Charolais junior field day

A GREAT DAY TO LEARN

California Charolais Association puts on field day hosted by Broken Box Ranch

by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

On Sept. 15 the crackling gravel under car tires caravanning behind one another was the sound leading up to the Broken Box Ranch Feedlot in Williams. In these cars eager participants were there to attend a field day put on by the California Charolais Association.

With close to 45 participants including, 4-H, FFA and collegiate level students in attendance the event started with California Charolais Association President, Robert Bianchi, Gilroy, introducing the tour’s host Jerry and Sherry Maltby, Williams, and guest speaker American International Charolais Association Executive Vice President Clint Rusk.

When asked why the Charolais Association put on the event, Chris Bianchi, Gilroy, shared, “It was a way that we could all get together, catch up and provide an educational component to others.”

To start the day off, all attendees were given a note card and led to a pen with six bulls. Here they were asked to judge and place the bulls in the order in which they felt they ranked.

Once everyone was done judging and placing the bulls, Rusk shared his ranking of the animals. He explained that when observing the bulls, he judges them based on their weight, muscle, structure, soundness and performance. “You want a bull that looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger,” said Rusk. Rusk noted some other factors to take into consideration when judging bulls are their joints, scrotal circumference and ones that offer a bit of bone.

Participant, Grace Airola, Oakdale, was the only one who placed the bulls in the correct order and was awarded for her judging skills. With the judging complete, Maltby led everyone over to see his feeding tubs, where he explained how his animals were fed on the lot.

For the last leg of the tour, everyone hopped onto hay bales on the back of the flatbed to tour the feedlot and pastures. Maltby, explained that what is now the feedlot, was originally part of the rice ranch that surrounded them. He shared that they took out a few fields to turn into the pasture and a feedlot.

The trucks stopped at each pen where they were able to observe the livestock including some of Maltby’s bulls he takes to sales or for private treaty. Attendees were able to learn about the durability of the Charolais breed and Maltby’s herd of Gyulais (Wagyu + Charolais crosses).

To end the day, all the participants were able to enjoy lunch and a chance to speak with one another at the Maltby’s home.

Sherry Maltby with granddaughter Avery California Charolais Association President Robert Bianchi welcoming everyone to the event Jerry Maltby sharing information about the Charolais breed

Feedout programs give producers valuable information, tools to bring back to their operations. Hereford producers stand behind their products by knowing their genetics. The American Hereford Association (AHA) annual feedout programs provides participants with carcass information to keep their operations moving in a positive direction.

“The information that participants gain from the program has really helped them to make better decisions,” says Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs. “Whether it’s genetic selection or herd health, the feedout programs have given them a lot of data and information that they can set as a benchmark for their operations. If they need to work on carcass weight, ribeye area, or marbling — any of those carcass traits that we can directly measure — they can get that information.”

The programs also generate unique marketing avenues. Feedout participants gain access to the U.S. Premium Beef (USPB) grid, so cattle can qualify as candidates for the Certified Hereford Beef® brand.

“To have access to the U.S. Premium Beef program through National Beef is really a great benefit of the program. It’s an industry-leading marketing program that provides extra value for Hereford-influenced cattle, and participants can gain a lot from being rewarded for quality,” Befort says.

The Association offers opportunities for both adults and juniors. Adults can participate in the Hereford feedout program, and juniors in the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Fed Steer Shootout. All cattle entered are fed at HRC Feedyards in Scott City, Kansas, and both programs offer valuable insight.

“It really gives an opportunity for our members to gain the education and experience in the cattle feeding industry and learn about a different part of the industry that they might not be familiar with,” Befort says.

Ultimately, the feedout programs help establish the advantage of Hereford genetics in the marketplace and give producers tools to improve their operations. AHA Executive Vice President Jack Ward says these improved genetics are moving the breed forward. “We see commercial producers today understanding the value of heterosis and the value of adding Hereford genetics to their cow herds, increasing in efficiency, fertility, longevity,” Ward says. “And, of course, you always get a great disposition when you add Hereford genetics.” Western States Reno, Nevada November 30 - December 3 Reno, Nevada Don’t missTHE EVENT of the fall.

SCHEDULE 11/30 WEDNESDAY

Cattle Check in

Showmanship - 12:00 PM 12/1 THURSDAY

Jr Show - 9:00 AM

American Hereford Association

Commercial Cattlemen Seminar - 6:30 PM

Sale

Friday.December 2 4:00 PM in Main Arena

Consignments from Western Hereford Breeders off ering 30 Lots

SHOW HEIFERS | BRED HEIFERS | HERD PICKS PREGNANCIES | FLUSHES | EMBRYO PACKAGES herefordreno.com

12/2 FRIDAY Pen Bull Show, Open Bull Show - 9:00 AM Sale Preview and Social 3:00 pm Hereford Reno Sale and Social - 4:00 PM 12/3 SATURDAY Open Heifer Show - 9:00 AM FOR SHOW INQUIRIES, Brian Gallagher, chair 253-261-9968 Scott Holt, vice president 208-850-1329 FOR ANY SALE INQUIRIES AND SALE BOOK REQUESTS, text or call Jared Patterson 208-312-2386