and supporter of St. Joseph’s Church for over 50 years. She was a strong advocate for bringing the cloistered order, Sisters of the Cross, from Mexico to Modesto. She founded the Modesto Charity Antiques show which ran for over 15 years and benefited the Catholic Social Service Guild.

She was resolute in her support of charities and organizations that benefited her local Modesto community, including: the Modesto Symphony, Townsend Opera, Modesto High School, Central Catholic High School, BASH, Gallo Center for the Arts, State Theater, McHenry Mansion, Catholic

Social Service Guild, Daughters of Charity, Sisters of the Cross, Modesto Charity Antique Show, Modesto Antique Club, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

Her awards and achievements include: Master Lady, awarded by The Knights of the Vine, founder of Modesto Charity Antique Show, Central Catholic High School Board, a founder of the annual BASH fundraiser, and honored by the Angus Heritage Foundation.

Upon the death of her mother, Aileen in 1999, Susann naturally assumed responsibility as family matriarch and carried on the tradition of family unity.

Susann loved having a large family and adored her husband, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She took great pleasure in being a part of their lives, never missing a graduation, wedding, bridal or baby shower, and always making sure to call each one on their birthday. She delighted in hosting family and community events at her home, especially celebrating birthdays and holidays.

Services were held in Modesto on Dec. 12, 2022 memorial donations may be made to Sisters of the Cross, 1320 Maze Boulevard, Modesto, CA 95351, or Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton, 1106 N. El Dorado Street, Stockton, CA 95202.

JOHN FALEN

John Leroy Falen of Orovada, Nev., passed away on Dec. 17, 2022, at the age of 85, surrounded in love by his wife of 63 years, Sharon Falen, and his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

John was born on March 18, 1937, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Leslie and Letha Falen. He grew up on the L-F Ranch on Juniper Creek at the base of South Mountain, 40 miles southeast of Jordan Valley, Ore. John and his brothers, Roger and Loyd, rode their horses to school, and as was the case for other children in the area, school was coordinated around ranch work. John attended high school in Marsing, ID, batching near his uncle Earnest Falen’s home, returning to the L-F Ranch to work when needed. He attended college at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science in 1960. During his junior year, he met his wife, Sharon Franklin, of Moscow, Idaho. Their first date was on her 17th birthday, 65 years ago. They were married in 1959.

John, in every way, was a cattleman. He and Sharon started their lives with John working in feedlots, buying cattle and eventually partnering with Clarence and Wayne Johnson to operate a feedlot and livestock trading enterprise in Wilder, Idaho. In 1977, he leased two ranches in northern Nevada, the “Home Ranch” near Orovada, and the “UC Ranch” near McDermitt, Nev. The Home Ranch was where John and Sharon made their home. John, Sharon and family would eventually negotiate purchases for the Home Ranch and the UC Ranch so the ranches and the way of life could be passed down to their children and grandchildren.

The Home Ranch was also where John set forth on his pathway of servant leadership. Not one to ever take a break, for 20 years John served the school children in Humboldt County, Nev., as a member and chairman of the school board. During this time, he began his political career as an advocate for the ranching industry, serving as the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association president from 1997-99. He was also a member of Nevada’s Public Lands Council Committee, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Board, the NCBA Wild Horse And Burro Committee and president of the National Public Lands Council. John was appointed by the secretary of the Interior to serve on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Council. Although there were no wild horses on the Home Ranch or UC Ranch, John’s understanding of the livestock industry and his compassion for wild horses suffering from drought and starvation made

him the perfect advocate to work on solutions to remove excess horses from the range. Because of his work, he was one of the founding board members of the Mustang Heritage Foundation.

John’s passion for his family, his ranch and his community was evident in everything he did. John was ever present on local parade days in the Nevada towns of Orovada, McDermitt and Winnemucca, driving his team and wagon. Anyone who was within miles of the Home Ranch was encouraged to stop for a comfortable bed, a delicious meal or a good visit with John sitting at his gray metal office desk, with all the braided bridle reins and silver bits hanging behind him. The passing of John leaves a huge hole not just for his friends and family, but in the public lands livestock industry.

John is survived by his wife, Sharon; his son, Frank (Karen Budd-Falen); daughters, Judy (Hank Kershner) and Johnna (Tommy Bruhn); son-in-law, Loyd Sherburn; and brother, Loyd Falen. He had seven grandchildren, Jake Kershner, Becky Gallagher, Isaac Falen, Sharon Sherburn, Sarah Falen, and Kaylee and Gage Bruhn; and four great-grandchildren, Gauge Brown, Wesley Falen, Kinsley Kershner and Casey Gallagher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Les and Letha Falen; brother, Roger Falen; and beloved daughter Cindy Sherburn.

NEW ARRIVAL

Johnny and Kellie Nino, King City, welcomed a daughter, Theresa Marie Nino on Jan. 6, 2023. Theresa weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Grandparents are John and Susan Nino, King City, and George & Candice Mancino of Hollister.

To share your family news, obituaries, weddings and birth announcements, please contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845 or e-mail magazine@calcattlemen.org.

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

3841 N. Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95834 916-444-0845 (Office) · 916-444-2194 (Fax) www.calcattlemen.org

NAME(S): RANCH/BUSINESS NAME:

ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP:

E-MAIL ADDRESS: PRIMARY PHONE:

DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE E-MAIL BULLETIN? Yes No Recruited By_________________________

Step 1: CCA Membership

Statewide Allied/Feeder Associate $220 (includes Feeder Council Associate, Allied Industry membership and second membership. Second membership does not include Allied Industry voting rights.)

Statewide Stewards of the Land $150 (Available to non-producers that own land on which cattle could or are run.)

Y C M N -V M

Young Cattlemen’s Committee $ 25

 Must own fewer than 100 head of cattle.

 Must be 25 years of age or younger or a full-time student

Applicant’s Birth Date:_______________

 Calves under 6 months of age are not counted.

 Stockers pay at ½ the total number of stockers owned each year or minimum dues, whichever is greater.

CCA Supporting Member $100 (Available to non-producers who support the industry.)

Step 2: Other Optional Dues

CBCIA is an affiliate of CCA and is a producer driven organization that fosters beef cattle improvement and economical production based on information and education.

Regular Members: $35

Associate Members: $35

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: $100 (ASSOCIATES CANNOT OWN CATTLE)

Young Cattlemen: $ 5

LOCAL ASSOCIATON MEMBERSHIP: (Circle up to four below)

-ORif over 25 years of age

Applicant’s expected date of Graduation:

Step 3: Total Payment

APRIL 26 2-4 PM & APRIL 27 9 AM - 2 PM

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USE ON HEIFERS OR COWS

• Light BW with a CED EPD ranking in the top 1%.

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• Displays tremendous power and mass for a calving ease trait leader.

• Mating flexability with no Payweight , 10x, Enhance, Rampage, Prophet or Consensus derivatives in his pedigree.