March 2022 California Cattleman

March 2022

inside this Month...

Cattle Industry Convention recap Angus, Brangus & Simmental genetics genetic improvement through reproductive technologies March 2022 California Cattleman 1

THD ©

CLM REPRESENTATIVES Jake Parnell ..........................916-662-1298 George Gookin .................. 209-482-1648 Rex Whittle..........................209-996-6994 Mark Fischer ....................... 209-768-6522

SPECIAL FEEDER SALES

Featuring 2,500-head of feeder cattle on these Wednesdays:

MARCH 2 MARCH 16 APRIL 13 APRIL 27

Kris Gudel .............................916-208-7258 Steve Bianchi .....................707-484-3903 Jason Dailey ........................ 916-439-7761 Brett Friend ........................... 510-685-4870 Tod Radelfinger ..................775-901-3332

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY SCHEDULE Butcher Cows ................................... 8:30 a.m.

Cow-Calf Pairs/Bred Cows ..... 11:30 a.m.

Feeder Cattle ......................................... 12 p.m

AUCTION MARKET Address ..12495 E. Stockton Blvd., Galt, CA

Watch for our Monday Cattlemen’s Special Sale schedule to be posted in early April at www.clmgalt.com MARK YOUR CALE NDAR

Office...........................................209-745-1515

FALL ANGUS BULL SALES

Fax ............................................... 209-745-1582

Arellano Bravo/Diablo Valley/Dixie Valley Angus Bull Sale

Website/Market Report ..www.clmgalt.com Web Broadcast ......www.lmaauctions.com

CALL NOW TO CONSIGN TO THESE UPCOMING WESTERN VIDEO MARKET SALES: April 14 • May 5 • May 26 • June 9

2 California Cattleman March 2022

SAT., SEPTEMBER 10

TUES., SEPTEMBER 20

Thomas Angus Ranch California Bull Sale CLM REPLACEMENT FEMALE SALE AND 54 PARNELL’S ‘WORLD OF BULLS’ SALE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 TH ANNUAL

Females Sell at 9:30 a.m. • Bulls Sell at 12:30 p.m.

e v i l s u Join ine! l n o or WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THESE UPCOMING SPRING EVENTS...

WVM HEADQUARTERS | COTTONWOOD, CA

WVM HEADQUARTERS | COTTONWOOD, CA CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE APRIL 20

WYNDHAM HOTEL | VISALIA, CA

CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE MARCH 28

WVM HEADQUARTERS | COTTONWOOD, CA CONSIGNMENT DEADLINE MAY 18

TUNE IN ON DISH CHANNEL 998 FOR THE APRIL 14 AND MAY 5 SALES! IN ADDITION TO TOP CATTLE FROM REPUTATION CONSIGNORS, WVM SALES ALSO OFFER COMMERCIAL FEEDER LAMBS AND BREEDING EWES FOR SALE ON THE VIDEO!

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

March 2022 California Cattleman 3

CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

assisting cattle producers in navigating cumbersome details of regulation

by Noah Lopez for the Rancher Technical Assistance Program

Although I’ve spent most of my working life in crop production, the past year has given me an opportunity to learn about a new aspect of California’s agricultural landscape. If we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is Noah Lopez, and over the past year I have worked with Jack Rice and the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) staff to create the Rancher Technical Assistance Program.

Agriculture holds a special place in my heart.

It isn’t just that farming and ranching meets one of our most basic needs, but for those who have the privilege to work the land, cultivate crops and raise livestock, it provides something greater. The task of working with nature to produce something that nourishes people is truly rewarding.

However, as I wax poetic about the importance of agriculture, I can almost see eye rolls from those who know that for the most part, farming and ranching is long, hard days. A rancher’s job description is nearly as long as it is diverse: a cowboy, a mechanic, a veterinarian, an ecologist, a businessman and bookkeeper. As if this list wasn’t long enough, in California it would seem that a rancher’s job description should contain one more occupation: a regulatory expert.

Along with all the other commitments competing for their time and energy, ranchers in California are expected to navigate and comply with a wide and complex stream of regulatory obligations. It seems that around every bend is another set of requirements from any one of a cascade of regulatory agencies.

That is why last year the California Cattle Council provided funding to the California Cattlemen’s Foundation to implement the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). RTAP provides free regulatory assistance to all California cattle producers, regardless of association membership. Ranchers can call or email RTAP with their questions and myself and Jack Rice will provide detailed and specific assistance in answering those questions and understanding the issues.

Since June of last year, we’ve had the pleasure of working with ranchers from nearly every part of the state and on all kinds of issues. We’ve helped ranchers answer land use questions related to topics like the Williamson Act, conservation easements and even agritourism. We’ve navigated the tax implications of Prop 19 and what that means for those who want to pass a ranch on to future generations. We’ve researched and provided

information about transportation regulations, slaughter regulations and even depredation and take permits.

The most common questions we’ve received have been about water. This is no surprise given the drought that California currently faces. This last nine months we’ve had the opportunity to help ranchers understand and respond to curtailment notices received from the State Water Recourses Control Board (SWRCB) as well as answer questions about the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). We also were able to help numerous ranchers respond to being on the SWRCB’s “SB 88 Water Measurement Regulation Deficiency List.” We examined water rights on this list and provided information to ranchers regarding why they may be deficient and how they may become compliant. Given the high number of questions we received about SB 88, in February RTAP hosted a webinar that explored SB 88 water measurement regulations, including recent changes to the reporting due date and period.

It hasn’t all been regulation though. We’ve also had the opportunity to assist ranchers in understanding and accessing state and federal assistance programs. For ranchers who have had to deal with wildfire, we’ve helped answer questions about disaster assistance and permit re-entry. When possible, we’ve provided contacts of professionals that could help producers further. Personally, this last nine months has provided some of the most rewarding work I’ve had the pleasure to do.

Working with the CCA staff to better understand the issues and provide assistance, has been nothing but a joy and seeing the dedication of CCA’s officers and committee members has been truly inspiring.

But by far the highlight has been meeting all of you. Whether it be at local association meetings, CCA’s midyear meeting and annual convention, the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale or via email and phone, learning from California ranchers about the work you do and the passion you have has been deeply gratifying. Thank you all for reaching out to RTAP and welcoming me into your industry. In the coming months I hope to interact with even more of you. If you have regulatory (or other) questions, please reach out to us at the RTAP team. Our goal is to be an asset that helps ranchers keep ranching. We can be reached via email at rtap@wrstrat.com or via phone at (916)409-6902.

More information about RTAP can be found at calcattlemenfoundation.org/rtap.

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 your membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845.

The California Cattleman (Publication #8-3600) is published monthly except July/August is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without permission from publisher.

Periodical postage paid at Jefferson, Mo. and additional mailing offices. 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, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

4 California Cattleman March 2022

ON THE COVER

MARCH 2022 Volume 105, Issue 3 ASSOCIATION PERSPECTIVES OFFICER’S COLUMN Passionate about price discovery

8

YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK Legislation to preserve water training courses

12

NATIONAL STAGE Your 2022 NCBA President

14

PROGRESSIVE PRODUCER Studying fire to understand how it thrives

20

VET VIEWS Minerals and reproduction

28

COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR Cattle Council funding issues that impact you

36

SPECIAL FEATURES

Californians alead at NCBA meetings Sacramento’s political evolution Simmental shares beef industry realities Angus connections 81 years in Red Bluff Influencing genetic foundation Successfully syncing your cowherd Good news about year ahead Brangus vigor

16 24 26 30 34 42 44 46 50

Cattlemen’s Report Obituaries Buyers’ Guide Advertisers Index

49 55 57 62

This month’s cover photos of grazing Angus cows was taken by Edmund Lowe at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, in Oroville, where the basalt mesa with beautiful vistas of spring wildflowers, waterfalls, lava outcrops and a rare type of vernal pool make unique grazing ground for cattle ranchers but also show how cattle can positively impact natural resources.

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS MARCH 11

MAY 25-27

JUNE 22-23

MONTEREY COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S SPRING MEETING San Ardo CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA CATTLE FEEDERS MEETING San Diego CCA & CCW MIDYEAR MEETING Rancho Murieta

READER SERVICES If your local cattlemen’s association, cattlewomen’s unit or agriculture group has an upcoming event that may interest members of the California Cattlemen’s Association, contact us at (916) 444-0845 or by e-mail at magazine@calcattlemen.org.

March 2022 California Cattleman 5

PRESENTS...

THE IRON HOUSE CATTLE COMPANY

COMPLETE DISPERSAL SALE SELLING VIA IN-HOUSE VIDEO SALE

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 | 11 A.M.

800 ANGUS FALL CALVING COWS & SPRING PAIRS! SPRING PAIR OFFERING:

FALL BRED COW OFFERING:

75 1 CALF HEIFER PAIRS 80 2ND CALF PAIRS 95 3RD - 4TH CALF PAIRS 60 5-YEAR-OLD PAIRS 130 RUNNING AGE FULL MOUTH PAIRS 25 OLDER BROKEN MOUTH PAIRS ST

Calves at side will be born beginning Feb. 1 with 60-day calving window. At buyer's request calves can be Samson Age & Sourcd, Verified Natural & NHTC.

50 COMING 2ND CALF COWS 75 COMING 3RD CALF COWS 100 COMING 4RD & 5TH CALF COWS 125 RUNNING AGE FULL MOUTH 6- TO 8-YEAR-OLD COWS 30 OLDER BROKEN MOUTH COWS

Buyers will take delivery of spring and fall calving cows between April 20 to April 29, 2022 from the ranch in Oakley, CA.

OVER 20 YEARS OF SUPERIOR GENETIC SELECTION USING THE BEST ANGUS GENETICS FROM SEEDSTOCK PRODUCERS IN THE WEST. EVERY COW IS HOME-RAISED, BANGS VACCINATED WITH ONE IRON. CALVES HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN HIGH SELLERS ON WESTERN VIDEO MARKET FOR YEARS, SELLING AS SAV, NHTC AND VERFIED NATURAL.

ALSO OFFERING 400 FANCY AGE AND SOURCE VERIFIED NATURAL, NHTC ANGUS FALL CALVES FROM 350-500 LBS. LIVE THROUGH THE TLAY RING

AND

OFFERING 500 OUTSTANDING AGE & SOURCED, VERIFIED NATURAL, NHTC ANGUS LIGHT SPRING YEARLINGS ON WESTERN VIDEO MARKET IN VISALIA, CA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DAVID DAL PORTO MAX OLVERA

209 277-2063

6 California Cattleman March 2022

925 250-5304

THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA MARKETING CENTER

JOIN US TUESDAYS THIS SPRING FOR FEEDER CATTLE SALES STARTING AT 9 A.M.

MARCH 1 • MARCH 15 • MARCH 29 • APRIL 12 • APRIL 26 FEATURING LARGE RUNS OF TOP QUALITY WEANED CALVES FROM REPUTABLE CALIFORNIA CATTLE PRODUCERS!

ALSO WATCH FOR THE DATES FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL CONTRA COSTA, ALAMEDA, SAN JOAQUIN, STANISLAUS COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS' FEEDER SALES COMING SOON! FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR UP-TO-THE MINUTE UPDATES ON UPCOMING SPRING OFF-THE-GRASS FEEDER SALES

When marketing calves at TLAY, don't forget how essential the 2nd round of shots is.

Make sure to include a modified live vaccination!

CALL US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSIGNING YOUR CATTLE TO UPCOMING WVM EVENTS! JOIN US IN COTTONWOOD MARCH 3, IN VISALIA APRIL 14 AND COTTONWOOD MARY 5!

WATCH LIVE AND BID ON LMAAUCTIONS.COM

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR WEEKLY SALE REPORTS AND NEWS ABOUT UPDATED SALE DATES AT WWW.TURLOCKLIVESTOCK.COM OR ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! TLAY REPRESENTATIVES

MAX OLVERA...............209 277-2063 STEVE FARIA ...............209 988-7180 EDDIE NUNES..............209 604-6848 BUD COZZI ...................209 652-4480 JOHN LUIZ.....................209 480-5101 BRANDON BABA .......209 480-1267

JAKE BETTENCOURT..209 262-4019 TIM SISIL .....................209 631-6054 TRAVIS JOHNSON.....209 996-8645 JUSTIN RAMOS..........209 844-6372 JOHN BOURDET .........831 801-2343 MATT MILLER..............209 914-5116

TURLOCK LIVESTOCK AUCTION YARD OFFICE:

209 634-4326 • 209 667-0811 10430 Lander Ave., Turlock, CA P.O. Box 3030, Turlock, CA 95381 www.turlocklivestock.com

March 2022 California Cattleman 7

CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN

keep moving forward

takeaways from cattle industry convention

by CCA President Tony Toso There is a scene in the 2006 movie Rocky Balboa, one of Sly’s “later in life” productions, that has stuck with me since the moment I saw it. In this particular scene Rocky is confronting his son about the realities of life, and that it is not all sunshine and rainbows, and he is trying to get him to understand that no matter the amount of complaining or feeling sorry for himself he does, life will be life and he is going to just have to get tough and deal with it. It’s one of those moment’s that triggers reflection and a kind of “what’s it all about” thinking. In fact, I’ve even used it on my own kids when they were needing a shot in the arm. In short it goes something like this “It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

How much you can take and keep moving forward…that’s how winning gets done”.

The daily challenges we face as cattle producers are really no different. We are continually getting hit with issues and situations that we must address and then we are required to make those tough decisions that can have positive or negative impacts on our operations and our livelihoods. They don’t come easy; we deal with the tough situations, and we figure out how to keep moving forward and to succeed in spite of the continual challenges.

Last week in Houston at the 2022 NCBA Convention, CCA leadership was tasked and tested with one of those situations in the Live Cattle Marketing Committee meeting.

Since the 2020 “marathon in the mountains” summer meeting in Denver where the 75% plan was conceived, the industry has been trying to find direction and solutions to equitably price fed cattle in hopes that it would translate into more negotiated trade, credible price discovery, market transparency and ultimately higher prices back to the ranch.

To cut to the chase the 75% plan, while seeing increases in negotiated cash trade occur over the past year (in fact that part of the plan you could argue was successful), failed

8 California Cattleman March 2022

primarily due to lack of packer (Big four) participation of the plan. Within the 75% plan resolution, it did state that if the 75% plan failed, then NCBA would pursue regulation through legislation. At the same time as the industry was working through the 75% plan in 2021, two legislative “offerings,” that had been circulating about for the last couple of years, were brought up in the United States Senate. The first bill was from Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska known as the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2021, and the second from Sen. Chuck Grassley (Spot Market Bill) from Iowa which was basically a one size fits all 50-14 proposal. The Fischer Bill would establish regional mandatory minimum thresholds of negotiated cash and negotiated grid trades.

Over 2021, the two Senators eventually joined forces, with Senator Grassley supporting the Fischer Bill also known as SB 3229. As we moved later into 2021 and early 2022, the question on everyone’s mind was where would NCBA land on the policy question and what form of regulation would we pursue as members?

So to get some brief context, let’s step back to January of 2021. After going through that summer 2020 marathon meeting and the inception of the 75% plan and watching two Senators from prominent cattle producing states propose government fixes when a market-based proposal was on the table and trying to find it’s sea legs, it became clear that it was going to be a coin toss as to the success of the 75% plan.

To try and get ahead of the uncertainty and be well informed and well thought out, CCA formed the price discovery subcommittee in early 2021.

Over the past year this group, led by chairman Seth Scribner has held multiple meetings discussing, analyzing, and learning about the complex live cattle pricing system. We had a great cross section of ranching, feeding and ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

WARD RANCHES 16

th

Annual Bull Sale

Saturday, March 19, 2022

1 p.m. at the ranch near Gardnerville, Nevada 1155 Foothill Road Gardnerville Nevada

Selling 8 0 registered Angus bulls

Plus a featured selection of Hereford bulls from Mrnak Herefords West

50+ 18-month bulls • 40 yearling bulls • All DNA tested!

Sons sell!

Connealy Rock 277P

Casino Bomber N33

Also Selling A.I. sons of Angus standouts:

Connealy Emerald • Deer Valley Growth Fund • Sitz Achievement 743F • WAR Broken Bow T219

They sell!

Lot 86

Lot 85

Featuring Hereford sons of:

Guest Consignors:

Mrnak Her efor ds west

MHW 1504 ADVANCE 770 • BB 626 NEON 2068 • CX 2185 ADVANCE 140 & more!

PERFORMANCE DATA SCROTAL MEASUREMENTS SEMEN TESTED ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS

VOLUME DISCOUNT ON 5 OR MORE BULLS!

Gary Ward & Family (775)790-6148 David Medeiros (209) 765-0508 David Dal Porto (925) 250-5304 Loren Mrnak (775) 848-0160 P.O. Box 1404, Gardnerville, NV 89410 wardranches24@gmail.com

PRODUCING BULLS THAT MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY CALL ORMarch EMAIL2022 FORCalifornia SALE BOOK Cattleman 9

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 packing (not Big four, but local operators) interests on these calls working to help each other understand the differing segments from pasture to plate and think through where the problems lie in the supply chain. The entire CCA officer team was also included in these discussions. In addition to these multiple meetings, Seth provided a great Midyear meeting presentation to the membership on the subject in Paso Robles. Then, following the July NCBA Live Cattle Marketing meetings in Nashville last summer, he was also appointed to the NCBA Market Information, Transparency and Reporting Working Group whose report of findings was made to the Live Cattle Marketing Committee. This group was asked to consider, study and provide recommendations to help improve live cattle markets in the following areas, Livestock Mandatory Reporting – Confidentiality, Market Transparency, Captive Supply, Packers and Stockyards Act, Economic Research and Reporting Thresholds. That committee started work in about September and delivered their results in early January of this year and they worked incredibly hard on these various aspects of market functions.

Finally, CCA had a very informative panel discussion focused on the price discovery issue at our convention in December with an expert panel including Seth, Rob Johnson from Western Futures in Kansas City, who is in the fed cattle market daily and Derrell Peel, Ph.D., an agricultural economics professor at Oklahoma State University who presented and answered many questions from the audience.

CCA spent much time and effort on the subject and our price discovery subcommittee worked diligently through the year to learn and educate and continues to do so on your behalf.

As we moved closer to NCBA convention time it became more apparent that we should get prepared for robust discussions in the live cattle marketing committee. Where do we see ourselves in the future and how would we like to see policy shaped? Again, we convened into CCA Price Discovery Subcommittee meetings discussing the FischerGrassley Bill and the recommendations of the NCBA working group. We could find no evidence to suggest that cash mandates would improve producer profitability, however we did discover information supported by economic research that government intervention into how the industry trades fed cattle could have negative impacts back to the ranch and more than one agricultural economist has warned us to be careful about what we wish for, particularly when inviting a legislative body like Congress into our business affairs.

After a couple of evenings deliberating and considering what may well lie ahead in Houston, the group concluded that we simply could not support the portion of the FischerGrassley bill that would dictate levels of negotiated cash.

As such the subcommittee developed a resolution opposing any mandates on cash trade volumes for cattle and any other 10 California Cattleman March 2022

regulatory or legislative policies that would limit the methods producers utilize to market their cattle. The resolution was put before the CCA Executive Committee and was passed without opposition.

The merits of several proposed resolutions including ours, and two directives were considered in Houston. To start the day’s discussions, the original resolution from the 2020 Denver meeting which started the 75% plan was considered as amended to take out language from 2020 that pertained to the 75% plan. CCA then offered an amendment to not support mandatory government established levels of cash trade and the debate was on.

The outcome resulted in the original resolution that started the 75% plan being amended to update the language and then further amended to preclude mandates on cash trade volumes, which in so many words was the objective of the California resolution. CCA’s resolution was withdrawn upon the successful 141-to-46 vote for the twice amended original resolution.

To wrap this up and bring it back full circle, not everything in our daily routine is easily decided. Difficult decisions and situations are waiting for us each day. I understand that not everyone is going to approve of the position CCA took on this issue. I get it, but I hope that if you are in disagreement that you would understand that this was not taken lightly, and that CCA leadership and the Price Discovery Subcommittee members did a good job working through the information and making the best decision that we could with the information that we had and in the best interests of our membership.

It’s now time to move ahead and to tackle issues surrounding price discovery for the longterm benefit of all producers. As we rebound from two to three years of black swan events that have affected our markets, we are now beginning to see supplies of fat cattle tighten, and with record demand for beef, we are positioned to realize high market, or even record prices back to the ranch and in very short order. There is no denying that the simple concept of supply and demand will always loom large in how we get paid on the ranch. But maybe with tighter reporting requirements or the new partnership between DOJ and USDA to investigate anti-competitive complaints from producers, or in the area of reporting on, or the monitoring of committed/captive cattle supplies and how manipulation of these inventories can have a significant impact on price, we can make progress on reducing the volatility of the beef supply chain and just let the markets operate.

As producers, we can deal with supply and demand and most of the hard hits that the daily grind can throw at us. But we will take on those hits and move forward and we will stay vigilant and on watch trying to help maintain as level a playing field as possible, so you can operate your business as you see fit, because that’s how the winning gets done.

ck THE SEMI-ANNUAL a B s ‘ ’ t I !

HEALTH & HANDLING SALE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6TH 11:30 AM TO 1 PM

Oakdale Location Only

Complimentary BBQ Lunch COOKIES PROVIDED BY:

CATERED BY:

Copper Spur Bar-B-Que

Moss Rose Bakery

Also, attendees can enter to win extraordinary raffle baskets filled with product and goodies!

Great deals all day!

Shop our comprehensive selection of animal health and handling equipment featuring products and services by these industry-leading manufacturers and more...

L I F E SC I E NC E S

576 Warnerville Rd. Oakdale, CA

(209) 847-8977 www.conlinsupply.com

March 2022 California Cattleman 11

YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK CCA-SPONSORED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PRESERVE WATER MEASUREMENT AND TRAINING COURSES

by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur On January 25, Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) introduced CCA-sponsored Senate Bill 880. If signed into law, SB 880 would indefinitely extend the availability of University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) water diversion monitoring and reporting courses which certify ranchers and other water rightsholders as “qualified individuals” for purposes of installing and maintaining water measurement devices required by state law As many readers will recall, a 2015 budget trailer bill, SB 88, required all water rightsholders with diversions greater than 10 acre-feet of water per year to install measurement devices at their points of diversion (among other requirements). Implementing regulations enacted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in 2016 required those devices to be installed by “qualified individuals,” who for diversions of 100 acre-feet or more per year were defined as professional engineers or certain licensed contractors. Unfortunately, hiring “qualified individuals” to travel to often-remote points of diversion to install measurement devices can be quite costly: estimates ranged from a minimum of about $1,800 per diversion up to $15,000 per diversion for some water rightsholders.

To minimize the financial impacts to ranchers while ensuring the accuracy of water measurement data transmitted to the SWRCB, CCA in 2017 worked with Assemblyman Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) to sponsor Assembly Bill 589. AB 589 enabled ranchers and other water rightsholders to take an instructional course in water measurement from UCCE and, upon subsequently passing a proficiency test, become a “qualified individual” for purposes of installing their own measurement device.

The training has been wildly successful, with 1,328 water diverters taking the course since it was first offered in 2018 – including in online courses which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those diverters have each enjoyed substantial savings over hiring an engineer or contractor to install a measurement device.

Indeed, even the SWRCB seems to recognize the value of these “AB 589 courses,” as the courses have substantially improved the rate of compliance with water measurement and reporting requirements instituted by SB 88 and its implementing regulations. Most of the SWRCB’s water rights enforcement staff have taken the measurement and reporting courses, and have noted that these courses have enabled state regulators to better understand the unique challenges facing many ranchers and other water rightsholders.

As a compromise to ensure that AB 589 was signed into law in 2017, a “sunset clause” was added to the bill which would see the program terminated effective January 1, 2023. If AB 589 were to sunset at the beginning of next year, it could have significant ramifications for diverters. For 12 California Cattleman March 2022

instance, ranchers with diversions greater than 100 acre-feet per year would be required to hire engineers or contractors to replace or repair existing measurement devices, or to calibrate their measurement devices as is required by regulation every five years.

Given the immense success of the program, CCA is seeking via SB 880 to remove that sunset provision from statute, continuing the training program – and the “qualified individual” status it confers upon course participants – indefinitely.

We thank Senator Laird and Assemblyman Bigelow, who is a co-author of SB 880 in the Assembly, for their leadership on this issue. SB 880 will receive its first legislative hearing in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on Tuesday, March 8. CCA will keep you informed as the bill progresses through the legislative process and will continue to provide updates on CCA’s legislative priorities as the Legislative Session continues.

A Note on Water Use Reporting Due Dates

In addition to requiring water measurement at a point of diversion, 2015’s SB 88 required annual reporting of water diversion and use. Under the SWRCB’s regulations implementing SB 88, water diversion and use reports covered the calendar year (January 1 – December 31) and were due April 1 (for permits, licenses, registrations and certificates) or July 1 (for Statements of Diversion and Use for riparian and pre-1914 rights).

In 2021, another budget trailer bill, SB 155, changed those provisions in order to transition reporting to the water year (October 1 – September 30) and establish a uniform reporting deadline for all water rights of February 1.

As the SWRCB implements this transition, April 1 will be the reporting deadline this year for all water rights holders to report their diversion and use of water for the nine month “stub period” of Jan. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2021.

February 1, 2023 will be the deadline for all water rights holders to report their diversion and use for the water year beginning October 1, 2021 and ending September 30 of this year. Every February 1 thereafter will be the deadline for reporting diversion and use for the prior water year.

In February, Noah Lopez of the California Cattlemen’s Foundation’s Ranchers Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) hosted an educational webinar to go over these changes to the SWRCB’s water diversion and use reporting deadlines and to answer producer questions regarding the change. If you missed that update and are interested in watching a recording of the webinar, reach out the RTAP team at (916) 406-6902 or via email at rtap@wrstrat.com.

RTAP provides free regulatory assistance for all cattle ranchers in California with support from the California Cattle Council

CHOOSE THE GREEN, YELLOW, AND RED CHUTE FOR SAFER CATTLE HANDLING.

PROBLEM SOLVED &

EXPERIENCE VIRTUALLY SILENT, EFFORTLESS CATTLE HANDLING

PROCESS CATTLE FASTER THAN EVER WITH QUICK-RESPONSE HYDRAULICS. DOWNTIME IS NEVER AN ISSUE WITH THE INDUSTRY’S ONLY 15 YEAR WARRANTY*, AND OUR WORLD CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM THAT IS READY TO SOLVE ANY ISSUE YOU MIGHT HAVE.

1-866-383-7827 | ARROWQUIP.COM * Q-Power 107 Series: 15 Year Warranty or 50,000 total head of cattle | Q-Power 104 Series Models: 10 Year Warranty or 25,000 total head of cattle

March 2022 California Cattleman 13

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

SCHIEFELBEIN FOCUSED ON INDUSTRY’S FUTURE from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association A central Minnesota native, seedstock breeder and cattle feeder, Don Schiefelbein shares an appreciation, with many NCBA members, of a hard day’s work and the commitment to continuously improve. As he takes the helm of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) this year, he will bring important perspective to the job and is committed to working together to achieve crucial goals.

Schiefelbein is no stranger to cattle industry organizations and volunteer leadership. After college, he worked for Texas A&M Extension, and then for the Limousin and Gelbvieh breed associations before returning to the family farm in 2003. Since then, he’s served in a variety of leadership roles with the Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association, as well as for the American Angus Association and as an officer for NCBA. “If you are going to be successful, your industry must be successful first, so if you aren’t willing to put the time and effort into serving, then it’s basically going to be a potluck whether or not your industry survives.

I’m very fortunate to have been involved in the cattle industry through several different avenues and have seen what can happen when people come together. As NCBA’s incoming president, I hope to continue to do just that,” Schiefelbein said.

Through his involvement in industry organizations over the years, Schiefelbein said the goal and the purpose have often been the same. That’s the drive to protect the individual cattle producer’s ability to operate his or her business as they see fit, find ways to make a profit and pass on a legacy to the next generation.

For Schiefelbein, achieving this often comes down to being innovative and the importance of teamwork in tackling any job.

“My family’s story starts with my father building our operation, thinking outside the box to figure out how to get through the 1980s and bring a big family back to the farm full-time, and now operating as a valuebased, family business,” Schiefelbein said.

14 California Cattleman March 2022

Founded in 1955 by patriarch Frank II, the Schiefelbein family farm has grown dramatically over the years.

“When so many of my brothers wanted to return to the farm, and to survive through the 1980s, we had to focus on a maximum return mentality and what it was going to take to grow the pie,” Schiefelbein said.

Instead of focusing solely on cutting costs, Frank II encouraged his family to think about how they could increase revenue and find ways they could improve the operation. Schiefelbein considers his father a visionary that taught his children to be forward thinking. He credits this family mindset to the growth and diversification of Schiefelbein Farms that currently supports seven brothers, their wives and five nephews. Each brother is in charge of something that fits with their interests and talents, and Frank II is still keeping a watchful eye over daily operations. ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

PCC

HORIZON Reg: AAA 19845469 DOB: January 9, 2020

025

$40 SEMEN $50 CERTIFICATE

Contact the owners to order semen.

SCAN FOR VIDEO

SIRE: GAR Sunbeam DAM: Pohlman Barbara 8178 (Connealy Confidence Plus x Black Granite) CED

BW

WW

YW RADG DMI

SC

HP

CEM Milk DOC Claw Angle PAP

CW Marb

RE

Fat

$M

$W

$B

$C

+9

+.5

+67 +128 +.31 +1.13 +.69 +10.8 +11 +29 +23 +.43 +.36 +.80 +65 +1.21 +1.11 -.009 +71 +74 +202 +333

Horizon

025 was the $80,000 featured Lot X bull from the 2021 EZ Angus Production Sale that features excellent combination of calving ease and carcass merit with a top 10% RADG. He ranks in the top 20% for Docility and Claw Set with a top 10% Foot Angle EPD, and this balance across the board elevates him to the top 1% for both $Beef and $Combined Values.

He is one of ONLY three non-parent bulls with his multi-trait combination of CED, BW, WW, YW, Claw, Angle, PAP, CW, Marb., RE, Fat, MW, MH, $F, $G, $B and $C.

Horizon

025 is a deep sided, easy moving individual with added muscle and eye appeal. He charted excellent individual performance with WR 110, YR 113, and scanned a 119 IMF ratio and 110 for Ribeye after measuring a 15.5 Adj REA at a 1200 lb. scan weight.

His dam is an impressive first-calf heifer that’s moderate framed, big bodied and easy fleshing; typical of the Confidence Plus females.

Her maternal brother was the high-selling bull in the 2020 for Pohlman Cattle Co. and is now working at Dalebanks Angus in Kansas.

BASIN Angus Ranch Montana

EZ ANGUS RANCH Porterville, CA Chad Davis 559-333-0362 Travis Coy 559-392-8772

LYLESTER RANCH Martell, NE Brandon Snider 402-432-2541 Dan & Patricia Vergith 702-499-0783

BASIN ANGUS RANCH Joliet, MT Doug Stevenson 406-350-0350

POHLMAN CATTLE COMPANY Hereford, TX Scott Pohlman 806-346-3322

March 2022 California Cattleman 15

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

are heard as the organization continues to grow and unite its membership, and making sure NCBA is at the forefront of issues that impact the cattle industry to protect producer interests. He also plans to continue the organization’s focus on producer profitability and build upon the work in the sustainability space to create opportunities for members and their ability to pass on their operations.

Schiefelbein said he feels lucky to be part of his family’s operation and that he and his wife, Jennifer, were able to raise their three daughters, Shelby, Abbey and Bailee, on the farm.

“There’s just not many places in this world that gives you that opportunity,” Schiefelbein said. “As a family operation, I feel truly be blessed to be able to work with my family and do a job I love.”

Today, the family-operated business runs more than 1,000 registered females with the majority calving in the spring, farms 6,000 acres and feeds out around 7,500 head of cattle annually. The cattle operation is in its current state largely thanks to a focus on genetics which is integral to the farm’s sustainability story.

“We adopted the philosophy of making every mating count; in other words, every female has to have a high likelihood of producing a high-revenue bull. Every heifer is artificially inseminated twice, and every animal is artificially inseminated at least once, providing every opportunity to have the best genetics possible mated successfully,” Schiefelbein said. “We also have an embryo transplant program using marginal cows as recipients, so if we’re trying to breed a cow that is missing something we just make her a recipient.”

The result quickly produced their most current and highest-value genetics being Anaplasmosis is an infectious parasitic disease in cattle, spread offered to seedstock customers. And, the primarily by ticks and blood sucking insects like mosquitoes. The family has continued to offer value to their killed anaplasmosis vaccine protects cows and bulls of any age from infection and requires a booster given 4 to 6 weeks after the customers with a calf buy-back program that initial vaccination. Find out below if you should order the vaccine! was started more than 25 years ago. Simply put, Schiefelbein Farms buys back calves Do you NO YES own cattle? from their bull and female customers and feeds them out in their own feedlot.

“Sustainability, at its core, is about doing things better and more efficient. If you look at genetics, there is no means to do things Do they You don’t need it, graze in better and more efficiently than through this but should still areas where avenue. It wasn’t a generation ago when we YES Anaplasmosis support the used to feed out animals and it would take is a California you 2 1/2 years to get them to market. With problem?

Cattlemen’s (Consult your local our genetics and buy-back coordination Association veterinarian to find out) with our customers, our goal now is to have every animal harvested at 13 months of age, Do you want to prevent weighing over 1,300 pounds. That is super the effects of the disease sustainable from an efficiency standpoint, including severe anemia, weakness, fever lack of from a nutrient use standpoint and that really appetite, depression, YES has been a game changer in terms of really constipation, decreased allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint,” milk production, he said. jaundice, abortion and As he looks to his year as NCBA possibly death? president, Schiefelbein is serious about helping to lead NCBA’s fight for policies ORDER TODAY BY CALLING (916) 444-0845!

Available in 10 or 50 dose bottles and a business climate that supports 10-40 doses: $8.50 per dose cattle producing families. It’s all part of 50+ doses: $7.50 per dose maintaining the opportunity to make a living *10 dose minimum and $10 flat rate shipping SOLD ONLY TO CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION MEMBERS on the land.

He plans to focus on several priorities, including ensuring NCBA members’ voices

SHOULD YOU ORDER THE ANAPLASMOSIS VACCINE?

16 California Cattleman March 2022

NO

NO You don’t need to order it

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022!

Performance Plus Bull Sale

AT THE RANCH, EAST OF MADERA Featuring sons of these leading AI sires... sires...::

DEER VALLEY TESTAMENT 5205 BW +1

G A R PROPHET X A A R TEN X 7008 S A

WW YW MILK RE MARB $B $C +65 +126 +35 +0.74 +1.19 +153 +269

LINZ EXEMPLIFY

CONNEALY CONFIDENCE PLUS X RB TOUR OF DUTY 177 BW +0.8

WW YW MILK RE MARB $B $C +78 +142 +31 +0.99 +1.22 +195 +328

V A R POWER PLAY 7018

BASIN PAYWEIGHT 1682 X CONNEALY ONWARD BW +1.8

WW YW MILK RE MARB $B $C +89 +155 +25 +0.63 +0.79 +168 +295

Also selling top:performing sons of:::

JINDRA ACCLAIM • SAV EMBLEM • MOGCK ENTICE JINDRA ENCORE • SAV RENOWN • VAR DISCOVERY

Our bulls are bred with traits that matter to you the commercial cattleman... high weaning & yearling weights with maternal traits for replacement heifers.

O’NEAL RANCH BULLS OFFER THE COMPLETE PACKAGE! GROWTH • PERFORMANCE • ADAPTABILITY • CARCASS

O’NEAL RANCH RANCH THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 CUSTOMERS!

Since 18 7 8

Gary & Betsy Cardoza PO Box 40 • O’Neals, CA 93645 (559) 999-9510 | OnealRanch.com

ONLY OUR BEST WILL SELL TUESDAY SEPTEMBER. 6TH!

March 2022 California Cattleman 17

Business in the Lone Star State

california producers lead at 2022 cattle industry convention

by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti Less than six months after the 2021 event took place in Nashville, the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Tradeshow was held in Houston the first week of February. COVID forced last year’s annual meeting to take place in August, but for 2022 the event was able to return to its regular rhythm of happening in February. Although it was a short amount of time between the two annual events, there was no shortage of issues to discuss, speakers to hear from and announcements to be made at this year’s Cattle Industry Convention. And dozens of California representatives made the trip to the Lone Star State not just to participate, but to lead.

With cattle markets continuing to be at the top of many producers’ concerns, preparing to discuss solutions and create policy in Houston at NCBA’s Live Cattle Marketing Committee Meeting is where CCA leadership placed much of its attention ahead of the event.

California was well represented at the standing-roomonly meeting as seven producers voted on behalf of CCA with additional producers from the state and CCA staff in attendance. Once the time for new business on the agenda was reached, California was the first of any state to speak, with CCA Price Discovery Subcommittee Chair Seth Scribner, Paso Robles, offering an amendment for a current NCBA resolution to include opposition for any government mandates. CCA’s decision to push for no mandates resulted from the CCA Price Discovery Subcommittee’s months of work studying the markets and deliberating over possible solutions to fix disparities. CCA leadership ultimately determined that having the government involved in regulating how ranchers market their cattle and conduct their business is a step too far.

In the meeting, dozens of producers from across the country

18 California Cattleman March 2022

spoke both in opposition and in support of the amendment during the discussion period. Through a roll call vote, NCBA membership eventually voted on an amendment, as reported by Agri-Pulse, “to specifically state their opposition to cash trade mandates, adding clarity to an explicit part of a bill being pushed by a bipartisan group of senators on Capitol Hill.”

“We supported not going towards a cash mandate,” CCA President Tony Toso, Hornitos said. “That’s the position we took, but we did it with analysis. We did it with preparation. We did it trying to reason and logistically apply what we learned into those decisions. We didn’t do it haphazardly.”

The vote final was 146 in support of the no cash mandates policy and 41 in opposition. The policy was then approved at the NCBA Board of Directors meeting later in the week.

A full conversation with Toso explaining more about what happened in the live cattle marketing meeting, CCA’s preparation for it and the continued work CCA will be doing on cattle market issues is available on Sorting Pen:

The California Cattleman Podcast. NCBA’s Director of Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy, Tanner Beymer, also comes on the episode to give further details about the meeting and discuss what’s next for NCBA’s work to improve cattle markets. To listen to the episode “Sorting through CCA’s decision to keep the government out of cattle marketing,” visit the CCA website or search for “Sorting Pen” on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

In addition to the strong participation California had in the live cattle marketing discussion, California cattlemen and women also led in many other policy committee meetings and activities in Houston. NCBA’s Federal Lands Committee Meeting was led by CCA Past President Dave Daley, Oroville. Serving as chair of the committee, Daley brings firsthand knowledge of the issues producers face while ranching on federal lands. During this committee meeting, representatives from the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service spoke virtually.

Tim Koopmann, Sunol, is another California rancher who took a leadership role at the national level after serving as president of CCA. For the past two years, Koopmann has served on NCBA’s executive committee as the policy division chair for region VI, representing California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Koopmann’s term as chair ended at the region VI meeting in Houston.

During the meeting, the region’s constituents took a moment to thank Koopmann and recognize him for the time he put into the leadership role. Nevada rancher J.J. Goicoechea will serve as the region’s policy chair for the next two years.

Beyond leadership in policy committees and NCBA leadership, multiple ranching advocates from California received top honors at this year’s event. “Markie Hageman has been selected as the 2021 Advocate of the Year for her success in creating social media content that highlights the benefits of beef production, the cattle industry and what it’s like being a first-generation rancher,” NCBA announced.

Hageman is the vision and creator behind the social

media accounts @girlseatbeeftoo. As NCBA’s advocate of the year, she had the opportunity to speak on a panel discussing “Action with Advocacy” in the NCBA Tradeshow. During her talk, Hageman spoke about her experience with advocacy and shared her tips on being an advocate.

During the event, NCBA also announced that Hageman and another Californian, Sebastian Mejia Turcios, were two of ten selected to participate in the first cohort of NCBA’s newest advocacy program, Trailblazers.

“The new Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths,” a press release from NCBA states.

In addition to these California advocates continuing their beef promotion work, it was announced at the convention that former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is now partnering with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. “The partnership, which will last one year and tap into Romo’s vast fanbase, will promote all things beef – from beef nutrition, to how beef is raised, and of course beef ’s great taste,” a press release from the Beef Checkoff explains.

Other highlights from Houston included George Foreman and Joe Theismann being keynote speakers in general sessions. British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce and USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also participated in a general session on beef at home and abroad. Jim Gaffigan finished the event off with a comedy show.

Californian’s next opportunity to engage in NCBA meetings will be closer to home, as the 2022 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings will take place July 25-28 in Reno, Nev. The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow will be held February 1-3 in New Orleans.

CCA President Tony Toso, Price Discovery Subcommittee Chair Seth Scribner and Past CCA and NCBA President Kevin Kester share input during the live cattle marketing meeting at the Cattle Industry Convention.

March 2022 California Cattleman 19

Scenes from the South

NCBA’s Federal Lands Committee Chairman Dave Daley leading the federal lands policy meeting.

It was a full house for the anticipated live cattle marketing meeting in Houston.

Tim Koopman’s term on NCBA’s executive committee as the policy division chair for region IV came to a close and Nevada rancher J.J. Goicoechea will serve as the region’s policy chair for the next two years.

Dave Daley, Steve Arnold, Rick Roberti, Tim Koopmann and Carolyn Roberti were among the Californians who participated in policy committee meetings.

20 California Cattleman March 2022

CCA leadership put hours of work into studying markets and deliberating possible solutions to fix disparities prior to the meeting in Houston.

California CattleWomen left to right: Linda Borror, Cheryl Foster, Kendra McCluskey, CCA Second Vice President Sheila Bowen, Jean Barton and Debbie Torres.

As the 2021 NCBA Advocate of the Year, Markie Hageman spoke on an advocacy panel during the opening night of the tradeshow.

&

Rancho Casino

Dal Porto Livestock

A West Coast Source for Superior Angus Herdsires

Join us for our 31st Annual Bull Sale • Thursday, Sept. 15 • Denair, CA 2022 Offering includes standouts like you have come to expect for decades!

Featuring sons of these breed leaders!

Casino Bomber N33

DPL Chico U18

Reg No: 18658677 • Sire: KM Broken Bow 002 • MGS: DPL Upward L70

Reg No: 19039338 • Sire: Sitz Powerball 696C • MGS: Baldridge Yahoo Y58

Owned with Vermillion Ranch

Owned with Connealy Angus

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CW

MARB

RE

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CW

MARB

RE

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

+13

-1.4

+80

+132

+26

+71

+0.77

+0.94

88

114

61

175

299

+4

+3.2

+83

+144

+31

+63

+0.79

+0.75

84

110

59

169

277

DPL Growth Fund Y114

Casino Constable T34

Reg No: 19904224 • Sire: LD Capitalist 316 • MGS: Connealy Consensus

owned with Schaff Angus Valley, Benoit Angus, Hoffman Ranches, Knox Bros and Connealy Angus

Reg No: 20055352 • Sire: Deer Valley Growth Fund • MGS: Sitz Sensation 693A Owneed with Ward Ranches

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CW

MARB

RE

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

CED

BW

WW

YW

MILK

CW

MARB

RE

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

+2

+2.3

+83

+140

+24

+58

+0.97

+0.85

88

103

65

169

314

+14

+0.2

+79

+145

+31

+60

+0.69

+0.70

88

98

52

150

269

Also selling elite bulls from Deer Valley Growth Fund,Connealy Rock 277P, GAR Hometown, GAR Reliant, Sitz Barricade, Connealy Emerald, Casino Officer, DPL Alameda, Sitz Achievement and Myers Silverado Watch for an outstanding consignment of Rancho Casino and Dal Porto Livestock Bulls selling at Ward Ranch’s Angus Bull Sale March19 in Gardnerville, NV!

David & Jeanene Dal Porto

82914 Milburn Ave. • Anselmo NE 68813 • Oakley, CA 94561 David: 925-250-5304 • Jeanene: (209) 535-3657 www.dalportolivestock.com

Call to be added to our mailing list!

Follow us on social media!

David & Carol Medeiros

2800 Hall Rd • Denair, CA 95316 • (209) 632-6015 David mobile: 209 765 0508 • Matt Angell (559) 217-9064 www.ranchocasinoangus.com March 2022 California Cattleman 21

PROGRESSIVE PRODUCER

LESSONS ON WILDFIRE RESILIENCE

4,000-ACRE FOREST LAB UNCOVERS FIRE TENDENCIES

by University of California, Berkeley’s Kara Manke In his years managing California woodlands, Rob York has come up with a few quick and easy ways to gauge whether a forest is prepared for wildfire.

“The first question I like to ask is, ‘Can you run through the forest?’” York says.

York, an assistant cooperative extension specialist and adjunct associate professor of forestry at UC Berkeley, poses the question while standing in a grove of pine trees during a tour of Blodgett Forest Research Station, a 4,000acre experimental forest in the northern Sierra Nevada.

While fire suppression has allowed many of California’s forests to grow thick and dense, this patch of forest is one you could actually run through: The area is punctuated by large trees spaced a few meters apart, separated by a smooth carpet of dried pine needles.

“The idea is, if it doesn’t have a lot of buildup of surface fuel on the ground — sticks and logs — you should be able to run through it,” York adds. “Looking through this forest, I might have to jump over that log, but, generally, I could take a jog through it.”

For more than 50 years, York and other Berkeley forestry researchers have used Blodgett as a living laboratory to study how different land management treatments — including prescribed burning, restoration thinning and timber harvesting — can reduce the risk of severe wildfire and improve a forest’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. In addition to research, Blodgett regularly hosts workshops to demonstrate different land management techniques to landowners.

After another year of record-breaking wildfires in California, the work at Blodgett is more critical than ever, and state and federal agencies are motivated to enact more effective forest management practices. In 2020, the state and the U.S. National Forest Service jointly committed to managing 1 million acres of California forests a year, and last month the Biden administration pledged billions in new federal funding to reduce wildfire risk in the state. “[Blodgett] was really designed to eventually demonstrate land management alternatives and offer a

22 California Cattleman March 2022

glimpse into how they might look at bigger scales,” York said.

Though prescribed burning was once banned at Blodgett, it is now one of the primary tools that researchers use to reduce wildfire risk and maintain the biodiversity of the forest.

Experimenting with fire Blodgett Forest is “pretty representative of millions of acres of Sierra mixed conifer forest,” said Ariel Roughton, a research stations manager at Berkeley Forests. After the majority of its trees were logged in the early 1900s, the forest was donated to Berkeley in the 1930s with the intent that it would be used to study sustainable timber production. Aside from a few old relics that survived early logging, the majority of the trees are regrowth and approximately 100 years old.

The forest is currently divided into a patchwork of tracts, each having received a different series of treatments since active management began in the 1950s and 1960s.

And while fire suppression was once the policy at Blodgett — early fire ecologist Harold Biswell was even banned from using prescribed burns out of fear that they would interfere with the timber harvest — fire is now one of the primary tools that Blodgett researchers use to maintain biodiversity and reduce the risk of severe wildfire.

“Back then, people thought, ‘Why would you ever want to use fire for land management?’ They wanted to grow trees, they want to grow timber. The idea of seeing black and char was literally off the scale,” said Scott Stephens, a professor of forest science and co-director of Berkeley Forests. “It’s amazing that just a few decades ago, researchers didn’t have the opportunity to do the work that Rob and Ariel and others are doing up here now.”

In the open, airy tract of forest that York could easily jog through, blackened scorch marks extend 10 to 15 feet up the trunk of each tree. Ecologists believe that before ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Byrd cattle company’s annual Angus Bull & Female Sale

Friday, september 2, 2022 1 p.m. • los molinos, ca

130 BULLS SELL ZOETIS HD50K-TESTED WITH RFI, DMI & ADG DATA PLUS 75 FEMALES E-MAIL BYRDCATTLECO@HOTMAIL.COM OR CALL 530-736-8470 TO BE ADDED TO THE MAILING LIST

Byrd cattle company, LLC Post office Box 713 • Red Bluff, CAlifornia 96080

Dan BYRD 530-736-8470 • Ty BYRD 530-200-4054 byrdcattleco@hotmail.com • www.byrdcattleco.com THD© March 2022 California Cattleman 23

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 European colonization, these forests experienced fire once every 10 years or less, leading to open forest structures very similar to this one. Here, two years ago, Roughton, York and their colleagues conducted a prescribed burn to remove excess fuel from the ground and reduce the risk of wildfire.

“I think it’s important to remember that nature hasn’t taken its course without a lot of human intervention since the last glaciation, because there was strong Indigenous burning here,” said John Battles, a professor of forest ecology at Berkeley. “There has always been intense human stewardship of one sort or another.”

Rob York says a healthy forest is one that you can run through.

According to the researchers, it took 15 to 20 years of active management, followed by regular maintenance, to get the forest tract to this state. Over the years, they have worked to achieve the open forest structure by harvesting some of the bigger trees for timber, but leaving the largest behind. They have also used a machine called a masticator to chip up smaller trees and conducted regular prescribed burns.

While there are forest management strategies that can be effective on a shorter time scale, it usually takes at least a few separate treatments over the course of a few years to successfully restore a forest and reduce its wildfire risk, York explains.

“It can be a challenge to get to the forest structure that we want,” York says. “It takes a lot of time, and it takes a lot of investment.”

Climate change is also narrowing the annual windows of time when conditions are best for prescribed burning, limiting when and how often foresters can safely burn.

Hot, dry conditions usually make prescribed burning too risky during the summer, while rain and snow in the winter can leave the forest too wet and damp for fire to burn.

However, research at Blodgett is showing that, with the right management decisions, prescribed burning during the winter can be made more viable.

“Because of timber harvests that removed some of the canopy and subsequent treatments to remove the ladder fuel, we now have more light hitting the ground, and it dries out faster,” Roughton said. “We’ve gotten to the point out here where we’re able to burn more easily because of our past management actions.”

Friends of the forest While York likes to imagine running through the trees, Battles has a slightly different metric for evaluating the health of a forest.

“You need to be able to run through the woods,” 24 California Cattleman March 2022

Battles said. “But I also want to see all six of my friends as I do my run.”

Battles’ friends are the six tree species that make up the Sierra mixed conifer forest: oak, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, Douglas fir and incense cedar. Fire suppression — and the dense, overgrown forest structures that can result — often favor the survival of some of these species over others, leading to forests that are dominated by just one or two species. This lack of biodiversity can make the forest, as a whole, less resilient to stressors like bark beetles or tree pathogens, which often target some of these species, but not others.

John Battles likes to see a mixture of all six tree species that make up the Sierra mixed conifer forest.

According to Battles, the open structure and frequent fire at this tract of Blodgett has allowed all six of his friends to flourish.

“I see my friend, ponderosa pine, which you don’t see as frequently in the unburned forest because it’s shade intolerant — it needs light. I see oak, and it also requires fire to get a lot of the oaks,” Battles said. “I see all six of my friends all here, and you only see them when you have management like this.”

Over the past 20 years, research has shown that prescribed burning and mechanical thinning with tools like the masticator can also benefit soil quality and water availability, while having no significantly negative impacts on forest ecosystems. While burning or otherwise removing plants and trees can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which accelerates the impacts of climate change, reducing the risk of severe wildfire can help maintain the whole forest for long-term carbon storage.

However, applying these techniques across 33 million acres of California forestland remains a monumental task. Prescribed burning requires a great deal of expertise and is also limited by weather conditions and air quality regulations. Meanwhile, mechanical tree thinning can be costly, and unlike timber harvesting, it does not generate any revenue for landowners — though Berkeley researchers have suggested that creating a market for small trees and other woody biomass could help offset the cost while limiting carbon emissions.

“Fire used to be so common in this system, and that’s no different than in most forests in California.

But, when you take it out for that long, you begin this transformation,” Stephens said. “That’s why we have to get both public and private entities together to come up with a philosophy to be able to move forward on this. Blodgett is 4,000 acres — that’s interesting, but it doesn’t really address the needs of the state. We always hope that our work shows people what’s possible and then enables them to continue it.”

Want Good Bulls?

First, pick the right people.

Then, pick the right cows.

Bob and Judy Prosser are third-generation Arizona ranchers who understand commercial cow-calf operations.

This young female is on her third calf with a 365-day interval. She weaned more than 50% of her body weight and bred back.

THE BULLS WILL BE GOOD!

95 Red & Black Balancers Sell

50 Red & Black Southern Balancers Sell

The Bar T Bar herd leads the breed in efficiency – ranking in the lowest 10% for Dry Matter Intake and in the Top 20% for ADG. We are breeding cattle that eat less and gain more!

More Than 75 of the Bulls Will Be Sleep-at-Night Heifer Bulls!

1l7ls5 Sell!

Bu

Bar T Bar Ranches

Annual Bull Sale

April 9, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT)

Southern Balancers, Balancers, Gelbvieh & Angus Crater Ranch Headquarters · Winslow, AZ

Bob and Judy Prosser (928) 289-2619 • Cell: (928) 380-5149 Email: info@bartbar.com

Lee Leachman, Herd Consultant (970) 568-3983 Jerrod Watson, Customer Service (303) 827-1156 March 2022 California Cattleman 25

EVOLUTION OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN SACRAMENTO

by Jason Bryant for the California Cattlemen’s Association Heraclitus of Ephesus was an Ancient Greek philosopher recognized for his revolutionary thinking and noted for his writings about change in the world around him. Around 500 B.C., Heraclitus famously wrote “The only constant in life is change.” Heraclitus’ philosophies inspired perhaps the most famous philosopher – Plato – who, of course, was a major influence in the emergence of western political philosophy.

Heraclitus’ revolutionary pronouncements are particularly relevant in today’s political climate in California as we experience a tremendous amount of change in the makeup of the State Legislature. Due in large part to term limits and the once-in-a-decade redistricting process which reconfigures the boundaries of California’s Congressional and state legislative districts, members of the Legislature are departing for other opportunities, including semi-retiring from public office, running for Congress or local office, heading up advocacy organizations or even becoming lobbyists.

As of the writing of this piece, the Assembly has five empty seats out of 80 – the highest number of vacancies in decades. Six members of the Legislature have chosen to run for Congress in newly-drawn seats. While they will serve out their terms this year, those members running for Congress will not return to the Legislature in 2023. Five Legislators are seeking other local or state elective offices. Twelve other members have decided not to run for re-election and there are a number of factors driving those decisions, including having to run against formidable incumbents in newly-drawn

26 California Cattleman March 2022

districts or the prospects of other career opportunities in and outside of California politics. Just last month, Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) announced he was entering the race for Governor (Sen. Dahle is midway through a four-year term so does not have to run for re-election to the Senate in 2022).

Two notable and rather high-profile announcements came earlier this year when CCA ally and friend Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) announced he would not seek reelection this year.

Cunningham currently represents a largely-San Luis Obispo County Assembly seat, but after the redistricting process, the district expanded north significantly to encompass major portions of Monterey County and even Santa Cruz County, significantly changing the political makeup of this district. Another notable departure from the Legislature is Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-Chula Vista) who chaired the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee.

She announced her resignation from the Assembly in January and will become the Chief Officer of the California Labor Federation.

With the deadline to file for state office not until March 11, lawmakers still have time to plot their next steps – either run for re-election in a newly-drawn legislative seat or perhaps depart the State Legislature and pursue greener pastures. The coming weeks will likely bring about more announcements from incumbent legislators and add to the growing list of “open” seats that will bring about new legislative contests this year and usher in a new and very sizeable freshman class to the State Legislature beginning in January of 2023.

It is entirely possible that by the end of this year we will see a quarter of the State Legislature turnover and have 25-plus newlyelected members of the Assembly and Senate who will be charged with leading our state, engaging on issues critically important to cattlemen like wildfires, natural resources and animal welfare.

Over 2,500 years ago Heraclitus broke from the conventional thinking of the time by suggesting the world – and our place in it – is not static and change is the only constant. If the 2022 political climate in California is a measurement of those pronouncements – truer words were never spoken.

FARMING FOR OUR FUTURE

In these challenging times, remember the Farm Credit System is built for the long haul.

We’re here for you today, and for all the tomorrows to come.

W E ARE FARM CRE DIT A nationwide network of customer-owned associations supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.

FarmCreditAlliance.com (855) 611-4110 toll free

American AgCredit

CoBank

March 2022 California Cattleman 27 Farm Credit West

REALITIES IN TODAY’S BEEF BUSINESS

by Chip Kemp, Director of Commercial and Industry Operations, American Simmental Association Many have written endless articles on the varying pitfalls of our chosen profession. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m guilty of that exact thing. But, in truth, we can boil it down to controlling those things we can control to set ourselves up to better navigate the challenges of those things we cannot control. Complex? Yes. But, at the same time it can often be elegantly simple as well.

Reality. If I’m addicted to shiny metal and wheels this business gets hard. If I’m trying to build a profitable beef business while paying suburban property prices this business gets hard. In a commodity-based business model long term profits force to zero. What are you doing to buck that trend?

On the other hand, there are some easy and evident truths.

1) The “short-term cow” is a long-term problem. Lack of female longevity will cripple an outfit. She can’t make a fancy enough calf or a heavy enough calf to make that okay. Lack of cow “stayability” has become rampant as too many have forgot the value of responsible crossbreeding as they chase terminal benefits without regard for a whole enterprise profit picture. Maybe this isn’t true at your ranch.

However, I’d wager if most of us did a thorough business analysis we’d realize that we have built an unsustainable business trajectory as we’ve deluded or deceived ourselves about the maternal merit of our cow herd.

2) Certain truths are nearly never spoken about in our business. They are taboo. We know them to be true, but we live in a world where blue ribbons abound and as such everybody bites their lip and side steps the truth. One such truth – some breeds struggle to provide the feedlot performance, or carcass merit, or consumer measurables that are presently demanded to get top dollar for feeder calves. Another truth – NO ONE BREED corners the market on all those traits. Yet another fact.

Responsibly crossed cattle prove to be the most consistently profitable cattle. I can pile up numerous academic articles, papers and research summaries. But maybe it is more meaningful when we realize where the industry puts its dollars. In 2020, calves from Continental sires (SimAngus and Charolais) topped the large Superior Livestock Auction summer sales. Or, when one dissects the Tri County Carcass Futurity data from Iowa those same sire groups 28 California Cattleman March 2022

(Simmental influenced and Charolais influenced) generated terminal calves that garnered larger checks from the packer than any other sire group. To be clear, these two things are linked. When feedlots make more on responsibly crossed cattle, they tend to pay up to get more of those calves into their yard. Simple business sense.

3) Neither #1 or #2 happen by accident. It takes serious commitment to data collection and credible and humble scientists to analyze the data. You can benefit from those efforts by demanding multi-breed EPDs that allow you to directly compare bulls of different breed types.

Additionally, demand a credible whole life cycle index and a reliable terminal index so that you have the appropriate tools to fit your management approach. Use the whole life cycle index if you are retaining daughters. If you purchase your females, put the terminal index to work. Indexes make the complex straightforward.

4) Ask your seedstock provider how they can help you balance breed complementarity and heterosis to add female longevity in your environment and feeder calf value to your family’s business. If your seedstock provider ignores these facts or denies the benefits of crossbreeding to your commercial program, then ask them to defend their position. If they can’t suitably do that, then why are they your seedstock provider?

GENETICS

THAT PAY

$20+ MORE PER

CARCASS

Success on the ranch is measured in dollars.

Data from the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative finds packers pay $20 to $34 more for SimAngus-™ and a Simmental-sired cattle than English-sired counterparts. ab Simmental influence also pays at auction. SimAngus-sired steer calves sold through Superior Livestock Auction earn more at sale time than all other calves.b It’s no wonder the percentage of SimAngus calves marketed through the industry’s largest video auction has grown eightfold since 2010.

STAND STRONG

SIMMENTAL 406-587-4531 • simmental.org

a Effect of sire breed group on carcass value of feedlot cattle harvested through Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative, Lewis, Iowa, 2002 to 2018. Odde, K. & King, M. (March 2021). Kansas State University.

Relationships Among Sire-Breed Group, Calf Sex and Year Group on Carcass Traits. Breeds represented in the English-sired group: Angus, Red Angus, South Devon, Hereford and Shorthorn.

b Effect of sire breed on sale price of beef steer calves sold through Superior Livestock Auction, summer 2020. Odde, K. & King, M. (December 2020). Kansas State University analysis of 394,900 head of beef calves.

Estimating the Value of SimAngus-Sired Calves: Superior Livestock Auction – Summer Sales, 2020. For lots of 50 head or more.

March 2022 California Cattleman 29

VET VIEWS

IMPACTING YOUR HERD’S REPRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF TRACE MINERALS

by Jerry Rusch, DVM, for Multimin, USA

Trace minerals are needed in very small amounts but are critical to optimize the reproductive performance of the heifer, cow and bull to impact overall conception. The trace minerals that are usually discussed and have an impact on the reproductive performance are copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se) and Manganese (Mn). In the heifer and cow, copper is essential for puberty, estrus and ovulation, as well as embryo survival and low conception. inc is essential for estrus and normal parturition. Selenium deficiency has been linked to retained placentas, ovarian cysts and low conception rates. Manganese is important for estrus and the formation of the corpus luteum which maintains pregnancy. In the bull, copper is essential for libido and normal sperm production. Zinc is essential for growth, puberty, libido, testicular size and testosterone biosynthesis.

Selenium is important for sperm viability. Manganese is needed for normal sperm production and testicle size.

Overall, the trace minerals play an integral role in the reproductive performance of a herd.

In the heifer and cow, the optimal time for MULTIMIN® 90 injectable trace minerals is 30 days pre-breeding. University conducted trials have shown an increase in overall herd conception rates with more calves conceived either by artificial insemination or on first bull breeding resulting in more calves born early in the calving season.

Another optimal time to give a MULTIMIN® 90 injection is precalving which usually occurs before the last trimester when pregnancy checks or at scour vaccine administration are performed. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the cow pulls trace minerals from her liver into her blood stream which flows through the placenta into the umbilical vein of the calf. The trace minerals are then deposited into the developing fetus’s liver. This stacking is the reason MULTIMIN® 90 is given to the pregnant cow

30 California Cattleman March 2022

because it raises her liver levels when she will be recruiting them for her developing fetus. This helps to keep her trace mineral levels from plummeting too low which can result in retained placentas, uterine infections and mastitis.

This trace mineral injection is to be used in conjunction with a consistently provided oral trace mineral program.

The injection helps bridge the gap when cow’s need for trace minerals are highest and avoids issues such as low, inconsistent oral trace mineral consumption, low absorption rates of oral trace minerals, and the tying up of oral trace minerals in the rumen (antagonism). Cattle do not eat mineral based on their need. Consumption is only affected by added salt and position of the mineral source in relation to the water source.

In the bull the optimal time for MULTIMIN® 90 injectable trace minerals is 45-60 days prebreeding which usually corresponds to the time a Breeding Soundness Exam or semen fertility test should be done. In developing bulls, an injection should be given at weaning and then 90 days later. A Kansas State study showed that developing bulls given this two-injection protocol of MULTIMIN® 90 had improved sperm motility, sperm morphology and a higher passage rate of their Breeding Soundness Exam.

MULTIMIN® 90 should be given under the skin along the neck as the lowest injection following Beef Quality Assurance Guidelines. The dose of MULTIMIN® 90 is calculated using the age and weight of the animal.

Heifers and bulls 1 to 2 years of age are dosed at 1 cc per 150 pounds bodyweight with cows and bulls 2 years of age and older dosed at 1cc per 200 pounds bodyweight subcutaneously.

MULTIMIN® 90 injectable trace mineral is an integral to maintaining and improving a herd’s reproductive efficiency. Talk to your veterinarian about MULTIMIN® 90.

March 2022 California Cattleman 31

CONNECTING TO

SUCCESS

Relationships and quality are the best elements in a partnership between seedstock and commercial producers

by Megan Silveira, assistant editor, Angus Journal Reprinted with Permission | www.angusjournal.net.

His calls are clearly heard across the pasture, cutting through the early morning fog. His powerful frame can be spotted from miles away. He is just as impressive in person as he is on paper.

The Angus bull is a powerhouse in the cattle industry, as he possesses the ability to create calves that uphold the high standards of the Business Breed. More than that, he connects seedstock breeders with their customers.

CORRELATING IN CALIFORNIA

For commercial producer Pat Kirby, success comes in the form of cattle that can perform.

Kirby Cattle Co. currently manages about 600 cows in Wilton, and though Kirby says the Central Valley doesn’t put the same harsh demands on the livestock that other parts of the country do, he still expects a lot from his cows.

“The conditions in California are pretty easy on cattle in the country that we run in,” he explains. “You need a kind of moderate-framed cow that will raise a pretty good size calf.”

Kirby markets his calves private treaty, selling them in May and June right off the cow. He typically keeps 80-100 replacement heifers, but amidst the drought conditions raising concerns about pastureland and water in the Golden State, he didn’t save any females this year.

With this breeding strategy, Kirby aims to raise calves that look good in the pasture and can perform either in his own herd as replacements or on the feedlot for his customers. The herd bulls he purchases help his cows produce progeny that fulfill these requirements.

Kirby almost always turns to purebred Angus bulls.

“I just see that the quality of those cattle is at the upper end of the spectrum. Ninety-seven percent of my cows are black — it’s what I think works best for us,” he says.

Since Kirby started his herd in the early ’90s, he has sought out the Angus breed. He appreciates all the work put in by breed associations, but says he has really seen the work of Angus producers pay off in terms of the quality livestock that comes with the breed.

“I’m looking for cattle with good EPDs (expected progeny differences), and prefer low birth weights to 32 California Cattleman March 2022

minimize any kind of calving problems,” he explains.

With an emphasis on both terminal and maternal, Kirby needs bulls that can perform that dual role each breeding season.

Buying a new bull for the herd isn’t an everyday occurrence, as Kirby expects his bulls to last four to five breeding seasons, but he says the process of finding the next sire typically stays the same.

He reviews sale books on his own and also works with reputable industry experts.

Kirby knows what he likes in a bull, but he values the input of trusted individuals who are talking to people up and down the state. He uses his local cattlemen’s association and various magazine advertisements to connect with Angus breeders.

Whichever route he takes, Kirby says he prefers to see the bull in person before making a final purchase decision.

“I’m kind of a visual person. I want to go look at him,” he says. “Even though our country is not severe, the bulls still have to work. I think that’s important — that they’re ready to go and work when you buy them.”

At the end of the day, the quality of the animal is the most important part of the rapport this commercial cattleman hopes to have with seedstock breeders.

“I think the private breeder has got to have a good product, and that’s how they stay in business,” he explains.

The animal is the foundation of the relationship that’s grown by personal interaction. While he doesn’t expect seedstock cattlemen to lead him along, he appreciates any effort they put into connecting with him.

“It speaks well for them when they’re trying to promote the product they have to sell,” Kirby says. “They value every customer that they can do business with, and that sets them apart.”

Kirby knows goals and opinions differ from operation to operation, but he says the Angus breed caters to all types and kinds of commercial cattle herds.

“As a whole, the Angus group does a good job of promoting their product,” he explains. “I think the industry as a whole has made huge strides in picking out information that is helpful to the producer.”

ALABAMA ASSOCIATES

The mild summers of Wilton, contrast sharply with the severe weather found in central Alabama where Louie Duke of Stockdale Farms calls home. Duke has raised his own commercial herd of about 500 females in Talladega, Ala., for the past 55 years.

Though his black-hided cattle require shade in the hot months, Duke says his herd is and will continue to be primarily Angus because of the superior carcass traits they bring to the table.

Duke feeds out his calves before sending them to slaughter, so he says he’s searching for genetics that lead to high-marbling, heavy-finishing calves. It’s a delicate balance, however, as Duke says he still wants females with maternal characteristics.

“If you don’t have the maternal, the carcass won’t do you a whole lot of good,” he explains. “We want to grade Prime and Choice, but still have to have longevity in the herd.”

Miles may separate the two commercial producers, but Duke shares a similar philosophy to Kirby when it comes to selecting bulls.

Duke says seeing a bull’s numbers is the perfect starting point come sale season.

“We look at all the paperwork on them and try to get a real sound bull to use on heifers that can still do well with carcass traits,” he explains. “I go off the numbers the breed associations give you, because that’s what I’ve seen — information is helpful.”

As much as Duke relies on genotype, he still stresses the importance of phenotype. Duke also wants to see a bull in person before committing to a purchase.

He buys directly from seedstock breeders, attending big sales in Alabama and surrounding states in the spring and fall. For Duke, it’s the reliability that can truly make or break a business deal.

“I still call people I bought a bull from 25 years ago, even if it’s just to talk,” Duke says. “It’s that trust you build up with them. You want them to work with you. You get to know them, and they get to know you.”

Like most other commercial cattlemen, Duke uses sale books to discover the bulls he wants to add to his herd, and he appreciates breeders who are willing to talk with him about their livestock before the sale. Whether it’s a phone call weeks ahead of the sale date or a simple conversation before the first fall of the auctioneer’s gavel, Duke wants to connect with the individuals he’s considering doing business with.

He says a big selling point for him on a breeder is a guarantee on a bull’s first breeding season. He needs Angus bulls that are sound and can perform in the pasture, and a seedstock breeder willing to shake hands on their animal’s ability to do so holds a lot of weight in Duke’s opinion.

That final handshake is more than just the acquisition of a new bull for the Alabama breeder. For Duke and so many of his peers, the purchase of an Angus bull is the bridge that connects them to success in a competitive industry.

“If you don’t have the maternal, the carcass won’t do you a whole lot of good. We want to grade Prime and Choice, but still have to have longevity in the herd.”

– Louie Duke March 2022 California Cattleman 33

FARM CREDIT WEST AND NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT ANNOUNCE recent MERGER plans Farm Credit West and Northwest Farm Credit Services are pleased to announce the board of directors of both associations have unanimously agreed to pursue a merger of the two organizations by signing a letter of intent to merge.

“Farm Credit West and Northwest Farm Credit Services are both successful, financially strong associations who have partnered together for many years to jointly finance customers, serve rural home markets and collaborate with operational functions,” said Sureena Bains Thiara, Chair of Farm Credit West’s Board of Directors. “By joining our associatons, we can be better positioned to strategically address marketplace changes and provide even greater value for our customermembers.”

Over the next several months, both associations will undertake due diligence to assess merger benefits for stockholders and finalize merger agreement terms. No office closures or branch staffing changes are anticipated as part of this merger. Customers can expect the same

personalized service from their account teams with the merged association.

“This is a strategic move for both cooperatives,” said Nate Riggers, Chair of Northwest Farm Credit Services’ Board of Directors. “We share a common customerfocused culture and are deeply committed to improving the lives of our customer-members, employees and the communities we serve. Together we can enhance our services while continuing to be a trusted source of financing and related services for the agriculture, forest products and fishing industries.”

Following review and approval by the associations’ regulator, the Farm Credit Administration, the merger proposal will be presented to customer-stockholders of both associations for their approval in the fall. The merged association is expected to begin operations Jan. 1, 2023 under leadership of Farm Credit West President and CEO Mark Littlefield and a management team selected from both associations. Headquarters will be in Spokane, Wash., with regional operating centers in each state.

GAME ON

SAN DIEGO MARRIOTT MARQUIS

CA/AZ FEEDER MEETING • MAY 25-27

The CA/AZ Feeder Meeting is back this May and so is the Wednesday Welcome Party at Petco Park! Register and get the details at calcattlemen.org/events.

WELCOME PARTY SPONSORS

34 California Cattleman March 2022

2022 TITLE SPONSORS

Grimmius Cattle Co.

Bu Ba ery

Woodhill Authentic

•

#+*KM Broken Bow 002

DOB: 2-18-2019

DAM:

SIRE:

Reg: +*19541556

*Spring Cove Reno 4021

*Spring Cove Liza 021

#*Hoover Dam

#Woodhill Evergreen U181-A130

Woodhill Evergreen R53-U181

Balanced genetic profile with indexes into the top 10% for $Maternal and 5% $Beef, that elevates his $Combined to a top 2% breed rank Pathfinder Dam records WR 4@110, YR 4@107 and has IMF 6@112 with REA 6@103 wrapped in a 370-day calving interval

•

PRODUCTION

MATERNAL

MANAGEMENT

CARCASS

$VALUES

CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

DMI

YH

SC

HP

CEM

MILK

MW

MH

$EN

DOC CLAW ANGLE PAP

CW

MARB

RE

FAT

$M

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

45%

35%

4%

4%

20%

95%

55%

70%

20%

15%

10%

30%

30%

90%

25%

35%

15%

10%

10%

10%

10%

1%

15%

4%

5%

2%

+7

+.5

+83 +146 +.29 +1.84 +.5 +.57 +15.0 +12

+33 +79

+.6

-31

+23 +.49 +.53 +.57 +64 +1.06 +.95 -.027 +82 +97 +105 +76 +180 +315 45%

70%

Connealy Reformed

•

#*Connealy Confidence 0100

#*Connealy Confidence Plus

Elbanna of Conanga 1209

DOB: 1-5-2018

DAM:

SIRE:

Reg: *19249247

#*EF Commando 1366

*Ensa of Conanga 610

Emmy of Conanga 4105

Individual performance in a large contemporary with a 79 lb. BW and 103 WR, 107 YR, 114 IMF, and 113 Ribeye ratio Offers a balanced EPD profile with top 3% HP, top 35% Docility, top 10% Claw, top 2% Angle, and a top 15% PAP EPD

•

PRODUCTION

CED

+4

70%

MATERNAL

CARCASS

$VALUES

WW

YW

RADG

DMI

YH

SC

HP

CEM

MILK

MW

MH

$EN

DOC CLAW ANGLE PAP

CW

MARB

RE

FAT

$M

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

60%

15%

10%

10%

90%

45%

85%

3%

95%

80%

50%

55%

50%

35%

15%

10%

10%

3%

95%

3%

35%

3%

10%

2%

1%

+1.7 +73 +140 +.31 +1.57 +.5 +.28 +17.7 +0

+.3

-14

+20 +.38 +.32 -.59 +64 +1.01 +1.09 +.071 +88 +67 +126 +68 +194 +340 10%

2%

#+*G A R Prophet

DOB: 8-24-2018

DAM:

SIRE:

+20 +59

Freedom

GAR

Reg: *19404851

•

MANAGEMENT

BW

+*G A R Proactive

*G A R Daybreak 1521

+*G A R Fruition

+*RWA Fruition W2025

*G A R Daybreak 2610

True outlier spread with a top 2% CED and breed rankings of top 4% for WW and 3% for YW EPD, and balances this out with a top 3% RADG as well Dam is a highly productive female with production of 3@85 for birth, 3@105 for weaning and has ultrasound of 4@109 for IMF and 4@101 for Ribeye

•

PRODUCTION

MATERNAL

CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

DMI

YH

2%

20%

4%

3%

3%

85%

15%

+16

-.5

+82 +148 +.33 +1.44 +.9

MANAGEMENT

CARCASS

$VALUES

SC

HP

CEM

MILK

MW

MH

$EN

DOC CLAW ANGLE PAP

CW

MARB

RE

FAT

$M

$W

$F

$G

$B

$C

90%

45%

1%

30%

25%

20%

85%

30%

2%

5%

3%

30%

15%

3%

1%

3%

1%

1%

+.18 +11.7 +18 +28 +79

+.7

-28

+21 +.49 +.49 +.07 +75 +1.14 +1.10 -.003 +76 +91 +133 +79 +213 +352 45%

50%

25%

Powerful Genetics. No Compromises. www.grimmiuscattle.com

Follow this QR code for immediate access to the bull battery.

Noah Flores, Semen Orders and AI Certificates - 559-740-9172 - bulls@grimmiuscattle.com March 2022 California Cattleman John Dickinson, Bull Development Manager and Procurement - 916-806-1919 - john@grimmiuscattle.com

35

The Kudlac Family celebrating their reserve champion win.

Shane Strickler, Robert Staley and Ellington Peek catching up at the video sale.

Bull consignors Don Cardey (left) and Morgan Andrews (right) with Dick Hubman.

Bull consignors Ron Brocco and Stan Sears Jeff Clausen and his $45,000 stock dog Skittles.

Past bull sale manager Adam Owens, current sale manager B.J. Macfarlane and Zoetis’ Kurt Urricelqui

American Angus Association’s Jared Patterson.

American Angus’ Jared Patterson and Jake Pickering announced the bull grading.

Pictured are some of the Andy Peek Memorial Scholarship winners for 2022.

Crystal Amen

@Crystal Amen Photography

Champion Range Bull honors went to Hufford’s Herefords. Pictured are sale staff, sponsors and Hufford Family supprters.

Chet and Angela Vogt with their Confirmation Champion.

Crystal Amen

36 California Cattleman March 2022

Bull consignors Ron Brocco and Stan Sears.

Crystal Amen

still making it happen after 81 years!

RED BLUFF STAFF

B.J. Macfarlane Sale Manager Marianne Brownfield, Bull & Dog Secretary Trish Suther, Gelding Secretary

BULL, GELDING & STOCK DOG AUCTIONEERS

Col. Rick Machado Col. Trent Stewart Col. Max Olvera Pedigrees read by Col. Eric Duarte

2022 HALTER CHAMPIONS BY BREED

Supreme Champion & Champion SimAngus – Broken M/Mayo Livestock, Live Oak Reserve Supreme Champion & Champion Hereford – Kudlac Herefords, Grants Pass, Ore. Champion Angus – Larry Imbach, Burns, Ore. Champion Charolais – Rafter DN., Powell Butte, Ore. Champion Balancer – Louie’s Cattle Service, Burns, Ore. Champion Brangus – Louie’s Cattle Service, Burns, Ore. Champion Limousin – Haugen Cattle Co., Hannaford, N.D. Champion Polled Hereford – Morrell Ranches, Willows Champion Maine Anjou – Brocco Show Cattle, Sonoma Champion Red Angus – England Ranches, Madras, Ore. Champion Shorthorn – Cardey Ranches, Turlock Champion Simmental – Hinton Ranch, Montague Champion Calving Ease – Chico State Beef Unit

Supreme Champion & Champion SimAngus – Broken M/Mayo Livestock

Champion Angus Larry Imback

Reserve Supreme & Champion Hereford Kudlac Herefords

Champion Polled Hereford Morrell Ranches

2022 RANGE-READY CHAMPIONS BY BREED

Overall Champion & Champion Angus – Cardey Ranches, Turlock Champion Balancer – Louie’s Cattle Service, Burns, Ore. Champion Charolais – Romans Ranch Charolais, Westfall, Ore. Champion Hereford – Morrell Ranches, Willows Champion SimAngus – Check X Livestock, Mitchell, Ore. Champion Simmental – Hinton Ranch, Montague

2022 SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

Ideal Jack Owens Range Bull – Hufford’s Herefords, Fort Rock, Ore. 2022 Outstanding Consignor Award – Morrell Ranches, Willows

Champion Charolais Rafter DN

Champion Calving Ease Chico State Beef Unit

RED BLUFF BULL SALE • 290 BULLS AVERAGED $4,629 RED BLUFF GELDING SALE

Champion Cow Horse – Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, LLC, Tucson, Ariz.

Champion Cutting Horse – Rodney Koberstein of Page, Ariz.

Champion Snaffle Bit – Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, LLC, Tucson, Ariz.

Champion Conformation – Eric Freitas, Santa Maria Champion Head Horse – Justin Wright of Santa Maria.

Champion Heel Horse – Tye & Amy Fitzpatrick of Eagle Point, Ore. Champion Stock Horse – Justin Wright of Santa Maria Champion Confirmation Horse – Chet & Angela Vogt of Elk Creek Craig Owens Idaho Stock Horse – Brian & Mary Kate Huntsberger of Paso Robles 45 geldings........................................................................................................$22,850 10 2-year-old geldings.....................................................................................$10,650 2022 bull sale judges San Shaw, Mark Bidwell and Lane Russ.

RED BLUFF STOCK DOG SALE

Hannah Cash, Alturas, exhibited the champion stock dog, Bruce. He sold for $10,500 with the top selling dog, Skittles, owned by Jeff Clausen, selling for a record price of $45,000.

17 dogs �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$9,559

Join us again in 2023!

Tehama District Fairgrounds Red Bluff, California March 2022 California Cattleman 37

COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR

THE DIFFERENCE YOUR DOLLAR MAKES

CATTLE COUNCIL INVESTING IN ISSUES THAT MATTER TO ALL CALIFORNIA CATTLE PRODUCERS

by California Cattle Council Executive Director Justin Oldfield

The California Cattle Council (Council) has a diverse mission that includes public affairs, advocacy, education and research and regulatory compliance. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the public affairs work the Council has done on critical issues important to you, so I wanted to take the opportunity to briefly highlight some of the work the Council has done in the area of research.

The strategic plan adopted by the Council’s board of directors in 2020 highlighted research as a key issue area for funding. This is supported directly by language in the Council law that authorizes the Council to engage in research related activities that benefit California cattle producers. Additionally, our strategic plan outlined the need to engage in research that can further bolster our public affairs, education and advocacy efforts. Research related to cattle production, animal health and husbandry practices, etc. are definitely within the jurisdiction of the Council, however the strategic plan directs the Council to invest our limited funds on research that will advance the collective public affairs and advocacy efforts of the Council and our industry partners.

Shortly following the formation of the Council in 2019, the Council contracted with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to quantify the total amount of fine fuels removed from cattle across the state on an annual basis. Grazing is a proven tool to reduce the severity of wildfires and improve the ecological health of the landscape. This research didn’t duplicate something we already know however it did quantify the real impact ranchers have on reducing fuel loads. Quantifying the total amount of fine fuels removed annually allowed UC researchers to also calculate the direct air quality benefits that are associated with grazing and healthy rangeland management. Secondary work funded by the Council demonstrated that cattle, including when taking into account methane emissions from belching, are a net sink of greenhouse gas emissions due to grazing’s benefit in slowing and reducing the severity of wildfires.

The Council also funded research that is currently under peer review to assess the risk of feeding livestock in confinement near produce farms. Public attention on

38 California Cattleman March 2022

this issue was significantly heightened following an E. Coli outbreak in romaine lettuce that occurred in Arizona several years ago. Although the nearby feedlot was never implicated directly, the lack of research regarding the movement of fecal pathogens through dust caused many to question the safety of feeding cattle near farms that grow ready to eat crops. The Council stepped up to fill this void by funding research that would interject science into a complex and emotional debate. The project is under peer review but early data suggests that the movement of harmful pathogens from feedlots and dairies via dust is minimal.

The Council also recognizes the need to effectively engage in the ongoing public debate regarding livestock production and climate change. There is certainly a significant amount of misinformation that is made available in the public realm and we rely on researchers and unbiased experts to help part those muddy waters.

As such, the Council has invested significant financial resources to support the UC Davis CLEAR Center and Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D. Many of you are familiar with his work, and if you are not, I would highly suggest you take the opportunity to learn more about the excellent work that is being done by the CLEAR Center. Mitloehner is leading the way to properly distinguish the important difference between methane emitted from cattle and methane emitted from fossil fuels. In addition, Mitloehner recognizes the need for our country to maintain a vibrant, robust and strong agricultural industry in light of the ongoing desire by public officials to seek reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The UC Davis CLEAR Center is solutions oriented and seeks to bridge the gap among scientists across the world regarding U.S. livestock production and climate change.

These are just a handful of examples of research projects the Council has invested in that you can be proud of. If you have any questions regarding these projects or other research related efforts we are pursuing, please never hesitate to reach out. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or online at calcattlecouncil.org.

Our family business is continuously evolving with the times to help your family business succeed today and in the future!

ORLAND LIVESTOCK FOUNDED BY BO AND MARIE LACQUE IN 1952

ARRON STOCKTON 1947-1979

ORLAND LIVESTOCK TODAY OWNED AND OPERATED BY ED, JEANETTE AND WADE LACQUE

Providing competitive bidding for your livestock sales for 70 years!

SALES EVERY THURSDAY AT 9 A.M.

Find us on facebook for our market report and news about special sales and upcoming events!

3877 County Road 99W Orland, CA 95963 | (530) 865-4411 | Wade Lacque, Manager • (530) 570-0547 Frank Rizzardo Siskiyou (530) 598-6323

Chris McKoen Klamath (541) 891-8920

REPRESENTATIVES Eddie Ginochio Modoc (530) 640-5272

Todd Mueller Lakeview (541) 417-0132

Ed Bailey Lassen (530) 347-5051

Formoli's Whiskey Cheeseburger

by Ryan Donahue for the California Cattleman

This recipe hails a bit closer to home. Around 2008 I noticed that cheeseburgers, once relegated to fast food chains, corporate casual chain restaurants and kid’s menus, started appearing on the menus of chef-driven independent restaurants, eventually being featured on the menus of most fine dining restaurant menus. In 2008, I ventured from the suburbs of Sacramento to the heart of the city to try a cheeseburger at Formoli’s Bistro. It was (seemingly) simple and phenomenal. You’ll notice this recipe is redacted. Two of the spices, unusual in burgers, are to be kept under wraps. If you’re interested in replicating this recipe, send me an email at ryan@calcattlemen.org and I will send you the spice mix via the USPS at no charge.

Ingredients

• 80/20 ground beef - 9 ounces per person • Dried mushrooms - 5 ounces per pound of beef • Heavy cream - (1 pint or 4 ounces per pound) • Sliced sharp cheddar cheese (2 slices per burger) • Ciabatta rolls • Mayonnaise* • Olive oil or butter (for bread toasting) • Kosher salt • Black pepper • Whiskey • Mixed greens or arugula (“Spring Mix” works well too) *This recipe originally includes a housemade habanero aioli, which when made in large batches (for a restaurant) is worth the effort. We instead used Sir Kensington’s Sriracha Mayonnaise with good success (you could also stir in some hot sauce with traditional mayonnaise).

Tools

• Cast-iron pan or heavy bottomed skillet • Large spatula • Knife • Large bowl • Napkins (ample)

40 California Cattleman March 2022

Process

Add your ground beef to a large bowl allowing 9 ounces per portion (if you’re without a scale 9 ounces is about as much as you can pick up with one hand). Add the pulverized (use a blender) dried mushrooms along with a spice mixture (use ground black pepper and a pinch of ground cumin unless you have the secret mixture). Do not add salt (never add salt to ground beef until cooking is underway). Mix well.

The dried mushrooms should make the beef a bit drier so add a few ounces of heavy cream until the meat is workable.

Portion your ground beef into the size a bit larger than a baseball (about 9 ounces). Form into a patty just over an inch thick with a 5-6” diameter (or a bit larger than your buns). Set aside. Cut and toast the ciabatta using olive oil or butter in the pan. Set toasted bread aside.

Heat up a pan to medium-high heat on a stove top. This burger should be cooked like a steak. At medium-high heat it should take about 4 minutes per side (look for good caramelization before flipping). Once caramelization is achieved on both sides evenly, season with kosher salt and ground black pepper, flip a third time and pour a splash (or half ounce) of whiskey into the pan. Note : whiskey is flammable and may ignite over an open flame. Add cheese and remove the patties from the pan when the cheese is melted. This timing should allow for the patty to be cooked to medium doneness (use a knife or thermometer to check for doneness). Allow the patties to rest for at least 5 minutes prior to constructing the burger.

Dress the top and bottom buns with an aioli of your choice, add the patty and top with mixed greens. Enjoy!

Stop the cycle of cheatgrass.

Get up to 4 years of control.

Cheatgrass isn’t something you have to live with. Get up to 3.5x more forage production with Rejuvra® herbicide.* Powered by a novel active ingredient, Rejuvra stops cheatgrass before it germinates. With just one application, you’ll get four years of control so nutritious forage can thrive.

Invest in your land. Invest in your livelihood. Invest in your legacy.

Invest in your long haul with Rejuvra.

Scan the QR code for free work gloves. /// Sign up at es.bayer.us/rejuvra-giveaway *Forage response is variable and dependent on individual site conditions. Individual results may vary.

Giveaway is available only to ranchers who are legal residents of CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA or WY, age 18+, who complete and submit an online entry form, available at es.bayer.us/rejuvra-giveaway. Must claim between 2/1/2022 and 4/30/2022. Maximum of one (1) pair of suede cowhide leather gloves per person. Limited number available. Void where prohibited. Value of gloves: $9.00. Restrictions may apply. Sponsor reserves the right to extend, modify or discontinue this giveaway at any time without notice. Sponsor: Bayer Environmental Science – Range & Pasture, a Division of Bayer CropScience LP, 5000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 400, Cary, NC 27513.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. Bayer Environmental Science, a Division of Bayer CropScience LP, 5000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 400, Cary, NC 27513. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-800-331-2867. www.environmentalscience.bayer.us. Not all products are registered in all states. Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Rejuvra® are registered trademarks of Bayer. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. ©2022 Bayer CropScience LP. VM-0122-REJ-0012-A-1

March 2022 California Cattleman 41

42 California Cattleman March 2022

March 2022 California Cattleman 43

THE FOUNDATION OF GENETIC IMPROVEMENT Reproductive technologies leading to improvement and better bottom line

by Whitney Whitaker, communications specialist, American Angus Association That’s where hormones are used to synchronize the heat cycle in a herd. Pohler described it as “a process with two flavors” in the ability to check heat and breed based on the a.m.— p.m. rule, or breeding 12 hours after an animal comes in heat or fixed timed artificial insemination (TAI). A third option that is not commonly talked about, Pohler said, but could be a big opportunity for the beef industry is estrous synchronization on natural service.

Sexed semen is a tool that has been around for a few years but has low adoption rates. Pohler said this is likely due to perceived fertility problems on the product, dispelling the myth.

“I think we’re selecting for a specific population of sperm that most likely have just as good of fertility as a conventional straw,” Pohler said. “There is less of them, and they are tighter versus in a conventional straw.” AI across the world have a 50 percent success rate and sexed semen was just four percent points lower at a 46 percent pregnancy rate.

Embryo transfer (ET) has also advanced and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) is an emerging option.

MOET occurs when a breeder uses conventional AI and then super ovulates a donor after she is bred. Little research is being done in this area, but Pohler says the advantages are that it can be done on farm and it allows for a greater, more consistent pregnancy rate. Disadvantages include the increased cost of hormones and labor.

Depending on goals and accessibility, beef producers can adopt a multitude of technologies to improve the reproductive and genetic efficiency of their operations.

Value Making breed and industry improvements remains valuable, but hesitations exist with new technology. To those who argue tools require too much labor or cost, Pohler disagrees.

“If you look at the financials of any beef cattle operation, pregnancy is five times more influential than any other factor that goes into it,” he said. “The importance of getting your animals bred early and getting them right early in the breeding season so they calve early should be a high priority.”

Looking at the differences between a calf born on day 1 of the calving season, one born on day 30, one born at the end and a cow that never calves provides a case study.

“We never really feel the loss of that, because it’s not like someone came along and snatched the money out of our pocket.

It’s money that we never realize,” Pohler said.

The difference between calving on day 1 and day 60 might be $60/calf on the commercial market, when considering lost opportunity for added pounds. If you add it up over several animals, it starts to accrue a lot of money.

Pohler encourages producers to think of the overall value of Technologies reproductive efficiency.

With more research comes more knowledge. Advanced “It really is asking the question, ‘what does reproductive reproductive technologies may have been completely foreign to producers at one point. However, during the last 50 to 70 years, it efficiency cost me?’” Pohler said. “How much value is it I can add back to my program by increasing the reproductive efficiency has advanced and there are multiple options: Estrous synchronization is one of the simplest tools to adopt. of my herd?”

How you breed may be just as important as what you breed to. Potential genetic and economic gains give producers plenty of incentive to try reproductive technologies, says Ky Pohler, an animal scientist at Texas A&M University.

Regardless of time in the industry or amount of knowledge, producers should only adopt reproductive technologies if they fit the operation, Pohler said during the 2021 Angus Convention.

Technology can improve the speed of genetic gain when producers set goals. However, when goals are not outlined and the wrong decisions are made, change can go backwards.

“If you unknowingly make a bad genetic decision, you’re going to create change faster than if you did it through natural selection or natural breeding,” Pohler said.

Think beyond the “cool factor,” he advised. Implementation and labor can be barriers, so cattlemen should consider their goals to make certain the technology fits and is realistic.

Some technology is in use, but there is still plenty of room for implementation in the beef industry.

Opportunity for growth According to a 2021 USDA report on reproductive technology adoption, 25 percent of operations in the U.S. use some form of pregnancy diagnosis. That’s one missed opportunity, Pohler said.

The beef industry is significantly behind the advancements in swine and poultry. Over 85 percent of commercial pig farms with more than 500 sows use artificial insemination (AI). Pohler grew up on a poultry farm in Texas and saw firsthand the drastic genetic change. In just four weeks, broilers grow to a full, mature size today compared to the 10 weeks it took four decades ago.

Other livestock industries may spur ideas on what’s possible for beef producers, though many technologies may not work the same way when applied to the bovine. Changing perspectives can lead to improvement, too, Pohler said, sharing an example.

“If a cow ends up open or losing a pregnancy, she gets sold most of the time, right?” Pohler said. “But most likely, you can still find the bull running around in the pasture.”

Conventional wisdom says once sperm are sent up a reproductive tract to fertilize the eggs, the pregnancy loss is the female’s fault. That’s not accurate, Pohler said. Research shows the male is a major contributor to getting the placenta attached to the uterus.

“I think there’s a huge opportunity to really increase our understanding of male fertility,” Pohler said. “If you think about it, our male population is a lot smaller than the cow population.

So we can make quicker advances by understanding bull or male fertility than we can by just understanding female fertility.”

44 California Cattleman March 2022

POWERED BY

IS NOT ONLY WHERE YOU CAME FROM, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS WHERE YOU ARE HEADED. TRUST TRANS OVA TO CONTINUE YOUR LEGACY.

W W W. T R A N S O VA . C O M 866.536.3373 March 2022

California Cattleman 45

from Trans Ova Genetics

Embryo transfer and In Vitro Fertilization are powerful tools for extending the impact of superior cattle genetics.

Based on decades of experience with advanced reproductive technologies, Trans Ova Genetics has complied the following recommendations to ensure a successful program.

MAKE HEAT DETECTION A PRIORITY

Heat detection is the most controllable factor in a producer’s cost per pregnancy. Proper detection is more vital for an ET program than traditional AI programs.

Acceptable heat detection methods: • Avoid solely relying on palpation or ultrasound to identify qualified recipients, a corpus luteum (CL) is present from day 5 – 18 of the heat cycle, as the day of heat cannot be accurately determined.

• Visual detection -Watch for 15 minutes minimum; both morning and evening.

-Walk calmly among recipients to encourage activity.

-Record whether recipient stood to be mounted or was riding only.

-Heat date is first detection period that the recipient stood to be mounted.

• Activity monitoring system - Heat date is considered period of highest (peak) activity • Timed embryo transfer - Industry recommended synchronization protocol that does not require heat detection. Heat date is the time that timed A.I. is recommended • While we highly recommend heat detection, never rely solely on heat detection aids such as chalk, paint, or patches, as they may yield a high percentage of false heats.

NEEDLES AND INJECTIONS

• Follow your Trans Ova Genetics schedule that is set up for the donor and recipient.

• Use a clean 1 1⁄2 inch, 18 or 20-gauge needle when administering intramuscular hormone injections.

• Give hormone injections intramuscularly (unless otherwise noted) in the neck • Do not give hormone injections successively in the same location.

• Give injections every 12 hours.

NUTRITION

• Make sure donor cattle and recipient cattle are maintaining or gaining (preferred) good body condition; a body condition score (BCS) of 4 to 6 is recommended for beef.

• Discuss a suitable nutrition plan with a veterinarian or nutritionist. Vaccinations • Work with a veterinarian to discuss the best vaccination options for your situation and geography.

• Consider reproductive/respiratory virals such as IBR, BVD 46 California Cattleman March 2022

(types I and II), BRSV and P13; a 5-way Lepto; a 7-way Clostridial; and a parasiticide in the vaccination process.

• Ideally, donor and recipient cattle should not be treated with antibiotics or steroids during the superovulation setup process. Please consult with a veterinarian if antibiotics are needed while a donor is set up for superovulation or to be implanted.

• Do not administer modified-live vaccines within 30 days of the target day of estrus.

FACILITIES

• Use a heavy-duty squeeze chute that is protected from the sun and outside elements for transfers and any donor collection procedure.

• When doing frozen embryo transfers, a covered area next to or near the chute should be available for the embryologist to thaw embryos. If the chute is in an open area, there should be space nearby for the Trans Ova vehicle to park.

• If you plan on freezing any IVF embryos, please let us know ahead of time. This allows embryos to remain in the lab and is beneficial for efficiency and embryo quality and handling.

• If the situation calls for freezing fresh embryos on farm, we require a location that has ample electricity, temperature controlled and is free of dust and sunlight.

WORKING WITH A CO-OP HERD?

• Every client must have a signed Client Service Agreement (CSA) and Trans Ova account prior to doing the work. All contact information must be provided so we have accurate information for communication and billing purposes. Every client must have a valid e-mail address.

• We prefer that client’s embryos are sent to a Trans Ova center instead of to the co-op herd. This makes our paperwork, planning, and organization more efficient and aids in a successful implant day.

• For additional information, contact your client service representative. What to expect from the Embryologist?

• An embryologist will be in contact at least a week prior to the trip to arrange the trip details.

• Requests for embryos to be brought on farm must be made at least a week before the trip.

DAY OF TRANSFERS

• Please have a Client Priority List with the number of implants per client and matings ready for the embryologist.

• Copies of the day’s transfers and procedures will be sent via e-mail within one week of the trip.

• Optimal time for movement of recipients is 1-2 days after implantation. Movement between day 10 and 30 should be avoided if possible. If movement is necessary it should occur in cooler periods of the day and in low stress environments.

Pregnancy should be established after day 40.

1975 to 2022 and Beyond SALES EVERY MONDAY SMALL ANIMALS •9 AM CATTLE • NOON

QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING, SELLING, OR COMMINGLING AT 101?

COL. JIM WARREN, OWNER

NEED HELP WITH RANCH LABOR OR HAULING?

ASK US...

CAROLYN WARREN CALLIE WHITNEY SECRETARY MANAGER

Beef is our Business!

101 LIVESTOCK MARKET, INC.

4400 HIGHWAY 101 • AROMAS, CA 95004 (831) 726-3303 | 101LIVESTOCK.COM

101 LIVESTOCK MARKET IS PROUD TO BE A WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE AWARD March 2022 California Cattleman 47

BEARING GOOD NEWS

opportunities ahead for beef producers from Biozyme, Inc. For cattle producers looking for a little good news in the future, look no further than the first part of 2022. Although challenges will exist – drought, cost of gain, labor shortages – enough changes are happening to help, especially those in the stocker sector.

Derrell Peel, Ph.D., endowed professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, recently offered his perspective on the big picture of the beef industry as a whole before addressing more specific topics on the stocker and feedlot side. Cow herd size is shrinking after a cyclical expansion that peaked in 2019, with the height of the calf crop coming in 2018. The combination of timelines in the beef cattle industry with all that has happened the last 18 months with COVID and the pandemic, feedlot numbers didn’t really peak until early in 2021. However, now due to lower supplies and heightened demands, all segments of the beef cattle industry should experience higher prices moving into 2022.

“The supply side is supporting the market and will continue to support the market in 2022. Part of the optimism is coming from the supply fundamentals,” Peel said. “Beef demand has been very good across wholesale, grocery stores, retail, even with disruptions. Exports will set new records in 2021. Even with two months left to report this year, we are well on the way to beat the old record that was set in 2018.”

The Stocker Segment What does all of this mean for those who run stockers and background calves? According to Peel, they are going to have ample opportunities to feed calves and realize added profit potential. With grain, especially corn, prices higher at least through harvest in 2022, the feedlots are experiencing higher costs of gain, and looking to buy calves at heavier weights than normal, meaning fewer days on feed.

“That affects price relationships across feeder cattle. If feedlots want bigger cattle, someone has to put that weight on them before they go to the feedlot, and that is the stocker sector. So, with high feed prices and high feedlot cost of gain, that increases incentives for stocker production in general, and we have certainly seen that,” Peel said. “The value of gain on 500-600 pound to 800-pound calves is elevated. Generally, stocker producers are looking at some good opportunities, and the futures market has optimism built into it.”

Although Peel said many feed yards might want to buy stocker calves at heavier weights to keep their cost of gains to a minimum, he iterated that feed yards also run feed mills, so they also need to keep a steady supply of calves on hand.

Therefore, he projects there will be a divide in the number of feeders who do buy at heavier weights and those who buy at more traditional weights.

48 California Cattleman March 2022

However, for those who do buy at heavier weights, the stocker segment offers great versatility in how they put gain on those calves. With a delayed wheat planting and then continued drought in the southern plains, Peel said that calves that are traditionally grazed on wheat pasture through the early part of the year will likely need to find alternative feed sources. Producers may opt to sell them to others who have pastures or dry lots, keep them and feed them their own grain or forages or sell them to a feedlot that isn’t bothered by buying some lighter weight calves to finish.

Healthy, Efficient Pounds Due to the drought through much of the country, hay prices are also higher than normal, and much of the usual pasture is not as readily available for grazing. With the high value of gain for those in the stocker segment, they should want to get the most nutritional value from their available feedstuffs regardless of if that is wheat, pasture or grain.

Progressive stocker operators feed the Gain Smart® line of vitamin and mineral supplements for beef cattle with the Amaferm® advantage that promotes economically produced pounds by maximizing the natural energy and protein available. Amaferm is a precision prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying nutrient supply for maximum performance. It is research-proven to promote calf health and vigor, stimulate digestion and increase nutrient absorption for optimum gain.

“This is our third grazing season using the Gain Smart® Wheat mineral. It seems to me our gains are probably up between a quarter to a third pound a day compared to the past, since switching to the Gain Smart. We’ve run the same style of high-risk cattle the past 10 years. Our health seems to be substantially better. It seems like our sickness and death loss has been significantly less the last three years. The Gain Smart increases digestibility. If they are eating, they stay healthier,” said Gregg Pickens, Oklahoma stocker operator.

Four Gain Smart formulas exist geared toward individual management scenarios. Gain Smart Stocker is for calves on grass, Gain Smart Wheat is for those calves grazing wheat pasture or other small grain pastures, Gain Smart Balancer RU-1600 contains rumensin and is designed to balance those calves on high-grain diets, and Gain Smart Stocker HEAT is for cattle grazing fescue or any time temperatures get hotter than 70 degrees.

With an optimistic outlook for 2022, that should make the industry breathe a sigh of relief. No, it isn’t perfect.

Drought has forced cow herd sizes to be reduced, packers are short on labor and the weather will still be unpredictable.

However, the stocker sector, can look forward to putting some added value to their calves, getting more efficient gains and turning a profit.

FROM THE CHANGING SEASONS TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS TO THE LABOR FORCE WSR INSURANCE SERVICES knows the unique challenges ranchers face and works to provide the best coverage for you and your business.

Partner with WSR today!

THE EXCLUSIVE INSURANCE BROKER OF CCA

AVAILABLE PRODUCTS: Farm Property and Liability Packages; Auto; Workers Compensation; Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF); Group Health, Dental, Vision plans and more!

Find out what insurance packages may suit your needs at the best price today! Contact WSR’s Kevin Hoppin at (530) 662-9181.

WSR is an equal opportunity employer CA Lic #0B48084 March 2022 California Cattleman 49

Trailblazers Announces Inaugural Group of Beef Spokespeople

The new Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths. After a competitive application process, ten Trailblazers from six states have been selected for the program’s first cohort of beef community spokespeople, including: Haley Ammann-Ekstrom, Minnesota Kacy Atkinson, Wyoming Jonathon Black, West Virginia Brianna Buseman, Nebraska Markie Hageman, California Marya Haverkamp, Kansas Natalie Jones, Nebraska Shaye Koester, Nebraska Sebastian Mejia Turcios, California Jaclyn Wilson, Nebraska “We are excited to start this new program with such a strong group of experienced individuals,” said Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy & spokesperson development at NCBA. “Through extensive training, professional development, and equipping our Trailblazers with the tools needed, we are actively building a network of grassroots advocates across the country that will work together to find solutions to social and practical issues impacting the beef industry.”

These new Trailblazers will receive training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews and understand how to build confidence in beef related practices when talking to consumers. Throughout the year, Trailblazers will receive advanced training from subject matter experts, learning how to effectively engage on various social media platforms, interact with the media, and enhance public speaking skills.

Trailblazers will meet twice a month, both online and in-person to foster constant growth and refinement of skillsets when speaking about beef. Upon acceptance and completion of the program, Trailblazers will serve as industry spokespeople and inform beef advocates at the local and state levels on advocacy, media and spokesperson best practices.

Every year new Trailblazers will be accepted into the program.

Specializing in Truck and Livestock Scales Established in 1959, Scales NW offers a wide range of equipment, from precision lab balances to high capacity rail scales, as well as certified scale service and installation.

Wildland fire damage?

Scales NW is proud to serve: California Idaho Montana Nevada Oregon Utah Washington

Freitas Rangeland Improvements LLC. provides the following services to those affected by wildland fires: Evaluations of damage to fencing, livestock watering systems (solar pump systems, pipelines, tanks, troughs), corrals & barns, Cost estimates for repair or replacement, We can speak with your insurance company, Manage and perform repairs, Additional services available.

Contact Steve Orr for more information today!

Email: steveorr@scalesnw.com Phone: (503) 510-3540

F rei tasRangel andImp rovements.com

www.scalesnw.com • (800) 451-0187

50 California Cattleman March 2022

AD_POWELL_LivestockTruckScale.indd 1

1/11/2018 1:35:26 PM

( 9 2 5 ) 5 8 0 - 64 1 5

Cattlemen’s Report Only 2021-2022 California Cattleman advertisers are represented in this sale report.

62ND ANNUAL KLAMATH FALLS BULL & HORSE SALE Feb. 4, Klamath Falls, Ore. Col. Eric Duarte 112 bulls........................................................................... $3,860 15 open heifers................................................................ $2,653 WERNING CATTLE COMPANY PRODUCTION SALE Feb. 8, Emery, S.D. Col. Dustin Carter and Col. Jered Shipman 11 AI Sire Prospects..................................................... $47,273 92 yearling bulls.............................................................. $8,210 50 age advantage bulls.................................................... $6,575 8 fall bulls......................................................................... $8,500 131 bred heifers............................................................... $8,716 3 Donors (50% Interest)............................................ . $15,000 24 units of Pandemic semen....................................$832/unit LAMBERT RANCHES MODOC BULL SALE With guest consignor Bar KD Ranch Feb. 12, Alturas Col. Eric Duarte 13 Hereford bulls.......................................................... . $4,481 32Angus bulls.................................................................. $4,805 CK CATTLE & WAGER CATTLE PRODUCTION SALE Feb. 12, Highmore, S.D. Col. Seth Weishaar 86 Simmental & SimAngus bulls................................ . $8,424 26 Simmental & SimAngus bred heifer....................... $7,451 14 Commercial bred heifers.......................................... $2,950

Clayton Lambert and Jake Pickering at the Lambert Ranch Bull Sale in Alturas.

KESSLER ANGUS BULL SALE Feb. 15, Milton-Freewater, Ore. Col. C.D. ‘Butch’ Booker 114 Angus bulls.............................................................. $5,830

EZ ANGUS RANCH Feb. 12, Myrtle Creek. Ore. Col. Jake Parnell 35 Angus bulls................................................................... $4,21 V-A-L CHAROLAIS BULL SALE Feb. 15, Nyssa, Ore. Col. John Coote 97 Charolais bulls........................................................... $3,730 SHAW CATTLE CO. 50th ANNUAL BULL SALE Feb. 16, Caldwell, Idaho Col. C.D. ‘Butch’ Booker and Col. Trent Stewart 162 Angus bulls.............................................................. $7,074 172 Hereford bulls.......................................................... $4,790 26 Red Angus bulls......................................................... $5,010 90 commercial pairs....................................................... $1,990 52 commercial open heifers ......................................... $1,450 TEIXEIRA CATTLE COMPANY Feb. 21, Terrebonne, Ore. Col. Trent Stewart 140 Angus bulls.............................................................. $5,337 2 SimAngus bulls............................................................ $5,327

Allan Teixeira, Mac McGiffin, Tom Hill, Ron Anderson and Jared Patterson at the Teixeira Cattle Co. Bull Sale in Terrebonne, Ore, Feb. 21.

March 2022 California Cattleman 51

It was a packed house for the 50th Anniversary Shaw Cattle Company Bull Sale in Caldwell, Idaho on Feb. 16.

BRANGUS VIGOR NEW BREED PROGRAM CHECKS ALL THE BOXES from International Brangus Breeders

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Commercial Marketing Committee has launched a new Process Verified Program (PVP) called Brangus® Vigor.

This plan will identify Brangus cattle that have met the requirements outlined and provide potential buyers more confidence in the cattle they purchase. The Brangus Vigor program is designed for feeder calves that will be going into growyards, stocker operations, or feedyards. It is to benefit Brangus producers who sell feeder calves and their Brangus bull customers who market those Brangus sired calves, as well.

“The Brangus Vigor program is designed to identify true Brangus genetics to have a separation from all other commodity cattle carrying Bos indicus-influence,” explains chairman of the Commercial Marketing Committee, Craig Green. “The goal is to have feeder cattle age- and source-verified and carry a strong vaccination protocol with known Brangus influence. This will take time to be industry recognized, but it is a tool for customers purchasing Brangus, Red Brangus and Ultra bulls to use when marketing their steers.” Green continues, “Breeder participation and assistance should be paramount and available to bull customers.”

The IBBA will be working with IMI Global to provide the verification for the process verified program.

Requirements of the program include age- and sourceverification, an 840 EID tag, genetic merit verification, a health/vaccination protocol, and BQA certification. A cattle owner will enroll in the IMI verification program, fill out the necessary paperwork and provide all of the necessary documentation. IMI will conduct an off-site records review and a phone audit to determine if compliance is met. Once the producer is verified, he or she will receive a shipping certificate and be allowed to market those calves identified in the Brangus Vigor program. The cost of the program will be $5 per head, which will include the EID and Brangus Vigor ear tags. The ear tags will be ordered by IMI and shipped to your ranch, at an additional fee.

SOURCE- AND AGE-VERIFIED: cattle must have been born and raised on your operation. Calving records must be kept showing the first and last calf born for each season. The ranch must keep head count showing cow numbers that support the number of head to enroll.

840 MATCHED SET EID: EID tags and the coordinating Brangus Vigor tag must be applied before the calves leave the ranch of origin.

GENETIC MERIT: calves must be sired by Brangus, 52 California Cattleman March 2022

Red Brangus, or Ultra bulls. The registration numbers of bulls or the name of the breeder and the number of bulls purchased for the past three years are required.

HEALTH PROTOCOL: two rounds of 5-way respiratory modified live vaccine, two rounds of 7, 8 or 9-way clostridial. The premise ID, dates of vaccinations, brand of vaccine and location of injection, as well as vaccine receipts showing the adequate quantity of vaccine for the number of calves enrolled is required. Calves must be weaned for a minimum of 45 days prior to marketing to a feedyard. Producers unable to satisfy the health protocol parameters can enroll calves in Brangus Vigor and market them to a growyard willing to satisfy the remaining health requirements.

BQA CERTIFICATE: the producer must be Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. BQA is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers on how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. Courses for BQA certification can be taken online and the enrollment is free.

The Brangus breed has steadily been increasing marbling and rib eye size. Data collected from ultrasound on Brangus yearlings showed a muscling bonus of 18 percent above the standard for ribeye size. The intramuscular fat (IMF) has also risen significantly in the past seven years. This has resulted in Brangus cattle that routinely exceed the new industry average of 85 percent Choice or better.

It’s time Brangus were recognized for their ability to perform in the feedlot and for the carcass quality that Brangus breeders have been diligent about improving.

The Brangus Vigor ear tag will help to identify a calf with those superior genetics backed by the best health and management practices.

The IBBA Commercial Marketing Committee has a goal of enrolling 5,000 Brangus-sired calves in the Brangus Vigor program by January 2022. To add profit to your feeder calves or your customer’s calves, please share this information and let’s work together to get this bonus incentive recognized throughout the industry.

Cody Glenn, PVP Subcommittee chair summarizes, “Brangus Vigor will provide a third-party process verified program to Brangus producers that will add value to their cattle and enable feeder calf buyers to purchase those calves ‌‌‌ with confidence.”

A

STEP

A H E A D

THE ADVANTAGE YOU CAN TRUST

GENETICS BUILT FOR ALL WEATHER & TERRAIN This map shows the states GENEPLUS buyers are putting

OUR GENETICS TO WORK.

GENEPLUS

March 2022 California Cattleman 53

Cattlemen’s Foundation Seekingopportunities Continued Growth in 2022 from RTAP to be announced.

The year 2021 was significant for The California Cattlemen’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to strengthen the future of California’s beef industry through investment in advocacy, education and research programs designed to support sustainable cattle production. Accomplishing this mission will preserve the proud heritage established by California’s cattlemen and cattlewomen and ensure that future generations are prepared to face the challenges ahead.

The last six months have brought tremendous growth for this young organization as new programs and projects were implemented to ensure the Foundation mission is achieved.

Recognizing many cattle producers could benefit from additional regulatory expertise and professional support, in the Spring of 2021, the California Cattle Council awarded a grant to the California Cattlemen’s Foundation to develop a technical assistance program. RTAP’s goal is to help ranchers stay ahead of the latest regulatory requirements by providing technical assistance to ranchers, enabling them to understand and navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business issues. Livestock producers can reach out to receive assistance at no cost by calling (916) 4066902 or e-mailing rtap@wrstrat.com.

The RTAP team started the new year working to tell more people about the program and connect with producers by hosting a booth at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. In February, RTAP hosted its first educational webinar to go over the State Water Resources Control Board’s recent changes to the due date for water measurement and use reporting. This webinar provided an overview of SB 88 regulations, explained the due date changes and allowed participants to get their water measurement and use reporting questions answered. If you missed this update and are interested in watching the recording of it, please call or email the RTAP team. Stay tuned to the @calcattlemen and @cattlecouncil social media pages for future webinars and educational

54 California Cattleman March 2022

For projects, Stories from California Cattle Country is one of the Foundation’s podcasts that took off last year. The podcast continues to produce episodes that take listeners to some of the most beautiful parts of this diverse state to learn more about the people and practices of ranches and dairies. Produced with support from the California Cattle Council, the podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Communications and advocacy are areas the Foundation is committed to building on throughout this next year. With continued support from the California Cattle Council, Stories from California Cattle Country is set to keep being produced. Funding has also been secured for the Foundation to work on monitoring and responding to issues, planning social and traditional media trainings and creating outreach to the public through multiple projects and new programs.

To lead the Foundation and the work it will do in 2022, the board of directors entered 2022 with a new chair. At the Foundation meeting held in December at CCA’s Annual Convention, former chairmen Myron Openshaw, Oroville, announced his “retirement” as head of the Foundation and stepped down from the position. Pat Kirby, Wilton, stepped into the role as chairperson and now leads the board of 11 other well-qualified individuals, including Openshaw. This board has strong representation from the ranching community, possessing hundreds of years of collective rangeland management experience.

To keep up with all the Foundation is doing, visit the new website https://www.calcattlemenfoundation.org. On the site, you can find out more about the people, projects and plans the Foundation has for taking even more steps forward to fulfill its mission this year.

IN MEMORY STEVE TELLAM

William Stephen Tellam died unexpectantly in the hospital January 19, after contracting a catastrophic viral illness. Steve was 66 years old and in vigorous good health, living the life he loved as a successful cattleman, an exceptional cowboy and a steward of the land, its animals and cattle ranching.

Steve represented the fourth generation of his family in the cattle business in San Diego County. Steve’s greatgrandfather was George Sawday, one of the true California cattle barons, who owned or leased most of the land that is now San Diego County to raise thousands of cattle.

Steve’s grandfather, Hans Starr was hired as the ranch foreman because of his expertise in moving cattle, supervising operations at the ranch and his knowledge of horses and horsemanship. Hans continued in the cattle business after George Sawday died and his son, Willie Tellam, Steve’s father, continued the family tradition in East County as an iconic cattleman, cowboy and businessman.

Willie and Steve formed the nucleus of a crew that won ten World Championship Cattle Team Penning competitions and

Western Poly Pipe —lifetime pipe—

GOOD SERVICE COMPETITIVE PRICES RANCHER-OWNED

– WESTERN POLY PIPE, LLC –

HDPE PIPE FOR RANCH & FARM WATER SYSTEMS

DELIVERY AVAILABLE • (925) 240-3643

two national championships. Steve was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the United States Team Penning Association in Fort Worth, Texas in 2016. He particularly enjoyed raising and training many of his penning horses and traveling the country to competitions where he made many friends and taught courses on team penning.

Steve was fiercely competitive and independent; he aspired to be the best at everything he did. He was an excellent speaker, teacher and advocate for the cattlemen and their interests. These skills are evident on the video entitled “The Last Cowboy” on You Tube, Los Angeles Times, April 21, 2009. Steve’s early education was in the Julian school system where in high school he played football, baseball and basketball. He was active in 4-H and was an FFA Star Farmer. Daily activities centered around raising cattle, riding horses and competing with his three brothers.

Steve graduated in 1973 from Julian High School was followed by two semesters at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as an agriculture business major followed by on the job training with two working cow horse trainers, rubbing shoulders with the son of a president and a permanent return to the cattle business with his family in San Diego County.

Steve was a real cowboy, working sunup to sundown, seven days a week. He considered himself to be a “bovine pediatrician,” loving the animals that were under his care. He took great pride on being a steward of the land and often said “we take care of the land and it takes care of us.”

Steve was president of the San Diego Imperial County Cattlemen’s Association. He was also a member of the Rancheros Vistadores (Los Flojos Camp) and Los Senderos riding associations.

Steve leaves behind his wife, Sherrie, his business partner, and love of his life. Steve also leaves three younger brothers, Michael, John, Allan and his mother Eileen. Also left are aunts Martha Masch and Kathryn Starr, and uncle Robert Redding and Aunt Martha Gwen Thum. There are many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Plans for a celebration of life are being formulated. Memorial donations may be sent to the Ramona Ag Boosters, Attn Mary Martineau, PO Box 2057, Ramona, California 92065 or the Julian Union High School Ag Department, Attn Curtis Martineau, PO Box 417, Julian, CA 92036.

share your news TO SHARE YOUR FAMILY NEWS: OBITUARIES OR WEDDING/ BIRTH ANNOUCEMENTS, CONTACT THE CCA OFFICE AT (916) 444-0845 OR E-MAIL THEM TO

MAGAZINE@CALCATTLEMEN.ORG March 2022 California Cattleman 55

California Cattlemen’s Association Services for all your on-the-ranch needs Ranch Thank you for a tremendous sale season!

Join us again in 2022!

31st annual Bull Sale Sept. 15, 2022 in Denair 82914 Milburn Ave • Anselmo, NE 68813

BAR BAR KD KD RANCH RANCH Elevating Angus to Greater Horizons

Look for our “Distinctly Different” Angus bulls annually at Red Bluff and Modoc Bull Sales!

KENNY & DIANNE READ

CALL US FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PRIVATE TREATY CATTLE OR OUR ANNUAL BULL SALE!

1485 SW King Lane • Culver, OR 97734 Ranch: (541) 546-2547 Cell: (541)480-9340 E-mail: barkdranch@msn.com visit us online at: www.barkdangusranch.com

Angus

Thank you to our 2021 bull buyers!

RAnch

Annual Bull Sale: Sat., September 1, 2018

Thank forSale: your support Inauguralyour Female Mon., Octoberin15,2021!

2018

VISIT US AT WWW.DONATIRANCH.COM!

916.712.3696 • 916.803.2685 jj@barrangus.com

56 California Cattleman March 2022

SEPT. 9, 2021 • WILLIAMS, CA

Tim & Marilyn Callison............................... Owners Chad Davis ..................................... 559 333 0362 Travis Coy ...................................... 559 392 8772 Justin Schmidt................................ 209 585 6533 Ranch Website ................. www.ezangusranch.com

• Calving Ease with Growth • CONTACT US ABOUT SEMEN FROM THESE IMPRESSIVE SIRES...

O’Connell Aviator 7727

Hoffman Bomber 8743

VDAR PF Churchhill 2825

VDAR Mirror Image 6207

SIRE: Musgrave Aviator MGS: R B Tour Of Duty 177

SIRE: VDAR Churchill 1063 MGS: VDAR Really Windy 4189

LOOK FOR US AT LEADING SALES IN 2022.

SIRE: Casino Bomber N33 MGS: S A V Final Answer 0035 SIRE: W R A Mirror Image T10 MGS: BCC Bushwacker 41-93

Nathan, Melissa & Kate Noah (208) 257-3686 • (208) 550-0531

Joe Sammis • (530) 397-3456 122 Angus Rd., Dorris, CA 96023

O’Connell ranch Call us about females available private treaty.

Join us Sept. 9 for our annual Black Gold Bull Sale!

Gerber, CA

Contact us for information on cattle available private treaty.

Registered Angus Cattle Call to see what we have to offer you!

H

Scott & Shaleen Hogan

R (530) 200-1467 • (530) 227-8882

Thank you to our 2021 buyers!

We appreciate your continued support!

DAN & BARBARA O’CONNELL 3590 Brown Rd, Colusa CA (530) 458-4491

Celebrating Angus Tradition Since 1974

O’NEAL RANCH bank!

You can take to the PERFORMANCE-TESTED EFFICIENT, QUALITY ANGUS BULLS NOW AVAILABLE!

h

— Since 1878—

“Thank you!” to our 2021 bull buyers!

O’NEAL RANCH BULLS OFFER THE COMPLETE PACKAGE GROWTH • PERFORMANCE ADAPTABILITY • CARCASS Gary & Betsy Cardoza

(775) 691-1838 • honeranch@frontier.com HONERANCH.COM

PO Box 40 • O’Neals, CA 93645 (559) 999-9510

Thank you to our 2021 “Generations of Performance” Bull Sale buyers!

Offering bulls at California’s top consignment sales!

Call today about private treaty offerings!

RED RIVER FARMS 13750 West 10th Avenue Blythe, CA 92225 Office: 760-922-2617 Bob Mullion: 760-861-8366 Michael Mullion: 760-464-3906

Simmental – SimAngus™ – Angus

(530) 385-1570

E-mail................................tehamaranch@gmail.com

March 2022 California Cattleman 57

A FAMILY TRADITION

thank you to our 2021 Buyers!

Angus and SimAngus Cattle John Teixeira: (805) 448-3859 Allan Teixeira: (805) 310-3353 Tom Hill: (541) 990-5479

3L

“Breeding with the Commercial Cattleman in Mind”

79337 Soto Lane Fort Rock, OR 97735 Ken 541.403.1044 | Jesse 541.810.2460 ijhufford@yahoo.com | www.huffordherefords.com

www.teixeiracattleco.com | cattle@thousandhillsranch.com

SEEDSTOCK PRODUCER SINCE 1978

THANK YOU TO OUR BUTTE BULL SALE CUSTOMERS. JOIN US IN ALTURAS IN FEBRUARY FOR OUR MODOC BULL SALE!

Leading Angus & Ultrablack© Genetics Bulls and females available private treaty!

TUMBLEWEED RANCHES Greeley Hill, CA • La Grange, CA Stephen Dunckel • (209) 591-0630 www.tumbleweedranch.net twd@tumbleweedranch.net

CONTACT US FOR CATTLE AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY OFF THE RANCH

11500 N Ambassador Drive, Suite 410 | Kansas City, MO 64153 | (816) 842-3757 | aha@hereford.org

Oroville, CA LambertRanchHerefords.com

REGISTERED HEREFORD CATTLE

THANK YOU TO OUR BULL SALE SUPPORTERS!

“THE BRAND YOU CAN COUNT ON”

Call us about our upcoming consignments or private treaty cattle available off the ranch.

Chris Beck • 618-367-5397 OFFICE@VINTAGEANGUSRANCH.COM WWW.VINTAGEANGUSRANCH.COM

MCPHEE RED ANGUIS

14298 N. Atkins Rd • Lodi, CA 95248 Nellie, Mike, Mary, Rita & Families Nellie (209) 727-3335 • Rita (209) 607-9719 website: www.mcpheeredangus.com

58 California Cattleman March 2022

Barry: (530) 6825808 • Carrie: (530) 218-5507 Bailey (530) 519-5189 morrellranches@yahoo.com 560 County Road 65, Willows CA 95988

P.W. GILLIBRAND Cattle Co.

Registered Hereford Cattle & Quarter Horses

Call us today for information on private treaty bulls or females.

BARRY, CARRIE & BAILEY MORRELL

Annual Sale First Monday in March 42500 Salmon Creek Rd Baker City, OR 97814

Ranch: (541) 523-4401 Bob Harrell, Jr.: (541) 523-4322

Horned and Polled Hereford Genetics

Private treaty bulls available or watch for our consignments at Cal Poly!

Dwight Joos Ranch Manager P.O. Box 1019 • Simi Valley, CA 93062 805-520-8731 x1115 • Mobile 805-428-9781 dwight.joos@pwgcoinc.com Simi Valley, CA

pwgillibrandcattle.com

CHAROLAIS Feedlot • Rice • Charolais 2015 AICA Seedstock Producer of the Year

Jerry & Sherry Maltby

OFFERING HEREFORD BULLS BUILT FOR THE COMMERCIAL CATTLEMAN Bobby Mickelson (707) 396-7364

Jim Mickelson (707) 481-3440

P.O. Box 2689 • Petaluma, CA 94953

PO Box 760 Williams, CA bbr@citlink.net

Mobile: (530) 681-5046 Office (530) 473-2830 www.brokenboxranch.com

California’s Leading Producers for Brangus, Ultrablacks & Brangus Optimizers

Call a breeder near you today for more information!

BALD MOUNTAIN BRANGUS, SONORA (209) 768-1719

DEER CREEK RANCH, LOS MOLINOS (541) 817-2535

RUNNING STAR RANCH, LINCOLN (916) 257-5517

THE SPANISH RANCH, NEW CUYAMA (805) 245-0434

SUNSET RANCH, OROVILLE (530) 990-2580

GLASGOW BRANGUS, RAMONA (760) 315-7172

TUMBLEWEED RANCHES, GREELEY HILL (209) 591-0630

SPANISH RANCH Your Source for Brangus and Ultrablack Genetics in the West!

LITTLE SHASTA RANCH

Genetics That Get Results!

OMF EPIC E27

Owned with Owned with Oak Meadows Farms & Schooley Cattle.

Call anytime to see what we can offer you!

THE DOIRON FAMILY Daniel & Pamela Doiron 805-245-0434 Cell doiron@spanishranch.net www.spanishranch.net

SONS AVAILABLE IN 2021-2022

THD ©

Stan Sears 5322 Freeman Rd. Montague, CA 96064 (530) 842-3950

Reliable products you are looking for with the dependable service you need.

Vaccines Mineral Medicines Supplements ...and more!

Antonia Old • (209) 769-7663

antonia.old@animalhealthinternational.com

March 2022 California Cattleman 59

Premium Livestock Feeds “PERFORMANCE THROUGH WWW.BARALEINC.COM ADVANCED (888) 258-3333NUTRITION” • Williams, CA Matt Zappetini 526-0106 • Mineral Mixes with(530) Ranch Delivery • mzappetini@baraleinc.com • Hi Mag - Fly Control - Rumensin - Custom Mixes • Performance Through • Complete Feeds and Finish Mixes • Advanced Nutrition

M3 MARKETING SALE MANAGEMENT & MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY ORDER BUYING PRIVATE TREATY SALES PRODUCTION SALE RING SERVICE Proudly Featuring ADVERTISING Conventional 

 

www.baraleinc.com • (888) 258-3333

Williams, CA Matt Zappetini (530) 526-0106 mzappetini@baraleinc.com

Sales Representatives:

M3CATTLEMARKETING@GMAIL.COM (916) 803-3113 Matt Zappetini (530) 526-0106 Tracy Lewis (530) 304-7246

Ranch Deliveries Available with our Truck and Forklift! We

Non-GMO

Certified Organic

1011 Fifth Street Williams, CA. 95987 888-473-3333 info@baraleinc.com WWW.BARALEINC.COM

also offer custom formulations to meet your specific nutritional needs!

We offer blends that contain: Molasses - Zinpro® Performance Minerals - Availa® 4 - Added Selenium Yeast - Rumensin® Available

GENETICS

Watkins Fence Company

Over 25 years serving California, Utah and Southern Idaho

specializing in oil pipe • chain link • barb wire

3300 Longmire Drive• College Station, TX 77845 (800) 768-4066 • (979) 693-0388 fax: (979) 693-7994 e-mail: info@bovine-elite.com

Full Service JMM GENETICS A.I. Technician & Semen Distributor

• A.I, CIDR & heat synchronization • Extensive experience • Willing to Travel • Well-versed in dairy & beef pedigrees

JORGE MENDOZA • (530) 519-2678 jmmawss@gmail.com 15880 Sexton Road, Escalon, CA

REAL ESTATE

KNIPE LAND COMPANY

(805) 649-1568 Lic # 773420 shane@watkinsfence.com

WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISED HERE? KEEP YOUR BUSINESS LISTING IN FRONT OF YOUR DIRECT AUDIENCE YEAR ROUND. ONE-TIME ANNUAL PAYMENT.

Lostine Timber Tract - OR

CHANGE YOUR AD ANYTIME.

Cascade Timber Ranch - ID

RESERVE YOUR BUSINESS SPACE TODAY!

9,772± acres of timber and grazing land $9,319,000. 1,198± acres with creek frontage offered separately. $1,438,260 Timbered ranch with meadows, creek, and ponds. Ranch has great hunting, and a private lease on 20,000 more acres. $5,350,000. Or buy part. $2,970,000

(208) 345-3163 knipeland.com

60 California Cattleman March 2022

CONTACT MATT MACFARLANE (916) 803-3113 OR E-MAIL M3CATTLEMARKETING@GMAIL.COM

101 Livestock Market................................................... 47

Farm Credit West......................................................... 26

Pacific Trace Minerals.................................................. 60

Amador Angus Ranch................................................. 26

Freitas Rangeland Improvements............................... 50

Rancho Casino.......................................................... 9, 51

American AgCredit...................................................... 26

Fresno State Ag Foundation........................................ 59

Red River Farms........................................................... 57

American Hereford Association................................. 58

GenePlus ....................................................................... 53

Sammis Ranch.............................................................. 57

American Simmental Association.............................. 29

Genoa Livestock........................................................... 58

Scales Northwest........................................................... 50

Animal Health International...................................... 59

Grimmius Cattle Co..................................................... 35

Schohr Herefords.......................................................... 59

Arrowquip..................................................................... 13

Harrell Hereford Ranch............................................... 58

Sierra Ranches............................................................... 59

Bar Ale .......................................................................... 60

HAVE Angus................................................................. 57

Silveira Bros................................................................... 57

Bar KD Ranch............................................................... 56

Hogan Ranch................................................................ 57

Sonoma Mountain Herefords..................................... 59

Bar R Angus.................................................................. 56

Hone Ranch................................................................... 57

Spanish Ranch............................................................... 59

Bar T Bar Ranches........................................................ 25

Hufford’s Herefords...................................................... 58

Stepaside Farms............................................................ 57

Bayer Environmental Sciences................................... 41

JMM Genetics............................................................... 60

Tehama Angus Ranch.................................................. 57

Bovine Elite, LLC.......................................................... 60

Kessler Angus................................................................ 57

Teixeira Cattle Co......................................................... 58

Broken Box Ranch........................................................ 59

Knipe Land Company.................................................. 60

Trans Ova...................................................................... 45

Buchanan Angus Ranch.............................................. 56

Lambert Ranch............................................................. 58

Tumbleweed Ranches.................................................. 58

Byrd Cattle Co.........................................................23, 56

Little Shasta Ranch....................................................... 59

Turlock Livestock Auction Yard............................... 6, 7

Cattle Visions..........................................................42, 43

M3 Marketing............................................................... 60

VF Red Angus............................................................... 58

Cattlemen’s Livestock Market....................................... 2

McPhee Red Angus...................................................... 58

Vintage Angus Ranch............................................58. 64

Chico State College of Agriculture............................. 59

Mrnak Herefords West.................................................. 9

Vitaferm......................................................................... 54

CoBank... ....................................................................... 26

Multimin, USA............................................................. 31

Ward Ranches................................................................. 9

Conlin Supply Co, Inc.................................................. 11

Noahs Angus Ranch..................................................... 57

Watkins Fence Company............................................. 60

Dal Porto Livestock............................................9, 21, 56

O’Connell Ranch.......................................................... 57

West Coast Brangus Breeders..................................... 59

Dixie Valley Angus...........................................62, 63, 56

O’Neal Ranch..........................................................17, 57

Western Poly Pipe......................................................... 54

Donati Ranch................................................................ 56

Orland Livestock Commission Yard.......................... 39

Western Video Market................................................... 3

EZ Angus Ranch.....................................................15, 56

P.W. Gillibrand Cattle Co............................................ 58

Wraith, Scarlett, Randolph.......................................... 49

March 2022 California Cattleman 61

62 California Cattleman March 2022

“PERFORMANCE, GROWTH & CARCASS GENETICS”

Offering bul ls that have been put to the ultimate tests!

Featuring sons of these and other industry greats!

BALDRIDGE ALTERNATIVE

SS ENFORCER

RAVEN POWERBALL

HOOVER NO DOUBT

BULLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY YERINGTON, NV • MARCH 13

MIDLAND BULL TEST SALE COLUMBUS, MT • APRIL 1

STERLING ALTERNATIVE 121 AAA 20044575

STERLING NO DOUBT 129 AAA 20046740

Sire: Baldridge Alternative E125 MGS: Styles Upgrade J59 CED +9

BW -0.3

WW +76

YW +134

MILK +22

MARB +1.16

RE +0.73

$C +283

STERLING ALTERNATIVE 130 AAA 20046789

Sire: Baldridge Alternative E125 MGS: HAYNES Outright 452 CED +2

BW +2.5

WW +72

YW +130

MILK +20

STERLING NO DOUBT 135

MARB +1.21

RE +0.60

$C +263

AAA 20046738

Sire: Hoover No Doubt MGS: Connealy Confidence Plus CED +3

BW +2.2

WW +75

YW +140

MILK +21

MARB +0.62

RE +0.59

$C +246

STERLING RELIANT 136 AAA 20046690 Sire: G A R Reliant MGS: Baldridge 38 Special CED +13

BW +0.2

WW +72

YW +129

MILK +31

MARB +1.53

RE +0.72

$C +326

Sire: S S Enforcer E812 MGS: Connealy Confidence Plus BW +0.2

WW +91

YW +164

MILK +27

MARB +0.68

RE +1.09

$C +310

STERLING ALTERNATIVE 169 AAA 20046791

Sire: Baldridge Alternative E125 MGS: Connealy Consensus CED +6

BW +3.6

WW +79

YW +132

MILK +14

MARB +0.85

RE +0.72

CED -6

BW +6.4

WW +97

YW +179

MILK +24

MARB +0.63

RE +1.16

$C +334

STERLING CHATOOGA 141 AAA 20044603

Sire: Yon Chatooga G246 MGS: Baldridge Colonel C251 CED +6

BW +2.4

WW +90

YW +168

MILK +31

MARB +1.07

RE +0.87

$C +306

Sterling Alternative 142 AAA 20046785

Sire: Baldridge Alternative E125 MGS: V A R Discovery 2240 CED +7

BW +2.0

WW +79

YW +145

MILK +23

MARB +1.13

RE +1.16

$C +302

STERLING ENFORCER 145 AAA 20045894

STERLING ENFORCER 163 AAA 20044600 CED +11

Sire: Hoover No Doubt MGS: Connealy Armory

$C +293

Sire: S S Enforcer E812 MGS: Styles Upgrade J59 CED +1

BW +2.5

WW +96

YW +173

MILK +27

MARB +0.90

RE +0.83

$C +309

STERLING ALTERNATIVE 156 AAA 20044586

Sire: Baldridge Alternative E125 MGS: Basin Payweight 1682 CED +13

BW -0.5

WW +80

YW +152

MILK +24

MARB +0.81

RE +0.51

$C +259

STERLING POWERBALL 165 AAA 20052964

Sire: Raven Powerball 53 MGS: Basin Payweight 1682 CED +1

BW +2.0

WW +96

YW +170

MILK +28

MARB +1.78

RE +0.63

$C +304

Lee Nobmann, owner Morgon Patrick, managing partner 8520 5th Ave E., Montague CA 96064

(530) 526-5920 • morgon@nobmanncattle.com March 2022 California Cattleman 63

watch for us at top consignment sales or contact us any time about bulls private treaty

A special “Thank You” from

VINTAGE ANGUS RANCH To a committed and long-time customer

WHITTLE RANCH

A family owned and operated commercial cow/calf ranch in Angel’s Camp, CA

Don and Nancy Whittle

29 th Annual

“Established in the early 1880s, Whittle Ranch is now a 7th generation cow/calf operation. Our family believes that by using the top genetics that Vintage Angus and other top breeders provide has enabled us to sell our calves at or near the top in the Western Video Market Sales. We purchased bulls from Vintage Angus in their very first sale and many bulls since.

Needless to say, Vintage Angus Ranch has had a large impact on our cow herd; Vintage’s entire operation is second to none.”

– Perry and Don Whittle

“Carcass Maker” Bull Sale Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 LaGrange , CA

64 California Cattleman March 2022

JIM COLEMAN, OWNER DOUG WORTHINGTON, MANAGER BRAD WORTHINGTON, OPERATIONS MIKE HALL, BULL SERVICES • (805)748-4717 2702 SCENIC BEND, MODESTO, CA 95355 (209) 521-0537 WWW.VINTAGEANGUSRANCH.COM OFFICE@VINTAGEANGUSRANCH.COM